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 Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 9:13 pm
On duty, off duty, Osmond's life seemed to be a dull existence either times. Unfortunately, he had taken up his usual station in Katarina, patrolling from the west to east, east to west, keeping the rambunctious onslaught of comers -- new and old -- in order amidst the town square. A loud fountain towered in the open space, milling with Water-type Pokemon as he stood beside it, the bare of his forearm touching upon his side baton. Mist kissed the underside of his jowl on that simmering day, cooling him off, but not drawing him from the fact that, yes, he was still working. It was actually a great temperature to enjoy a few booze, after work, at least. Only another five hours to go.
Sighing, Officer Willis marched on, ignoring the sudden elbow to bunt his knee as two kids chasing each other flew passed him. He forwarded himself to stare out under a nearby cafe's veranda, attempting to look dutiful, when its actuality, the sun had taken its toll on him. Scratching an itch near his chest, he felt the loose crinkle of plastic, and recollected that he had spare cigar on hand for days like this. Osmond almost fished it out of his pocket. Almost. Aren't you trying to quit, Osmond? The thought burbled through his mind like the familiar, dawning voice of a certain professor telling a new trainer not to ride their bicycle indoors. His arm dropped, bumping the baton again, and he leaned against the cafe's brick exterior with a sigh.
Only another five hours to go.
Osiel, his Absol, remained dutifully quiet beside his side, awaiting the moment a command was given to shoot to action. He was highly alert, scanning the area with his piercing, crimson gaze looking for anyone or anything out of the ordinary. Of the two, he was probably the only one doing his job properly. Even when Osmond raised a callused palm up and dropped it onto the Dark-type's head to pet the soft, white fur, the Absol did not budge to rebuff his too-forward advances.
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 9:44 pm
There were a great many reasons Aura was not fond of towns. The largest being the people. She didn't dislike people. Not at all. But in towns like this, there were just so many! She didn't quite know how to handle them. Especially not when all they were to her were colors moving at her face at varying speeds... She truly appreciated the people who walked at a leisurely pace. At least they LOOKED like people and not flying blobs. She did her best to stay focused and try to step around them when they seemed to be on her path, though she brushed the odd shoulder here and there when she was distracted by the aura of interesting Pokemon she'd never seen before leaving her region. She'd long since cast off her jacket and leg warmers thanks to the heat of the day, leaving it in the small pink pack hung loose on one shoulder. It didn't hold much but really she grew up surviving day to day, why change what's working? This left her in the sleeveless high-thigh length pink and purple dress which was a welcome relief from the heat. Her head lifted at the sound of a fountain and a smile spread across her lips. That would be a very good place to rest a while. Not that she'd get far. She didn't notice two children running by, one knocking into her legs. She let out a rather embarrassing squeak as she flailed and hopped forward a few steps to regain her balance. Well... While she did regain her balance, she unfortunately lost her 'sight' "Oh.. not again..." She said in exasperation, walking quickly forward. She fully believed she was walking down the clear street toward the fountain which had been the last thing she saw before her sight went dark. However, the children had very much knocked her off course. Instead she was walking herself right into a wall. Rather, a man leaning against a wall. A gasp escaped her lips as she ran into a warm, muscled chest, eyes going wider then normal and a bright red blush of embarrassment spreading across her cheeks. Her embarrassment however didn't stop her hands from shooting out to cling to his shirt to try to keep herself from falling back from the impact.
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 10:05 pm
Osmond was so distracted even though he was on duty that when he raised his baton to issue a stern warning to the children running about that that should instead walk, he was too late. A young woman seemed to have fallen victim to their advances and, much to his chagrin, he became the obstacle to break her fall. The dark-skinned male's arms rose outward from his chest as the black-haired female collided with it; a look of befuddlement encompassing his face. Recalling that he was still an officer on duty and shrugging off her well-being would not be the gentlemanly thing to do, Osmond cleared his throat, pinched the visor of his uniform issued cap between forefinger and thumb, and tipped it to Aura.
"Are you okay, miss?" he asked in a somber tone, resting his other hand onto her shoulder after slipping his baton back into the loop of his belt. "I hope you didn't hurt yourself?"
At first, Osiel rose to all fours upon the inclination that Aura was going to hurt his trainer. However, after carefully examining the situation and realizing it was the fault of an accident, not an attack, the Dark-type settled himself back to a comfortable sitting position beside Osmond's heel; casting his red eyes out to Katarina's square again.
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 10:32 pm
She quickly stepped back out of his space, the blush still on her cheeks as she lifted her head up toward the sound of his voice, blinking wide unfocused eyes at him in confusion. Even still, she was quick to smile brightly, giving a quick nod. "Yes, I'm fine... I'm so sorry! I though I was walking toward the fountain but... Well you're obviously not a fountain." She giggled, shaking her head. "I ran into the children back there and I think they knocked me off course just a bit... Uhm..." Frowning a bit, she tilted her head to the side listening for the sound of the water. She was rather flustered and knew it was hopeless at the moment to reactive her aura, it would just continuously stutter on her, if it activated at all. She would need to find her calm again first. "I'm sorry to be a pest but... Could you point me toward the fountain? And tell me if anything is between myself and it? Especially if it's something particularly painful." She smiled playfully. "Oh! Here I am asking your help and running into you and I haven't even introduced myself!" She quickly stuck her hand out very nearly shoving it into his gut. "My name is Aura... I'm a bit new to the city."
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 10:52 pm
A low chuckle rumbled from his throat at her light jab, though it hadn't occurred to Osmond the younger woman was setback without sight, so he blinked at her offer until logic rationalized the truth in his mind. A smile spread on his lips as he dipped his chin twice in affirmation to her inquiry. "Of course," he answered in a tone that invoked the good-naturedness of his duty as an officer. "It's what I'm here for."
Though pointing wasn't enough for him, even if the distance wasn't far. What if another obstacle came about that caused the young woman to stumble again or, even worse, get hurt? Instead, he tugged lightly at the strap of the pink bag, emphasizing the need to follow, and laid his hand on her shoulder again.
"Let me guide you instead," he offered. "I'll keep the path clear and hold off any more rambunctious children." He chuckled at this. "If it is fine by you, I mean." Shifting his chin over his shoulder, he added to his Absol, "Osiel, I'll just be over there, okay? Man our post?"
"Absol," the Dark-type said gruffly, not budging a muscle.
"Ah-" He backpedaled before her suddenly erected member stabbed him in the center of her abdomen. "R-right, Aura. Nice to meet you. I'm Osmond. Osmond Willis." He clutched her hand with his own and gave it two firm shakes. "Welcome to Katarina, Zatao."
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Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:33 pm
A warm smile lit her face at the offer of help, and she let go of his hand light to trail her fingers up his arm so that she could take a gentle grasp at his elbow instead, lightly wrapping her hand there so he could guide her more easily. "Osmond... Thank you. Both for the welcome to the city and for the help. It's truly a pleasure to meet you as well. And you Osiel!" She added, tilting her head back to where she'd heard the Absol, giving a little wave in the dark type's direction. "I'm sorry for running into your friend." Turning her attention back to the human, she tilted her head up in his direction in curiosity. "Are you some kind of city guide? You mentioned this kind of thing is what you're here for." It seemed a bit of a strange job to her. And one she'd find quite stressful personally! All those people coming to her for directions and extended company.. No thank you... Still. She didn't terribly mind his company. He had a quite calming presence. That was a bit of a first for her, and she couldn't help but give him an examining look, despite that she couldn't see him. Oh how she wished she could see his aura right now!
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Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 10:31 pm
Osmond cleared his throat to her touch of his arm, sheepishly tugging down the visor on his cap a little to shield his features from the public view. When he finally regained his composure (or what little existed of it, at least; the man couldn't help but think he lost some parts of himself with age), he nodded his head and guided her along with him to the fountain center.
Osiel seemed to pay the woman no mind. He was too preoccupied with actually staying on task that he didn't have time to heed her expressed gratitude. Stern-faced and cold, it was just the type of Pokemon he was.
Osmond shook his head to her at first, but realizing that a bodily gesture obviously wouldn't answer her question, he followed it up with, "No, I'm not. I'm an officer at the precinct in this town. It's my duty to maintain civil order, but welcoming others and providing directions just comes with the job." It was the truth and something he's grown used to. "Speaking of, what brings you to Katarina. Are you a tourist?" He found it a little odd someone with little sight would be traveling alone. "I hope, at least, you have a Pokemon with you? If you're planning on traveling the wilderness, which I personally think you shouldn't, it may be good to have one by your side."
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:09 am
She stumbled in surprise when she heard his occupation, steadying her light weight on his arm out of impulse even as she felt the need to step away from him. "I-.. Uh.. Officer..?" She stuttered out uncertainly, turning to blink up at him nervously. A police officer? The calming man she'd literally run herself into was a police officer!? How in Arceus name did she get herself into these things... "N- no.." She managed to get a smile back on her lips just barely, biting at her lower lip. "I don't have a Pokemon. I came to Zatao with my father about two weeks ago but we got separated in the trip and.. well I've been living around the outside of Katarina since.. Mostly, I think anyway." She said thoughtfully. "I've come near the city a few times but... Well, I'm not very used to large places, and uhm... I guess I thought I was better off in the wild?" She sighed, shutting her mouth. She must sound either terribly shady or like some strange blind hermit... Neither option was terribly good. "I mean, I don't have any money anyway." She tried to justify.. No. Not helping her case in the least. Why was she still talking? Pokemon were easier, they understood living in trees...
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 9:58 am
The rigidity that overcame her body piqued his attention. In particular, like a pungent fume, it smelled so strongly of suspicion even Osiel, a small distance away, crinkled his nose in distaste. Yes, Osmond did have a bit of a history with grunts — one he still couldn't let go of — but he was still an officer of the law. When that little itch in the base of his throat was felt, he couldn't ignore it. It meant there was probably trouble, somewhere.
Yet, Osmond wasn't the one to push the issue — it was Osiel, his Absol. The Dark-type was to his feet in remarkable speed, gusting passed and dodging a few tourists before skidding to a halt beside the officer. His fur bristled on end as he growled at Aura; teeth clenched and curved horn bared at the ready to be used. This start of a tussle garnered a few onlookers.
Hunching his shoulders, Osmond used his height to loom over her. The public pressure to do his duty (now that they were being watched) brought on the gesture. "You're not building a good case for yourself, miss," he said sharply. "Your excuses are... worrisome. Do I have to take you down to the precinct?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:13 pm
She couldn't help but jump at the dark pokemon's rapid approach, her eyes widening in alarm as she tilted her head toward the sound of his growling. Hearing his threat was perhaps more terrifying than seeing it... Absol did not look like the nicest Pokemon to begin with but they certainly sounded even scarier when they weren't sitting there calmly! "I-... No! I'd really rather not... go to the station." She said quickly, a deep frown spreading over her lips as her head jerked from side to side, picking up the whispers around them. Were there people watching!? He hands clasped in front of her nervously, twisting her fingers together in an old habit. "And they weren't excuses... You asked me a question and I answered truthfully." She huffed out a indignantly. Just because the truth was a bit... unorthodox... "Unless Katarina is some Utopia I didn't know about then surely you know not everyone get's to live in homes, officer." She said, just as sharp as he'd said 'miss'. Oh.. Arceus. Was she talking back to him? There went her bad habit of speaking her mind. He was definitely going to arrest her.
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:58 pm
Her stark reply toppled his seemingly iron-clad composure like a tower of children's blocks. "I, err, well, no, that's not what I meant to insinuate," he said gently; silver eyes glancing this way and that at the onlookers attempting to keep their own gazes in cognito and failing miserably. Straightening his spine so he didn't appear ready to fall over at any moment with his awful attempt at intimidation, Osmond nudged the visor of his cap again and said in a lowly audible voice, "Listen, I'm just doing my job. I didn't mean to raise any alarms, especially not around so much people, but... I have to ask questions. So, if would be all right, can I have a few minutes of your time? No more than fifteen, and some place away from the public eye as well."
Osiel's growls deepened and were only quieted by the touch of Osmond's hand on his head. Like a gramophone bereft of its needle, the Absol went quiet, and exchanged his red eyes between the foggy blue of Aura's and his trainer's. "That's enough, Osiel," he said to him. "She's not a threat."
Looking back to her face, Osmond added, "We don't have to go to the precinct if you'd rather not. A cafe or something is fine as well." He glanced at the watch on his wrist. "I have to take a lunch, anyway."
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:47 pm
She tilted her head down as his tone softened again, a light blush spreading across her cheeks. What a confusing man... She began to relax and calm once more, hands shifting to lightly grip at the edge of her dress. She frowned, blush darkening at a particularly loud 'whisper' from the gathered crowed, and she very quickly nodded her agreement. "Yes, please..." She said softly, agreeing, though with a bit of uncertainty still. The fact remained he could have just forced her. He was being kind in giving her options in the situation. It seemed her earlier assessment of him was correct, he wasn't at all like the Officers that she had been used to... "A cafe would be preferable...Osmond." She offered him a slight smile. "I would like to get out of the heat. And... away from the crowd..." She let go of her dress after a moments uncertainty, before holding her hand out for the officer, trusting him not to deceive her, and to lead her to the proper location. "I'm sorry... I can't promise to know the answer to all you might want to ask, but I'll answer anything I can?" She glance unseeingly between where she in-general knew he and Osiel to be, hoping that could be enough. Really she didn't know what he could possibly want to ask her. It's not as if she knew of anything of value, unless it pertained the the ways of aura, but she wasn't even near qualified to teach that so it was useless to question her, and she didn't think he'd noticed her use of it before she'd lost focus. Besides, not many cared for such a lost art. Most even thought it a myth, or a skill specific to Lucario and certain fighting types, if they remembered it at all. So then... Why? She would only work herself into a state wondering. She could only follow him and let him ask to find out.
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 9:22 pm
The public eye was a terrible thing, especially the weight of their expectations. If he hadn't imposed the offer in such a open, neutral way, Osmond was positive he'd have to slap a pair of handcuffs on her and haul her off to the precinct. He couldn't do that though; not to a younger girl who was flushing red and twisting the edge of her dress nervously. He would've found it endearing if he were not tipping the line between too friendly and too unprofessional.
"All right," Osmond said. "And don't worry about it. What I'm going to ask isn't imposing. Just required."
Osiel was promptly withdrawn. There was no better place he'd like to be than back in his Pokeball. His only interest was duty, not recreation.
Gently taking her hand in his, Osmond led her along to the establishment he frequented most. It wasn't a posh or popular area located in the city center where business boomed most. Instead, it was a squeezed into a little nook at the side of a deli, probably owned by the same family. The woman behind the counter -- a stately figure who seemed just a little older than him -- brightened up at his appearance and nodded at him in greeting. He returned the nod just the same. Not once did they exchange pleasantries any of the times Osmond had been there due to his own inhibited nature, but they were at least on a face-first basis. That was enough to satisfy the other.
Seating himself at a table made for two, Osmond flicked off his cop hat onto the tabletop, smoothed a hand through his slicked back locks, and pulled at his uniform's collar as the coolness of the buzzing air conditioner breezed through his form. Just as he was about to ask Aura was there anything she wanted, a pink-haired waitress snapping and chewing her gum with mouthy slaps of her tongue approached them.
Flipping her memo pad opened she pulled from her waist apron, she pressed a fuzzy-ended pen onto one of the lines and asked in a tired tone, "What canna get'cha?"
"Soda with ice, please," he requested. Despite taking his lunch hour, he had lost his appetite after his the previous events with Aura.
"An' you, miss?" the waitress asked, turning to the ebony-haired female.
Strawberry Gumi Bunnyx Hope it is all right I took a teensy time-skip in the post to them at the cafe. If not and you wanted them to talk along the way, do let me know and I'll edit accordingly~
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 9:55 pm
"Okay. I understand." She said, her smile turning more genuine as she relaxed further, letting him lead her to the cafe. Just standard questions as a requirement of his job? Okay... She could handle that. That didn't should too bad at all actually. She was beginning to feel rather silly for how badly she had started to panic, but... Well, maybe she would explain it to him. Or maybe not, that would just lead to more questions... Really where was Luca!? She should not be dealing with humans without his advice. She sighed in relief as the finally entered the nice cool establishment and he led them to what she assumed she was a table. Before he let go of her hand. "You don't have much experience with the blind do you?" She smiled in amusement as she felt her hand out carefully to the table, slowly sliding along the side of it until she found the second chair, before seating herself. She looked to the side at the waitress' approach interrupting them, biting her lip slightly as she looking back away when he ordered his drink, slipping her bag off her shoulder to gently set it onto the floor. "Nothing for me, thank you." She said, offering the other girl a smile, as she trailed her finders along the table, keeping her face down. She halted her wandering hand when her fingers bumped into his hat but... Well, he'd tell her to stop if she shouldn't touch, right? So she curiously run them over the rim of it, feeling out the shape before the found the emblem on it beginning to trace over the gold, her head tilting as she tried to feel out what it was, a pout of concentration on her face. Unoderi Nah time skips are fine~ ^^
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 10:16 pm
Without the probing of ears of eyes, Osmond felt confident enough to talk. Before he could inquire further, though, he allowed himself the liberty of a sheepish chuckle. Thumbing the underside of his chin and feeling the scrap of the itchy stubble, he said, "To be honest, no. I mean, I've been in the company of a few that usually had a guide Pokemon of some sort... Which brings up my first question."
Leaning forward and clasping his hands together on the countertop, he listlessly watched her trace the emblem on his uniform's cap before asking, "Why are you without one? I know it isn't in my jurisdiction to ask since, well, I know a Pokemon isn't mandatory. At least I don't think they are, but wouldn't it be easier for you?"
By the time he finished, their waitress had returned with his soda. Setting it beside his forearm, she pressed the tray to her bosom and returned to her seat at the counter flicking prerecorded messages on her holo caster. Osmond reached for it and took a sip, quenching his parched throat. Settling it back down, the ice cubes clinked against the glass lightly.
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