xx.2 so let me go; and just listen

[los bαd αpple]

| NICHOLAS JAEGAR |
. .
(* .chase you down until you love me. *)

* * *

“Ack!” The young blond boy fell down the side of the waterfall pitifully, rolling this way and that until he came to an abrupt—and most uncomfortable—halt. After an idle moment, the blond boy, Nicholas, rolled over, groaning, “Dam..mit.” “Nidoran!” squeaked the purple creature as it gracefully pranced down toward its new friend. Nick slowly went into a sitting position, gently patting Ryoku in between the ears. “I'm okay, boy,” chuckled the boy, ending the laugh with a lung-dislodging cough. Ryoku's ears fell back, eyes narrowing in worry. Nick cleared his throat and smiled reassuringly. “I'm serious, it just...shook me up is all.” He continued to receive a funny look, until Ryoku finally let it go and attempted to help him up. Loving the attention, the boy responded by pretending that the Pokemon's strength had helped him up alone. Once Nicholas was righted, Ryoku hopped in front of him and squealed, quickly dashing up the waterfall's side yet again. This little game Nicholas was participating in had been going on for quite a while now. After the kind professor Ben dropped the duo off on Emerald Island, the two had set deep until the forest, trekking for quite a while until they came to this waterfall. The young man climbed after his energetic Nidoran, laughing wholeheartedly the entire way.


This time he placed his feet carefully, managing to uncover every useful nook and cranny. As if there was any doubt, Ryoku reached the top first, prancing about the top of the waterfall. As Nicholas climbed, he looked up at Ryoku and smiled, thinking, A gloating Nidoran. I hope he'll still be like this after he evolves. Now the boy didn't now much about Pokémon, but he did recall hearing about Pokémon growing so strong that they eventually transform into some other creature that may even look completely different from their last form. Maybe even act differently. Looking up at the playful Nidoran, Nicholas didn't relish the thought of that. It was a good thing he also knew he could cancel Ryoku's transformation in case it ever occurred. Just in case. Hefting himself over the final slope, Nicholas reached the top, Ryoku tracing circles around his feet. The two began chasing each other about the side of the waterfall, playful squeals and chuckles reverberating throughout the forest. Until, a screech pierced the jolly air. Ryoku had taken it to far, he had forgot caution and toppled over into the waterfall that had been dangerous close. “Ryoku!” gasped Nicholas as he lunged for the purple creature that had fallen into he swift water. Ryoku could no longer be seen; he had been pulled under by the swift current. “Ryoku!”

_ _ _

[POKÉMON & NPCS]

♂
lv. 5

"Lotad, Lotad Lo~"

It was a beautiful day: the water was clear, the sun was bright and a cool breeze danced between the trees in the forest. Lotad loved days like this, where he could just relax in the river and let the current take him where he needed to go. There was really no place he needed to be, and to be honest, it was the same thing most days: riding the river to the waterfall, then climbing back up, and rinse and repeat. But Lotad didn't mind. He was more of a carefree-kind of Pokemon anyway. With his lily-pad head keeping him close to the surface of the water, the Pokemon relaxed his legs and started singing. He wasn't the best singer, but he loved music, and liked to sing. A long time from now, he would evolve into a Ludicolo, and he would be able to sing and dance all he wanted with a beautiful voice. But until then, he was forced to sing underwater, where most of the Pokemon wouldn't hear him and start chastising him for it.

Suddenly, his peaceful lull was disrupted by a cry, and Lotad pulled his head above the water. It was one of those humans. They weren't so rare, and Lotad had seen more than a few of them, but this time seemed a little different. It had a scared expression, and Lotad could swear that the cry had come from the human, not another Pokemon. But seeing nothing the matter, he pulled his head back down. That's when he saw the Nidoran. The purple Pokemon dipped through the water before disappearing over the close waterfall.

"Lo!" the Pokemon cried, before darting off to help the purple Pokemon. He half-rode, half-fell down the waterfall and into the water below, where he was certain the Nidoran had fallen. When he spotted the purple creature, the Lotad dipped low before rising, feeling the weight of the small creature atop his head. Satisfied that he had fulfilled his good-deed quota of the day, the Pokemon hummed as he weaved over to the shore of the river. Once his short legs touched the ground, he scuttled onto solid and dry ground, before tilting his head so that the Nidoran would gently slide off and onto the ground.

"Lotad."

ryoku gained one happiness point!

claimed by rex!

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[los bαd αpple]

| NICHOLAS JAEGAR |
. .
(* .chase you down until you love me. *)

* * *

Nicholas peered into the azure river flowing peacefully toward the waterfall ahead as if Ryoku's disappearance had only been a mere disturbance. But all he could really see behind his own reflection was murky, semi-green water, going for as long as the human eye could possibly see. “This is not good!” realized Nicholas, falling to his knees in dismay. He frantically tugged at his blond hair, furiously attempting to come up with some sort of plan of action. What could he possibly do to save his buddy? He couldn't swim! Going in after Ryoku would only result in both their demise! This all had went so terribly rotten so soon. Nicholas had just started his journey today, and in the same event, lost his starter in a massive river, careening toward a pitched waterfall. What kind of coordinator am I!? The stressed boy cautiously edged over to the cliff of the waterfall, gazing down order to see if he could catch a glimpse of his precious Nidoran. Hope suddenly blossomed within his chest as he saw a purple creature being ferried from the middle of the pool to the nearby edge. What was beneath it, Nick couldn't make out. But at this moment it didn't really matter. Nidoran was safe! I hope. No longer giving a damn about his own well being, Nick rushed down the rocky side of the waterfall, half running half falling. Sure, he got scraped and scratched on the day down, but he seemed to be numb to the pain. Coming at a faster pace than necessary, Nick rammed into solid ground, his head evading the impassive Earth narrowly. Instead of slowing down, Nick pounded forward, using his hand and arms much like a dog for a boost. He continued to lope off until he covered the short distance to the location where the mysterious Pokémon had docked Ryoku. The blond boy first removed his vest, wrapping the unconscious Nidoran in its cloth. He then began vigorously rubbing the exterior of the vest, hoping the heat would send the circulation shooting yet again. “Ryoku, wake up!” pleaded Nicholas, not ceasing his desperate attempt to save Ryoku's life.

Nick wasn't any doctor, but Ryoku wasn't exactly a strong Pokémon yet, he could only handle so much. Being plunged into a rushing river, only to be swept over a towering waterfall that sent you cascading toward a stiff pool surface could not be a pleasant ride. Thank the heavens something had saved him. Blinking in confusion, Nicholas looked at the creature who he had neglected to even give thanks to. Before him was a blue amphibian with a large bill and cradling leaf upon its back. It was a Lotad! The grateful young boy got onto his knees, slowly shuffling over to the water and grass type Pokémon with one outstretched hand, the other still rubbing Ryoku. “Thank you, Lotad,” Nick coughed, stifling a sob, “I don't know what else to say. You saved my friend, and I really appreciate it.” Nicholas gave the best smile he could muster, this only being a weak grin, but a kind gesture none the less. All the while Ryoku—who had began blinking rapidly—coughed and spluttered, drops of water splashing against Nick, but he couldn't care less. Instead, he slowly rubbed Ryoku's head, whispering, “Ryoku, you're okay...thank God.” Ryoku coughed once more before weakly squealing, “Nido...” The two both laughed, causing Ryoku to splutter yet again. Ryoku was silent for a moment as he stared at the Lotad, until finally he hopped from Nick's arms, landing on wobbly paws. No longer wanting to be carried, he padded to the Lotad and licked its bill, adding in a quick nuzzle for good measure. Nick tilted his head to the side, a strand of blond hair getting in the way of his right eye. After a short pause, he finally asked, “Lotad? How would you like to join our team? You know, travel with us. I'd love your company, and that's the only rational way I can think of repaying you for your help. Ryoku seems to enjoy your presence just as much!” Ryoku squeaked his agreement, even tossing in his own smile.

_ _ _

[POKÉMON & NPCS]

♂
lv. 5

Lotad had been about to leave so that he could climb back up, but then he caught sight of the trainer scrambling down to the Nidoran. It was quite a sight, actually. The human seemed to almost crawl on all fours, and didn't seem to mind that all his clothes had been ripped and dirtied. Usually they did, but this one didn't. The Lotad didn't want to stay, but he didn't want to leave either, so the Pokemon was in a bit of limbo when the trainer managed to get to the Nidoran and start drying him off with the vest. Instead of leaving, which seemed inconsiderate at the moment, he slid back a little into the water, although he kept his head and most of his body above the surface. He didn't want to intrude, but he did want to see if the Nidoran made it. But then the boy noticed him, and Lotad almost shrank back into the water. To be honest, he had only battled a human's Pokemon, he'd never been this close to one before. Sure he saw them, but he hadn't interacted with them.

But he didn't seem to want to harm him, rather, he had a grateful tone in his voice when he spoke. The Lotad smiled brightly before replying, "Lotad, Lo!" There was no need to thank him, he was just doing what any good Pokemon might have done. Although, the Lotad wasn't too sure. Not all the Pokemon around here were friendly, and nor were they all willing to save some Nidoran from the falls. He would have left then, he really would have, but then the Nidoran gained consciousness, and Lotad couldn't help but watch the heartfelt moment. It was sweet, really. But then the Nidoran's next actions were surprising, and the Lotad almost slipped and fell back into the water. When the Nidoran nuzzled him, Lotad smiled before saying a quick, "Lo."

The Lotad then crawled back out of the water, almost heading back upriver to the waterfall, when the human boy turned and said... something. He wasn't completely sure what it was, but he said something, and Lotad tilted his head to the side. The Pokemon might have just left in confusion, if the Nidoran hadn't cleared things up. Lotad wasn't too sure about going with the boy. After all, he was used to being in the wild, where he could be carefree. But... it did get lonely, and the Nidoran was awfully adorable. Well why not?

"Lotad!" the Pokemon agreed, smiling widely.

claimed by rex!

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