serperiority | [S1 Trip and younger Gold, closed to gold

The warm colours of autumnal leaves and the crisp, cool air of the changing season was similar, but not the same as it was in Unova, but even if it was, without him here, it simply wasn’t going be the same. The festival, too, for all the nostalgia it invoked in him, if it wasn’t going to lead him any closer to Alder or defeating him, it wasn’t something he should concern himself with now. He needed to train.
Things like eating sweets or enjoying the sights and sounds of a festival was for children and had no place on an adult’s world, Trip decided, and walked on.

… even with these thoughts, he still paused, briefly, here and there, to take photographs. The beauty of this season was ephemeral and while he no longer had any place here, he couldn’t ignore it or the way it made him feel, even as pursuing his goal overtook anything else…

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From:

gold_drum

"Yeah, I don't. It fucking sucks," Gold says, eyes hardening.

"Region? Uhhh..." Gold takes a moment to think. "Um, not Sinnoh... Joh-toh?" He pauses, glancing around. "Why'd you ask that? Isn't this New Bark Town?" But it doesn't really look like New Bark Town... How far did Gold wander off to? It couldn't be a totally different region, could it? Well, if it was, he's going to just have to deal with that.

"I guess I gotta find a place to sleep," Gold says to himself, not even looking at Trip anymore, and begins to walk off.

From:

serperiority

That’s… nowhere near here! Not to mention, the kid mentioned two different regions.

“Wait, no! Get back here!” Trip shouted, half-commanding, half-desperate.

This isn’t something he wanted weighing on him…

“We’re both in an unfamiliar region! Unless you actually know anything about this Ultern.”

From:

gold_drum

"Huh?" Gold stops when Trip calls after him, looking back. "Whaddaya want?" He glares, tightening his hold on the food Trip gave him. "I'm not giving them back." He mentally debates between opening the packages and eating them quickly or running away, in case Trip looks like he's going to try and take them away.

"Ultern?" Gold blinks. "What's that?"

From:

serperiority

“It’s not about the food. I just want to tell you where you can stay here. The regional professor has a good place, the Pokemon Center also has boarding. If you don’t like those options, there’s a couple of nice hotels too… I can give you the money to cover a short stay until you get settled, you can get food and baths there.”

He didn’t really mean to be rude about it, but Gold sure looked like he could use them. He was just trying to suggest things with enough freedom of choice that Gold won’t suspect he’s trying to kidnap him or something.

Trip sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Still figuring that out, but this region’s called Ultern. Never heard of it or a number of its regional forms before. I’m from Unova, for what it’s worth.”

From:

gold_drum

Gold blinks a few times, staring at Trip as he tells him about the places to stay. But even though Trip's trying to be nice and give him options, the idea of that many options has Gold's head spinning. He doesn't even notice the rudeness.

"Those are all... places I could sleep in?" Gold asks, awed. "And they have food too? Um... Where are they?" He walks a bit closer to Trip, only slightly wary. "I wanna see them!" He's not sure he can believe they're even real without seeing them.

"Oh... I've heard of Unova. That's where they make the movies," Gold says, nodding with recognition. "But I never heard of Ultern before either." He feels like he's on the same level of knowledge as Trip now.

From:

serperiority

“Yeah, been to where the studios are too,” Trip said, smiling faintly. “You can see props and costumes from the movies.”

At least Gold wasn’t suspicious of him.

He hesitated a moment, then knelt down, careful not to touch the ground. Yeah, okay, fine, he was a little prissy, but he just liked to keep his clothes neat and clean.

“I’ll show you. The hotels are a little further off, in Turnbloom city, but the Pokemon Center’s right here in town… there’s also a bistro. Never been to it, but sounds like the name’s Kalosian, you wanna try the food there? Might be Kalosian.”

From:

gold_drum

"Whoa! You can see them?" Gold asks, awed. He might now be under the impression most of Unova is The Place Where They Make The Movies. The only thing he knows about the region is the movies place, and the one person from Unova he knows has seen the movies place, therefore it is all The Movies Place.

~~Keeping your clothes clean? When you could just wear the same clothes until they fall apart? Inconceivable.~~

He takes a step back when Trip kneels down, still a bit careful.

"Kalosian?" Gold repeats. He's totally lost with all these concepts and words Trip's telling him about. Hotel? Bistro? Turnbloom City? Pokemon Center is the only one he's heard before. "Um, if I can eat the food then I'll eat the food? But I already have food so I need a place to sleep until I find my house."

From:

serperiority

“Yeah. Pokestar Studio, near Virbank city… they get a lot of visitors, maybe you can see them someday.”

“Kalosian, the language, as in… like Kalos. Another western region, like Unova. Alright, let’s go to the Pokemon Center. Stay close, okay?” Trip said as he rose back to stand.

It seemed peaceful and quiet enough, there wasn’t much beyond the festival, paths and rice paddies, but he didn’t want Gold wandering anyway. Shouldn’t be too long a walk.

From:

gold_drum

"Huh..." Gold stays quiet about that thought. The idea of going somewhere that far away from home doesn't feel realistic. But then he realizes he's already far away from home, and doesn't know what to think. That doesn't feel realistic, either.

Gold nods and follows Trip. It's a good thing Trip's leading him personally, because Gold would absolutely get lost if he went by himself.

"Ummm... Can I go to the Pokemon Center? I don't have any Pokemon," Gold says, hesitantly, like he thinks he's going to get kicked out.

From:

serperiority

“They’re a rest stop for travellers too. Nurses won’t turn anyone away unless there’s no room,” Trip said. “Besides, I’m a trainer, if we’re together, they’ll probably think we’re travelling together.”

Which… wasn’t too far off, even if it wasn’t planned.

The Pokemon Center was already in view!

From:

gold_drum

"Oh... Okay." Gold nods with determination, coming to the conclusion that he will be kicked out as soon as the nurses can get away with kicking him out, either as soon as Trip's left or as soon as a few more trainers come to stay at the Pokemon Center. He decides to make the best use of his stay at the Center, stealing money and food from anyone he can so he can stockpile for that eventual day.

He measures up the Pokemon Center as they arrive to it, keeping an eye on possible targets or hiding places.

From:

serperiority

Trip misunderstood the gesture as one of trepidation.

“Pokemon Centers are safe places, don’t worry. No one’s going to hurt you. Healthcare and board are both free, so it doesn’t cost anything to stay… the nurses specialize in taking care of Pokemon, but they can clean and patch up little cuts and scrapes for people too.”

Same general principle there.

From:

gold_drum

Well that's a worry Gold wasn't even having until Trip mentioned it, but he nods.

"Wait, Pokemon Centers can heal people too?" Gold asks, wide-eyed. "I didn't know. And it's really free?" If only there was a Pokemon Center in New Bark Town, too. Gold keeps looking around as they get closer to the Pokemon Center, and hides behind Trip's legs once they go inside, glancing back at the door and any possible escape routes besides it. Being inside an unfamiliar house makes him anxious.

From:

serperiority

"It's not what they're built for, but yeah. They'll help humans too if there are no hospitals close enough... depends on the nurse and how serious the injury is, anyway."

When Gold clung to him, he froze for a second, the touch unexpected, but he understood Gold was just frightened and reached down to take Gold's hand. He tugged him away a bit, so he wasn't uncomfortably close, but kept holding his hand.

"... like I said, nothing to worry about. Pokemon Centers are safe, that's basic."

If Gold's too frightened of this place, then, it looked like Trip had to be the one to ask for a place to stay for his unexpected company. It's easy enough!

From:

gold_drum

Handholding? Holding a hand? Gold's taken aback and just lets Trip take his hand, then stares at it confused. He thinks he's held somebody's hand before, but when was that? ...It's nice though. Gold adjusts the food in his arms so it won't fall, and tightens his hold on Trip's hand, following along.

"...Okay," Gold says, but he's going to have to see it to believe it. He's just going along with whatever Trip's doing. He's decided to place his trust on this older kid whose name he doesn't even know, for now.

From:

serperiority

Hand-holding's nice, isn't it? It's pretty much the only kind of affection Trip liked. too

Fortunately, the Pokemon Center had plenty of free rooms, so Trip took Gold to one. Typical of a Pokemon Center's lodgings, there were bunk beds on either side of room, a vanity desk, and even a window. Maybe just a bit on the simpler side, but more than serviceable and roomy all the same.

"Alright, you can stay here. There are other people here who might help you, okay? Ask around, I think the guy running the cafe attached to the Pokemon Center knows a guy—kind of weird, but he'll give you a place to stay, probably... this place is used to getting outsiders like us, they call us Drifted. As far as I know, there's no way for us to get back home, so... you'd better get used to this place, at least until we figure some way out, or maybe we find ourselves back home as suddenly as we came here," Trip said with a shrug. "The nurse knows you're new here too, so you'll get plenty of help."

Was he really just let go and walk off on Gold like that? Maybe. He felt pretty confident that leaving Gold here with food and a place to stay for a while should do the trick.

Maybe he shouldn't have dropped the bombshell on him like that, but Trip was ~~sometimes~~ a bit too blunt.

From:

gold_drum

Gold looks around the room, kind of in awe, but not sure if he's really allowed to use it. He's not letting go of Trip's hand, or the food Trip gave him either, taking some comfort in both.

He nods at what Trip's saying, trying his best to remember all of it. It's a lot. But something catches his ear, making him do a double take.

"Wait, we can't go back home?" His eyes are wide as he considers this. "I can't, even if I want to? That's... that's awesome." He's not smiling, but his eyes are practically sparkling. The idea of not having to go home had never crossed his mind before. "So... So this is my house now! Until they kick me out! I- I'm..." He stutters a bit, eyes glancing around, thoughts going faster than he can manage to put into words. "I'm gonna have to get a lot of money and buy my own house."

That's the conclusion he comes to. He nods to himself, and finally lets go of Trip's hand. It's time to become independent, so he can't cling to anybody. Time to think of ways to make money. Stealing wallets doesn't make enough, so what can he do? Rob a bank? Seems difficult, but Gold is certain with enough time and planning he can figure something out.

~~Yeah, this seems like a kid you can safely leave alone, Trip~~

From:

serperiority

What kind of hellish home did he have to be so happy to never go back? Even if he had his problems with his family, learning that he’ll never be able to go back home…

Kick him out? Buy his own house?!

Forgive Trip the loud, theatrical sigh and facepalm.

From:

serperiority

“You don’t need to buy a house! And they won’t kick you outside on the street… or dirt path or whatever… don’t think this sleepy town’ll ever have a completely packed Pokemon Center, there’s still couches and stuff you can rest on if there’s no beds,” Trip began explaining, crossing his arms. “Have you ever pitched a tent? Or used one of those fold-out ones? That might be easier for you, they’re what…”

Pokemon trainers use? But can a child that young and scrawny even handle roughing it outside? Trip had to think about it. He’s never had travelling companions before, he liked peace and quiet, and going at his own (very brisk) pace, they’d slow him down… but, here, his own journey might have to be put on a temporary hold, aside from possibly challenging whatever gyms they had for a challenge…

Should he take this kid travelling with him?

From:

gold_drum

Gold snaps out of his thoughts as Trip starts talking.

"They won't kick me out?" Gold asks, raising an eyebrow in doubt. "Really? But they won't want me around." Gold sounds so sure about it he doesn't even see the need to explain why. "If somebody better needs this room they're gonna drive me away, or make me use the couch at least."

"They're what?" Gold repeats after Trip trails off. He's never used a tent before, but he doubts they'd be good enough to live in. They wouldn't even keep the cold out in the winter. But maybe they'd be good enough for temporary shelter. Gold makes a mental note to look into tents.

He's oblivious to Trip's thoughts, but keeps staring up at him, observing quietly. He's pretty Trip's not the kind of person who'd hurt him or steal his food, so he's not worried, but can't help but be a little nervous about what he's thinking of anyway.

From:

serperiority

“… why wouldn’t they? Just don’t cause trouble, by stealing or anything, and they shouldn’t want to kick you out,” Trip said, confused by Gold’s insistence they don’t want him.
He felt a sense of pity again, looking at Gold, and without thinking, stepped closer again, lifting his hamd slowly—not to frighten him—and pat his head.

It seemed to him Gold had as low an opinion of himself as he did and without a point of reference other than Alder, he thought patting his head, ruffling his hair a little, might help him feel a little more wanted.

From:

serperiority

As for what Gold was wondering about…
“It’s nothing. I was just going to say, they’re what Pokemon trainers use. And…”

He sighed, not quite so theatrically drawn out this time, although he did run a hand through his hair and clutch at a few locks, nervous and doubtfuk about this undertaking.

“… do you want to travel together? I’ve always been alone on my journey, so I’m not used to taking care of anyone else, other than my Pokemon anyway, so I might not be any good, but… since we’re both strangers to this place…”

From:

gold_drum

"I'm probably gonna steal, so they'll kick me out," Gold says like it's a foregone conclusion. "And I'm an unlikable, shitty brat, so nobody wants me around."

Trip's movements frighten him anyway, despite the slowness, and he glares on instinct, tensing. But because Trip's so slow and careful with his movements, Gold decides to see what he's up to, and doesn't move out of the way. The headpat is... confusing. He looks up at Trip questioningly, not getting what the point of this is. (Also, his hair is definitely dirty and oily, so it's probably not a pleasant experience for Trip.)

Trip's question has him staring at him blankly, and tilting his head a little.

"Why? You don't like me. You called me a dirty little thief and I called you a prissy boy. You don't want me around either," Gold says, matter-of-factly. "I know you're nice, but you don't gotta do all this. You got me food and shelter, so I'll be fine on my own."

From:

serperiority

It’s fine, since he had to kneel earlier, Trip was going to shower anyway.

Gold’s undeniably filthy, but for what it’s worth, Trip does a good job of masking it!

Trip just sighed, shrugging a bit, not knowing how to deal with such a child.

“… you could try not to? Quit the cursing, get cleaned up—the bathrooms usually have showers and stools—and you can live honestly. I’m sure there are couples who want kids that have none. You’re young, so they’ll find you cute for sure. It’s a farming town, so you can even earn work and earn money if you want… adults will generally give children a place to stay for free, though. It’s kind of your right to be taken care of, you know?”

From:

serperiority

Repeating the insult did earn a twitch of his brow and another unpleasant and crooked smile.

“… you are a dirty little thief, you know, but that’s something you can change. You’ve just got to make an effort, this place is giving you all you need to improve, so just take advantage of a good thing and don’t stab people in the back when they showed you kindness.”

He made a big show of flicking dirt off his hand. “Ugh, this is a waste of time and now, I’ve got your germs all over me, so I’m going to shower first. Lucky there’s more than one bathroom, right? Later, pint-sized pickpocket.”

It was a bit hard to tell if calling him “prissy” or “nice” angered him more, but either way, he laid it on thick again.