Goldenrod city

[schachmeister]

Who: Armin Arlert + ???
Where: Goldenroy City
When: The here and nowsies.
Summary: A couple of open and closed prompts for Armin's time in Goldenrod. All put in one handy place. If there if anything else you'd like to do, feel free to contact me.
Note: Just one little head's up. I'll be starting work again soon, and I'm still dealing with some tendon issues, so I might be a bit slower than normal.
Rating: Gen

Comments

Closed - Newt | Tea Time

[schachmeister]

[Finding Mr Newt’s new cabin hadn’t been too hard. The directions he had given him were pretty clear, and from the air on Amadeus’ back, it had been easy to glide over the snow-covered forest ground until the small clearing with Newt’s cabin came into view.

Directing Amadeus down, Armin lands just a bit away. He slides off the owl’s back, not bothering to recall Amadeus into his ball. Knowing what Newt is like, and having already spied the many perches lining the roof, he’s certain Amadeus will be able to find plenty of space to spread his wings and get comfortable while he has tea with Newt. Adjusting the bag in his arms —it’s early, he knows, but presents are best handed out in person, right?— he starts the small distance towards Newt’s cabin, the snow crunching softly underneath his boots. It’s really a lovely little place Mr Newt has found for himself. It suits him and the many wild Pokemon he keeps.]

[findingbeasts]

[All morning Newt and his companions had been bustling about preparing for their visitors, making sure the cabin was presentable and that some of their newer residents knew what was going on. In the spirit of the holidays Newt had managed to get his hands on some decorations and the cabin was covered in some lights while many of the trees around the cabin itself had various decorations covering them. (Close inspection would make it clear that all the ornaments were edible and clearly for Pokemon to enjoy.)

A trio of Audino that had been playing just off the front porch spotted Armin as he got closer, Duchess twilling out a greeting while Duke and Baron bound through the snow to play escorts. The noise got Roxy's attention an the Lycanroc poked her head out of the cabin door before letting out a bark of greeting.

Which in turn, attracted the person that Armin was there to see.]

Yes, yes, I'm coming. Really what is all the fuss--Armin! [As Newt stepped out of the cottage and spotted his guest his expression lit up, the wizard lifting a hand in a wave.] I'm glad you made it!

[schachmeister]

[Armin returns the little wave, a little more shy and embarrassed as he tromps up towards the cabin, escorted by Duke and Baron and with Amadeus silently gliding behind him.]

Thank you for inviting me.

[Really, like he isn't going to take every chance possible to spend more time with Newt. And it isn't-- it isn't anything like that either. Newt is just one of the most fascinating people Armin has met here. Whether it comes to his unique way of handling pokemon or the stories he can tell Armin about his own world, it's all so very amazing.]

Ah, I'm not sure if you have met yet. Mr Newt, this is Amadeus. He was the pokemon I started out with here.

[Amadeus dips his head in a polite bow, before turning it half-around to give Newt a critical upside down look.]

[findingbeasts]

It was my pleasure, truly! The cottage is a bit cold at the moment, I'm afraid, because three little misfits left the door wide open--

[Three innocent sounding twills came from the Audino triplets as they all gave Newt sweet looks.[

--but we do have a fire going now.

[A nice fire with two armchairs set before it--mismatched but who cares--and a table with tea and cookies all set out and ready courtesy of Queenie.

Newt's attention goes to Amadeus as he's introduced and the wizard doesn't hesitate to return the bow before tilting his head to peer back at the owl from a new angle of his own.]

It is an absolute pleasure, Amadeus.

Closed - Prompto | Camera practise

[schachmeister]

[They had agreed to meet at a little cafe Armin remembers from the last time they had been in Goldenrod. It had always been a somewhat quiet place when he had visited before, which seems perfect for what they intend to do. It’s not like they can have do this sort of thing outside, not with the snow coming down in lazy flakes! If it had been summer, maybe, but definitely not now.

Sitting at one of the tables closest to the door —he figures that will make it easiest for Prompto to spot him— Armin already has his camera in front of him. Its batteries are charged —he had managed to figure out that much, with a little help from Shiro— ready to be used. He toys slightly with a loose thread in his sweater’s cuff, waiting for the other to arrive. He’s not late. Armin had just arrived a little early.]

[Action] - SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG I'VE BEEN SICK AND GROSS BUT I'M GETTING BETTER NOW

[freckledfocus]

[Prompto's dealt with snow. Insomnia had some decently cold winters and of course there was that whole being pushed off a train onto a snow-covered wasteland in a blizzard thing... but that still doesn't mean he likes it. He's absolutely freezing and he seriously can't wait to get inside that little cafe. With its heat. And its hot chocolate (hopefully). Pryna looks a little better, but even she is antsy to get inside. The snow is cold on her paws!

The door jingles as he enters and immediately his eyes catch sight of Armin at a table to his right. The blond perks up and waves jovially.] H-hey! Armin, right? I-I'm Prompto and this is Pryna, my Eevee. Uh, do you think they have hot chocolate here? Gotta warm up, right?

[He slides his jacket off and hangs it on the back of a chair before pulling out one of Iggy's new Poffins and giving it to Pryna.] You want anything?

[Action] - Not a problem! It's the season for colds and other grossness

[schachmeister]

I'm glad you found the place. I can order us something.

[Because Prompto is taking time out of his (busy?) schedule to teach Armin how to take pictures properly, the least Armin can do is pay for the drinks.

In fact, wanting to head off any debate about that, he already flags down one of the waitresses, giving her his own order --a nice hot cup of a particular kind of tea he's gotten fond of here-- before glancing at Prompto.]

A hot chocolate for you right?

[And of course they have hot chocolate! There might even be tiny marshmallows in it, who knows.]

Closed - Kazuki | Something something music

[schachmeister]

[If there is one thing Armin doesn’t think he’ll ever get used to it’s how busy Goldenrod City is. The Christmas Season and the market stalls that have come to the city haven’t made that much better either. Despite the cold, crisp weather, people have come out in droves to scurry between the stalls and find those few last Christmas gifts.

It’s a little overwhelming, to be honest.

And not just for him either. Phobos has been getting a lot better. He’s still Armin’s most anxious and easily frightened Pokemon, but back on the islands, he’s usually all right. The cities there are much smaller, and while their house can get pretty busy with all the different Pokemon in it, he at least knows them all. Plus he always has Armin’s room to retreat to. This city is a lot more busy though, and Armin can feel him tense in his arms. It makes him wonder if he should put him back into his ball, but if he did that, he’d never adjust to these sort of things, right? Besides, they’ll go back to the inn soon.]

Just a little more, Phobos.

[He gives the Eevee a little pat on the back, before checking the next item on his list. Charcoal? Ah, yes, he passed a stall earlier on the edge of the market that sells that sort of thing. Turning, he heads towards it, though when he gets there, his attention is caught by cheerful, bright music. And that sure is one familiar looking busker. Armin has never met him in person before, but he’s seen him plenty on screen.]

Kazuki?

Something something music!!!

[forsaintcecilia]

[And to be fair, Kazuki is easy to spot. Green hair isn't exactly common, even in the Pokemon world.]

[When he hears his name, Kazuki turns his head towards Armin. There's a sparkle in his eye and the curve of a smile on his mouth which makes clear he hears and recognizes his friend, but he's a professional! He's not about to stop mid song when he's got an audience!]

[Today isn't the full performance he has planned with his entire troupe. He only has Honky Tonk with him right now, who is doing his all with an adorable dance timed to Kazuki playing Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland. Both of them are wearing Santa hats for the occasion.]

[Considering the season, he's already gathered a small crowd, mostly parents with their children, and his trumpet case is full of generous tips. He's hoping to save up a lot of money now, that he can use to do some more traveling in the coming months.]

Yeah baby, toot that horn

[schachmeister]

[Really, Armin hadn't intended to disrupt him, he had just been surprised by seeing a friend. It's obvious that Kazuki has other things on his mind right now though, so for the moment Armin just becomes one with Kazuki's admiring crowd, watching with some measure of curiosity --music has never really been his thing so he doesn't know much about it, and all these Christmas songs are still new to his ears-- his arms wrapped loosely around Phobos. And for the moment, the Eevee is relaxing somewhat comfortably. There aren't so many people here to frighten him, and the song and dance are somewhat hypnotic.

Armin doesn't applaud when the song is over but that is mainly because his arms are full. Instead, he waits patiently to see if Kazuki has any others to play or not. It's all right. He's got time to take a little break.]

Open | Lost little Pokemon

[schachmeister]

[He’s lost.

The little Eevee presses himself flat against the ground underneath one of the stalls. All around him, he can only see feet and people, and occasionally a strange and unfamiliar Pokemon. He had been with his trainer just now, and then a loud noise had startled him and send him running. But where he normally could run to his trainer’s room and hide underneath the sheets when startled, here he had quickly realised there were no safe places to hide. Only more noise and people.

A braver little Pokemon might venture out from underneath the market stall and try to find his trainer. Or to find a friendly pokemon to help him find his trainer, but Phobos has never been brave. He’s always been a helpless scaredy-cat.

Tucking his nose close to his paws, his long ears drooping, he let out a little sniff —lost in all the noise of the market— unsure what to do now. He just wants to go home.]

[agent3]

[Thida has always been an exploring sort. There are a few things she's been meaning to check out since her return to Goldenrod City, the now-ruins of a particular warehouse being one of them, but she could pick her way through wreckage for days and forget the very important quest she had deigned for herself for the holidays: PresentQuest. And this market had been so wonderful for it last year, of course she's back between delivery shifts. Her boots scuff to a stop in front of the stall Phobos is underneath as she examines what's for sale...

...And another Eevee's head pops in from underneath, sniffing the ground...and when he sees another of his kind, he makes a soft little yip noise. Hello, friend!]

[schachmeister]

[The unexpected appearance of another Eevee head has Phobos shrinking down surprised, his tail and ears pressed completely flat as he lets out a little noise. The small soothe bell on his collar chimes, muffled underneath his fur and the sound helps a little to take away his fears. One of his ears perks up a little, his eyes flicking up and down uncertainly, before he returns the little yip. H-hello. Probably.

[keep_surviving]

[Isla had been accompanying her own trainer on a walk, something she was in a habit of trying to make Diana and Dare do in an effort to keep them out of their sad stupor.

Then she heard the jingle of a bell and her ears twitched, head turning to locate the sound. She may be one of the taller eeveelutions, but she can still easily see under the stalls from her view point. And it's there that she spots the sad brown fluff that is her pre-evolution.

She slips her tendril from Diana's hand, who takes a moment to even realize and just watches, before stepping over and crouching down to carefully call to the smaller Pokemon.]

Hello?

[schachmeister]

[For a moment Phobos shrinks back, still shaking like a leaf, his ears pressed flat. But, well... all things considered, this other eeveelution isn't so bad. She certainly isn't as big as the people or, really, most of the pokemon that his trainer and his friends own. He still looks uncertain, his eyes flicking back and forward before he finally speaks:]

H-hi

[His voice is soft and hesitant and very young. It's not been that long since this little one hatched, and really, he's been a slow grower.]

Open | Lost little trainer

[schachmeister]

[Armin calls out a little frantically, ducking low to peer under benches and market stalls, his brows drawn in concern. This is his fault. He really shouldn’t have brought the little Eevee here. He has been doing much better back home, gaining in confidence. Sure, Phobos still is quick to retreat to Armin’s room if particularly terrified, but he spends more and more time just hanging out in the rest of the house. And Armin had even been able to take him with him to pick up groceries in town.

But their little town on the island is nothing like Goldenrod City in the midst of the Christmas craze. Even Armin feels a little overwhelmed by all the lights and noise, so he should’ve known Phobos wouldn’t have been able to take it well.

Well, he can scold himself more later. For now, he needs to find his little wayward Eevee. Maybe someone had seen him shoot by.]

Excuse me, have you seen an Eevee perhaps?

[charcoalfeather]

[Rakka had come all the way to the market for the same reasons as everyone else, and there was a noticeable spring in her step as she hurried down the lines of the stalls. In one arm she had a bag of groceries, in the other, her personal bag for shopping. Her gaze flipping from item to item that caught her eye. It was all very exciting, and a bit more like home then she even anticipated. Had it really been two winters now that she's been here?

Why, in all her excitement, she nearly runs into the poor guy trying to ask her a question. That's a good way to start a conversation.]

H-huh? What? [She stumbles, quickly checking to see if anything had fallen from her bags.] An Eevee? Uh, well I don't think they usually live around here...

[schachmeister]

I'm sorry, I should've been more clear. I'm not looking for a wild Eevee but my Eevee. He got startled by something just now and took off running into the crowd. I need to find him as quick as I can. He's not really... he's still very young.

[Armin has a great many Pokemon who he's confident can handle themselves if they'd ever get separated from him and who would probably make their way back to the inn they are staying at before he would even be able to get there.

Phobos is not one of these Pokemon.

He chews on his bottom lip, his face clearly concerned.]

He's wearing a little collar with a bell on it. Have you seen any Eevee like that around here?

Open | > examine rocket base

[schachmeister]

[Armin eyes the burnt out shell of what once had been a warehouse, his brows knitted together in a dark frown.

He had seen the news report on the fire a few days ago and it had left him intrigued. It hadn't seemed like an ordinary fire, not with Pokemon escaping from the building in such numbers. Later news reports had speculated that it might have been related to Team Rocket and that had been enough to make Armin vow to check it out himself when they’d hit Goldenrod. He has no intention of interfering in any ongoing investigations, but he also wants his own look at the place.

By now, the fire has been completely put out, and the building —or what is left of it— is almost eerily quiet. There are no police ribbons or officers keeping anyone out though, so it seems he’ll be able to take a little closer look. It’s not… he isn’t really certain what he expects to find. The building has been standing empty and burned for a week now. If there was anything important to find inside it probably had already been found by the police or other curious investigators. But still, he wants his own look. Just. Just to make sure.

A blue and white Voltorb sits by his foot, giving his ankle a small nudge with a soft buzzing, questioning sound. Armin glances down at Circinus.]

I’m all right. [Jean is right. If you spend enough time around a Voltorb, you really can learn to understand them.] Well, it doesn’t look like there is anyone keeping us out, so I guess we can take a closer look.

[shiro2hero]

On your own?

[Sorry, Armin. Hopefully you didn't want to do this alone, because you've been spotted. Probably by Haunter. But of course, he'd gone with them when they went to Goldenrod. Unfinished business there, and all. Alerted by Haunter of something going on, the Team Leader instinct led him here.]

[Standing a few yards off from Armin, against a building. His Marowak standing at his side for once -- not as intrusive as an Aggron, in the middle of a city. Especially since it's half-hidden its face in his hip.]

Are you sure?

[schachmeister]

Not on my own exactly.

[He has Circinus with him, after all! And a team of other pokemon still in their pokeballs, carefully selected to be able to deal with any danger he might run into.

Not that there... should be any danger. It is only a burnt out warehouse, right? Even if it had been used by Team Rocket, by now it has been a week since the fire and every Jenny in the town must have picked through it already. If there had been anything dangerous in there, it should've been found already.

He turns to Shiro, not at all displeased to see him. He just gives him a little shrug.]

I didn't expect anyone else to be interested in checking this out so I went with Circinus.

[rambling_runner]

In the shadows, of the building, someone was already in there. When Armin walked in, it took a moment before Ash recognised him.

"Armin." He stepped out of the darkness, pulling aside the fabric and hood hiding his features. Fionn was beside him, the large Braviary looking angry and ready to fight at the slightest provocation. There wasn't much to say, as he turned to the remains of what was clearly a fuckton of cages. "It's good to see you. Even if it's in this shithole."

[schachmeister]

"Ash." Armin hadn't been expecting to run into anyone else, let alone someone he knew, but even so, he was pleased to see Ash. It had been a while, after all. And well, if you were going to check out a strange place, two pairs of eyes saw more than one. "I didn't know you were in Goldenrod too."

Not that this was really the location for pleasantries, not with the rows and rows of cages lining the wall. It reminded Armin unpleasantly of the scene inside of that basement, and he's glad he didn't bring Nemesis with him. She had come a long way, but he didn't want her seeing something like this. It might just bring back unpleasant memories. She deserved more than that.

Whatever smile had lit up Armin's smile upon seeing Ash sank into a more serious expression again when he looked at the cages. "So, the rumours are true, aren't they?"

This place had been another Team Rocket base.

[toxicodendron_isley]

[Ivy herself had come to investigate a few days later also. It was her intention to have a look around and do a spot of investigating, more for her own curiosities sake. But she's been distracted form that goal.

Right now she's sat herself down on a pile rubble, with a soothing, wondrous scent surrounding her. A Salandit lounges around her shoulders and Ivysaur is pressed against her side, who appear to be emitting some of the vapors from her large bud.

At Ivy's feet sit 5 more Salandit, who are clearly skittish, cautiously approaching then backing up again and again. Ivy's own Salandit chitters to them in a friendly fashion and Ivy whispers in a calm soothing voice.]

[schachmeister]

[Armin hadn't really been expecting other people to be exploring this place too. Rather, he assumed that everybody who had been interested would've already made their rounds through the wrecked building. If he had been anywhere near, he would've done it sooner too!

So it is with a little bit of surprise that he stumbles on Ivy --it was the sweet scent that first clued him in to her presence-- and he stops well clear, not wanting to disturb her little... gathering? He also keeps his voice low, not wanting to startle the clearly already skittish Pokemon.]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I wasn't expecting anyone else to be here.