GREEN [ step ]

[alicia beatrix]

She peered into the dense foliage, thick and dark greenery filling every corner of her vision as she observed her surroundings. Her hand rested upon the wide hip of her Pokemon, the hefty and rounded creature resting against the rough bark of a single tree. The repetitive sound of munching and rustling assaulted her ears, an occasional pleased grunt leaving the mass of flesh, muscle, and fur, that was her Snorlax.  It reached with its thick arms, it claws tearing at vines and reaching the oddly-shaped fruits from above. Beatrix merely released a sigh, resting her eyes as she relaxed against the soft and plump Pokemon, her rear settled upon the thick clumps of grass. Sweat clung to her portly form, the surrounding heat encouraging her body to produce the irritatingly salty liquid. Her hands wandered, rubbing small circles into the short fur that covered her Snorlax, her own form pressing closer. 

"'mm tired, Snorlax," she murmured, her voice soft. "Maybe I should take a nap. What do ya think?"

The female Pokemon failed to react, merely munching away, its gaze transfixed as it repeated the motion of reach, grab, pull, and chew. Beatrix released a small laugh, a smile playing upon her lips. 

"I think it's a pretty good idea, too," she muttered. 

Relaxing against the Snorlax, her eyes slid close. It felt nice today despite the heat. There were little to no clouds in the sky, the air smelt clean, and there was little trouble or business to be dealt with today. Eventually, she fell into a peaceful doze, comforted by the presence of her Pokemon in these wilds.  

[Will Ryan]

The air within this wild land was vastly different than the winds that buffed you whilst traveling amongst the dunes. In fact, almost everything was frighteningly different considering that the two realms were so near each other. Sand bled out into dirt and mud. Trees, grasses, and other foliage sprouted out with vigorous determination. Yet, despite how the greenery surely must have drained moisture from the environment, the land and air remained strongly saturated with moisture. A heavy lingering moist air that was cooler in some areas and less so in others, but never really coming close to the unbearable heat the desert could produce and the growths prevented the cutting winds from traveling far inside its terrain.

Will bore what might have been uncomfortable to outsiders with tempered experience. His green track top was tied loosely around his waist leaving his torso covered only by the wife-beater t-shirt that had decided to hug close to his skin in its dampness. The matching green pants breathed easy enough. Still, his body produced as much water as any other in such conditions and his flaming red hair hung over his head in a bloody veil, covering his green eyes from view and sticking to the back of his neck. It helped that he already knew what to expect, having trekked through here before.

The question was why though? Why travel through this jungle at such a leisurely pace when he could have cut through it easily or merely flown over the vast expanse within moments? The answer was simple. Like any traveler, trainer or not, he'd run low on funds. And here, where he could find an abundance of ingredient, was as good a place as any to restock supplies. Despite taking a little time and knowledge, he could make his own salves from the berries here instead of wasting money in pokemarts. The berries, mushrooms and herbs for food stews were everywhere if you could differentiate the poisonous and the safe. Not to mention the pokmeon that could be captured and sold to the right buyer. Then there were the little bonuses. Things that were more akin to rare nicknacks to peddlers than serving any real use. All in all, William had nothing, but things to gain here and already he could feel his pack becoming heavy with supplies.

The breeder would have continued easily if he'd not been distracted by the most peculiar of sounds. Sounds that he wasn't quite sure how to explain until he'd grown closer. Destruction of the wildlife in various ways. Breaking, ripping, tearing. What in the world could have been causing it? So he investigated in his curiosity. What he found filled him with as much interest as it did terror. A Snorlax. Just how did such a creature wander here? It was a mixed blessing that none of his pokemon were currently out. He had no doubt they could demolish the creature, but he didn't risk startling it with their sudden appearance. Then again, with the way it was devouring part of the jungle, he wasn't sure if it would have noticed anyway. He was careful not to go too close lest he be an appetizer, but he could keep himself from watching in interest.

Hand on a pokeball to release one of his heavy hitters in a flash, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it couple of flicks from his lighter. Taking a slow and steady drag, his gravelly voice drifted across the area that the creature had already purge of anything it could get it hands on. "Just where the hell did you come from?"

[alicia beatrix]

She had been caught blissfully unawares, her mind wandering aimlessly within an abyss of familiar images, sounds, and scents. The human female's snores were soft, lost in the noise of crunch and gulp. Beatrix had always been a heavy sleeper, her rest deep, and her mind bothered little by her own surroundings. A bit of dribble trickled down her chin from a partially opened mouth, a small smile visible upon her features as she shifted closer to her Snorlax, her black mane its usual ruffled-self.  Failing to notice another's presence, she remained tucked away at the Pokemon's side for a short while longer. 

It was Snorlax who responded to this sudden and most unwelcome disruption. She scarfed down a bundle of thick and pointed leaves, her jaws working as she tore away at the surrounding prickly bark, her pointed claws working at a furious pace. When the human spoke, the large female's ears twitched, her brows, once lax, furrowing as a bemused expression formed. Snorlax shifted her head toward the stranger, her paws slowing its initial pace for a short while before she located a particularly fat and juicy fruit nestled among a collection of tangled branches. She tugged and consumed, releasing yet another pleased grunt as she decided to instead ignore the male human whom had spoken. 

There was a brief pause, everything as it had been before Beatrix was roused from her sleep. Her eyes slid open, the dimly lit area appearing to be shrouded by shadows and the flickering of the occasional bit of sun light.

"Snorlax?"

The woman sat up, yawning before grinning her wide grin, her appearance the picture of rejuvenation.  Wiping at her mouth, she looked to her Snorlax, the creature now rubbing at her own filled and rounded stomach contentedly. 

"Full?" She asked. 

The girl hopped onto the creature's belly, revealing herself suddenly with a squeal of absolute glee, her body bouncing against the unsurprisingly soft flesh. Failing to notice anyone else in particular, Beatrix chattered away, commenting about this and that. 

"You know, girl, I've been thinking that it's time we move along soon," she drawled. 

Sitting up, she smoothed out her white and blue shirt. 

"You've torn away quite enough. We wouldn't want to stir anymore trouble, now do we?" She asked, her smile bashful. 

[Will Ryan]

A steady trail of smoke drifted from his lips as he watched the creature. However, every other part of him had frozen. Tense like a spring, muscles wound tight and readied themselves for a burst of movent. Even in silence, the way he held himself screamed defiance. Beneath a curtain of red hair, green eyes narrowed dangerously. Many would feel outmatched, overwhelmed even, by a creature like a Snorlax. They could be brutal battlers, despite their inherent laziness, if trained correctly. If not worried more when their next meal would be and where they'd find the following nap, they could be fearsome fighters. Slow, but powerful. Able hit harder than some fighting types. Able to take massive amounts of punishment only to shrug it off. It was almost absurd the damage required to put them down for good. With that powerful immune system and regenerative comas more commonly know as "rest" they could just get up and start over refreshed. Shame he wasn't easy pickings like most of the green rookies around pretending they knew how to pokebattle.

There was something off about this one though. It was too docile. Unconcerned in a way that was different than the general laziness of its species. It didn't show any signs of lashing out like entries of them spoke off. Such an occurrence could be dismissed by Will merely disturbing it at the end stages of feeding. At the point where it was nearly full and ready to fall into a deep sleep. No urge to protect where he was feeding or mark it had taken place. It just ate.Marks of previous training? Perhaps it was released recently in a decision of callousness? He hoped not, such a brazen disregard for responsibility of what the creature could do to the environment if left to run rampant was enough to irritate him. The resons behind it, even more so. Because if they had just given up, unable to handle the strain, be it on funds or otherwise, to feed the monstrosity then they should have thought of that beforehand not afterward. Furthermore, the reaction was enough to keep him from crushing the creature. It seemed almost as confused as he was now. Or at the very least thinking of something, well considering the species it was more like a slightly distracted by a though that wasn't focused on food or sleep.

And then it was gone, the distraction, unable to find root in a brain that was so unconcerned over it. The Snorlax went back to solely focusing on its meal. Will had already dismissed any danger as well. The small glow coming from the burning ash at the end of his cigarette brightened as he took another drag. An single unseen eyebrow raised as another voice that most assuredly was not his sounded. "Snorlax?" The speaker popped out of the shadow of the pokemon shortly after, chipper as a pikachu and bright enough to match. It was weird watching the affection shared between them. Really weird. He'd heard of some Snorlaxes being docile enough to play with children, but seeing this girl bounce on its belly with a laugh of joy proved that such a statement wasn't far out of the realm of possibilities. Only after her last statement did he really take in the destruction wrought in front of him. The thing had made what must have been a random area it was released in practically a clearing. Simply because there wasn't much that it couldn't eat and digest so nothing was safe from those greedy paws. And thus there wasn't much left here in general.
 
"So it does have an owner," he muttered. May as well gain knowledge. There weren't many chances like this and he doubted he'd be able to salvage anything else in this direction. He'd have to backtrack if he wanted to fill up his pack with items.The hunger rampage stretched on that far. "What do you do to feed this thing when there isn't a random jungle to let it loose in? He asked, raising his voice to be heard. Hopefully, the owner wasn't an imbecile. It'd been a long time since he dealt with humans. The breeder didn't know if he'd be able to keep up a polite facade if one of the few and far between he'd stumble upon held the same metal capacity of a slowpoke.

[alicia beatrix]

 
Her eyes widened a fraction, her previous expression melting away to form a slight and suspicious frown. This, too, eventually transformed itself into a smile, her eyes glinting as a steady trickle of sunlight dotted her shirt. There was a brief pause that followed, the female quietly considering the question, her hand to her head as she absentmindedly toyed around with messy locks. A small light bulb appeared to flash above her head, the answer determined as she slid from the swollen belly of her companion.

"It's actually quite easy. Of course, it depends on the situation in general, stranger," she began, tapping at her jaw with a slim digit. "Snorlax require food whenever they're hungry or whenever they want it. And to become hungry, one hasta burn off energy. I don't train Snorlax all too often 'cause, after a good meal, such as this one, she tends to take a good nap for a month or so. But if worse comes to worse, and if there ain't any food to be had, like this one, I manage. I just gotta."

Turning on a dime, Beatrix produced a Pokeball, hesitating for a short while as she eyed the female Pokemon. Noting that her breathing had slowed, the human nodded at the visual confirmation, realizing that the Snorlax had fallen away from consciousness once more. 

"Either way, I usually stick to populated or forested areas 'cause of 'er. I make sure my girl's fed; no matter what," she continued. "But foods real easy to come by when there are enough folk around. So whenever she's with me, I make sure I have enough to sate her need."

Once the Pokemon was returned to its capsule, she carefully tucked the precious item away within a trouser pocket. 

"And if'n I can't manage her, I send her back to my Ma and Pa to feed. They don't mind an extra mouth," Beatrix replied, shrugging. "But I got a question too, stranger, if you don't mind me asking."

She adjusted the light pack settled upon her shoulders. 

"I can't help but notice you got a Pokeball there," she began, her face and tone firm. "And I'm guessing you got a Pokemon or two 'cause of that fact alone. Don't look like a civilian so I'm gonna try for trainer, breeder, or coordinator. Either way, don't go flashing it without the intention to use it, stranger. Don't mean to be so wary, fella, but I take care of me and my own. Especially in areas like these."

Beatrix's gaze wandered for a short while, taking in the lengthy span of pure wilderness that surrounded them at each side.  

[Will Ryan]

She had taken notice of him, finally. He didn't like like how the emotions played on her face or the silence that answered him. It was a telltale sign of an individual with undesirable ways to pass time and a distinct lack of sanity. Still, Will took the time to really look that her and take in the minute details she displayed. An opposite in comparison to the pokemon beside her. A dark haired sprite, bouncing with energy. It was an odd sight, seeing both pokemon and trainer next to each other. Another stream of smoke passed from his lungs into the air as he waited. For a moment he almost believed that she really was going to be unintelligible as well as dim. Her hand moved up to her hair and he took the move into consideration. A nervous tic? Or just too much energy to stay idle? Noted, but irrelevant until further data was collected. Luckily when she did respond his reluctant thought was unfounded. Slow maybe, dim was possible, but understandable albeit with a slight accent to her words.Those words didn't make sense, though.

Easy she said. In relation to feeding a Snorlax. That was the topic of discussion, correct? Or had he missed something unheard drifting in her own head? Yet he said nothing, instead content to flick the ash from the end of his cigarette before bring it back to his mouth and continue drawing smoke from it. Even when Snorlaxes didn't move around much or exert themselves, they still burned through calories just by sleeping. How was "a month" determined? Surely other outside stimuli could affect such a time frame. Just because she took out one stimulus from the equation didn't make that big of overall difference in the resulting answer, did it? Then again, personally he hadn't even bothered to raise or train a Snolax. The pros to cons stacked too heavily in favor to the latter. If he was more focused on big championships, then maybe he'd be able to rotate the creature in for a heavy hitter. If kept in long term storage otherwise, the stasis would keep the accumulation of hunger to a minimum.

The training would still prove to be a challenge. And if not trained, the what was the purpose of developing it? How did she use the pokemon in battle if it just at and hibernated for "a month"? If by some bizarre chance she did time a battle at the end of the time frame, would it still be combat effective? Will believe it'd be more likely for the rotund monster to rush off in search of a waking meal than battle. Wait! Was it really that simple? She timed and took advantage of a waking rage! That was a logical, even if unreliable strategy. If not timed correctly, then the Snorlax just took up space in her team. Without heavy training it remained weaker and less experienced than any wild or frequently used battlers. There was no guarentee that it would even listen if in the throws of rage if not trained for unquestionable loyalty. But a raging Snorlax was a dangerous thing. Technically, she didn't have to control it as she had to aim it. And if there was only one target...The end result just might give her a long shot win in a pinch.

Will was brought back from his straying thoughts by a bright flash of red and the telltale sound of a pokemon being recalled into its pokeball. Even his cigarette had burnt down to the stub while he'd been thinking. Flicking it on the ground, he stepped on it out of habit even if there was nothing for it to catch on. Bringing another up to light he paused for a split second when she mentioned that her parent could handle the strain on food supply better than she could. "They must be pretty well off if they can manage that," he thought, lighting his next smoke.

He took another slow drag as if to assent to her question without speaking. If his silence was a deterrent, it didn't bother her in the slightest. After, he almost chuckled at her little spiel. The nerve of this little upstart to even think she held a chance in posing a threat to him. Wary as she may be and suspicious as he might seem, he didn't get his jollies picking on little girls alone and on their own. If he'd wanted to kill her or the thing that swallowed a chuck of the jungle he would have. There was a still silence that he let settle over them as he smoked in unfettered leisure. A full minute seemed to tick by, then two, compounded by the fact that all life had been scared away earlier lest they be eaten. However, he broke it before the third could near. "Nothing in that was a question, so I can't give you an answer" he said with a bored tone. However, he would give her points in that they were all fairly astute observations...for the painfully oblivious. "But good for you." He sighed. It was a respectable stance considering he was a stranger. And with another Arceus damned war brewing up between whoever the tension was rising between, founded. After Team Plasma and Team Imum, Will was tired of getting caught in the fucking crossfires.

"How well does it listen when you give orders in battle?" He continued. May as well pick what little gems of information he could while she was giving them.

[alicia beatrix]

life is too beautiful,  Beatrix couldn't help but realize that the stranger's behavior was off-putting. Had she been another someone, is was very possible to consider that his waggling tongue would have disrupted her mood a great deal. Instead, she couldn't help but admire his attitude with his stance appearing firm despite his lax posture. The girl allowed herself to fall into silence, doing little to defend herself against such a tone. There was no need to, after all. She wasn't someone to be offended too easily when involving herself with stranger-folk. They came in all shapes and sizes, after all, and kicking up a ruckus over somethin' so little was a terrible waste of time. Beatrix found his questioning a bit odd, too, but he appeared genuinely curious about her Pokemon. Few had shown interest in the creature before, and even fewer had taken on a similar species themselves. Snorlax wasn't a terribly popular Pokemon to own. And were even more of a challenge to raise. Her hand touched the thin layar of her pocket. "I had her since she was an egg," she began. "All you need to know, stranger, is that we work well with one another. She's my own. And she can take on whatever and whomever." Her chin tilted upward, her posture hinting toward a small show of determination and defiance. Eventually, this faded into her own relaxed pose, her gaze wandering once more. The female was attempting to assess her surroundings the day still at its early start, and the heat increasing at an unsurprisingly steady rate. The jungle's humid nature would be at full blast after several or so hours, and she wasn't looking forward to suffering through such an intense heat. Thinking of the city she had departed from days ago, Beatrix could not help but long for that familiar chill that had nipped at the air of the concrete enviorment. Perhaps she would go someplace cold next. The mere idea tempted her. Eyes eventually drifting back to the stranger, the athlete idly wondered if she should introduce herself. He didn't appear terribly interested in her own identity, having focused primarily on information pertaining to her hefty Snorlax.  She smiled, nonetheless, in his direction. "The name's Beatrix. I'm a Pokéathlete."  Had she been in a populated area, she would approach with a lifted hand, but such isolation caused her senses to flare uncomfortably. Beatrix turned away, pursing her lips to release a whistle, the sound lengthy and pitched high. The girl paused to find only her breath before releasing yet another call. After a minute of this, she remained silent, squinting into the wood before she moved to settle against the tree with a small sigh. A bit more sweat collected at Beatrix's brow, and she wiped it away with the swipe of her hand, her desire to leave this place evident in her facial features. ✿ step! tagged

made by cube of gs

[Will Ryan]

Raised it since an egg...The equation just kept changing. If she had hatched it and raised it since its time as a munchlax then all the initial training could be done at that point in time. Munchlaxes like their parent evolution ate quite a large amount, but this was offset by their actual willingness to exert themselves. The promise of more food or a favorite snack afterward only increased their determination. The pokemon would know what to do, the hassle would only come from teaching it new tricks. Basic commands and understanding could be instilled. Although, actual attack or defensive techniques might take time to develop into. Unless it was of superior breeding stock. That begged the questions, was this a complete fluke or was it planned? The way she spoke had him leaning more towards the former being more likely.

One thing he couldn't quite understand was the prickly attitude that she constantly gave off when he asked a question. First question came with a passive aggressive threat. The second, and she tried to convince him that her Snorlax was somehow special amongst others just because it was hers. Was she that desperate to prove to herself that something they had mattered? Enough that she had to remind herself or state it constantly lest she forget? Bonds were common, they grew between plenty of people and their pokemon. They made the creature fight harder, understand a meaning that wasn't relayed with a simple command, and sometimes even kill themselves for their owner. The damned overweight eater could very well be in the top of its class when it came to a battle, he didn't know and more importantly didn't care. Will wouldn't be surprised if she outright attacked him on the next question.

Either way, he could pretty much assume from that statement that answers wouldn't be forthcoming in the future. Will's gaze drifted to the side when she smiled at him, trying to get a good feel for where he could gather more in a place the Snorlax hadn't demolished. "The name's Beatrix. I'm a Pokéathlete." His eyes drifted back, taking her into consideration once more. To give his name or not? He may as well stay "Stranger". If he did give a name, he doubted they cross paths. It wasn't like he'd bother remembering it. Oh sure, he'd store it away with all the other useless information, but it wouldn't cross the threshold into relevant unless needed, thus ultimately "forgotten" by him. She'd do the same. He'd just be another face in the crowd to her. None of his research would ever connect to "that random guy I met in the jungle". So he started walking off in a random direction when she turned away, flicking his cigarette to the side. Not even the sharp whistle bothered him enough to keep her the main focus of his senses.

"Ryan. Breeder." One of many titles he could give himself. Bastard. Killer. Researcher. Monster. Enemy...

Friend...

He almost growled aloud, the animal in him bubbling up from where it slumbered. That rage had cooled after being in the wild for so long, but it seemed even being around one human was enough to have it drift back. Lyra was gone, he hadn't heard anything of her in years. Again. Elena was most likely knee deep in too much funds for her own research to be bothered. Bobby wasn't even a thought anymore. He didn't need them. He certainly didn't want to find them, just to hear a familiar voice. A growl did escape him that time, low and guttural, before he tore those stray thoughts to pieces. The list went on continued anyway. Most of them unpleasant. Almost all holding the smallest bit of truth in one sense or another.

[alicia beatrix]

life is too beautiful, Ryan? Breeder?  Surprise temporarily painted her features, her mouth parted as she released a small gasp. It lasted a second or two before she recovered, her gaze now focused upon the male. She had been so sure he was a trainer. Yes, she had included the career within her selected guesses, but, since trainer's were a common kind, Beatrix had thoroughly considered that to be the primary option. But she had been wrong, and she would admit this quietly. Licking her lips as she considered this new tidbit of information, she couldn't help but be reminded of the breeder-folk who had supplied her her Pokemon. She had purchased each one of the creatures within her possession, all either at the egg or child stage; when their forms having yet to mature and develop by time. She was reminded of those days when she was eleven and twelve and tended to several eggs at a time. Later years resulted in her caring for the occasional young Pokemon she gained as the years passed.  "Breeder?" She replied, cocking her head to the side. "I know a few of 'em, stra-" The girl stopped suddenly, halting her waggling tongue and offering a grin as she corrected herself.  "Ryan," she said. "Sorry 'bout that. Ryan, I know a few breeders. Only a few, mind you. I don't have it in me to breed Pokemon, personally. Didn't suit my wants. Nor my passions, no siree. But they provided me with all my Pokemon. All of 'em."  Beatrix seated herself against the heavily damaged tree, a proud gleam in her eye. Fishing around in her pocket, she produced five capsules, all shrunk to a convenient size in her open palm. "These are my heavy hitters; my best," she said. "And yes, I only have five. But they are one of the best at one or two particular events. Each has a medal in their name. And, one day soon, I'll gain my sixth. I'm sure she or he's out there wait'n for me."  She returned the Pokeballs to their original location, patting the area affectionately before falling silent. Her movements stilled, her back resting against the scarred trunk. Beatrix momentarily thought of the future, wondering of her plans for the following day and the rest of this one. The female was tempted to doze once more, but pushed aside such an urge, remedying her boredom by producing a cellphone, rough fingertips tapping away at a sensitive screen. An unoccupied hand touched a healing scar settled upon her left arm in an absentminded fashion on occasion, her mind abuzz as she eyed scattered messages. Beatrix smiled, pausing briefly in her 'tap! tappity' of fingers that danced along the tiny screen, her blue-eyed gaze glancing in his direction. "And it ain't nice to growl at folk. I taught my Pokemon that a long while ago. Anyone teach you?"  ✿ step! tagged

made by cube of gs

[Will Ryan]

Will stopped and shook himself out of his growing rage. Was it really so hard for him to hold the label as breeder in the eyes of others? A breeder, a person who helped give life to pokemon. Of course, when he did find the right materials for exactly what he wanted in a pokemon it was for the sake of making something more. Something that took the best components from before and merged them into something better than before. It wasn't often where he actually kept them though. Which typically went at odds with the majority of breeders. They nurtured them, loved them, and watched them grow. For him it was more of an experiment, always for the result. What could he create? Would it be better? Could that trainer bring out the most from it? Could he? In regards to himself, the answer was usually no. He couldn't wander around the continent with a baby pokemon. Money didn't always line up right and he wasn't the most gentle when it came to training. He had never been one for coddling pokemon.

If he could create the perfect combination, the perfect pokemon, would he? Even though he considered himself a perfectionist in almost everything he did, there was doubts. If he made something perfect, could it grow? Growth was what pokemon did, constantly, alongside their trainers. Perfection, meant it would stay as it was. No growth, no development, no reason to exist really. Though it would be something ground breaking, the concept wasn't something that sat well in his mind. Yet, part of him still wanted to attempt and to succeed. Just to see the end result. To watch it whether it grew or not. To see what it could accomplish even if it had nothing to strive for. Is that what a breeder was, what they did? Out of the corner of his vision he could see that girl. In fact, she had never left his eyesight.

A girl that insisted on purely bred pokemon. Docile pokemon. Even professors gave out pokemon that had spent some time in the wilds. It was a fail safe. If the trainer froze up, the pokemon could still fight with its own instincts. And perhaps that was enough to get the trainer time to cope and focus. It was a gamble and some lost, but a good amount also won. For her to raise pokemon from babies, there were two conclusions he could draw. One, they developed rather quickly. Out off every breed of pokemon there were some that grew slower than others, dragons for example. Others were extremely quick like bug pokemon. She needed them to grow at a good pace to defend herself so her having high risk and micromanagement pokemon was unlikely. Unless she just cheated that by using her parents. Two, to train and then throw almost domesticated pokemon straight into battle with confidence that they won took confidence in one's own ability. There had to be something more to her.

"And it ain't nice to growl at folk. I taught my Pokemon that a long while ago. Anyone teach you?" Her words bounced around inside his head over and over again, colliding with jarring impacts. "No." They didn't. Not parents or teachers or anyone else. Sure, they frowned upon it, but even as a child his anger scared people. "Who taught you?"