[₪-- It May be a Trick of the Firelight

[#Fall apart!]

Reza Prasetya
♫ it's the book of my life ♪

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Legend:// Narrative - Speech - Thoughts
>Pokémon Speech< - ~Pokémon Thoughts~

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Reza breathed deeply; closing her jet black eyes, allowing her shoulders to raise gently and then to fall back down in a rush of air. Her eyelashes flickered, and a wave of self doubt crossed her face. I am so not ready for this. As soon as the thought entered her mind, she banished it again with a flick of her head. This was her dream; her future, and she would not let doubts of the past ruin today. Sucking in another deep breath, she stepped up to the entrance, hand resting on the door handle.

From the outside, the lab seemed rather imposing in Reza's opinion. The metalic, shiny look of the building seemed at odds with the lazy, quiet countryside it found itself located in. However 'techy' the place appeared, Reza couldn't help but find herself attracted to it. Maybe it was the promise it held of a new and exciting adventure that drew her. She gave a mental shrug, what ever it was there that attracted her, there was no use loitering on the doorstep.

Turning the metal handle, she stepped into the foyer. Goose pimples appeared on her long, lean legs, a reaction to the air conditioning. She scanned her surroundings, breathing deeply for the second time. Her nose wrinkled in distaste, the laboratory had a 'white' smell, like hospitals that are too clean. A few books were arranged on a bookshelf, she ran her fingers along the spine and wondered what tales they told inside. Drawing herself back to reality, she went over to the desk, spreading her palms on the smooth surface.

Hello, anybody home?

She tapped her fingers rhythmically as she waited for someone to appear, the beat drowned out the doubts that had begun to fester in her mind again. No matter how many times she banished them, they returned like a persistent mosquito droning in her ears.

[♫~Tayonis~♪]

Ah, he couldn't believe it... He'd finally done it! He'd cleaned his lab and organized everything so nicely that it was absolutely glorious! The bookshelves were lined up neatly with books. The floor was cleaned of all dirt and the tables dusted of... well... dust. His own office in the lab. For once in his whole career... was free of any clutter. Everything was so perfect! Granted, it would probably be back to the way it was in less than a week but hey, that was a thought for then and not now. No need to spoil the moment.

Smiling the professor took a seat at his desk in his office. He put his feet up on the desk completely happy to not be doing anything at the moment. He was feeling rather accomplished at the moment so why not take a teensy little break? He'd get back to work in a little bit. He put his hands behind his head and lounged for a bit. Letting the smell of his office wash over him. It was perfectly-

Hello, anybody home?"

[/i]

Who was that? Could it possibly be a trainer? Most likely yes. Standing he made his way out of the office to a desk where a girl was standing. She had her hands on the desk and it was obvious by her age that she was most likely looking to get her first pokemon. So, straightening himself up he walked over to her. "Hello there, Miss. I would believe that I am here. Although, I wouldn't exactly call this place a home." The professor gave a laugh at his own small joke. "Anyway, my name is Professor Elm. And what would you call yourself?" He extended a hand to shake. [/blockquote][/size]

[#Fall apart!]

Reza Prasetya
♫ it's the book of my life ♪

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Legend:// Narrative - Speech - Thoughts
>Pokémon Speech< - ~Pokémon Thoughts~

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The man's appearance woke her from her reverie, her mind had been enfolded in song lyrics and the choreography that could accompany it. It was a bad habit; but in the quiet moments Reza found herself following this train of thought quite recklessly. She shook her head; there she was again! Forcing herself back to the here-and-now, she focused her attention on the man before her.

"Hello there, Miss. I would believe that I am here. Although, I wouldn't exactly call this place a home. Anyway, my name is Professor Elm. And what would you call yourself?"

Reza's laugh joined his, she had to admit her laugh was one of the few things her liked about herself. Not because it sounded particularly nice to her, but because it had a way of making her feel happier and lighter no matter her mood. She let a polite smile slip onto her face, and held her hand out to grasp his. If you follow the stereotype, supposedly girls have weak handshakes, not Reza. In her home region, you could convey a lot about your character through a simple handshake.

So you are. Professor Elm...

She tested the name on her tongue, sure it was short and sweet, and not exactly hard to pronounce. But Reza had a nasty habit of forgetting names, and found them easier to remember if she spoke them out loud.

My name is Reza Prasetya, although I sure didn't call myself that, I would have chosen something slightly different.

So now they came to the crunch, her whole reason for being here in the first place. Choosing a starter. This day had been in her mind since they left her home region for Johto. It had taken her a long time to make this decision but she still wasn't so sure... maybe she would ask Elm for his advice. As a hopeful coordinator and a dancer; she wanted an elegant pokémon, who would learn moves that only emphasize their grace. However Reza didn't spot any pokémon like that on the list, other than the flying-types, but they didn't really appeal to her. Her other option, was to ask for a pokémon that would evolve to be strong, a pokémon that could protect her from the dangers she was likely to face. Also, knowing herself, she was likely to want to attempt the gym run at some point, just because it was another thing to have tucked under her belt. She explained this thinking to Professor Elm..

..and so, I'm not sure which option to go for.She grimaced.I never was to good at making decisions.

[♫~Tayonis~♪]

The girl er, Reza... was it? Had a good strong handshake. He hadn't expected one as strong as that from her. "My name is Reza Prasetya, although I sure didn't call myself that, I would have chosen something slightly different." He chuckled a little at that. He personally didn't see anything wrong with the name but hey... that was him not her. Not like it mattered anyway what either of them thought of the name. Her name choosing was already done with.

He listened to her and nodded sympathetically when she spoke of her predicament. Hmm, well what was he here for? To help her pick which pokemon she wanted of course. He was sure some pokemon would jump out at her when showed them to her. He was speaking metaphorically and not literally, of course you never knew quite what pokemon were thinking. Especially new ones who hadn't been around humans much.

"Well, Ms. Prasetya, I believe I can help you reach a decision. We have a few pokemon here that I'm sure you will like." It would be nice to know what she preferred... but at the moment... it didn't matter. They weren't exactly stocked up on pokemon right now. In fact, it was quite the opposite. They were sort of running low... he'd have to go out and get some more starters. Or else he could have some rather disgruntled teenagers passing through and that just wouldn't do. "Follow me, Miss."

Turning, he led the way back down a long hallway. It may have looked like they were going to keep going through it to the end however the professor turned to a door on the right side of the corridor and opened it. On the inside was a well-lit room with a shelf of 6 pokeballs and table with a box on it. If you looked close enough you would see that the box had pokeballs and pokedexes in it. The professor for the time being ignored the box and went right over the the shelf with the pokeballs. He knew what was in them but the girl didn't so he took the liberty of going to the shelf and letting out the pokemon. In a flash of red light two totodiles, two starlys, a shinx, and a taillow appeared. The totodiles and the starlys were both different genders however, the shinx and the taillow were both female.

"Well, these are the pokemon that we currently have. See anyone you like?" He asked. There was no rush and indeed she could take as long as she wanted. Although, she may not like these pokemon and if she didn't that was perfectly fine... "If you don't want one of these pokemon you can always come back later. We'll most likely have a different stock here."

[/size]

[#Fall apart!]

Reza Prasetya
♫ it's the book of my life ♪

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Legend:// Narrative - Speech - Thoughts
>Pokémon Speech< - ~Pokémon Thoughts~

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"Well, Ms. Prasetya, I believe I can help you reach a decision. We have a few pokemon here that I'm sure you will like."

Reza smiled in appreciation; she was glad this Professor Elm was taking her problem seriously rather than fobbing her off with a half-felt answer. She was used to a culture where manipulation, wits and raw strength were the only things that got people's attention and respect. Mentally, she shrugged, throwing off the burden of her past and looking instead to her future. More often these days she found herself reflecting back, it was a habit she would have to teach herself out of.

"Follow me, Miss."

Nodding in acknowledgment to his orders, she stepped into line behind him, taking care not to tread on his long, white lab coat. The hallway he lead her down only emphasized the similarities between the laboratory and a hospital. The walls were white-washed, she feared to touch them in case she 'contaminated' the place. Presently, the Professor lead her into a room on the right hand side of the corridor. She assumed that this room was where the pokémon where stored, looking around she frowned slightly. The small room, well lit though it was, would have felt like a prison to her if she had to stay there for lengthy periods of time. But then, pokémon spent most of their lives in poké balls, the small room would seem a palace. The sudden flash of piercing red light shocked her slightly, but she quickly recovered. Crouching down to be on their level, Reza studied the pokémon, trying her best not to look imposing.

The totodiles she dismissed at once; she was sure that they were fabulous pokémon, and later on in her journey she doubted she wouldn't mind capturing one, but they did not capture her heart. She turned her attention to the other four pokémon before her. In general, all 4 were common and could easily be found during her travels, so she did not feel that she would be missing an opportunity by following her gut. The taillow flittered about constantly on the spot, doing her best to stay still, but fighting an overwhelming urge to fly around the room. Reza was reminded of a pidgey she once saw trapped in her mothers kitchen; it gazed with the same longing as the taillow towards the window. But such dreams only gave it a sore head and a trick to the Pokémon Center. She shook her head, no, the taillow was not for her, far to whimsical.

"Well, these are the pokemon that we currently have. See anyone you like?" She mumbled something incorrigible in response, far to caught up in her thinking to answer the kind man properlly.

She allowed her eyes to fall on the female shinx; she sat, quite calmly, looking at Reza with a polite intelligence. Her heart skipped a beat and a smile spread across her face. Just to be thorough she gazed at the starlys, but knew with a glance that they were not right. Settling her gaze back on the small cub, she analysed her thoughts carefully. She did not want to be hasty. With a laugh she stopped herself. Why did everything have to be so technical? Follow your heart

She smiled up at Professor Elm from her position on the floor, the shinx would be perfect, am I allowed to please take her?

[♫~Tayonis~♪]

Professor Elm remained silent as Reza picked her pokemon. She seemed to look right over the pokemon and go straight to the shinx who was just sitting there calmly. the shinx would be perfect, am I allowed to please take her?

[/i] Elm laughed and nodded.

"Of course you are." He handed her the pokeball. "Don't forget this and also..." Elm walked over to where the box was sitting on the table. He reached in the box and grabbed five pokeballs and a pokedex. He sat them on the table and slid them within easy reach of the girl.

Walking back over to the other pokemon he grabbed their pokeballs and called them back. He then sat the pokeballs on the shelf carefully and turned back to Reza. "Do you have any questions, Ms. Prasetya? If you don't then that should be all." Elm didn't mind answering any questions that she had. Quite the contrary, he would love to answer any questions. It would give him a complete feeling of accomplishment. However, it was entirely up to her. It didn't matter if she did or not.[/blockquote][/size]

[#Fall apart!]

Reza Prasetya
♫ it's the book of my life ♪

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Legend:// Narrative - Speech - Thoughts
>Pokémon Speech< - ~Pokémon Thoughts~

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"Of course you are. Don't forget this and also..."

A sigh of relief echoed in her bones. As ridiculous as it sounds, she had been afraid he would say no. Taking the poké ball from his outstretched hand, she rolled it over her fingers and back again. It felt smooth to the touch, and the ridge between the red and white sections was barely noticeable. Contemplating, she considered putting her new friend back in their poké ball, she didn't want Professor Elm thinking that she was completely clueless. At the same time, she wouldn't appreciate being stuck in a ball, and she didn't want their relationship to start with her shinx being put away. Smiling at the shinx, she put the ball into the first section on her belt, followed by the five that the Professor laid out before her. The pokedéx she looked at only briefly, she would study it later, and put it in her backpack.

"Do you have any questions, Ms. Prasetya? If you don't then that should be all."

She shook her head, No, I have no questions. Thank you very much for your time Professor. She grinned, and looked at her shinx. Come girl, we have a journey to begin. She walked over to the door, thanks again, goodbye, I'll come back and say hi sometime. Then she disappeared from view into the hallway.