Endless Hassle [Trade/Ven]

On the other end of things, Damian had acquired a rather unusual companion—who, for some reason only wanted to view the world in two stark colors: black and white.

He didn’t know what had exactly gone down during the initial conversation between Alexei and the Grass-type, but thanks to his Riolu at least conversing with it—and him eventually reading his Riolu’s aura about what had gone down with the Bulbasaur.

This then caused Damian to furrow his brow out of concern—before looking at the Luxury Ball he was holding in his hands when he thought back on what he read from his friend’s aura.

You think she’ll be trouble down the road? Well, I know you can read the situation loads better than I can; and thank you for voicing your concerns… we’ll see if we can find someone who can better care for her… he thought to himself as he hit the streets of Lacaille.

He knew that there were people who were looking to trade outside of the trading post he knew of, but there was a gambling factor hanging around the trading post. So, wouldn’t it be better if he would look for another individual with which to trade directly instead? At least he could ask questions about the Pokémon that they had, and he could answer questions on the one he would be trading away as well…

It didn’t take too long for him to catch sight of what he recognized as a Noibat (how he’d kill to have one, but he wasn’t having any luck so far) holding up a sign that had a “For Trade” written on it underneath a picture of what he thought was a smaller version of Electabuzz. Hmm.

He then looked around but was a little dismayed to see so many people milling around—he couldn’t risk opening his aura sight in this rush of people, so instead he decided to head towards where the Noibat was flying; eventually ending up in front of what appeared to be a comfortable-looking tree planer that had enough space to seat some people on it. And close to the Noibat?

Hovering near what he guessed was its Trainer. For some reason, though, Damian could pick up a general annoyed feeling coming from the one who supposedly had the Elekid.

Well, better to try than to not try at all… he thought as he then came as close as possible without being an intrusive idiot, and asked, “Do you accept any Pokémon? I may be interested in your Elekid…”

As the other individual enumerated what specific types he was looking for, his eyebrows went up slightly—an almost unnoticeable action by the other, before his other hand went towards his right-side jacket pocket and held onto the lone shrunken marble he’d placed there, apart from where its companions were located on the left-side jacket pocket.

“I have a Grass-type with me. Would that be more your speed? She’s a Bulbasaur,” he offered, finally pulling out his right hand and showing the other the miniaturized Luxury Ball where the Grass-type currently resided.

“What would you want to know about her, if you’re interested? I can offer some information about her personality…” he added a few moments later.

It should be a fair trade on the most part, right? A Grass-type for an Electric-type?

And for that matter, what was with that furry…was that a part of the other man’s jacket, or something else entirely?

Either way, he shoved the rest of the questions out of his head before casting a glance at the Noibat, who’d since landed and placed the sign down near where her owner was seated and was now cleaning its wing.

To be honest? Damian had a lot of reasons.

But he knew that the best way to get around it was to say it in as few words as possible.

“I already have a Grass-type of my own, and I haven’t had any luck looking for an Electric-type so far. I’m looking for team coverage just in case someone throws a wrench my way; and I know Elekid have a powerful final evolution in Electivire, so there’s that,” he began to explain. A few moments later, he then considered the other person’s question about his Bulbasaur’s personality.

“The good thing about her,” he continued as he indicated the ball in his right hand, “…is that she’s an efficient fighter. However, after my Riolu got the chance to talk to her, she’s… how should I put this… militaristic? At least that’s what I gathered. She thinks like a soldier and would definitely follow orders without question. Only problem is that, well…” he trailed off, trying to find the appropriate words to explain the next part.

Letting out a bit of a snort, he then decided to share his interpretation of how Alyosha had ‘informed’ him about the Bulbasaur’s attitude.

“If you don’t mind having a Pokémon that sees everything between just black and white, then I’d say this Bulbasaur would fit your team. Still interested?” he asked the other man a few moments later.

“At least I know she’ll be in good hands,” he began, spinning the small marble in his right hand for a few moments.

Nodding at the other’s suggestion, he then made to follow where he was headed—although for a little bit, at least while they were headed towards the nearby Pokémon Center—he couldn’t help but wonder if that white fur that he’d noticed in the other man’s lap was… was he seeing things, or was it literally sticking out of the other man’s jeans?

Not my business to pry, but now that I’ve noticed it, I can’t get the damned image out of my head… he thought to himself as he understood the other’s apprehensions for not hanging around so many people; was he in a similar boat as he was? Or maybe he wasn’t that people-friendly when it came to handling crowds?

Either way, once they were inside the Pokémon Center, he could still feel the tension radiating from the other man’s aura—despite this with his auric sight being currently closed at the moment—and nodded.

Making his way over to one of the staff, he then made the preparations so that they could officially begin the exchange of their Pokémon, before turning around to answer the last question that had been dropped in his direction.

“Oh. I’m Damian,” he began, feeling it best to mention just his first name.

It felt strange, really.

On one hand, he’d be getting an Electric-type in exchange, something his team seemed to be lacking (he was a little too heavy on the Water-types as of the moment, but there were Flying-types slowly but surely catching up on those numbers), while on the other hand—he’d spent little time getting to know the Grass-type that he was officially trading away so he could at least gain some coverage in other areas.

“She doesn’t have a nickname, you can give her one that’ll suit your needs. I hope she doesn’t cause you too much trouble,” he continued as the Pokémon Center staff took the Luxury Ball he’d handed over to her and dropped it into the machine, which would officially register the Pokémon they were trading away to the other party.

All too soon, he received a Pokéball in exchange, the one which contained the Elekid.

“Oh, don’t worry… I’ve had my experience with problem Pokémon, he should be no different to tame,” he said once he’d received the other containment unit.

Hmm, I’ll have to swap it out for a Dusk Ball or something… should suit him better… he thought to himself after he’d dropped it into his jacket pocket.

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Pokémon to be traded:



For this Bulbasaur, everything is either black or white—there’s no in-between.

Put it down on how she was raised by her parent Venusaur, or other influences entirely, her way of understanding the world is between two colors—black signifying evil; white signifying good.

Why her take on everything is between these two colors, is down to how she understands everything that happens around her.

While this is going to be a problem down the road, it’ll take a lot of convincing that the world is more than just two colors—and that there’s more to that than the two extremes of good and evil.

Maybe down the road she’ll discover the ‘gray area’ in-between everything and eventually let in the ‘colors’ of the world influence her brick wall of a personality; stubborn as she is.

When it comes to battling, she’s clear-cut and prefers not to waste so much motion and action. She wants to get everything done in the shortest, quickest, most efficient method possible.

While this may make her also think like a soldier, along with the personality change down the line, her battle style will change once her reasoning for seeing the world in that particular way is understood.