First Steps ->

[Ajax]

Ajax could have flow to Kansai; really, it would have saved him the money he'd spent on the ship. Yeagar was strong enough to carry him from Kanto, after all. So why did he choose to go by sea?

Well, he'd never taken the time to get a water-type Pokemon that could ferry him on its back. It was never, really, a problem, since he had Yeagar to fly him everywhere. Redundancy wasn't something Ajax was particularly fond of.

That being said, the gentle movement of the boat, while slower than flying on his Pidgeot would have been, was most definitely more enjoyable than the huge bird's wingbeats and the constant balancing act that was part of flying. Ajax spent virtually the entire ride leaning lazily against the side railing, staring off at the crystal-blue waters through his sunglasses and enjoying the salt air.

He'd heard about Kansai, about the failed Safari attempt and the hundreds of Pokemon species that roamed the island. He was looking forward to getting his hands on rare specimens, strong Pokemon, and most of all the Pokemon that belonged to the trainers drawn to the area. He'd catch wild Pokemon, gladly, but the real money was in well-trained Pokemon and not the ripe-off-the-vine feral ones.

The hustle and bustle that accompanied the ship sailing into port disrupted Ajax from his post, sent him searching for somewhere out-of-the-way to stay until all the people stopped running around the deck. Crowds- well. Ajax had never really been fond of crowds, unless he was disappearing into them to escape.

He left the ship with his hands in his pockets, a self-satisfied smile on his face. This was a new place to explore, and he was looking forward to it. After this... perhaps Unova. Perhaps.

But for now... for now, he was headed for the market, to stock up on supplies. He looked around, not seeming obviously lost, but without a definite direction, either. It would... really help if there was a sign pointing him in the right direction, wouldn't it?

[Brooke Verity]

Brooke had snuck away from Maple Town to come and visit Coventina. Information had been passed onto her that a small group of Dragonair had been sighted swimming out in the bay that she'd like to take a look at, her research into Dragons was proving fruitful here in Kansai; they were unlike any other type of Pokemon she'd ever encountered, their strength and discipline contrasting with the rage and terror. Nothing else could hold up to the reputation of a Dragon, nothing at all. She had been in Coventina for a week and this was the first day she had decided to take a brief break and visit the market.

The low boom of a horn signalled the arrival of another ferry, which drew a smile to the Professor's face as she browsed the market stalls. More and more people arrived in Kansai every day, it was thrilling, several more of her starter pokemon had been given out and things were certainly heating up in the wilds with the pokemon battles.

There was only one problem; poachers. First it was the mysterious man that Lorna had told her about, the ex Team Rocket Administrator that had used a snag machine to steal the pokemon of the team that had gone out to investigate. Nearly everyone got their pokemon back, except one. It seemed that Jason had disappeared for now, which was a relief; she couldn't deal with anymore of those towers popping up over the island to wreck havoc with the wildlife. The after math was still very much there however, Brooke had seen the young coordinator's Ninetales, which had been forcefully evolved. There was nothing Brooke could offer as help but a Soothe Bell; which had to be put on with her Garchomp holding down the angry vixen.

Then there was the poacher Terrance had told her about. One who attacked Alexander, left him unconscious whilst his pokemon ran for their lives. Things were looking a little grim in Kansai and really there was nothing Brooke could do about it; her duties kept her tied to her work and helping trainers with questions. Her hands were tied, she couldn't go after these poachers herself. She had to rely on those around her.

Brooke purchased a Sun Stone from a vendor and watched as the crowd filtered down from the ferry, some recognised her; even without her lab coat and dressed in her casual wear. Unfortunately the alleged 'scandal' between her and Soren Forberg in the papers had spread across to sow the seed of suspicion in other regions. Thankfully, she wasn't beratted as often as she once was, but her face was more than recognisable to those who paid attention to the press.

She was just greeting a trainer that came to speak with her when she noticed an older man looking a bit lost and seemed to be trying very hard not to look it. Scientists, they saw too much. She excused herself and placed her hands in the pockets of her jacket as she approached. "Need any help?" She asked with a polite smile.

[Ajax]

((ooc // SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG OMG I'm used to getting subscription replies! I'll set something up or something to make sure this doesn't happen again!))

He had, at the very least, found the market. But unfamiliar areas with lots of unfamiliar people and Pokemon tended to get him turned around, so he'd stalled in a slightly out-of-the-way place to get his bearings. He was tempted to let Cleo out to help him find the materials he needed, but... while he trusted Cleo, Ajax did not trust any human any farther than he could throw a Snorlax.

So instead, he'd pulled out a cigarette and was partway through lighting it when he was approached by-

Well, she was pretty, at least, though a bit young for his tastes. A doctor or nurse, maybe, judging by her clothes -- something in the science or health fields. Had a nice voice. Seemed friendly and helpful. He really didn't like the friendly, helpful types. They tended to pry too much.

He eyed her warily from behind his sunglasses as he finished lighting the cig, took a deep drag. He turned his head slightly to exhale before finally speaking to her.

"Just off the ferry, looking for training supplies," he answered her gruffly, his voice gravelly and low. "Training supplies" was always his go-to excuse for ropes and traps and nets. Agility training. Strength training. Balance training. Had to have well-rounded Pokemon, after all, moves and stats weren't everything!

He was used to the lip service by now. And with his Pokemon, well... who wouldn't believe that he had an effective training regimen?

[Brooke Verity]

(it's alright! I'm not sure if you get an option on here about replies unfortunately D; I'll have a nose around, there must be an email alert option somewhere ><)

Brooke could see the man was one of those strong individuals who probably didn't want her help. She'd offer it never the less, it was part of her role here. She smiled at the man, "Youre definitely in the right place then. The market stalls around here offer good items on the cheap, but if you want to go a little more up market then you'd best be off to Silverfern, the department stores over there. But this place will see you through the journey."

(sorry for short reply, using my phone!)

[Ajax]

((ooc // Oh, thank you! If there isn't an option, I'll find a web service that can do it! But no need to worry about a short reply! I am not picky~ Also! If she feels like offering him a starter, he would not turn down a free Pokemon. o3o))

Ajax nodded, appearing grateful for her help. Being approached out of the blue like that was beginning to make him antsy, though, and he rather hoped that he hadn't had the bad fortune to finally run afoul of the law. He had no disillusions about being a well-known poacher -- fame only lead to being caught, and he was already distinctive enough with that eye -- but he was always worried that a psychic-type Pokemon or one of the ones who can feel a human's true nature would tip off the authorities.

The woman didn't seem to have a Pokemon out, at least, but he did pat his pocket to make sure both Yeagar's Pokeball and his handgun were there, more to satisfy his own worry than anything. He didn't want to make a flashy exit, but if he had to...

"Thanks," he started, letting a lazy half-smile cross his lips, "Always fun tryin' to figure out a new place, glad there's someone around who knows the place."

It was a bad idea to be too obviously antisocial when he first arrived -- didn't need to strike the locals as "that one grumpy guy" before he even got his first shot at nabbing anything worth selling.

[Brooke Verity]

(Hehe! He'll have to go to Maple Town to get one of those! Brooke keeps them at her lab Oh and also, guns aren't allowed in this RP, I reeeeally should put that in the rules!)

Brooke was pleased she could offer the help, it was nice seeing some older trainers come over anyway; not that she had anything against the young aspiring trainers that were flooding onto the island, but it was nice seeing someone you could actually share a story with that they'd remember from the news, rather than a blank face from a youngster and told that you're 'old'. Ugh. She wasn't even thirty yet.

Generally when Brooke was out and about she didn't have a pokemon partnering with her, especially not in a busy city. It wasn't that she feared her pokemon's safety, but it was more the trouble of if someone saw her with any of her pokemon there might be the challenge for a battle. Brooke was rusty on that front, yes she had participated in the parade and won a battle or two but her research was her focal point these days.

"I'm glad I could help, to get out of this place, just go straight down through the market; you should come to the northern road and that'll take you through the northern wilds and straight to Silverfern." She explained.

She then snapped her fingers, "Oh! And if you want, Kansai has it's own set of starter pokemon, once you're past Silverfern go towards Maple Town. You can get one there."