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Post by Ink on Jun 19, 2015 19:12:10 GMT
The smile didn't leave Tai's face but he withdrew his hand as it was obvious this girl was a complete loss. However the stern look on her face and her tone finally clicked with him. "Thinking you were some sort of Ice Queen was only half off huh toots. You are the one that has no manners. And it's clear why. I should have seen it sooner but since I would hate to attach anyone to that man I didn't jump to conclusions. You are Perry Manhasset's kid... terrible shame that you took after him in the personality department. Though I figure you have take after him one way or another... Obviously talent with Pokemon is not there, though looking back to how badly you wanted to run away you got that trait from him too. Seriously... beat once by the syndicate and turns tail and runs...
Tai turned away from her and fiddled with the straps on his bike. "The only use that man has now in my eyes is that one day I'll be back here to beat him with flames that will overpower any type weakness. When that happens I'll show him how to stand up to the syndicate like a real man. and I win't run away with my tail tucked in like some dog...
When the sparklers died out he took the marked ball off his belt and set it on the ground. "Say goodbye to your friend Eriochalcite. Its obvious the girl doesn't want to be in the company of people like us. Let her go find her upper crust friends." Erio dropped his dead sparkler and high fived Frederick before wandering over to his capture ball and letting himself in, a peculiar trait. Once the charmander disappeared into the ball, being consumed by a flash of reddish light, Tai picked up the ball and put it back on his belt.
"Lesson number three: Don't judge a book by its cover. You act like we are different somehow... you are no better a person than I, possibly worse given the way you treat others. Remember... if i had wanted to wrong you I could have done so ages ago..." With that he started to pull on his gear to get ready to ride, taking off his hat and sliding his helmet over his head.
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Post by maestro on Jun 19, 2015 19:40:28 GMT
Lynette looked shocked that Tai was able to guess her identity by just speaking with her. She not once gave any clue to her identity, and here he goes nailing it on the head. However, the comparing her to her father was a comment that seemed to hit a nerve with Lynette, and she didn't seem too pleased to hear that. When he made the comment of her going to see her friends, she seemed to take offense to it but had no real retort for him. Her face still wore the expression of surprise, changing minimally to match her reactions to the rest of what he had to say. What friends did she have, besides Fredrick? She had never truly made a friend in her life...whether it be for her not interacting with people or for people reading her as a standoffish elitist jerk. Either way, it seemed like Tai got that impression of her as well.
When Tai finished and began to walk off, Lynette retorted back "You talk like you have me figured out....like you know exactly what and who I am, just because you say so?" Lynette stood up on the stair and looked angry, yet determined at Tai. She placed her hand on her chest, "Let me tell you who I am! I am Lynette Manhasset, and even though I may be weak right now...I'm going to prove to my father and the world that I can be strong!" Fredrick looked at Lynette with a confused look...she was not prone to emotional outbursts...but Tai just seemed to bring it out of her.
Lynette continued "I may be weak...I may have no friends, for one reason or another, but I will not let that hold me back! I know I have weaknesses, and I will overcome them! I do not need someone to point out my own weaknesses, because I am well aware of them myself! I'll show you, and I'll show my father as well, that I am actually worth something in this world and that I am more than what people think of me!"
She was now breathing heavily, not used to expending so much energy at once, and she began to wobble as she slumped back down on the stairs. She placed her open palm on her forehead as she breathed, clearly giving herself a headache from the outburst. She then said softly to herself "I just....don't know how I'm going to do it yet..."
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Post by Ink on Jun 19, 2015 22:18:15 GMT
Tai shook his head again and turned back to look at her, flipping his visor open so his golden eyes could be seen. "I never called you weak or worthless... you did that yourself. If I had thought you were worthless I would never have given you that Capture ball. They are costly and take me a long time to make because of the intricate runes that need to be inscribed into the wood. Even the slightest mistake renders it useless. Combine the skill needed to create them with the limited number of people that remember how to do so... its not a common skill. So no, if I thought you were worthless I would have knocked your Squirtle out, taken a battle fee from you and been on my way. Instead I was trying to teach you something that you obviously lacked... My apologies for giving a damn about someone else in this world. I guess street trash like myself don't get to be upstanding helpful individuals."
He looked off into the distance and remained silent for a moment to allow her to try and regain her wits. "You want to prove your worth, I get that. You have a dream, perhaps your dad's crushed it, just like as a gym leader he's crushed the dreams of so many others by being a hard ass instead of a teacher. That's just his way I guess. But if you don't know how to get moving, maybe you should look to try something different and new. Something you've never considered before." He turned back to her once more and offered up his hand.
"Let me ask one more time. Come get some Ice cream with me and the gang. Mamma will love you to death, and once you come of your own will the gang will treat you as one of their own. They are not all so rough and gruff. It will give you a chance to see a different side of life and maybe it'll inspire you with a way to press forward. Looking at things from a new angle can really help when you've got a nagging bit of art stuck in you and you can't seem to get it out."
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Post by maestro on Jun 22, 2015 18:11:53 GMT
When Tai retorted, Lynette's face looked shocked at his words. The sudden realization of what had just transpired flew through her, and she didn't like the results. She sighed as she looked down to Fredrick, who looked concerned for the girl. She had just taken out her frustrations with her father on this random guy who was just trying to be nice, albeit after almost running her over when she had the right of way. She didn't like his tone for him trying to teach her something, and didn't feel it was his place...but the sentiment was nice.
She walked down the steps, her expression now changed to that of unease and uncomfortable, instead of anger and apprehension. She kept her distance from Tai, not fully knowing how he would react to her in close proximity, and answered him "...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to lash out that way. It's been...difficult...lately, which I don't really wish to talk about." She looked down to Fredrick, who gave her an assuring thumbs up. She turned back to Tai, her face now blushing "I...didn't really appreciate almost being run over, but that is no excuse for the way I acted....I apologize" she said, bowing her head.
She picked herself back up straight "I don't...really feel comfortable...joining you and your gang, that is. I...don't really know how to handle them, or you...at this point in time. I'd like to just go to the recital hall and play my piano so I can get my mind clear" she requested. Fredrick looked at Lynette with a disappointed look and came up and lightly slapped her leg. "Ow!" she said as she looked down at Fredrick, who was now crossing his little arms and scowling at her. "Fredrick...? Oh alright...." she huffed and turned back to Tai "Seems Fredrick has taken a liking to you...so, for his sake...I guess....I'll join you....but just this once! And it doesn't mean anything, I'm just doing it to show my regret for my actions!" she mentioned, trying to cover up the fact that she actually did want to go.
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Post by Ink on Jul 6, 2015 14:41:52 GMT
Tai just smiled as he shut the visor of his helmet.. He reached down and unclipped his spare helmet and helped her secure it. He also helped her get Frederick into the capture ball, onto which he then inscribed the little turtle's name onto it. "He'll be safer inside while we ride. It's hard to hold onto me and a pokemon at the same time right? And yes, you'll want to hold on to me... but enjoy the ride." Once he got the girl settled in behind him and she tentatively held onto him, He pulled away and started towards the highway. He figured they would take the log way to get ice cream.
He pulled onto the highway and opened up the throttle, letting the wind rush by them and the the world become a rush of color and sound around them. The only seeming constant was the white sandy beach and crystalline water off to their right. It was a beautiful sight with the sun reflecting off the waves lazily. He hoped that she would enjoy the sight as most people that lived in the city ignored this aspect of their own home.
Once they hit their exit, Tai slowed his speed down only enough to be safe with a rider and they sped through backroads and along side the mains to get to the Ice cream parlor. Once there he parked his bike next to one of many and took off his helmet. After securing his helmet to the bike he reached down and let Erio out of his capture ball.
As he slid off the bike, Tai looked over his shoulder and grinned at Lynnette. "Welcome to Mama' Ice cream parlor. I know it doesn't look like much but I tell you its the best dessert house in the Slums. Mama's a good lady, used to be a trainer herself. It's rumored that she once gave your dad a run for his money in a challenge for the gym but then gave up because she realized the life of a gym leader was to high strung for her."
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Post by maestro on Jul 6, 2015 15:19:47 GMT
As Fredrick disappeared into the ball, he gave Lynette a reassuring smile. She clutched the ball and put it into her pouch for safe keeping. Upon attempting to get on Tai's bike, her face was filled with red and her eyes never made contact with Tai's. It was obvious she was uncomfortable and wasn't entirely sure what to do to mount the bike itself. Tai helped her with the helmet and when he told her to hold on, she looked around for a handle "Hold on to what?" she inquired, as her brain came to the only logical deduction. She hesitated, wrapping her arms around Tai and then cautiously pulling back nervously. Finally, she just dove into it and wrapped her arms firmly around Tai, blushing under the helmet. "Let...let's just get this over with..." she said nervously.
As the bike began to move, Lynette yelped out as she was startled by the moving vehicle. She tightened her grip around Tai's stomach and buried her face into his back. She began to chant to herself in her head Gonna die gonna die gonna die! as the Tai maneuvered the bike through the city. She clinched her eyes shut, hoping that as long as she couldn't see anything it would be over faster. She eventually felt the bright sun glisten off of the surroundings and couldn't help but sneak a peak behind her closed eyelids. From that moment, she gasped as she witnessed the sight of the scenery. Her eyes were now wide open and her face was awestruck. "Wow..." she said to herself, not really knowing if Tai could hear her or not. For the moment, Tai didn't exist, and it was just Lynette flying through the city and enjoying the beauty. Her face actually cracked a smile as they ventured down the roads. There were times that she would bury her face back into Tai's back as they got closer than she was used to to the curb or buildings, but Tai kept full control over the vehicle.
As Tai parked the bike at the ice cream parlor, Lynette admitted to herself that she wished the ride could have gone on longer, but she wouldn't say that out loud. She looked up inquisitively in response to Tai, then looked down and noticed she was still holding him firmly in her embrace. She quickly gasped and released him from her grasp, placing her hands down on her lap and blushing. "So...sorry...I..." she muttered as she shook her head to quickly change the subject. "Well...let's go ahead and get this over with" she said, trying to hide the fact that she actually enjoyed herself even though her face gave it away to anyone paying attention.
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Post by Ink on Jul 6, 2015 16:13:00 GMT
Tai led Lynnette into the shop, led himself by Erio who walked in like he owned the place. The little charmander strutted about and chattered to the many pokemon inside, as it seemed like most of the bikers kept theirs out of containment while here. Despite the shop being filled with what, to any outsider, looked like a gang of dirty roughneck bickers it was a calm place, despite the noise of many voices enjoying themselves and friends telling stories. It was a place of peace and they all knew it.
Behind the counter a tall older woman took orders. Mama Rosita, still good looking latin woman well into her sixties and she enjoyed the high energy environment of her shop as she said it kept her youthful. Her partner in crime, a froslass named Cream, made the ice cream itself and passed it on to the waitresses who then took it to their tables.
Tai led Lynnette to a table in the back, leaving Erio to fend for himself. He would come to the table when the ice cream got to them. Once he was seated a waitress came over to take their order. Knowing that Lynnette had never been here he figured he would order for her. "Bring me three scoops of Mama's special churro ice cream for me, Erio will want a scoop of the flashbang spicy cool ice cream, and for toots here, get her a Berries and cream shortcake sunday. She seems the type to like the fruits. Put it all on my tab, Mama Knows I'm good for it, and let her know that I'm here, I'd like her to meet our new friend.
He started to let the girl go but remembering the tiny turtle in Lynn's new capture ball he grabbed her wrist lightly. "oh yeah, add a scoop of Cream's rainbow frosty Ice. She's got a Squirtle with big personality and I think he'll like the strong flavor Cream uses." He just grinned and let the girl go.
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Post by maestro on Jul 6, 2015 16:53:58 GMT
Lynette cautiously followed Tai into the parlor, seemingly out of her comfort zone and kept close to him. She looked almost afraid and nervous about those that were around, so much so that she gripped the back of Tai's shirt and tried to hide her face from those that would look over her direction. Despite everything, though, Lynette never really felt in danger while in this place. The gazes that she was met with were more inquisitive than hostile, but she still was not secure enough to meet those gazes back. She saw Mama Rosita behind the counter, looking like she was genuinely happy to have the company of each and every individual in the room.
As they came to the table, Lynette took her seat across the table from Tai, playing with her hands awkwardly in her lap and keeping her gaze down to the table. Her face was stuff flush red and she looked like she was highly uncomfortable in these surroundings. When the waitress approached, Lynette looked up and was about to say what she wanted, but Tai had beaten her to the punch and ordered for her. Oh okay...I guess...that's okay? she thought to herself as she backed off and turned her gaze to the table again, doing her best to avoid eye contact with Tai.
She was uncomfortable, and not too thrilled to be here. She didn't want to interact with anyone and just wanted to escape. For her escape, she began listening to the sounds around the parlor, picking out specific rhythms in the conversations she was hearing and rhythmic patterns of the noises that filled the hall. The music was taken shape in her mind and she began to hear a melody in her mind as she internally composed a small piece of music in her subconscious. Her eyes suddenly closed and she seemed to be lost in a trance, forgetting Tai was sitting across the table form her.
Lynette brought her hands off her lap and put them on the table in front of her, imagining it as her piano keys. She began to tap on the table with her fingers as if she were actually playing the music in her head. It was only for a short minute until the music stopped in her head and she ran out of ideas, but during that time, her passion was worn on the outside instead of a cold exterior. As she tapped the table top with her fingers for a finished cadence, she exhaled and opened her eyes to see Tai still sitting across from her. At this point, she froze and looked scared and embarrassed that she just exposed that side of her to him, in a setting of people she did not feel comfortable in. Her face went red again and she quickly took her hands off the table and began twirling her hair, staring at the wall next to her. "So...sorry.." she said, her gaze doing everything to avoid looking towards Tai.
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Post by Ink on Jul 6, 2015 17:43:16 GMT
Lynn finished her little finger twidling as the Ice cream reached the table. By some odd instinct Erio knew his favorite treat was being served and appeared suddenly by the table. Not one to care for personal space whatsoever he used Lynnette as a climbing pole and on his way swiped the capture ball in which frederick was housed. He sat himself down on the table, and then with a few shakes and a fierce pound on the table the ball popped open and let the tiny turtle flop out onto the table in front of his own treat. His friend released, Erio started to lick at his ice cream.
Tai just waved off Lynnette's apology. "No need for that, You gotta do what makes you you no matter what happens. Don't ever apologize for being who you are. Its not a fault or problem. If someone don't like you tell well to bad, its not their life." He took a few bites from his bowl and then continued.
"You said you want to show people what you are capable of, that you are worth something, but that you didn't know how. What are your goals? I mean, we've all got them. What is it that you are wanting to do to get recognition? Maybe I can help point you in the right direction." He gestured, to the room, "each of us here Joined the TGT for a reason. And we all have gained more reasons to stay. Once you start a path and take that first step, new things will help guide you and show you new ways to step forward. As long as you never back down you'll always find the way to go."
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Post by maestro on Jul 6, 2015 17:59:10 GMT
Fredrick toppled out of the ball upon Erio releasing him, laying down on the table in front of his treat. The little turtle was definitely not used to the take off and re-entry from the capture ball, but lucky for him he didn't land on his back. He just plopped down next to Erio and nodded to his friend as he began to demolish what was once a nice bowl of ice cream.
As he spoke to her, Lynette gazed down at the table, shifting uncomfortably at Tai and his poking and prodding questions. She looked at Fredrick, as if pleading for help, only to be met with the tiny turtle stuffing his face with a mouth full of yummy. Fredrick just shrugged to her and continued to eat. Lynette just sighed No help, Fredrick....okay okay...guess I'm not getting out of this one she thought. She took a deep breath and began to talk.
"I want to...prove that I'm more than just my dad's daughter. He and I...have never seen eye to eye. I feel he is a brutish thug who only uses brute force to get his way. He was never there for me growing up and seemed to put everything above raising me" she paused, peering up from the table to try to get a read on Tai's reaction, then taking her gaze back down. "I want...to be a better trainer than him, and show him that he can't just keep plowing through his problems and ignoring others. I...want to prove myself to him...to show him I'm his daughter, that I'm more than just that girl that plays piano and sings" she admitted.
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Post by Ink on Jul 6, 2015 18:16:16 GMT
Tai munched on his ice cream as the girl talked. He could understand her need to prove herself. It was something they shared in a way. They both wanted to become much more than they were. He finished off his snack quickly and sat his bowl down with a clink. Once Lynn was finished talking he leaned back and rubbed his chin, thinking about how to proceed.
After a moment of silence and the scream of surprise and mock terror as Eriochalcite launched off the table and attacked one of his favorite biker's in an attempt to steal his ice cream, Tai made a bold move. "Come with me on an adventure. I'm leaving in a few days to travel, get stronger, defeat gym leaders, and get more pokemon friends. You can learn a lot on the road. I've got a spare bike that you can use, it won' be any trouble to teach you to ride."
He smile wide. "Its not like staying here is doing you any good..."
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Post by maestro on Jul 6, 2015 18:36:18 GMT
Lynette, after finishing, decided to start working on her ice cream. The moment she dipped her spoon in and got a small scoop, she brought it to her mouth and...dropped it to the table when Tai suggested her travel with him. Fredrick almost choked on his ice cream as the suggestion was made, looking up to Lynette to see how she would react. She had not anticipated that question, and began to feel frantic as her breathing began to hasten. She didn't know what to say, didn't know how to respond....she just...didn't know.
She was about to argue, but Fredrick picked himself up and waddled over to her and looked her dead in the eyes. He looked determined and confident, but overall concerned. She looked down to her companion and seemed to understand what he was trying to tell her. He supported her, and wanted her to do what was best for her...which to him, was going with Tai.
Lynette shifted uncomfortably again, her face still red, as her gaze turned to the wall. She had to sit and think about what to say, sitting in silence for a few long minutes. She weighed the pros and cons of this, trying her best to convince herself to reject the offer...but never finding a good enough reason to do so. Finally, she spoke, more or less thinking out loud. "I...want to be a great trainer....and go through the circuit and eventually beat my father...I just..." she shifted again "...don't know, if I should...go with..." her gaze turned around to the entire room, then met Fredrick's look again, who was looking almost pleadingly with his trainer.
She sighed again, playing with her hands in her lap and looking at the table again "I guess...I could go with you...if...it isn't too much trouble" she then shot a look up to Tai, almost pleadingly "But that doesn't mean anything! We are just traveling companions! Nothing more!" she quickly defended, looking worried that he might have gotten the wrong idea. Why she was so quick to defend that point was lost on Lynette, but Fredrick just gave a small turtle smile at his trainer's quirks.
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Post by Ink on Jul 6, 2015 19:19:37 GMT
Tai again brushed the girls frantic worries to the side. "Chill toots... I know what you mean. Friends is good, companions. No offense, but I'm not even sure you are close to being my type. But that's alright. Riding together with friends is good. Now, the hard stuff is going to be the time leading up to leaving. I have a spare bike you can use for travel, but I'm assuming you don't know how to ride. That being said, I want to leave this weekend. That gives you a few days to learn. Since you are not staying with your father where are you going to be so I can send someone out to train you?"
As his trainer chattered Erio continued to stalk around the parlor, attacking unguarded bowls of ice cream until he was scooped up into a pair of warm arms. These arms just so happened to belong to Mama Rosita and as such, they did not get the customary burn or bite from Erio. Mama just laughed at him and shook her head as she made her way towards where Tai was sitting.
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Post by maestro on Jul 6, 2015 19:46:55 GMT
Lynette sighed as she slumped in her chair Great, he now thinks I'm an idiot. And he completely misinterpreted what I was meaning...wonderful... she thought. When he brought up the fact that she couldn't ride a bike, Lynette got defensive again "That's not like it is my fault! I mean...I never had anyone around to teach me!" she defended, as if feeling attacked from Tai's words. She stopped for a moment and her expression sobered up "Sorry...I didn't mean to lash out again..." she said, slumping back down. "I...don't really have a place to stay...as of yet. Father...kicked me out just yesterday. I left early this morning so I wouldn't have to see him on my departure" she gripped her skirt "I was thinking of staying in my practice room, if the owner of the recital hall allowed it. I...can't really afford a room somewhere."
As soon as Mama Rosita approached the table, Fredrick picked himself up and equipped his sunglasses. He waddled on the table over to where she was approached and waved at her, his chest out to show some pride in himself. Lynette looked up to see Mama Rosita approach, and immediately she froze up again and turned her face towards the wall to avoid eye contact with the woman. Another person...great...more social contact...ugh I hate this...please go away go away go away... she thought and pleaded.
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Post by Ink on Jul 6, 2015 20:02:11 GMT
Tai sighed as the girl lashed out at him again. He was starting to see that she had more troubles to her than he had thought at first. He was about to retort with sarcasm, as per his usual when Erio was dropped onto his face where the lizard just hugged him tight, blocking him from saying or seeing anything as he scrambled to pry his scaly friend off.
Mama Rosita, who was the guilty lizard dropper, smiled gently at Lynnette. "Does mama's presence scare you that much that you turn away? or perhaps you just don't know how to talk to Mama, living a lonely life with a father too busy being a gym leader and not having a mother of your own. I know you child. Your father and I go way back. Seeing you here, and seeing you interact makes me wish perhaps that I had taken the gym from your father. But i can not say with any certainty that he would have done better by you without it. That isn't to say he's a bad man, or a bad father, but its a challenge for him alone. He's never been quite the same since he lost your mama."
Rosita sat down in a chair beside Lynnette and laid a hand on the girls hand. "You traveling will be a good thing, but you must be open to learning a new way of living, of thinking, of seeing. If you stay the way you are then you will never become stronger. You must learn that we are all only as strong as the bonds we make. As for your place to stay..."
She looked to Tai, "You can stay here for the rest of the week and learn to ride, as long as Young Tai'Li commits to making me a new capture ball. I'm going to be traveling here in a few weeks and I'll be in a good place for Ice types." She winked at Tai who just smiled and nodded.
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