Obvious exits:
East <E> leads to Celadon City: Main Street (North).

Sly arrives from Celadon City: Main Street.
Sly has arrived.

Snow flurries drift silently down from the pale grey sky. The air is damp and cold, and there is little wind. In the forest, snowflurries dust the bare branches of the broadleaves and the needles of the conifers. While at the coast, light snowflakes sprinkle the glossy, black, and calm surface of the ocean.

Though the weather outside is chilling and cold, the Pokemon Center is toasty warm, and a fair number of people use this shelter as a refuge from the biting snow outside. The air is thick with pointless chatter, as almost everybody is passing the time with a conversation, whether the talking be with a friend or a pokemon. Sitting upon one of the couches near the entrance of the Pokemon Center is Melissa Barlette, her right leg crossed over her left leg. She is peering intently down at a book resting on her lap... but perhaps a little too intently. Her little Nidoran, Puff, is standing on two paws next to his trainer, using the couch as support to stay in that position. He turns his head to grumble at his trainer for not the first time this week. <Come on, Melissa! It's snowing! You've been reading that book all week! It never takes you that long to finish a book! Let's go play! Please? Please?> Melissa's only response is her eyes turning to glance at Puff for a moment, humbling the chatterbox, before her attention is redirected toward the book.

Sly steps through the doorway and into the Pokecenter, a big brute of a Growlithe walking at his side. White snow dusts the blackness of his hair and leather jacket, as well as coloring the edges of his black boots. The teen scans the place as he moves to the counter, his dog doing much the same. For a moment Sly's gaze touches upon Melissa, then continues on as if the Rocket hadn't recognized her at all. Firestorm growls something to his trainer; as cute as Growlithes usually are, this one is not: He's big and muscular, and has a long scar down the side of his muzzle. The fire pokemon sticks close to Sly as the teen walks to the counter and stops. The nurse recognizes the silent boy, giving him a smile. "I'll be right back with your pokemon!" she tells him cheerfully. While he waits, Sly turns around, leaning against the counter as he watches the full room.

The evil Rockets are on the prowl. Save the data, watch them howl! (Saving)

Puff is not the most intelligent of all known creatures. He can, however, notice that his trainer is either verrrry tired or doesn't like the book. He notices her eyes aren't moving back and forth and scanning the words on the page. He notices she's not silently murmuring the words like she usually does when she's looking at the book. He would notice that the book is being held upside-down, but he can't exactly tell, being an illiterate Nidoran and all. <Melissa?> "Hm?" The hum is very silent, and the purple pokemon can only just hear it over the droning of the other people in the center. <I'm hungry. Can we go get something to eat? Or can you at least get a picture book?> Melissa's reply is a very quiet, "Maybe in a bit, Puff." Something is definitely missing from this girl's spirit, and Puff just can't figure it out. <But I'm hungry now!> he wails, one last desperate attempt to get some life out of the girl. The attempt is in vain, however, and the girl is silent. She's still not reading, either.

His inspection of the place and the people within it done, Sly's eyes go back to the girl. Melissa. When Nurse Joy comes back with his pokeballs, the Rocket takes them and nods to the woman. He attaches them to his belt, then walks towards the door. His pace is unhurried, his actions smooth and confident. Firestorm remains by his side. Before he reaches the exit, Sly stops. Why, right next to Melissa! What are the chances of that? He looks down at the trainer, watching her "read". The Rocket's hands are at his side, open and relaxed. His face contains no readable emotion, but there's recognition in his eyes. Melissa.

Melissa, deep in concentration and barely a part of the material world, isn't aware of the boy's presence. Her Nidoran does see Sly, however, and a loud Nidoran hiccup escapes his lips. Puff glances to the side. At Melissa. At Sly. Melissa. Side. Sly. Side. Melissa. <Melissa?> You would think that the girl would be annoyed at her pokemon requiring so much attention, but her reply to the little guy is still just as calm, quiet, and uncaring. "Yes?" The Nidoran doesn't say a word, just kind of makes some very funny and terribly awkward gestures toward the Rocket. Melissa does raise her right hand to adjust her glasses, obviously a little confused by her pokemon's weirdness, but she takes it as only her strange pokemon acting silly. He's notorious for that. Her attention turns back to the book... Or, rather, turns back to whatever she was thinking about. Puff just rolls his eyes.

Firestorm the Growlithe eyes Puff, perhaps thinking of having some pork (rabbit?) for dinner, but the dog only sits at Sly's side. One corner of the Rocket's lips curls a tiny bit, hinting at the start of a smirk or a smile. His hand extends forward to Melissa's shoulder. To get someone's attention, a shoulder would usually be nudged or shaken, but Sly does neither of those two things. Instead his fingers brush down the curve of it, his touch light -- just enough to be felt. The only change in his expression is in his dark eyes: The amusement and confidence in them grows.

(look sly)

Melissa's initial reaction is to raise her hand right hand, assuming Puff is attracting fleas. The girl's hand does jerk to a stop, however, when she moves her eyes just enough to see the boy's legs. Black pants. Not now, the girl thinks to herself, biting her lower lip. She's not ready to talk to anybody that she isn't going to buy dinner from. Still, she can't ignore him. Her head slowly raises as she asks, "Y... Yes, sir, can I hel-..." The girl's hand drops, her eyes widen, her breathing halts, and her jaw stays wide open. Looks like Jason's just been recognized.

Trying to ignore that Melissa might have seen the end of the fight, of Grayson knocking him down, he gives her a half-smile. Though his lips are partially curled, the smile doesn't quite reach the darkness of his eyes. In his gaze is something though: interest... and at her reaction to him, amusement. His head makes a small movement, a nod, the gesture one of acknowledgement and greeting. Her attention gotten, Sly's hand returns to his side. Firestorm extends his head forward to sniff Melissa's leg, then dismisses her with a snort.

Puff's curious eyes dart from his trainer to the newcomer with amazing speed. His attention occasionally zips to the dog, but it's mostly divided amongst the two humans, despite the fact that neither are speaking and one is absolutely paralyzed. The frozen one is, of course, Melissa, and the nod doesn't do anything to loosen up the girl's joints. Who knows what her mind is thinking? Whatever the case, Melissa stays as a crash dummy, her only movement being her chest very slightly and at long intervals rising and falling as she breathes. Puff can't help but wonder if he should do something.

Sly's smile grows a little, but remains lopsided --his lips are caught between a smirk and a smile. Black eyebrows lift in question, his gaze directly on her. Sly seems to be waiting for something. It would appear he can wait here all day, too. His own breathing is slow and assumedly calm, his eyes sharp as a hunter's in the presence of his prey. Firestorm yawns, showing Puff and that half of the room his teeth and tongue. The dog's jaws close with a snap, his teeth clicking sharply together.

The Nidoran just so happened to glance at the Growlithe as the moment of the dog's chomp, and Puff stumbles back with a squeak. "Nido!" Though the peep is not loud enough to attract much attention, it's just barely enough to snap Melissa back into reality. Any strength of any kind collects within her, and she asks, slowly, clearly, and with a touch of something dark that the girl has never felt before, "Can I help you?" Ms. Barlette shows no stutter and no breaking down, but her eyes can't help but show fear. And plenty of it. Puff, in the meantime, is lying on the couch, gasping for breath, heart-pounding, watching his life flash before his life. The memories consist mostly of pictures from the books Melissa reads.

Sly and Firestorm share a common expression for a moment: The look of a predator amused by the fear shown by the intended prey. Sly watches Melissa and Firestorm Puff ... and of the two, Sly looks to be the more dangerous. The Growlithe turns his attention elsewhere, but the Rocket keeps his eyes on the girl. His smile ups another notch, moving from half to three-quarters. The teen glances at the clock. Dinnertime. Eyebrows lifting again, Sly makes an inviting gesture towards the door.

A loud gulp escapes Melissa's throat, and any power the girl has crumbles into nothingness. As the teenager makes a motion towards the door, Melissa's attention heads in that direction. The door. An invitation to leave the comfort and safety of the Pokemon Center. Despite all the thought she's given Sly this week, she never could have predicted this. As though she doesn't realize that the boy is mute, Melissa chokes out a quiet, "W... Why?" Puff, in the meantime, has almost drooped into a faint. He's wondering why he hasn't been torn apart yet.

The evil Rockets are on the prowl. Save the data, watch them howl! (Saving)

Sly has made no signs and written no notes, and has done neither on purpose; for all Melissa should know, he could just be not talkative. ...that won't hold up forever, but Sly will maintain the illusion for as long as he can. From her eyes his go to the clock on the wall again, then back to her. His hand extends forward, but this time contact with her is not made. A soft point to her lips, then his finger trails down as if tracing along her body till it gets to her stomach. Puff hasn't been eaten yet because Firestorm hasn't left Sly's side... among other reasons.

The little game of charades fails to make much of an impression on Melissa, and she, still wide-eyed, shakes her head slowly. "I don't... you... I..." As the girl's speech dwindles down, so does her head - bit by bit, Melissa's gaze droops, and she is almost glancing back at the boy's shins. Is she declining his invitation? Considering the thought? Or does she just not understand what Sly is trying to ask?

Sly sighs softly, suspecting the last. Trying (but only partially succeeding) to put a damper on his predator vibes, he holds his hand out to her to take. Not a demand, an offer. With his other he points to the door again. Firestorm looks that way as well, appearing eager to be on their way. The teen's hand hovers, waiting for hers. His skin retains its summer tan, as if only recently the Rocket had been out in the sun.

Melissa tenses visibly as the hand is offered - she can see it, despite her declined head, and a painful memory flashes in her eyes. Her own right hand raises slightly, but only to clutch the open book on her lap so fiercely that her knuckles begin to pale. Her legs begin to squeeze in. A gentle "nn" sound is emitted by the girl, but no audible word is formed.

Sly's hand reaches a little further, his body moving forward as needed to allow him to reach. His index finger reaches for the girl's chin, intending to touch under it to lift her face towards him. A few of the more bored trainers are looking their way, but the Joy is in the back, working with her Chansey on someone's pokemon.

The girl's head willingly raises as Sly's finger directs it as it wishes. Her left hand clenches, and her right hand looks as though it is ready to rip a page or two out of the book it clutches. Though the girl shows fear in her eyes, she also can't help but feel curious - and her rather gullible qualities don't help the matter much. After all, what could the harm be? If she finds herself in danger, she can jump back, or yell for help, or anything. Perhaps this boy wants to apologize. The word "apologize" rings in the teenager's head, suddenly relieving some of the girl's tension. She does not reach for Jason's hand quite yet, though she exhales lightly and gently releases the book from her grasp. She even attempts a small nod, though the most she'll get is probably only a very light pressure on the Rocket's finger.

The feel of her skin against his fingers brings the hunger back to Sly's eyes, and though it's dinnertime, it doesn't really, really look like food will do the trick. When she nods (indeed moving against his fingers), Sly draws it back. The hand doesn't return to his side, but instead remains out for her to take once more. He answers her nod with one of his own, his almost-smile returning to his lips. The nearness of her seeming agreement to go makes him impatient, and his eyes seek hers, his gaze willing her to take his hand and to get up and leave with him now.

The comparison to the hypnotic snake and its prey resurfaces. Melissa's book switches to her left hand in a quick motion, and her right hand - slowly and shakily - rises to meet Sly's. Please don't let this be a mistake, echoes Melissa's head. The girl starts to rise, though she expects for Sly to help her up and pull. Why else would the two be touching hands? Puff, who is just now recovering from his fright, is now looking around for that dreaded mutt.

The dreaded mutt is just where he's been all along: at Sly's side. The teen does intend help her up, his hand warm and firm around hers. Even once she's up, Sly doesn't want to take his eyes from her, not wanting the spell to break. With his free hand he reaches blindly for the door, stepping that way. Firestorm helpfully gets out of the way. He gives Melissa another nod, this one encouraging. Come with me, come with me, be with me. Now it's Sly's turn to have a change in breathing, his becoming shallower and lighter in his building excitement.

Melissa's dominating thoughts change from fear of mistake to a sense of anxious curiosity. Despite the fact that she can't help but feel nervous about Sly's hand clutching hers, Melissa seems surprisingly calm. One little voice in her mind is screaming the purely obvious - that she is afraid of this boy, that she is allowing herself to be controlled, that his intentions are likely no different than they were a week ago. That voice is absolutely smothered by everything else. Comforting thoughts like "What's the big deal?" and "You're not in danger" keep the girl under complete control. Of course, would this be her control... or Sly's? Whatever the case, Melissa takes the steps necessary to reach the exit, leaving Puff to scramble off the sofa with huffs and puffs. Hey, she didn't say she was going!

Sly leads Melissa out of the Pokecenter, a number of trainers seeing them leave together. It's cold out on the street, snow blowing around them and the others not inside. Sly doesn't let go of her hand. His head tilts, indicating the direction they're going to go -- he appears to have a destination in mind. He has to look forward to walk, but before he breaks eye contact with her he takes a long, long look into hers. Hunger for ... something comes closer and closer to the fore. How experienced she is in such things will determine if or how well she realizes that the 'something' is of a rather adult nature. Firestorm shakes himself as they exit the building, puffing up his pelt for warmth.

Sly heads for Celadon City: Main Street.
Sly has left.

Celadon City: Main Street (North)

Contents:
Sly
Obvious exits:
Southeast <SE> leads to Celadon City: Pokeforce Parking Facility.
Northwest <NW> leads to Celadon City: The Cup and Hole Cafe.
West <W> leads to Celadon City: PokeCenter.
East <E> leads to Celadon City: PokeForce Headquarters.
South <S> leads to Celadon City: Main Street (South).
North <N> leads to Celadon City: City Square.

The evil Rockets are on the prowl. Save the data, watch them howl! (Saving)

The brisk chill in the air is like a hard smack in the face as Melissa steps out of the Pokemon Center, her Nidoran only barely making it through before the door closes. <That wasn't nice! I... aah! It's freezing! Aah!> The Nidoran's little squeaks go without notice, however, as - after the eye contact is broken - Melissa's attention is equally divided amongst keeping warm (as best she can with one hand disabled), where she's going, and just of what Sly's doing. She gives Jason no special or worried glances, and makes no attempts to squeeze her hand out of the Rocket's. "Ar..." she starts to say, then hushes right up, deciding not to strike up a conversation. Not quite yet, at least.

The sky is grey-black, without moon or stars. The air is cold and wet, and there is little wind. Snow flurries fall. It is easier to feel the flakes landing than it is to see them, in the darkness.

Sly looks Melissa's way at her half-word sound, giving her another encouraging nod. His smile is a lesser form of the one on his face in the Pokemon Center; his lips still at the same angle, but less effort put behind it. He points down the street with his free (and bare) hand, then starts walking. His pace is brisk, but not so fast as to make them stand out to anyone else out here on the street with them. His Growlithe trots along at his side, though the pokemon has been mostly forgotten by Sly.

The velocity at which the two now walk is a little faster than what Ms. Barlette is used to, but the girl doesn't have any problems keeping up. Puff does, however, but his cries of <Ack! Slow down! Wait up!> are lost in the snow, despite the lack of wind. What he would give for some snowshoes now. Melissa clenches the hand touching Sly a little, and she is able to ask, "W-where... are..?" She isn't able to get any further.

Sly heads for Celadon City: Main Street.
Sly has left.

Celadon City: Main Street (South)

Contents:
Sly
Obvious exits:
Rathouse <R> leads to Celadon City: Rathouse.
Northeast <NE> leads to Celadon: Crazy Eddie's Shooting Range (Store).
South <S> leads to Celadon City: Paras Parkway.
Alley <A> leads to Celadon City: Deserted Alley.
East <E> leads to Celadon City: Prize Corner.
West <W> leads to Celadon City: Game Center.
North <N> leads to Celadon City: Main Street (North).

Sly gives her hand a squeeze, though the meaning of the gesture is unclear. The teen answers her not-quite-asked question with another point ahead. South. Further south. Sly's boots allow for fine traction on the snowy sidewalk. As the Pokemon Center falls further and further behind them, the Rocket looks towards the girl with him. He studies her profile (or if she looks his way, her face), seemingly setting the trainer's features into his memory. His hunger, his need, is a vibration in the air around the teen, almost able to be felt against the skin. Desire lurks in Sly's dark eyes.

Shallow and unaware as can be, Melissa does not seen to notice Sly's lusting eyes, now thinking about something. Did she forget something? ... It sounds silly, since she hasn't done anything all week and made few plans, but the girl can't help but wonder what in the world she's missing. Her preoccupation with her thoughts makes for a wonderful distraction as Jason studies her over. A few yards back, the "forgotten thing" stumbles along, panting loudly and in an overexaggerated fashion. By now, he's noticed that the Growlithe is walking along-side of Sly, but he's too busy trying to catch up to occupy himself with the pup.

Sly heads for Celadon City: Deserted Alley.
Sly has left.

Celadon City: Main Street (South)

Obvious exits:
Rathouse <R> leads to Celadon City: Rathouse.
Northeast <NE> leads to Celadon: Crazy Eddie's Shooting Range (Store).
South <S> leads to Celadon City: Paras Parkway.
Alley <A> leads to Celadon City: Deserted Alley.
East <E> leads to Celadon City: Prize Corner.
West <W> leads to Celadon City: Game Center.
North <N> leads to Celadon City: Main Street (North).

Celadon City: Deserted Alley

Contents:
Sly
Grayson
Obvious exits:
Street <S> leads to Celadon City: Main Street (South).

Firestorm glances back, then rolls his eyes as he huffs out a sigh. <You are too small,> he informs the Nidoran, falling back till he is even with the smaller pokemon. There's no threat in his movements as he lowers his head. <Hold still,> he instructs the other pokemon, then will try to take the little Nidoran into his mouth to carry. If Puff dodges or draws back, the canine will not chase or follow him. Sly's pace slows, his hand giving Melissa's another squeeze. He points at the alley's shadowy mouth. The teen looks at her again, his lips still in the position of the smile, but the last of the false warmth has drained out of the expression. He's eager to the point of impatience, nearly black eyes bright even in the street's poor lighting. He points again. In there. Now.

A little dash of instinct kicks in for Puff as the Growlithe commands him to stand still. The paranoid little Nidoran takes a quick duck to the side, effectively removing himself from the pup's immediate biting range. <Ahh! Stop! Get away!> The wimpy little squeaks are complimented by the Nidoran taking a few steps back, widening the distance between himself and his trainer. Speaking of Melissa, her heart skips a beat. Two beats. The noise she makes is a soft "H..." of fright, but her body calms softly. She is still completely unaware of Sly's intentions, and it shows. If she is not pushed, dragged, or otherwise distracted as she speaks, she will go on to say, "Oh... um, that's all right. I, um, I have all night. Let's take the... the longer way around." The tone of voice is not a very shocked or horrified one, only a someone suspicious one.

Grayson stayed in the alleyway when Valentino left, needing to think some more before returning to the world outside. Movement and noise at the entrance to the cluttered back street attracts the old Rocket's attention and he slips into the shadows, ice-blue eyes watchful and wary.

Firestorm snorts at the Nidoran, little bitty embers exiting with his sound of annoyance. He leaves the small creature to make it through the snow on his own, stepping up his pace to catch up with Sly. At Melissa's statement that she has all night, Sly smiles -- this time his smile isn't empty of emotion, it's a vehicle of his intent. No friendliness, no warmth... but luckily he doesn't direct it at her. Sly doesn't push her into the deep shadows of the alley (he'd have to release her hand to do that), but he does keep walking and not let go of hers. Another point, indicating the way he's intending to take them: straight into it. If need be, his hand will tighten and he'll "encourage" her along with a tug.

Encouragement is definitely needed for the girl to come along, although she needn't be dragged or forced. "Ah... I... um..." Despite her "protests", Melissa does walk toward the alley, although now her marching is a little more hesitant, and she's lagging slightly. Sudden, she's not so sure if this is a good idea, though she doesn't look around to see if anybody is watching, and she doesn't think to cry for help. Shoot, she doesn't even make an attempt to have Sly release her. Puff, in the meantime, follows in the little path Firestorm is making, though he is sure to give the pup all the distance he needs. The little Nidoran is not at all aware of his trainer's danger, as he doesn't see the gullible teenager being led into the alley.

Grayson identifies his partner without difficulty, blinking in surprise and then dismay as he realises what's about to happen - and that he will have to intervene. This alley isn't the place for what Sly intends, not tonight of all nights, and Grayson can't just stand by and let it happen. Fear fills the old Rocket's eyes, fear of what tonight might bring, replaced by resolution a moment later.

Sly takes a last glance around the street, making sure no one is too close and no one is watching them (and on a cold, snowy night like this? No problem). Into the alleyway Sly leads Melissa, and though there's no need, his hand becomes firmer around hers. So close, so close, almost far enough. He scans the alley ahead, but without Grayson's better night vision, the boy fails to spot his partner in the dark. Up ahead is a stack of boxes, and it's behind them Sly will lead them. His breathing adjusts again and his movements become smoother and more fully backed by confidence -- the further from the street they get, the more the changes will take hold of the teen. Firestorm, walking next to Sly, does not need nightvision to spot any lurkers in the dark. He can smell them. Eyes in Grayson's direction, the dog sounds a growl. If Sly hears the warning, he ignores it.

The evil Rockets are on the prowl. Save the data, watch them howl! (Saving)

It's about now that Melissa starts to catch on. This is so simple - a detour through the alley. However, Melissa cannot bring herself to cry a real protest - When you're as antisocial as the teenager is, it's the most difficult thing in the world. A small and extremely ignorant part of her still believes this only a simple shortcut to the restaurant, and that the boy's sudden changes are fueled by hunger more than anything else. This little part is overruled, thankfully. Melissa does tug a little with her held hand, trying (almost certainly in vain) to detach herself from the Rocket. The other hand, however, drops somewhat limp, allowing the book it held to tumble to the snow on the ground. "H... Hey... um... I... er... um..." come from the girl's mouth, though only garbled mumbles come out - no audible protests or anything. Puff, in the meantime, is completely unaware of his trainer's danger, as he's still a little way away from the alley. He would probably miss the fact that Melissa, Sly, and Firestorm are in the interstice if not for the Growlithe's tracks.

Grayson lets shuffling footsteps announce his presence as he moves into view. His hat has been removed, what little protection it provided against light and chill less important than staying anonymous. His scarf has been pulled up to cover his distinctive and angular features, and his posture has altered to make him seem several inches shorter than he really is - and a little wider, too. "You don't want tae do this, man," he quietly advises Sly in a voice quite different from his usual light and unaccented baritone.

<OOC> Sly confirms mid-pose. Sly could still recognize you? He's seen you change before...

<OOC> Grayson nods.

As they pass the boxes, Sly stops walking. Her attempt to regain her hand is indeed in vain -- if she really, really wanted it back, she would need to try a lot harder than that. Sly's free hand lifts to Melissa's arm, intending on settling there and guiding her backwards until she's against the cold brick wall, the sagging boxes keeping them out of sight from the world. Firestorm's growling Sly can miss, but not the approach of human footsteps and a voice. His face snaps that way, his body tensing from head to toe. On Melissa's hand the Rocket's tightens, and unless she jumps fast, his free one will attach itself to the upper arm of her as-yet-unheld one, to keep her in place as he attends to this... this... Sly's eyes narrow. This intruder of a different type. The teen has seen Grayson's "shapechanging" trick before, and recognizes him now. His attempts not to scare the girl are dropped, the "stranger" a bigger issue right now. His lips pull out of his smile, becoming a full-blown (but silent) snarl. As protective as the Growlithe is of the teen, whatever he picks up on from Sly makes him wary. The dog slides a few steps away from him, attention shifting between the two males.

This is it. Melissa has foolishly and stupidly led herself into this position, and the consequences are ineluctable. Pure horror widens the girl's eyes as that little "it's only a detour" voice in her head vanishes into the air. The teenage Rocket's forceful actions take complete control over the girl, and though she does make a couple of slightly stronger attempts to remove her free hand from Sly's grasp, she doesn't really bother. The girl does not think to try and snatch for a Pokeball on her belt, and chances are any attempt would be feeble, anyway. Melissa is forced back into the wall, and she isn't dexterous enough to avoid her arm arm getting pinned to the wall. By now, Melissa's eyes have started to get considerably damp, though no full tears are shed. She does shake her head softly, mouthing the word "No, no" over and over again. Sly's snarl doesn't help. Despite Sly's attention shifting to the side, Melissa shows absolutely no indication of Grayson's presence.

Grayson stays where he is, calm and quiet. "You aren't gonna do this, are you," he tells Sly quietly in that same odd voice. "I'm no threat to ye, and I'll no be a threat unless you carry on and do what you're wantin' tae do with her. Ye know what the penalty is for what you're thinkin' of. Look at her, man - she's tellin' ye 'No.' Let her go, fer me?"

<OOC> Sly says "Melissa, the words being said? Or just being shaped by her lips?"

<OOC> Sly says "The 'no no' words."

<OOC> Melissa wasn't saying them, only being shaped. That still shouldn't contradict Grayson's pose, much, as it can still make sense.

<OOC> Sly nods and understands, will explain in my pose.

One hand holding Melissa's hand, his other holding her opposite arm, Sly keeps her back to the wall. Despite having her just where he wants her, almost none of his attention is on her. Anger burns just under Sly's skin, his sudden rage making his muscles tense and his weight shift into a more ready (and possessive) position. He glares at the man with the accent, trying to and trying not to listen to his words. Firestorm snaps at the air, growing more uneasy at this encounter. Though Sly has not heard the word 'no' from Melissa once yet, part of him knows the stranger's argument is valid... but not only does he not want to give her up, technically she hasn't said no yet.

Despite the absolute horror and fear of the situation, Melissa can't help but think a number of things about herself. How dumb was she to get into this predicament? How gullible was she to be led by somebody she knows is dangerous? What kind of idiot would have fallen for this in the first place? If she's going to act so stupid... Why, it's no damned wonder she doesn't have any friends. How this situation can possibly touch upon her lack of friends is very strange, but it's that thought that invokes a sudden burst of tears. Her knees suddenly becoming shaky and weak, Melissa might sink down to the floor if Sly doesn't keep up his grasp on her. As she sobs piteously, her chest heaves up and down, in and out. Though the crying is not loud, it's enough to keep Melissa from saying anything, and her mouth can only form words of protest. One word does escape her lips, but it's only "Oh". God comes silently and unspoken immediately after.

Grayson shakes his head, staying calm and quiet. "No need tae get upset. I'm not trying to take her away from ye. I'm wantin' ye to see what part of you knows. You can't have her like this. She's worth more than that, much more. It's always better tae have a willing partner than tae force someone, you know that. Don't lessen both of you by goin' through with it. You don't need tae prove anything, tae yourself or tae anyone else. That ye were willin' tae think of this is all the proof anyone should need."

If he lets Melissa sink, it will require that Sly either let go of her or crouch down with her, neither of which he's willing to do. That she's crying means nothing to Sly, nor does that she's scared and unhappy. He went through all the work to get her here, now she's his. Her hand is let go of, but his is empty for just an instant. Up to her arm it goes, a better place to hold her against the wall. The anger directed at Grayson grows, and though part of him screams not to take his eyes off the man, the other half of him intends to prove his argument as well as make a point. His hands hold Melissa in place against the wall, and he spins to face her. And to kiss her. Sly comes at her fast, his lips aimed at hers. If the kiss connects, it will not be a gesture of love. His lips will be hard, demanding, and making a claim.

It's only now that Melissa realizes that the reason she hasn't been "touched" yet is the fact that someone else is talking to her attacker. Her head jerks in Grayson's direction, and though her dripping eyes, clouded vision, and glasses right on the verge of falling off of her nose, Melissa searches for a halo over the man's head. Melissa's sobbing pauses for only a second, and the slightest little hint of a smile emerges. Could she be rescued, perhaps? Will she be saved from this... this fate worse than death? Her hand's release provides a distraction, effectively causing the girl's head to turn. Upon Sly's grabbing of her arm, however, Melissa's head stops turning - and now she's in perfect position for the kiss to come. It connects, much to Melissa's horror, disgust, hatred, and a thousand other emotions. Hey. The first kiss. Usually held as a sign of love, passion, a special connection... How incredibly ironic.

Grayson's fear leaches into his voice. "Don't go through with this," he asks, almost pleads, of Sly. "I don't want tae have tae face the consequences. I couldn't bear tae have tae do what we both know would be neccessary." There's an unusual note to his voice besides fear and worry. "I can't go on alone."

The evil Rockets are on the prowl. Save the data, watch them howl! (Saving)

Even if Melissa struggled and screamed, batted at him and tried to escape, Sly would not let her go. That she doesn't even resist only gives the thinking part of his mind an excuse. Stepping in close to her, he uses his body to keep the girl against the wall. With its aid in keeping her still, he releases a hand and brings it to her chest. Firestorm's ears are drawn back, but this time it's not in aggression. The dog watches the scene through narrowed eyes, trying to figure out what is going on; he's very, very new to the human world.

Melissa's rescuer, Grayson, speaks. The victim of the situation hears the man protest, but the girl can't make out a single word. Though the girl still cries softly, it's dwindled down. It may even stop in a while. It's her breathing that intensifies. Melissa's eyes narrow to hateful, watery slits, and she experiences a kind of raw anger that she's never felt before. Unfortunately, she's completely unaccustomed to the hatred, and makes absolutely no attempt to break free. Her rage stays completely bottled up, and it has no way to escape. As Sly starts to move in on his prey, Melissa glares down at his hand on her chest. Her attention flashes to Grayson for only a second before it turns to Sly. Jason. Her fists clench. Hard.

Grayson is crying now, tears falling from the corners of ice-blue eyes. "Please, I beg of you," he cries, the accent gone, vanished into the darkness with the unusual pitch of his voice, leaving the old Rocket's usual tones twisted and racked with anguish. "Don't do this. I don't want to have to kill you, especially not here where he died for it. Please, stop. Don't force me to do what I'll have to do. Don't make me kill you."

If Grayson had reacted the other way, in anger and violence, Sly's balance would have been lost and at the very least there would have been a fight, though Melissa would have gotten more "attention" first. The pain in his partner's voice, the man who's like a father to him, makes it through Sly's baser emotions. With a last look of want directed at the trainer, Sly releases her and steps back. He lifts a hand and points towards the street, just as he had pointed at the door of the Pokemon Center and pointed towards the alleyway... He doesn't look at Grayson, he just waits for her to leave. His eyes return to Melissa, in them a different message. Go.

And, like that, the girl is released. Her glaring, disgusted eyes blink, and, upon their opening, regain once more what they had. Innocence. Innocence... something she's been able to keep, thanks to Grayson. The girl's first action is to give a quick glance in the older man's direction, and her second is to lift her right hand - for the longest, pinned and not under her control - to adjust the glasses on her face. It's only a second later than consciousness sinks in. She needs to escape. She wants to escape, Grayson wants her to escape (out of the goodness of her heart, thinks she), and Sly is giving her the chance. She's not going to let Jason change his mind. The girl takes one step back... two, three.... before she whirls around and rushes to the entrance of the alleyway. Her pumping arm smashes into one of the boxes on the way, but it simply goes sailing. It lands upon the book Melissa dropped earlier.

<OOC> Melissa thinks it would be best if she left now, unless one of your poses directly affects her.

<OOC> Grayson's won't.

<OOC> Sly is just going to watch you run off... And thanks for the scene. :} Hope you can make everything okay with her ICly.

<OOC> Grayson says "Definitely thanks for the RP - and thanks for letting me join. Beautiful..."

<OOC> Melissa says "All right. Thanks. :) Well, it probably won't be... not immediately, at least. But that's something I'm going to analyze and ponder at the end of this log. Thanks, guys. See you around."

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Thoughts and Analyzation:

This was a curious scene. Plenty of real artistic work here - you've got your irony, you've got your symbolism, you've got your climax... This RP is going to directly affect the lives of Sly, Grayson, and Melissa (in no particular order). Rape's the crime Rockets just don't do - taking advantage of a woman like that is unbenefitial, and can make you a loner fast.

Being a guy myself, it wasn't exactly easy to pose a girl so close to rape. Still, I tried to think how it would be to be an antisocial girl, a physically weak one (not to imply that all females are weak, of course). Absolute horror mixed with disgust and hatred... I just kept one thing in my mind. Many teenage girls consider rape worse than death. A woman who has lost her virginity is in so many ways different than one who hasn't. Sure, being a guy, I wouldn't be as horrified as a girl were I to be raped (and though I don't know, I'm sure there are female rapists out there). And yet, the thought alone is just kind of... terrifying. I can only guess how Melissa feels.

How will this affect Melissa's life? Well, you saw it in the one pose - her self-confidence, not high in the first place, has fallen like a rock. Plummeted. She's very lucky that Sly never penetrated the clothes, or she would be downright suicidal. Melissa's also likely going to become rather anti-male, the only exceptions probably being her father, her male pokemon, and her only real friend, Wesley Brier. I don't suppose she'll be able to even purchase a potion from a man without turning her head or becoming irritable. And, of course, she'll be even more antisocial. Her writing style might even take a darker turn.

Could it be that some benefits may come out of this RP? It's possible. Melissa may become more aware and more paranoid, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. As well, she'll learn not to be so gullible and to show a little independence. She may even start to get over that stuttering as a result of not having had the ability to voice a protest in time.

Whatever the case may be, this was a key turning point in the development of young Melissa Barlette. This may be the last RP she ever has with Sly, but it was good to go out with such an RP.