`i want you leather STUDDED KISS in the scene;

[BEL ღ]

Land. Icky, gross, messy land. That, and all those things that walk on it who, she swore on her pride as a sailor, only existed to irritate her. She kindly asks for directions to the laboratory, in the most polite manner there is, and in return gets an insulting look, scoff and a cold shoulder. Honestly, she could expect such immaturity from a couple of stowaways but this city's population was ridiculous! Bel was already out of her zone on solid ground. The only comfort was the far away sound of lapping waves against the shore.

Well, to be honest, she did get directions just recently. From a small girl, actually. The petite thing giggled and pointed to the biggest building there. No matter how cute she was, holding onto a abused teddy bear in one hand and sucking her thumb with the other, it did not satiate her burning grudge against the others. Given, she had only asked two people but automatically grouped the entire population in the category of the one man. They could be swallowed by a Wailord for all she cared.

Now that she was standing in front of the said building, Bel knocked on the door and turned the knob to allow herself entrance. As she stepped through, she closed the door behind her and walked down the hall until she hit a bright room. Not having seen any shoes at the front entrance, she didn't bother to take hers off. If there were going to be any future complaints, she'd hear them and comply when the time came. For now though, she merely scanned the open room for a sign of life among the paperwork and computer desks.

[♫~Tayonis~♪]

Inside the lab, Professor Elm sat in his own office (if you could call it that) and studied a book on pokemon abilities. Every once in a while he would turn a page in the book or scribble down some notes on a little pad. His research could be so interesting! He couldn't help but be involved with it. So involved that he completely didn't hear the knock sound on his lab door...

All of a sudden though, he felt odd... As if something or someone were there. Maybe it was nothing... Then again... He lifted his head from his book and started when he realized a girl was standing there. Jumping up out of his seat he walked over to her and reached to shook her hand. "My apologies! I was so involved with my studies that I didn't know you were here. My name's Professor Elm! And you would be?"

[BEL ღ]

Bel instantly recoiled upon the sight of a figure jumping up in the corner of her eye. It seemed so quiet and abandoned here, that the noise he made when scraping his chair out of the way sent chills down her spine. When she looked at his dead-on, her eyes slowly released their wide, tense state at the surpise, and she gave the man a friendly grin.

He headed towards her in the gesture to shake her hand. So she also took her own steps towards him to meet halfway. On the way, she was careful not to step on the scattered papers also strewn about on the floor. This lab was a bit messy and seemed unorganized, but he seemed to be just fine at whatever he was doing a minute ago. Even if she did not approve of this mess. The urge to clean it all up was starting to bubble within her.

As she shook his hand firmly, Bel replied, "Do not apologize, it is not your fault! I, Bellona Hartell, should have announced my presence. However, it was like a graveyard in here, being so silent that I dared not even squeak." She continued the conversation, but her eyes would scan the mess as she did so, making it a bit obvious of what she was looking at with masked disapproval. "I was told that you have pokemon available for new trainers to care for in their journey. Is this true?"

[♫~Tayonis~♪]

Professor Elm nodded and indicated the hallway with a gesture of his hand. "Yes that would be true, Ms. Hartell. I keep them in the main part of my lab. I'm sure you walked through it when you came upon my office." He half turned his head and noticed that the girl was looking at his desk. All cluttered with books and notes he had taken. Giving, a nervous chuckle he said, "I tend to not care about the state of my room when I'm studying."

Changing the subject he stepped out into the hallway and beckoned for Bellona to follow him. "Now, do you know what type of pokemon you may want? I have plenty to choose from and some trainers have found it rather difficult to choose. Not that there's any rush." Once he had started speaking he was walking down the hallway to a shelf that contained many pokeballs on it. All of them filled with various types of pokemon. When he arrived at the shelf he waited for the trainer to tell him what pokemon he wanted.

[/size]

[BEL ღ]

Following his gesture, she peered down the hall he indicated where his inventory was kept. Her head swept back with an embarrassed look when she heard she'd been caught judging his catastrophe. "I didn't mean to be rude, staring like that. I apologize."

Thankful he changed the topic, her face fell back to its normal, composed state, and Bel trailed after him to the previously indicated area. Once they stopped in front of a shelf that carried plenty of pokeballs, she smiled at his grace in hospitality, informing her she needn't rush. Her view on this man was surprisingly pleasant. It wasn't often she had a civilized conversation like so with the "Land Savages" as she so kindly calls them.

Then, Bel answered his question as best she could, "I beg your pardon, but I only just got here. Here, as in this whole area. I do not know which pokemon you carry and whatnot. I'm sorry to say that I am ignorant in the selection you offer." Her finger tapped her lip and she continued, "However, I do know what type I would prefer. I would rather have something normal, nothing that breathes fire, water dark magic or has psychic powers. Not that I am against such pokemon, it's just a... personal preference, if I may say so."

[♫~Tayonis~♪]

Ah, new in the area? That's why she didn't know what pokemon he carried. It was perfectly fine though... as he had said no rush. However, she did limit the choices down a lot when she said she didn't really want any pokemon with powers. The professor smiled and listed off the pokemon she might like. "Well, at least you certainly know what type of pokemon you want. It limits the choices down a lot. Now let's see... I have Starlys, Taillows, and Pidgeys. In both genders of course."

((Ack, >.> short posties, sorries.))

[BEL ღ]

Three choices were listed. Only three. Then again, Bel couldn't really complain because if there were more, it would only make it harder for her to decide. She knew of each bird listed and could already imagine the advantage of having a flying pokemon. They would make some good scouts on her journey. But which one to choose?

"Hmmm..." she pondered. Would it really matter though? Choose one now and she'd probably meet up with the other two sooner or later. With that possibly inaccurate but very positive thought, she chose the last one on the list. "How about a Pidgey. A male Pidgey. Why not?" The question was rhetorical, but her tone was light and offered the professor to answer it, if he so chose to.

[♫~Tayonis~♪]

Elm patiently waited as Bellona tried to decide on a pokemon. His mind ranged back to all the various topics in his books. He loved researching them. Then, his mind went over to the pokedex and pokeballs he was supposed to give beginnings trainers... where had he put them last? Uh oh... he made a quick glance at the shelf and noticed they weren't there. Keeping his panic under control he glanced around the room. There, on a large table in the back corner... he had forgotten to put them up before... His fault, but at least he wouldn't look silly when he was supposed to give the trainer her things.

When the girl made her suggestion about the pidgey, Elm turned and reached for the correct pokeball. He had heard Bellona's last question and knew it was rhetorical. However, he couldn't help but ponder it. He handed the pokeball while still thinking. Actually he was thinking out loud. "Why not? Why not? A good question... Pidgeys tend to have higher stats while Taillows start off knowing a flying type move, and Starlys know two attack moves while starting off... He trailed off as he scrunched thought deeper. "Ultimately, it depends on your preference to what the pokemon learn. But might I add... You're bound to run into all three bird pokemon at some point in your journey."

[/size]

[BEL ღ]

Bel listened to what he had to say with interest. Her smile gleamed when he added she would probably meet up with all three eventually. It was exactly what she predicted herself, not even a minute ago. Yet, even though she wasn't a professer herself, she couldn't but add, "Higher stats, more moves, it doesn't really matter does it? I mean, sure right now it might but they will all eventually grow stronger, and their current state of power will be nothing but a memory."

She took the pokeball with care. Forgetting that she was able to claim a pokedex and other items, Bel bowed her a little and said, "Well, Professor, it was nice to meet you. I best be on my way now." Her toes were ready to take her leave but she paused, so he may say his goodbye as well.

((Posts just keep getting shorter and shorter. x3))

[♫~Tayonis~♪]

"Nice meeting you as well, Ms. Hartell. And I wish you-" He suddenly paused... wasn't he forgetting something? Oh, think... what was it. The professor almost leaped out of his skin when he realized the girl had almost forgotten her pokedex and pokeballs. "Wait! Wait!" He ran quickly over to the table and grabbed the items and returned to the girl. He could've made an Olympic runner jealous at the speed. When he arrived back he was slightly panting. [/b]"Here you are Ms. I almost forgot your pokeballs and pokedex."[/b] He handed Bell the items and smiled. "Now, I wish you luck on your journey."[/size]

[BEL ღ]

Before her third step away from him, the professor yelled for her to wait. Surprised at the outburts, she froze and looked at him questioningly. Bel witnessed his amazing speed and could only hope such recklessness would not have him fumble to the floor. His laboratory really did not need any more of a mess. But, he made it in one piece and gave her a few items.

"Oh, thank you!" she said with light embarrassment. "I forgot about those."

Bel took the items from him with delicacy and stashed them away in her bag. With that done, she continued to walk out of his territory, and gave him one last wave and a bright smile.

'Okay, so maybe there were some people on land she could tolerate, if not enjoy their presence.'

((THREAD END! ))