victory_road | Twentieth Sacrament: Islands

Entry tags:

Twentieth Sacrament: Islands

Who: Anyone who wants to meet Walter on the Sevii Islands / Cissnei
Where: Sevii Islands, hopping from shore to shore!
When: Throughout January (so backdating aglore)
Summary: While lying low, Walter's ended up taking a trip to the islands with Cissnei. Adventures ensue!
Rating: Most likely PG but could be T

Log:
Walter had agreed to going to Sevii since he wanted to try travelling with someone, and to revisit the island she had briefly stayed on before; once as a holiday with several other Rockets as a 'team building' type of outing (it hadn't helped build much co-operation between them), and once when he had fled Goldenrod after Assumption had attacked Henry. Now he was visiting each of them with Cissnei and it was a very, very different sort of trip from those times.He could take his time and enjoy each island and their landmarks...

(( Below are some prompts but they're just ideas! If you want to meet him on an island, just name the place! ))

[ One Island - Mt. Ember ]
Walter had not been expecting to find Cubones here. With Assumption he'd managed to befriend one; a lonely, tough looking little thing, who began to escort them up the mountain. As they ventured more Cubones appeared from the rugged rock and tunnels and even a few Marowaks who shared Assumption's typing began to peer after them or even follow them, chatting among themselves or with Assumption. Several began to interact with Walter too, especially their first companion Cubone who would bang her club on the ground and tug on his trousers for attention when she felt she was being left out.

It was almost like Walter had slowly attracted a parade of skull-wearing Pokemon. And while he mostly kept walking...there was no doubting that he was walking slower, offering the female who first joined them food when they stopped (and the others, but after her) and talking to them quietly when they approached him.

[ Four Island - Breeding Centre ]
Walter hadn't really planned on buying anything. He was just curious to see what eggs were available and spotted a certain species; Riolu. He'd knew two people with Riolus; Heather and, of course, Cissnei. Both had been good, patient Pokemon, evolving into strong, capable Lucarios. The idea of having one himself bloomed when he saw the list, looking over the available egg moves offered. He quietly approached one of the breeders, softly asking about the temperament of the parents given the egg moves he had in mind.

Claudia, who was at his side, couldn't help her tails swaying when she heard his questions. She was going to make sure the little one was raised properly.

[ Seven Island - Battle Tower ]
Granted this was meant to be a get-away of sorts...but Walter knew he needed to remain strong. He hadn't the chance to really test his Pokemon's battling ability before he abandoned Team Rocket. He had intended to battle Henry but apparently the man hadn't trained his Pokemon at all in the many years he'd been here (Walter still did not understand that at all). So upon hearing of the Battle Tower, a gauntlet of battling, he was definitely interested in challenging it. He went over several of his Pokemon, trying to decide who to take with him into the Tower. Apparently there was no changing Pokemon or leaving once the challenge began, so he needed to plan this carefully.

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It had been Cissnei's idea to go to the breeding center. Was it a good idea? Maybe not. She didn't really need any new Pokemon. She had all of her bases covered fairly well but there was one Pokemon in particular that had caught her eye when she'd looked over the list.

Togepi.

Fairy-types were something she was lacking in and Togepi in particular intrigued her because of it's evolutionary line. So she'd suggested it to Walter and he'd tagged along. She had watched his interest grow and had been amused when she realized which Pokemon had caught his interest, finishing up her adoption process before wandering over to where Walter was with her new Togepi nestled in her arms and Tseng at her side.

"Thinking of adopting?" she mused as the little Fairy-type in her arms chirped happily.

"Yes." He answered honestly, without hesitation. He did paused however, before asking the breeder to see one, turning to face Cissnei. "What kind of Pokemon is that?" He hadn't seen a Togepi before.

Claudia couldn't hide her warm smile, turning to Tseng with bright eyes. "Walter has spoken highly of two Pokemon he has known, and plans to see one for himself."

"This is a Togepi," Cissnei replied, shifting Kalm in her arms to lift the little one up a bit. Said Pokemon wobbled and giggled, blinking up at his new trainer then over at Walter only to let out a happy chirp-twill. "They're a fairy-type which is something I've been lacking on my team."

Tseng couldn't help but smile in return though his was a curious one. "Oh? What Pokemon is that?" he asked, tail wagging in a lazy and clearly content manner.

"It looks like it hasn't fully hatched..." He reached out and very gently touched the edge of Kalm's 'shell', but didn't pull on it. He had tried to peer under Assumption's skull before but soon learned that it was best not to manipulate Pokemon too much when they did not want to be handled a certain way. And also, this was Cissnei's Pokemon.

Claudia gave him a mysterious little smile, tails mirroring his wag. She merely looked over to where the breeder was, looking over the Pokemon he had to find one that matched Walter's egg move order, and a quiet request for a 'calm, obedient' Pokemon. He knelt down, picking out the perfect one. As he returned to present Walter with the Pokemon, it was obvious what he was carrying; a very young Riolu.

"I thought the same, actually," she admitted, voice tinged with laughter as Kalm squirmed and tried to grab Walter's finger. "But apparently that's just how all Togepi look."

The Lucario gave her a curious look before following her gaze to look at the breeder, ears perking as he watched what she was doing. He reached out with his aura to get a feel for what was over there and surprise flickered across his face that only grew as the man came over to present Walter with the chosen individual.

"A Riolu."

Walter paused, letting Kalm hold his finger, gently moving the digit up and down like a shake. But he pulled his hand back when his chosen Pokemon is brought forward. "Thank you-"

The Riolu looked nervous as she was handed over to Walter. But held her like how one would hold a young child, letting her rest against his chest. Admittedly he hadn't intended to be given her like this, but it let him get a good look at her. "Hello." She looked up at him, and then to Cissnei and Kalm, taking in these new people.

Claudia's smile grew and she spoke quietly to Tseng. "Walter spoke of you, and another Lucario he has known. He was nervous around canine, when I was young...but he's impressed by your abilities and temperament." Of course, she would speak for Tseng's character and power if asked. But as it was she watched Walter hold the Riolu, hoping that Walter did choose to keep her.

Kalm giggled and babbled in Pokespeak as he held onto Walter's finger, clearly delighted with this new friend he'd just made right here and now--oh wait where--oh! Another new friend! The little Togepi twilled and waved his arms at the Riolu Walter now held even as Cissnei gently shushed him, unable to help her fond smile.

"A Riolu, hm?" she mused as she watched Walter with the little canine, quite pleased with his prospective choice. "A nice choice if I do say so myself."

Looking away from the Riolu and to Claudia, Tseng couldn't help but look a bit sheepish and perhaps even a bit touched. "I'm glad I could make a good impression on him. I would hate to upset him in any way." Especially since that would mean he'd be unable to see Claudia as easily as he could now. "Looking to replace me?" he said teasingly, tail still wagging happily.

Edited 2018-02-02 20:01 (UTC)

The Riolu shyly lifted a paw to return Kalm's wave, even as she turned to half hide against Walter. "Between Wolf and Tseng, the Riolus I have met are mature, goodnatured creatures. And become powerful fighters." Walter gave Cissnei a self-conscious smile. "So I thought it would be nice to have one myself. I do not know where they are found in the wild so this seems wise."

As the Riolu looked up at Walter again, she noticed his scruffy chin and reached up a paw to touch it. He glanced down and she froze. He gave her a genuine, soft smile and she immediately relaxed, rubbing under his chin.

Claudia gave him a mischievous smile, although her very soft tone betrayed that she was a little worried how he might respond. "Actually...I was intending to tell the little one all about a Lucario I am rather fond of, and the values he holds so well that she should attempt to emulate." As if she would ever seek another!

"Understandable to want one for yourself. I've gotten quite a few Pokemon after encountering individuals that were good examples of the species," Cissnei said fondly, biting her lip to fight back a laugh at how fascinated the Riolu was with Walter's stubble. How precious was that?

Kalm let out a squeak, squirming and wobbling in Cissnei's arms, clearly wanting to feel as well because that looked interesting what did it feel like???

Oh Claudia.

"You are far too kind, Claudia," Tseng mused with a warm look that was almost bashful as he let out a sound akin to a laugh. "Rather fond of, though? He sounds like a very lucky Lucario indeed."

"I've done the same with several of mine." Walter was very much not used to having...anything pet him. The most was that his birds would sometimes attempt to fuss with his hair. Still, it didn't feel bad. Just a bit strange. He noticed she was about to laugh and tilted his head slightly, trying to figure out the joke. Which prompted the Riolu to pat his cheek.

He straightened himself, casting another glance down at her, but she had noticed Kalm squirming to try and reach Walter too. Which meant Walter noticed Kalm too. He took a step forward. "Is...Kalm alright?"

"He is. And I am a lucky Ninetales to know him." She brushed lightly against his side with a little smile.

Cissnei can't help it then, a soft laugh escaping her.

"I think he's curious," she explained and steps closer to Walter, lifting the Togepi at the same time. Yep, there he goes immediately rolling in his trainer's arms so he could reach out and bop Walter's chin, giggling happily.

"If you ask me, he is a lucky Lucario to know you," Tseng said softly, leaning down enough that he could gently bump his head to hers, smiling adoringly at her.

Walter blinked. Why are both of these Pokemon touching his face. He glanced over at the breeders, clearly thinking this was something to do with their heritage.
"Has, no-one else been here with facial hair?"

He didn't see the joke but, he had a feeling that Cissnei's laughter wasn't..at him. Well, it sort of was. He was just, completely bemused by this situation, frowning but letting Kalm touch his chin patiently. In his arms the Riolu huddled down, still painfully shy with Cissnei and Kalm's approach.

Claudia smiled and hummed, nuzzling him back. "Shall we settle for them both being lucky?"

The breeders seemed to think about it for a moment before confirming that it was pretty rare for the babies to see people with facial hair now that they thought about it. Usually it was younger trainers that came to pick out new Pokemon; not necessarily older trainers.

Cissnei gently eased Kalm away as she noted how the Riolu huddled down, smiling softly at the shy little thing as the Togepi in her arms just continued to babble.

"If there's one thing I know about little ones, human or Pokemon, it's that they are curious about anything that's strange to them. And since they don't have facial hair, you are immediately the most fascinating thing ever, Walter," she mused, smiling at him.

"I suppose we shall," Tseng agreed, melting a bit as his ears went back in a content manner.

"But, they have fur." Walter still didn't get it. He didn't think he was that interesting, at least, not for his facial hair of all things. But the Riolu relaxed a little once there was some space again, although now she was watching Cissnei and Kalm with a shy curiosity. He glanced down to the Riolu, already deciding to take her. Something about her demeanour made him want to keep her by his side. But a thought struck him.

"I don't know what to call her. I, remember what some of the girls at the orphanage were called, but I want something special for her."

Claudia smiled and sat down, lightly curling her tails around Tseng. Which could have been a bit uncomfortable given they were in such a tropical climate, but she channeled her power to cool her tails, so she didn't overheat him.

"Facial hair feels different than fur does," Cissnei pointed out and motioned to her own hair. "Even the hair on our heads feels different from facial hair." Oh Walter. You are absolutely precious.

Her expression melted into something thoughtful as he mentioned names and not knowing what to call the Riolu though underneath it she was glad to hear that he intended to keep her. She glanced down at the Togepi in her arms who looked up and chirped at her, waving his arms in delight.

"Well, you could name her after a place that means something to you. I named this little one Kalm after a village from home. It was very small and very beautiful. It was a small mining community where Mythril was found. I only ever got to visit it once but it left a lasting impression on me," Cissnei explained, smiling down at the baby Pokemon in her arms before her gaze went to Walter. "So you could use a location or perhaps if there was ever a story you read that had a character you liked. You could use anything you like really."

Momentarily oblivious to what their trainers were discussing, Tseng settled down with Claudia and leaned against her gently, the cool feeling from her tails a welcome sensation in the island heat.

"That is true..." He acquiesced on the hair/fur topic. On the topic of names he hummed, looking down at his unnamed Riolu. "I already have a Pokemon named Toluca. I did name a Pokemon Saratoga as well - it was the mountain beside the forest. But I traded them." He tried to think of stories he read growing up, but a lot of it was the Scriptures. There were very few 'Order approved' books in the Orphanage.

"...I used to read about the stars, and about constellations. But there's so many, it's hard to pick one." He said hesitantly. There were several that came to mind as he went over the constellations he had known and used to trace, when he could see the night sky.

The Riolu could feel how intensely Walter was thinking. She reached up to touch where his facial hair began, as if comparing the smooth skin of his neck tot he stubble of his chin. He glanced at her, still bemused by this petting.

"Do any come to mind?" Cissnei asked, honestly curious to hear about the constellations from his world. It was one of the many things that seemed to differ between a lot of the worlds represented among the people that had been brought here to the Pokemon world and it was always interesting to learn about. And never something she had let herself spend much time dwelling on back home. A shame really and all the more reason to do it here.

"Any that had a particularly nice story to them or represented something very calm or soothing?" she continued, gesturing to the pleasant little Riolu. She was such a sweet little thing, Walter, look at her. She deserves something celestial for sure.

Kalm had fallen quiet now and was peering around at all of them curiously, soft little coos escaping every once in awhile as he tried to make sense of everything.

"Most were from ancient mythology that I was did not know until I read them...Andromeda was a woman who was offered as a sacrifice for a sea monster, but was rescued by a demi-god. But, it was also the nearest galaxy to the one my world was in. Ara was said to be an altar, where a set of Gods first made a treaty to fight another set of powerful beings. And there is Virgo. It is also said to be a woman, but who she is changes according to who interpreted the constellation. It is also used as a star sign."

Once he found out there was a telescope on the islands, he would definitely be visiting and picking up a book on the constellations of this world and their stars. He lifted a hand to catch her paw, It made her pause but she soon took his hand in both of hers, feeling his fingers.

Cissnei absently began to rock Kalm as she listened to Walter explain about the different constellations, a thoughtful look on her face.

"Star sign?" she asked. "What do you mean by that?" That was something she wasn't familiar with at all. It wasn't something they had where she was from or, at least, she hadn't heard of it. Maybe Wutai had it. "Andromeda is really pretty though Virgo is as well and rather mysterious as well since you said she changes depending on who's reading the constellation. Is there no solid evidence of how it was first named?" she wondered, glancing down at her Togepi only to find him starting to fall asleep. Though he was putting up a good fight against it!

"Virgo was first found by...Babylonians, I think. After that, the Greeks and the Romans found it as well, and named it for women in their mythologies." Goddesses he remembered. But there was only one God, the God born from the Sun. It had been very confusing when he first learned about ancient mythologies, from countries far, far away from Maine.

At the subject of star signs he smiled. He had always liked the concept of being born under a sign. Like having a guardian angel, albeit a distant one that merely touched over their charges to gift them with qualities to help guide them through life.
"The stars position in the night sky change with the seasons. Ancient people saw that, and believed different signs governed over people born when they were at their peak. They used the signs to determine what traits a person might have. There are twelve; Virgo was one of them."

As he talked, the Riolu looked over to Kalm and watched him doze off. She smiled and nestled against Walter. He wasn't rocking her, but she found comfort in his warmth and solid presence.

"Interesting that they kept naming it after women," she mused before letting out a quiet laugh. "Though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Virgo--virgin. Right?" That had to be the correlation.

The explanation about star signs was rather interesting and she turned a bit more towards Walter, watching him as he spoke while still rocking the little Togepi that fought hard against sleep.

"So one for each month. Which month does Virgo align with?" Her gaze flicked down as the Riolu moved and a soft look flickered across her face as the little thing snuggled closer to Walter. "Do the signs themselves have female and male attributes or is it more ambiguous?"

"Yes, that is right. Virgo ruled the last week of August and the majority of September." At the question of female or male attributes, he shook his head calmly, with a small smile. "When I said traits, I meant personal qualities...Virgos were said to be very detail-oriented, and perspective. They are meant to be very careful."

But he wasn't sure if that suited the Riolu in his arms. So far she simply seemed really shy, and quiet. And was huddling close to him, as if he was...comforting. Looking at her, he murmured quietly.

"My sign was Cancer. It was said to be a crab."

Cissnei laughed a bit sheepishly.

"Ah, I see. So each one has certain attributes meant to describe the people born under the various signs," she repeated before lifting a brow. "How often do they honestly line up?" She's both curious and skeptical because that sort of thing is a bit fantastical for her....to some extent. She does come from a place where people sprouted individual wings and crap like that. It's all really weird okay.

If only she knew her proper birthday she could ask what her sign was.

"And what are people born under the Cancer sign suppose to be like?"

Edited 2018-02-04 21:52 (UTC)

"Not often. The description's are vague enough, that you could say it fits or not." At the mention of what Cancers were supposed to be like, he focused on his Riolu again. It helped having a Pokemon he could look at instead of looking at the floor or trying to focus on something else to avoid eye contact. "They are said to be determined, and phlegmatic. People who prefer their homes. But, also lazy and emotional. And refined."

So some of it fit, and some of it did not. He did not consider himself lazy, or refined or emotional. ~~Although, he was emotional and had more than enough struggles with his emotions.~~ He shrugged.

"I do not think anyone takes it very seriously."

"That doesn't really sound like you at all," Cissnei said thoughtfully, shaking her head just a touch as she scrunched her nose. "Well, perhaps the determined part fits but I'm not entirely sure the rest does at all."

Glancing down at the Togepi and seeing that he was finally asleep, Cissnei smiled and stopped moving and just cradled him now.

"It seems to me that something star related may suit your new companion there well."

Walter hummed. "I have named some of my other Pokemon after the stars too. There's just, so many terms that could be used. And I do not think I am very good at naming my Pokemon." Aquarii and Regulus had been named after stars in the signs Aquarius and Leo respectively. Ophiuchus' name was a starsign up front, the serpent. Armilla's name came from Armillary, a device used to demonstrate how the planets and stars rotated around the world.

There were some signs that featured dogs, but he wasn't overly fond of them. He tried to think of how the stars behaved, and what would suit a Pokemon like a Riolu. "I think Andromeda...it was one of the brightest objects in the night sky. Even when I moved to a place that had lights that blocked out the stars, sometimes I could still see Andromeda."

The Riolu in question didn't really react just yet. Instead she was looking voer Walter's fingers. He didn't have paw pads like she did!

"Sounds like you do have a small theme going on you could incorporate her into if you can find something fitting," Cissnei mused, watching the Riolu toy with Walter's fingers as the man himself mulled it over.

Andromeda.

She looked up from the Riolu to give Walter a warm smile.

"I think that's a fine choice for her, Walter."

He ducked his head, focusing on the Riolu. He pressed one of her paws between his thumb and forefinger, before putting her down beside him. Andromeda looked up at him, wondering if she did something wrong, but Walter just smiled to her.

"Andromeda." He lifted his head to Cissnei, returning his attention to the sleeping Togepi in Cissnei's arms. "Did you purchase any egg moves with Kalm?"

Claudia gently trotted over, now that Andromeda was on her level and had been accepted by Walter. She gently nudged Andromeda, who jumped and hugged Walter's leg. "Hello Andromeda. My name is Claudia."

Cissnei watched the pair with a gentle smile before looking at the Togepi in her arms as Walter questioned her about him.

"I did, yes. I went with Future Sight, Foresight, and Lucky Chant," she answered as she carefully adjust Kalm in her arms so he was resting in just one of them now so she could have one free for the time being. "I admit, I did a bit of research on them before coming here and had been planning on this for awhile."

Tseng slowly followed Claudia over, watching the fox as she nudged Andromeda and introduced herself. He couldn't help but smile faintly at how the little Riolu hugged Walter's leg like she did and he made it to Claudia's side before taking a knee, a paw going to his chest as he half bowed to the little thing.

"And I'm Tseng. It's a pleasure to meet you, little one."

"Interesting moves...do you have a strategy regarding his upbringing?" At Andromeda's hug, he dropped a hand and leaned down, to gently touch the tip of her ear.

Andromeda looked between them, still very shy. "Hi...Are you both with my trainer?"

Claudia shook her head, sitting and speaking with the little one patiently. "I am; Tseng belong to Cissnei, his friend."
"That's her, right?" The Riolu pointed to Cissnei.
"Yes. Our trainer holds her in high regards."

"I want him to be prepared for anything really. A bit unpredictable and ready for anything," she mused fondly. He was a quirky, happy little thing but that didn't mean he wouldn't be able to hold his own on the battle field one day. She had high hopes he'd be a promising gym Pokemon in the future.

"Just as Cissnei holds Walter in high regards," Tseng added with a nod of his own, smiling gently at Andromeda. "They have grown very close since they've met."

"I see." Walter nodded. It made sense to have a Pokemon that could be unpredictable in their utility. For him that Pokemon was Doll; as she had grown she had learned several powerful status based abilities, along with strong physical attacks. "I chose some moves for Andromeda, but I am not sure how she will grow yet...what is Tseng like, in his abilities and attacks?"

"...So they're friends?" She asked quietly, still holding Walter's trousers. But she did take a slight step towards them, curiously about them and these trainers. "Are you both friends too?"

"Tseng and I both agreed that we wanted to try and hone his psychic capabilities to work in tandem with his fighting prowess. So we try and combine as much of them as we can, going for power of mind and body to overcome opponents," Cissnei explained, a note of pride to her voice because Tseng had come a long way in his trainer and was still learning more as their continued their journey together. "He's very big on status effects as well, wearing them down bit by bit before finishing them off."

"They are, yes," Tseng said with a smile before he blinked and glanced at Claudia. It only took a moment for his gaze to soften, something loving there as he looked at the Ninetales, his tail wagging slowly. "We started as friends, yes. But Claudia is much more than that to me now."

Walter hummed at her assessment. "That sounds a little like Doll... she is a strong physical attacker, but she has several moves that focus on disrupting her foes as well." He would need to see how Andromeda developed, along with what she learned. "I admit, I chose Andromeda's egg moves based on what they were, more than what she is."

Claudia smiled and brushed against Tseng's side. Andromeda looked between them, too young to understand romance yet. "Oh." She looked up at Walter again, before turning to Claudia and Tseng again. "Can you tell me about my trainer?"

Claudia nodded and spoke gently. "He is quiet and soft in speech, but firm in his training and determined in what he does. Before he came this world, he was treated very horribly by the people who were supposed to look after him. So now we must take care of him, and protect him."

"There's nothing wrong with that. If you have an idea of what the moves are before hand you can have a better idea of how to train her to use everything available to her as she grows. You're giving her something of an advantage and giving yourself an easy place to start, so to speak, in terms of training," Cissnei said with a smile.

Tseng gave Claudia a gently smile as she brushed against him and opted to stay silent for the time being as Andromeda asked about Walter. It wasn't his place to speak about a trainer that wasn't his after all. Instead he glanced over to focus briefly on the Togepi nestled in Cissnei's arms, regarding the little Pokemon with a thoughtful gaze, observing the little thing's aura.

Yes, he would fit in nicely and suit Cissnei well.

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Twentieth Sacrament: Islands

Breeding Centre

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