PokéShipping Week 2016
November 1st
Day #1 - Rain
Pushing a few strands of damp orange hair out of her face, Misty Waterflower has her hands gripping the handlebars of her bicycle as she tries to make sure she can get through the rainstorm that descended upon her.
A force of nature that literally came out of nowhere if you were asking her!
One moment, the sky was a picturesque blue and the next she was running through some dense foliage to try to get to a nearby cabin shelter when the sky actually ripped in half and a downpour decided to ruin her day.
"Last time I go outside without checking the weather first." Misty grumbles as she pushes more of her hair out of her face.
Sighing, Misty slows her pace before looking up at the sky.
Something she soon regrets as, aside from seeing no end to the storm, her face is pelted by a barrage of water droplets that had fallen down from the leaves that used to hold their weight.
Biting back a curse, Misty cannot help the groan that escapes past her lips. While she loves water more than anything in the world - from its gentle, undulating waves to its raging, capricious currents and all the magnificent and deadly creatures that make such an expansive world their aquatic home - she decides in that moment that rain may have to be stricken from that list. At least until she can better prepare herself for such unpredictable weather.
With another sigh, Misty trudges through the undergrowth of the forest she's found herself in on the outskirts of Viridian City.
The only thing that could make this worse, Misty thinks, annoyed as she pushes more hair out of her face. Is if a bunch of bugs decided to come out and say hello.
It would seem that the world is out to get the youthful redhead as, no sooner did she finish her thought did a huge arachnid came down from their web and stare blearily into her eyes, as if she had woken the spider up from a pleasant nap.
"Nice spider?" Misty murmurs uneasily, trying to fight down her Entomophobia and the urge to scream and run far, far away. The two stay staring at each other for a good five minutes, the rain steadily drenching the orange-haired female's clothes further as the sound of thunder ripples overhead. Just when Misty is certain that the spider will leave her alone and retreat to their home, the insect seems to have other ideas. In an admittedly impressive display of balance and poise, the spider uses their eight legs to fire a small amount of sticky web at the redhead's face from their spinnerets.
Shocked and repulsed by what just happened, Misty blinks at the spider once as the arachnid wisely chooses to retreat at that moment because, no sooner had the spider vacated from the immediate area did Misty unleash an ear-splitting scream. The redhead, heedless of the current weather, sprints through the forest before her momentum would prove to be her undoing.
Due to the fact that the visibility is rather low due to the storm and her overall increase in speed, Misty ends up tumbling down a small hill.
Rubbing at her sore backside, no doubt thinking that it's going to end up bruising tomorrow, the redhead wonders what kind of crime she involved herself in to deserve such a fate.
Looking around, Misty marvels at her good fortune for three reasons. Aside from an aching posterior, dirt practically everywhere, and the spider's web still on her face, she is remarkably unharmed. Her bicycle, having been sent flying when she rolled down the hill, looks to be entirely usable despite a few nicks.
And finally, the warm, inviting lights beckoning her inside, she finds herself face to face with the cabin shelter for wayward travelers, people needing to rest for the night, and those needing a respite from the storm.
And as her clothes are heavy with water, it's obvious which category she falls in.
Opening the door of the cabin, Misty finds herself greeted by a warm burst of air and the crackling glow of a fireplace. Given the sogginess of her attire, the blazing fire is a welcome sight.
Depositing her bicycle at the door and making sure the lock is secure, Misty walks to the front desk area of the cabin. Even far away, the redhead can make out how the woman behind the desk has quite an interesting shade of pink hair.
"Oh, you poor dear!" The woman exclaims when Misty stands in front of the desk. "You're soaking wet!"
"Don't worry about it." Misty assures, smiling as best she can at the moment. It must look particularly strained given the way the kindly older woman is regarding her. "I'm fine."
Fine except for the spider web on my face. Misty thinks, but wisely chooses to keep that to herself.
"If you say so." The woman, who introduces herself as Joy, says uneasily as her eyes take in the young girl before her. "We must get you out of those wet clothes though."
The older woman then sets herself to the task of digging out some articles of clothing from the space under the desk. At least, that's what the redhead is assuming Joy is doing.
"That would be great." Misty states, bluish-green eyes twinkling somewhat at the prospect of some nice dry, clean clothes. And perhaps… "Is there a shower I could use?"
Joy stops riffling through the clothes in the hidden alcove of the desk to gesture towards the spiral staircase on the left side of the desk. "The shower and bath are located upstairs." The pink-haired woman explains before indicating the spiral staircase on the right. "The bedding quarters are also upstairs." She then smiles earnestly. "You'll also find a special surprise up there as well."
No sooner had she finished speaking (and gave her some clean clothes which are a simple white tee-shirt, a charming dark cerulean jacket, and jeans that are as blue as the shifting waves of the ocean) did Misty make a beeline for the staircase leading to the showers.
And when the first blast of soothingly warm water came into contact with her skin, washing the dirt, grime, and the disgusting spider web from her body, the redhead felt immediately revitalized.
The surprise, Misty would soon learn, is someone devoted to making hot chocolate for anyone that visits the cozy little structure.
She would also learn that the name of the older woman in charge of the machine is Jenny. The blue-haired woman is apparently recently graduated from the Saffron City Police Academy and awaiting to hear back from them about which precinct in which city or town she should move to so she can adequately defend the land of Kanto with truth, justice, and an adorable, reliable crimson canine ready to take a bite out of crime. Said animal appears to be sleeping next to the hot chocolate stand.
After taking a steaming mug of the refreshing beverage and leaving behind a five dollar tip, Misty goes downstairs and sits in front of the still-roaring fire.
Relaxing in the dark brown chair and drinking some of the hot chocolate, the sound of thunder reverberating overhead, Misty thinks of how this is what a perfectly peaceful day looks like.
All things considered anyway.
Setting her half-empty mug on the coffee table next to her chair, Misty stretches her arms and legs. She turns to the front door when she hears someone open it, thinking that they're undoubtedly another poor traveler caught in the torrential rainstorm outside.
And is effectively left staring mouth agape at the stranger.
If she had to put a description to the man she's seeing, Misty would say he appeared to have jumped right out of one of the romance novels she loves to read in her free time away from college.
Turning her attention back to the fireplace, Misty fights down the heat rising in her face at the admittedly handsome male. Shaking her head in agitation, the redhead chastises herself for thinking what she did about the young man.
So what if he's one of the most attractive guys she's ever seen? So what if, despite looking like he's soaked to the bone it doesn't seem to bother him? So what if his black hair, wet and sticking to his forehead, looks like something she could wind her fingers through for hours on end? So what if the white tee-shirt underneath his obsidian jacket provides the redhead with a generous view of his muscles?
So freaking what if his brown eyes - so sincere and carefree - seem to entrance her from halfway across the room?
Misty Waterflower does not think that the man that just walked in, who's talking to Joy as she is most certainly rummaging for some clean clothes before the unknown male takes them and heads for the left staircase, is the most irresistible man she's ever had the pleasure of seeing.
Nope. Obviously not. That would just be completely crazy!
Right?
As it turns out, the universe seems out to test Misty's patience and sanity to their breaking points. Because out of all the possible places that the visually striking man could have relaxed, it had to be in the chair right next to her.
She notices out of her peripheral vision how he's now wearing a dark black tee-shirt, a dark blue jacket, and dark blue jeans. Aside from his still very much appealing appearance, the soap he used to wash himself wafts off of him in tantalizing waves. The steaming mug of hot chocolate in his hands only adding to the delectable scent.
Biting down on her lower lip, Misty takes a rather significant quaff of what remains of her hot chocolate, hoping that the two of them can just enjoy the fire in amiable silence.
But of course, as she sets her empty mug aside and thunder resounds through the air above them, nothing is that simple.
"This storm just came out of nowhere, huh?" The unnamed male remarks, flashing her a friendly grin.
"That's an understatement." Misty grumbles tersely. The redhead hopes that her cold shoulder will cease any and all attempts at further conversation.
Clearly, that isn't the case.
"I was just hiking out in the woods when the sky went from blue and sunny to gray and thundering." The male continues.
Given the fact that she feels in the pit of her stomach that this stranger won't be leaving anytime soon, Misty decides to christen him with the nickname "Brown Eyes". Better than referring to him as some unknown stranger despite the fact that that's exactly what he is.
"I can relate to that." Misty mutters, feeling her cheeks burn at the memory of how embarrassing it was to be in the middle of the wilderness before the rain started and being thoroughly and utterly unprepared. After all, while the orange-haired female doesn't usually go outside, when she does, she's much better suited to face whatever Mother Nature can throw her way. "If I had only checked the weather forecast."
"I wouldn't worry too much about it." Brown Eyes says, giving her a wry smirk. "The weatherman tends to get it wrong anyway."
The redhead smiles at that. "I suppose you're right." She admits. While the Kanto 149 News Broadcasters never fail to keep its citizens up-to-date on current events and the like, when it comes to weather predictions, they usually have between a sixty-four percent and eighty percent rate of success.
The two do slip into a comfortable sort of silence then.
Which lasts for all of three minutes before the redhead decides to break it. She isn't sure what compels her to speak up. Perhaps it's the way the fire gives his boyish features a warm amber glow, further validating her previous assertion that he's right out of a romance novel. Maybe it's the way that his jab (however insensitive it may have been) defrosts her chilly demeanor. Or it could be the strange desire to want to get to know the stranger sitting next to her.
He seems nice enough. Misty thinks, recalling how her sisters have been pestering her about her love life. As much as she loves their positive relationships, there are moments - like when Daisy, Lily, and Violet are breathing down her neck about finding a great guy or going shopping or whatever it is they do that she would rather have nothing to do with - that days of long ago when they called her the scrawny runt of the Waterflower Sisters of Cerulean City seem almost preferable by comparison.
Almost.
Sighing, both out of exhaustion after such a tiring day and deciding that there's no time like the present to act, Misty focuses on the fireplace for a moment before turning to Brown Eyes.
"So, what were you doing outside hiking anyway?" The redhead asks, testing the waters and trying to see how best to go about a conversation that's hardly begun.
Brown Eyes doesn't reply immediately. Instead, he takes a quick gulp of his hot chocolate. (Despite her best efforts, Misty cannot help watching the liquid as it slides down the unblemished column of his throat, his Adam's apple bobbing in the process.)
Shaking her head to clear it of less than noble thoughts, Misty directs her attention back to the male sitting next to her.
And almost falls out of her chair given the way he's looking at her so earnestly, his grin impossibly wide.
"What was I doing hiking?" Brown Eyes echoes, still grinning at her before leaning back in his chair. He sighs reflectively before turning his head to her. "Adventuring."
"Adventuring?" Misty echoes lamely, blinking thrice as she wonders if she heard him right.
Then again, she can definitely see the merits of wanting to explore the world; wanting to see what lies behind every unknown corner and discovering the undiscovered.
Brown Eyes nods his head so exuberantly at that he looks like a bobblehead about to have their head bounce off from their shoulders. The action is so adorable that Misty cannot help laughing. It would seem though that her newfound companion either didn't notice or doesn't mind. "Yep!" He answers with a smile before clenching his fists. "Nothing's better than a great trek through a forest or mountain and then relaxing under the night sky with the stars and moon as your only light."
"That does sound nice." Misty says with a small smile as she feels herself become swept up in Brown Eyes' enthusiastic tendencies. "What would you say is your favorite adventure?"
"My favorite adventure?" Brown Eyes echoes, his countenance turning thoughtful. He closes his eyes with a hum. His eyebrows begin to crease towards his nose as the answer to the question appears to escape him. He expels a frustrated breath, opening his eyes with a careless shrug. "You know, as much as I enjoy them, I don't think any of the adventures I've been on could be called my favorite."
"That's too bad." Misty comments, feeling the most peculiar urge to commiserate with the raven-haired male despite her sense of logic screaming at her that there's nothing to feel sorry for. "Maybe you just haven't found the adventure yet."
"The adventure, huh?" Brown Eyes muses with a glance at the fireplace before turning back to the redhead.
"Yeah." Misty says, feeling her face burn due to the piercing russet-eyed gaze that the raven-haired male is giving her. With an awkward cough, the orange-haired female directs her attention solely to the fireplace. She hopes that the color on her face will subside soon and that the stranger next to her didn't see it. "The adventure."
"So, what were you doing out in this storm?" Brown Eyes asks before the two could possibly lapse into a sort of silence.
"How'd you know I was out in this weather?" Misty asks, her viridian eyes narrowed in a wary glare.
Her hostile stance doesn't seem to faze Brown Eyes in the slightest as he merely gestures in the direction of the door. And sitting there right where she left it is her trusted bicycle.
"You also mentioned how you should've checked the weather broadcast." He adds.
"Oh." Misty says weakly as she visibly deflates. She smiles ruefully. "That explains it." Putting a fist to her mouth, she coughs as she tries to ignore her growing sense of mortification. "Well," She starts after managing to compose herself. "I was biking along one of the famous bike trails of the Viridian Forest."
"Famous bike trails?" Ash asks with a dubious blink.
"You've never heard of the Viridian Bicycle Trails?!" Misty exclaims, looking legitimately horrified; as if a stranger's ignorance is a personal affront to her very person.
Brown Eyes' only response is a helpless shrug. "Can't say that I have."
"We'll just have to change that." Misty states with a decisive air about her. It's as if she thinks they're the best of friends instead of the perfect strangers that they are.
"We?" The raven-haired hiker repeats, an eyebrow raised as he looks to be suppressing a fit of laughter.
"And what is so funny?!" Misty snaps irritably, glaring at the male. Brown Eyes immediately throws his hands up in a placating gesture as the orange-haired cyclist closes her eyes. With a sigh, she opens them. "Anyway," She continues without waiting for an answer as she feels substantially calmer. "I like to ride my bike when I'm on break from college."
"You go to college?" Brown Eyes asks curiously.
Given the way Misty is glaring at him, it's apparent that she took such an innocuous question the wrong way.
"As a matter of fact, I do." The Cerulean City female hisses, her voice dripping acid. Her expression does a completely radical change as she smiles sweetly at him. "Do you have a problem with that?" She asks through gritted teeth.
His eyes growing wide, Brown Eyes waves his hands back and forth as he shakes his head twice. "W-wait!" He stammers. "That's not what I meant!" Taking a breath, he presses on. "I meant, what do you study in college?"
"Hm." Is Misty's only reply as she mentally kicks herself for her volatile temper and her propensity to jump to conclusions. In retrospect, even though she's just met the man before her, he doesn't seem to be the type to be rude. A bit sarcastic maybe, but crass? She finds the idea absurd. When she manages to calm down, that's when she breaks out in a smile so wide it wouldn't look out of place on Brown Eyes' face. "I'm studying to be an oceanographer."
"An oceanographer?" Brown Eyes repeats, scratching his black hair.
Misty nods, still grinning. Placing her right elbow on the armrest of her chair, she supports her head with her hand. "Ever since I was a little girl, I've always loved the ocean." She sighs, content. "To learn more about the ecosystem and all the creatures that make it their home."
Misty isn't sure why she feels the need to bare her soul to a guy she's just met. Someone she hasn't even learned the name of yet.
But as she watches his features light up with an amicable grin, perhaps that idea isn't so far out of the realm of probability.
"That sounds really cool!" The raven-haired male comments, putting his left elbow on the armrest of his chair and supporting his head with his hand. "Where are you studying?"
"Indigo Plateau University." Misty answers, feeling gratified by the male's sentiment about her line of study.
"Really?!" Brown Eyes exclaims almost incredulously as he looks about ready to fall out of his chair. His features turn thoughtful. "What a small world." He says, more to himself than to her.
"Do you know someone who goes there?" Misty asks, curious.
Brown Eyes nods his head. "Yep! Two of my best friends go there: Gary Oak and Leaf Green."
"Can't say that those names ring a bell." Misty says, searching her memory for anything familiar and coming up blank.
"Can't say I'm surprised." Brown Eyes remarks with a smirk; as if thinking of some inside joke. "When those two aren't in class, they're usually too busy making out to notice anyone else."
Wait. Making out?
"Now that you mention it," Misty says, a memory stirring at the fringes of her mind. "when I went for an early morning jog around campus, there were these two people who seemed determined to inhale each other."
The raven-haired male laughs at the description. "Yeah, that sounds like them."
"So, are you studying anything?" Misty asks, wanting to get the topic of discussion away from the relationships of others.
"Nope." Brown Eyes answers without hesitation. He glances at the fireplace before staring at the ceiling, the rain pounding incessantly against the roof as thunder echoes above. "Traveling from place to place helps me learn a lot more than I could sitting in a classroom for hours on end."
"I see." Misty says, nodding her head as she understands perfectly. Sometimes, the best teacher in the world can be the planet herself.
"Anyway," Brown Eyes says as he stands up. Stretching, his eyes stay on Misty. "I think I'm going to bed."
As if on cue, he soon yawns which leads to the redhead yawning as she too begins to feel drowsy. Something that must've escaped her attention while talking with her most recent acquaintance.
"Me too." She says, standing up with a stretch of her own.
Before the two can possibly go their separate ways, Misty stops him with a question.
"So stranger, you planning on telling me your name?" Misty jokes with a good-natured grin.
Brown Eyes blinks at her before smiling. "My name's Ash Ketchum."
"Misty Waterflower." The orange-haired female supplies, thinking that that name fits the male before her perfectly.
"Well Misty, it's nice to meet you." Brown Eyes - Ash - says, extending a hand.
"Nice to meet you too Ash." Misty says, shaking the male's hand.
As her eyes wander to the window behind her newfound friend, Misty feels her smile grow.
Because outside, some of the moonlight filtering in through the window, it looks like it had stopped raining.
Misty doesn't know why, but she cannot help thinking that it's a positive omen; a herald of auspicious possibility.
And as she looks into Ash's russet eyes before they eventually part ways, she can hardly wait to see what the unpredictable future may hold for them.