A/N: This is my first story that I've tried to seriously think about writing. I'm sorry if my story seems stiff, I'm still trying to relax my writing a bit! c:
Anyways, I don't have any serious ideas for the way this story will be heading, just yet, as I've decided to focus more on the journey through the region, rather than defeating the gym leaders, beating the elite four, etc. There may be an enemy team, but I've yet to decide.
So, I'd love any feedback I can get, and I hope my procrastination tendencies won't get the better of me and make me quite this, like I often do when writing seriously. ;;
( The theme for the region and towns is 'celestial' - Tierra (Earth) and Helia (Sun), Helia being named after the same as the region, as to signify it being the biggest city. )
As the sun rose on the quaint town of Tierra, a single engine could be heard as a bulky moving truck chugged its way down the roads, stopping before a whimsical little cottage. A teen-aged girl jumped from the passenger side of the moving truck the instant the vehicle had begun its slowing, her hair waving about after her, before calming as much as it could against the gentle breeze that beckoned a greeting to the newcomers.
"Solein, huh…?" The girl mused with a gentle smile upon her lips as she raised a hand to flick some of her chocolate locks beyond her shoulder.
An elderly man exited from the driver's side of the truck and moved about the colossal vehicle to the girl's side, hands clasped behind his back as he straightened his hunched back to gaze up at the cottage. "Razihel, welcome to our new home." The elderly fellow gave a weak smile, weathered with age, as he watched another man of average appearance exit the truck and begin unloading their belongings from the back.
As the girl glanced her brown eyes over her shoulder, she noticed the man sighing subtly as he unpacked some of the heavier boxes. Well, I can't just leave him to do all the work alone! She pondered to herself, smiling even wider as she turned to join the mover. "I'm sorry that my grandfather inconvenienced you and asked that you let him drive us here." She mentioned in passing as she entered the large opening of the cargo hold, bringing the boxes to the front for the mover. "Despite his old age, he refuses to let others do the work, if he can help it!" She mused, her words soon replaced by a light giggling as she assisted the man.
"Hm…? Oh!" The mover seemed shocked at the teenager's offer to help, and even more so at the apology offered, reflecting the moment with a low chuckle. "Ma'am, it is no problem at all, hearing all the stories he had to tell was reward, enough!" The man grinned, the two continuing to chat between themselves as they unpacked, the girl's grandfather joining in as they began placing the boxes inside the duo's new home.
The final box was placed down with care as the pair stood upon their new porch, waving farewell to the mover as he began his departure, taking the final boxes inside.
"Razihel, thank you for moving here, despite my forcing you." The old man murmured a slightly downcast look showing upon his features.
"Ah! Grandpa, it's fine! I can always continue school here, in Solein. Who knows, I might even get a better education here!" After all, I can't be inconveniencing to you, Grandpa. You've helped me out since I was born, and I can never repay all of that. The girl beamed happily as she began taking the labeled boxes to their respective room, scouting out the cottage as she went, memorizing the layout.
As soon as the final boxes were placed in the appropriate rooms, she heard a knocking from the first floor. The brunette quickly bounded down the stairs and to the door, opening it and offering a smile to the blonde girl standing before her. "Hello! Can I help you?" She asked curiously, noting how the girl seemed similar to her in age, and wondering if this was how all the girls in Solein dressed. After all, the blonde was dressed with incredible fashion, and what the girl could only believe to be Solein's highest trends.
"Hiya! My name is Kiefer! I heard a girl my age would be moving in today, and I'm super excited to see you've already arrived!" The girl squealed in excitement, quickly proceeding to tackle the brunette in a tight hug.
Wha-What…? The girl blinked her eyes in surprise before eliciting a giggle and hugging the girl back. Is this how all the people of Solein are? They're so friendly! "Hey, Kiefer, it's a pleasure to meet you! My name is Razihel, but please call me Alis." The girl responded before pulling away to look the girl in the eyes.
"Whooooooaaaaaa! Alis, you're so formal! Don't be like that! I heard you moved here from a very rural region, and was expecting a bumpkin, or something, but I think you could be a total fashionista! Come over to my house, and we can play sometime!" Kiefer grinned, not noticing when a large poodle-type Pokémon came running up behind her, only noticing when it barked, causing her to jump.
"Feidhelm, don't sneak up on me like that!" The girl scolded calmly to the Pokémon, turning her back to Alis to flick her beautiful poodle Pokémon gently. "I realize that your coat is two centimeters too long on the right side, and planned to fix it right away, so just wait a moment." She muttered before shooing it off the porch to wait for her. Kiefer turned back to Alis and smiled once more, her blonde hair flowing around her face beautifully. "I'm sorry about him, but it seems I need to go trim his fur, so if you'll excuse me… Let's play again sometime, Alis!" She beamed, running off the porch and to the house next door, the poodle following her in.
"… his fur was too long? How could she tell?" Alis mused with surprised eyes, not thinking it was possible to even note such a small difference in straight hair, let alone curly hair. She was about to return to unpacking when she saw her grandfather behind her, holding a sealed envelope addressed to one 'Devron Linden'. "Grandpa? What's up?" She asked curiously, her eyes swapping between the letter and her guardian.
"Razihel, I'd like if you could deliver this to the man in charge of the nearby research facility, Professor Linden. His father and I used to be friends, and I would also like you to get acquainted with him. After all, he'll be the one to start you on your first Pokémon journey!"The old man grinned, handing her the letter with care, looking into her shocked eyes.
"J-Journey…? B-But… Grandpa, I haven't even finished school! And I can't really leave you alone." Alis muttered, trying to rationalize why her grandfather was deciding to send her off. Has he gotten tired of taking care of me…? She couldn't help but feel scared that she was being kicked out of the home of the only person who had cared for her.
"Yes, Razihel, a journey. Our home region had very few Pokémon, and they were used mostly as living assistants, as our population was old. I have wanted you to be able to explore the world for a long time, but I knew you were focused on getting into a good college to help care for me. I want you to be able to explore this new world and find something you truly wish to do, and a place you wish to be, all on your own." The man smiled, despite his weathered features, coming close to the teenager and hugging her close. He eventually pulled away and placed not only the letter to the Professor, but also another envelope addressed to her. "These are some starting funds for your journey, dear. Of course, you're welcome to come home whenever you like, or stay away as long as you like. I just want you to find a place that makes you happy, dear."
"B-But…! What about you, though? Who will take care of you?" Alis stammered, feeling more flustered and lost than she'd ever felt before. Her brown eyes felt misty, though she forced herself to seem as calm as possible. She'd never been a child who was good at sharing her emotions, despite her constant appearance of happiness. This was one of the many reasons her grandfather wished for her to journey far and wide, and to meet many people. He hoped she could find a place to call her own.
"Don't worry about me, love, the neighbors here are older, too, so we'll all be taking care of each other. Professor Linden is in the next town over, a town by the name of Helia. I've heard it's one of the biggest towns in the region, so I fear you getting lost. I've been talking with Kiefer's parents, and they recommended these…" The man murmured weakly, pulling out two watch-like devices, "I've been told these are called 'Xtransceivers', and are the most popular way to contact each other, here." He gave his granddaughter the monochromatic one, taking the blue one for himself. "I've already been taught how to add other people, so I've added myself to yours, but I suggest learning how to use it to keep in touch with all your friends." He explained, making sure to only describe the parts he was sure to have understood. Neither of them were any good with technology, coming from a rural region, thus all the high-level gear around for daily use would take some getting used to.
"…" Alis stayed silent as her gaze fell downward, not wanting to leave her grandfather's side, but knowing he wouldn't accept her denying his request. "Alright…" She muttered, grabbing her bag from the nearest box and putting her shoes on.
"Good girl. Now, I was also told there was a map in here," He pointed to the watches, "but I've no clue how to get to it." The old man chuckled in embarrassment, hugging his grandchild once more. "Razihel. You've been more of a child to me than any birth child could have been. Believe in yourself, and enjoy yourself…" He whispered subtly to the shivering girl, patting her head reassuringly. "I will always be here, waiting for any return." He reminded her, nudging her out the door, to where Kiefer was seen standing.
"Alis, let's add each other on the Xtransceiver!" The blonde beamed, quickly showing the girl how to add a new contact, and how to access the map. "You know, I'm about to return to my journey, too."
"You were on a journey, Kiefer?" Alis asked in surprise, her eyes widening slightly.
"Of course! I just came home for a visit, and heard about you, so I stayed long enough to say hi! But I should return soon, or I might get left behind… I'm in the coordinator world, you see? Staying out of it for too long will mean I'll be behind on alllllll the trends!" Kiefer breathed in an exasperated tone, her eyes closing slightly in sadness at the idea, though she recovered quickly. "Anyways, as I was meaning to say, I hope we'll run into each other again. And if you ever need any help, give me or Professor Linden a call. Professor Linden gave me my first Pokémon, as well! My beloved Feidhelm, the Furfrou~" She sighed heavenly, clasping her hands and resting her face on them admiringly.
"Anyways, Alis, just hit me up whenever you need me, and I'll help you in any way I can! In Helia, there's a trainer school, so I'd suggest hitting that up for a quick course or two after getting your first Pokémon. Anyways, that's all for today's lesson, Master Kiefer must be on her waaaaaay~" The blonde grinned as she quickly equipped a pair of inline roller blades and skated away, heading towards the exit of the town.
The brown-haired girl was left in shock as she was nudged away once more by her guardian, a smile sending her off. The girl trudged towards the gates, wondering what she could possibly do with her life, or, rather, would do with it. She had never been one to particularly know what she had wished to do with her life, but it seemed she would now be forced to discover it. As she exited the gates, she resolved to not look back to the town where she lived. She would move forwards, as her grandfather wished her to do. Onward, to Helia!