Pokemon: A Journey of their own - Gerontis & ♥Cordi♥

xxxxxxxxxxxx◇ ◆ ◇xxxPokemonxxxA Journey OfxxxTheir ownxxx◇ ◆ ◇

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"Written by Cordi and Gerontis"

【A】 b o u t xxxx » M e «
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Slender, nimble fingers worked faticiously at chocolate brown tresses. The young woman at the vanity caught the reflection of a pair of bright golden eyes peering at her from the foot of the bed behind her. Celia blinked a couple times as a wave of inquisitive emotion swept over her body, causing her fingers to stop pinning her hair for a moment. The feeling was then accompanied by a vivid picture in her mind. The picture was of herself, with her hair fully done and wearing the red dress that was laid out on the dresser- the one Satino was currently curled up on sleeping. The Espeon cocked her head slightly and the wave passed, Celia went back to pinning her curls.

"Papa is coming home today Lacey, my brothers too. They'll all be here for dinner." She answered, and the Espeon seemd contented with the answer, batting her brother playfully on the head to get him off of the dress. He looked up at her with a bored expression but still arched his back in a stretch and pawed onto the comforter before curling back up to finish his nap.
Celia turned slightly and contemplated her reflection. The Red of the dress really made her eyes seem unfathomably blue, one of her favorite features. She twirled lightly and one of her curls bounced free. "Damn." She muttered under her breath.

"Bellissima." Arctic eyes widened as she caught the image of a familiar. broad figure in the mirror behind her.

"Papa!" She cried, running across the room to close the gap between them in embrace. The two exchanged warm greetings and it wasn't long before he started teasing her about a gift.

"Well why can't I have it?" Celia frowned but her father just laughed, fixing his black tresses.

"You'll just have to wait until after dinner." Celia's heart sank as she followed him out of the room, she heard the rising voices coming from the dining room, Satino and Lacey padded out of the room after them. Seeing her family assembled at the table made her sad, but she found it poetic in a way. She was glad for it, that her last night at home was surrounded by the ones she loved.

It wasn't like dinner with the family was a rare event, Celia's brothers practically lived at home and were helpless without their mother's cooking and laundry services. Still, the tricky part was getting them altogether at once with their father present to see them all. Celia sat almost as an observer of the dinner's events, she felt like an outsider looking in. Veranz' family dinners were warm and inviting, with a dazzling array of dozens of Italian dishes. The siblings had fallen into the habit of sitting oldest to youngest since their adolesence and the habit was hard to break even when a sibling or two was missing. Four of the older brothers on the right side of the table: Dominic, Michael, Vincente and Lorenzo and herself and her two brothers Daniel and Thomas.

The conversation steered towards Dominic, as it usually did. He was currently bragging- as he always was about his current record since he'd been handed down the title of Illumina's gym leader two years before. 86-7, quite impressive odds even Celia had to admit, but Thomas must've noticed her withdrawing from the conversation poking boredly at a piece of artichoke on her plate.

"What's wrong Lia?" He bumped her elbow with his own and smiled at her. She looked up at him with a put on smile. The Veranz siblings resembled each other in features enough to tell they were siblings, but they were varied enough- their similar features primarily were in their icy blue eyes. Every Veranz child inherited their mother's eyes.

"It's nothing." She murmured shoving the artichoke in her mouth and turning away. She'd always been closest to Thomas, so it hurt to lie to him now- plus she was terrible at it and chewing the food was a welcomed distraction. Thomas had always been her partner in crime, while most of her brother's worked for Dominic, Thomas had gone out on his own and became a successful breeder- with financial help from Papa naturally. Thomas had practiced battling with her and Lacey and Satino as soon as they were old enough.

"Well I'm going to be travelling to Evendale soon, you should come with me." Thomas added thoughtfully, "Give yourself a break from mom." She smiled. She nodded to pacify him, but she had more pressing thoughts on her mind.
Celia's thoughts were broken by a particularly loud proclomation of Dominic's, something about a trainer he'd beaten a few days prior, when she yawned and quietly quited the table. She took a few pieces of bread from her plate and tossed them to Lacey and Satino, who didn't seem to complain and rinsed the dish off before heading up to her room. She stole one last glance at her family, laughing at the table before she disappeared down the hallway.

She looked over the hidden away bags in her oversized closet, leaning her head on the doorframe when she heard a knock. She quickly closed her closet door just before her father entered the room.

"You snuck away from us."

"I guess I did." She smiled and gave him a hug, one that lasted a long time. She always enjoyed the smell of peppermint from his flavored tobacco that seemed to cling to his clothes. She noticed he had his arm concealed behind his back. She teased trying to steal a peek over his broad shoulder to no avail before he finally presented a small ribboned box.

"What's this?"

"Your present." He smiled beneath his mustache. She tore off the ribbon and carefully lifted the lid to reveal a small pendant. She turned and headed towards her vanity.

"Is it really for me?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you Papa, I love it."

"Tell him I'll be in tomorrow morning." Celia furrowed her brow confused and turned back to face him as she was fastening the necklace only to find him leaving the room, cell phone attached to his ear. Her shoulders dropped slightly and she looked away sheepishly, throwing the pendant to the ground. Always on the damn phone. Always running away for business. Never taking her seriously and always bribing her with presents. She was sick of it.

Brightfall may have appeared to be an impressive city to some, but for Celia who spent her days in the illustrious Illumina, the city seemed so small. She peered out through the glass of the taxi cab as it traversed unfamiliar streets. Her stomach was full of butterflies, and her thoughts whirring with the excitement of her adventure.

She'd been careful. When she applied for a sponsoring town six months ago she'd done so out of spite. Her father never trusted in her ability to become a trainer, her mother was more preoccupied with marrying her off to Frank De Luca and to her older brothers she was a laughable joke. Well, all except for Thomas.

"You're a princess, you'd never cut it as a trainer." Dominic had said to her once.

"Well I'll show you. I'll show you all." She whispered to herself. She'd been careful. She took cash advances from her credit cards in Illumina, bought an anonymous train ticket out of the city. She then took a flight out of a province several miles away- which would make tracking her for her father more difficult. She scratched the light brown wig on her head and adjusted her large sunglasses. Perhaps she was being dramatic and overly cautious, but she wanted to make sure she was well on her way before her parents even had a clue what she was up to.

The Brightfall convention building was...well a bit smaller than Celia had imagined. As soon as the taxi pulled up the to sidewalk she saw a gray-haired older woman poke her head out of the door.

"Ahhhh you must be Lia!" Celia was assaulted by a tight, warm hug which she awkwardly returned. "Do you need help with your bags? Oh I'm sorry, silly me, I'm Mrs. LaVern. I'll be taking you to meet your mentor shortly but you must be tired from your trip."

They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Celia paid the driver and he popped the trunk.

"Oh dear..." She heard Mrs. Lavern under her breath. Celia frowned and followed her gaze to the trunk, which was overflowing with luggage in addition to the designer carry on bag she had on her arm and the two pet carriers for Satino and Lacey.

"It's too much isn't it?" Celia asked a bit embarassed.

"A little bit, but I'll help you downsize." Oh no, there's that look. Celia though. Pity.

Celia found little time to settle in. After hauling her near dozen bags up through the dilapidated building and listening to LaVern prattle on about aspects of the contest, the young girl shamefully started to drown the old woman out.

"Luggage in the attic for when you get back...should really learn to travel lighter...breakfast before you leave tomorrw...Mentor Lt. Adams...Partner Richard..." Wait, Partner?"

"Partner?"

"Oh yes, haven't you ever seen one these before? Ah I guess you'd be far too young to remember or maybe not even born yet. Every city applying for the contest sends out two contestants, usually male and female. You're partnered with Richard Smith, local boy, he's nice you'll like him. You'll be meeting him and Adams tonight. You look starved." Celia watched the older woman disappear into the kitchen. Celia looked back at Lacey and Satino, Lacey cocked her head and the familiar inquisitive feeling washed over Celia's body causing her to shudder a little. Then she heard an echo in her head in LaVern's voice. Richard.

"I'm not sure Lacey. I'm not sure."

Richard Smith

He took a sip of his coffee and sighed. Looking with an bored look outside, he saw it was rather nice and lovely weather. Suddenly feeling something stroking against his leg he looked to see Fang. He was wiggling his tail and looked with a cheerful expression on his face to Richard.
''Good morning budy...Ppff, want to train?''

Fang looked like he was thinking and shook his head while letting out a bark. Richard chuckled and thought what they could do. Maybe heading into town and see if there was anything interesting to do.
Drinking up his coffee, he rose up from his seat and took a long shower. While he was dressing himself in a short t-shirt and short pants, Richard took his watch and looked at it. It was around noon and he was actually starving. With a loud sigh he put his watch on and walked to the door of his little apartment. Fang was laying at the door and jumped up when he saw Richard walking to the door. Richard nodded and opened it, while Fang ran outside to chase some falling leaves.

Richard walked in the direction of center of town and thought about the past three years he had lived here. Coming with only his pokemon and some cash, he had managed to build and settle rather well in Brightfall. During these past three years, he was starting to love the place as it wasn't too noisy or such. It was just perfect, but still...

These last year, Richard began to miss the travelling around. The adventures. He decided he would try to work and store as much cash he could in one year and then made his decision.

While he could take the buss or even a cab, he wanted to walk. Nothing could beat a good walk, at least that was he thought. Fang also liked to walk beside Richard and sometimes sniffed somewhere and then ran to catch up with Richard.

When he arrived at the center of town, he just strolled around for the day, thinking about what could lay ahead. Actually he hadn't planned it, but he stayed until it he looked again on his watch. It was getting late and was time to head home, but then wavered. While he rose up from the seat in the restaurant he just had eaten a little bit, he was pondering if he wasn't forgetting something.

Scratching the back of his head, Richard looked almost worried around. Like what he was trying to remember was around. What was it?!
Asking for the check, he walked out of the restaurant after paying the check. He glanced at Fang, who walked with a happy expression on his face next to Richard. ''What was it.....It was something important, am sure of it.''

He continued to walk around with Fang with no planned direction and knew he had to be somewhere in town. But where and why again?
Suddenly a lot of trouble was about to start. Without warning Cratch, Richard's Totodile came out of his poke ball and started to run around in circles round Richard. Fang and Richard were surprised and Fang, being the faster of the two ran after him, making it only worse.

Richard cursed and tried to grab the overjoyed and bit rebellious Totodile, but Cratch had other plans. Dodging the hands of Richard he ran down the streets. Richard cursed and whistled, recieving a response of Fang as he barked back. Running after the Totodile, who was always filled with energy, Richard started to remember where he was expected.

While running he gritted his teeth and hoped he would be able to catch Cratch before....

The Totodile saw a man with a hamburger and jumped three times up before charging with his little arms up high and with an overjoyed look on his face. The man was shocked by Cratch, who leapt and almost bite of the hand of the poor man, if he hadn't let go of the hamburger. Cratch eat while running and screamed with joy in his voice.
''Sorry!'' He said to the man who was still confused of what had happened. Richard narrowed his eyes and tried to spot where the Totodile would go now. Appereantly his hunger wasn't over and he ran to group of children who were eating some ice cream. Richard looked with a fearful look and sprinted to try to stop Cratch from his next action.

Fang was close and about to bit in the little scarf of Cratch, but missed as Cratch leapt and grabbed quickly two ice creams of a boy and a girl. Richard said sorry and ran after his pokemon, fearing what it would do next. Fang barked and Richard grunted. ''Dangit...He is going to the left..No, right...Left...Dangit!!!''

Suddenly Cratch saw somehing that likely had piqued his interest and ran of, with Richard and Fang running after him and were closing by. He saw how Cratch ran over the streets and for a moment he wanted to stop, but he couldn't let his own pokemon run and cross over on a busy street. Biting on his lower lip he ran and in time was fast enough not to be hit by a car. Fang was already close by Cratch as the Totodile suddenly jumped and slammed to a window.

Fang barked and Richard panted. ''There....Now...Come here!''
He grabbed Cratch at his side and wanted to put him on the ground, but for some reason he didn't want to let go and hold on. Richard looked inside and saw a girl with a Espeon and a Umbreon. Richard cursed as it would truly silly if one of them would caught sight of him and the drooling Totodile, who didn't want to let go of the window.

Just when Richard was about to remember why he was in the center the first place, this whole situation with Cratch had made him forgot about where he was needed to be.
''Come on, let go.....Of the window!''


He pulled and suddenly Cratch let go. Richard stumbled and fell back, cursing out loud. Fang ran after Cratch as the Totodile managed to open the door and ran inside, running circles around everything he could find, chased by Fang.

Richard stepped inside and grabbed Cratch poke ball. ''Cratch...Little punk...''

Finally! He managed to capture the Totodile and felt embarrassed. Scratching the back of his head while trying to smile friendly he tried to say sorry. ''I am so sorry if my totodile bothered you. But I am looking for the Brightfall convention building...Am supposed to meet my partner and mentor, but lost the way because....Euhm...Think I should be going, sorry once more.'' He said with a smile and beckoning Fang.

【C】 e l i a xxxx » V e r a n z «
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Celia watched LaVern setting the table from the hallway for a moment, leaning on the bannister of the stairwell. The woman had been kind to her thus far, but it did little to quell the anxiety and doubt that swelled in the pit of her stomach. She didn't fit in here, that much was obvious. The people who were walking around the convention center transfixed their gazes with incredulous stares. 'The girl with a lot of luggage' she'd been nicknamed. Her clothes were different, her hair was different, everything about her stuck out. Celia lightly thumbed the hem of her black long sleeved knit blouse and looked down at stylish boots. LaVern had even said something about running into town later and getting her a pair of proper shoes. Perhaps. she was in over her head. Perhaps her brothers were right. She jammed her hand in her pocket, her fingers caressing a folded piece of paper.

Her thoughts drifted to the night before as she was hauling her luggage quietly down the stairs, long after everyone had gone to bed. She'd taken the extra precaution of waiting several houses down on the sidewalk for her cab to arrive to the train station, her heart pounding in her chest. She was cold, tired but excited at the possibility of finally making a name for herself when her ears pricked at the sound of footfall. When she looked up she saw her brother Thomas heading down the street towards her. She'd been caught and in that moment she saw all of her dreams fading from view.

"You were going to leave without saying goodbye?" She cocked her head in confusion. "Oh come on, you think I can't tell when something's up with my baby sister? Besides you forgot this." Thomas smoothed back the stray locks from his face and pulled out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. It was her acceptance letter, the one she'd need to present to her mentor. She scolded herself. She would've gone all the way there and been turned away. She stood up and hugged him, her eyes swelling up with tears.

"I'm sorry Thomas, I just-"

"It's okay. I knew the whole time. Hey I know you're going to do amazing. Look me up in Evendale when you get there."

There was a thud that dragged her thoughts away from last night's events. She raised a curious eyebrow at a totodile that was splayed across the window staring at her. She tried to stiffle a laugh as it was yanked away from the window and only moments later the door opened.

"'I am so sorry if my totodile bothered you. But I am looking for the Brightfall convention building...Am supposed to meet my partner and mentor, but lost the way because....Euhm...Think I should be going, sorry once more.''

"Richard?" She asked before he turned away. "You're in the right place." She added knowingly. She felt a bit better, like she was 'in the know' over her competitor so she stood a little straighter. "We're supposed to be meeting Lt. Adams later tonight, LaVern was just-"

"Is that Richard?" LaVern cut Celia off from the kitchen and came out wiping her hands on her apron. "Hello!" She said with a wide smile attacking Richard with a hug as she'd done to Celia earlier on.

"What is it with young ones these days? You both look starved! Come, come." She said grabbing both of their hands and shooing them into the kitchen where the table was already set.

Celia took the seat offered to her and to be honest she was thankful for the large plate of homestyle cooking set in front of her. She started to eat, Satino and Lacey were staring curiously at Fang, though they huddled close together underneath Celia's chair. Celia was a bit shy around strangers, but she kept glancing up at Richard in between bites. If he was going to be her partner she should at least know a bit about him- at least, that's what she thought.

"So have you lived in Brightfall long?" She finally broke the wave of silence in between chewing and LaVern's awful singing.

Richard Smith

Richard looked surprised when she said his name. How in earth did she knew his name? For a very brief moment he wondered if they had met before, either in his youth or travels. She looked way to well dressed to be somebody to know him of his youth. Travels? He had met all kind of people, but would be sure to remember a face like hers. Even more confused that she know who his mentor was going to be, there was one way she knew all this :

She was his partner.

While keeping up his friendly smile, he felt disappointed. The look of her clothes told him enough : she probably don't know how to set up a camp, fire or a tent. While Richard had no grudge against anybody, he was always wary of the richer people. Having some expercience with some greedy bastards, Richard wasn't fond of any of them. And this girl, no matter how good looking or nice she would be, she gave him an clear sign with her clothes : she wasn't somebody like him or one who knew how harsh and lonely this world could be.

Maybe he was wrong, but that was it for now and he wouldn't expect her to have a high view of him either. He would have to ''thank'' Cratch for that. Just when he was about to properly introduce himself, a woman asked if he was here. Why did they all knew his name?!

He kept on smilling, scratched the back of his head whiled he tried to answer, but he got no time to reply as he was embraced by the woman. Richard now revealed he was confused as he hadn't see this coming. The next thing he knew was that she grabbed his and the girls hand and brought them to sit. Richard wanted to say he had already eaten, but didn't received the time to reply and it would maybe disappoint his host. Keeping up the polite attitude, he thanked her and sat down. Fang had followed him, but threw glances at the Umbreon and Espeon, as he sniffed the air and wachted them and the girl. His tail wiggled and he was in a good mood, but since he didn't know them he was getting curious. However, he wouldn't come near them without approval of the owner or until one of them made a move. For now he lay down right to Richard, resting his head on the floor.

Richard felt a bit nervous with seeing Celia glancing at him. Taking small bites, just enough so he wouldn't make the eldery woman disappointed or worse, he just ignored while trying to think of a way to break the silence. Just when he thought he had a good question, Celia was faster then him.
She asked how long he had lived in Brightfall. For an moment he wanted to say his whole life, having normal parents who loved and cared forr him, friends and such. All things he could easily come up with and not revealing anything about his past, but that would be a lie and if she was going to travel with him, he better could try to make sure they wouldn't dislike each other.

''Well, I have lived for three years in Brightfall now,'' He said, with an little pause to smile and look at her. ''Have been working with the fire fighters, with the cops and what not to pay my rent. Though always with honest work.''
Then he looked a bit curious. While he was sure she probably had rich folks to support her, he asked her a question back. ''But what about you? You don't see like a familair face to me.'' He quickly added with a smile : ''Not that I don't like how you look, but I would remember somebody like you. Wait, that sounds a tad wrong, sorry!..euhm, sorry, but might I also know your name?'' He asked for her name, so she might forget about his compliment, cause he didn't know anything about her, maybe she was a person who despised compliments!

He chuckled and while waiting for her answer he gave a piece of meat to Fang, who gently took it out of Richard hand and began to eat it, but soon crawled a bit forward to leave the half of it, as a sign of good will to the pokemon of Celia. He crawled back and laid still, while his tail wiggled from the left to the right while his gaze was locked on that of the other pokemon.