Compassionate without question

[Seraphinu]

"Professor! Professor Palm!" Reika shouted, banging on the door with her free hand, the unconcious Pidgey cradled in her other arm. She didn't have to wait long, because one of the assistants opened the door, a quizical look on her face. She was quite young, in her early twenties. Her reddish blonde hair was tied back in a neat bun, showing off her bright green eyes that were framed by clear spectacles.

"I'm sorry, the Professor isn't in right now... can I help you with something?" Even with the glasses, the assistan didn't seem to notice the beat-up Pidgey nestled in Rei's arm. It had started to wake up, making weak cooing noises that finally snapped the assistant to attention.

"Oh!" She gasped, and hurried Reika inside, taking the Pidgey from her arms. "What happened?" She asked, placing the bird on an examination table, and hooking it up to a few machines, its vitals and heart rate showing on a moniter.

"I dunno. I came here to get my starter and found it on the ground..." Rei explained. The assistant nodded, and began to rummage through some cabinets in the lab, pulling out a few curious items, and some bandages. She sprayed what looked like rubbing alcohol on the Pidgey's wounds, which responded by flinching, although it was too weak to resist help. She then took out a cloth, and dabbed at the wounds, cleaning them, after which she wrapped up the small bird in bandages.

"It just needs some rest. Now... about your starter... we have a good variety to choose from, actually--"

"Um... actaully, I was wondering if I could have the Pidgey..."

"Oh? Hm... I guess that's fine. I'm sure you'd take good care of it... you seem to be compassionate without question..."

"Thank you..." Reika bowed forward slightly in a gesture of gratitude.

"But it needs to stay here for the night... don't worry, we have an extra room, you could stay here for the time being..."

"Again, I thank you," Reika bowed again. She strode over to the table, smiling meekly at the little Pidgey, who was observing her with interest. "What should I name you, little one?" She asked, and the Pidgey rose up slightly.

"How about Feather?" The Pidgey puffed up its chest with indignance. "Okay no... oooh, I've got it! Your name is going to be Pilot!" The Pidgey nodded with approval.

[Kaeya J. Hughes]

"Chah!" Modrian hopped up, seemingly out of nowhere, struggling to hold itself up on the edge of the examination table with his stubby arms. The claws on his feet scratched on the side of the table a bit, searching for leverage to keep him from falling.

Kaeya walked in after him, carefully closing the door to the lab. "Hey again." She smiled, walking over to the three. "You sure took off in a hurry back there - but I understand why." She leaned down slightly, studying the bird Pokemon. "Is your Pidgey okay? Poor thing sure looked beat up."

In the meanwhile, Modrian lost his grip and fell onto his butt again, looking up at the table innocently. Then, he hopped up once more, ready to try again. Kaeya smiled at her stubborn little friend.

[Seraphinu]

"Well... it wasn't mine until just now... I really dunno what happened to him... but I've decided on making him my starter," Rei told the other girl, a little uneasy around her... after all, she was a complete stranger. Seeing the Charmander sturggling, she lifted him by his arms, and set him on the table next to Pilot.

The assistant, who had been in another room, came in again, carrying a few things in her arms.

"Here is your Pokedex and Pokeballs, ma'am," She said, handing the small bundle to Rei, who took them with a nod and sorted them into her bag. Then she turned her attention back to Pilot.

The little bird Pokemon seemed to understand that he was Reika's pokemon, and stood on its tiny legs, hopping up to Rei's arm, too weak to fly to it. He climbed his way up to her shoulder, and perched there, looking settled and comfortable.

"Oh... um, I'm Reika. Reika Wyatt, and this is Pilot," She said, offering a slightly shaky hand in greeting.

[Kaeya J. Hughes]

Modrian yelped a bit, not expecting the help. He was a bit disappointed that he couldn't make it up himself, but someday...!

For now, he'd just 'Char!' out a thanks to the nice new girl and take a seat on the table.

"Ohhh, I see." Kaeya pulled up a chair and took a seat, resting an elbow on the table and her head in her hand. "Good luck t'ya both, then! Or, first of all, nice t'meetcha I guess." Kaeya smiled brightly, shaking hands with the girl without any hesitation. "I'm Kaeya Hughes, and this here -" She gestured to Modrian with her head, "is Modrian, my Charmander."

"Charchar!" Modrian waved, playing with a pebble he had just pulled from between his claws. Probably from walking along that gravel path on the way to Shinoka.

"Well, I'm pretty sure I'm in Shinoka now..." Kaeya glanced around, getting a bit restless. Despite having just sat down, Kaeya hopped up again and began to examine her surroundings, starting by pulling out a book from a shelf and flipping through it. "From what I hear, the Prof ain't in town though."

She looked over at Reika again, the smile still on, "You starting out as a trainer today?" She leaned down beside Modrian as she waited for an answer, "Look, Modri, it's an article on Charizards."

"Chaaaaar...!" Modrian's voice was full of awe as he looked at the picture, dropping his pebble in the process.

"Thought you'd like that!" Kaeya chuckled.

[Seraphinu]

Rei smiled warmly at the Charmander, her love for pokemon showing clearly. She patted his head. "That Charmander of your is very cute... you hatched him from an egg, right?" She could tell. Pokemon that tame were usually hand-raised from an early age. Unlike her dad's Persian. That thing was mean. Pilot was cooing softly, dozing on her shoulder, and somehow keeping balance.

"So... are you just starting your journey too?" For some reason, she didn't feel as awkward around Kaeya as other people. Fast friends, you might say. Ah well, once you got past the shyness, Rei was a very friendly person.

[Kaeya J. Hughes]

"Chaaaaar~" Modrian nearly purred, loving the attention.

"Not all Charizards can carry their trainers right away..." Kaeya blinked, looking up from the page she was quietly scanning, "Huh? Yeah he was raised from an egg." She smiled brightly, putting the book down, "Wow you could tell that just from being around him for five minutes? That's a pretty cool talent!"

Kaeya slipped the book back on to the shelf, taking a bit of a stance as she turned back to Reika. “I’ve been waiting since I could walk to get off my Island and explore, and that’s just what me ‘n’ Modrian are gonna do!”

Modrian jumped off the table, running over to stand beside Kaeya and mimic her stance. “Charcharr!”

Kaeya smiled at him, picking him up off the ground. “I’m not sure about the Gym challenge yet, but that will help us get stronger.” She took her seat again, Modrian sitting in her lap. “And, of course, there’s some Pokemon that I wanna try my hand at raising. But in the end, we just wanna see new things. What about you?” She asked, resting her head in one hand again, “Out for all the badges and grand title?”

[Seraphinu]

"Not really... that's my dad's dream for me..." She looked a bit nervous in saying so. "I've secretly been studying to be a breeder... but, I could do the Gym Challenge on the side..."

"I don't really like battling, but I suppose it would be good experience," She said, and Pilot cocked his head to the side, trilling a query. She reached up and scratched the top of his head, making him purr. She smiled at him, but still looked uneasy.

[Kaeya J. Hughes]

“Oh?” Kaeya’s smile faltered for a second, changing to one of sympathy. “Secretly? That’s too bad – but at least you know enough to go after your dream, even in secret. Mom always said that dreams and goals are what keep us going, that’s why she let me leave the Island without question.” She grinned down at Modrian, giving him a playful hug. “Of course, this little guy just had to come along!”

Modrian made a happy sound, responding by giving Kaeya a nuzzle.

Kaeya laughed lightly, turning her attention back to Reika. “From what I hear, Breeders have real good connections with Pokemon, like it’s a second nature. Looks like you have that skill already,” She gestured to Pilot with a nod of her head, “Pilot sure has taken to you quick. I guess it’s all a matter of if you’re out on a journey to fulfill your dreams, or your dads.” Kaeya gave a wink and sly smile, “Least you won’t have to keep your ambitions so secret now that you’re not at home, eh?”

Modrian, in the meanwhile, had started to chew on the red bandana around his neck, a sign to Kaeya that he was getting hungry.

“Hmm, good idea.” Kaeya commented, picking him up off her lap as she stood. “Well, it was nice talkin’ to ya! But me and Modrian gotta get goin’ now. He’s getting hungry, and if we don’t set up a camp soon we’ll be stumbling around in the dark!” She waved, holding Modrian up with one arm, “Good luck on the Breeder stuff, and see ya if we see ya!”

[Seraphinu]

"Oh... I guess... yeah..." She mumbled, shuffling her feet nervously, glancing between the table, Pilot, and out of the window. But she soon cheered up, smiling even. "I hope we'll meet again... unless you don't mind staying here at the lab for a night... Pilot and I have to stay here until tommorow, and I'm sure the Professor won't mind, wherever he is..." She said it quickly and nervously, wondering in Kaeya would refuse...

At this point, Reika would be glad to have some company, and someone her age to travel with.

[Kaeya J. Hughes]

Modrian started nodding his head vigorously, an animated way of showing his approval of the concept. "Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?"

Kaeya let out a hearty laugh at the display, placing him down on the ground to let him run around. He stared up expectantly, waiting for the answer. "Hey, even if I wanted to, I can't say no now."

With a squeal of joy, Modrian jumped into the air twice and ran around Kaeya's legs. He loved company.

"Just hope I ain't imposing on the Prof...oh well." Kaeya scratched the back of her head, looking around again. “We’d take a bed over sleeping bags and dirt any day, eh Modri?” She grinned at the Charmander, receiving a nod of agreement from him.

"Starting off can wait till tomorrow, then." She gave Reika a bright smile, "It'll be fun, I almost can't wait!"