Hardships (Open)

[eldes]

"Hoenn!? Are you nuts guy?" Eldes was in a rather stressful situation, a conundrum that has plagued many a traveler over the courses of time. He needed to get to one place, but no one would take him there. Back in Orre, the only citizen ship available (that is a ship that would sneak past the ever strengthening blockade of Cipher) was going to the humble region of Unova. It was a bumpy and rather terrifying trip, but the boat made it to Unova's shores and after the vessel's disposal Eldes and his remaining companions went their separate ways.

However Eldes was not about to rest yet, there was much to be done. Instead of trying to find an open room in a shabby hotel like his former comrades, he wandered the docks in search of a ship that would take him where he needed to go: Hoenn. Eldes has read much about Hoenn in the provided history books in Orre. It was described to be an exotic place where unique and powerful pokemon roamed freely in the wilderness among equally powerful trainers. Yet according to his sources, Cipher now writhes amongst the beauty, surely soiling the region with their endless greed. It is there that his father's legacy must end.

Eldes was foolish though, an ignorant tourist in a world he knew very little about. The war in the mainlands has always been mysterious to the residence of Orre, a romantic romp of heroic trainers battling for something- or-other. If any of them actually paid attention to newspapers, then they would see some of the many horrors that take place during this war...but then again most Orre residents can't read. Eldes has been gifted with such skills yet hasn't looked at a newspaper for several years. Nothing interesting in them. Thus, he has no idea about how horribly damaged Hoenn is and that no one in their right mind would ever try to travel there.

That is why when he finally found a private ship owner and notified him about his desired destination, the sailor was rather spectacle. Eldes however was just as stubborn, "I implore you sir, I have to get to the Hoenn region no matter what. You must understand the importance of my quest is very dire." Eldes' thick Orre accent was rather imposing compared to the sailor's straight edged mainland accent. Yet this sailor was smart, he knew better than to travel to Hoenn, even if he was offered a million Poke he wouldn't dare enter that region's waters. "The answer is no." The man spat harshly, "Now get out of my face before I call the police."

Eldes stared at the man for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. His search must continue. He gave the man a respective bow (even though he certainly didn't deserve it) and went on his way. Eldes walked up and down those docks all day, but had no luck. Soon the sun dipped over the skyline, and Eldes finally began to feel something akin to exhaustion. He decided he would need to find a place to sleep and continue his quest in the morning.

Eldes ventured into the city, and found himself taken aback. Orre didn't have such large cities, and the large population and the bright gleaming lights of the surrounding buildings were a bit overwhelming for Eldes. He wandered for a long while, pondering to himself about how he should have been better prepared. He should have taught one of his pokemon fly or surf, that way he wouldn't have to rely on the fearful. It couldn't be helped, it wasn't like such items were available in Orre anyway. Eldes walked for an hour more before he finally came across someplace quiet. A small park in the center of the town where only a few people lingered. Eldes felt his body shiver, he needed some sleep. With his remaining energy he dragged himself to a lonely bench and sat himself down. Leaning his head back on the cold metal frame, Eldes closed his eyes and slowly fell into the land of dreams.

[pryce]

Pryce leaned slightly on his cane as he slowly walked through the center of the Castelia City park. The Lux Council Member had just finished a short, but important meeting with a group of high ranking city officials. He had traveled to Castelia City to try and persuade the local government to align themselves with the Lux cause. Although technically, Unova was at peace, and not actively involved in the war, that hadn't stopped both Lux and Nox from attempting to persuade them to break their neutrality and join the war on their respective sides.

Of course it was to be expected that even part of the region decided to join in the conflict, the rest could just as easily abstain themselves, which meant that at best it would be best for Lux to focus their resources on only a few cities at a time. One such city was Castelia.

In addition, one of the aforementioned 'resources' was none other than Pryce himself. As a member of the Lux Council, and as the Mahogany Town Gym Leader, it made sense for Lux to send him to Unova as an ambassador of sorts to market their cause to the local population. It at least made more sense than sending an unknown official whom no one had ever heard of. Image was key, was the main Lux motto in this case.

Pryce however was none to pleased about the idea. At his age, any sort of travel was exhausting, let alone between entire regions, and it certainly would help him maintain his composure during the meetings. However, Lux was insistent, and Pryce knew the penalty for refusing this request.

In spite of all of this, Pryce felt that today's meeting had gone relatively smoothly, and Pryce was satisfied with how things were progressing and was already thinking ahead to tomorrows meeting. For now however, he needed to make it back to the hotel where he had been staying. He planned on taking a rest as soon as he had gotten there. As he was walking through the park however, something caught his attention. A strange looking man was sitting on a bench, and appeared to be completely motionless. Pryce decided to investigate this for a moment before continuing on his way. As Pryce slowly approached the bench he noticed that this man appeared to be sleeping.

What struck Pryce as being odd about this man was that his clothes, as odd as they looked, appeared to be in relatively good condition, this was out of the ordinary for the simple fact that by and large only homeless people were forced to sleep on park benches, and the clothes which such people wore were often tattered and dirty. This was intriguing enough to Pryce to compel him to stay and continue this unusual investigation. He lightly tapped the mans foot with his cane and said in a scratchy voice, "Are you sure that's the best place for you to fall asleep?"

[eldes]

Eldes had only been asleep for about thirty minutes when raspy voice brought him back to the world of the living. His eyes flickered under his sunglasses before lazily searching for the source of the voice. It took him a moment to realize that the source was right in front of him, an old man who leaned on a cane. Eldes stared at the man in confusion for a moment, his brain trying to adjust from its exhausted state.

He soon recalled what the man’s voice actually said, or at least the gist of it. “Are you sure…sleep…” Perhaps he wondered why Eldes chose a park bench? Yes that would be the most logical conclusion. Eldes adjusted himself on the bench, leading to the realization that even though he had only been there for a short while, the metal bench was murder on one’s back.

He made a quick effort to crack his back and return it to a more comfortable state and when he deemed himself ready he decided to engage the man in conversation. He let out a hallow sigh before finally speaking, “Forgive me if my presence intruded on something. I have been awake for…a very long time. I found myself too tired to make it to a hotel, so I took refuge here for the night. I didn’t think it would be too much of a bother, but if it disturbs you I shall relocate.”

Eldes’ accent was crackly and strained; he was quite obviously very tired. He felt it necessary for himself to be overly polite since he was foreign to his land. He was an intruder. Eldes did his best to keep himself from yawning, and waited to hear what the old man wished for him to do.

[pryce]

Well, it wasn't that where this man was sleeping was bothering Pryce, that wasn't it at all. The Lux Council Member certainly didn't plan on persuading this man otherwise. What he had stated was merely a friendly recommendation of sorts. One which the man could chose to heed or not. If the man had responded in the negative to Pryce's advice, he would've simply continued on his way and never looked back.

In Pryce's point of view however, the mans response was somewhat neutral, neither heeding nor ignoring his recommendation. What puzzled Pryce about his response was that this man seemed to have chosen to take a nap on a park bench as opposed to a hotel simply because he didn't feel like walking the extra distance to the hotel. Not that this was irritating to Pryce, but it was simply confusing as it seemed that having a nice soft bed to sleep on as opposed to a hard park bench would be worth an extra few minutes of walking.

As puzzling as this was to Pryce, he decided that it would be best not to debate with this man over this matter, and instead said to him, "Oh no, you are by all means welcome to sleep wherever you want. My question was a simple inquiry, nothing more nothing less." Pryce then decided that it would be best to continue this conversation with a basic introduction, so he held out his hand and said, "My name is Pryce Yanagi. I hold a spot on the Lux Council."

[eldes]

The expression on the man made Eldes uneasy. He couldn’t tell if he wanted to thrash him about or give him a hug, a curious one this man. It didn’t much matter how he reacted though, Eldes could adapt to hostility and was too polite to accept kindness.

I suppose the only thing Eldes wasn’t ready for was the old man revealing he had a spot on the Lux council. That was indeed quite a surprise, though it only meant so much to Eldes. He decided to note this small fragment of interest before attempting to be friendly. His face became firm, and his accent became rather harsh as he spoke, “You wouldn’t happen to be one of the fools who allowed Cipher into this war would you?”

Then, in a rather “mood whiplash” fashion, Eldes’ voice became kind again, “Oh I shouldn’t judge you just for allowing such creatures into your domain. All for the better interest of the many I suppose. My name is Eldes Verich, I’m pleased to meet you Pryce Yanagi.” Eldes gave the man a firm handshake before slumping back on the bench. Exauhstion still had a hold on him, but poor Eldes wished to interact with this council member for a while longer. Maybe he can get some information on Cipher’s activity. “So how goes the war? I’m afraid I am rather oblivious, being from an outer region and all.” Eldes waited a moment before realizing he had forgotten the detail of him being from Orre. “How rude of me.” He quickly added. “I am from the Orre region, I’ve been traveling several days without rest in order to make my way to Hoenn. If only it were so easy to get there as it was to get here.” Eldes chuckled slightly before slumping again. He decided it was best to save some energy and let the old man talk for a bit.