Seeking a God

[halifax]

Well, he had come quite a long way, hadn't he?

It had been an interesting journey. Agiary Town seemed so far away now, and so small compared to some of the cities he'd seen on television and in pictures. He still considered it a holy place -- still kept those memories and the history of it close to his heart, but he knew that a spiritual journey required one to stray far from their comfort zone -- far from what was familiar. And he thought he'd handled it well, so far.

But he was anxious.

Those avatars of fire, creatures that breathed the purifying flames that the gods had bestowed upon humanity as a gift... Could he really hope to possess one? He had contemplated it along the way, whether he would be arrogant to presume such a holy creature could ever be owned, but the thought of it thrilled him. Just the prospect of being in the presence of one made his heart thump against his chest, but to have one as a companion... He wasn't exactly sure what to think. If not a possession, then a guide? Should he believe that he could master the element of Fire through the icons representing it? Or should he consider himself blessed to even have an opportunity -- should he consider himself the servant?

A bit of both, he supposed.

A servant and a master. Equal, but not equal. Anyone else who claimed to own a Fire pokemon surely didn't recognize how fortunate they were to have one; he would be different -- he alone would truly appreciate what it meant to live so close to the flame, so close to the Light.

That is, if he could convince this good Professor to allow him one. People could often be so very fickle.

Just act normal, Halifax thought. Relax. Relax...

He entered with some amount of hesitation, hoping that he was following the usual protocol and not intruding or coming at a bad time. It would be unfortunate to make a bad first impression.

"Hello..?"

[dragon]

Professor Conifer heard a voice in her lab. It wasn't uncommon for her to hear such things. Most of those that started out here didn't seem to know whether they should enter or knock, but the Professor was used to both and neither bothered her. If they knocked, she'd answer. If they entered, she'd greet them. Which is what she'd do now. She stood up and appeared before the young man.

"Greetings. I am Professor Conifer. Yet another person starting their journey into the world of Pokemon, I see? Come with me." She spoke to the lad. She then led him to the back of the lab. In the back would be where all the starters were and the equipment newcomers would need starting out. She pointed to the six visible pokemon before them. "These are six pokemon you can choose from that you can see. However, they aren't the only ones you can choose from." she began.

She then pointed next to the visible starters. Nearby them were three pokeballs. "Those three pokeballs over there are what I like to call mysterballs, because what comes from them is a mystery until the pokemon is released. Anything can come from them, from unique to legendary pokemon." she finished pointing out. She walked away from the trainer and toward the equipment he'd be choosing from afterward. "Oh and Trainers get one starter to choose. Breeders and Coordinators choose two." she added.

archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/7/7c/Spr_5b_252.png [/img]




"When you're done selecting, come choose a bag and a pokedex." she continued. Having explained what the newcomer should do, she took a seat nearby.

Bags:











Bag Items:

X5
X5
x3
x2
x3
x5

Pokedexes:

[halifax]

Ah...

Things were moving really fast.

Halifax wasn't sure what to expect to begin with, aside from what other trainers had told him in passing. He wasn't completely convinced that there was no greater trial, no test of his spirit and mettle that he needed to pass first before he could be in the presence of a demigod, but overall the facility seemed...fairly disappointing? This was no place for a Fire-type Pokemon. They belonged at shrines, in temples, to be adored and worshipped. His brows furrowed; this was exactly why he was here: to give them the adoration that they deserved.

The Professor greeted him right away, though, and that was sort of disarming. Professor Conifer was a very important person, from what he understood, so despite his reservations about how the pokemon were treated, he tried to be on his best behavior; he straightened his spine, took his hands out of his pockets, and was sure to try and stick "ma'am" at the end of his sentences -- but for the moment all he could do was stutter out a yes ma'am and a half before she was leading him to the back of the lab.

His heart was pounding.

Behind that door was an opportunity of a lifetime, and it was coming all upon him just so fast. He had to choose a bag and a Pokedex, which he did first, if only because he was fairly certain he wouldn't be in the right state of mind to make a decent decision after meeting the pokemon. Ultimately, he still hurried his decision, but...well, these things were material, and they would do.



With those out of the way, his gaze drifted to the group of pokemon taking up the rest of the room. The mystery balls were intriguing, but...

...but...

...was....was that...a...

It was. Halifax recognized its image from the books he'd read, the ancient engravings on pottery and shrine walls. He stared at the Tepig in awe for several moments, feeling his skin go numb as he took in that round, porcine shape and those long black ears -- ears which, he'd heard, were made long so that they could hear the whispers of the gods.

It was. so. beautiful.

"L-Lord Tepig," Halifax whispered, and at once he knelt before the fire pig, bowing low enough that his forehead touched the floor. "Please choose me as your servant!"

[dragon]

Professor Conifer watched as the lad chose his gear first. That was...different. Usually trainers, coordinators, and breeders alike would choose their starter pokemon first and then the gear. Well, she guessed someone had to break tradition. Though, it would only get weirder from there. Very, very weird.

The Professor watched in confusion as the kid interacted with the pokemon, specifically Tepig. Why was he calling it "Lord Tepig"? He wanted to serve a Tepig? This kid was layers upon layers of crazy, she thought to herself. Tepig, however, waddled over next to the trainer that chose him. "Tepig." It said then sniffed and rose it's head high, as if offended by the trainer. Oh that was just great, the Tepig was going to be such a...ham.

Tepig paced infront of the boy, head still held high in the air. He was obviously strutting around with pride. Professor Conifer raised a palm to her face and shook her head. She saw some strange things here in the lab, but this was definitely one of the stranger moments here. "You have your equipment and your starter. You can go now." She said simply.



Pokemon Name: Tepig
Gender: Male
Pokemon Personality: Arrogant, Prideful, Oversized Ego, Acts very Regal, Easily Offended, Will give Cold Shoulder to anyone
Pokemon Ability: Blaze
Pokemon Health: 23
Pokemon Level: 5
Move Roster: Tackle, Tail Whip, Heavy Slam

[halifax]

It was done.

Halifax watched the Tepig's reflection in the polished tiles of the lab, admiring how it strutted with such integrity. Yes, this Tepig clearly was aware of its own divinity. This may well have been the first time in its life that it had been given the recognition it deserved.

Perhaps it was too much of an assumption on Halifax's part, but, he was pretty sure that the Tepig wouldn't turn him down. After all, who else would kowtow to it like this? Halifax was committing himself to the service of this young god, and he would make sure that it was treated well.

Moreover, he, himself, would not be taking no for an answer.

But the Tepig spoke to him. To the unbeliever, this may have just sounded like a simple piggish grunt, nothing more than the typical sound of a pokemon of this kind, but to Halifax -- the Chosen One, the last living fire cultist of Agiary Town -- he understood it perfectly.

He was being accepted. Slowly, he lifted his head, eyes tearing up as it set in that he was truly, genuinely being accepted by this fire god, and he bowed repeatedly in gratitude.

"Thank you, Lord Tepig! Thank you! I will not let you down."

Quickly, Halifax got his stuff, and bowed also to the professor, who had made it rather clear it was his time to get going. The fact that she seemed bemused by his actions didn't even dawn on him.

"And thank you, Professor. Now I can start my training...I will be Lord Tepig's priest."

It took everything he had not to break down sobbing in front of the professor, so overwhelmed by his joy at finally meeting his god. But when Tepig -- whose name, he'd divined (not chosen!), was Iroh -- led him outside to begin their journey, he was already hysterical.

And probably would be for some time.

-Halifax exit!-