High and Dry, Second Stop: Zephyr City

[Seiji]

It's quite odd to see the same shocked look on the face of a Pokemon matching the same as the one on it trainer, but at that exact moment, both Seiji and Growlithe had a look of "Oh my Arceus, look at the size of this place!!" on their faces. Honestly, Zephyr city was HUGE in comparison to Pindle Town.

"Growlithe, I think we're gonna be here for a while...." To which his puppy just nodded his head. Finally snapping out of the shocked trance he was in, Seiji looked at a nearby clock and saw that it was currently early evening time-wise, meaning that they better get to a Pokemon Center for the night. Ok boy, we better get going. Last thing we want to do is get lost in the middle of the night." First things first... Just where WAS that Pokemon Center anyway?

[Shadow Slayer]

The size of the town was pretty intimidating, but thanks to your handy dandy town map, you found the pokemon center wasn't too far from you. You also saw there were two pokemon centers and marts, one each on the east and west sides of town.

You entered the pokemon center...

[Seiji]

Everyone was actually still in relatively good health at the moment, considering that they had just left that farm back in the meadow just a short while ago. So Seiji just made a quick stop at the nearby PC to make a switch. He didn't want to leave Dratini behind, but there was a new addition that he needed to take care of. But that will be coming soon enough, but for right now, he needed to get set up for a while.

"Hello, and welcome to the Zephyr City Pokemon center." Just like back in Pindle Town, the local Nurse Joy here was a rather friendly person. "Hello, could I get a room please? Though I might be here for a while...." It didn't seem like she had a problem with supplying him with a room there, as a key was supplied shortly afterwards. It was still early enough, so he decided to walk around the immediate area after returning Growlithe to his Pokeball.

[Shadow Slayer]

You were currently on the western side of town, here in Zephyr City. Outside of the pokemon center, the night rolling in slowly, you saw there was a tall building to the left of you (as you have just walked out of it), a house behind the pokemon center, and straight in front of you, across the street, was a resturant. You could explore these areas first, or if you had a place on the map in mind, you could walk there and explore that area...

[Seiji]

Hmm.... choices, choices. It's getting late, so Seiji didn't want to head to any stores because they might be closed. But the house behind the center seemed like a good place to ask about the city. He would have asked Nurse Joy, but she most likely was busy right now. So, the house it was, as he started to head behind the center.

[Shadow Slayer]

And to the house you walked, getting there in just a couple of minutes. You reached the house and saw it wasn't gigantic, but a small two story house that was painted a lighter brown color. The roof was a darker brown color. Upon approaching it, it seemed there was no one home due to the lack of lights on in the house.

Before you decided to go up and take a closer look at the house, you noticed a "FOR RENT/SALE" sign in front of it. It was up for grabs, it seemed.

[Seiji]

There wasn't any activity coming from the house it seemed, and as Seiji continued closer towards it, the lack of any lights only served to drive that point home. Although, as he looked at the sign that was there, it seemed that anyone could obtain this house as their own.

"Like I had the money to afford a place like this..." The idea was there, but his funds were rather tight at the moment. Though it was definitely something to think about at least. So with that in mind, he walked off to check out the house across the street from this one.

[Shadow Slayer]

You quickly looked both ways, making sure no cars were headed your way. When the coast was clear, you headed across the street to the next house. It was getting darker out, but the street lights were lighting your way just fine.

You came across the next house, in which you knocked on the door, and a middle aged woman answered the door. The woman had light brown hair, looked at you kindly with strangely purple eyes, and you could tell her skin was pretty pale. Maybe she didn't get out too much? But she looked pretty healthy, so that probably wasn't the case.

She was wearing a yellow long sleeved shirt and a pair of purple sweatpants. The woman spoke, saying, "Yes, what can I do for you?"

[Seiji]

He would have to admit, he didn't expert to see someone with purple eyes. Maybe they were contacts, but it might be good for him to just shrug that off. "Um, yes ma'am. I'm new here in town, and I'm curious to know about what there is to do around here. Is there any anything that you might know of?"

[Shadow Slayer]

"Hmm, well if you came here sometime in the morning, I could have possibly taken you on a hot air balloon ride!" She said to you with a chuckle. "Look behind my house."

Looking behind her house, you saw an open looking area, but a fence separated the house from the area. There was...nothing there.

"During the day my workers and I bring together hot air balloons to this area, and give people rides across the city. Aerial Tours, if you will." She said, and then reached into her pocket. She pulled out what looked like a coupon, and upon reading it you saw it said: 1/2 off Bollair's Balloons!

"If you'd like a tour, come in the morning and hand us that coupon. We'll give you half off and give you rides around the city! You only have an hour though. You can fight wild pokemon in the air, or have a battle between trainers. It usually costs $500." She said, grinning.

"So, do you think you'd be interested?"

[Aquarinyoshi]

The woman's attention was on you one second, and then wide eyes behind you another. Looking down a level sixteen and male Delibird was happily bouncing up and down in cheery excitement. He seemed greatly interested in you, poking your leg with his wing and overall brightening the mood of the situation.

"My, what a cute Pokemon!" The woman exclaimed, ready to pick the Pokemon up and hug it. "You wouldn't be willing to trade, would you?"

[Seiji]

"Really?" At her mentioning of the hot air balloons, Seiji looked behind her, but, well... saw nothing. I guess he could see why there was nothing there, guess they had to deflate and stow the balloons at night. But still, he's never been in a hot air balloon before, so that might be fun.

Though, while he had received the ticket, and was thinking it over, there was a couple of light taps against his leg. It wasn't any of his, they were all still resting in their Pokeballs, and as he looked down, he saw a Delibird by his side. Wait, a Delibird? Here or all places? And she wanted to trade him for it?

"Um... well, the thing is.. he's kinda sorta... not mine." He scratched his head a little, but even he had to notice that he was a rather energetic little guy.

[Aquarinyoshi]

Delibird noticed that you acknowledged him and hurriedly reached into his bag to pull out an envelope. It was nicely decorated in bright Christmas colors that stood out among everything else. Delibird kept on poking your leg, obviously wanting you to read its contents. Doing as told, you opened it and read the letter inside:

"Seiji,

On behalf of Team Glacier, I would like to cordially invite you to partake in this year’s Christmas Vacation from the 21st of December to January 1st. During the holiday season, you will be able to enjoy an all expense paid trip to Surge Outlet Network Island where you can partake in festivities sponsored by the natives of SONI and members of Team Glacier. Once you arrive on the island, you will be greeted by one of the vacation coordinators who will merrily greet you, inform you of a few opportunities available to you during your stay, and assign you your suite on the fourth floor of Sun City’s extravagant resort. In your room, you will be provided with an agenda of what will be taking place and when, a few needed necessities for those activities, and your “Secret Santa” which you will be asked to buy a small gift for.

In this letter you will find a piece of parchment asking for your signature, verifying that you will be able attend this event. After you give your approval, please hand the parchment back to my Delibird, who will then present you with a colored orb. This orb is one of few materials needed to participate in a couple of the events. Be sure to keep it and your letter! The letter is your key to acquiring the information needed while on the island which you must flash to the vacation coordinator when you first arrive, otherwise you will be politely asked to leave the premises. These two items combined are your ticket to wintry fun and chilly celebrations, so be sure not to lose them. We can’t wait to hear from you and hope that you attend our frosty retreat in the tropics!

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,
Aquarinyoshi of Team Glacier"

[Seiji]

As he was reading the letter, a curious look was on Seiji's face, as his right eyebrow arched up a bit. Team who? He'd have to admit, he didn't know anything about the whole team situation here in Sharma, but his mind wasn't on that at the moment. Is he reading this right, an all-expenses paid vacation? At an island resort no less? He had to be dreaming, but no, that was his name up at the top there.

Reaching for a pen from his bag, he signed the parchment that came with the letter, then shrugged towards the hot air balloon pilot. "Sorry, I think he belongs to someone already. Can't really trade what doesn't belong to me, I'm afraid." As soon as he finished speaking, he gave the signed piece of paper over to the Delibird for that orb the letter mentioned.

[Aquarinyoshi]

As Delibird took the paper, he immediately broke into a number from "Happy Feet." He grinned an avian grin towards you, beginning to bounce up and down even more, but this time with so much energy and enthusiasm it was almost unbearble. He reached back into his sack once more and pulled out a red gift box with a yellow ribbon. Tearing away the decoration, you looked in and found an enchanting glass orb. It looked majestic like the sunrise, yet sparkled as the sunset. A bright shade of orange that seemed to glow in the light. It was certainly a rare find. Delibird nodded at his work and flew off into the distance, leaving you to stare at the orb.

[Seiji]

That was just one hyper little Delibird there, as Seiji just watched him hop up and down even more now. But he knew what it was for, especially with him almost forcing the box into his hands. And as he opened it, there was an orb alright, and it was the most unusual, not to mention prettiest piece of work he's seen. And now, as he needed to keep it safe, he reached into his bag to place it with his clothes, but a pendant had fallen out of his bag.

"Huh? Where did that come from?" Weird, he didn't remember packing something like this away while he was at home. But before he could pick it up, one of his Pokemon had released himself from his poke ball. Unfortunately, it was Fladia. Even worse, he didn't even give Seiji a chance to say anything, as he had picked up the pendant and started looking at it as he started to fly off.

"Hey, give that back! Sorry ma'am, I'll be here to cash in that coupon soon." He quickly said, as he stuffed everything into his backpack. "Man, that bird is going to give me a headache..."

[Shadow Slayer]

The woman chuckled and waved off to you as you went off to chase your Fladia. The bird was bumbling around in the air, and it didn't seem to have any idea where it was going.

You saw it was met halfway with a Murkrow level 13 and male. The Murkrow cackled upon seeing the Fladia, and prepared to attack...

[Seiji]

Oh, Seiji was really going to give him an earfull for this latest stunt he's pulling, but that thought process started to fade as he heard cackling nearby. Looking up, he noticed a Murkrow close by, looking if he was going to start something. Ok, battle first, repremand Fladia later.

"Fladia, use Gust, then Agility."

[Shadow Slayer]

The Murkrow's body began glowing a dark color, and from that color came a ghostly figure that created a frightening image! But Fladia was unphased. Murkrow's attack, astonish, didn't effect normal types!

Fladia flapped its wings hard, blowing wind at the Murkrow, and knocking it back a notch. Fladia then was surrounded by a thick haze, which returned all stats to normal, but once the haze cleared, Fladia flew around fast, relaxing its body, thus causing its speed to double.

Fladia: , +2 Speed

Murkrow: Less than

[Seiji]

Fladia saw the image, he was sure he was it, but yet, nothing happened. If he wasn't confused enough already, that sure didn't help things. But, to both his and Seiji's surprise, nothing that Murkrow did worked.

"Uh, ok... Another Gust Fladia." He learned his lesson already, don't stress over what seemed to work... at least, not yet anyway.