One Step At a Time, -first step-

[Arushai]

Klaus was largely ignored by the general public as he walked toward the Rent-A-Pokemon stables. He sighed.

"Wish you could've been here, Luke..." he muttered, glancing at the sky. When he looked back down, a sign told him that he had reached his destination. Klaus approached the door, then knocked on it with his right hand. He winced at the sound of metal hitting wood.

"Oops... I should have used the other hand," he said to himself. Fail.

[Ninja]

Maxwell was slouched in a large, comfy recliner chair gripping a steaming mug of coffee when he heard a thunk at the door. Lucky for you, his hearing has been failing him lately so he did not notice how it sounded different from any other ordinary knock. After taking another sip, he set his cup down and pushed himself to his feet.

"Coming, coming..."

He coughed into his fist before pulling the door open. Standing at the threshold was a teenage boy no older than 18 or 19.

It was early. Maxwell was still groggy from sleep, and had not finished his coffee yet. He noticed little about this aspiring trainer, let alone anything odd. Sure, his eye did seem to be glowing an eerie red, but you know kids these days - always with some crazy notion in their heads or another. Coughing again, he muttered, "Here for a Pokemon, I suppose? C'mon in, then. And close the door after yeh, laddy." With that he sauntered into the stable, a steady clunk sounding as his wooden cane helped him across the floor.

[Arushai]

Klaus followed Maxwell inside, closing the door behind him.

"Yeah, I'm here for a Pokemon. I heard... that I have to borrow one and catch my Pokemon myself? I'm all for it," he said, while looking around. He hid his metal right hand behind his back.

[Ninja]

"That'd be the right idea, boy."

The balding man led you to a room where five cages hung securely from the ceiling. Three were empty, but two remained occupied. Maxwell went to stand in front of them, scratching his scalp as if he wasn't quite sure where to start.

"Well, it seems three have already been taken... But we still have Silver here and Seraph."

Silver, a Poochyena, was sprawled lazilly in his container, head rested on his paws and tail thumping impatiently. He gave you a bored look, then yawned and licked his jaws.

A Misdreaveus was floating in front of a small mirror which had been placed in his cage, smiling and flaunting his beauty to himself. He didn't seem to notice - or care - that his owner or the teenager had entered the room and paid no mind to them, too enthralled with his own appearance.

"They're both capable Pokemon, though Silver has more experience if that's what yer lookin' fer. Feel free to take either one."

[Arushai]

"Well..." Klaus considered. The Misdreavus... didn't seem too reliable. He wasn't attentive enough, and might miss the ideal Pokemon. Silver seemed like a much better choice. Plus, the canine Pokemon reminded him of his brother's Flareon.

"I'll take Silver, thanks," he said with a smile.

[Ninja]

"Right.."

Maxwell unlatched the cage and returned the eager pup to its Pokeball. After digging around in his coat pocket for a moment, he handed you both Silver's ball and an empty one.

"You can capture your starter with that empty one there. Follow me now..."

He led you down the hall to yet another room. It was empty save for a few posters and a large wooden door. He coughed again before speaking.

"Out back are three different areas: Fire, Water, and Grass. Different Pokemon are found in each one. Take a look at these here pictures and find one you like. Silver is fine in all areas; go into one and and persue your starter. Oh, and we've recently aquired rare, Moira-exclusive Pokemon in the Water and Grass areas, if that interests you. Good luck out there, kid." He turned and sauntered away, muttering, "You're gonna need it." Hmm, ominous... But that's besides the point. You came here to get a Pokemon, and you're going to get one... Right?

[Arushai]

Yeah. Right. Klaus quickly looked over the posters before heading off. He walked off toward the Fire area, knowing that he liked most of the Pokemon there. A Baltoy or Bagon would be great, a Trapinch, Vulpix, or Growlithe the next best choices. Approaching the flamey area of flames, he let Silver out.

"Hi there, Silver. So... I'm looking for a Baltoy or Bagon, but there are several other choices I'd be happy with as well. Point out anything I miss, okay?"

[Ninja]

The pooch watched you with intent eyes as you spoke. It was clear he understood what you said. Tongue rolling out the side of his mouth, he turned on his paws and trotted off down the path, eager as ever to get started. You followed closely, keeping an eye out for any trace of Pokemon activity.

It was really a beautiful day in fire land. The occasional passing cloud brought relief from the beating sunlight, and a fresh wind carried nice cool air as it swooshed across the dry landscape. Silver's pawsteps brought a steady crunching sound to your ears as he raced deeper into the area, tail swishing happily and eyes darting here and there. It was obvious he loved what he did; it gave you a sense of happiness to see a Pokemon so enjoy himself in an otherwise natural environment.

No more than three or four minutes passed before you came across your first option. Silver had come to an abrupt stop at a nearby bush, snuffing at the crunchy leaves that clung hopefully to the rusty branches. He nosed at it again before giving a sharp bark! A long, purple spike appeared, followed by the speckled head of a Nidoran . It apparently did not enjoy the rude awakening the Poochyena had given him and, narrowing his eyes, snarled back at Silver... Still, the pup simply looked back to you, dutifully awaiting orders.

[Arushai]

"Thanks for trying, Silver, but that one seems too grumpy. Come on, leave it," Klaus said, starting to walk on ahead. He wanted a starter he could get along with, not something so moody that being awakened was enough to make it snarl. Plus, he had a thing against Poison-types and Ground-types that couldn't fly or float (Ground considering Nidoking.)

[Ninja]

The pup nodded and in moments was on the trail again, setting his nose to work at a nicer, less strenuous pace.

You soon came to an area that appeared to once be a forest. Several large, black, scraggly trees poked out of the cracked dirt, each with only a few crispy leaves hanging on. Silver lifted his head and tail in unison, breathing in the steamy air... Before signalling you with a bark, taking off into the 'woods'! When you caught up to him, he was touching noses with a small, teal lizard. The Pokemon looked up at you.

"Gible!!" it cried, jumping up into the air and waving it's stubby little arms. Silver faced you with a doggy grin, panting happily. At least this one had a better attitude, right?

[Arushai]

"Better this time, definitely better... but it's a Ground-type that can't eventually fly. Ew. Thanks for trying, and sorry for saying that out loud, Gible. Let's move on," Klaus said. He realized that he may have insulted the Gible, although it seemed so carefree that it didn't matter. He started to walk off.

[Ninja]

"Gible.." it yawned before happily plodding away. Silver, more determined than ever, trotted ahead.

Soon you came out of the dead forest and into a rockier place. There were several boulders, both large and small, scattered around. Some were even clumped together to make a sort of mini-mountain. In fact, there seemed to be a Pokemon atop one of them! Silver charged over, pointing with his nose to the highest rock. Spinning happily on it's point of an appendage was a small Baltoy, merrily singing it's name as it twirled without a care. Then suddenly...

"Bal-toy!" it gasped, swaying precariously before a heavy wind swooshed in and toppled it over! The poor thing collided with the rocks several times before hitting the ground with a thud.

[Arushai]

"That's the one I want! Better make sure it's okay before I challenge it," Klaus said, running over. He stopped next to the Baltoy.
"You okay there?" The steel-morph resisted the urge to poke it.

[Quetzacotlchu]

Baltoy seemed a bit indisposed for the moment. Its eyes swirled comically as Torchics ran circles around its head; clearly, it was dizzy.

"Toooy-eee-eee-eee..." it trailed off.

Well, Baltoy seems to be occupied with its whirling head at the moment. It might be thankful if you helped him, but this is also the perfect opportunity to get a surprise attack in... What will you do?

[Arushai]

"...well, if it's just dizzy, then... Um, Silver, go ahead and use Yawn on it... it's a surprise attack, AND it'll make it recover from being dizzy when it wakes up," Klaus said. He was a bit surprised that a Baltoy could even get dizzy, seeing as they were supposed to spin.