sunday morning, open

[lurker2]

The olympics were exciting. While she might have been a bit weary of even more people coming to Isshu during this time, it didn't stop her from enjoying the festivities. It was grate for Isshu's commerce. Money was spent on everything. The bazzars that suddenly opened all around Castelia, wanting to get pokedollars from the new arrivals. Hotels were crammed and She had a sinking suspicion that any tents sold at the stores were taken as well.

With a castelia cone in hand, she traveled around the city, watching several kids run by laughing. One or two wondered about where to get the hard to reach castelia cone she held. (To which she replied with the correct directions and gave a subtle warning that they might not end up getting one.)

It wasn't long before she finished her ice cream, and she wondered about the events. She had seen a few of them on the electric bulletin boards, having switched to showing the olympics rather than the news. Maybe she would take a better look at those pokemon contests. She had heard about them when she was in Hoenn but was always far too busy to see one.

But the pokeathlon would be more exciting.

Decisions, decisions.

[surge]

it was clear to surge that the olympics were going to be the pinnacle of his adventures throughout unova. nothing cemented his hopes more than the national event, a beacon of hope for peaceful relations between lux, nox, and an independent sovereignty. hell, he had even sign up to participate. it had been a while since he was in the public eye, even longer since he had a chance to really shine. he'd shine alright! he was more than sure he'd give the nimbasa gym leader a run for her money, if she bothered showing up. which brought up the question; where was she? while his initial plan involved visiting unova before returning to kanto, the whole premise was so he could discuss delegations with his electric colleague. first watson, now elesa. just what had happened to the famed electric four?

was that her?

amongst the heavy crowd, surge felt himself drawn to a particular lady. he couldn't tell who she was, but a sideward glance confirmed that she was not the elesa he seeked. however, there had been a reason he had pursued her. juniper stuck out because he knew her. he couldn't quite remember her name or how he knew her, but that face was simply too familiar. had he seen her before? he had, but where? it was times like these that made surge wish he paid more attention to famous foreigners. well, she was the local and him the foreigner, but you get the gist of it.

should he approach her? on the off chance that he was wrong, there was a possibility that she didn't even know who he was. that would only spell awkward repercussions for the two of them. but, when would be the next time he saw her? he simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to catch her under such a warm atmosphere. if only he could remember her damn name. there had to be a reason he knew her. was she famous? he wasn't sure. he'd have to follow his instincts.

so, with a confident smirk, surge placed himself beside her, standing oh so tall and erect. he didn't dare make eye contact, opting for following her gaze as he took his ambiguous stance next to the unovian leader.

"enjoying the festivities, professor?"

[achroma]

It was very rare that an event would turn up that allowed a scientist with Achroma's certain interests to openly study and observe. Achroma wasn't much of a sports man himself, nor did he enjoy contests though to be fair he hadn't seen many. However, certain events of the Pokeathalon and the battle portions of the contests provided a grand exhibition of powerful pokemon, and that was why he was here.

Achroma loved to see powerful foes in action, and has been attending event after event ever since these Olympics started, gathering data on how powerful or hindered a pokemon can become depending on their trainer, a study that went unfinished due to...personal events. You would think that he would spend more time at the Tournament section as that was where all the action was. However, the professor had no interest in the first rounds of tournaments as it often displayed the minimum of pokemon strength, so he planned to wait them out until the finals.

Achroma had just finished observing a rather intense game of soccer, which he secretly tapped with his data collector for future observation. With a large bag of popcorn in his hand, the professor wandered to the large electric bulletin board that displayed the currently running events. He observed the board intently, trying to figure out which event he should look into next. A few contests were going into their next rounds, that should be interesting though perhaps a bit boring. No strength based pokeathalon events displayed, disappointing. Curses, he just didn't feel up to going to any of the displayed events

Achroma decided to just spend an hour wandering the city and come back when more events would be displayed. However, right as he turned to leave his position, the good professor got caught in an elevated crack and slammed to the ground. How humiliating, his popcorn went flying everywhere and now several people looked upon him with pity and amusement. Yet Achroma didn't seem to be phased. It was his fault for not noticing the crack, thus he would have to suffer the consequences. The good doctor got up without a word, with strangely a smile on his face. Odd indeed, with a roll of his neck he went off toward one of the many nearby benches just under the bulletin board to rest his slightly scraped leg. Can't walk around on a limp can you?

[lurker2]

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The professor was a bit startled, having been lost in her own thoughts prior to the man's arrival, but managed to smooth it out into a impish grin. "Of course. I'm actually regretting not joining in the Pokeathlon now." She turned to look at the man, recognizing him on the bulletin board. Like her, he was a man of many titles.

It didn't stop her from slipping into formalities. "Please, let me introduce myself." She stuck her hand out to him. "Professor Aurea Juniper of the Isshu Region."

After introductions were given, there was a distinctive crack as someone had smacked the ground and the brunette turned around to see, like many others, where it had come from. She spotted someone devastatingly familiar, making his way back up. She had to keep herself from frowning at the site. It was another professor in her region, an old rival, Professor Achroma, looking worse for wear as he garnered a limp. "Hmmm."

If she wasn't too nice for her on good, she might have ignored him and pretended nothing had happened. Instead, she found herself walking towards him. She knelt in front of him, like a mother to a child, wanting to check the wound. "Are you alright?" Clearly, he wasn't, but it never hurt to ask.
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[surge]

"is that right? well, it's different than what most of us are used to."

his smile only broadened when she introduced herself. so he had been right! she was none other than juniper, the unovian professor. he took her hand into a gentle shake, straining his instinct to revert to his deathgrip. it was always so hard to play the gentle giant with members of the opposite sex.

"lieutenant surge," he answered, cutting himself off from mimicing her introduction. there wasn't really a place he belong now, was there? "always good to meet an esteemed professor."

surge too, caught sight of achroma's unsightly display. unlike the others, surge gave him no mind of pity or torment. everyone fell, it was the only way to learn how to pick yourself up. however, as a grown man it was expect for achroma to be able to dust himself off and continue, as he did. there was no rason for surge to interfere, which was exactly why he kept his distance, watching juniper from several paces behind. he wasn't quite done with the professor but achroma needed her more than him.

[achroma]

Achroma leaned back on the bench, sighing as the slight pain on his left leg slowly fled. He rested a hand on his knee and just watched as the crowds changed and shifted with a slight look of amusement on his face. Though, he was more amused about his clumsiness rather then the peoples' useless and short lived interest in his fall. He has been tripping a lot lately, though not as bad as the most recent one. Might just be coincidence, but he never used to trip while he was with Plasma...

Then came a familiar face, a radiant being that filled Achroma's soul with dread and disdain. Professor Juniper, he never thought he would see her again. He also didn't think that if he ever got hurt, Juniper would be the one to come over and ask if he was ok. Odd world he lived in now. He supposed it was just in the spirit of the Olympics or something like that.

Achroma peered at Juniper with his harsh yellow eyes and clenched his knee so that she wouldn't be able to raise the bottom and see his wound. He then said in his always soothing tone, "Professor Juniper, it has been far too long. I trust you've been good." Achroma slowly stood up, the pain returning to his left leg yet he barely showed it. He rolled his neck and said to Juniper, "I appreciate your concern but I promise you it was only a scratch. It'll heal just fine on its own."

[lurker2]

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"I'm sure we've all had better days." The professor evaded. She understood his glare - if the situation were to be switched, even she might have reacted the same - and stood back up again, dusting off her knees.

"If you're absolutely sure ... " Her tone was careful, concerned as always. Even though they had been - were they still ? - rivals, she wouldn't wish for him to hurt himself. Eventually, she let loose a sigh, and went along with it, not willing to embarrass (if she had) the other any further. "I'd like ask the same. How have you been?" The question was surprisingly genuine. The last they had met was when they were both trying to become the regional professor. She didn't quite agree with his methods, and so had the others, and he left soon after. It would seem that the olympics brought up many from hiding.

She turned back to see that Lieutenant Surge was still close behind, "Oh! I'm sorry for walking off like that, Surge." The heat warmed her face as she patted her cheeks lightly and she gave a weak laugh. "Um, yes. This is an old colleague of mine. Doctor Achroma."


notes ... i couldn't figure out what to address him as. went with doctor since you had him up as a scientist rather than a professor. "orz
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[surge]

patiently, surge could only watch as the two kept up with their exchanges. oddly enough, it reminded him of a dear friend he had left at home so long ago. panged with guilt and nolstagia, he promptly kept hismelf silent as he watched them unfold.

only when juniper took the time to readdress him did surge step forward. graced with recognition, he brought himself before achroma by taking the professor's side. "doctor achroma," he addressed, putting out a hand for the standard formal shake. "lieutenant surge of drifveil."

[achroma]

Achroma couldn't help but chuckle at Juniper's apparent concern for his well being. What a preposterous idea, Juniper actually caring about what happened to him. After all, their history has been less than friendly, so why should she show compassion? She shouldn't and Achroma did not expect her to. Thus he felt a bit odd in this situation...though he wouldn't let it get to him. He just simply replied, "Fine. Just fine." to her question in hopes that this moment would soon be over.

He was wrong. Soon enough a rather muscular man came up and Juniper introduced him as Surge. According to Surge's own introduction, he was from Unova, an interesting fact though it wouldn't be worth anything. Achroma clasped Surge's hand, giving it a firm shake before saying, "Army man yes? I can't imagine the current situation that plagues our regions makes you very happy at all." Achroma gave Surge a sly smile before sitting back on the bench.

[lurker2]

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"Driftveil?" Surprise was evident in her tone. So, the Lieutenant was another refugee? Another foreigner who came to avoid the worst of the war. She couldn't blame him, but she did wish she had somehow kept track of all this. It was an unnerving feeling - although she was sure that the Lieutenant was a good man, there were those who weren't.

She folded her arms lightly, a wry smile on her lips. "Well, I hope this isn't a bit too forward." The professor chimed, dry amusement slipping in her tone. If there was one thing she didn't want to talk about while the Olympics were going was the war. However, life didn't seem to work that way. Oh so casually, her old colleague brought it up. "I was looking for the where the Pokeathlon was held. With the hustle and bustle of the big city, it can be a bit confusing." She let loose a wry laugh as she combed a hand through her hair - or well, tried, considering it was still up. "Since you're in the Pokeathlon, perhaps you could show us the way? That is, if Doctor Achroma would like to watch?" Then, taking in the fact a native was asking a foreigner just where the activities were, she added, "Or we could all look at the map and travel as a group?"
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[surge]

"ex-military." was his primary answer, none to pleased with achroma's statement. not to say achroma was wrong with his assessment. if anyone was acquainted with the militastic dogs that ran afoul through both fractions it would be surge. they were vicious and quick to bite, spilling blood as if it was for sport. the very images that plagued surge whenever he slept and left him to his forced amnesia. "i imagine the lack of war bodes you well. soldiers and combatants make the worst patients," he retorted a bit too bluntly. he could already tell that he didn't have a taste for this man. his instincts were rarely wrong, and the man gave off the same sense of sliminess that the rocket scientist did back in his day.

but surge held himself and kept his conduct civil. aside from the smug comment achroma had done nothing wrong, nothing warranting misbehavior from surge. the last thing he needed was to present himself as the aggressive barbarian that achroma thought he was. not in front of everyone here, not in front of professor juniper. the very professor who seemed surprised by his lie. perhaps he had been too forward with claiming a tether to unova but driftveil seemed like a suitable place for the sailor. not like it was true, but hey, it helped him fit in better with the natives.

it was clear to surge what juniper was aiming to do, straying off topic suddenly and gathering them as a group. he didn't oppose it, in fact he had attempted to do something like this much earlier. things hadn't gone as smooth as he planned, which was why he was willing to be as pleasant and easy going as possible despite his thoughts about achroma.

"i'm up for whatever," he stated plainly. he wouldn't be too picky since he figured achroma might be. the very least he could do was balance the spectrum, even if only by a little.

[achroma]

Achroma eyed the former military man warily, a small smile hanging on his face. In reply to Surge's words he said, "I'm actually scientist, I study pokemon, though humans are just as interesting I assure you." His voice seemed somewhat strained, as if he were overly tired, though that might stem from his tumble earlier.

Achroma looked to Juniper as she said they should watch some events as a group. As you may predict, Achroma isn't much for groups. He would much rather go alone, but then again he has been trying to be a better person. Perhaps being around those who are generally kinder will allow some of their kindness to rub off on him...hopefully. It was worth a shot at least, and the good doctor then stood and said, " I suppose there is no harm in it."