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Doug Freeman
Gym Leader
305 Posts
42 Likes
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"I got this." And so he didn't.
Posts: 305
Likes: 42
Class 1: Type Expert [Bug]
Class 2: Type Expert [Fighting]
Class 3: Martial Artist
EXP: 37
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Post by Doug Freeman on Jan 20, 2018 19:11:57 GMT -6
B O O K S Doug leaned back against the long couch set on the Center for its visitants, watching Edwin as he worked out the rest on his own. Seemed like he just needed a bit of simplicity thrown his way. Perhaps he had been nervous before? Ah well, he was glad to have been of some help. Douglas picked up a book on 'pokemon communication theory' as the bespectacled young man continued setting aside the books he didn't need, the bug catcher tilting his head slightly at the title. Pokemon Communication? He tilted his brow, turning it around to read the sypnosis. He knew himself, and he would certainly not be able to read the thing all the way through without his mother or father hovering over his shoulder constantly. Something something, pokemon language, something something, understanding gibberish. Doug found himself quickly disinterested by what the synopsis had to say, though it did leave him with a curious piece of info. So a human could actually understand a pokemon, without all the psychic-aura mumbo jumbo? Hmm. He turned to look at Larvesta, who was laying on the Couch next to him, her body leaning against his thigh, her eyes closed. It would have been so much easier to help her with her shyness if he could actually understand what she was saying... Oh well, there was no way he could focus on that right now. He pet her fur, humming. Hopefully he would be able to wing it and still be a good trainer. His father had seemed to do fine that way. He returned the book to the pile just in time for Edwin to return them to the PokeMart. When Edwin came back, he had both of his pokeballs on him, and very soon both of his pokemon were out and about, with the bespectacled youth handing out a name to the hoodlum pokemon. "Well, it doesn't hate the name, so there's that." Commented the boy, his head on his palm as he looked over them from where he sat. At Edwin's question, he reached down, lifting the hem of his jacket to reveal his belt. A set of Net balls were attached to it. "Seven-ish." He commented, grasping 5 of the 7 Net Balls and throwing them in the air. Unlike many other Regions, there wasn't really a hard limit on how many pokemon a trainer could carry on their person at one time. A Joltik, a Dewpider, a Sewaddle, a Ledyba and a Wimpod popped out shortly after. Joltik immediately made home on Larvesta's mane, with Wimpod joining shortly after. Ledyba just looked around with eyes opened wide in curiosity, before zipping around the center, while Dewpider looked around critically before sniffing and simply turning away from the group, making sure to do her little rebel act well within Doug's range of sight. Sewaddle, the far more social savvy of the group, took more interest in the other Edwin and his pokemon, who were clearly hanging out with Doug. She wandered up to them, rounding around Edwin while looking up and down his clothes, humming as it approached and began nibbling at his pant leg, testing the material. Doug didn't comment on this, simply holding out his arm and grasping the long sleeve of his hoodie before stretching it all the way, revealing the munched end of the fabric. Apparently, she just did that. Doug held onto a single Net ball, the only one he hadn't released so far, humming. Should he let her out as well...? She wasn't one to pick fights or anything, but she still refused to listen to him, which wouldn't look too good in front of Edwin. He simply set the ball back on his belt, his lip turning slightly. "This is the team, minus one. They are all pretty recent catches." He informed the other.
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Edwin Armadale
Trainer
68 Posts
4 Likes
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Posts: 68
Likes: 4
Class 1: Type Expert [Flying]
Class 2: Tactician
Class 3: Researcher
EXP: 19
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Post by Edwin Armadale on Jan 22, 2018 5:15:45 GMT -6
Edwin would glance at the book that Doug was reading. Through his years of education, Edwin had studied the theory of pokemon communication a little, but had mostly given up when it stated that every pokemon communicated differently, so it would be impossible to learn all pokemon speak unless one knew a pokemon for a very long time. Still though, as he had known Arkady for six years, he had learned to communicate a little with him. But not perfectly though.
Yet... it just didn't make sense though. Edwin had written an essay citing research from distant professors highlighting this discrepancy. How could pokemon seem to perfectly understand humans and be aware of their own existence - the bare minimum of intelligence, yet humans could not understand pokemon? Was there a reason behind this? It was unknown. But Edwin had stated that the fact was not logically sound. While his teacher had appreciated this work, it unfortunately couldn't break new ground because his paper amounted to a well written dissertation that basically amounted to "We just don't know". But he had passed anyway.
Pushing these thoughts from his mind, Edwin continued to sort his books, then sold the ones he didn't need at the pokemart. Then to Edwin's surprise, Doug had apparently caught 7 pokemon.
"Oh... wow, that's impressive" Edwin said, kind of glad he had turned down the battle. This trainer had certainly been on a big journey so far.
As well as the Larvesta, he had Joltik, Dewpider, Sweaddle, Wimpod and Ledyba. "Ah, so you're a Bug type specialist" Edwin remarked. The Sewaddle crawled up to him and begin to nibble at his trouser leg. Thankfully Edwin was wearing hardy cotton trousers rather than a more formal outfit so it was tough enough to withstand it, but it was enough to make Arkady take notice.
("Hey! What are you doing?") the Noibat asked, not aggressively but sharp enough to get the pokemon's attention as to why it was eating at Edwin's clothes. Humans thought clothes were important after all.
Sten meanwhile, who had just been proven that he had a lot to learn about type advantages, looked warily at the other pokemon. Even if Rock beat Bug, he was fairly sure they had all sorts of surprising tricks to use against him. Still though, gotta keep up appearances. He maintained a stoic expression on the seat next to Edwin.
"I see. It must have been a challenge to get all these pokemon" Edwin remarked, noting them all and how they could cover the main weaknesses of Bug. Larvesta, Dewpider and Wimpod were not weak to Fire. Dewpider, Wimpod and Sewaddle had means of striking back hard at Rock types. Joltik could deal with Flying types. "They seem to cover each other fairly well, type wise" he continued.
There was a seventh pokemon, but Doug didn't seem to want to reveal it. Edwin thought that was probably for the best, he probably had a good reason why. "Not that I want to see the other pokemon if it would cause trouble, but, what's the other one that you have?" he asked, curious to know more.
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Doug Freeman
Gym Leader
305 Posts
42 Likes
|
"I got this." And so he didn't.
Posts: 305
Likes: 42
Class 1: Type Expert [Bug]
Class 2: Type Expert [Fighting]
Class 3: Martial Artist
EXP: 37
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Post by Doug Freeman on Jan 25, 2018 10:46:16 GMT -6
B O O K S "Thanks!" Said the boy, puffing his chest a tad at the praise. He'll take anything he could get, clearly. "I prefer Bug type Master, mind you," He said with a wink, "But I'll let that pass cause I like you." He said, reaching up to catch Ledyba as he nearly sailed by. "Stop that. We are gonna get kicked out at this rate." He chastised the curious ledybug, before gently pushing it towards Edwin, Arkady and Sewaddle. "Socialize or something." Speaking of whom. Sewaddle gave Arkady a look that clearly said that it thought the question was dumb, a brow tilted. She was testing and memorizing the fabric so she could replicate it later, duh. Didn't he know anything about fashion? She vivaciously flicked her leaf as if it were hair immediately after. Ledyba promptly and softly bonked her in the head with a knuckle, shaking his other hands apologetically after while the tiny diva began to rant at him irritably. While the 'children' 'played', Doug and Edwin talked real adult stuff. Like Competitive teams and problem children. "Yeah, I had to go looking for most of these little guys." He said, reaching down to pet Joltik, who laid lazily on top of the napping Larvesta. "Though I love bugs, I'm not blind to their... weaknesses." He said, pursing his lips. "There's a lot I have to look out for when thinking about making the team." It was a fun, if sometimes frustrating mental exercise, to try and make teams as balanced against the glaring bug type weaknesses as possible. "Can't prepare for everything though, so I gotta have faith in 'em." He tilted his head slightly. " Aaand make sure they are well trained." No amount of preparation would help a weak team after all. Eventually, Edwin inquired in the nature of his last pokemon. He supposed if he didn't bother hiding the last Net ball, of course Edwin would just ask. "It's a Scyther. She's not violent or anything." Well, not outside of the field anyways. "She's just, uh... Independent." Well, that was an accurate, if understated way of putting it. "She likes to do as she pleases most of the time." Most of the time being, to date, all of the time. He could ask for something, but it usually only worked outside of battle. He shook his head. "But she's not a troublemaker, so maybe I'll let her out later." He said. "So! Whatcha gonna do from here?" He said from the couch, his elbows on his thighs and his head propped on his hands as he leaned forward. "I was thinking about scouting the Cyngi City Gym later." Then, he would need to resume his journey back to Shaula. He wasn't sure of why his mother wanted to see him, but she could wait just a little longer, he felt.
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Edwin Armadale
Trainer
68 Posts
4 Likes
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Posts: 68
Likes: 4
Class 1: Type Expert [Flying]
Class 2: Tactician
Class 3: Researcher
EXP: 19
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Post by Edwin Armadale on Jan 27, 2018 9:11:41 GMT -6
"Ah... right" Edwin said, noting that the boy seemed to be quite prideful of being a type specialist. Especially when they preferred the title 'master' over 'specialist'. Although even though he had over six bug type pokemon, Edwin would have to see more prowess than he had seen so far than to say "master" rather than "specialist". But given his misgivings about battling at this stage, he didn't really want to test that himself.
Arkady was a little exasperated when the Sewaddle didn't seem to see the issue at nibbling his trainer's trousers, but thankfully Ledyba was around to make her see sense.
Edwin then understood Doug's method. "Of course, it's hard to find time to train all of them" he said. Although this was spoken from what he had heard of other trainers' experiences. "I hope when I have a full team I'd be able to do that" he mused.
The final pokemon appeared to be a Scyther. Edwin's eyes widened a little. "Wow, amazing, that's meant to be kind of a rare bug pokemon isn't she?" he asked. Edwin hadn't seen a Scyther, but supposed it would be for the best. They seemed to have many frightening attacks, and if Doug himself didn't release her for fear of what would happen, well, that was okay in his books.
Doug asked what he was going to do now. Edwin pondered, then answered. "I'm probably gonna head up to Nair City tomorrow" he said. "That place has some interesting museums, so hopefully I can learn things there. Especially about fossil pokemon, I've always been a little curious about them".
He paused then spoke further. "And I guess, on the way, I'm gonna look for more pokemon. I do want to eventually challenge a gym, and the best way to do that is try to catch a proper team of pokemon, right?". He doubted he'd win a badge with only two pokemon after all.
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Doug Freeman
Gym Leader
305 Posts
42 Likes
|
"I got this." And so he didn't.
Posts: 305
Likes: 42
Class 1: Type Expert [Bug]
Class 2: Type Expert [Fighting]
Class 3: Martial Artist
EXP: 37
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Post by Doug Freeman on Jan 30, 2018 14:49:28 GMT -6
B O O K S Doug seemed content that Edwin didn't argue him over the title, regardless of how unlikely it was for it to apply to a boy that had admitted to not having a whole lot of experience just moments earlier. "You'll find the time. Or make it, if ya have to. Can't slow down if you wanna take a crack at the gym challenge." He said with a grin as he pushed off the couch to stand up, walking up to Edwin before squatting to grab at the squabbling Sewaddle and Ledyba, both of them held under his pits as he pulled away. Edwin seemed impressed at Scyther, and to be fair, Doug's mind had quite literally been blown when he first came across it. These days he was just tired of having his orders dismissed during combat and even training. "Oh she's rare alright. Don't think I'll ever meet a pokemon with so much... attitude." He said mildly irritably while rolling his eye. "She's a tough fighter, but I'm hoping she starts listening one of these days." Fingers crossed and all that. Edwin's mentioned his plans to advance to Nair City, bringing Doug's hand to his chin. He hummed, lips pursed. He had been to Nair City before; met quite a few people, worked some jobs as a barista, and even scouted the gym a bit. "Actually, you may not be too bad." He commented, glancing up at the bespectacled young man. "I dunno about museums and all that, but Nair City's gym is a fire type gym." He said, before turning his gaze towards Edwin's team. "Your team so far is practically built to handle fire types!" He said, grinning up at the man. "Just gotta add another dude to the team, train them for a bit and you should be set." He then turned away, carrying his still squabbling pokemon to the couch before unceremoniously dumping them both on it. "Me, I was told to return home. Dunno why, mom just said she needed to talk about something important. No point in arguing when she sounds so serious, so I had to pack up and return to central Stellara." He said. "The trip to Shaula from here is a short one, so I thought I could swing by the city and scout the gym, since it was on the route." He snorted then. "Unfortunately, I ain't really equipped to take on a Steel gym right now. Larvesta alone can't go against all of the leader's pokemon, and Scyther is too rowdy to rely on in such an important match." He sighed. His team was still lacking some key players he wanted.
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Edwin Armadale
Trainer
68 Posts
4 Likes
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Posts: 68
Likes: 4
Class 1: Type Expert [Flying]
Class 2: Tactician
Class 3: Researcher
EXP: 19
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Post by Edwin Armadale on Jan 31, 2018 6:38:41 GMT -6
"Of course" Edwin said, getting a bit of old competitive spirit in him as he replied to Doug. "I wouldn't have begun my journey as a trainer if I didn't want to go all the way for these guys. I'd only let them down if I was satisfied with not trying".
Still though, there was something of his old hesitance back. "But still, I don't want to throw them at a spinny blade wall and get nothing in return. I'll make sure they're good and ready before we try a gym" he added.
Edwin then realized why exactly Doug had not released his final pokemon, she seemed like something of a wild one. "I see. Well, all I can say is, best of luck" he offered. No, wait, there was something more. His grandmother had offered some advice when he first voiced his intentions to be a trainer, the advice shone clearly in his mind.
"Remember, while pokemon on paper seem to be your tools, it's not like that at all. They're all their own individuals, each with their own methods of facing the world in front of them. If you truly want to be a pokemon trainer, you will learn to understand and adapt to their needs, not the other way around. After all, in the greater scope of things, all you are is a pile of bone, flesh and blood. The monsters you seek to command meanwhile have the power to rend the sky asunder with lightning, cast fire with only a breath, force the world around them to bend to their will, and so many other terrifying, fearsome abilities. You will not master them unless you understand that your pokemon are living things, just like you, fully aware of the world around them, and not just weapons that you can wield. Learn this, and your journey as a trainer will work out much better".
Edwin then listened up as Doug suggested that his team was well equipped to deal with fire types. Yes, that was true. Both Arkady and Sten could resist fire type attacks. Yet, neither of them seemed to have moves that could do well against them. It was tricky, but Edwin appreciated this advice. "Heh, thanks, I'll think on that" he said. Perhaps he'd best attempt some friendly battles to strengthen his pokemon up before then though, since fire type pokemon could be very scary indeed. But still, since Doug had given him this advice, he felt compelled to give something in return. Namely what his grandmother had said.
Thinking on this advice, Edwin had to ask a parting question to Doug. Even if he had a place to be at this time of the day (namely a takeaway since he and his pokemon were rather hungry). "Say, Doug, I've just thought of something my grandma told me, and, just felt like sharing, I mean no offense" he began, then proceeded onward. "Have you... tried to figure out exactly what it is that's bothering your Scyther?".
He'd leave it at that. Of course Doug was a much more experienced trainer than him, so, of course he'd have something like this under control. Other than that, he probably had little more to say.
"Well, either way, thanks for your help today, Doug, it's been great meeting you" Edwin said. "And once I feel more confident, hopefully we can have a good battle" he added, smiling. He would have attempted to battle today, but, he didn't really want to have Arkady and Sten fall as though they were nothing more than weak pokemon on the path to someone else's victory. No, that battle would come later.
"Ah, right, here's my Pokenav details if you want" he'd offer further. It'd be great to have someone like Doug in his contact list. If not, that was fine too. But he'd exchange details if that were the outcome here.
Either way, after they were done, Edwin would leave the pokecenter and proceed toward a nice restaurant for dinner with his pokemon.
[Thread Exit]
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Doug Freeman
Gym Leader
305 Posts
42 Likes
|
"I got this." And so he didn't.
Posts: 305
Likes: 42
Class 1: Type Expert [Bug]
Class 2: Type Expert [Fighting]
Class 3: Martial Artist
EXP: 37
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Post by Doug Freeman on Feb 3, 2018 12:29:24 GMT -6
B O O K S Doug grinned, giving Edwin a thumbs up. Even when the young man's hesistance came back, Doug couldn't fault him. He hadn't exactly jumped at the first gym himself, either. "Course! I haven't challenged a gym myself yet because of that, too." He said, nodding. "Gotta make sure the dudes are all ready to rumble before throwing them in there; Stellara Gyms ain't no joke." He was confident in his ability to conquer the gym challenge; at his own pace. He was in no rush; even if someone got ahead and became the new champion first, did it really make a difference? Defeating the old or the new champion/s was the same to him. "You too man! I'll be seeing you on the way to the top!" He said, holding out his fist towards him. Bit of a reflex; Dokuro would usually fist bump him on the spot; Edwin had just met him and was probably just looking at him funny for the gesture. The boy cocked his head to the side in confusion when Edwin suddenly decided to throw in one last bit of wisdom, nodding to let him know he was okay with listening. That said, his compliance did little to diminish the blow to his mood the advice brought. It was the kind of advice his grandfather would have given him. Nothing bad with it, but it did imply a few things about the way he behaved, he felt. "... Yeah." He commented after a while. "But I don't think I can do anything about what she desires right now." He didn't know anything about understanding pokemon, but he could sort of understand the body language of his pokemon. Scyther didn't spite him. She didn't even dislike him, he was pretty sure. But she did, however, find him lacking. Of what, Doug wasn't sure. Experience? Strength? Just age? He couldn't know. He just hoped it was something that he could change on his own. Still... He swallowed down the feelings the line of thought brought, shaking his head. "Thanks for the advise, Ed." He said, "It was fun meeting you too; I'm glad I crashed into the fountain." He said, grinning tentatively shortly after, still shaking off the feelings from before. "I'll hold you to that." He said, winking at the taller man. He certainly wanted to see what Edwin had in him. He blinked at Edwin as he offered his PokeNav's details. "Oh. OH!" He exclaimed, before fishing into his pants for his newly made business card. It possessed a simple design, with a black, matte surface and a neon green web pattern dipping into the lower left corner. ' Douglas Freeman, Future Pokemon Champion' It read. The contact info for his PokeNav also happened to be in there. "Here's my contact info too!" He said, before pulling out his PokeNav at writing down Edwin's info, closing it shortly after. "Let's keep contact! Would be fun to meet up and check up on each other's progress every once in a while." He said; it was the system he had set with his best friend; It worked to keep one another sharp, he felt. He waved goodbye as Edwin took his leave, rising his voice to give one last goodbye. "See ya on the flip side, Ed!" He said cheerily, watching the man's silhoutte until it disappeared into the crowd, before turning back to his rambunctious crowd of pokemon. "Well, time to go back home, guys. Who wants a ride on the Bike's Baskets?" [Exiting Thread] I would like to use my Perfect Nutrition trait on this thread.
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CAT
Junior Moderator
148 Posts
3 Likes
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I'm so much cooler online.
Posts: 148
Likes: 3
Class 1: Cat Lady
Class 2: Therapist
Class 3: Food Lover
Class 4: The Cool One
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Post by CAT on Feb 10, 2018 9:43:41 GMT -6
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