♦ at the beginning with you [mod]

[kitsune]

"Yes, yes, I've arrived at the laboratory, father. Yes, I'm safe and sound. No, I have not been mugged, nor do I think I will be mugged any time in the near future. I am sure the good Professor Lief is not actually an axe murderer, father. No, father, I will not tempt the man with my feminine wiles, why would you even think--father. ...I am going to hang up now, father. I promise you I will be absolutely fine. Goodbye,"

[/color] the dainty girl said firmly.

With a resounding clik, Esme snapped her phone shut and dropped it into her designer purse. You could feed an orphanage for a day with that purse; she treated it with the dignity of a plastic shopping bag.

Parents were such a drag. She was glad to finally be out of the house and on her own! (Almost on her own, anyway. The incessant phone calls from home were a daily if not hourly bother, alas.)

Bold as brass, Esme marched up to the front door of the lab, gave a bright, sparkling series of knocks upon the door, and pushed it straight open. Looking around, she raised her voice to call out across the lab. "Hello? It's Miss de Winter. I called earlier about selecting a starter pokemon."
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[MOO!]

Being a Professor was rough.
Balancing research with paperwork and having to deal with the new trainers that came by day to day…

He needed a vacation. Just for once.
Not that the work wasn’t enjoyable—but it was just so much. Lief set down his pen on the desk and sat back in his chair with a deep exhale. He was finally done. For now, at least. All there was to do now was to prepare for the new arrivals and…
Knock knock knock.

Wow, already?
He stood up, straightened his lab coat and tie, and stepped out of his office into the main portion of the lab, greeting the young lady with a wave and a smile. Although young she seemed to be a rather sophisticated lady, obviously coming from a high-class family.
Or she just had a really expensive purse for no reason.

“Miss de Winter?” He asked, blinking and then he remembered, “Ah! Yes! Apologies, I get so many calls and have to do so much paperwork… just too many names!” He smiled sheepishly.
“But yes! Please, come in.” Professor Lief said, leading the lady to a table with a couple of chairs. On the table were a bunch of water bottles. “Feel free to take any water bottles that you want; I’d offer cookies but I’ve been too busy to make them…” He sighed.
“But I could make something quick for you if you’d want, miss? Unless if you just want your Pokémon now? Because that’s fine, too.”

[kitsune]

Her smile turned into annoyance, but she shrugged it off with a haughty sniff. "Perhaps you should hire an assistant, or keep better records,"

[/color] she suggested coolly. She eyed Professor Lief and took her own assessment of his ability as a baker. Esme wasn't too impressed. She didn't touch the water either. "Thank you for offer, but you needn't bother with cookies. I'm just here for a pokemon. It's a simple transaction, no need for sugary snacks."[/color]

(1/8 egg)
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[MOO!]

Lief took note of the lady’s tone and the fact that she didn’t seem very interested in the water – of course, he didn’t really let that get to him. A lot of people wanted to get their Pokémon and be on their way, and this woman was also of a much higher class.
Oh well. He's dealt with these sorts of people before.
He didn’t show it, maintaining his smile and cheerful attitude.
“Ah, alright then. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go get your Pokémon now!”
He said, shuffling to the backroom to prepare the selection. It would take a few minutes, of course, as he liked giving a wide selection of starters to choose from.

[kitsune]

Esme crossed her arms and waited. Her phone buzzed an obnoxious little tune: a message from her brother. She considered ignoring it, but did she have anything better to do.

Altic Village see you there tonite Terse as ever, wasn't he? Scowling, she texted back, why--but she'd show up anyway, as soon as she left this hole in the wall they called a laboratory. Esme would've liked to amble about the route on the way like a proper pokemon trainer, but since when did Tristan ever take her feelings into consideration?

Ugh, she hated being put upon, and while a part of her wanted to only turn up at Altic in the wee hours of morning just to spite her brother, that was only a small part of her. She'd have to leave soon to get there before sundown. The professor had better get back here soon before she started yelling for him.

(2/8 egg.)

[MOO!]

Professor Lief finally stepped back into the room after a good ten minutes, carrying a rather large box – no doubt the box that held the Pokéballs inside – as well as a bunch of items and pictures and whatever else would be required for a starting trainer stacked on top of the box. He moved to the table and set down all the stuff, setting aside the starter pack. He opened the box, presenting the eight Pokéballs, neatly labeled for Esme’s convenience.
“Here we go! Sorry about the wait.”

[/center]

[kitsune]

Selecting a pokemon was like shopping, except she knew she couldn't come back the next day to purchase the entire contents of the store if she changed her mind. Ugh, she wanted time to choose, but she really should be going now otherwise Tristan would just level that even, vaguely disappointed gaze at her.

Well, she had always wanted a puppy, hadn't she?

"The growlithe, please," Esme said, sounding much more confident than she felt.

(3/8 egg)

[JENNI *]

Lief nodded and smiled kindly at the girl, inwardly glad that she had made a quick decision. "All yours! Take care of this one; it's a tad aggressive." Scooping the rest of the Pokemon away after placing the starter kit on the table for the young lady, Lief turned and headed back to the backroom, only calling over his shoulder; "Have a grand time!"

name up to trainer, male pokemon
level 5 , bite , roar

x 5
x 1
x 1
Dex
Map

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[kitsune]

Aggressive? Well, she'll worry about crossing that bridge when she got there.

"Thank you. Have a good day,"

[/color] she said briskly--there wasn't any genuine thanks or well wishes in the statement, it was just a formality, a practiced turn of phrase.

Phone back in hand, Esme exited the labs, not quite running but certainly power-walking as gracefully as possible while calling a courtesy car to get her to Altic Village with all due haste.

(4/8 egg; 1/8 egg; 1/10 egg)
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