"It- it should-" She collapsed onto the bench, confused and terrified. She looked from the large man, to the little candle, and then to the near skeletonised man at her feet. "They feed off your soul. Why are you okay?" She shook her head before pulling out a small booklet "Litwick shines a light that absorbs the life energy of people and Pokémon, which becomes the fuel that it burns." Ryan chuckled, patting the small candle creature that sat on the ground beside him. "These people aren't addicts Mr. Cabberin, they're being killed, and they can't escape". His smile dripped away. He didn't know if moving these people would help them. Or if to try would only kill them faster. The pain in his back brought a thought to his mind however. Gently taking the candle he moved it behind him to near the tattoo hidden beneath his shirt. The tingling pain grew fierce until he drew the small candle away and smiled.
He smiled gently, placing the candle down before telling the young girl that he'd explain some other time why he was unaffected. For now he wanted to hear of her gym battles. "Oh" Her expression eased at this aparently exciting change of topic. "We have six badges. I don't have many pokemon though, Only the ones who want to come with me" Ryan nodded, a few loyal was better than many captured. "Next gym is Anistar city. It's a psychic type gym, which I think I've got a good handle on" She smiled, stroking a red and white orb in her hands. He couldn't help but be a little proud of her, to have done so much on her own. Especially given the path her parents set her on.
"We can't do anything for them today, we'll have to talk to someone back in Lumiose about this place." He said, standing up once again, towering over her. "For now you need to sleep. Come on, there are rooms upstairs" He patted the little candle before ascending the staircase again, the growingly frightened young lass following. "I'll have Blargg watch you for the night if you like." Who was Blargg? Why would that help? "It's a Slugma that's been following me, should work as a nightlight and be able to fight off any ghosts that might want to hurt you, alright?" She seemed a little calmer with this idea, entering the room beside where Chuey slept. A door left open for Ryan to direct the ball of molten rock through. With the fiery slug leaving his room, the vagrant climbed back into bed with Chuey, and slept again.
"You are the boss of the team, yes?"
"..."
"I need you're help, I can feel the end coming"
The next morning found Ryan sitting in the large entry hall feeding his companions as Chuey and Shauna trudged down the stairs. One sleepily, one curious. Behind the two slowly seeped a ball of magma that seemed to be more intent on watching the balcony behind it than the stairs in front. Though it did not fall down along their trip. Halfway through their breakfast, it was chuey who poked the large man through the large opening in his shirt. "You got shot." She reminded him. His look was quite apathetic to the fact. "I think you keep getting shot because you don't care. Don't you think?" Shauna nodded. Ryans eyes narrowed as he watched them, they hadn't been idly sleeping upstairs he deduced. "And look at this, your coat is burnt. These are all your clothes aren't they." Ashamed, he mumbled as he ate the sandwhich. "We can't have this. We have to get you some more clothes" His head sank a little between his shoulders. Shopping sucked. Clothes shopping sucked more. And he was broke.
The day that followed would be described by Ryan as hell. It was a little under an hours walk from the Hotel to Lumiose city, such was the arc they had travelled. Within the metropolis he was dragged through the streets by two excited women, and an immensely entertained psychic pokemon, who'se barriers prevented him fleeing certain notions. On a day where you had not expected a haircut, or even a beardcut, such a thing is not pleasant. The act of trying on various clothes over and over felt like he was stuck within an infinite loop. One for which he had no control. Even telling his escorts that he could not pay did not disuade them. For apparently Pokemon battles were a lucrative buisness, and gym leaders hand out large amounts of money.
"Girls, You haven't thought this through" He was finally able to say when they quietened a moment after leaving a store. Trying to ignore the fact that he actually rather liked the large black singlet with a Single red letter that he was wearing. "My government storage box has been removed. I have no-where to keep all this stuff!" R for Ryan they said, corny but a little cool. Shauna piped up that she had already thought of this. That she had too many boxes anyway due to her status as a Pokemon League challenger. She was quite willing to let him store clothes in her account. So long as no guns or alcohol were included in this. "Why would you do that?" Apparently being a favorite teacher had perks. But if he wanted to earn the offer, he could simply escort her to Anistar city. There is much snow upon the road to Anistar, so Ryan's associates would be helpful protection at least.