A Stranger in Town

"Ah hate this place alreadeh..." Douglas growled as his pulled down his broad brimmed hat.

The sun was low as he approached the town, it barley touching the horizon. The sky was stained a crimson and starburst orange highlighted the clouds.
Douglas tugged upon his his shoulder strap. He really was irked. Pokèmon everywhere. Irksome. He stood at the gates, looking at the sign above the town entrance.

"Grassveil..." Douglas spat, his molars clenching a grass blade. "Grassveil... There had better be damned information in this town."

The Sandshrew steeled himself. He walked forward, under the sign, holding his breath. He didn't let it go until he had passed the gate by three strides.

"Ah hate it."

Despite the low sun, the town was in full swing. The air was warm and it seemed as though a festival was occurring. The area was decorated with streamers and torches were being lit by a circling Lampet. Laughter and chants fill the air and walft in with aromas of food on the evening breeze.

Douglas meanders down alleyways, slowly moving toward the center of town. He would be completely lost were it not for the drums echoing down the side streets.

Moving to the main square, a dance was occurring on a raised platform make of logs. Several Bellossom were dancing as a Croagunk played the bongos. The bellossom danced in a hypnotic way, their flowers emanating a sweet scent that mixed with that of food and even a little sweat. The stage was surrounded by a thong on townsfolk, all transfixed by the scene upon the platform. A Ludicolo chanted and spun in the center.

Douglas chewed on his grass.

Placing himself against a vacant wall, Douglas removed his bag. Placing it on the ground, he removed his last Oran berry and lent back against the wall. Holding his grass sprig by his side he nibbled at the snack.

"Naow... ah wait."

And sure enough, someone was soon approaching.

Douglas looked the Ralts up and down. The girl looked shabby, but she had a fury in her eye.

She's a fighter.

"Douglas." He grunted. "Can you tell me what's happenin' around here?"

He continued to consume the Oran berry, not looking up any further after his initial examination.

Douglas gave a rough laugh, hiding his slight shimmy over. Something about the Ralts unnerved him.

"You could say that..." He drawled.

Pokemon... Douglas thought, dismissing his instincts, It's ain't the Ralts, it's others in general.

"Nah, Ah'm here cuz Ah'm lookin' for... Somebodeh." Douglas bit into the berry, it now little more then a husk now. "You seen any other strangers 'round these parts?" Douglas glanced sideways. "Or sandstorms?"

He frowned now, not wanting to waste his chances. "Hell, any information in general would be reeeeeal nice."

Douglas contemplated the suggestion. Being tied down wasn't his thing. But he needed information, and it seemed the best way to get it was this guild. Tagging with another was the major flaw. But Douglas did have a way of taking advantage of the unfortunate sides of his numerous bargains.

"Weeell..." He looked back at the Ralts. She still grinned up at him.

This could end being very irksome...

Douglas nodded slowly. "Ok."

"But." He said sharply, cutting of Galai's possible reply. "Ah ain't promisin' you anythang yet."
He looked distastefully at the Ludicolo back on the stage. The chanting was up again. "We'll discuss it on the way." Douglas heaved his very remains at bushes nearby. "Unless you gots a place for a dude to rest his sore feet? Ah feel like Ah'm wearin' Torkal shells for boots."

Douglas' mind reeled.

So many barriers were just crossed.

"Hey hey hey hey hey." Douglas broke free of Ralt's surprisingly determined grasp. "Afore we go anyplace tagether, we need some ground rules." He smirked at his little joke, despite himself. It was swallowed quickly.

"One, do not touch the Sandshrew. Two, do not tell the Sandshrew he is lazy after he has been diggin' all day trin' ta find this sorry little town. Three, number two is a general rule. Four, Ah'm in charge, no matter how fiery yer eyes are." Douglas felt himself mentally trip as he said this, but he covered it by hissing his next sentence. "Five, you seem ta need more then ah need you. So watch the rules, princess."

"Finally," Douglas lent in close to Galai's face. "You. Don't. Touch. The. Hat." Douglas pulled the brim down firmly over his eyes.

Douglas span toward the ally way. "Now Ah'm pretty tired, so lets go ta this guild place. You can take up any beef yer havin' in the mornin'."

Douglas blinked. He couldn't do anything else. There was nothing else to do.

And then he laughed. He looked down as it started at a chuckle before it moved to a chortle. He then looked back up at the Ralt's stern features and lost it. Douglas howled with laughter as Galai continued to look angry.

"My my little missy," Douglas gasped, wiping his eyes and replacing the grass stalk in his mouth, "Ain't you just precious. Why yer madder then a Ninetails that's gone and had a Wooper stumble on her behind. And I ain't talkin' angry mad."

Douglas turned back to the ally way "S'ok ta have dreams kid, but ain't yous a little old for all that?"

Before Galai could reply with the required indignity, Douglas held up his hand. "Ah know, Ah know. But you got spunk kid, ah like that. Maybe you go prove nature wrong." He shrugged.

"Now fortunately for you, Ah'm too tired to continue this." He held up his arms. "Ah admit defeat." Douglas couldn't help but give a small chuckle again. "Now, if yer highness can be bothered hangin' out with me much longer, I'll go which ya ta the guild. How's that?"

Stifling a giggle, Douglas followed a rather unhappy Galai toward what he hoped was the guild.

Very irksome indeed... he thought.

And then...

My feet are probably as fiery as her eyes.