AvaVillage

[Grey Moonfang IV]

AvaVillage

AvaVillage, a veritable winter wonderland at first glance. Built far in the northern reaches of Organization territory, the town experiences snowfall and freezing cold all year long; because of this the area experiences frequent avalanches, a fact which often cut the village off from the rest of the world by cutting off trade routes. It is for this very reason that the town remains loyal to the Organization, aiding them and the local base of Fort Steele whenever possible. So long as that base stands, the Organization does it's utmost to keep an open supply route.

Despite the location of such a key Organization facility nearby, the village itself is a relatively small and peaceful place. Buildings built solidly from brick and topped with peaked roves line the streets, white plumes of smoke constantly issuing from chimeys. At the entrance to the town stands the Pokemon Center for all to see. A few local shops stand scattered amidst the residential part of town, most of them selling simple things such as food and clothing. At the very center of the town however stands something few would expect in such an isolated location....a Gym.

 

[ifxkedswagg]

A blinding light was what greeted the female as she stepped off the train. She blinked and rubbed her eyes a little sleepily. On the train at the last minute, she had fallen asleep dreaming of home. It had been a nice dream, one that people wouldn't want to wake up from. Shaking her head, she then glanced around. Wow, this place reminded her a little of the adventures in the snow back in the alternate universe where the talking Slowking Regal lived. Those adventures seemed like a far distant memory now. She scanned the horizon, realizing that there were very shops around. How was she going to find the engineer in this place? The gym's sign was what caught her eye immediately but she didn't have time to fool around. Finish the mission before doing anything else. Instead of heading towards the gym, she began walking towards the Pokemon Center. Maybe the Nurse Joy there would be able to give her directions to the person she needed to visit.

 

[Grey Moonfang IV]

The Pokemon Center of AvaVillage was a simple building. A single floor topped with the classic dome-like design of most such buildings. The only thing which stood out about it from outside would be a more excessive use of the colour red then most Pokemon Centers; likely to keep the building visible from a distance during snow storms. The doors though large, weren't automatic; instead relying on the most basic form of operation. A fact made particularly clear by the large PUSH and PULL signs on either side.

The interior of the building was simplistic. Sparsely decorated, the lobby only contained two large white couches on the left and right sides of the room, the counter, and a rather large depicting a flock of Murkrow flying on a snowy day.

Sitting behind the counter on a rickety old stool and silently reading a large dusty book would be one of the most surprising sights of all for a trainer. Pink hair dulled with age and streaked with gray, and sitting slightly hunched against the constant chill in the room, was likely the oldest Nurse Joy anyone had ever since save for another of the family.  

[ifxkedswagg]

Before Riku entered the building, she noticed that it seemed to have a lot of red on it. It stood out against the white snow that surrounded it, which was probably the reason for all the redness. Pausing at the door, she then pushed the door to get in. As she came in, there were a couple of couches visible. The place was really empty and the walls bare except for a large painting. The girl kept the expression on her face neutral but was surprised at the appearance of the Nurse Joy. Was it really okay for her to still be working at that age? "Excuse me, Nurse Joy. Would you be able to tell me where I could find the engineer Snow Grimalkin?"

 

[Grey Moonfang IV]

For a few moments the woman wouldn't speak, not even looking in Riku's general direction. Instead she would simply sit there, slowly turning the pages of her dusty old book. It looked like some sort of old medical manual, one which relied heavily on local plants and Berries. Precisely three times the woman would blink before turning in the direction of the young girl, slowly adjusting her glasses so they stood better over her eyes "Oh!...well hello there deary...how might I help you?" She asked with a slightly tilt of her head and a wrinkled smile. It would seem the aged woman hadn't heard a word the girl had said.  

[ifxkedswagg]

Riku had been standing there, waiting for an answer. Was the Nurse Joy ignoring her? Or was she so engrossed in the book that she didn't hear her. About to start again, the Nurse looked up and blinked before finally realizing that the Academy student stood there. Okay, that was just great. The girl then simply decided that repeating what she had said would be best. "Excuse me, Nurse Joy. Would you be able to tell me where I could find the engineer Snow Grimalkin?"

 

[Grey Moonfang IV]

"Hmm? No no dear, the Snow Gremlins only come out during storms. Yes yes..." The woman nodded slightly, flipping several pages of her book "Nasty little things. They like to cave in roofs and break heaters" The woman nodded to herself as she spoke, no longer looking at Riku. After a moment she would smile and clap her hands "Why remember two years ago when the Center's heater broke because of the little devils; but good ole Snowy dropped everything and fixed er up in a jiffy! Ah bless that girl's heart, it's so nice having that girl around" The old woman stated kindly as she put a hand upon her chest "Sweet girl...but such a scatter brain. Spends too much time in that Gym of her tinkering with machines. What she needs to do is go out and find a good man" The Nurse spoke as if stating fact, then her ramblings continued "I tried to introduce her to my Grandson once, nice boy, tad skittish. Moved the city a few years ago..." Slowly the old woman would blink, turning her head to look in the direction of Riku once more "Oh! Well hello there deary! How might I help you?" She asked with genuine surprise.  

[ifxkedswagg]

The engineer she was looking for was in the gym? She would've never guessed that one. Despite the friendly nature of the Nurse Joy, she really needed to retire and let one of her daughters or something take over. At least in her ramblings, she had managed to tell Riku the information she needed. "No. You've helped me enough. Thanks!" The girl then headed out with a wave goodbye. This time she was heading towards the gym. Glancing at it once for a second outside, she then pushed the door to enter.

 

[Grey Moonfang IV]

Riku's efforts would however be met with a loud clunk, the door hardly budging beneath her. Upon further inspection she would notice this door unlike with the center was fully automatic...more importantly, it appeared to be locked. A fact made all the clearer by a sign hanging upon the door. Written rather messily on a piece of white paper and duct taped to the door, it read as...

"Gone to Fortress. Be back..."

That was it. Not specification of just when the Engineer would be back, likely because even she wasn't certain...or perhaps she hadn't bothered finishing the note for one reason or another. Still, the result was the same. No one was home.  

[ifxkedswagg]

Riku tried pushing into the door and it didn't budge. That was when she spotted the sign on the door. What did her Professor say again? Well she hadn't had any luck at all. Oh well, looks like she couldn't avoid going to the fortress after all. She stood pondering and glanced up. There was something she could see in the distance. The girl guessed that was probably where the fortress was located. Well no time like the present to start walking. This really reminded her of the time she spent trudging through the snow with a broken leg. At least this time it was going to be a lot easier since she had both legs working. Plus she had Sir Aiden to help warm her up, if need be. He knew a fire move which would come in handy if they needed to shelter in the snow somewhere. The girl began walking, flanked by Sir Aiden and the Totodile sitting on her shoulder up the mountain.

 

[Grey Moonfang IV]

The very instant Riku stepped outside of the village she'd find her steps carrying her a lot farther then expected...downward that is. The moment her feet contacted the snow outside of town, the young trainer would soon find herself sinking down to her knees. The wind would begin to howl, striking harshly against her face with the cover of the village's buildings gone. Pines would scatter the landscape, but due to the steadily developed incline of the mountain side none managed to quite cluster together.

She'd find the snow was not soft here, but rather icy and rough, the top most layer frequently frozen over, shattering and crunching beneath each of her steps. Contrasting to the peaceful ways of the village, this was a harsh and frozen landscape.

[10 POSTS TO PROCEED!]

Encounter List:

1 = AMBUSH!
11 = Swinub
12 = Deerling
13 = AVALANCHE!
14 = Cubchoo
15 = Snover
16 = Murkrow
17 = Snorunt
18 = Snow Storm
19 = Sneasel
20 = AMBUSH!  

[ifxkedswagg]

As soon as Riku stepped out of the village, she slipped on a piece of ice. Landing with a thump, she slowly and more cautiously rose to her feet. Ouch, that had hurt. The snow seemed to be made more of a mixture of ice then the soft fluffy snow she was used to. Shaking her head, she pulled the hood up on her head. Wrapping her scarf to cover her face and block most of the icy, wind and hard snow whipping at her face she continued forward. She returned Yoshi to his pokeball even though he seemed kind of happy. Sir Aiden was left out to trudge through the snow with her.

(1/10)

 

[ifxkedswagg]

Riku continued walking through the snow. It was so deep, she had to walk pretty slowly afraid to fall into a hole and never be found. Testing her footsteps one by one, she carefully walked along. The snow was tugging at her and the wind was making it difficult to see and walk. Luckily she had dressed warmly, her usual outfit built for more cold climates like this. She tried glancing around to keep the building in sight but it was near impossible. The girl just kept walking forward, hoping she was going in the right direction.

(2/10)

 

[Grey Moonfang IV]

The crunch of Riku's steps would be met by many more as she proceeded up the mountain, the sound was closely accompanied by the rustling of pine needles upon a branch and against the snow. With the trees spread so far apart however one had to wonder how it was possible for that sound to remain constant as the minutes wore on.

With each new step the young trainer would find the sound grew louder, more numerous. Small flecks of snow would begin falling from the sky as the sound increased in pace...and soon enough the reason would become clear.

At first it would seem that she'd wandered into a grove of stunted pine trees, their branches rustling in the wind...except there was yet no wind to speak of. Suddenly the three feet trees would do a complete 360 degree spin, their branch like arms lifting into the air as they stalked two steps forward, then stepped back. The needles upon their arms would rustle as they moved them within inches of their face.

It was one off the strangest sights in the Pokemon world. Standing together, all facing the same direction with only three at the head of the group, was mass of Snover dancing in perfect synchronization!

[EVENT! ROLL 1D20!]

((Video which oddly inspired this: [CLICK]))  

[ifxkedswagg]

Finding the building wasn't the hard part. It stuck out though barely in the snow. Probably because it was so tall. However reaching it was another problem all on it's own. The more she walked, the farther the building looked. Shouldn't she be getting closer by now. Suddenly she was in an area where the trees were spread fairly far apart. There was a rustling sound that seemed to grow louder as she kept moving forward. Snow was slowly falling from the sky. As she froze, there was a group of trees moving? The girl's brown gaze stared more intently at the group and realized that it was a group of pokemon! What were they doing? As she watched them, it appeared that they were dancing? Maybe? Still uncertain, she just stared and watched as Sir Aiden stood beside of her.

(2/10)