One on One Meeting: Tai and Lynette

[maestro]

Lynette was sitting at a local coffee house in Whitesand City, in a corner away from the rest of the populace. She was staring out a window, seemingly lost in thought over the recent actions that her father Perry decided to take. Fredrick was sitting on the floor next to her little table, munching down on a PokeCookie that she bought for him. Her eyes reflected back at her from the window, and she could see just how downtrodden the whole ordeal had made her. She sighed and put her hand down and pet Fredrick on his head "Was it right, what I did?" she inquired in thought. As if giving her reassurance, Fredrick got up off the floor and tugged on her skirt. She looked down inquisitively to her little friend, who was pounding his shelled chest and standing as tall as a Squirtle could. Lynette gave him a soft smile and a chuckle "Yes, I suppose you are right, even if it wasn't right there is no backing out of it now, is there? Still..." Lynette's joy quickly faded as she turned back to the window and stared outside.

After a few more moments of this, she shook her head to keep herself from being lost in her thoughts. "I can't just keep sitting here like this...I need to clear my head. Fredrick, let's head out. I need to head to the recital hall and play a little so I can clear my head. I'm sure they wouldn't mind me accessing the practice room." Fredrick nodded in agreement and quickly scarfed down the remainder of his cookie, crumbs spilling on the floor. Lynette finished her cup of coffee and finished paying before she set off. 

She stepped out of the coffee house and looked around the city, the vastness of the city suddenly making her feel small and alone in the world. Her expression faded into that of uncertainty, but she remained resolute in her decision. She wasn't about to admit defeat to her father and she would show him that she was strong enough. She waited at the crosswalk, Fredrick waddling behind her. Once the light changed, she set foot onto the street and began to make her cross briskly, Fredrick not able to keep up and just arriving at the intersection to watch his trainer cross the street.

[Ink]

hat attached to his belt and silver helmet covering his silver locks and golden eyes, Tai sped through the streets of whitsand city. He and the boys had recently taken care of a Syndicate shipment at the docks, It wasjust a few pokemon from the wilds around here, but any disruption did them harm and if the syndicate hurt, it healed some of Tai's wounds.

He was speeding around on his own as they were laying low, Erio in his capture ball only because he had a hard time hanging on at higher speeds, and not paying to much mind to the surrounding city. He had lately been bugged by something. He was not at all that strong a trainer. Yes, Erio was his friend and they managed to hold their own, but they were not powerful by any means. If he wanted to drop the syndicate then he needed more power. He and Erio needed to be able to take down Perry Manhasset, the Leader of the Water based gym here in Whitesand city. If he could overpower him then He might have a chance to shine.

In his mental wanderings he had lost track of his surroundings and didn't make the light before it turned and the girl on the sidewalk started to cross the street. She looked nice. She had a cute squirtle with her though it lagged behind, and she was dead in his path to be hit dead on.

Running the numbers in his head and basing off his speed and time of day, Tai applied his breaks at just the right time for the bike to come to a nice crisp sliding stop a mere inch from here body.One stopped he flipped open the mirrored revealing his golden eyes (contacts of course.) "Holy hell Toots. you think you own the road I already own? Not likely to happen... watch where you going next time"

[maestro]

Being lost in thought, Lynette almost missed the biker coming at her at full speed. She didn't really think to stay attentive to oncoming traffic, since she had the right of way and the light showed it was clear for her to walk. However, Fredrick noticed the speeding bike long before Lynette, and began yelling out to her "Squirtle Squirt Squirtle!" he shouted. Lynette turned around curiously "What's up, Fredrick? Oh god!" she exclaimed as she noticed the bike coming at her at full speed. She froze and the first line of defense she had was to hold up her briefcase in front of her, as if that would do anything to stop the screaming hunk of metal death. 

As soon as the bike stopped just short of her, her knees buckled underneath her and she fell to the street, breathing heavily to catch her breath from the adrenaline now pumping through her system. Fredrick waddled over to her and placed his stubby hands on her leg, checking to make sure she was okay. When the guy addressed her, Lynette looked up in an argumentative expression "Excuse me?! The light was on for pedestrian crossing! You need to watch where YOU are going! Seriously, is the basics of traffic laws beyond you?" she argued. Fredrick looked up to the guy and glared at him, although it was covered up by the turtle's sunglasses. Lynette couldn't help but notice the man's golden colored eyes, finding them somewhat mystifying to look at. However, that was neither here nor there.

Lynette just sighed and picked herself up off the street "Before you open your mouth and spout nonsense, please make sure you are aware of your situation, it will make you look better in the long run" she said, flipping her hair back "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to be where I won't get run over by maniacs who can't obey the simplest of traffic laws" she jabbed as she began to continue on down the crosswalk.

[Ink]

Tai just smirked inside his helmet. What an amusing thing to find today. This little spitfire was going to mouth off to the big bad biker. It was a thrilling change of events. He was so used to just watching them scurry away. He was going to retort to her words but first he turned his head to the side as he heard the revving of another bike. He ran the calculations and smiled. She would be fine as long she listened.

Taking of his helmet and setting it on his bike as he then placed his cap on his head, keeping his long silver hair in line. He then pulled a small wooden sphere off a strap hanging on his belt and let Erio out so he walk around. Before he did that though he just yelled, "Stop!" at the girl still walking toward the other side of the street. This caused her to jump and freeze but by the time she recovered a second bike had decided to zip by her with nary an inch to spare. "Hate to break it to you toots but in this city we bikers own the road. You should pay more attention to where you are going as playing hero and slowing down is not really our thing."

As Erio popped out of the capture ball and stretched he was walking over to the new pokemon. He grinned a toothy grin and then pushed the squirtle over on it's back, mostly to see what happened. I mean come on, the thing has a shell. Whats that for?

[maestro]

As the other biker zoomed by her, Lynette backed off and squealed out in fear as she put her hands on her hand to avoid her hair gusting all over her face. She was now facing back towards the guy and his Charmander, looking up to him with a confused and worried look on her face. This guy was rude and crude and didn't really seem to be company she needed to be kept in for long. Fredrick was scoping out the Charmander from behind his sunglasses, until suddenly his entire world went upside down. The tiny turtle began to toss and turn on its shell, in a feeble attempt to right itself. Here it was, with its house in the middle of the street, wobbling back and forth helplessly. 

"Fredrick!" Lynette yelled as she quickly ran over to Fredrick and knelt down to him, helping the poor thing right itself. She then snapped back over to Tai and snapped "What was the point of that? Fredrick wasn't even doing anything to you!" Once Fredrick was back his feet, Lynette turned her gaze away from Tai "Come Fredrick, we shouldn't stick around with him...he is nothing but trouble" Lynette scolded. Fredrick looked up to Lynette, then back to Tai and his Charmander, then waddled over to Lynette, who turned her gaze over to Tai "And you need to learn some manners! If you bikers don't care enough about people trying to walk and get on with their lives, then your just as much a neanderthal as people who think force is the only way to win. Come Fredrick" she snapped as she turned with a huff and attempted to finally cross the road.

[Ink]

Tai whistled as the girl yet again smarted off to him. "You have a great big brass pair on ya somewhere don't ya toots? I mean, I stopped my ride, my wonderful free time to let you cross the road. I didn't have to do so mind you. And then you mouth off. I holler out to you so you'll stop and not get swiped by another bike, and still you bitch and moan. It seems to me that you are living in some strange little world and that perhaps you yourself needs to learn yourself some manners."

He stepped away from his bike and slammed his tattooed fist into his other. "You don't seem to understand how this world works. Face me and Eriochalcite and we'll beat some of that sass out of you."

Erio, who was actually just curious about the squirtle and had not pushed him to be mean, only a little funny, looked up to his friend. Noting his seriousness he walked back to his partner, reached up into his backpacks lower pouch and pulled out some odd looking powder and popped it into his mouth. He chewed as he stepped in front of Tai and the flame on his tail turned blue. He put his paws up in front of him like little fists and grinned.

"Firecracker of the Thunder God's Tribe challenges you to a pokemon battle... Lets go little girl..."

[maestro]

The challenge was lost on Lynette. She huffed and did not even turn back "I decline. I do not have any reason to battle you, and I have places to be. Besides, I gain nothing from battling you" she snapped. Suddenly, before she could even react, she heard the roar of more motorcycles come up and surround her and Tai, blocking off all traffic and her only way out. The bikers were all grinning at her and chuckling as they cut off her path and made it to where no one could get in...nor out. She turned back to Tai, her eyes looking they could burn as red as her hair. "Look, stop this at once. I already told you I will not battle you...so just let me go!" she demanded.

Suddenly, Fredrick stepped forward with a determined look on his face, staring at the Charmander behind his glasses. "Fredrick? No...you don't have to..." Fredrick took off his glasses and lay them down at Lynette's feet, his eyes looking up at his master with fierce determination. Lynette looked down at her companion, confusion blanketing her face as Fredrick turned around to face the opponent. Fredrick did not want to fight, but he knew that in order for Lynette to be unburdened by this guy, he would have to...victory or not. Lynette just nodded to her Squirtle "Alright...I get it...let's do it" she said, reluctantly but understanding. 

Fredrick looked at the Charmander with a stare of determination...win or lose, he was going to fight to the best of his ability. Lynette watched as a biker girl got off her bike and stepped up to the scene, her hand extended in the air. "A'ight, it's the little girl versus Tai, last Pokemon standing wins. Victory at any cost. Begin!" she yelled as she sliced the air with her hand coming down. With the signal, Lynette yelled out "Fredrick, be careful! Attack from a far!" Given the orders, Fredrick's eyes glinted and he started his attack with a Water Gun, the torrent leaving his mouth and aimed directly at the Charmander's torso.

[Ink]

Tai offered a mad grin as his comrades surrounded the girl. "You have nothing to gain from a battle? Money? Knowledge? Fame? they come from battles. You said you dislike those that use brute force to prove a point. I'm not doing that. I'm teaching you a lesson with tact and skill... and a little help from my friends. And maybe in the end, after you've be taught your lesson, I'll take you out for a drink, I'm sure you'd like the wind from my bike, it's like natures music."

Erio dipped to the side and skittered away as the stream of water came blasting his way., twice it hit him but he didn't flinch away. The pain only made him grimace and then he plastered his playful smile back on his face. "Eriochalcite, get in there and box his ears in!" The small flaming creature darted forward between the blasts and once he was in close he brought both of his paws up and slammed them at his foes little turtle ears.

"Lesson one: it it acts like a bitch, and talks like a bitch, it gets treated like a bitch. If you had been a little nicer and less standoffish and treated humor as it was instead of being a snob, this would not have happened..."

[maestro]

As Erio bobbed and weaved, Fredrick could not seem to land a direct hit on the tail of his opponent. Lynette was confused by the Charmander, Fredrick had the type advantage but the water did not seem to effect the Charmander besides just being aggravating. When Erio delivered his attack to Fredrick, it showed visible bruises to the sides of his head and it caused the tiny turtle to fall forward on the ground. "Fredrick! That's enough, you can stop!" she exclaimed as Fredrick began to slowly pick itself up off the ground.

It winced in pain as it was disoriented from the attack, wobbling but eventually was able to stand its ground. It's eyes were fierce, even after taking such a powerful hit. "Fredrick, stop now! We surrender!" Lynette yelled, worry and desperation in her voice. Fredrick stumbled, but gained his footing and took one of his little hands and pointed his finger to the sky, in a show of bravery and confidence. After that, he lowered his head and took a charge at Erio, looking to hit his opponent with a skull bash.

[Ink]

Tai just laughed as the girl wailed in despair. "oh no little girl... thats not how this works. Last Pokemon standing is the rule. And it looks like your buddy there has the real spunk. I like him."

Though he had shrugged off the water initially, Erio was distracted by the stinging pain it caused him and as such, when little freddy attacked him he was caught of guard and slammed backwards, rolling across the ground. He laid there for a moment, a low hush falling over the gathering waiting to see what would happen next. After a moment Erito got back up and rushed the tiny turtle, obviously not happy about being battered as such. Tai pulled out some fire crackers, lit them and tossed them behind Fredrick. As the little turtle turned to look at what was exploding behind him. Erio took this distraction in stride. He tackled Fredrick to the ground harshly and then raised his claw up in the air, glinting like metal in preparation to take the shelled one out...

"That's Enough Erio... we don't take it that far in normal battles... TGT still abides by the Leagues rules... sorta.... let off him... he's had enough..." With that Erio hopped off of Frederick and walked over to Tai's Bike. he curled up at the tire and watched from there. No one moved at first save for Tai, who started for his bike. He pulled out a small beige spray bottle and started towards the turtle.

"Rule number two: life is not fair. Neither are all battles. Learn to expect that people will try and screw with you and do your best to endure... nothing in life is free and never is it fairly priced." He knelt down in front of the battered Fredrick and sprayed the potion over him. "It's amazing the stuff we have been able to make to heal these guys, and yet humanity still suffers. One wonders who really runs the world sometimes... He watched as the bruising on fredrick body vanished and then he offered his hand for the turtle to get up with, figuring the little guy had spunk and as such might not appreciate being picked up.

Erio had by now moved from his spot at Tai's Tire and had wandered just out of sight. No one had to wonder where he was for long once the crash of a bike falling over was followed by "Damnit Erio! I just fixed the paint!" and laughs.

[maestro]

Fredrick readied himself as Erio began his charge, squatting to keep his body from budging and arms spread ready to catch the charging Charmander. His defense was dropped when the firecrackers went off behind him, catching his attention and he dropped his defense. Erio crashed into Fredrick and knocked him on his back, Lynette gasping at this. "That was a cheap trick! How is that any fair?!" she exclaimed as her anger suddenly turned to fear as she saw the claws of Erio turn to metal and Fredrick was laying there, staring up at Erio and not retreating. He was ready to die for his trainer, and die he would have if Tai did not call off Erio.

When Erio jumped off of Fredrick, Lynette about dashed over, but was blocked by a couple of the bikers who caught her and were holding her by both arms now. "Hey! Let me go! I have to get to Fredrick!" "Chill out toots. Just watch" one of the guys said as she looked in confusion as Tai healed Fredrick. Why...why would he...? Fredrick was now back on his feet and looked up to Tai and then over to Erio, then back to Lynette who was looking at him with a worried look. He looked back over to Erio and nodded for a good fight and then waddled over to Lynette, wrapping his little arms around her leg. 

The bike gang began to laugh at Erio's antics, which they had come to expect from him and Tai. One of the guys who was holding Lynette chimed in "Hey Tai, whatchu want us to do wit da girl?" A female with a wild mohawk chimed in "Yeah, she lost. I say we cut off all that pretty hair of hers" Lynette was now struggling "I said let me go!" she demanded. Fredrick released Lynette's leg and picked up his glasses and put them back on, attempting to look cool while doing so. "Squirtle Squirtle!" he yelled as he waddled over to the guy holding Lynette's left arm and began to attempt to claw at him...being halted by the guys foot and then being kicked onto his shell again. "You won da match, Tai. You decide what ta do wit her" he said.

[Ink]

Tai waved off his friends and their suggestions. "come on now,her hair is far too fair to cut off and besides you all are just trying to heat her up again. She lost and hopefully learned a lesson. As for what I get for winning how about this. You come and get some ice cream with me and Erio, ride with me on the bike. However, since I did break sanctions and am not owed an actual reward from a now non sanctioned fight, you may deserve the right to turn me down."

He walked over to her grabbed her hand. Plucking a carved wooden ball off his belt, one unmarked below one with a name etched in it. He placed the ball in her hand, not knowing if she knew what it was. "having one of these could come in handy. Consider I an apology for a harsh lesson, however needed."

As he walked back to his bike the guys whispered as they broke apart to leave saying things like Tai must like her, and that it was one expensive gift for such a thankless broad.

"come on tribe... We feast on ice cream. Go on, ill meet you all at mama Rosita's. Hopefully ill have a guest." With a hoot and a holler the bikers took off, leaving Tai waiting for her answer.

[maestro]

Tai's offer made Lynette just sit there, staring at him like he had two heads. What kind of offer was that? A date?! She looked down at the spherical object he had given her, confused as to what it was. She inspected and it made the notion that it looked like a wooden Pokeball, but she just dismissed it as a model. She chose to ignore a lot of the biker's banter about her, considering a lot of the name calling and opinions were shared. 

As Tai sat there and waited for an answer, Lynette was still staring at the ball, but suddenly gripped it firmly in her hand and looked up to Tai with a fiery look in her eyes "Of course I decline you! I don't ever want to see you again! You....jerk!" she exclaimed as she quickly turned from Tai and took off running across the street, Fredrick waddling as fast as he could behind her.

As she made some distance, Lynette came across the steps to the Whitesand City Public Library, a place she used to go for their small selection of musical records. She sat down on the large steps and hunched over herself, wrapping her legs in her arms. Fredrick finally caught up to her, out of breath for being such a small fat turtle. He walked up to her with a concerned look on his face, and Lynette began to feel tears roll down her face. "I'm not strong...I lost completely, even when I had type advantage.....I need....I need to get stronger Fredrick. We need to get stronger. If I couldn't even defeat that jerk, I have no chance against dad" 

[Ink]

Tai shook his head and whistled. This one was obviously on her way to being an ice queen or a crazy turtle lady. She looked familiar though, and he couldn't put his finger on it. She just reminded him of someone. He got on his bike and was about to put Erio back in his ball eh he noticed the charmander staring after the girl.

"What Erio... The girl is a flake... She doesn't like scum like us. She is probably too high class for us slum lords to talk to anyways..." When his Pokemon didn't budge he just sighed. "Fine. Lets try and talk again. But its on your head." He let the little lizard scramble up onto the bike and hold on as he slowly drove to where the girl had gone too.

Stopping in front of her he sat Erio down with two long lasting green sparklers and then turned to Lynnette. "If you didn't know, that ball is an old form of capture ball. Used first in the CRDL Region. They are not common and are rather expensive since the pokeball system shut down. It helps to have them if you are trying to travel fast with a slower Pokemon." He shifted his hat a little. "lets try this again. My name is Tai... Sun Tai'Li fully. Tai is fine. You look very familiar to me. Your parents big wigs in white sands?"

Meanwhile to their side Erio had lit the two sparklers and had offered one to Fredrick, and was now playing around the small area, happy with his shiny flaming toy.

[maestro]

When Lynette pulled her head up, she saw Tai approaching...which made her heart sink more. She shouted out "Why can't you just go away? What have I done to deserve your harassment? You already beat me and I declined....or are you the 'I'm not taking no for an answer' type of guy?" she snapped. However, when Tai mentioned to her what that wooden sphere she was holding was, she immediately calmed down and looked at it again with an open mind. She then looked down to Fredrick, who was still panting after his run to catch up to her. She gently lay her hand on top of his head and looked down apologetically "Sorry Fredrick...I didn't mean to leave you behind..." she said, only to be met with her Pokemon smiling back to her.

When he introduced himself, Lynette then gave him a cold look again. Does he expect me to give him my name? she thought, apprehensively. Her cold expression, however, was lost when he brought up her parent(s). If Tai was paying attention, a brief shot of pain could be seen in her eyes. Fredrick was suddenly distracted by the sparkler that Erio gave him, shaking it around and bouncing around with it to amuse himself. Such a silly little turtle. 

Lynette's expression returned and she crossed her arms and looked away from Tai "Just because you give me this and your name does not give you the right to snoop into other people's lives. It's called manners, but I guess you haven't heard of them" she scolded, trying to change the subject off of her family, or lack there of.