Its time to let go and smile for the show...

[Hatter]

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[atrb=background, i114.photobucket.com/albums/n277/Sabaku_Kuro/RileysNew_editeld-2.png] Maybe it was time to let go. Maybe there was no point in trying anymore. He had tried; he’d searched everywhere he could think of. Maybe Annabelle was just gone, maybe she’d run away. Well, that was better than the alternative anyways. If she had been taken...what would he do with his life. Everything was spinning. Riley ran a shaking hand through his hair again. The search was taking its toll; he looked far more aged and ragged than usual. Dark circles had formed under his eyes from all the night’s sleep had escaped him. His hair had only gotten more out of control from the several days in which he had refused to struggle with it. His skin was almost a sickly gray color and his dark eyes had become dull and lifeless. Find her, find happiness, and find life. For days that’s all he could think about. It was his fault. He had let Annabelle go. Stupid. He should have gone with her, he should have never let her off on her own and- Riley looked up. Before him was a small town, Violet City. The traditional style of the town at least told him that, otherwise he wouldn’t have known where he was. In fact, he wasn’t even sure of how he had arrived here, though he must have been walking it seems. It was weird...none of this seemed real. In fact ever since Annabelle had left, nothing had seemed like it was ”NO!” He let out a powerful shriek and slammed his fist into the side of what must have been somebody’s home. Don’t think about Annabelle, he made a mental note to himself. Instead he looked down at Alexis. A small tuft of red fur, his best friend and confidant now that Annabelle was gone. Alexis let out a soft yawn and flopped down, and for some reason this comforted Riley. Alexis was right, it was time for rest. The lanky young boy let his pale figure slide down the side of the wall he had just punched. He had been careful; his hand wasn’t broken, just a bit scratched up and in pain. He held it in his other hand and looked up at the clouds. The sun shone down...the same sun everyone else could see, everyone in the world. The thin strands that hold humanity together constantly working, breaking often. Belle's had broke, and maybe this was something he couldn't stick back together. He closed his eyes. For once he thought he might let tears fall from his eyes, to let himself feel and let go of some of the pain he had held onto. Instead a smile slowly graced his lips, a smile that looked as real as anything, but was simply a mask for the pain. He smiled and closed his eyes. Maybe the pain wouldn't go away, but he could always smile, at least then, no one else would have to know.

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[walter]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/2vjbf52.jpg] Growing up, Waltz never thought he'd become a petty criminal. And yet here he was. Twenty-nine and earnestly contemplating the joys of wandering into someone's house just so he could enjoy the comfort of a hot shower and a cup of coffee (shower optional). He was lounging behind one of the many rock ornaments and was contemplating the life of crime and prosperity that awaited him. Or coffee. Coffee would be nice. He fiddled with his cigarette. He'd scrapped together just enough cash to buy a lighter and was on his eighth smoke before he'd have to run out and buy a new pack. Hey, maybe that house would have a few... no, bad thoughts, bad thoughts. Bell, his metang, probably knew what he was thinking but had stoically stayed silent. He knew they were desperate. Well. Mostly desperate. Waltz required food and rest more than cigarettes and caffeine, but the fact remained that he required some of it. Waltz had thought it wouldn't be quite so hard. Life of a trainer, that was. No one had mentioned that if you didn't do trainer-like things (like battling other trainers, heading to gyms, that sort of stuff) you wouldn't get paid. And even trainers needed the occasional rest and subsistence off things other than the occasional oran berry. His calves had toughened, his shoes had lost most of their soles but the end result was a very tired, very cranky Waltz. Who really, really wanted some coffee. And here, in Violet City, was a nice, pretty house that he was pretty sure was unoccupied. Bell certainly hadn't detected anyone. Then along came a kid. Looked tired. Even Waltz, who was not in pretty shape, winced at the dark smudges under the kid's eyes. He was muttering to himself, shaking his head and looking all-around like he was going crazy. Waltz had seen a few those, most of them had a rather more dejected, glassy-looking stare. Walked right past him, apparently oblivious to his presence. This one was... Hey! Woah! Why was the kid damaging his house? Not that it was his but... Waltz, being the smart scientist-person he was, was probably supposed to say something at least half-ways intelligent that wouldn't incriminate himself. Instead, wonders of wonders, he snapped: "Hey! You! Find your own house."

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[Hatter]

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[atrb=background, i114.photobucket.com/albums/n277/Sabaku_Kuro/RileysNew_editeld-2.png] Peace. That’s what he was looking for simply peace. His eyes were closed, and he could see Anna dancing through his mind. The smile plastered on his face, the serenity of the moment. The silence, just within his grasp, he could feel Annabelle’s heart beating within his own, and then the moment slid through his hands like sand. The voice cracked like thunder in Riley’s mind, and in instant things were shattered. The boy leapt to his feet, startling Alexis who had been happily napping next to him. Alexis let out and angry huff and found a new spot to curl up in. Riley was not so quick to go back to relaxing, it had been only seconds maybe, but he couldn’t just sit back down now. It really didn’t take that long to find the source of the voice A man with white and black hair stood not far off. It had to have been him who had yelled. The words, what had he said...Riley struggled to make sense of the noises that had taken him from peace. ”Hey! You! Find your own house.” Well, shit. He had just punched some guys house and now he was going to be in trouble. He backed off a few steps and raised his hands smiling good naturedly. ”Hey, this place yours? Sorry, didn’t know.” he said, trying to sound casual. He knew that that explanation wouldn’t be enough, well, unless he wanted to seem like a creep. Creeps were the kind of people who went around punching houses, and he had just made it sound as if it was something he tended to do routinely. ”Well, I was angry I guess.” He laughed for good measure. and then shrugged his shoulders He wanted to walk away, then he could forget this, and forget being angry. He never knew why, but once someone had seen him anyways but happy, he started to feel uneasy around them. Like they had ripped off his mask and seen the monster underneath. He shuffled. He couldn’t very well just walk off that would be a rather poor first impression, and he was all about the show. Even if he were never to see this man again, he had to at least seem like a good human being. He walked closer and held out a hand. “Riley Pierce." He smiled and ran a hand through his hair. What a sight he must be now, tired, ragged, covered in piercings. He must look like some hermit who’d stayed in Ilex forest for too long. That or some stupid teen into grunge fashion. Maybe it was hopeless. Maybe even the intentions were shallow. Riley wanted this man to like him. Not for any reason at all, other than the fact that Riley liked it when people liked him. Despite his state, and his previous outburst of anger, maybe if he just kept smiling, this could work.

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[NEON]

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[atrb=background,http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g16/ForTheLuvaDIRT/Melrosetablemiddle2.png] The blond co-ordinator scanned his surroundings, looking for something that could tell him where the contest hall was. He hadn't actually entered any contests yet, but he'd already practiced grooming his pokemon and teaching them various tricks and tactics to woo the judges. Now he was aiming to watch just one last contest before entering one himself. His blue-eyed gaze came to rest on his Luxray, Antauri, who was standing some ways in front of him. Its red-and-yellow eyes held him in an accusing stare. YOU got us lost. it seemed to say. That much was true, to a certain extent. When they'd come to a fork in the road previously, Antauri had wanted to go left, while Melrose had chosen to go right. Melrose sighed, sometimes he felt as if Antauri was the trainer and he was the pokemon. But then, when he'd been handed Antauri, the pokemon had been labeled "guardian", so it seemed natural for the pokemon to want to guide its master. But the luxray had been given to him mostly to keep his Kleptomania in check, not actually act like a guardian in everything. Now the Luxray seemed to be like a guardian all the time, no matter the situation. Sometimes that was a good thing, but at other times Melrose couldn't help but feel a bit sad that his pokemon wouldn't relax more. On his belt, a pokeball did a little swing before returning to its previous stillness. That would be his Riolu, Nova, wanting to be let out. Melrose ignored it and continued walking. No way would he let that masked roublemaker out. He was far too tired from his travels to run after it and keep it out of its usual mischief. He had considered setting the pokemon free, but he knew it would continue to cling to him anyway. At least as things were he could always bottle it up in its pokeball when it got too out of hand. He brushed his hair out of his eyes before spotting a two people in front of a fairly distant house. Aha! Much needed help! He'd just have to ask for directions, or a map of some sort. He motioned Antauri to take the lead with a flick of two fingers, hoping to seem a bit more intimidating with the large-ish luxray at his side. He'd heard about the disappearing trainers, and he didn't want to become one of them, having been a trainer for a short while before becoming a co-ordinator. Coming closer, Melrose could see that the two strangers looked pretty haggard. The boy--Melrose guessed to be just a bit younger than himself, had the dark circles under his eyes of one who hadn't slept well and an ashen tone to his skin, and the other stranger looked like a scruffy old man! Upon closer inspection, however, he found that the man wasn't as old as he'd thought, having only paid attention to the strangers white hair at first glance. But still, Melrose decided the man was probably way older than himself, and braced himself for the usual crankiness that all adults seemed to have when addressing teenagers. Melrose came close enough to hear the boy introduce himself as Riley Pierce, then he stopped leaving a good few meters between him and the other two. Aha, so these two just met. Folding his arms and adopting a grin overflowing with self-confidence, he spoke to the two. "Looks like I'm in time for the intro's! Melrose Redd, at your service!" he tipped a nonexistent hat at the both of them. Beside him, Antauri grunted in annoyance. "Oh, and this is Antauri." Melrose added, hastily. OOC- Hope you don't mind me barging in and ramblingg~ Table is a WIP, IGNORE IT PLEASE.

[walter]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/2vjbf52.jpg] Waltz sighed. It was nice of the kid... Riley, was it? ... to assume the best of him, but that attitude would really need an adjustment towards cynicism if he expected himself to survive. There were all sorts out there. Murderers, muggers, loansharks, pokemon thieves, kidnappers, Rockets, money launderers. Guy named Walter, even. Still, this made things simple! Waltz was about to introduce himself (and claim the house for his own, muhahahaha coffee, your days are numbered) when someone else cheerfully intruded upon the scene. Waltz wouldn't say he hid behind one of the statues but others might note that ducking and looking violently side-to-side around for the presence of psychic and dark-type pokemon to be a trifle suspicious. When he realized it was just some dude in an orange jacket he got up, dusted himself. "Nerves," he coughed, a little embarrassed, while glaring at his metang. His metang hovered, looking innocent. Or as innocent as a three foot tall, four hundred pound, iron claw pokemon could look. Which wasn't very. It didn't look suspicious either, but there you go for trying to read emotions out of something with the facial expression repertoire of a rock. (Somewhere out there, a man named Brock sneezed) You're supposed to tell me of approaching bodies Waltz mentally whined as he shoved his hands into his pockets. He usually wasn't quite this petulant but he was sleepy, hungry and caffeine-deprived. That last one was quite the kicker. He could care less about the first two. Bell didn't bother replying. "I'm Professor Fisk," Waltz muttered, churlishly now that everyone including a guy who'd managed to sneak up on them despite the presence of a psychic. "That's Bell," he said, pointing at the hovering, overgrown super computer that was so grounded. Viola hadn't wanted to rob the house so she was stewing in her pokeball. "And no," Fisk sighed, "that's not my house."

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[Hatter]

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[atrb=background, i114.photobucket.com/albums/n277/Sabaku_Kuro/RileysNew_editeld-2.png] Riley was back to himself for now. Annabelle had left his mind completely as of now, there were new people to impress, new people to put on a show for. This was what he lived for meeting new people, and this...man was a person after all. Perhaps not a person Riley thought he would get on with fantastically, but then again he hadn’t thought that about Annabelle either. Maybe it was the people who he least thought he’d like that touched him the most, but there was really only one way to find out. It looked as though the man was going to introduce himself when he leapt behind a statue and looked around nervously. Well, that was odd to say the least, but understandable. A tall man in an orange suit had just approached then, now this was someone who Riley could see himself liking. Nice blond hair, great build, friendly smile. Melrose Redd. Well it was a name Riley would bet himself on not forgetting. ”Hey cutie.” He said playfully. Of course, being flirted with by Riley doesn’t count for much now days. Fisk. The man’s name was Fisk, and after that loud noise, this wasn’t his house after all. Riley smiled, but it was somewhat off this time. Fisk sure had acted like this house was his, so why all the fuss then if it wasn’t? Well, there could be a large number of reasons for it anyways. Riley wasn’t really one to question other people’s ways of living. Live and let live he supposed. Meanwhile Alexis had grown tired of his napping and had wandered over to pester the larger and more imposing pokémon. He flitted around them curiously taking in all the aspects of them. The small fox took much interest in observing them for a few moments, and then abruptly sat at Riley’s feet and with a lick of his tail started to play it cool. He acted as though he had never taken interest in any of them at all. This made Riley chuckle slights. ”This is Alexis.” He said midway through chuckle. He turned from his pokémon and looked back at the two men in front of him. Fisk and Melrose. You know, since Annabelle had gone, he hadn’t much spoken with anyone. Melrose was more obviously handsome, but Fisk was good looking too once you really looked. Then again, Riley thought most everyone was good looking, well other than himself. He fingered his snakebite piercing thoughtfully, almost letting a frown slip for the second time today. ”So what brings you two here? I’ve been to this town once or twice, I know my way around. Looking for anything?” He was trying to be friendly, trying to make a good impression. Maybe helping them find whoever, whatever or wherever they needed might make them happy, and Riley loved to make people happy. In reality though Violet city wasn’t somewhere he was familiar with, but he could pretend. Riley was good at pretending.

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[NEON]

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[atrb=background,http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g16/ForTheLuvaDIRT/Melrosetablemiddle2.png] Both Melrose and Antauri were surprised to see the older stranger flinch and duck at his greeting, then give an explanation to his actions with a word, 'nerves'. Melrose shot Antauri a sideways glance, only to meet the luxray's eyes as it did the same. This man seemed to be a highly-strung one. But then, from the look of him he hadn't been getting much sleep, so that was probably why he seemed so skittish. Make no sudden movements. It may take flight. the thought came to Melrose in the tones of a Wilderness explorer, cornering a frightened pokemon. It took much of the blond's self-control to remain with his face pleasantly smiling and resist the urge to burst out laughing. Antauri sensed his owners suppressed laughter and rolled its eyes. Jeez, Mel is such a child. it seemed to say. Melrose couldn't hold his laugh back, however, when Riley addressed him as Cutie. He hadn't expected that at all, but he found it surprisingly charming anyhow. He raised a gloved hand to cover his mouth as he laughed, a habit he'd had since childhood for his laugh was a little bit odd. Sometimes, people could laugh silently at something funny enough to push them beyond the point of making noise, but Melrose's laugh was always silent. All that could be heard of it was the swift intake and exhale of his breath, and all that could be seen of it was the slight shaking of his shoulders and a what was obviously smile hidden behind one hand. His short burst of laughter left as quickly as it had come, and he found himself clearing his throat in an embarrassed manner. His laugh was one of his many weak-points, and he always felt a little awkward after having used it, and he found himself unable to say anything until the other stranger introduced himself. Antauri looked even more exasperated beside him. Professor Fisk. Figures he'd be a professor. It was practically a tradition for them to have white hair. Melrose found himself wondering if it was naturally white or he'd dyed it white. The Professor introduced his pokemon as Bell, and both Melrose and Antauri found themselves looking thoughtfully at the Metang. A big pokemon, but the name seemed to suit it surprisingly well. Antauri sniffed in its general direction, but didn't take a step to actually go forward and meet the pokemon, staying beside its master and sitting with the fur on its chest puffed out in an attempt to be more intimidating. Antauri wasn't one to relax around strangers. Melrose was curious about why the Professor would mention the house wasn't his, however. He assumed he must have missed some previous confusion about the matter. Antauri gave a low, halfhearted growl as a small Vulpix approached and sniffed at him curiously before walking off as if Antauri didn't really matter at all. Alexis, huh. the pokemon was as cute in character as its owner, it seemed, and Melrose found his little smile turning into a grin as he looked upon the small fox-like pokemon. "Smooth player." he hummed more to himself rather than anyone else. Beside him, Antauri shot him a disapproving frown, its pride was hurt. Once again, the pokeball on Melrose's belt did a little swing. The Riolu could sense the aura of two new interesting pokemon and now desperately wanted out. No way would Melrose inflict the horror that was Nova on the strangers. He ignored the pokeball once more. When Riley asked if they were looking for anything, however, Melrose immediately came to attention, his previous relaxed pose becoming the more professional one of someone speaking to relative strangers. "Ah, yes," he said, in a hopeful tone. "I was looking for the contest hall. Could you give me some directions or a map or something?" At that, Antauri gave a small, short bark. "Lux!" it said. Its message was clear-- We can find the place on our own! Melrose made a shushing motion at it.

[walter]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/2vjbf52.jpg] Scales was sleeping in her pokeball. She dreamed of being a big tough magikarp that would one day grow big enough to eat the world. That'd show them, that'd show them-! Little known fact, but magikarp can laugh. It goes something like mouth open, mouth close, mouth open, mouth close, mouth open and so on. It's all in the cheeks that one can determine whether the laughter is world-conquering maniacal or just middle-of-the-road-villainish maniacal. (What, you didn't think gyrados' temperament were the result of evolution, did you?) Viola mumbled something about other stupid pokemon (and stupid humans named Walter) getting uppity and kicked, moodily. Somehow the kinetic force transferred to the outer edges of her pokeball, where it gently jostled Scales'. And it was for that reason, Scales popped right out of her pokeball. ----------------- "I'm just looking for a cof-GYAAH." The reason for Waltz's outburst was rather obvious. But just in case someone had suddenly been struck blind or something, Bell noted, for the benefit of all present: Waltz, there is a fish on your- "-head, yes I know." Waltz finished, his poor brain doing gymnastics in order to discover the answer to the question whose summary went along the lines of 'why me?'. The magikarp, for her part, flopped around wetly. Oh well. About three seconds ago he'd been this close to trying to trade directions to the contest hall for a coffee. He'd been a little less close, but slightly hopeful that the two boys would have a torrid, illicit affair that he could somehow record and then blackmail them for coffee money. He was also (albeit rather less) hopeful that one of them might foolishly attack Bell (that Luxray looked suitably aggressive) and he could then order metang to sit on them as he rifled their pockets for spare change. ...hey, he was a desperate man. The magikarp continued to flop. One might say it even flopped evilly. But that was absurd. It was just a magikarp. Right? But he'd just been slapped with a fish. At least the darn thing had reminded him of his pride. "I don't know where the contest hall is," Waltz admitted, magikarp still merrily flopping away, "but I'm sure Riley has an answer...?" Scales wheezed happily.

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[Hatter]

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[atrb=background, i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv2/starstruck_insanity/middle-5.png] Under any average circumstances, Riley would have been gone by now. He would have introduced himself, flirted a bit with them both and took off to the next city. Off to adventure, and...well to look for Anna. That’s what life had become. The quest he had taken to find his love had become his liveliness. Night and day he stalked towns searching, and always came up empty handed. In any case though, he should be gone by now. Riley though, found himself in no rush to leave. He enjoyed this company, no pressuring for answers, no arguing. Peaceful. Melrose raised his hand to cover his mouth after Riley’s greeting. He was...laughing? That wasn’t the kind of response Riley was particularly used to. Normally there was a swoon, a look of disgust, or a slap. Never laughing. It was nice though, for things to change. The blonde’s laugh was neither deep and hearty or light, in fact it was rather not there at all. Rather, he was laughing it was just rather quiet. For some reason Rye couldn’t help but letting his smile widen at the boy’s laugh. It was quite cute anyways. ”Smooth Player.” He had called Riley’s small red Vulpix. If only he knew to what extent Alexis would pull the strings should he notice a female pokémon. The joy the fox took in flirting was a kin to his own. ”Like trainer, like pokémon I suppose.” Riley let out under his breath. His smile was finding it easy to stay on his face now and no longer was it forced there. In his pocket he could almost sense Julian’s brooding. The small Wurmple was in it’s pokéball, but it couldn’t stand when another pokémon got any attention. In the Wurmples eyes, he was the most beautiful and talented that had eve graced the earth. He turned back to the blonde as he straightened up. Contest hall now was it? Riley’s smile softened. He had seen many young boys coordinating, but he had yet to see many young men like himself. Men seemed to gravitate towards training and girls to contests. He had never much liked pitting pokémon in battles, in his eyes it seemed cruel, for them to fight like dogs, just for money and amusement. Who did that sort of thing really? It was terrible. It seemed like Fisk was going to say something. Coffin? Coffee? Coughing? Koffing? Either way the statement hadn’t been finished and a Magikarp launched in a red glow into his face. This time there was no quite chuckle or peaceful smile. Riley held his side and laughed heartily. A genuine laugh with his eyes squeezed shut and teeth showing. He stared at the Magikarp which was flopping around now. ”Well that was eventful. Nice one Fisk.” He said trough laughter. He wasn’t really meaning to mock the professor, but he words may have come out a little more cruelly than intended. He smiled good naturedly anyways. ”Yeah course I know where it is. I’ll take you Mel. Need anything Fisk?” He didn’t really know where the contest hall was, but he could find it. It shouldn’t be too hard, after all if he got lost, it’d just be more time to spend with a cute blonde

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[NEON]

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[atrb=background,http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g16/ForTheLuvaDIRT/Melrosetablemiddle2.png] ”Like trainer, like pokémon I suppose.” Catching that, Melrose nearly burst out laughing again, much to Antauri's annoyance, but his curiosity towards Riley deepened. He wondered if a smooth player was really to be trusted at all. The vulpix had shown a momentary interest and then walked off, Melrose wondered if Riley would do the same, though he was pretty sure Riley hadn't meant it like that. Either way, did it really matter? They were practically strangers. Part of Melrose said no, it didn't matter, but the other part... Melrose turned his blue eyes to the professor as he began to speak. Prof. Fisk didn't get to finish what he was about to say, however, as a magikarp burst out of its pokeball and whacked him one. Melrose blinked, momentarily surprised. He'd thought that kind of stuff only happened to him--Nova breaking out of her pokeball and causing him no end of torment. He probably wouldn't have started laughing if it wasn't for Antauri. The normally stiff, and stubborn luxray had rolled onto its side laughing. At the sight of Antauri's normally serious face changed so dramatically, Melrose's hand went up to hide his smile as he gave a short laugh, too. In between silent giggles, he apologized for laughing at the professors misfortune. "S-sorry. That always happens to me, too." his grin was sympathetic, but amused nonetheless. He didn't want to seem rude to the professor. Riley, he was surprised to see, had been amused just as much Antauri, and watching the both of them, he nearly started laughing again. He gave a mild cough, clearing his throat and trying to regain some seriousness. What had the professor been about to say? Fisk had only gotten part of the word out, and Melrose couldn't help but be curious about what the professor wanted. He wasn't sure if he ought to ask at all, since the professor seemed to have let it drop. "Feisty Magikarp you got there. Reminds me of Nova." he snickered. Melrose turned a bit glum, however, when the professor informed him he didn't know where the contest hall was. The blond co-ordinator nodded his head in a "Thanks Anyway" manner before turning hopefully to look at Riley. Antauri had finished laughing and was now smirking instead. Ha! it seemed to say. Looks like we're going to have to find the place on our own anyway. Inside her pokeball, Nova was almost going crazy. She sensed everyone's amusement, especially Antauri and she was intensely curious to know what could possibly amuse the uptight luxray. The pokeball on Melrose's belt began on a steady side to side swing. Melrose continued to ignore it, much to Nova's extreme frustration. Melrose couldn't help his little joyful exclamation when Riley said he could take him there, his blue eyes lighting up with an almost childish excitement. "Yes!" he said. "Thank you!" he'd finally be able to get on his way. Antauri got up and looked impatiently from one person to the other, wondering what they were all waiting for. All the luxray really wanted was for the two strangers to stay away from its owner, and, in its eyes, the sooner they parted, the better!

[walter]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/2vjbf52.jpg] While Waltz, personally, would have preferred that the two of them ignore the stupid flopping fish, his company seemed to be inclined to disagree. The tired looking Riley burst out in what appeared to be well-needed laughter; Melrose almost hesitated for a moment before joining in. Feisty Magikarp you got there. Reminds me of Nova "Yes, well, she hasn't done that before," Waltz answered, a little disgruntled (you knew it was bad when the pokemon were laughing atcha). He wondered who 'Nova' was but had to assume it was someone else whose name he'd missed in the flow of conversation. Maybe a pokemon, maybe a person brought up. Probably a pokemon; not many people were compared to magikarp. Well, not in that person's presence anyway. Riley offered him help. Nice kid. Probably should laugh more often. "Ah, I'll find it on my own," Walter answered, a little too breezily to be completely natural. Especially since he had, well, a magikarp stuck on his forehead. He shook it off and snapped it back into its pokeball. His hair was still slick and he smelled like magikarp but that couldn't exactly be helped, now could it? "Have fun you two," he said, waving them off.

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[Hatter]

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[atrb=background, i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv2/starstruck_insanity/middle-5.png] Riley’s keen charm had gotten him many things in life. Much like his father. His father who owned so much, materially anyways. His mother and father’s relationship had never been good, Riley himself had enjoyed a good relationship with Anna but it seemed he was much like his father. Of all the things charm and good looks could earn you friendship didn’t seem among them. Yet here he stood with people he may in the future consider his friends. The amusement from Fisk’s initial distress with the Magikarp slowly faded out and Riley regained himself to a smooth smile. His mood had improved significantly from the time he had punched the house to now. The screaming within his mind had ceased and he had returned himself to a calm and content state of being. That, and the fact that Melrose was pretty good-looking may be the only strings tying him to sanity at the moment. The blondes genuine excitement brought another light laugh from Riley. The Luxray by his side didn’t look too thrilled at this proposition, but Riley supposed that he might grow on the pokémon, or rather, he hoped he would anyways. Fisk looked a bit disgruntled, he didn’t need any help. That was fine enough. It was time to part ways. ”See you around Fisk. Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Riley spouted theatrically bowing to the older man. “C’mon Mel let’s go.” Riley set off towards the direction he thought the contest hall might be in not really certain, his feet taking him as Alexis follow his steps in time. He smiled at the sky, it felt as though weights had been lifted from him. Out of the darkness and time to smile again. OCC: &&. FLY HIGH AND PROUD

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