The Coffee is Black, the Nurses Sweet...

[Avidi]

"Thanks, babe."

The smile that the man shared between the nurse was a one-sided affair. She briskly turned, leaving the grungy outcast to his freshly brewed cup of coffee. He drew it towards his face, his adam's apple working frantically to keep up with the stream of hot liquid. He uttered an uncivilized grunt that called the attention of the pokemon sitting beside him dutifully.

The Arcanine was six feet at the shoulder, standard for the breed. It's coat was wild and ragged, the mane streaming down over the forehead in a sheep dog manner that made it hard to return its gaze. Except for more slender limbs and a tighter torso, the Arcanine would have been mistaken for a male. It yawned, finishing with a lick to clear the dribble of coffee that was building on her master's face.

Archer Idlewild reached up and wiped his cheek with the back of his arm, not doing much more than spreading his Arcanine's slime.

"Arcanna, it's my day off... Give me a break."

The look she returned him had an impish smile, given the personal touch of an endearing head tilt. Her master sighed, fingering a small dusk ball that held Clyde, the Rapidash. It was off-setting to see him in such a worried mood, since his whole life style was one of relaxation at the point of no return.

"Well... That's the last time that I am pitting Harley against a water pokemon. I can't believe I gambled our grocery money on that lazy little hound."

He sighed, his rugged jaw jutting out towards the glass entry doors, watching the people walk in and out. He made a mental note that if he needed to do a Trainer interest piece, he would have to come here. They all seemed younger than him; they were all kids with new pokemon, fresh battle tactics, and bright smiles. It brought him back to memories of the Idlewild estate and the very first pokemon he received, a Growlithe.

"Well I'm not THAT old," he mumbled to himself, "I could still try for the Elite Four if I wante-"

The thought was ended abruptly with a snort from Arcanna, who had proceeded to lay at his feet.

"What?"

And so the pair waited.

[wolven]

"Come on, Bruiser!"

The automatic double doors slid open rythmically to allow a young woman and her unwilling pokemon passage into the center.

They were making a bit of a scene but it was pretty crowded so who would notice? Well, probably nearly everyone in the waiting room, actually.

The girl was practically dragging her disgruntled growlithe across the shiny tile floor. The stocky canine had all four paws and rear firmly planted against his trainer's attempts at bringing him through the door. She gave another hearty tug against the leash she was holding and the growlithe slid forward about an inch-and-a-half. Finally giving up for the moment, Marley straightened and wiped a small hand across her forehead.

It was a small blessing that Marley was still dressed in her 'undercover' attire. If she had shown up like this decked out in uniform - well, lets just say that things would have been a lot worse.

"Really, all this for just a simple check up. Its just a precaution. We've had quite a long journey and I just want to make sure you're in top condition!"

Reasoning with Bruiser did not seem to be the answer to the growlithe's fears of nurses and pokemon centers. He merely glared at Marley and scooted backwards another inch.

It was going to be a long day.

[Avidi]

Arcanna the Arcanine opened one of her eyes, the piercing yellow hidden behind the forestry that was her mane. Her tail lifted in the same sweeping motion as her head, turning slightly to get a better view of the ruckus that was occurring across the room. A Growlithe? How interesting... The Arcanine grunted in pleasure of her musings, preparing herself to leave her master's feet and enjoy some much needed company. Well that, and maybe securing her master a much needed distraction from the injured Harley.

Archer twiddled the black and green dusk ball in between his knuckles, all the while wondering about his last battle. Harley was a fast pokemon, but there was no way that he was going to beat a Buizel. The plain, obvious facts said that a houndoom couldn't. His lips pursed, wondering if his ambitions for the naughty canine over-powered his ability to think clearly and strategize...

"Think clearly... Arcanna."

He looked around, his honey eyes reflecting the stinging lights of the waiting room. Was he really that out of his right mind? Then he spotted her; she was making her way towards another trainer.

"Arcanna?!"

Archer swiftly raised himself from the chair and trotted quietly to the side of his pokemon, taking a large handful of her scruff in his right hand. Yet, this move was no good in the end, because the fire pokemon was triple his weight and over-all muscle mass. The weather-worn soles of his sandals slid easily across the marble flooring. With his other hand, he covered his face, slightly embarrased by his own inability to control his companion.

They finally stopped, Arcanna planting herself about three feet away from the Growlithe and its trainer, watching them both intently. She let out a curt snort, swishing her tail.

[wolven]

Bruiser was quite startled to see the larger, evolved version of himself suddenly appear in front of him. At first, he could do nothing but take in the sheer size of this wild-furred creature. She was quite intimidating to the little growlithe but as soon as Bruiser figured out this arcanine was not going to pummel him, his tongue lolled from his jaws and his perky little tail began to wave furiously.

Apparently, Marley wasn't the only one having trouble controlling her pokemon... She watched as the arcanine lumbered towards them, dragging a man behind her. Well, this certainly was a bit awkward. Of course she would have to say something but there was that thing where she wasn't supposed to interact with the locals... She could only muster a sympathetic smile towards Archer, as she wracked her brain for something intelligent to say.

Then, that thing happens that no one really wants to happen when their pokemon is stuck on a leash...

Bruiser decided that since this arcanine appeared to be friendly (and female) that he should have a good sniff. He bounded forward unexpectedly towards Arcanna with a joyful bark, catching Marley quite off guard. She gave a little yelp as she was jerked after the growlithe, nearly landing on the floor but managing to keep her balance. Bruiser wound himself around one of Arcanna's large hind-legs, hoping to reach the usual sniffing spot for canines, (though he could hardly reach anyways) all-the-while dragging Marley with him.

[Avidi]

Arcanna smiled at the hesitation of the Growlithe, bringing out the characteristic cocky attitude that she had assumed for so many years of her life. It only grew to a toothy grin as the other pokemon became interested in her. She stood, mouth agape, her pink tongue lolling like a wet rag out of the back of someone's pocket. The Arcanine shifted her weight to her front paws, extending them in front of herself and watching the unevolved version of herself wind circles around her feet trying to "catch" her scent.

Archer all the while watched, his own foot getting unexpectedly caught in one of the little pokemon's loops. His eldest pokemon, his trusted companion, his motherly enigma; where had she gone? He shook his head, remembering that canine instincts never died. What he didn't expect, though, was being entangled with the other trainer. Another happenstance was that she was female...

He stared her blankly in the face, catching a perfect set of eyes that reminded him of a leaf caught in a noon day shower of sun. His lips parted in a smile, registering her features. A small shake of the head, and he was able to let loose some words.

"Top of the morning, miss. I see you have a similar and great taste in pokepals. Might I interest you in a cup of coffee? Or maybe my name?"

His grin was big, the bushy brows arched high beneath his dark brown curls. Archer had to make the best of even this comical situation.

[wolven]

Marley groaned inwardly. This was all Bruiser's fault. He was always stirring up trouble for her. If only she had chosen a more obediant and sophisticated growlithe, maybe things would've been easier for her. But she hadn't so things were going to get messy.

When Archer became entangled in the growlithe's leash, his weight jerked her forward again and this time she wasn't so lucky at keeping her balance. Slipping on the slick floor, she ended up on her bottom near the scruffy older trainer. He couldn't be that much older than her but it was hard to tell due to all that wild hair! He looked as though he had been living in a forest for a few years, especially with that permanent five o' clock shadow and everything. Still, it wasn't a bad look, really. It quite suited him in a rugged sort of way. Marley might have been slightly intimidated but his yellow eyes looked kind and seemed to light up with his smile.

Bruiser on the other hand was much too interested with Arcanna to care about much else. He sniffed around her feet happily and was nearing that wonderful sniffing spot until Marley planted her sneakered foot firmly over his leash, preventing him from venturing further. Finding he could no longer proceed, he sat down and contented himself with merely staring at the great arcanine with a dazed sort of expression, salivating slightly.

Well, at least that humiliation was over, Marley thought to herself. She looked at the trainer who was now addressing her. It looked like she had no choice but to engage in conversation. One time wouldn't hurt, right?

"Well, I'm not really into coffee but I will take your name. I'm Marley by the way and this... is Bruiser...."

She winced, gesturing to the love-struck growlithe who's tail was now sweeping the floor rythmically as he stared at Arcanna.

"Sorry about that. He usually doesn't act this badly..."

[Avidi]

ooc; Sorry for the short post... Got limited bandwith and internet access time!

"The name is Archer, Archer Idlewild..."

Arcanna watched Bruiser with a bubbly expression that seemed slightly intoxicated. The only pokemon she ever got to see besides the ones she were forced to live with, were ones that she was instructed to battle. Such a change in pace made her giddy, to say the least. Her eyes narrowed and shifted to Archer. The edge of her mouth creeped up into a delighted smirk; he was occupied. Her attention reasserted itself back onto the Growlithe, her neck arching to get in his face. Her slavering tongue extended, leaving a trail of slime from his bottom jaw to furry brow and finally returning to the great cavern that was her mouth. He was certainly cute, she would give him that. The Arcanine made a slight whining noise, tilting her head to the side.

“... And that's Arcanna. I should really apologize to you- I never bother to put her on a leash. Personally, I thought she would get over her pre-evolved stage, but even a firestone can't take the Growlithe out of an Arcanine. Anyways, if I can't get you coffee, can I at least get you airborn?"

Archer extended his arm, slightly bending his fingers in a supportive stance. His smile was still posted across his face, maybe a little less toothy. His last battle was a thing of the past, and his empty pockets were no more than pockets to be filled once more.

That coffee must have had a lot of pick-me-up.

[wolven]

((That's okay. Mine isn't going to be that long either heh))

Oh, yeah. She was still sitting on the floor. Somehow she had forgotten and succeeded in looking slightly embarrassed. Marley looked up at the hand being offered to her. Of course, it was only polite to take it and so she did.

"Thanks," she said gratefully after landing firmly on her feet once more.

"And don't worry about your arcanine. She seems a lot more well-trained than my growlithe. You must be a pokemon trainer, am I correct?"

Fortunately, Marley was too preoccupied to notice the interactions going on between the two pokemon. Bruiser nearly melted into a little growlithe-sized puddle when Arcanna's tongue lathed his face. When he came to his senses, he noticed that Marley's foot was no longer standing on the end of his leash. He was free to move about the country and he was going to take advantage of that opportunity.

He snatched up the end of the leash in his mouth and looked at Arcanna, tail waving excitedly.

"Care to go for a run?"

Of course, with the leash still in his mouth, it sounded a little funny. At his size, it wasn't too hard for him to sneak off. Unfortunately, a six-foot arcanine might have a bit more trouble. Still, he edged towards the double doors, with a mischevious grin plastered on his face. They slid open silently to allow the growlithe passage.

Thank Arceus for automatic doors, Bruiser thought gratefully. He looked back to Arcanna to see if she would follow. It was a terribly naughty thing for a pokemon to run away from their trainer, but hey, even police dogs needed a break every once in a while.

[Avidi]

"But of course, my petite friend. I know a delightful little spot of sand on the Main Coast with our name on it."

Arcanna smiled, taking one side long glance at her master. This would be the first time she ever left him without the supervision of herself or his mother. And yet... It was good to push the chicks out of the nest and to experience the alien feeling that was freedom.

She slinked, cat-like past the Growlithe, slowing to brush her tail lightly across his face. The sliding doors opened completely now with the combined weight and width of Arcanna and Bruiser, the summer breeze carrying the surf with it. The Arcanine stopped and looked over her right shoulder, the wind pushing the shaggy hair so that her yellow eyes were visible. They sparkled with youth and frivolity, one closing in a brief wink. With that, she shifted her weight to her haunches and sprung foward towards the sidewalk, leaving a group of startled trainers and their pokemon in her wake.

[To be continued on the Main Coast board?]

"No problem."

Archer released her hand, casually sticking it into the recesses of his jean pocket.

"Uh"

He really didn't know how to answer that; he was a trainer, but he wasn't. Of course, he didn't want to come off as a pretentious ass for correcting her and flaunting his title. Yet, a pokemon trainer with a level 89 Arcanine lying around didn't sound too convincing.

"Not as well trained as I would hope for the level she's at-" He hesitated. "Yes, I'm a trainer... And the first member of the Elite Four Pokemon League in the Kyoto Region."

It was a proud accomplishment in his life, but this was sort of his week off, his break from trainer battles. Considering he was the head journalist for the Kyoto Pokenews station, he could edit his own publicity so that no images of him were posted. He needed some element of secrecy in his life, especially to avoid the over-zealous "child-prodigy" trainers that sought him out for their own benefit.

Marley seemed well out of her high school stage, so he doubted that she would get too excited. Besides, owning and training a Growlithe is a full time job, so spare time on her part would probably be on a minimum level... No need to waste precious moments battling an Elite on a early, sunny afternoon.

[wolven]

"Wow, really?"

Marley sounded genuinely surprised. Since she was not 'technically' a trainer herself as well, it was hard for her to judge the levels of another's pokemon. She just did not have the training for it yet.

So, this Archer guy was an Elite. She had definitely miss-judged him. Or maybe she was just being a little judgemental. Marley had never actually met an Elite before and she just assumed that they would be stuck-up fancy dressers. But Archer? No, he was way too down to earth and wasn't exactly qualified as a 'fancy-dresser'. All the same, Marley liked him better for it.

"I really never would've guessed," Marley answered truthfully.

"Arcanna must be a lot stronger than I thought then."

Marley turned to once more size up the massive canine but for some reason, seemed to miss her in the crowded lobby, which was a feat in and of itself.

"That's weird..." she muttered. Not only could she not find a six foot arcanine but Bruiser seemed to be missing as well.

She looked quickly back to Archer, a slight strain in her voice.

"You wouldn't have happened to see our pokemon, would you? Because I think they may have... left."

The automatic doors slid shut with an auditory click.

[[That sounds good! I will make one momentarily. I appologize for not posting sooner but my cable was out for a few days so no internet but its back now!]]