Intro Post

[snakewithacape]

Edge of Turnbloom City

[A Seviper wearing a number of things hovers at the edge of Turnbloom City. It has a red and orange cape on, is wearing a carry bag, and an amulet is tied around its neck. The Seviper makes no attempt to enter the city, opting only to stare into it, shifting its focus from one thing to another.

And then it catches sight of you approaching, tensing up a little. Unfortunately, if a human happens to approach him, he'll start backing away.]

Shrouded Woods, closed to Non-Humans

[The Seviper doesn't stay there forever. He eventually retreats into the neighboring forest, opting to try and hide from human civilization. Whatever you're doing in the forest, A Seviper enters your view. He quickly notices you, too, and courteously bows down to you, speaking in the language only Pokemon can understand, as all Pokemon can.]

I greet you. It sure is a beautiful day, is it not?

Comments

[goingallout]

[A weird request, but Pikachu seems to get where Seviper's coming from.]

If you're not intending to attack, then you don't have to worry about that.

[Ash meanwhile glances at his Pikachu, wondering what his buddy and the Seviper are talking about. But he hopes that Pikachu is trying to mediate between them. For now, he's just going to figure this out in his own way.]

Look, don't be scared. I'm not gonna do anything to you!

[He reaches his hand out and smiles gently.]

Trust me, Ash means it.

[snakewithacape]

[The Seviper continues to gaze with suspicion and caution as an internal debate happens. He doesn't want to get caught. In fact, this is the furthest thing he wants. One moment he was in Hoenn, the next... here. Is... is this somehow Palkia's fault...? Maybe not, but a Mew DID tell him Palkia was intent on wiping Ilaan before... Anyways, the snake kind of wants to know how he got here and even where here is. And this Pikachu is near a human. IS a human's, Kebi assumes. And right near civilization. HUMAN civilization.

...But... on the other hand... The Pokemon Explorer group he was with... he did have a Huge Thing™ about his paranoia. The Seviper still has to try and force himself not to be. And even though he doesn't understand the words of a human, he still gathers they intent of them.

...Okay. He can do this.]

...I... I'm a wild Pokemon, and I go by the name of- [Not Namaak.] -Kebi. May I ask where I am?

[goingallout]

[Pikachu looks at Kebi for a moment, then to Ash's confused look, then back to Kebi. And he lets out a sigh.]

I don't think he could understand you.

...Sorry, I don't know what you're saying.

[Ash rubs the back of his head. But then his eyes lit up as an idea struck Ash and starts rummaging his backpack. Meanwhile, Pikachu uses this opportunity to introduce themselves.]

I'm Pikachu! And this is my partner, Ash. The humans here call this place "Ultern" and as far as I understand, it's very far away from home.

[It doesn't take long until Ash takes out a couple of Sitrus Berries from his bag. He then offers one to his Pikachu, as if to show Kebi his intent, then reaches the other one out to the Seviper.]

Here! You can have this!

[snakewithacape]

[...Okay. Okay. This human... appears to not want to capture him? Or at least be willing to try to lead Kebi into a false sense of security. He tries shoving the paranoid thought away as he slowly, cautiously approaches.

uh. Though. There's one problem. His tail. Uh... Well, if Kebi reaches over slowly, would that show intent not to actually harm? Kebi will keep his tail flat to allow the berry to be placed on it because no hands.]

[goingallout]

[Initially, he thought the tail is pointed at him which startles Ash for a moment. But after seeing that Kebi isn't attacking, he starts wondering why the Seviper did so. That is, until his Pikachu grabs his attention.]

Pikapi! Chu-Pikachu!

[In Pokemon-speak, he's just directing Ash to hand over the berry. Of course, he wouldn't understand it, so Pikachu holds up his half-eaten berry to Ash and then points to Kebi's tail. Not too long after, the gears in his head start running.]

...Oh! [He then turns back to Kebi.] You want me to put the berry on there. Gotcha!

[Soon enough Ash gently places the berry on his bladed tail, and grins.]

There you go!

[snakewithacape]

[...uuuuuuh... hmm. As time goes on longer and longer without the berry being put on the tail and Pikachu and... Ash, was it...? ...trying to communicate, Kebi internally sweatdrops. Because this is very awkward.

But at last, Ash puts the berry on the tail. Good! After all, eating something straight out of someone's hands was rude. And Kebi's not rude. With a nod, Kebi smiles.]

I thank you. If I may... you mentioned this place was Ultern? Does anyone here know why you, Ash, or I were bought here?

[As Pikachu speaks, Kebi will bring the berry to his mouth, expertly keeping it from falling off, and eating it. Not bad!]

[goingallout]

[Seeing that Kebi has accepted his gift, this counts as a win for Ash. And while things seemed to have calmed down, he wasn't sure if it's still safe to approach, so Ash decides to pull out his Rotom Phone look up the Pokemon's entry in the Pokedex app, wanting to figure things out from there.

And while Ash is distracted, Pikachu answers back after nibbling more on his berry.]

I don't know. [He then glances at Ash with... a slightly melancholic look.] Neither does Ash. We both wish we knew... They said we "drifted" here and then give us sad looks despite being so nice.

[As Ash looks up from his phone, he was just in time to see Kebi eating his berry. And immediately he lowers his phone as he watches in fascination.]

Wow! You're good at balancing things!

[snakewithacape]

["Seviper, the Fang Snake Pokémon. Its swordlike tail serves two purposes—it slashes foes and douses them with secreted poison. This Pokémon shares a generations-long blood feud with Zangoose."]

[Kebi's eyes briefly flicker over to the strange red machine Ash is using, taking a quick peek out of the corner of his eye before just sighing.]

...I've already had two strange adventures, why not a third...? I hope at least this one doesn't escalate to saving the world... again.

[goingallout]

Haha, we can only hope! For me, I wouldn't hold my breath on that. Ash here is a magnet for trouble and we end up saving the world way too much.

[And Pikachu swallows the last piece of his berry.]

But on the plus side, as long as I'm with him, we get to have fun adventures together!

[Ash hums as he listens to Seviper's entry.]

Oh cool, then that tail of yours is pretty strong!

[You know what? It's time to throw caution to the wind and start taking a close look at Kebi. So Ash approaches and reaches his hand out to touch his head and stroke it. Hopefully Kebi doesn't mind being petted, does he?]

[snakewithacape]

[Oh, wonderful. It's not that Kebi is cowardly, not at all. After all, he's an explorer, a job he's picked up recently. Going into unexplored areas does constitute running into danger, doesn't it? It's more like he disliked that large quantity of danger, even if he's willing to help stop it.]

I'm sorry to hear that you've gotten caught up in all of that. Fun adventuring is fine, but when the lives of everyone being on the line can be nerve wracking, if I may.

[Kebi goes to finish the last of his berry as well until he's suddenly petted and whyyyyyyy. He flinches away from the petting and gives Ash a look that says 'please don't demean me like that'. Well, he's trying to hide that as giving a look like that to someone would be rude.]

Er, apologies, but may I ask you to tell Ash not to pet me like that...? I'm afraid it makes me uncomfortable..

[goingallout]

[When Kebi puts it that way, it does sound pretty nerve-wracking.]

You do have a point...

[Fortunately Pikachu didn't need to tell Ash, as the moment he sees Kebi flinch in response, it surprises him and immediately pulls his hand back.]

Ah, sorry... I didn't mean to make you feel on edge.

[He frowns. It's a little upsetting to know that the Seviper didn't like to be petted. Maybe it's because he's still a stranger to him? But for know, it looks like that is a no-go.

Pikachu looks at Kebi reassuringly.]

He understands, don't worry! It's just his way of wanting to make friends with Pokemon, you see.

[snakewithacape]

Ah, I see. I do apologize, but I'm afraid I'm not one to enjoy being pet. I prefer being treated as an equal, if I may.

[Kebi glances at Ash, then at the city. Hmm...]

May I ask a favor? Is there some way to act as if Ash has captured me even though I'm not? It would help me explore the city more comfortably.

[goingallout]

Hmm... [Pikachu takes a quick glance at Ash before looking back at Kebi.] You can try following us around! If you stick very close, then the humans wouldn't suspect you're a wild Pokemon!

I'll lead the way! Just stay next to me and Ash will figure out that you just want to tag along.

[He then jumps away from Ash's shoulder and starts looking at his trainer expectantly.]

Oh right! We better get moving and grab some supplies. We'll be going ahead then, Seviper!

[And so both Ash and Pikachu start walking. Pikachu then nods at Kebi, as it's his cue to come along with them.]

[snakewithacape]

[Kebi gives a polite bow to the Pikachu.]

I thank you.

[Kebi slithers close beside Ash, but not too close. He wants to give off the impression that he's a captured Pokemon, not clingy.]

It's... nice to see a human trainer not really jumping at the chance to catch wild Pokemon.

[Kebi knows that while it is possible that Ash is leading him into a false sense of security, it's unlikely. He's trying not to be paranoid, forcing himself to take a risk like this.]

[goingallout]

[And when Ash notices Kebi coming along, that surprises him for a bit. And like what Pikachu said, the young boy expresses his approval with this, as he smiles at the serpentine Pokemon.]

Oh, you're coming along with us? [Then he looks at his partner.] Isn't that nice, Pikachu? I guess you two became pretty fast friends! Hehe!

See? He thinks we're friends now.

[And Pikachu smiles at Kebi reassuringly.]

Ash is very considerate towards how we Pokemon feel. Or at least he tries to!

We made friends with a lot of wild Pokemon along the way, but most of the time he would only catch Pokemon when they express their wish to join him. So he always leaves them with a choice. It sounds strange for a human trainer, I know.

[snakewithacape]

I must admit I haven't really had contact with humans all that much, I'm afraid. But the few scientists set up in Ilaan didn't seem keen on wanting to catch us, though.

My guildmates and I all believe humans noticing us and where we set up camp would negatively interfere with our affairs, so we try to do our best to avoid them, if possible.

I am appreciative for how empathetic Ash is, though. If this keeps up, I believe he may become my first human friend!

[goingallout]

Hehe, I'm sure he'll be very happy to know that!

[Though what the snake said got Pikachu to look at Kebi curiously.]

Guildmates? What's that?

[Meanwhile Ash remains oblivious to what the two are talking about (although he does wish he could understand them) and continues to walk alongside them. Already they have passed by the city's entrance and ahead of them are streets lined with various tall buildings decorated with colorful flower-shaped pinwheels spinning due to the coastal breeze.

And as they walked, the people don't seem to be bothered by the sight of Seviper tagging along the young boy and his Pikachu. One of them even happily greeted the trio as they passed by.]

Ulsai!

[Ash waves back before continuing on his way.]

[snakewithacape]

[Hmmm... Kebi's very quick to pick up on the success if this lie. This will be very useful to him in the future, pretending to be caught. Just as long as no one scrutinizes this, things should be fine.]

Ah, I'm currently an explorer in a Pokémon Guild. Wild Pokémon work together, and the guildmasters often direct groups, though I only know of two. Lamont, a Smeargle, in Ilaan, and Yancy, an Oshawott, in Hoenn. They're the ones that usually provide the missions and tasks we are to partake in. As I've said, we explore various things, but we've also been directed to help others.

[goingallout]

[Though Pikachu hasn't fully grasped how a guild works, he sure looks impressed as Kebi explains.]

Wow, so it's like going around with your friends and help Pokemon along the way, right? That sounds cool!

[It's then Ash suddenly speaks up to Kebi after looking at the serpentine Pokemon in thought.]

By the way, we're heading to the market to get some stuff for the road. [Ash points to the large building with shop stalls at the front.] What about you? Is there someplace you wanted to go? You've been following us for a while, so I'm just wondering...

He's asking where you're heading to.

[snakewithacape]

I guess you may that that. Provided things don't get too... intense... I believe I'm willing and eager to assist others. Besides, you get to see so many new places!

[As for the matter of where he wants to go...]

I'm afraid I don't really have a specific location in mind. I'm more than willing to just explore. You know, try to map things out, if I may.

[goingallout]

[Pikachu relays the message through his expression by just tilting his head slightly.]

I see! Then I hope you don't mind coming with us to go shopping!

We're going shopping!

[Ash continues walking until they arrive at Turnbloom Market. Inside, there's an assortment of shops lined up in rows ranging from food to textiles to pottery and even some local souvenirs. While it's not too crowded at this time of hour, there are many shoppers that can be seeing passing by and browsing around. Some of them even have a Pokemon or two walking alongside them. And the same goes with the vendors too, with some of the shops having a Pokemon being the one at the front and calling in potential customers to buy their goods.

After some looking around, Ash spots a shop that he needed to go.]

Okay, this is the place!

[At the storefront is a wide assortment of snacks, most of them sundried berries and local delicacies such as Turnbloom Crepes. An elderly woman and her Meowth greets them all before talking to Ash on what he'll be getting for the trip.

While both the trainer and his partner seem focused on shopping, Kebi is free to explore around the market if he pleases. Or he can stick around with Ash for a bit longer too!]