To Be A Master

[Lin]

"More than likely, Vulpixes do tend to be a bit.. fiery." He said and laughed softly, unable to resist making the joke despite how lame it sounded. Chuckling a little at the mention of why the group of fox-like Pokemon would cause a bigger stir than normal for the city. "Well, now and then a change is needed to ensure nothing becomes boring." Jin teased playfully, though, mentally he sent a little prayer to the people of Blackthorn City. They were going to need all the patience they could get with that group of Pokemon.

Looking at the brunette quietly, Jin listened to his concerned words over the Ninetails health, unable to stop himself from glancing back at the fox-like Pokemon. Emerald gaze sweeping over the nine-tailed fox for a few moments, noting minor scratches and a slight lack of bounce to his step. "At the very least, Kian should rest for a bit," he murmured in shared concern for the fire-fox.

Though, his attention was drawn back to what lay in front of him as they approached the counter, faintly smiling at the woman behind it. A small pang of guilt once again making itself known in his chest at the nurses polite exclamation of their Pokemon's current states.

"Just a second," Jin said calmly, stilling his movements that were lead by the other teen. Digging in to one of the many pockets of his cargo pants, drawing out a length of silver chain, taking a moment to clip it back together securely. Turning slightly towards the two fox-like Pokemon, making the loop of silver spin a bit on his finger before allowing it to go flying towards them. "Soki.."

The small Pokemon tilted her head a bit, looking over to him before taking notice of the silver loop, mewing happily and jumping up to catch it. Setting the chain down on Kian's back for second, before carefully wiggling it over her tail. "Mew!"

"That's my girl." Jin murmured before allowing himself to be lead to the couch finally, sitting down with a wary sigh.

Soki blinked slightly and mewled softly back in reply to Kian, not at all disturbed by the fact they were going away from their trainers.

[Youko]

"They love to cause trouble," he replied with a soft laugh, "they also tend to dislike anyone other then myself and my mother." Zell was clearly amused by this little fact, as well as Jin's comment. Last he had heard, three of the Vulpix decided that it would be fun to torment the local Gym Leader and her Pokemon. He silently hoped that Clair wouldn't be too pissed about it, though he figured he wouldn't hear the end of it anyway.

The brunette watched curiously as the other tossed a chain at his Pokemon. He didn't ask though, he figured that it was probably something personal. Kian calmly followed the Nurse to the back room, happy to have some company this time around.

He calmly sat down beside the violet haired boy and opened his bag to dig inside for what he was going to need. "Luckily, I learned a bit of first aid on my journey," he stated lightly, "When I first left home, I was chased by some angry Beedrill then attacked by some Spearow. Apparently I had wandered into their territory.. I had been tempted to go back home, due to the injuries I sustained, but Kian thought we should continue. He was still a Vulpix then," Zell said softly, with a small smile on his lips, "I was forced to learn first aid for myself, because there wasn't any Pokemon Center's near by."

Zell went quiet as he held his hand out for the other's arm. There was a lot that needed to be done to help Jin, and the trainer was determined.

[Lin]

"Well, no matter the length of time someone is in a young Pokemon's life. They're usually never forgotten, especially, if they happen to make a strong impression. So, it's no wonder the Vulpix are more apt to listen to you and your mother." Jin responded softly, sharing a bit of knowledge from his studies from earlier on in his training.

Sighing softly and looking down at his right wrist, smiling a bit at the sight of the dirt coated silver chain that still clung to it. At one point in time, the two pieces Soki and himself wore had been one whole piece. "It's a good skill to have," he murmured softly, falling in to a mental debate with himself afterward. Unconsciously, the violet haired teen placed his arm in the others out-stretched hand, letting his head fall back on to the back of the couch. Emerald orbs staring up at the ceiling though they were unseeing of the tiles above, internally focused on the memories of his and Soki's journey so far.

"Zell... Wouldn't it be better if I took a shower first?" Jin asked suddenly, realizing that the others efforts would be wasted once he went and cleaned up.

[Youko]

"Hmm, I think your right," he replied as he tilted his head thoughtfully to the side. Even if the Vulpix are with his mother, they still listened to him better then they did the elder woman. A small smile formed on Zell's lips at the thought; he wondered if he should train with one of them so that they could get out of that City that was surrounded nearly on all sides by mountain and rock. He knew for a fact that they would mellow out a bit after seeing some of the world.

The trainer blinked as he peered at the wounds; what had attacked him that could cause this much damage? Well actually, it could have been any large territorial Pokemon. "Yeah," he replied absently as he examined the scratches and cuts carefully.

He was about to begin treating Jin, though he didn't get far due to the other's comment. Zell lifted his sapphire gaze to the Pokemon Breeder before he smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, I guess it would be. That way it'll take less work to clean the wounds as well." He stated calmly. "I have a room in the trainer section of the Pokemon Center, you can use the shower there if you want." The brunette explained as he put what he was holding back into his bag.

The blue eyed youth had actually been staying in Solaceon Town for the past week. He had decided that he needed a little vacation after earning his last Gym badge, though why he went all the way back to Solaceon from Sunyshore was a mystery.

[Lin]

"Well, before I can take a shower.. I need to call my father. So, he can send me money and I can buy some new clothes." The emerald eyed youth needlessly explained, shifting forward slightly and looking over at the other. Smiling lightly but happily at the blue eyed teen, "Thanks a bunch for all this, Zell." Adding a second later, "I was thinking of giving up before we met."

With a plan of action in mind, Jin sucked in a deep breath before exhaling slowly, placing his hands on either side of the couch and pushing himself upwards. Managing to get on his feet after a couple minutes, keeping one hand on the couch arm in order to support his weight a bit with it. Taking a tentative step forward, deciding it was best to take things slow to prevent himself from collapsing.

"You know, the phone looked a lot easier to get to when I was sitting down. I guess after living off of Pokemon food for a while, I've gotten a bit weak."

[Youko]

Zell merely watched the amethyst haired youth with a silent, surprised expression nearly frozen onto his features. He had actually stopped someone else from quitting, just by being nice? The surprise faded into a small smile as the other slowly got to his feet. The brunette tilted his head slightly as he thought about the situation at hand. Jin is the first person that he met so far, that seemed willing to accept his friendship. Anyone else he encountered only wanted to battle, or try to get him to trade his Ninetales.

After a few moments, the sapphire eyed teen stood and slipped an arm around his new friend's waist. He couldn't just sit there and watch Jin struggle. He wasn't that type of person.

Zell turned his gaze to the other for a moment before he grinned, "Well, tonight you'll have a proper meal. I'll cook it myself," the brunette stated, not actually giving the violet haired boy a choice in the matter.

Without another word, the slightly smaller male began to help Jin to the phones.

[Lin]

Surprise made the violet haired boy jump slightly, when the other male put an arm around his waist all of a sudden. While, he had temporarily put his life in Zell's hands, the last thing he had actually expected to happen was allowing himself to actually trust the boy. Glancing at the sapphire eyed teen, a small smile gracing his lips without notice, it wouldn't be a bad thing to put a little trust in this boy it seemed.

It was funny how he had so quickly befriended a Pokemon Trainer, only in his father's stories of his own adventures had he heard of such a thing. May be there really were people in this time, that one could trust without worrying about the consequences.

"I'm sure it'll be delicious!" Jin replied with a grin, placing his arm around the others shoulders and starting for the phones once again with his help.

After a few minutes, he found himself carefully pulling away from Zell, though, he kept one hand on the others shoulder for support. Grabbing the nearest chair and easing down in to it, sighing heavily and looking down at his shaky legs; he really did need to get something more substantial in his system soon.

For a brief second, emerald orbs gazed upon the brunette before shifting to the phone before him. With an equally shaky hand, Jin reached out and pressed the speaker button, he wasn't going to try and hold the receiver in his current state. Without a word to his companion, he started to dial the necessary number.

[Youko]

Pools of sapphire watched the other's every movement. He wanted to make sure that Jin was alright, even though he appeared a little worse for wear. It had been quite a while since he had actually been around someone that he seemingly cared about. All the other trainers that Zell had encountered only wanted to battle him or trade. The violet haired youth seemed to honestly want to be his friend. A soft smile formed on his lips at the thought. His first human friend on this long, seemingly endless, journey.

The brunette remained silent was he watched his new friend call his father. For a moment, Zell felt a small tug of guilt, but it was quashed quickly by relief. If he hadn't showed up, what would have happened to Jin? He didn't really want to think about that. It was never fun to think about such things for the Pokemon Trainer.

As he kept an eye on Jin, he moved to lean up against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He didn't want to seem like he was listening in on the conversation. Even though he sort of was.

[Lin]

Without Zell out of sight for the time being, though, not completely out of the way. Which was a great relief to the young Pokemon Breeder surprisingly. Jin found himself relaxing more fully in to the white cushioned chair, emerald gaze resting tiredly upon the screen in front of him as he waited for his father to pick up.

It took a good five minutes before there was an answer, though, the first thing to be seen on the screen was a Houndoom. And a rather distressed looking one at that. "Doomey.. It's good to see you too. Been taking good care of dad?" He asked lightly, attempting to soothe away the worry written all over the Houndoom's face.

"No, Doomey's been receiving care for his depression instead of looking after me. He started mopping about the house as soon as you left, Jin. Been tryin' to get him to stop acting like a worried mother by helping out the daycare. Just ain't working though." Came the slightly gruff sounding voice, before the Houndoom was pushed out of the way and an almost identical version of Jin appeared on the screen - yet far older.

"And I see he has cause for concern, ya look like you've been trampled by a herd of Miltank. And then thrown about by a gang of devious Aipom." His father commented unhappily, frowning at the teen.

"Dad.. you know Pokemon injuries far too well. I have been trampled by a herd of Miltank and then attacked by a group of Sneasel. Who, decided robbing me was a fun idea as well. Soki and I have just barely managed to get by on the few edible plants and berries we found. And the small store of Pokemon food I have in my pockets out of habit. But I'm okay now.. We're at a Pokemon center thanks to Zell and Kian finding us... Just I don't know where the hell I am anymore, dad."

[Youko]

Zell's eyes widened at the explanation of what happened to his new friend. No wonder he was worse for wear. The brunette was glad that he and Kian had found the Breeder and Soki before anything worse could happen. It seemed as if the two found them just in time. A small smile formed on his lips despite the situation.

The Trainer blinked upon hearing that Jin didn't know where he was. Zell could have sworn he said something about the town name. Or maybe he didn't. He has always been forgetful like that.

After a moment he moved just behind Jin, so that the other's father could see him, "We're in Solaceon Town," he began lightly, "Kian and I found Jin and Soki around Route 209 just out of town. Well.. more like a twenty minute walk out of town." Zell said, rambling slightly. Once he noticed he had started doing so, he smiled sheepishly, "Oh, I'm Zell by the way. Nice to meet you." He said cheerfully.

[Lin]

The elder version of the young Pokemon Breeder smiled lightly at the sudden appearance of the other teen behind his son. The innocent boy had fallen for Jin's little trick easily, it seemed some things never changed with his son - which was a great relief surprisingly enough. Listening to Zell patiently, pushing the distressed Houndoom to the side again as it tried to claim his lap and the screen.

"Thank you, Zell. With my boy's luck he would have ended up ticking off some Seviper afterward and ending up an unidentifiable lump." Mr. Moon stated matter-of-factly, a frown marring his brow as he crossed his arms over his chest. Aged emerald eyes falling to Jin once again, taking in his battered appearance and sighing tiredly. "I'll send ya money, so ya can get a new stock of supplies. And," His gaze turned stern and unwavering, "I'm sending Doomey as well. He needs to get out of the house again, and he'll make sure to keep your accident prone rump out of danger.. Well, as best he can anyway."

[Youko]

The Trainer nodded his 'your welcome' before he wandered off screen once again. He didn't go far, however. He just went up to the front desk to see how Kian was doing. Sure, the Ninetales had only been back there a few minutes, but Zell was worried. Nurse Joy assured him that he had nothing to worry about and told him that Kain and Soki both would be ready in about an hour. She would take them both to his room.

He smiled in thanks before he made his way back to the Breeder. He figured that he could let Jin borrow some of his clothing while he recovered since it wouldn't make sense to try to go to the shop still so injured. Zell gave a soft hum as he leaned against the wall once again.

It was nice to be around another person for once. One that wasn't interested in trying to take Kian away from him, or wanting to battle him to prove his worth. He was tired of that already. Sapphire orbs turned to focus on the other teen for a moment. Zell wasn't in a hurry, so he could travel with Jin for a while. The Elite Four could wait.

[Lin]

"I'm not arguing with you on that, Father. With my string of bad luck since leaving home, Doomey's alert and protective nature will be quite helpful. Besides, I rather miss him as well." Jin said tiredly to his father, shifting in the chair slightly and sighing. He was exhausted from traveling and running continuously with aching muscles, compounded with his numerous injuries it was almost a miracle for him to be conscious still.

"Jin, you can finally relax and let your guard down. That boy Zell is trustworthy, if he was going double cross you.. I do believe he would have done so by now. See if he'll let you borrow some clothes until the money arrives, which should only take a day or two. Until then you'll at least have something clean to wear." Pausing for a moment the older man sighed, running a hand down his face, reaching over a second later and retrieving a Pokeball with a blue flame sticker on it. "This is Doomey's ba-" As he was about to explain who the Pokeball belonged to, he was taken off guard as said Pokemon leaned over activated it himself. The Houndoom turning into a flash of orange/red light and disappearing into the circular container a moment later. "Well, I guess he was impatient to get going. I'll take him to the Pokemon Center as soon as we're done talking and have Nurse Joy transfer him to you."

[Youko]

Zell seemed uninterested in the conversation that Jin was having with his father as his gaze drifted to focus on the other trainers in the Pokemon Center. He absently wondered what he looked like to another person. To everyone else, he must look like a tough trainer, since it wasn't so unusual for others to suddenly challenge him to a battle. Every now and then, the brunette found that he was tempted to use his fists instead of Pokemon, but he never ended up going though with that. It was rude to hit people.

He glanced back to the amethyst haired teen before a small smile formed on his lips. Zell had no problem allowing the other to travel with him. He seemed rather accident prone, so the Trainer knew that he should keep an eye on his new friend.

[Lin]

"I'll let you go now, Father. I need to clean up and hopefully get some rest.. once Soki is free of treatment that is." The amethyst haired teen murmured, an exhausted sigh soon following as he pushed himself forward somewhat in the chair. Already his muscles were protesting the movement, since they had finally received a chance to rest, his calf muscles in particular deciding to exhibit their distaste for the movement by attempting to lock up and cramp. Causing the emerald eyed boy to wince with the pain, pale eye lids hiding the gem colored orbs while Jin attempted to force the unpleasant sensation away by sheer force of will.

"Take care of yourself, son. And remember to keep in contact, we all miss you." Mr. Moon said softly before giving a small wave and ending the call. Leaving the teenager to his own devices and in the care of a seemingly trustworthy new friend.