From: "Bandraptor" <bandraptor@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [PW!] Flirting With Danger Date: Monday, March 22, 2004 12:03 AM Rob wrote: > "Maybe Professor Birch in Littleroot Town can give you a manlier Pokemon > when you go see him." Sapphire suggests, not sure whether his traveling > partner is just playing with his mind or genuinely insane, but willing to > ride his or her insanity out a little while longer. After all, if Elsa could > turn into Shawn so easily, Shawn could turn into a raging nymphomanic just > as easily. Noticing that Shawn hasn't responded, Sapphire asks, "Or did you > change your mind about going there too?" > > "Nah, I'm going. I'm just thinking about which Pokemon suits me best..." > Shawn rubs his small, soft chin in contemplation, "I hope Birch has an > Aggron... or at least an Exploud. Which way is this guy's lab, anyway? I > haven't been out much lately... well, ever." > > Seeing his chance to get more information about Elsa and/or Shawn, Sapphire > asks, "Where have you been, then?" > > "My home in Verdanturf," Shawn answers, not wanting to say much more, partly > because he doesn't know much more and partly because he has no reason to > trust Sapphire. "This is my first time away from home. It'd be great if you > could help me find Littleroot, especially if this Birch guy gives away free > Pokemon for no good reason like you said, but only if you don't touch me. If > you've got a problem with that, I can find the place on my own." Sapphire makes a point of showing Shawn his palms, then puts his hands in his pockets. "Hey, you can't say I didn't stop when you told me to. As for Birch's lab, it's straight down that way..." since his hands are in his pockets, Sapphire nods his head to indicate a southern direction. He watches his traveling companion carefully, hoping the brown haired Trainer's response will give him some clue as to what sort of game she is playing--but Shawn says nothing further. He simply grunts, and begins walking south at a very fast pace. Sapphire remains where he's standing, taking the opportunity to ogle Elsa's backside while simultaneously trying to figure out what she's up to. It only takes a few seconds for him to reach a conclusion: There's nothing even remotely sexy about a girl who walks like a man. Looking away before the off-putting image can get burned into his brain, Sapphire quietly questions the stunned Roselia who's standing next to him, "What's with her?" "Selia!" Roselia reprimands Sapphire, annoyed that he's asking her stupid questions--especially since she thinks that if anything specific is responsible for Elsa's sudden personality change, it's probably *him*. While she's bothered by the remarks that Elsa made about her, Roselia realizes that her friend is not behaving normally, and she's more concerned about the Trainer's well being than she is angry with her. Wanting to keep an eye on Elsa at least until she figures out what's going on, Roselia starts after her, trotting as fast as her little thorn legs can carry her, which granted, is not very fast. Still entertaining the possibility that Elsa is toying with him, Sapphire hangs back for a few seconds longer to see if she will drop her masculine act and come back to him. By the time she's reached the northern border of Oldale Town, though, he's come to the conclusion that she really does intend to ditch him, and he decides that he'd better give chase. Since his legs are much longer than Roselia's, he's able to close the distance between himself and Elsa before the Grass Pokemon has covered even half as much ground. "You might want to slow down," Sapphire advises Elsa once he's caught up with her, "unless you're intentionally trying to lose your Roselia." "Heh, you figured it out, huh?" Shawn smirks, and explains confidentially, "My first order of business is to get rid of that pansy flower. After that, I can see about getting a *real* Pokemon from that Birch dude." Shawn folds his slender arms across his buxom chest as he considers, "Maybe I can talk him into giving me a Salamence..." "Good luck," Sapphire mutters. Shawn rolls his eyes, "Aw, why am I talking to you about manly Pokemon? You're probably training something that's even girlier than that flower. I bet you have an Azurill or a Skitty." Still trying to remain cordial, since 'Shawn' could slip into 'Elsa-nympho-mode' at any second and he wants to be on her good side when it happens, Sapphire forces a grin, "Heh, cute." Shawn raises an eyebrow, surprised that Sapphire isn't defending himself. "Cute?" Sapphire explains, "Well...to be honest, I'm not familiar with either of the Pokemon you mentioned, but I assumed you were making a joke at my expense. If you must know, my Pokemon is a Torchic." "Bwahaha!" Shawn sniggers uncontrollably, "Your Pokemon is a flaming cock!" It takes great restraint for Sapphire to stifle his initial impulse, which is to have his Arcanine burn Elsa to a crisp. "Sexy girl," he reminds himself, massaging his temples, "Awesome breasts, possible raging nympho." He sighs in frustration, wondering how much more of 'Shawn's' abuse he'll have to endure before Elsa finally submits to him. "If only there was some sort of magic potion I could give her that would make her lose all of her inhibitions..." Elsa saunters down the hill leading into Oldale Town and disappears from sight, giving Sapphire a clear view of the every building in the city--including The Rusty Beldum, the pub that he ate at during his last visit. Sapphire smacks his forehead in realization, "Duh. Elsa, meet Sam Adams." Sapphire hurries down the hill after Elsa, almost slipping on some loose dirt in his haste. He taps the slender young woman on the shoulder and says, "You know what? It's getting pretty late. Let's stop for dinner, and we can continue on to Birch's lab tomorrow morning." Shawn has to think this over. "Well...I am getting pretty hungry. But I don't have any money, so you're gonna have to pay. And don't get any ideas, this isn't a date or anything, it's just food." "Got it." Sapphire leads Elsa towards The Rusty Beldum. The building, which was in disrepair even before Sapphire set fire to it some weeks ago, now looks more dilapidated than ever. The door that was torn from its hinges during Bo Harakune's bar fight has yet to be replaced, so the two Trainers are able to walk inside with a minimal amount of effort. Sapphire steps over a small Aeroblast crater in the floor, and sits down at the same booth that he sat at during his first visit, confident that he will be able to procure the liquor necessary to get Elsa extremely drunk. Shawn wrinkles his nose in disgust as he looks around the fire damaged building. "This is a restaurant?" "The best I know of," Sapphire affirms. "Looks like a bar." Shawn comments. "You're not trying to get me drunk so you can rape me, are you?" Fortunately for Sapphire, at that very moment the bartender comes around to take their drink order, so he never has to answer that question. The bartender flips open a small notepad and queries the two, "What'll it be?" "Beer!" Sapphire happily flashes his ID. The bartender glares at him critically. "I'll get you two sodas." Sapphire needs to double check the date of birth on his ID card before remembering that he's pretending to be eighteen. "Oh. Crap." The bartender rolls his eyes, "Next time, at least make an effort to forge your ID before trying to pass it here. That's twice you've pulled this stunt. If business wasn't so slow, you punks would be out on your asses." The bartender returns to the counter to get their drinks. "Heh, you got told." Shawn smirks. "Just as well, I don't drink beer. So, what do they serve here? Wings? Chilidogs?" He gestures to his chest, "I need something that'll stick to my ribs. There's no way I'll make it as a ball player with this shrimpy body." "Um, get whatever you want..." Sapphire grimaces, disappointed that his plan isn't working out, and also repulsed by Elsa's unladylike eating habits. As if reading Sapphire's mind, Shawn retorts, "Hey, I may look like a girl, but that doesn't mean I have to eat like one." Satisfied that this explanation will stem any further questions, he relaxes back into his seat, and takes a chance to glance around the room. "Woah, check out the eye candy." "Hmm?" Sapphire twists around to see what Elsa is looking at. Sitting at the bar are two very attractive women, both scantily clad. Sapphire has to admit that he's a bit taken by them, although he prefers Elsa's modest good looks over the made-up facades of the barflies. "What about them?" Shawn chuckles at Sapphire's unenthusiastic reaction, "Hot chicks like those are completely wasted on you, aren't they? Well, everyone has different tastes...but any straight guy could tell you that those girls are knockouts." Sapphire fidgets uncomfortably, not too happy with where this conversation is going. Trying to regain control of the situation, he smiles coyly, and attempts to change the subject. "So, Elsa...let's talk about us. What did you think of the way I handled those Lotads? Do I have animal magnetism, or what?" "Elsa? Are you deaf? I *TOLD* you, my name is Shawn," Shawn states firmly before fixing his eyes on the two women. A wistful sigh escapes his lips, "I'd love to hook up with a girl like that and start a family...or at least watch her jump on a trampoline. I--" Shawn's small mouth pulls downwards into a pouting expression when Sapphire gets to his feet. "Hey...where are you going?" "I'm leaving." Sapphire frowns, "I think it's good for couples to have interests in common, but when those interests extend to girls, it can only lead to trouble." "Huh?" Shawn blinks in confusion, then shrugs, disappointed that he's losing his traveling companion, but glad that he isn't going to have to put up with any more of Sapphire's advances. As Sapphire storms outside, he passes Roselia, who is bent over with one of her flower arms propped against the doorframe, trying to catch her breath after finally catching up to them. Sapphire bends down and advises the Thorn Pokemon, "Don't waste your time on that girl. She'll just break your heart and cast you aside." TBC? --Beth