ROUTE 201, 08:33
There was an uneasy silence.
Barry cleared his throat. "Um, he's my father. Palmer Goodman. I'm Barry Goodman, sir. And this is Claus Haller."
Rowan nodded. "Of course. I can see the family resemblance. And it is a pleasure to make both of your acquaintances," he continued agreeably, as if he hadn't just busted the two of them for theft. The hard glint in his eyes was gone, but Claus was still on his guard.
Barry finally recalled Lucy, whispering an apology to the closed ball. It shook slightly, but stayed shut.
Sure enough, Rowan wasn't one to beat around the bush. "So, why are you two approaching Route 201 with a Pokeball that doesn't belong to either of you, and presumably no Trainer card or Self-defense license?"
Claus's brain had been whirling since the Professor had scanned Lucy, and he'd felt confident in the lie he was about to deliver. However, Barry spoke first. When did the guy ever think before he spoke?
"Well, actually, we were looking for you! We heard you were back from Kanto recently, and I had the idea that you'd be able to give us some cool Pokemon to start off our gym challenge! And, well, the road to Sandgem is closed, so…" He shrugged. "Well, yeah. I think you saw the bit with the Jellicent, so you know the rest."
Professor Rowan's expression was unreadable. Claus kept silent, not sure if trying to alter or add the story now was smart. On one hand, Barry's explanation had just completely destroyed any possibility of the professor believing that Lucy wasn't their Pokemon. However, perhaps he wouldn't mind too much, and perhaps even reward Barry's enthusiasm and honesty. It was a rather minor offense, all things considered.
For about twenty seconds, Rowan stood in silence. When he spoke, his voice was low. "Two young men, so enthusiastic to get their hands on a rare Pokemon, that they are willing to disregard the law." He stared hard, first at Barry, then at Claus. "When they could have waited, for what would have been at most a week, likely sooner, to take the road. When they could have requested the help of a licensed Trainer to travel to Sandgem. When they could have inquired around Twinleaf itself to learn that I was visiting Lake Verity, and searched for me there, where they would have found me. When they could have caught themselves a wild Pokemon and registered as a Trainer themselves before making the journey."
Rowan's arms crossed. "Admittedly, it was extremely unlikely that you would have been caught. However, from what I know of you two, my conclusion is that you are reckless young fools who have no respect for the law." One eyebrow rose. "Do you still expect me to reward you? To trust you with the responsibility of caring for a living, breathing, potentially dangerous Pokemon, knowing what you two have tried to do today?"
Claus felt a sinking feeling. He'd thought that Rowan might not have been angry, but clearly, he had misjudged. Barry spoke up again, breaking the silence as Claus continued to digest what had happened.
"Everything you've said… is absolutely true. Our plan wasn't well-thought out. Well, I should really say it was my plan. I dragged Claus into it." Claus shot a look at Barry. He seemed sincerely apologetic. "If you have to think badly of someone, then it should be me, not Claus. It was entirely my fault."
Claus was touched that Barry would be willing to take the blame on his own shoulders. However, he was his friend. He couldn't let him take the fall when he had the chance to help him out. It was the least he could do to try and keep him out of trouble, as well.
"Sir," said Claus, his voice calm enough to mask the nerves he felt inside him. "I understand that this looks bad, but we do have an excuse." He nodded at Barry, who seemed confused. Hopefully he'd be quick enough to play along here. "You did note yourself that Barry and his father are, well, related. He got permission from him." Claus shrugged modestly. "Mr. Goodman is a busy man, with the Battle Tower that he runs. So I hope you understand that he wasn't able to escort us to Sandgem personally. I'm sorry, but we were really just extremely eager to see you. The both of us love Pokemon, and were… well, a bit impatient to get a head start on our gym challenges."
This wasn't exactly a lie. Claus had no idea if it was true or not, so it didn't really count as one, but it was still deception, and it left a bad taste in his mouth. But it would be worth it if Rowan didn't think badly of them as a result.
Claus suddenly remembered that Palmer and Rowan, after all, would likely know each other, and nearly betrayed his lie by flinching. He was not going to enjoy that discussion with Palmer.
Rowan scrutinized Claus, but his face stayed as neutral as it was before. Claus didn't have much of a problem here, but then Rowan turned to Barry, and Claus felt a sinking feeling. After all, Barry was a far worse liar than he was.
After a moment, though, Professor Rowan nodded, and the tension relaxed a little bit. "Well, then. I see that I may have been just a little hasty with my judgment. There is, of course, no rule against the lending of Pokemon to others."
Rowan smiled at the two of them. "And, especially you, Barry, have impressed me with your willingness to allow yourself to shoulder the blame to help your friend. I apologize for questioning your integrity and character, especially when you two are as earnest in your love for Pokemon as you are. If you'd like, the two of you may join me on the way to my lab in Sandgem Town, where I will gift you with a Pokemon in return for the scolding that I have put you through today."
Barry, who Claus would have ordinarily expected to exult in the offer, only reacted with an uncharacteristically weak smile. "Thank you, professor."
Claus spoke up, too. "The offer is really appreciated, but we were just about to head back to Twinleaf, actually. I had forgotten that my mother had asked me to run an errand for her. I was just about to bring it up, actually, but then the Jellicent attacked."
Rowan nodded. "Of course. There is no rush." He stepped away from the two of them. "I am glad to have met the two of you, Claus, Barry." And without another word, Rowan continued on the path to Sandgem.
VERITY LAKEFRONT, 09:55
"Did you really have to lie to the professor?"
Claus sighed. "Look, I liked it about as much as you did. Do you think I'm looking forward to telling your dad about this?"
Barry's eyes widened, and he probably jumped four feet into the air. "Oh my god I didn't even think about that! Ugh. Man…" Barry frowned. "Okay, seriously, though. Was that really necessary?"
Claus shrugged. "I mean, maybe? He was pretty pissed, after all, and maybe he would've decided that we were too irresponsible to trust with one of his Pokemon if I hadn't said that. But maybe he would've let us off with just a little reprimand… ugh." Claus shook his head. "Like I said, I hated every second of it." He squinted at Barry beside him. "But man, did you really try to take your dad's Pokemon without asking him if it was okay? I wouldn't have made that shot in the dark if I hadn't at least felt pretty confident that it was true."
Barry seemed to crumple in on himself. "Look, I… I didn't steal it, okay? You're technically right, in that he's given me permission to use his Pokemon. But I've never borrowed one for so long before, or for such an important thing. The biggest thing I've done before is helping out get Jasmine's mom's Glameow out of a tree." He shrugged desolately. "I suppose I just didn't think it through. I hope Dad won't be too mad."
Claus patted Barry on the back. "Don't worry too much, man. It was an honest mistake." Unlike deceiving Rowan, but he didn't say that. "I'm sure he'll be willing to forgive us."
Barry nodded, seeming to cheer up. "And hey, we're getting a cool lab Pokemon out of the whole deal too! We'll be fine!"
Claus hid a smile behind his hand. It was basically impossible to get Barry feeling down for any significant period of time, and the conversation turned to other matters as they walked.
Barry and Claus were more or less alone when they arrived at Lake Verity. It had always been a favorite spot for the both of them, considering that the place was quiet and the wild Pokemon were present but not aggressive. The more superstitious people at Twinleaf said that it was because of the shrine of Mesprit that had been built, which Claus actually gave some credence to. He'd been skeptical when he was younger, but after seeing a Mankey kneeling in front of the shrine one day, still as a statue, he could no longer doubt it so strongly.
The presence of the shrine there meant that people who visited the lake were usually respectful and quiet, which made for a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere. As long as they were respectful and quiet as well, nobody minded Barry and Claus spending time there.
"Wait," Barry blurted, his words jarring in the solemn atmosphere of the Lake. "Who's that guy? I don't remember seeing him around town." Barry pointed at a man who was standing by the shrine to Mesprit.
Claus slapped Barry's hand. "Don't point, moron," he hissed, but looked anyways. The newcomer was a tall, lanky man, probably about the height of Professor Rowan. He had short, spiky hair that was a light blue. Probably natural, Claus guessed. It was a rare color, but it wasn't impossible, and it didn't look dyed either. The man was standing with his back turned to them so that they couldn't see his face. However, now that the two of them were silent, they could barely hear his words, carried to them on the gentle breeze.
"...think that I'm here to lament my loss.
"You'd be wrong, old friend. I'm here to thank you."
The man's voice, though quiet, was articulate and unaccented. He spoke in a clinical manner, as if he was reading out a scientific report, but his words were anything but dispassionate.
"You showed me a burden I had been carrying for my whole life. A burden that I didn't even notice, until you took it from me. But now I am free of it, and I am a better man for it.
"I do not know why I am here, when I know full well that I could talk to you just as easily from anywhere else. You likely would not hear me anyways. Perhaps it is a leftover shred of some long-forgotten emotion." The man's narrow shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "Perhaps I am not so free of those shackles as I have assumed myself, considering that I am saying all of this to you in the first place. But my gratitude to you is one shackle that I will choose to keep." He bowed to the shrine. "Thank you for giving me the freedom to choose. I will not forget the gift you have given me, even if you would call it a curse."
The man bowed his head, holding that position for a moment, before standing up and turning away from the shrine. As he turned to face Barry and Claus, they could see that his face was unremarkable, except for the utter lack of expression on it. He would make a killing playing poker.
His expression didn't even budge as his eyes found the two of them, who had clearly been listening. There was no use trying to hide it at this point, and it was a public place, anyways.
Claus broke the silence first. "Hey, sorry we overheard that. It seemed kind of personal." He smiled a little. "If it's any consolation, I'm sorry for your loss, and I'm sure your friend will appreciate your thoughts. You have a beautiful way with words."
The man's face stayed in the same impassive mask. After a second, though, his lips curled into a small, thin smile.
"I appreciate it."
With that, the man turned back around and walked away from the lake, leaving Barry and Claus to watch him depart.
NOTES
get BUSTED, delinquents
Claus being willing to lie to Rowan's face...
I like Rowan's tirade. The stuff following, however, used to be a LOT more unsatisfactory until Jeff helped me through it. So, again, thanks to Jeff.
Even in-game, Barry taking the blame for you is so sweet of him. I love that bit.
And here you see that Claus is a tricky little shit. A lot of Claus is based off of me, and I have had issues with honesty in the past (less so now, but it's still a thing). It's not a flaw I see in many characters, but I decided it wouldn't be unrealistic to try to include it, even if it causes problems.
"You two. You really love Pokemon, do you?"
Rowan seems a little bit quick to forgive here, but it's true. There's no rule against lending Pokemon, and Rowan saw two young trainers with a slightly disobedient and far too powerful Pokemon and immediately thought the worst. There will be repercussions for this soon enough, though.
Claus does not enjoy lying. He will lie, but he does not enjoy it.
Who is this mysterious, stoic man with light blue hair? What is he talking about here at the lake? Who is he talking to? Hmmmm.
As always, constructive criticism is much appreciated, if you're willing to leave it!