[X] My Assistant

[Lucy C]

Connie frowned and shrugged, she was a bit put out that nobody wanted to follow Wendy but she supposed it wasn’t every bodies cup of tea. When Food was mentioned the girl immediately pirked up, she had forgotten how hungry she was. Now she thought about it it had been ages since she had last eaten anything.
“ Yay food” she giggled and picking L’amore up in her arms followed on after Pan.

Connie stood behind Pan in the line and watched the people go by, L’amore hooted quietly , she was hungry as well. The girl looked down and raised and eyebrow “ Hungry huh ? “The hoothoot nodded and looked over to the counter. Connie followed her gaze and wited for pan to finish getting her stuff.

“finally” Connie looked at Pan and moved up to the counter
“ kay, can i have a choc chip muffin and a cookie please “ . The server nodded and quickly grabbed the items placing them inside the bag. Connie smiled at her and gave her all the right money. Before she turned to move away the cashier tapped her arm.

“ Just watch out for the pokemon thieves around here, they are becoming such a problem” Connie nodded and moved over to pan. Pokemon thieves hey? Weird. She looked at pan concerned “ She tell you about the Thieves as well? “ she wasn’t sure whether she was telling everyone or whether she just looked especially vulnerable. But if there was a problem like that she would have to watch out, she had a habit of getting things stolen from her. Never normally big things but the only stuff she had on her wasn't exactly big stuff.

" Maybe we should watch out " She opened her bag carefully and pulled a bit off the muffin off. It was quite a skill to have the bag in one hand and L'amore on the other but the pokemon was quite happy to sit on her arm instead which was currently what she decided to do. She carefully feed the bit of muffin to l'amore and smiled. Food for everyone.

[Rasu]

Andrew picked up Icicle and rushed to the coffee shop, thinking about all of the muffins and cakes available. Icicle was equally hungry, not eating a thing since they left from Sinnoh, which was strange since he was always eating. Andrew was right behind Connie in the line, waiting for is turn and selecting what he wanted from the various treats, protected by a glass. Andrew was distracted looking to the various choices, only noticing that Connie had already moved when a small 'Sphe!" grabbed his attention. When he reached the counter the girl asked what he wanted.

"Mmm... I'll have two sandwiches, a chocolate muffin and a bottle of orange juice please." The girl registered the order and packed the two sandwiches, the muffin and took out a bottle of juice from the cooler. Andrew reached one of his six pockets and took out a note of 5 Poke. "You can keep the change, I don't really mind." Andrew said to the girl before turning around. When he was about to open the bag containing the sandwiches the girl said "Watch out for
Pokémon thieves. They're becoming way more common". Andrew nodded and took out one of the sandwiches, giving it to Icicle. The Spheal enjoyed the meal, eating it in less than a minute, while Andrew took a few moments to finish his. He then opened the bottle of fresh juice, drinking a portion of the drink. He left a quarter of the juice in the bottle, giving it to Icicle. Apparently Icicle enjoyed normal food more than Pokémon food like Poffins. "Lets keep the muffin for later, okay?" Andrew said to Icicle, who replied with a simple "Spheal!".

"If I'm correct, our next destination is the pharmacy, right?" Andrew asked.

[Toogee]

“Yeah, she did,” Pan told Connie, “I’m guessing she tells people new in town. Still, you have to wonder why a pokemon would have to steal food…” She imagined that a pokemon would have to be in a pretty dire situation to risk stealing from humans. And what if people retaliated? Pan did not think these “pokemon thieves” had much of a future.

While Pan talked with Connie, Turnip took a curious look at the trainer. Her scent seemed familiar to the bulbasaur. It reminded him of the beach…and strangely, of a dress-up episode he thought he successfully blocked out of his mind. Had they met before? Turnip thought not; he would have remembered Connie’s strange hair coloration. Still he couldn’t shake that feeling.

The bulbasaur turned his gaze to Andrew. This boy seemed nice enough, not like the many hotheads back in Celadon. And yet, he seemed to have a secret. Though his hand is wrapped in a bandage, Andrew has no problem using it to stroke his pokemon, as shown by the furry bandage. In all likelihood, it probably was an embarrassing tattoo. If that was so, Turnip could think of a few humans who would need their entire bodies covered in bandages!

Finally, Turnip looked over to Rosie, the youngest of the four. The bulbasaur was surprised someone so young appeared so strong. She could probably take on a grown man if she wanted to! At the same time, she had a nice personality to keep that strength in check. Otherwise, everyone would have black-eyes and bruised ribs.

Turnip’s group analysis was interrupted when a piece of muffin landed between his eyes. He looked up to see Chi-Chi sneaking bites of the muffin while Pan was talking. The pachirisu signaled Connie and Turnip to stay quiet, putting her finger over her mouth. Turnip would have told if the muffin hadn’t been so delicious. He let this misdeed slide in hopes to get more of that muffin.

“Enough about thieves for now,” said Pan, then turning to Andrew. “Yep, that’s our first stop. I don’t know if there’s a map around, but I like the idea of winging it. Makes this much more of an adventure,” she smiled, leading the way outside. Pan took a bite out of the muffin, not knowing that she was eating after the pachirisu.

[Stoicheio]

Rosie, next in line, considered the wide array of food for a moment, then purchased a blueberry muffin and a bottle of water. She smiled at the cashier as the girl slid the bag across the counter. "Just keep an eye out for Pokemon thieves, okay honey?" the older girl said.

Rosie nodded, looking a little puzzled, and rejoined the group. She nibbled on the muffin and listened to the other talk. So the Pokemon thieves were actual Pokemon? It was too bad that they had to steal food from people to survive. They ought to head out to the countryside if they were that hungry; there was always plenty of food out there.

"I think I saw a map earlier, but I don't remember where it was," Rosie said with a shrug. "It'd probably be easier not to look. Anyway, you're right. Getting lost isn't so bad." Next to her, Jubilee was watching the other Pokemon curiously. After a quick glance to make sure Rosie wasn't watching, she slipped over and ate a few bits of muffin that the Pachirisu had dropped. That was good! The Mareep licked her lips and watched Pan eat the muffin. Maybe she'd put it down again.

[Toogee]

As the group walked along the boardwalk, Pan was able to get a better look at what was around. The number of people around was not overwhelming; everyone had enough room to walk freely and hear their own conversations. The vendors along the walk held a variety of items from seashells and beachwear to RC cars and mp3 cases. Turnip almost charged at one of the RC cars, but Pan managed to nudge him away with her feet before he did any real damage.

“So, while we’re looking for this pharmacy, I’d love to know what you’re doing here on Furoh,” Pan asked everyone. “I’d imagine you’re all trainers or something.” Pan never really did the “trainer’s journey” before heading to Furoh. Sure she had been outside of Celadon and even on other continents, but it was never more than a month, and the purpose was usually academic or a recreational activity. Even now, Pan was here for her job. Not that she was complaining; she loved being able to have fun while being a (relatively) responsible adult.

[Stoicheio]

Rosie giggled a little at Turnip's antics. Such a cute little Bulbasaur! She'd always loved grass types.

"Well, I haven't been travelling that long. My family's farm is just a little ways outside the city." Rosie said, idly tangling her fingers in Jubilee's wool. "I guess I'd like to try to get all the Gym badges. Or maybe do some contests..." She paused, realizing for the first time just how flimsy her reasons for her journey sounded. Most kids set out to pursue some important dream. In all honesty, she wanted an adventure more than she wanted either Gyms or Contests, an adventure where she could see new places and make new friends. She would never admit it, though. She didn't want to sound childish.

"I'd have to do a little more training before anything else, anyway," she concluded with a shrug, absentmindedly pulling Jubilee away from a pastry stand. "So are you a Trainer, Pan?" Privately, Rosie thought that Chi-Chi didn't look much like a battle-hardened Pokemon. All the same, she didn't want to offend the older girl by making assumptions.

[Toogee]

“Sounds like you’re still undecided,” Pan said to Rosie. “That’s alright; sometimes you just have to get away.” In some ways, Pan admired the girl’s lack of a certain path. It left her open for any opportunity that would come along. When asked if she was a trainer, Pan shook her head. “Nah, I’m taking an internship for the Petropolis Museum. I get to search the undiscovered corners of Furoh and get paid doing it.” Pan smiled; she loved what she was doing.

“Course, that doesn’t mean I’m no stranger to battling. I’ve had my share of victories in my school years,” she continued, winking at Turnip. The bulbasaur nodded; in the 12 years he’d known Pan, he could attest that he kicked butt plenty of times. “After our latest escapade in Fidona, I can safely say we still got it.”

At this point, Pan had finished the top of her muffin. She noticed that Chi-Chi looked longingly at the remaining pastry. Before Pan could finish saying, “Have the rest,” the pachirisu grabbed the remaining muffin and gnawed away. She left big chunks of muffin trailing behind Pan, pieces happily gobbled up by Turnip.

[Lucy C]

((sorry i haven't posted, went on a sudden holiday))

Connie walked next to Pan quietly , she was watching L'amore fly around the skies. She was quite happy to let her do so, but only if she could still see her, she didn't want the hoothoot getting lost. She looked at pan when she asked the question and smiled. Rosie had obviously only just started out her journey.

"Maybe you should try both " She looked at rosie " You know get the feel for them". She personally had always known what she wanted to do. " Me ,i love contests, it's what i love to do "She looked up at the sky, she had always dreamed of becoming the best , coming here was to be her first real step towards it. " It may sound childish but i just want to be the best at it. " Looking up at l'amore she sighed, the pokemon had never really be tested only in theory was she ok.

"You work for a museum?" Connie frowned unsure that she would like the idea. But she supposed different people like different things.

[Rasu]

"Honestly? I'm confused... I don't know if I'll be a trainer and take on the Gym challenges, or if I'll be an explorer... I'm not really the Coordinator type. Being born in the only city that has a Contest Hall in all Sinnoh made me sick of it. All those snob people who treat Pokémon as mere objects anger me. But things here seem different. Who knows? Maybe I'll try that coordination thing!" Andrew said, explaining why he wasn't very interested in coordination. Icicle seemed to agree with everything, even the trying part.

Soon the group reached the pharmacy and walked in. The building was pure white, clean and had a old look, making it look like it was there since Barley was created. When the door opened a bell ringed, announcing the coming of customers. The interior was equally clean and had many card-board signs announcing the new products. A wood counter with glasses showing multiple medicines stood by the left of the door. A door, located behind the counter, led to the storage containing almost every supply a person needed.

"Hello. May I help you?" A man with a lab coat behind the counter asked. "Yes, please. I would like a small box of bandages, please." Andrew requested. The man then left to the storage. Moments later he came back with a small package in his hand, requesting the money for it. Andrew took out the desired amount from his pocket and gave it to the man.

"I'm done here. I'll just change my bandage." Andrew said, ripping off the old bandages, revealing the red mark on his hand and warping it up moments later.

[Toogee]

"Hey, it's no desk job," Pan said, reacting to the frown on Connie's face. "In fact, I haven't even stepped foot into the museum. During my last assignment, I trekked through the rainforests of Fidona and found a hidden valley with the biggest tree I’ve ever seen. Inside this tree was a garden of giant glowing mushrooms! I t looked like the outside of a casino with all the bright neon colors.” Pan smiled as she described her latest escapade; she enjoyed seeing the reactions upon hearing such tales. “People have inhabited this continent for only fifty years. We’ve barely touched the surface of what Furoh has to offer. Who knows what secrets Furoh has hidden…” Pan felt strong about what she did. She wouldn’t understand what was so bad about working for a museum, but different strokes…

“Ooh, the pharmacy,” Pan said as she followed Andrew into the pharmacy. She was surprised that there was almost no merchandise was in sight; everything seemed to be in a storage unit behind the counter. She watched as Andrew bought a box of bandages and immediately replaced the old bandages on his hand. Pan only caught a glimpse of the red mark before it was covered up. She couldn’t tell if it was a cut, burn, sting, or wart, so she asked Andrew, “Aren’t you going to put something one that?” She nodded to the bandaged hand. “I’m sure this place has whatever ointment you need.” Before she could answer, the pharmacist beckoned Pan to the counter with a vocal “Next!” Pan walked up to the counter, while Turnip stared at his reflection on the clean white floors.

“Hi, I’m looking for a first aid kit, something in a travel size would be great.”
“Ah, I have just the thing.” The pharmacist disappeared behind the counter, reappearing moments later with a red pouch.
“This one is popular among the trainers. It contains an assortment of band-aids, ointments, alcohol pads, an icepack, and a guide on first aid techniques. Plus, it comes with this carabiner to attach to a belt loop.”

Pan approved of the pack and pulled out her debit card. With a quick "Thank you" to the pharmacist, she rejoined the group, attaching the the kit to a hole on her bag (That hole shouldn't be there. Great, looks like I'll need a new bag too.). “Well, if everyone’s ready, let’s see if we can find the Pokemart.”

[Lucy C]

Connie shook her head , it wasn't what she had expected at all. Staring up at the sky she wondered if she would find something like that whilst out on her travels, she certainly hoped she would but what were the chances she would find something amazing whilst standing around here. Pan was very lucky to have been able to see that and by the sounds of it she would get to see many more sights like that. Connie smiled and made a mental note to stick around with pan if they became friends.

" Your so lucky " she turned to talk to her but she had already entered the pharmacy. Feeling a bit left out she followed her in and looked around. It wasn't what she had expected and was in fact quite bare really. L'amore landed quietly on the ground next to turnip and stared at her reflection, the pokemon could be quite vain at times. She stared down and frowned at all the specks of dirty and dust she could see. Connie walked over and picked her up smiling " You want a wash or something?" The pokemon looked at her blankly as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Connie giggled , she got the message.

Connie watched the two go up and get stuff, she didn't really need anything from here at the moment and she didn't want to spend more money than she needed to since she didn't really have the most as it was. Nodding connie smiled, the pokemart was the place she wanted to go.

[Toogee]

Pan led the way out of the pharmacy, Turnip by her side. Chi-Chi, with a belly full of muffin, was fast asleep inside Pan’s vest. The bulbasaur wished to do the same, but napping was hard to do while walking. After passing a fruit market and a vendor selling Barley T-shirts, Pan spotted a neon sign that read “Pokemart”.

The building was a light tan color with blue-white striped awnings over the windows and door. The automatic door implied that this particular store was recently updated to fit with the times. Various signs indicated that a sale was going on: “Buy 10 pokeballs, get a premium ball free!” “Select medicinal supplies up to 50% off” “Lavaridge cookies are back in stock!”

Upon entering, the group could see shelves of goods on the right and the checkout counter at the left, near the back of the store. The store was around the size of a gas station convenience store, but it appeared to have any pokemon-related product one could think of. Pokeballs were held in long vertical tubes that reached the ceiling. This was the case with Great and Ultra as well, but a special section was devoted to designer pokeballs, ones with special patterns such as pink with white polka dots and black with red skulls. One could tell these commanded a higher price, as each ball was individually boxed.
Pokemon food was not boxed but stored in large wooden barrels. Customers could get as much or as little as they desire of any flavor that would satisfy any pokemon’s tastes. Various sales items were displayed on small tables, bright green signs encouraging customers to investigate further. The checkout area had a display of Lavaridge cookies, with a tray of free samples. Behind the counter was a slushee machine, which provided several refreshing flavors for the human customers.

“Well, let’s get busy. I’m going to the food section if anyone wants to follow,” Pan said. Turnip suddenly took a greater interest in what was going on, almost running ahead of Pan.

[Stoicheio]

Eeesh, sorry I've been gone so long. We went on a somewhat spur-of-the-moment beach trip.

Rosie listened quietly as the others talked about their jobs. Pan's job certainly sounded interesting; much more interesting than either Contests or battling, in Rosie's opinion. Perhaps her lack of direction was a good thing. Anyway, she didn't need a job just yet. She was still a kid.

When the group entered the Pokemart, Jubilee sniffed the air and immediately trotted off towards the food section. "I guess we're following," Rosie said with a shrug and a smile, going after her Pokemon. She didn't have that much money, but food was always something good to stock up on. Though Jubilee could survive on grass, she hated it, and Ranger ate like a Snorlax.

The two reached the barrels, and Rosie looked at them all doubtfully. "They've certainly got a lot of different kinds here, don't they?" she commented. The Mareep looked a little confused as well, not quite sure what to go for first. Rosie picked a metal scoop out of the nearest barrel and shook a few pellets into her hand. They were small and brown, and Rosie thought they smelled vaguely like Oran Berries.

"Try some of this," She held out her hand to Jubilee, who sniffed it cautiously before gently licking the food from Rosie's palm. The girl giggled a little at the tickly feeling of Jubilee's tongue, and then grinned as the sheep licked her lips and headbutted the barrel with a baa. Luckily, it was too heavy for the Mareep to knock over. "It's a winner, then?"

[Toogee]

Pan watched as Rosie and Jubilee sampled one of the barrels. “Hey, that’s not a bad idea,” Pan commented. She too was unsure what food to get; she often gave her pokemon human food instead. With Turnip as her taste tester, she grabbed one pellet from each barrel and offered them to the bulbasaur.

“OK Turnip, which food do you prefer? We have bitter here, sour, spicy…”
“Saur!”

Instead of trying each one by one, Turnip simply ate the pellets all at once. With a big grin, he sat down, waiting for more “tests.”

“I take it that means you’ll be happy with anything. Well, Chi-Chi liked the sweet berries back on Fidona, so sweet food it is.” Pan smiled, grabbing a metal scoop and filling a gallon-sized plastic bag with the sweet variety of pokefood. Even in the sweet barrel, the pellets had a variety of colors, reminding Pan of gumballs. She guesstimated how much they would need until the next pokemart and tied the bag. “That ought to be enough for the two of you.” Pan looked down into her vest; the pachirisu was still resting, though the ear twitching probably meant she was listening in on the conversation.

Pan walked down the medicine aisle, Turnip following from behind. Though they still head plenty of berries from Fidona, she really wanted the benefits of modern medicine. Pan grabbed five bottles of standard Potion; she didn’t really need the super or max varieties. She grabbed an equal number of Revive; since much of their travels would be far from pokecenters, the last thing Pan needed was her pokemon fainted. When she went to grab the Full Heals, Turnip nudged her ankle. The bulbasaur pointed with his vine at the Lavaridge Cookie display near the checkout counter. These cookies were known to be a cheaper alternative to the medicines, so Pan decided to try them out. She wondered how her bulbasaur knew about the price point, though it was possible he was pointing at the “Free Samples” sign next to it.

As Pan passed the pokeball aisle, Chi-Chi suddenly leaped out of the comfort of Pan’s vest, sprinting down the pokeball aisle. She quickly followed the pachirisu, wondering what had captured her attention. When she reached the end of the aisle, she found Chi-Chi latched onto a pink pokeball with white polka dots. The pachirisu looked at Pan with her beady black eyes; her current greatest desire was to have the cutest pokeball in all of Furoh.

“Chi-Chi, you don’t even use the one you have! Get back over here.”
“Chi!” The pachirisu remained resilient. She wasn’t letting go that easily.

[Rasu]

Icicle was in one of those days that food couldn't be enough for him. When Andrew walked in the Pokemart, Icicle immediately jumped in the direction of one of the barrels, with a sign reading 'Sweet', containing the food samples. He turned to Andrew and then to barrel, asking for the sweet food inside the metal capsules.

"You just can't get enough food, Icicle!" Andrew said with a smile grabbing a pellet and giving it to the Spheal. After much munching Icicle finally approved the food and Andrew a plastic bag with the item. He then took some spicy and bitter flavored ones for Flick and Kan since it was their favorite flavor, respectively.

After some more look around Andrew had packed some Potions, five to be exact, a notebook, a Lemonade and a bottle of fresh Combee Honey. When he was directing to the counter to pay something grabbed his attention. A black Pokeball with a red stripe on the top, outlined by two bright golden lines. Another red line separated the two sections that composed the Pokeball stood in the middle of two pale white stripes, making the golden button stand out. Under it a table with the name explained the effects of the black Pokeball.

"Luxury Ball. Any Pokémon caught with this Pokeball will become friendlier to the trainer" Andrew reed the description and grabbed one of the spheres "Interesting... I'll take one, just in case." After a final look Andrew saw Pan's Pachirisu grabbing a dotted Pokeball and refusing to letting it go. "Quite a stubborn Pachirisu you got there" Andrew said smiling.

[Toogee]

“Tell me about it,” Pan replied to Andrew. She grabbed Chi-Chi’s pokeball and attempted to call the pachirisu back. Chi-Chi dodged the beam by hiding behind her favored pokeball. “Return, return, return!” Pan commanded, but Chi-Chi remained defiant, sticking her tongue out at her human.
“Ugh, she is acting like a total diva today. Turnip, could you talk some sense into her?”

The bulbasaur nodded, allowing Pan to pick him up and set him on the display. Chi-Chi’s cute stare quickly turned to anger as Turnip approached. The pachirisu began chattering like an angry chipmunk; though no human could understand what she was babbling about, it was likely a monologue about ugly bicolor pokeballs, being unique, and something about injustice. Before he even began to speak, Turnip had enough of Chi-Chi’s attitude. He launched a cloud of spores directly at the pachirisu, though the cloud spread out a bit; Pan had to turn her head to avoid breathing in the attack. Chi-Chi coughed after inhaling the spores; shortly after that, she slumped over on her side, asleep.

“Turnip, you have to be more careful! This is an enclosed space; anyone could have breathed that in!” Pan cried, facing Turnip only when the spores had settled. The bulbasaur didn’t seem to be affected; as Pan put Chi-Chi back in her pokeball, Turnip was satisfied he did what was necessary. Besides, what was so bad about a little sleep?

[Rasu]

Andrew went towards the counter to paid when suddenly Icicle hopped from his arms. The Spheal went directly towards another barrel, this one smaller than the previous a sign saying 'Lavaridge Cookies' stood next to the barrel, also showing the cheap price. A small plate with about five Lava Cookies displayed another sign reading 'Free Samples'

"You're still hungry?!" Andrew said to Icicle who simply nodded at his question. "Fine we'll buy some Lava Cookies but no more food till dinner time, okay? Besides, we still have that chocolate muffin, remember?" Icicle licked his lips after hearing the words chocolate muffin and hopped back to Andrew who took a small plastic bag and filled it with three Lavaridge Cookies. He then directed towards the counter. After some button pressing the woman on the counter said "That will be 3200 Poké, please" Andrew took out his wallet and gave the money, receiving the change moments later.

"We're getting short on money..." Andrew thought to himself before returning to the company of the group. "So... Does someone wants to battle later on?"

Sorry for the short post but it's kinda late here

This post has been edited by Blood Wolf: Aug 14 2009, 08:17 PM

[Toogee]

Pan followed Andrew to the checkout counter, having gathered enough supplies at this store. She finished off her list with five Lava Cookies and a set of Pokeball Seals as a sort of compromise for Chi-Chi. Turnip pointed a single vine to the free sample try. Pan obliged and gave half a cookie to the bulbasaur and kept the other half in her vest pocket. "This one is for waking up Chi-Chi later," Pan explained to Turnip as he gave her a confused look for only receiving half a cookie.

After another swipe of her debit card, her bag of pokefood, 5 potions, 5 revives, 5 Lavaridge cookies, and sticker set were loaded into a plastic bag and given to Pan. She waited by the door for the rest of her group, soon joined by Andrew. When Andrew brought up the subject of battles, Pan's mind brought up images of face-offs on the school grounds. It had been a while since a trainer challenged her. "Well, I should probably let the actual trainers battle first, but I'm not exactly shabby." Pan looked around to see if Rosie or Connie were done with their shopping.

I'll probably skip the camp store just to speed things along before everyone goes back to school (well, before I go back at least >_>).

[Stoicheio]

Rosie, meanwhile, had wandered off to the medicine section and picked up a few Potions. Her current medicinal supplies consisted entirely of Berries she had plucked off the trees around the farm, and while they were nutritious, Potions could do a lot more healing. She also looked over the fancy Pokeballs a bit, picking up a pink dotted one similar to the one Chi-Chi wanted. "How would you like to be in this thing, Lee?" The Mareep looked at the ball disdainfully and snorted. "I didn't think so."

The two followed the rest of the group to the checkout counter. Rosie grabbed a sample cookie and stuck it in her pocket. "This is for Ranger," she explained to a rather cross-looking Jubilee as she paid for her things. "He's been in his Pokeball a while, and he's not really used to it yet. Besides, you already had some food."

Jubilee still looked displeased, but she perked up at the mention of a battle. Rosie looked over her shoulder at Andrew and Pan. She'd only battled a few kids before, aside from wild Pokemon. This whole thing really had her feeling nervous. Well, there was nothing for it. "Sure, I'll battle."

Yeah, skipping ahead sounds good. I'm going back to school too, and I've got some pretty tough classes this year.

[Toogee]

“Great! I’d love to get some pictures of some battles,” Pan replied to Rosie. “We’ll have to find some sort of park after these errands.”

When the group finished shopping at the pokemart, they continued down the boardwalk. While looking around for some sort of camping store, Pan spotted several interesting locales: a hair salon with for both humans and pokemon, a western-themed saloon complete with those flippy wooden doors (Pan had to get a picture), and even a haunted house attraction. Pan almost went inside the seemingly abandoned residence, but the sign on the door read “Opening This Fall.” “Aw. I have to come back around then.” Pan loved the seasonal activities back in Kanto; it made the regular towns new again. It seems Furoh was no different in this aspect.

After passing what seemed to be the billionth seashell store, Pan saw that the boardwalk ended on a sandy beach. It appeared that a camping store was on the agenda this time, Pan thought. She looked out at the beach: the sun shining bright over the blue water. Families populated the beach, building sandcastles and playing in the surf. A flock of wingulls circled overhead, diving occasionally to grab unsupervised food. Not far from the group, a mid-size, one-story house stood among the grassy dunes. It looked quite old, but well kept; no cracked paint or any other signs of decay. The roof was flat with wooden railing all around, likely serving as a patio. On top of the roof was a flagpole displaying an emblematic pokeball swinging in the wind. Pan knew that emblem from back home.

“That’s the symbol for the Pokemon Fan Club. I have to stop by here. It has all sorts of maps and the people here have some useful advice for trainers. Maybe they know something about the pokemon thieving around…”

Pan led the way through a walkway of pebbles to the top of the dunes where the house stood. On the front porch, there was a man with graying hair was hanging up a “Pokemon Shelter” sign next to the “PFC” logo. A second look at the man revealed unusual attire for his age: a white T-shirt with some surfing logo on the front, black swimming trunks, and brown flip-flops. He turned around to see the group approaching.

“Ah, sweet! Come on in!” The man waved them over enthusiastically, a big smile on his face. Pan couldn’t remember the last time anyone said “sweet”, but she couldn’t help but smile back. Turnip looked dumbfounded; shouldn’t men his age be more distinguished and talk normally?

“This ought to be interesting…” Pan said to her friends.