Location: Argentglade
Pokemon Team:
None
Inventory:
-1 potion
-500 pokedollars
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The wooden planks creaked like a field of scurrying mice caused by the heavy footsteps thundering all along the deck; orders barked by the captain cracked through the peaceful quiet. Everywhere, the crewmen bustled about frantically to prepare for docking with the destination straight ahead.
Excitement was practically spilling over the railings, overflowing and to no surprise with them having been out on the sea for nearly three weeks. Being deprived of land for so long had left the travelers anxious, the unfortunate few seasick. Only minutes away before arriving as the crew scrambled to prepare for docking while cabin boys charged down along the rooms to alert the passengers to head out to the deck to be ready to depart.
A certain sailor rushed down along the upper left railings with a bundle of rope when a protrusion nearly tripped the man causing him to stumble forward. Barely catching his balance; a grumble as he turned, expecting an anchor or pile of rope left out and instead found a passenger crouched against the railings asleep. Astounded that anyone could be sleeping with all this racket booming around like enraged hornet and out in this freezing cold made it worse. A harsh thump of booted foot kicking the sleeping stranger's leg startled him awake though, what reaction he let out was hidden by the hat covering his face.
"
Are ya loony daft?! What ya doin sleeping out here with it freezing to high hell?!"The sailor barked out in confusion and apprehension, his breath misting heavily from nearly shouting.
A drawling yawn was his reply as Derrik slowly sat up, lifting the hat, revealing his half bandaged face with only the left eye visible. His skin a slight tan that used to be darker, but leaving his heavily sunny homeland already affected him. If one were to look closely, they would see faded scars and scratches running all along his arms and even his face or at least the half that's visible. One could say there wasn't a part of his flesh that didn't have some kind of injury that let others know this man has been in quite a many roughhousing with some unknown beasts. The iris of his single eye; bright green that exhumed strength and yet, mixed with a warming kindness and a small gentle smile that just gave off a soothing effect for even the gruff sailor's anger ebbed away somewhat.
Pulling his hat up to give a quick scratch at his head of black hair as he let another yawn slip past his lips.'
Ah sorry bout that mate. Hearin that we'd be arriving soon an..'A single snowflake drifted onto his nose and the realization of the cold finally hit him and noticed the thin trail of mist as he spoke. His eye went wide with glee and burst off the floor in a near frenzy; making his way to the front of the boat, where he saw Argentglade in all its wintry glory.
The sailor forgotten for Derrik was mystified at the sight of the snow gently drifting everywhere and reached out a hand to catch a flake where he got to see it melt instantly against his warm palm.'
Crikey!'He turned his head to the right, seeming as if he was looking at something.'
We haven't even docked and already experienced something new. Now where I'm from, its hot like a sauna all year long so we don't get snow. Course I've read books on snow and always wanted to see it for myself.'Turning his head forward to take in the snowy winterland then lifted his right arm and let out a gasp.'
Ah look! goosebumps all along me arms showing my body's reactin to the cold...whooooo.'Excitement was pumping furiously in his veins, even bouncing on his feet against the railings.
As the man rambled on, the sailor stood dumbfounded after seeing this passenger talking to himself, but it was that peculiar thick accent of his which made it a bit difficult to fully understand what he said."
Hmph...foreigners."A brief shake of the head then the sailor went off to finish his task.
Ten minutes passed till the ship finally docked; passengers streamed off the boat in droves though Derrik would be one of the last to get off with him busy enjoying the view of the snow draped village. So engrossed in the admiration that the freezing chill didn't bother him and it took the loud hum of a ship horn to snap him out of the daze.'
Right, time to be on our way.'Turning back to go grab his backpack; large and completely packed full with clothes, camping gear and other various items a traveler couldn't go without and hoisted it up onto his back with a heavy grunt.
Reaching the end of the plank, where he would soon take his first step into the Huji region and eager to form countless new memories and bonds. Taking a deep breath of the crisp, chilly air and let out a slow exhale then extended his left leg forward, setting it down; the instance it all begins as the soft snow crunched beneath his foot. A strange tingle ran up his spine from hearing the gentle crunch as if whispering into his ear and slowly his head turned to scan the village.
Even with it freezing and everything covered in glaring whiteness, he saw such life in the villagers. He worried the people might be cold and distant like the surrounding atmosphere, but quickly found he was wrong after seeing the faces of the people who gave off an inviting vibe. Just standing there and already he felt welcomed.
A welcoming sight of kind, warmly visitors and diamond sparkling snow for as far as the the eye can see off to the horizon. This breathtaking scenery was one he needed to record and started fumbling in his pack and pockets to procure a notebook and pen, using it to jot down his very first experience with both Argentglade and snow.'
Right and now..where to?'Mumbling as he scoured through the notes before finding the one on professor Evergreen.'
Ah there we are. Boy are we excited!'Clamping the book shut with a sigh, slipping the book back in his pack then gripped the straps and started forward only to have his first incident with ice.
Next thing the aussie knew he was falling forward, having lost his footing from a slip of the ice and weighed down by his heavy backpack had slammed face first hard to the ground.
At the moment he lie there sprawled on the wet, icy ground as if unconscious when a twitch of his hands let those looking that he was awake. A weak groan muffled out before his arms slid along the ground; planted down to lift the upper part of his body up, revealing streams of blood flooding from his snow blanketed face, pushing until he sat upright. Opening his left eye and looked down at the red stained ice and burst out into laughter.'
A right good punch it was. Good one on ya there ice.'Patting the icy floor, making sure not to underestimate ice again and grabbed his hat which had fallen off from the fall and propped himself up back onto his feet.'
I'm all good, no need for worries!'Calling out to let the villagers know there was no problem, course that accent along with a bloody nose making his voice nasally made it all but impossible to understand him. He placed his fingers against his nose causing him to wince, but luckily he found it simply dislocated and quickly pressed down to push it back in place with a crack.'
WOOOHOOHOHOOHO!!'Screaming out as waves of pain shot through him, white sparkles flashing in his eye, whether it was the snow or the pain, was impossible to tell.
With his sore nose taken care of and a rag from the pack stoppering the blood; venturing off after placing the hat back on his head. He wanted nothing more than to explore and meet the people for introductions and hear their stories, but finding the professor came first. Not knowing his way around, the tanned male went about asking directions to Evergreen's and was treated with respectful hospitality and went on his way after thanking them.
Thinking he might have a difficult time finding the place, that is until he saw the crowd of fur coated individuals, who he guessed were the researchers the villagers mentioned in his passing.
Curious of what was going on and made his way to the back when one such researcher had turned to him, asking if he could help with the door.'
Sure, can't see the harm in that.'He didn't really get the situation, but clearly it was important to get the door open and carefully wedged his way through the crowd.'
Sorry bout that...scuse me there mate.'Several more apologies and thanks and he was through; met with a heavy metal door which just by looking could tell, brute strength ain't budging it.
Still, didn't mean he couldn't try something and leaned back to let his pack drop to the ground with a heavy thump.'
Don't mind watching my bag do ya? Yah thanks.'A nod and grin at the nearest researcher; not waiting for a reply as he stepped towards the door and placed a hand against the cold, hard surface and gave a weak shove to test its sturdiness. It showed no sign of budging as expected and knew they could all shove against it all day and it wouldn't move an inch, plus he had no idea if this door was even meant to move inward or up like one of them mechanical doors he read about.'
Hm..let us get a good proper look shall we?'Speaking again as if talking to someone as he tapped at various spots of the door in search of any possible weakness, even ran his hands along the sides, inspecting just about every inch.