nexus_crossings | (no subject)

She will keep her hand close. Gently running her fingers through the grass at the top of the Torterra's head.

"How long have you been searching for people to help you?"

"About two weeks now. It seems many people in the Nexus are scared of Pokemon or at least hesitant to get close to them. I learned of an incident a few years ago where the anti-violence field failed and a swarm of monsters invaded to attack humans."

He frowns at that thought, given how he expected more the Nexus to be open to new things. His disappointment fades as he watches Harley pet Torterra, whom has closed his eyes and is murmuring in his sleep.

"May I ask, Ms. Quinn, what would you do if you adopted a pet? What kind of things would you make that pet do?"

"I heard about the anti-violence field going down. Many of my friends were deeply affected by that incident."

Awwww. The Torterra must be sleepy. Harley drops her tone a little, as to allow the Pokémon time to rest.

"I wouldn't make them do anything."

"I used to own two beautiful animals. Hyenas. Their names were Bud and Lou. And they kept me company. And I fed them. And loved them."

"It seems the scars are healing, but many people still need time to recover."

He nods and visibly becomes curious at Harley's tale of revealing owning pets before. Of course, he's quick to speak up once again, while Torterra continues to nap.

"I think you might just have a traits of a truly good pokemon trainer, especially given how quickly Torterra trusted you." He puts one hand under his chin, in thought. "I know we've just met, but would you mind accompanying me to my lab? It's on the outskirts of the wilds, but I'd like to show you something."

Harley studies him for a moment. Then smiles slightly at the still-sleeping Torterra. She wonders if he uses sunlight to recharge his energy.

There is only one way to get the answers to her questions.

"Sure. I can do that."

"Excellent."

He smiles, before reaching into his pocket for a white and red circular object. Walking over to Torterra, he places his free hand on the back of the Pokemon.

"Torterra, it's time to go home." He extends the ball outward, while the pokemon wakes up a little from his quick nap. Yawning, the pokemon nudges the ball with his head, disappearing into the device with a flash of red light. Once the poke'ball has been safely tucked on his belt, he offers his hand to Harley.

"I can assure you the walk isn't too far and will not be dangerous." He seems excited to show someone his workspace and all the efforts he's put into the labratory. With that being said, he begins walking towards the wilds, leaving the urbanized questions area behind.

Harley tilts her head, watching the display of the Pokémon ball. It is pretty remarkable for a creature as big as Torterra to fit into such a tiny object. She wonders how it is possible.

"I have dealt with danger before in my life. But it is good to know that I won't have to today."

Harley feels that part of her life is important to mention.

It seems like the Pokeball mechanism catches everyone off guard in some way, so the professor is used to explaining it if needed.

"Of course. Just trying to be reassuring that I'm not some creepy murderer or person who wants to harm you. Far from it, in fact." He nods, walking along the gravel paths of the wilds. The trees slowly start to pop up, replacing any city landscape from before.

Hiding among the forests, is a large two story house that blends in seamlessly with nature, even if it is surrounded by a large iron gate. It definitely fits the description of a place that can only be found if someone is actively looking for it. Many different bird pokemon hang around in the trees, swooping about looking for food or chattering with one another.

He opens the front gate for Harley, revealing a brick path which leads up to the entrance of the laboratory. The sounds of different Pokemon can be heard from behind the house, where a large expanse of land is. Nothing seems out of place, thankfully.

"Oh. I could handle a creepy murderer." Harley replies. "That was one nice thing about Bud and Lou. They could keep up with the chaos that was my life."

"It is nicer here. In the Nexus."

And especially this setting seems very nice. Harley smiles at the sight of the bird pokemon. And the sounds of the unseen Pokémon.

"Wow... beautiful."

"Thankfully, murderers are not really a thing on my homeworld, but you never know what will try to attack you in the Nexus."

He's smiling at her comments, completely in agreement, as a Starly perches itself on top of the iron gate, singing a little song. It seems to be popular, as other Pidgey and Pikapek join their friend on the fence.

"It is a beautiful place. Come. Let's go inside and I'll show you the interior of my lab." He walks up the steps to a large wooden door and opens it for Harley. The first floor is a large hybrid between living quarters and a working laboratory, but the deco style seems consistent with European roots. Dark wooden floors, furniture made of rich white fabrics, and countertops glazed with fine marble. Different stained glass windows fill the house, depicting rare Pokemon in vibrant colors.

He'll give Harley enough time to let the area sink in, before offering to lead her towards the lab, where different computer monitors are set up, tables are filled with research materials. On one wall is a large map of the Nexus, and connecting to the lab is a large bay window which allows a person to stare out at the backside of the house. To no surprise, many different species of pokemon can be seen wandering the land, talking with one another to eating or just playing. It's an open zoo with no real restrictions.

"How many different kind of Pokémon are there?" Harley asks, as she studies the stained glass windows.

She looks at the large map, a little surprised to see one of the Nexus. "Do they all enjoy living together here?"

"Almost 800." He walks over to the window, hands behind his back, staring out at the different species playing outside in his 'backyard'. It's very clear that he's happy to see all the different Pokemon getting along with each other.

"Some pokemon come and go and some live here for long periods of time. I like to believe that they all enjoy staying here for whatever reasons they might have." He nods, turning to face Harley calmly. "So, shall I offer you some tea or should we skip right to the adoption process? I am the overseer of the project, after all."

"Oh! Really!" She claps her hands a little. Excited. "I could adopt one?"

"Which one!" Choosing from 800 sounds like a difficult task.

"I think we can arrange an adoption that benefits both me, you and the pokemon that chooses to be your partner." Odd how he words it like that, since one would assume the trainer to pick their starter. He walks over to a small table in the lab, picking up a tablet-like device and turning it on. Right next to the Pokedex is a metal drawer, containing six pokeballs. He gestures for Harley to come over to the table.

"Ms Quinn, I would like you to participate in my studies." He hands the tablet to her. "This is the newest Pokedex, which allows a person to scan different species of Pokemon in order to collect data. I want to see how the Nexus affects Pokemon, so I need data from lots of people." He turns to look at the pokeballs. "In exchange for a Pokemon, would you be willing to collect data for me? The Pokedex is state of the art and will not require much skill to use it."

Harley listens to him carefully, watching as he picks up that device, and then gestures for her to come to the table.

"Does it hurt the Pokémon to be scanned?" Harley asks.

"Nope. It's completely harmless. Here, I'll show you."

He reaches over and grabs a Pokeball off the table, throwing it lightly onto the ground. The ball opens up in a flash, and a happy little green plant Pokemon hops onto the ground.

"Bulbasaur!" The pokemon shakes his head, then happily looks at Professor Madrone and Harley. He gestures for Harley to point the tablet at the Pokemon.

"All you have to do is hold up the device towards the Pokemon and it should automatically scan them without any fancy lights." If she does so, the device screen will light up and give a text description of Bulbasaur, explaining it's traits, typing and other skills.

"Oh! Hello!" Harley waves at the Bulbasaur when he arrives. He looks happy. So whatever environment is inside that Pokémon ball must be satisfactory to him.

She points the tablet at the Pokémon. And then reads the description for the Bulbasaur. "Grass/Poison Pokémon. I know a friend of mine that would get along with you, little guy." She smiles.

"Bulba!" "The Pokemon extends one whip-like appendage to Harley, as if asking for a shake. He's a very happy plant, despite what one might think regarding Poke'balls. Most certainly, the Bulbasaur would be a great companion for one Poison Ivy.

"This one is up for adoption, along with a few others." He nods, showing off the other poke'balls. "Here we have Charmander, Oshawott, Snivy...oh..." His eyes rest on a Pokeball and the very end of the row. "Hmm...I forgot I left this Pokemon here. Alas, one of the Pokemon here isn't available due to personality issues." The Pokeball is marked with a small dark emblem in the middle.

She gently takes his whip-like appendage, to shake his 'hand'. She is really glad that he is so happy.

"I am good around poisonous types." Harley smiles even more.

"Can I see the others? Meet them?" She pauses when he does. And looks at the Pokeball marked with a small dark emblem. "What kinda personality issues?"

"Bulbasaur could be a great fit then." The Pokemon happily chirps and the vine shake and maybe the idea of being Harley's new partner.

"Of course. I'll let you meet as many Pokemon as you'd like." But he can't help but shake his head at that last comment. "Well, he's very protective, almost too much. He doesn't like interacting with the other Pokemon and tends to enjoy being alone."

He reaches for the pokeball, opening it to reveal a black and grey puppy. Immediately, the pokemon growls at Bulbasaur and starts to slink away to the nearest corner.

"Poor Poochyena...I wish I could help him out more."

"If it works out, we could go on rainforest adventures." Harley grins. She thinks Bulbasaur would enjoy the rainforest.

"Awwww...." Harley gently lets go of Bulbasaur for the moment. And she follows the Poochyena to the corner he headed for, a little concerned.

"HiYa!" Harley keeps her voice bright, but still a soft and caring tone. "Poochyena is it? I'm Harley."

"It's okay you don't want to be around Pokémon."

"Bulbasaur!" The Pokemon seems excited at this idea, but immediately notices the grumpy Poochyena. Being a happy little plant, the Pokemon tries to follow Harley's lead, walking over to the table, smiling at the dog.

The Poochyena growls a little bit, really not enjoying the surprise company or the fact that he was called out of his Pokeball. Bulbasaur is causing a little bit of stress and Professor Madrone catches sight of this immediately. He's already reaching down and picking Bulbasaur up and into his arms.

Even if the dog Pokemon isn't immediately moving towards Harley, he's sniffing the air around her cautiously.

"Well, he's not lashing out at you, which is a good sign."

"Thanks for caring, Bulbasaur. I think Poochyena needs a little space." Harley smiles over at the happy little plant Pokemon.

Harley sits near the Poochyena, allowing the Pokemon to sniff the air around her.

"Did something happen to him?" She asks the Professor.

Bulbasaur looks a little disappointing, but the Professor pats his head, reassuring him that everything is okay. Poochyena makes no sudden movements, choosing to lay down, licking one paw while carefully keeping an eye on Harley.

"I believe he was abandoned by his pack for not being strong enough. A common thing many wild Pokemon do."

"Then you had the wrong pack." Harley tells Poochyena.

"I sort of had a similar experience... I was in the wrong kind of gang. And I got hurt. And abandoned."

"But then..." She brightens. "I found the right people. The right friends. And they helped me get stronger."

"You just need to find the right person, Poochyena."