Alpha Meetup [Complete!]

[Jane Crocker]

Jane stared at the skyline of the city. She had finally made it to Saffron, probably earlier than any of her other friends. Petting Seb, she made her way down to the Pokemon Center first, taking in the sights.

She wanted to go in and visit Crockercorp, maybe even see if they would let her in on a tour. She had always admired the way they rose to infamy from the small baking company it still manages on the side. But from the looks of things, it was closed for the day. No matter.

She stepped into the Pokemon Center and handed over her Seb to the person at the counter. They assured her he was going to be fine and to just relax while they give him the routine look at.

Sighing, she slumped into a booth at the cafeteria, wondering if she should go and buy some lunch. She had eaten just a while ago and wasn't too--

The rumbling of her stomach interrupted her thoughts. 'That answers that question.' She stood up and walked up to the counter, making sure to stay out of the direct path to avoid anyone else coming to order. She scanned the menu above her head, most of it sounding very good.

When she finally placed her order, she stood off to the side again and pulled out her phone. Scrolling through Pesterchum (seeing as Crockercorp had yet to make a suitable mobile app for Betty Bother), she noticed Dirk was on and decided to see where he was, in case she walked past him and didn't even notice.

-- gutsyGlaceon [GG] began pestering taillowTestified --
GG: Mr. Strider, fancy seeing you online!
GG: I am going to assume that you have finished your little scuffle with Jake, unless this is Lil' Hal, to which I say 'How do you do.'
GG: I'm wondering if you're anywhere near Saffron? I've only just arrived, and it would be a swell thing to know if we could meet up! :B

She stared at her blue font and rolled her eyes at herself. She sounded so... She couldn't place her finger on the darn word, but she knew it was a bit of a negative term and was sure Roxy would have her hide for if this was her she was conversing with.

She left it at that, instead of adding more and waited for a reply.

[OLDDIRK]

TT: Sup, Jane.
TT: It was an interesting embroilment. The kid put up a good fight.
TT: As a matter of fact, I just made it back to Saffron after a little training session. I'm headed to the Pokemon Center.
TT: Do you want to meet up for lunch after I'm done with that? My stomach is rumbling up something fierce.

[Jane Crocker]

GG: Believe it or not, I'm at the center right now!
GG: I just ordered, so I should be getting it by the time you show up hopefully.
GG: Just look for the dorky girl with red glasses and a matching kerchief around her neck.
GG: See you soon :B

[/font][/blockquote]

-- gutsyGlaceon [GG] ceased pestering taillowTestified --

She looked up as she heard a familiar cheery tune on the overhead, and her name being called out. She rushed to the counter and her smile widened as she saw her Sebastian bouncing on his tail.

Thanking them, she hugged her friend and returned to her patient wait for her lunch, trying to ignore the bundle of knots and butterflies in her stomach.

True, they were really good friends, but this was still technically their first real meeting. One of her hands drifted up to her hair, patting down the non-existant mess it wasn't in. Seb gave her a look and blew bubbles at her. She made a face and popped them all.

"I know... I just... I can't help it, okay? I guess I just want to make a good first impression Seb. Cut me a little slack mister." She sighed and scratched behind his ears.

[OLDDIRK]

Dirk looked at Jane's message and smirked. Only Jane would eat at the Pokemon Center when there are so many fine eateries around. Like McDucklett's.

Dirk kept an eye out for the trademark sign as he made his way to the Pokemon Center, and sure enough he found one. The Ducklett on the sign was flying with its wings in an arc that made it look like an 'M'.

The menu here was slightly different from the menu in Unova, but all the classics were still there: The Big Quack, the Blitzle Burger, the McTorchic, the Vanillite Cone... Dirk ordered a Blitzle Burger with a side of Oddish Fries to-go.

His order was ready in about 5 minutes. Quick as per usual. He grabbed the bag and left the building for the Pokemon Center.

When Dirk arrived, he decided it would be better to heal Squarewave before finding Jane. He handed his Pokeball to the receptionist without taking out his Pokemon, which was nonverbal slang for "Give me the healing machine instead of the full checkup." Squarewave wasn't seriously hurt and he was very excited to meet Jane, so it seemed like the best choice.

Dirk looked around the room, then in the direction of the cafeteria. Sure enough, there was a red kerchief. An embarrassingly dumb smile rised on his face as he tried to wave to get her attention.

[Jane Crocker]

Jane had been busy giving Seb some of her special food for him when she saw movement out of the corner of her eyes. She glanced up and through her glasses she smiled brightly. She had to admit, the silly smile on his face seemed a little out of place, considering his quips over the messenger.

She waved back at him as Seb bounced on his tail, hoping to get a better view at who she was waving at. She pet his head and stood up to give him a proper Crocker greeting. She was finally in front of him, and she gave him a friendly hug.

"Mister Dirk Strider I presume?" She grinned up at him as she pulled away. She dropped her arms to her side, her cheeks tinted just the lightest pink.

[OLDDIRK]

"In the flesh." Dirk wasn't used to getting hugs from people outside his family, but Jane's hug gave him a warm feeling.

"Hal told me you were going to be in Saffron. I wanted to sign up for the contest anyways, so I came here. That's what you're here for, right?"

[Jane Crocker]

She shrugged. "I was going to, but I'm not so sure." She led the way back to her booth and her Pokemon, whom jumped into her arms. She pet his head and slipped back into her seat, motioning for him to join her.

"Seb, be courteous and say hello to Dirk." She set her friend down and he bounced over to the redhead.

[OLDDIRK]

Dirk followed Jane to her booth, and Seb was set down on the floor. "Oh snap, it's Lil' Seb. How's it going, little man?" He squatted down and scratched behind his ear.

He stood up and took a seat across from Jane, placing the to-go bag on the table. "Is there a reason why you're not sure, or did you just lose interest?" He unzipped his backpack and took out two orange Fantas, offering one to Jane.

[Jane Crocker]

She smiled and thanked him for the drink as she patted the seat beside her, Lil Seb taking the hint and jumping up to her. She set him on the table beside her tray and gave him more of his food as she mulled over the question.

"It's not that I lost interest. I just... I guess I feel like Seb here is better suited for battles. And he also only knows defensive moves. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't stand much of a chance. At least not until he learns Water Gun or Bubblebeam. Bubble is cute, but there isn't too much you can do with it and with, say, Fake Tears." She shrugged and bit into her set of fries.

"Don't get me wrong, I still want to try contests. I think I might just sit this one out." She offered her rabbit some of her water as she took her own swig of the orange soda in her hands.

"Anyways, how was your trip?" She changed the topic, wondering if his was any better than Roxy's, whom was apparently seasick for the majority of it.

[OLDDIRK]

Dirk munched on his own purple-tinted fries as he listened to Jane. "Huh. Less competition for me, so I'm not complaining."

"Hopefully your Azurill will know some better moves by the time the next context starts." He bit into his burger, pretending to savor the almost mediocre flavor. Nobody liked McDucklett's. People only ate there because it was cheap and fast. How long could he keep Jane convinced that he actually liked their food?

"It was easy as shit. Squarewave beat up a Jigglypuff." He conveniently forgot to mention the Spearow he had to run from since Squarewave was weak to the Flying type.

[Jane Crocker]

She nodded thoughtfully at his words, her face frowning a little. Jiggypuff were cute. Instead she continued her meal.

Once upon a time, her dad had brought her McDuckletts. It was the most gruesome meal she'd ever had to stomach. How was he able to eat it with not even a slight frown. She decided to save him, in her own way.

"Hey Dirk, my dad made me extra cakes, you wouldn't want to share one after we're...done would you?" She asked, inwardly cringing at the word 'done'.

Trying not to make a face at him, she turned her head so that she was distracted. Seb was jumping on his tail and going a little crazy.

"Seb?" The mouse headbutted Dirks leg and blew a few bubbles at him.

"Seb that is no way to treat him!" She grasped the squirming mouse.

"Dirk I am so sorry about him. I don't know what's gotten into him."

[OLDDIRK]

"Cake sounds like a delectable finish to this already bodacious meal." He took an impressive chomp out of his burger to emphasize his point and... promptly spit it into the to-go bag. He couldn't keep up this shit anymore. He took a swig from his Fanta to wash his mouth out, and it tasted like sweet ambrosia in comparison.

Suddenly, Dirk felt a sharp pain against his leg, as if he just bumped it against a coffee table. "Ow!" He looked underneath the table to see if there was a bruise, but Lil'Seb blew a few bubbles in his face. He quickly pulled his head back over the table. "Crap! What's your Pokemon's deal?"

"No, it's OK. I was just startled. If it means anything, I think a Pokemon as sneaky as yours would do well in battle."

A jingle played over the PA system. "Dirk Strider, your Pokemon is ready. Dirk Strider, your Pokemon is ready." He wondered how the receptionist knew his name for a second before remembering that his trainer ID was registered with Squarewave's Pokeball. He made a mental note to rely on potions for healing if he ever found himself running away from the law. "That's Squarewave. Be right back." He got up and made his way towards the front counter.

[OLDROXY]

“Wha’d’ya MEAN you aren’t serving alcohol???” Roxy sounded utterly heartbroken. “I thought Pokémon Centres were supplosed t’be about HELPIN’ the trainier. Do I look like I’ve been helped?” She gave a dramatic sigh, slumping on the help desk. “I’m not angry, just digsapointed with the servig- service.”

“Miss, this establishment doesn’t sell alcohol to the under age.”

“Under age? Oh my God, why do peep keep saying that? My ID is totes valid. ‘Sides, why aren’t kids allowed to drink? We’re given these Pokémon and these big ol’ journeys to go on, but we’re not allowed one little drink to take the edge off?” It was obvious Roxy had already had a little more than ‘one drink’, but she wasn’t exactly about to be reasonable.

“Do you want to buy any of the food and drink options we have available? If not, would you leave the cafeteria? You’re going to disturb customers if you keep this up.”

“Are you implying I’ma ROUDY CUSTOMER? I am soooooo offended. I demand booze as compensation. Actually no, I’ll have one of them sausage rolls. And that cookie.” Roxy carried on grumbling to herself under her breath the entire time her order was being processed, before departing with a muttered “I won’t forget this.”

She stumbled over to the first table she saw, ignoring the bespeckled girl still eating, and ignorant of the fact that she was sitting in Dirk’s seat.

[Jane Crocker]

Jane heard a loud voice from the other side of the hall, and wondered if the staff would be alright—Wait, she wanted alcohol? Why did that sound so familiar???

She tried to ignore it, but her ear kept glued to the voices, and then she heard the girl huffing away after getting her…snacks. She jumped as she saw a random girl (she assumed she was the one that was just angry) sit in Dirk’s seat.

“Um… I’d hate to be a bother, but that seat belongs to my friend, and I’d really appreciate it if—” She stopped when she noticed the girls eye color. If it had been any other color, she wouldn’t have noticed, but it was a striking shade of pink.

“Is that your natural eye color?” She asked the girl, realization dawned in her mind; she only knew one person with that eye color, if said person had been telling her the truth. ‘Rolal?’

[OLDDIRK]

"Thank you for waiting. We've restored your Pokémon to full health." The receptionist handed Dirk's pokeball back to him with a fake smile on her face. "We hope to see you again."

"Yeah, yeah." Dirk had only used a Pokemon Center twice on his journey, but he was already tired of the canned dialogue the receptionists spewed out.

He walked back to Jane's booth and tossed his food in a trash bin along the way. He noticed a person with a familiar pink scarf sitting in his seat. It had to be the same scarf he had seen in pictures of Roxy!

When he got a closer look at the girl, his suspicions were confirmed. "Roxy!? Jane didn't tell me you were coming. What are you in Saffron for?"