A new journey [OPEN]

[Eduard von Bock]

It was a nice day. Not that it was really unusual for nice days to occur in Hillseid. It's general location, elevation and altogether dry environment of Solum meant many clear skies for Hillseid. Eduard was very well aware of this fact. And of course he grew up in the place, so at the very least he knew about it's weather patterns.

Nevertheless, the bright skies felt encouraging. It was after all, his first day of venturing into the wild, his very first steps onto his own adventure and road in life. Just him and Admiral, his trusted Mareep.

That, and the... mercenary he thought it was, that his parents hired because they didn't trust him to reach Aerei alive on his own.

He glanced sideways at his arms, eyes shifting down over the laptop bag he was carrying, then to his beloved Pokemon. Granted, he wasn't the most... intimidating... strong... well, he was a geeky sight, but that didn't mean Admiral couldn't handle what would get thrown at him.

We all know that isn't true. He sighed. It was true, neither him nor Admiral were particularly keen or adapt at fighting. Somewhere he was a little glad for the man that was supposed to join him on his way.

Eduard's hand reached down to softly stroke Admiral's head. He was at the meeting spot now, he just had to look out for the man he was supposed to meet now.

Blonde, with a Cubone, a temper and a likely to carry a gun. It wasn't much to go by, but he figured if the man traveled around a lot, it was bound to be a particularly muscled one. Tall too, a couple of years older than him probably.

It probably wouldn't be that hard to find a man like that in a mountain village like his.

[Vash Zwingli]

The first thing he noticed when he stepped out of the inn was the way the mountains around Hillseid reminded him of home, except a lot warmer. He had arrived the town the night before, after it reached his ears that some kid in town needed help travelling around. And he was getting paid. Very well paid.

Gunther growled, mimicking it’s master’s mood. Vash humpf-ed in agreement; such a bright day usually meant lots of happy, bothersome people to spoil their business.

They were arranged to meet in the town, said the letter he had gotten. Fine. Can’t possibly be that hard to find him.

“He’s supposed to be skinny, with glasses. And with a Mareep.”
The little Cubone following him just nodded, looking around carefully, always distrusting the surroundings.

Vash fixed the gun on his shoulder, along with the bag with both his and Gunther’s little belongings, ammunition and food for the trip. “Think the idiot will give us too much trouble?”

The Cubone just growled again, hitting his bone cub against a rock on the floor, and Vash knew he was right; jobs like these were never carried on without major annoyances.

It didn’t take them long to get to the town square, and even less time to spot the fluffy yellow sheep and a scrawny guy in glasses standing next to it, looking a little too nerdy for Vash’s liking.

“Are you Eduard?”

[Eduard von Bock]

Admiral bleated softly. Eduard softly ran his fingers through her wool. She was comfortingly warm in hot weather, it wasn't uncommon for him to have dozed off while leaning against her wool when typing away on his laptop.

But this was no time to get absentminded. Especially since he hadn't spotted his 'guide' yet.

"Are you Eduard?

"Ah yes, I am! Are you Vash-?" Initially he looked over the source of the question, eyes searching a bit before they rested on the cubone next to the guy before him. " 's... apprentice?"

Did mercenaries take on apprentices? It had always appeared to him as a more solitary occupation. But surely the guy before him could not be the guy he had heard the stories about? He seemed well, a little short, and not on the bad side of effeminate either. If quite cute, perhaps because of that fact.

He is carrying a gun and accompanying the Cubone, perhaps he comes along to carry things and take care of the Pokemon?

He shifted his laptop bag a little on his shoulder, the bag containing his laptop and basic necessities between him and Admiral.

I wonder when Vash will join us. He idly wondered, politely not breaking eye contact with the guy before him, guessing a man like Vash would probably stand out from the corners of his visions anyway.

[Vash Zwingli]

Vash’s apprentice? What was that supposed to mean? Was this frail, geeky figure daring make fun of him? Günter also seemed to pick up the same vibes, swinging its cub around menacingly.

The human’s scowl worsened considerably, as he studied Eduard’s thin, and rather unimpressive form. Was that really all there was to protect? He didn’t look rich. Nor threatening. Not even particularly good looking.

“I am Vash. Is there a problem?” His eyes just didn’t let any space left for jokes, and neither did his body language. The blond had a smug expression on, almost looking down on Eduard, despite being a lot shorter than the other.

Vash crossed his arms, obviously annoyed at the waste of time this mission was already turning out to be.

“Is it you that I need to look after?”

[Eduard von Bock]

Oh god, I'm going to get eaten by Mightyena aren't I?

Eduard blinked a few times. The smaller boy and equally small Pokemon suddenly turned to glare at him. There was something amusing about how suddenly the mood had turned. The other's glare told more than enough however for him not to comment on it.

If anything, Vash knew how to create an impression, a scowl like that might scare wild predators either way. Or so he hoped. Eduard was more than aware even the smallest Pokemon were to be taken seriously or you could get seriously injured. Surely this could apply to Vash as well right?

"I'm sorry, I guess didn't receive a very good description." He smiled, extending his hand. "Your reputation precedes you, I'm Eduard. I will entrust my safety with you."

[Vash Zwingli]

Vash felt his eyes rolling with Eduard’s ways. What an annoying kid. And yet another one to judge him by his age and height. Damn it.

Gunther just posed next to his master, still holding the cub as if ready to swing at the first sign of troubles, barely paying attention to Eduard’s Mareep, instead glaring at the boy in glasses.

Still without quite believing he had travelled across half the country for this… shrimp… Vash just glared down at the hand held out for him, taking a few seconds to realize he was supposed to shake it back, giving Eduard a brief, but strong shake, and crossing his arms again.

Vash just stared blankly at Eduard with all his politeness, but not even paying attention to the words, barely waiting for the other boy to be done.

“Where are you heading to? You might have to get more ammunition.”

[Eduard von Bock]

Vash had a strong handshake, that was a good sign at least. There was a saying after all that strong handshakes make a strong man, right? Eduard wasn't one to believe in sayings, but at the moment he tried to convince himself he wouldn't get eaten by Ursaring on the way.

If anything, it seemed Pokemon did seem to imitate their trainers. If only evident by the fact that both Pokemon and trainer had been glaring at him since they met. He softly stroked Admiral, not breaking eye contact though. It might be an interesting topic to study another time.

At first Eduard was a little surprised Vash wasn't informed of the destination before picking him up. But it seemed communication hadn't been that great on either side.

"I would like to travel to Aerei, to study the ruins." He smiled. Ammunition. It wasn't weird if the guy compensated for his size with other means of attacking. The taught of stocking up on ammunition hadn't really crossed his mind, but in hindsight it did sound smart. Some Pokemon were best not dealt with directly after all.

[Vash Zwingli]

Vash got the impression the boy in front of him was always trying to get something else, almost scrutinizing look through those thick glasses of his.

Shifting the gun and the heavy bag on his shoulders, he snapped; “What are you staring at?”

Günter too, for the first time, was staring down at the mareep instead of its trainer. The small Cubone growled at him, waving the bone around.

Noticing the Pokémon’s agitation, Vash looked down as well, glaring at the little yellow sheep. Weak.

Without really waiting for a reply, he turned around to start walking.

“Let’s go.”

[Eduard von Bock]

"What are you staring at?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Eduard didn't realize he had started staring. That was quite rude of him, and he got the idea that his first impressions hadn't been all too good to start with. Asking if he was his apprentice, what was I thinking, he must be offended... Though he didn't really gave off a particularly... masculine aura.

He did feel a slight sting with how quickly he turned and walked off. hoping dearly that the whole trip wouldn't be this awkward.

Admiral nudged his leg slightly, reminding him he was supposed to follow. Eduard gently patted her head for a moment, then followed, talking, if only because he didn't like the silence their conversation had just left. "What route are we taking?"

His Mareep got a few steps ahead of him, bleating softly to Gunter. As a way of introduction perhaps.

[Vash Zwingli]

Vash couldn’t help but roll his eyes at his newly found companion.

“You don’t need to apologize.” More than the truth, as he wasn’t really paying attention to Eduard’s words in the first place. Other than that, at least the boy had the decency to realize he had been an idiot.

“We’re going through the woods. The fastest way, obviously.”

A glance down, Vash could watch the little Cubone skipping along with him, quick steps due to the size of its legs.
Vash himself was used to walking on a slower pace, in order for his Pokémon friend to keep up.

He noticed as the Mareep approached Günter, and came to a halt, just to see how he would react.

With a growl, Günter glared at the sheep, raising his cub to touch the sheep on her forehead, pushing her back a few inches. He didn’t take too long to resume walking either, skipping off without waiting for his trainer.

[Eduard von Bock]

The woods were a logical way to choose. After all, the only other way to go to Aerei was straight across the desert. Or traveling along the foot of the mountain range, neither providing a lot of food or water along the way. And Eduard had done enough research to know that Efas was practically a compulsory stop along the way.

"That sounds good," he smiled. "Will we be making a stop at Treehut or following the river down?"

The slower pace was nice. The weather was pleasant after all, and with Vash he'd, presumably, not have to worry about Pokemon after nightfall. Besides, he was fairly certain he couldn't keep up a swift pace the whole way. Not to mention he was used to slow strolls with his Pokemon, or resting in the shade of a tree.

He too turned to watch when Vash came too a halt for a moment. Observing the odd gesture the Cubone made, somewhere wondering if that was a habit it had picked up from his trainer too.

Admiral however, looked completely lost, blinking in confusion at the other Pokemon, bleating softly for a moment. The sheep watched the other for a bit, then skipped after, deciding to return to gesture with a small nudge against its back, then a big lick over its skull.

[Vash Zwingli]

With a second roll of his eyes, Vash’s little patience was over.

“If you’re so worried about the way we’re going, you can lead instead. Otherwise, will you please just shut up?”

As he watched Cubone, Vash felt the need to smile; even if he couldn’t quite place where Günter had picked up the gesture, even if in the back of his own mind, he knew the Cubone had seen his master pointing the gun at countless people’s heads.

Just like the trainer, Günter’s temper was raising at the irritating bleating Pokémon. He was ready to push it away again when he felt something moist against his skull. A tongue.

A visible shudder ran through the Cubone’s spine, and an angry growl came out its mouth as he turned around.

If Günter’s glare wasn’t enough to scare the defenseless Mareep, he hit her with the cub, right on the chest, to push the sheep back again.

[Eduard von Bock]

Eduard flinched slightly with his sudden snap. Was there a way to make conversation with him without getting him offended? He didn't seem to have much luck at that.

Am I not being polite enough? Eduard might've been raised on a farm, but he was pretty sure he had formal etiquette mastered. Are you not supposed to ask about the way you'll travel? Maybe he was supposed to be politer?

"I'm sorry, I was just curious, sir." He walked after him briskly, eyes falling down to Admiral and Gunter again however. He gasped slightly at the scene.

Admiral let out a whimpering bleat with the hit, dizzily falling back a few steps. The hit from the much stronger Pokemon made her recoil, trailing back a bit to Eduard, still bleating a bit pleadingly.

"There, there..." Eduard whispered, gently caressing her wool. He cast a questioning glance at Vash, though he wasn't sure if he should speak up about the fact his short-tempered Cubone straight out attacked his Mareep. Which, from what he could see, was only trying to introduce itself.

[Vash Zwingli]

Vash felt himself sighing with Eduard’s manners. Kicking a rock while he walked, the gunman mused to himself.
That’s probably why the idiot needs a bodyguard. Someone who speaks so softly probably draws a lot of trouble to himself.

With another heavy sigh, Vash counted to ten in his mind, before turning around to face the other. “We’ll travel through the forest till we reach Treehut. From then, we’ll follow the river. Enough?”

Following Eduard’s gesture, Vash’s eyes went back to Günter and the Mareep. He let out an amused huff, a soft smile on his face.

The Cubone looked up at its trainer too, and shrugged with a quick shake of its shoulders, not really feeling the need to explain the attack. Instead, he just turned around and went back to their way.

The blond boy just spared a last glance at Eduard and Admiral, but since the sheep didn’t seem hurt, he just shook his shoulders as well and went after Günter.

[Eduard von Bock]

Eduard smiled contently when he got the information from Vash. That told him a lot more after all and not only about the route they would take. Granted that his data was correct, it would tell him the approximate time it would take, what kind of Pokemon they might encounter on their way and much more.

"That sounds great, I've only been to Treehut once, but I was too young to remember. It's quite a scenic place, is it not?" He replied, trying to keep a conversation while he followed after the mercenary. While he was glad for the answer, he was a bit peeved at the fact Vash didn't even apologize for his Pokemon's actions.

His Pokemon was clearly stronger, was Vash not aware too strong a hit from Gunter could knock out Admiral? His fingers traced softly through the wool of his Pokemon. Admiral appeared to have taken the hit reasonably, but she still looked a bit confused as to why the other Pokemon had been so rude.

Eduard patted her head softly, as if to say she can try to play with the other Pokemon later, maybe when it was less grumpy. But, if his trainer was anything to go by, he had his doubts it would happen. Could being a mercenary have made him so gruff, rough and bad mannered? He could only wonder. It was probably a hard life, he figured, but he could hardly judge. Maybe I can strike up a conversation sometime, just hope he won't think I'm too nosy.

Admiral just looked over in confusion at the Cubone. Despite the hit it just took, getting the increasing urge to nibble on the stumpy bits of bones on Gunter's skill, the bits that looked a bit like ears. She knew better though, as Eduard was clearly hinting her not to do anything else right now.