A Venture

[Soren Forberg]

((Okay this is the start of my Spelunking RP which will involve a little cave/tunnel exploration with Soren, anyone can join, once we get a few people we'll dart on over to the desert to get the real deal started))

Soren Forberg was in an unusually good mood. The weather was perfect for flying, he hadn't been mobbed by trainers as soon as he'd set foot beyond the grounds of his estate and he could finally get a break. Maple Town was rapidly coming into view, more specifically the large white building that was the laboratory of Brooke Verity. He squeezed his heels against his Aerodactyl's sides and the large winged reptile responded by angling his wings and starting to descend. They touched down just outside the doors and Soren quickly returned his pokémon – not that he had to worry about being spotted today.

Why hadn't he thought of disguises before?

Well it wasn't really a disguise so much as a massive wardrobe change. His normal gentlemanly garb would be of no use for what he had planned today, hence the radical change in clothing. A fitted navy T-shirt, worn denim jeans (which he'd honestly forgotten he'd owned) and a brown leather jacket were certainly a far cry from his normal outfit. Even with his striking silver hair he'd gone largely unnoticed.

He pocketed his aviator sunglasses (he was still a tad sensitive to light from that knock on the head and would remain so for a while or so his doctor had said) and picked up the hiker's knapsack that had been dropped by his pokémon when he had retreated into his pokéball. He slung it over one shoulder and stepped into the lab, greeting it's Professor with a grin and a lazy wave.

“Good morning Professor, Nathaniel said he called ahead to tell you I was coming. I wanted to discuss this in person.” he said. “I did tell you I'd made a discovery – I was just a little loopy at the time, not lying.” he added with a wink as he pointed to the small scar near his temple. Truth be told he was embarrassed to hell at having caused such a scene with Dominic, but it was better to try and brush it off rather than blush and stammer which would only make things more awkward for the both of them – he was on shaky grounds with her as it was. A happy bleat drew his attention and he knelt down, patting Ampharos' head with a smile. “Hello there old boy, nice to see you again.” He had to admit he quite liked the jolly electric-type – it seemed to be one of the few pokémon of Brooke's that didn't constantly glower at him. He looked back up towards Brooke with a grin. “You're going to love this!”

[Brooke Verity]

"Good morning Professor-" Were the only words that passed her ears before she turned to look, look down at her paperwork, then immediately look back up again. A double take was required in the case of seeing Soren dressed so... out of character. Brooke raised her eyebrows and pressed her lips together, perplexed as to the sudden wardrobe change. "Soren?" It was his voice that proved as such, and when she stepped closer it was indeed him, "You look.." She shook her head, no point in saying. She couldn't find the right word anyway to describe this new change.

Ampharos was always happy for the attention, being the most friendly of Brooke's pokemon - even rivaling her Raichu's chipper nature. Must be an Electric thing. She realised she was staring, and that was awkward. Brooke cleared her throat, setting down the paperwork on her desk. "What am I going to love, Mr Forberg?" She asked, somewhat suspicious.

[Ignus Draco]

Ignus was walking through Maple Town, his Zebstrika Arashi walking by his side, the zebra Pokemon giving him a nudge every now and then. Ignus smiled and patted Arashi's head. "Yes, yes, I know Arashi, you wish to go see the others. You know, you need to learn to be a little more patient..." Of course, when it came to the Zebstrika and patience, Ignus could tell that Arashi didn't like being held back, and he liked that about the Zebstrika. It was only when Arashi kept nudging him in a way of saying 'Pick up the pace already' that it was starting to get on his nerves. But he would never change that about his own Pokemon. After all, he liked their unique personalities.

He then noticed Brooke conversing in the Pokemon Lab with Soren Forberg when he walked in, and it was Soren's choice of clothes that made him raise an eyebrow, then shook his head. He waved as he walked up to them. "Good morning Professor, Mr. Forberg." His Zebstrika immediately trotted over to Brooke's Ampharos and gave its welcome to the jolly electric type, then looked at Ignus.

[Soren Forberg]

Soren fought valiantly to keep himself from grinning outright when he saw Brooke's double-take and her careful use of 'Mr. Forberg'. It was amusing to see her caught off guard - it was a rare occurance after all. Drawing back up to full height he set down the knapsack on a nearby table, the jingle of metal equipment inside would no doubt raise further questions, but first he produced a map from the depths of the bag, spreading it out before her. "Obviously you remember when I thoroughly made an ass of myself in front of you - again - when my cousin accosted you?" he said, lips quirking in a small smile. "Well there was a good reason."

The gentleman gym leader pointed to a mark on the map at the norther fringes of the desert region. "I was cutting across the northern tip of the desert when a sandstorm blew up - I wasn't prepared and I couldn't see a damn thing. Apparently I stumbled just enough paces to the left and dropped about twelve feet into a crevice. The sand at the bottom broke my fall but me being me I still managed to knock my head against a rock. I woke up about an hour later and took off and - well you know the rest," he said, his face colouring slightly. He glanced up as Ignus entered the building and beckoned him over. "Master Draco - splendid timing, you might as well come listen to this, I think I've use for you."

Turning his attention back to Brooke he gestured at the map again. "Ahem, anyway - after I recovered I went looking for that crevice again. When I found it I realized that there was a cave system near the back - tunnels that stretch out underground for miles." Soren said, tapping his finger against the map. "I was hoping you could find a few people who would come along with me to explore the tunnel system...I dressed this way for a reason you know." he added with a wink.

[Ignus Draco]

Ignus just stood there as he listened, then noticed Soren beckoning him over, leaving Arashi to get acquainted with Brooke's Ampharos as he walked up to look at the map. It was weird seeing the Speed Gym Leader in his current getup, and yet even weirder listening to his story about a cousin and being an ass in front of Brooke, etc. etc. It was what Soren said about his trip into the desert and falling into a crevice that immediately perked Ignus' interests. After exploring pretty much everything in Kansai (the northern half being an exception due to the poacher sightings) twice over, he was immediately relieved when he heard of something that might not have been explored yet.

A smile on his stony features, he looked at the map, intrigued at what Soren had found after going through that crevice. He then looked at the Gym Leader gentleman "So...to put it simply, you request my services as an explorer, Soren? Count me in. It's been a while since I've explored something new, anyways. Though I'll have to go and get my exploration team out of the storage system." He stood up, his smile a tad bigger even when Arashi nudged him playfully, causing him to smile apologetically at the Zebstrika. "Well Arashi, I may have to put you in storage for the time being." The Zebstrika looked downcast for a minute, then raised its head and nodded in understanding, Ignus smiling and petting its head. "Good. I'm glad you understand, my friend."

[Brooke Verity]

Yeeees, Brooke did seem to be the lucky one when it came to the drama of the Forberg’s – but she supposed that’s what came with being a Gym Leader. She shuddered at the thought of what Oak and other Professor’s go through when liaising with their Gym Leaders, she couldn’t imagine Crasher Wake throwing a dinner party with any pizzazz... If anything Brooke was glad that Soren was the only one that had his family involved with Kansai, it seemed the other leaders had left everything behind to come here – making it somewhat easier for Brooke, she needn’t worry about their cousins rocking up on the doorstep. Anyway, the Professor seemed somewhat intrigued by the tunnel system that Soren had found, “I know of these tunnels, they were left behind as a result of the terraforming. There must be hundreds if thousands of these systems in the island – so I’m pleased that you found one, they’re difficult to get to, I know that.”

Brooke immediately went to the phone, “Terrance will want to know about this, ever since he became Warden he’s been itching to actually do something of worth.” She chuckled, making the call. After a brief conversation she returned, “He’ll meet you out in the desert, he’s with Lorna McKinley at the moment helping her with her research but he’ll come down as quick as he’s able.”

Ignus spoke of getting his team together, and she gestured the terminal at the back of the lab, “By all means Mr. Draco, feel free to use the computer.”

[Soren Forberg]

Soren nodded appreciatively when Brooke called Terrance - he knew the former gym leader was an extremely capable man who would be a good addition to their team. Brooke of course, would probably have to stay behind - with two new pokemon species he knew she must be up to her neck in work, still he found the thought of her doing work out in the field oddly amusing. She was certainly capable, that much he knew.

"Excellent, glad to have you aboard Master Draco," Soren said smoothly, "And Terrance will be a splendid asset."

He waited for Ignus to select his exploration team from the PC. Feeling a little fidgety Soren untied his long silver hair and retied it - a damning habit of his whenever he was particularly unsure of something and carefully moved a little closer to Brooke so that they could speak a little more privately, but still keeping that critical space between them - he'd been known for overstepping boundries and he was doing his best not to, "We'll try to map the tunnel system as best we can and get the data back to you," he said quietly. "We'll update you immediately if we find anything of interest down there, I promise and I erm - well how about we just have Master Fletcher and Master Draco debrief you on any finds."

[Ignus Draco]

Ignus nodded when Brooke said he could use the PC, and walked over after returning Arashi, turned on the PC, and began selecting his team. His team was basically his own set of reserve Pokemon he always carried with him on exploration missions like this one: Homura the Infernape, who handled digging; Inazuma the Rotom, who acted as a light for Ignus; Darach the Sceptile, who handled cutting away any trees; Barradus the Sharpedo, who only went with Ignus on deep-sea expeditions; Nexus the Zoroark was another one of his reserves, but was only called out to confuse the enemy with his Illusion ability; Julius the Sawk, who handled moving boulders; and Kenryu the Hitmonlee, who handled being Ignus' defense sometimes, and acting as a veteran to the others.

Hmm...it's going to be in the desert, so Baraddus is out...I'm going to need a flyer, so I'll have to keep Marcus in my party...Arashi too, since he knows Rock Smash...alright. After a while of moving Pokemon around in his party, Ignus now had his desert exploration team: Homura, Inazuma, Julius, Arashi, Marcus, and Garet surprisingly, since Ignus really liked talking to the Gallade a lot. He then moved aside and leaned against the wall, one of his Pokeballs twitching and bringing out Inazuma the Rotom, who whizzed around Ignus' head, and the Explorer chuckled. "It's good to see you again, Inazuma."

[Brooke Verity]

Brooke listened to Soren as he tentatively assured her that he would map out the tunnels and get back to them as soon as possible with the news. The part about getting Ignus or Terrance debrief her caused her to lift a brow, "If you insist. But remember, this is business Mr. Forberg, you're welcome to tell me yourself." Definitely business and definitely not pleasure.

Ignus retrieved the team he required for the expedition and the Rotom flying around Ignus' head brought a smile to the Professor's face, "Quite a rare one you've got there Mr. Draco." She said with a smile, then continued; but spoke to both men, "It would appear you have everything you need, good luck to you and I hope you find something interesting in the caverns for me." She grinned.

[Soren Forberg]

Soren exhaled loudly through his nose as he fiddled with his Aerodactyl's pokeball. He really was unsure of that particular suggestion, but he'd keep it in mind. It wasn't that the gentleman gym leader didn't enjoy the Professor's company, quite the opposite actually, but given the circumstances and the rumour mill he felt the need to try to keep a distance, for her sake. He still felt extremely guilty about the pounding her reputation had taken because of him. "I will - consider it," he said with a stiff nod. "As I said, you'll be updated periodically and if we find anything interesting we'll let you know as soon as possible."

With that he hefted the pack he'd prepared back over his shoulder and donned his glasses - it was still damnably bright outside and glanced back at her over the rims, but said nothing before turning around and heading outside. Once outside the lab he released his Aerodactyl and swung himself up onto the winged reptile's back. Once Ignus joined him the two of them would launch into the sky, heading for the desert

((aaaand exit now follow me to the desert!))