Pewter City

Jack sat at his the table in his apartment, slowly eating. He was perusing a paper in front of his eyes, and to the casual observer he appeared to be just another average teen, going about his mornings. Until one noticed the Pokemon on the table next to him, a Taillow pecking away at its own tray of food. Occasionally he spoke to the avian Pokemon, commenting on various tidbits of the news. Finally he set it aside, and before cleaning his dishes and putting them away. Waving his hand at his Taillow, he threw on his jacket on his way out the front door.

"Beautiful day, isn't it Taillow?" With a smile, Jack watched his Pokemon agree with him with excitement. He headed towards the Pewter City Gym, a gleam in the eyes of both trainer and Pokemon. Today was the day they'd both been training for, the day where they'd achieve their first badge. A shining gold pendant swung at his neck, a sentimental reminder of the time the pair had spent together, of how they had come to be a team. "You ready girl? This one's going to be tough."

"Taaaiillloooow!" He couldn't help but laugh at the tough cry of confirmation that his partner gave him, and held out his hand. Taillow alighted on it, hopping to perch on his shoulder. Jack stroked her back, his expression appearing merely happy. Only Taillow knew the caring behind those cool eyes.

"Good, cause so am I. Let's rock this town."

((3))

Jack had walked up to the Gym, the massive building where the first steps into the future lie. For several long moments, he stared at it together with Taillow, a trill of fear running through him. The boy glanced at the Pokemon on his shoulder, saw his own uncertainty reflected in her eyes. The trainer looked slowly back at the building, now torn between a decision. He remembered that those within used Rock typed Pokemon, and concern for Taillow alone, despite her prowess and ace-in-the-hole, consumed him. "Hey girl, what do you think if we gave you some friends for this first? It just makes me nervous that you'll be all alone, unable to get a rest between battles."

To his surprise, Taillow nodded quickly. "Taillow! Tail, tail, Taillow." The normally confident Pokemon had picked up on his doubts, and finally had reason to voice her own.

Somewhat relieved, Jack turned from the Gym's face, heading to the outskirts of Pewter City for the tall grass there. Even adding another to his team would solve his troubles, and a few days of training and bonding with the new member would see them ready for this averted challenge. A few minutes later, and the waving grass came into view, with the promise of a Pokemon within. "Alright Taillow, here we go. Time to find you a friend."

((Keeping with 3, by the way read my OOC post. Relevant information there.))

Pewter City stretched before its inhabitants magnificently. Considered a worldwide intellectual center, there were several facilities availible to its inhabitants, including a museum, a good bookstore, and Kanto Tech, the only public college on the continent.

Brock, the Gym Leader, was busy training in the gym area of his gym. The literal gym. He strained to pick up a weight that was far too heavy for him, then resorted to a lighter weight. His Pokemon were playing in the arena, with its rocky soil and stone walls. He only used three of them for Gym battles, as he did not wish to damage his other two.

A girl sat in front of the Gym, her long, curly brown hair sweeping her shoulders in the slight wind. She smiled slightly, admiring the map she had just drawn of her city, including everything from the small area of grass on its outskirts to the museum's renovated exhibits. Then she stood, walking toward Route 2 and Viridian Forest for a bit of alone time.

[Jack Cega] The patch of grass teemed with Pokemon just waiting to be fought and caught. Some were rarer than others, while a few were completely unique. Jack had probably not anticipated the Pokemon that leapt out of a small muddy area at him: a Lotad!

(Cryovizard: I just moved your post for easy access on my part... you'll no longer need to move it.)

Jack hadn't flinched as Lotad sprung from the tall grass, and his hand never even drifted towards the Pokedex he'd received from his parents when they saw how dedicated he was to Taillow. The trainer knew the Pokemon on sight, from a festival that had passed through Pewter City. Lotad, Lombre, and Ludicolo, all the stages of its evolution. Finally sighing, he pulled out the device anyways, flipping it open and skimming the entry. He glanced at Taillow. "So, what do you think girl? He's got potential, but I'm just not feeling the spark."

Unsurprisingly this time, Taillow gave a firm shake of her head, crying in challenge. "TAAAAIIIILLLOOOOOOW!"

At this outburst, what appeared to be a sort of fire sparked in Jack's eyes, one that was reflected within his partner's. His hand clenched into a fist in anticipation, after all, month's of training had gone by, and this was his first true test. The Lotad seemed to shrink in his eyes away from them, perhaps it was his imagination, but it appeared to pick up on the combined hunger to prove themselves between Pokemon and trainer. "Just like we practiced, Taillow. Hit him hard and low, use Quick Attack!"

Lifting like a bullet shot from a starting gun, Taillow seemed to blur from her perch on Jack's shoulder. She flew straight and true, like an arrow diving for Lotad. It was unexpected and somewhat intimidating to see the sleight Pokemon rocketing forward in a headlong attack, and the practice Taillow had done together with Jack had only sharpened her natural skill. She bellowed a warcry. "TAILLOW!"

((7 this time.))

[Jack Cega] The Lotad had shrunk back and was knocked into the reeds on the side of the pond, nearly fainted. Tailow's triumphant cries were piercing its weak ears, but it pulled itself up and launched a water attack, which bombarded Tailow lightly. It was a miss, but it could have been a clencher if Tailow hadn't been flying so quickly.

The battle noises had attracted some extra attention. On the side of the little grassy region stood a girl of medium height, with long brown hair that was as straight as a stick. Her skin, which was somewhat tanned, glowed in the early afternoon sunlight. Charming eyes found Jack amidst the tall grass.

Lotad reared at Taillow's sudden movement, allowing the avian Pokemon to slip below its guard. Jack pumped his fist as the Lotad went flying, Taillow arcing to hover, a gleam in her eye if she needed to strike no more. The limp posture of the wild Pokemon gave the trainer and his partner and indication that another attack wouldn't be necessary. Jack beckoned to Taillow.

As she alighted one his shoulder, Jack peered at the setting sun, his grin slowing fading. For several long moments, he thought, pondering whether they should go back for the night or stay and try their luck at night. Seeming to pick up on his thoughts as he glanced at her, Taillow crooned and gave him a playful nip. Smiling again, he nodded. Alright, Taillow. We'll stay here for the night, and keep trying.

Jack unslung his messenger back, and begun to strike camp while Taillow flew overhead, occasionally releasing a cry of challenge. She was trying to draw a Pokemon near, to give the pair another chance to bring another to join them.

((10 this time, and apologies for the absence. Life has been busy.))

((Haha, everyone, no worries about disappearences. That's how this thing is designed, so that you can take a break and this won't be dead once you return.))

[Jack Cega] The girl who stood at the edge of the field smirked slightly, realizing that he had just defeated the Lotad on purpose. He clearly intended to find the perfect Pokemon for himself, and was going to stay all night in the field to catch some. He also hadn't noticed her, so she walked away. But she wasn't gone yet. She tossed a Pokeball to the ground and a young Vulpix appeared. It purred and rubbed against her leg like a cat. She pointed at the field and whispered something, to which the Vulpix responded adequetly.

A sweet scent oozed across the field, causing the air around Jack and Tailow to glisten. It was especially attractive to Pokemon, who almost reveled in its sweet scent, but were scared away by Tailow's war cries. None appeared. And nocturnal Pokemon were especially afraid of loud noises. Jack would need to be quieter in order to draw Pokemon to him.

Jack sighed, his tasks of setting up camp complete. For a few minutes he just watched Taillow in her efforts to attract Pokemon, then whistled for her to come. The avian Pokemon flitted over to him, alighting on his shoulder, and he stroked her head gently. "Let's give you a rest for awhile. I think that you might be scaring them off, with those warcries of yours."

Taillow puffed up indignantly on his shoulder, and he had to laugh. This earned the trainer a nip on the ear, and he fell silent instantly. Jack fingered the golden chain and pendant around his neck, remembering the times it signified with his partner. Years of care and training, of bonding. He couldn't imagine a closer friend. "It's alright girl. We've come a long way, and we've only just begun."

"Taillow. Tail, ta-Taillow." The Pokemon seemed to be agreeing with her trainer, nuzzling his neck with the warmth he'd come to expect. Jack sighed again, and stoked the fire, setting out some food for Taillow. Then he opened a snack for himself, and together the pair ate and enjoyed each others company while they waited.

((2, and I can't believe how much I forgot with that blank post up there. >.<))

[Jack Cega] Immediately after Jack's Taillow stopped spouting warcries, timid and wild Pokemon began to poke their heads out from the grass, desparate to find the source of the sweet scent. So much so that when the girl with the Vulpix crossed through the grass, holding her Vulpix high above, the Pokemon didn't run away in terror.

"Looking for something special, are we?" The girl's voice was friendly and slight flirtacious. She sat on the edge of the blanket after helping Jack finish spreading it out. "What is it that you want?" Her Vulpix crooned to the small Spinarak that poked its head off of a stalk of grass. Also searching for the smell were a small Poliwag and a slightly larger Zigzagoon.