Obvious exits:
Way around City <WAC> leads to Pokemon Route 16: Cinnabar Island.
West <W> leads to Cinnabar Island: Goldeen Under Glass Sushi and Fish.
East <E> leads to Cinnabar Island: Cloyster Waves Marina.
<FERRY> leads to Ferry Services.
South <S> leads to Cinnabar Island: Volcanic Way.
North <N> leads to Sparkling Waves - Route 21: Cinnabar Approach.

The sky is grey and cloudy, and nothing casts a shadow. It's hot, humid, and still. High overhead, a pair of Butterfree can be seen flying in the direction of the ocean. In the forest, the deep green leaves of the trees are unstirred. While at the coast, the sea broods in the heat today under the dark and foreboding clouds.

Scarlett arrives from Cinnabar Island: Volcanic Way.
Scarlett has arrived.

Rain or shine, sleet or hail, a PokeForcer... never fails? Walking down the street, her hands busy at work scribbling on a small notepad, Melissa Barlette, one of Cinnabar's PokeForce officers, seems to be off duty-today - but why, then, is she still carrying her weapon of choice and wearing her PokeForce hat? A female Growlithe walks at her side, the pup's eyes and ears completely alert and ready to warn her 'trainer' at the first sign of trouble. Melissa, however, seems completely ignorant. "This... this motto stuff is d-difficult," she mumbles to herself, chewing on the end of the pencil's eraser and considering what rhymes with 'fight'. The Growlithe, who is taking this PokeForce stuff a -lot- more seriously than Melissa, simply inclines her head slowly as she glares through the fog.

It's so gray out today that anything with much color can catch the eye quickly. So it's not hard to miss a woman with bright red hair walking down the street, Ekans on her shoulders hissing happily. She isn't quite as into character as Melissa and her fire dog, seeming a bit embarassed by wearing this silly thing on her face. "Hmm..." comes the muffled voice from beneath the plastic "I wonder if I can take this darned this off when I get a bite to eat."

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

"If you're... wanting trouble... um... watch yourself?" Melissa blinks down at the notepad, then mumbles something and erases it, muttering, "That... that's, that's just cheesy." The Growlithe comes to a sudden and complete stop, her ears and tail erect, one paw off the ground. Melissa - ignores her. The pokemon does this every single time they walk near somebody, and Melissa's grown accustomed to simply not even asking what's wrong. The girl walks ahead, but the Growlithe, partially worried and partially curious, puts her nose to the ground and begins sniffing her way over to Scarlett, using her sense of smell to guide her through the fog. Olive green eyes rise to the sound of feet meeting ground on the road ahead. "Huh... someone's coming. Wonder if they're in the tourney." she whispers to the Ekans. Of course, any reply the snake would give she wouldn't be able to understand, but one has to talk to somebody. <Who cares?> aforementioned snake hisses, giving a cross look at Scarlett. Only since Ekans have but one expression she cannot tell that he's not enjoying himself.

The Growlithe inches closer to the woman and her pokemon, taking absolute care to be as quiet and unnoticable as possible. This is her job! The moment that Scarlett and 'her' Ekans comes into view, the pup goes into wild barking and enraged growling, emitting, <Master! Master! We've got trouble!> Melissa, a good ten yards away, stops walking, rolls her eyes, and turns around. "Growlithe," she mumbles in an annoyed voice. "You... you thought that kind old... old gentleman was a Rocket, you thought that... that Squirtle was a Rocket, you, um, you thought that eight-year old girl was, um, was a Rocket! Who in the, the world are you barking at now?" Melissa puts her notepad back into her pocket, and because she's using her pokeball belt to hold her gun, her hands are empty.

Growlithe barking. Well that confirms someone is coming, and furthers the chance that this someone is in the tourney. Plus that they're on the oppisite side if they are. "Who goes there?" Scarlett asks in a loud, important voice. <Oh that'll scare 'em.> the Ekans grumbles, this guy is obviously not a very happy counter. Clutching her rubbery weapon in her hand with about as much seriousness as one can she stares ahead into the fog.

Melissa, in the meanwhile, seems completely and totally oblivious to the fact that she could very well be in trouble. "I am so, so, so... um, so sorry," Melissa shouts as she wades through the thick fog, trying to let her voice be heard over the excited Growlithe. She has her own Growlithe, so she knows exactly what the dog is woofing at Scarlett. The pup's fears are somewhat confirmed when Scarlett brandishes her knife, and she growls even louder, this time commanding that Scarlett, <Drop the weapon! Now! I have no problems with Flamethrowering you, law breaking delinquent!> Melissa's silhouette should now be visible to Scarlett - but now she's come to a complete and total halt. "Did she just say..." Now the girl gulps, not sure of what to do. "... Weapon?"

The sky is grey and cloudy, and nothing casts a shadow. It's hot, humid, and still. High overhead, a pair of Butterfree can be seen flying in the direction of the ocean.

Scarlett too, has a Growlithe, and this pup's words are clear as a bell to her. "Weapon?" she blinks a few times then recalls the rubber knife she just happens to have out "Oh, yeah...uh, can we pretend that didn't happen?". She quickly sticks the fake item back in one of her many overall pockets and clears her throat. "Hello... uh... officer. Lovely evening isn't it?" Scarlett speaks in her normal tone, someone hasn't had acting classes. <Oh... my... gosh... I've been stuck with a girl with no imagination.> the Ekans sighs, shaking it's head.

The Growlithe simply continues to glare at Scarlett, though she's stop barking quite so loudly. As Melissa steps forward, the Growlithe perks up an ear and bounds over to the girl, her voice worried and hurried. <Master!> she cries, panting heavily. <I saw it! She had a weapon. We cannot allow this criminal to escape our clutches unpunished!> Melissa simply peers down at her Growlithe, patting her on the head and whispering, "Dear, you... um, you thought that little girl's lollipop was, um, was a weapon." As the 'PokeForcer' steps forward, she tries to keep from grinning and, even worse, giggling, the Growlithe whines quietly, <But it was a real knife this time...> "Everything seem to be okay?" Melissa asks in her most threatening voice. Given that she's a seventeen year old girl, it still comes out a little deep but still pretty cheerful. "My... Grow... lithe seems to take... c... caution towards you." She's straining to speak, because she's making absolutely sure to not stutter over her words. PokeForcers don't stutter.

<That's because her acting is horrible.> the Ekans snorts, slithering over Scarlett's shoulders to get a better look at Melissa. "Aw, he's just doing his job." Scarlett grins in earnest, trying her best to try and figure out what a Rocket would do in this situation. She eyes the water gun and snickers, that is such a cute idea!

"She's a girl," is Melissa's only reply, for lack of anything more serious to say. Thankfully, Melissa can't understand Ekanses, or she'd be downright laughing by now. "And she claims..." She now makes a gesture to the little pup, who is simply glaring at Scarlett, growling very, very quietly. "That you're in possession of a weapon. Do you mind..." Melissa pauses here for a moment. Does she have the risk to frisk Scarlett? Does she want to? Well... "... Ah, emptying out your pockets?" <She had a weapon,> the Growlithe barks quietly and coldly, as though Scarlett is some kind of hideous bug undeserving of being in the pup's sight. <I saw it.> Melissa's hand clutches her gun and she pulls it out right her right hand, but she stays clutching it. Hey, doesn't hurt to be sure.

Okay, Scarlett actually takes her cue this time and does some really in character stuff! "Uh... no." the words come weakly from the trainer's lips "I don't want to!". Maybe it's not so much the acting part she's having trouble with as the being evil part. <'I don't want to?'> the snake exclaims <What the heck!>.

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

A little flicker of a grin appears on Melissa's face as she peers at Scarlett. She lifts up the gun and sets it on the palm of her left hand, gently stroking it with the right hand. "Hope this doesn't sound funny," she mutters under her breath, before jerking her head up, and commanding, "By the order of the PokeForce of Cinnabar Island, I, Melissa Barlette, order you to empty out your pockets!" Melissa lifts her right hand and attempts to check her back pocket for a badge - before realizing she doesn't have one. Thusly, she taps the PokeForce hat on her head. The Growlithe simply watches, amazed at her trainer's absolute bravery and cunning way with words. ... Yeah, she's easily impressed.

The soft light dims at dusk.

"You leave me no... choice!" Scarlett spurts out, "Ekans, get her!". The saucy snake pokemon sneers <Get her? Care to make that more clear, toots?>. After a few moments pass and the Ekans doesn't make a move, Scarlett tries once more "Attack the Growlithe!". Slithering down Scarlett's body onto the ground the Ekans growls <Sheesh, I have to do everything! Watch out poochie, Uncle Slither has some poison coming your way!>.

The Ekans's question buys Melissa enough time to contemplate what to do. Her first reaction is to hold her gun up at Scarlett and force her to recall her Ekans, but then she remembers - it's a tournament. They're supposed to battle with pokemon. And so, Melissa takes a few hurried steps back, and yells at her Growlithe, "Watch out, girl! T... The Ekans is coming!" The Growlithe cocks her head slightly at her trainer, before turning her head to see exactly what the girl is shrieking about. <We're under attack!> she barks, bounding her way toward the girl. Melissa is glad she has a Growlithe of her own - hopefully she'll know exactly what to do.

Melissa's stats changes have been set to 0. She is ready to battle.
Scarlett's stats changes have been set to 0. She is ready to battle.

Melissa rolls 1 die: <6>
Scarlett rolls 1 die: <6>
Scarlett rolls 1 die: <4>
Melissa rolls 1 die: <3>

Along with not knowing what the Ekans is saying, Scarlett also doesn't know what it's attacks are. "Ekans! Erm... do something with your fangs!" she commands in a shakey voice. Are they called fangs? She's not really sure! Luckily this snake is a pretty sharp fellow and lunges at the fire pup in a 'Bite' attack.

The retreating Growlithe has left herself completely vulnerable to the Ekans's attack, so it's no wonder that the pokemon gives quite a powerful chomp into the Growlithe. "Grrrrowl!" she barks loudly and suddenly, trying to shake the purple pokemon off of her. Melissa only bites her lip, having wished now that she -had- used her gun to the threaten the Rocket after all. "C... C'mon, Growlithe!" It's about now that Melissa realizes - for as much as she plays with CrystalFire, she really doesn't use the pokemon to battle. As far as a Growlithe's attacks go, Melissa knows minimal. "T.. try... Try a Leer attack!" The Growlithe, still squirming in pain from the Bite, only makes a light little nod at her 'trainer' before giving the Ekans the biggest Leer her fuzzy face can possibly summon, trying to channel her hatred at these lawbreakers.

So busy laughing in victory as he is, the Ekans stares right into the Leer. Snakes don't have eyelids you know! Chills run down the slithery pokemon's body and he backs up somewhat <Dang stupid mongrel! Come on you who calls yourself a trainer! Direct me!>. "Ack! Leer!" Scarlett yips, racking her brain for whatever sort of defensive attack an Ekans might have. "Stare right back at him!" she finally yells, seeming to recall Raymond's Ekans had a sort of staring attack. <I'll just guess you mean 'Glare'.> the Ekans states blandly, while giving his most evil snakey look at the pup.

Well, the Glare from the ecky, ecky snake sends a chill down Melissa's spine, but the threatened Growlithe simply gives off a little woof of a scoff. <Do not be under the impression that simple looks can stop the power of the PokeForce!> Ms. Barlette, tugging a little at her PokeForce cap, giggles very, very softly, before shaking her head and giving a little nod. "Growlithe," she says softly. A little louder: "Growlithe. Put some distance between... um, between yourself and, ah, and between the snake. Flamethrower at-attack!" The Growlithe perks up an ear, and backsteps a few paces before lifting up her chest, opening her mouth wide, and spitting out a giant pillar of fire straight at her victim.

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

Now, an Ekans can't exactly scream. So, as the now char broiled Ekans hits the ground a few feet away from where the blast of fire hit him, he chooses rather to curse. Of course due to this being a family MUSH his exact words won't be repeated. "Hmm, that reminds me about that leftover spaghetti I can heat up for dinner tonight..." Scarelett absent mindedly says while tapping her chin. The Ekans gives his temporary trainer an angry look <Oh, real --ouch-- funny! Just get on with it, carrot top!>. Considering her next move, Scarlett recalls the handy fact that Ekans are poison types and trumpets the exceedingly helpful order "Use poison... uh... somehow!". Skipping the rude comment this time, the Ekans lunges forth (although not with as much gusto as before he was fried) baring his fangs for 'Poison Sting'!

The Growlithe's adrenaline is pumping, and she's just telling herself, I'm beating up bad guys! I'm beating up bad guys! She's now more determined than ever to avoid losing to this law-breaking fiend, and with a dexterious leap, the pup dodges the Poison Sting attack rather well. Melissa is disliking the Ekans more and more, but that's to be expected - she's a teenage girl. Wesley's blue Ekans seemed so much more friendly... "Growlithe, try, um, try a..." What's it called? Not Tackle... but... "Take Down!" The Growlithe nods, instantly bursting into a quick sprint directed towards the Ekans. At the crucial split-second, the dog leaps up from the ground in an attempt to pounce the Ekans with a Take Down - but will Melissa's hesitation in recalling Take Down's name prove a hinderance?

<Woah!> the Ekans exclaims, slithering as fast as he can to get out of the way of the descending canine. He manages to escape by a hair's width and despite all his attempts to be cool, has a much panicked expression for a few seconds. "Wrap around him!" is Scarlett's next helpful suggestion. Hopefully she'll get more creative soon; Ekans don't have many body parts to use! Grumbling over his luck at being stuck with 'this broad', the Ekans approaches the pup's right front leg, hoping to give it a squeeze!

Melissa is met with a situation she's never seen before - the incredible Wrap attack and it's effect on her pokemon. The Growlithe, perhaps becoming a little too sure of herself even after her failed Take Down attack, doesn't see the Wrap coming at all, and the Ekans succeeds in not only Wrapping her but sending her crashing to the ground. With a panicked "Grrrooowlithe!" of fear, the pup barks to her trainer for help, and Melissa has half a mind to squirt the Ekans with her gun. She knows that she can't, and thus gives all the help she can - moral support. "T... try to squeeze out, Growlithe!" Pause. "For, um, for the PokeForce!" The puppy blinks at her trainer and, with a few little growls, tries to escape from the Ekans's grasp! Melissa does an effect check. She has failed to break it.

<You ain't goin' anywhere poochie!> hisses the Ekans with a chuckle, constricting himself tighter around the poor Growlithe's leg. Scarlett can't hide her worry over the fire dog; this is a very icky looking attack. Fighting to stay in character she makes a really lame sounding attempt at an evil laugh "Ha ha ha! That's right my pretty! More!" Eeew Scarlett, that doesn't sound right! What, are you channeling Valentino?

Melissa twitches a little at her poor struggling Growlithe, though she holds in a giggle at Scarlett's attempts of being evil. "You... your sinister ploys will never, um, never work, Rocket!" She's quoting straight from a book she read the other day, but this much she doesn't say. The Growlithe, in her attempts to squeeze out from the Ekans's binding attacks, rolls, twists, and turns - and ends up smashing her head into the ground pretty hard. "Gro-o-owl!" <Ow!> she cries, and tries to escape once again, this time with renewed power at her 'trainer's' words. She will not fall to this criminal's... what word did Melissa use again? Oh, right. 'Ploys'.

Grayson arrives from Cinnabar Island: Volcanic Way.
Grayson has arrived.

The fuzzy bundle of orange proves a bit too much for the slithering rope of purple, and the Ekans ends up giving out. Even though she's cheering inside, Scarlett throws on an upset face "Curse you! Ekans, spit something at it!" Snakes spit? Where did that come from? Scarlett is trying her darndest to pull back memories from battles with Sid and recall what he did. <Riiight. Sludge attack coming up.> the Ekans sighs, opening his maw wide. A mass of black ooze zips from his mouth, aimed at Melissa's Growlithe.

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

Melissa holds in a smile as her Growlithe finally breaks free of the Ekans's clutches. "Atta g-girl," the PokeForce officer whispers to herself. The girl shifts her gun from her right hand to her left, then back to her right, before giving a brief now. Trying her very best to stop from simply laughing out loud and blushing, Melissa inclines her head to the Rocket, and says, "Nothing can..." Um. "... Beat the power of P-PokeForce!" Even the Growlithe has to roll her eyes at that one. <Master!> she barks, her body erect, her tail giving two quick wags. She's hurt - but not tired. <We cannot allow these law-breaking criminals to run loose any longer!> Ms. Barlette simply nods softly, her mind stretching for the proper attack. "It... um, doesn't look fast," the girl half-whispers to herself. "Try an Agility at-attack." With only the lightest of nods, the Growlithe pushes off the ground with her back paws, sprinting a large circle around the Ekans as fast as she can. It's an Agility attack!

The purple spaghetti strand gets dizzy and a wee bit nauseated watching the Growlithe turn into a blur before him. Again I restate the fact snakes have no eyelids, and he more or less falls right into the Agility. "Don't just sit there!" Scarlett booms, getting better at the evil voice "Defend yourself... somehow!" <I have to do everything. Stupid human.> the Ekans snarls as he once more must figure out what his trainer wants from him. Even if the pup is making him sick as all heck with his running, he tries to Leer him into slowing down.

Melissa smiles, but this time it's not because she feels stupid wearing her little PokeForce cap or because she's holding a water gun - it's because she's proud of this little Growlithe, fighting so strongly for what she believes in. Maybe CrystalFire, when she grows up... A loud "Grrrrowlithe!" snaps Melissa back into the realm of reality, and almost without thinking, the girl half-snaps "Ember attack!" The Growlithe slows, sliding on her back paws to come to a complete stop, before separating her jaws and spitting the best wild Ember attack possible. This pillar of flame is less concentrated than the Flamethrower - but a little wider, creating an almost frantic image. Take that, criminal! she thinks to herself.

The Ekans is quick for a fella with no legs, and once more narrowly escapes the flame emitted by the Growlithe. "Good job! Now... spit on it again!" Scarlett nervously instructs, obviously running out of ideas on what an Ekans can do. <Meh, I want some variety, baby cakes.> he explains before spitting not the black goop he had before, but clear droplets from his mouth at the Growlithe. It's an Acid attack!

The Growlithe perhaps takes just a few moments too long to recover from her fire attack, for the next time she glances at the Ekans she gets a huge blob of disgusting, dripping Acid right in the face. "Lithe!" she cries suddenly, diving to the ground and trying to wipe away at the corrosive slime, but she fails miserably. Whimpering in pain, the Growlithe can't help but invoke Melissa's pity, and with a small frown, the PokeForce officer recalls the pup - dropping her gun to do so. "I hope she'll be okay..." she mumbles, temporarily forgetting the fact that she now has to real with a sinister Rocket and her devious little pokemon.

Wait, she won? Scarlett blinks a few times and falls out of character, before reminding herself what this little game is all about. "Aha! So you now see the power of Team Rocket!" the red haired woman cackles, pointing to the sky for no clear reason. Looking with disgust upon Scarlett the Ekans snaps <Are you trying to disco or what?>. Doing her best sinister glare at Melissa Scarlett raises her rubbery knife "I'm afraid I'll have to punish you for your... erm... I'll have to make you pay! However, there is a way for you to escape with your life!" Uh, hello Scarlett she still has the water gun.

The sky is grey and cloudy, and nothing casts a shadow. It's hot, humid, and still. High overhead, a pair of Butterfree can be seen flying in the direction of the ocean.

Melissa stops peering at the pokeball for a moment, glancing up at Scarlett for a few seconds as though she doesn't understand exactly what the woman is doing. "Oh!" Putting the pokeball back onto her belt, the teenager clears her throat, puts on her best face of horror, and growls, "You... you nasty Rocket." The girl takes a quick glance at the gun she put on the ground, twitches softly, and takes a small step back. "I...

The sides of Melissa's mouth turn up as she smirks very softly, an overly dramatic idea popping into her mind. "Never," she whispers softly, before realizing that perhaps it was a little too soft - she couldn't even hear herself. Clearing her throat, the girl tries again, this time a little louder, "Never." She pauses for a second, before barking a somewhat louder, "Never! I will n-never become one of you!" And with that, the girl turns tails and runs - but not before giving off a little giggle of excitement. Ms. Barlette is not well known for her running skills, and should Scarlett choose to follow her, she probably won't be too hard to catch - not that she's trying her heart out. It's like a game; Melissa partially -wants- Scarlett to catch up to her.

Eep, she's running! Scarlett didn't quite predict this! Luckily she's not lazy, and picking up her Ekans partner she zooms off after Melissa. Needless to say the Ekans isn't too happy about this whole thing. <Hey! What do you think I am sister, a jumprope?> he protests, although seeing as Scarlett doesn't speak Ekans it's a moot point. Once she's come a foot away from Melissa the redhaired saleswoman decides to try a very fiendish and evil scheme. So very horrible is it that I dare speak of what she did. Smile curling onto her lips, Scarlett yells out to Melissa "Hey look! An ice cream truck giving out free samples!". Oh, the humanity!

A little way down the road is one of those really neat black motorcycles Scarlett mentioned just a few moments ago, a huge great machine, all gleaming paint and chrome with painted flames running up the fuel tank. The bike pulls over and parks up, the tall rider dismounting with ease, the Ekans around his neck eyeing the two trainers with a hiss. Grayson pulls off his open-faced helmet and wraparound sunglasses with a smile as he watches the two heading towards him - and a broad grin when he hears Scarlett's yell. His hand drops into his coat pocket and he retrieves his own water pistol with a grin.

Even as Melissa huffs and puffs as she sprints down the docks, she blinks at the 'Rocket's' loud shout. Ie cream truck? Giving out free samples? At seven o'clock at night? It takes only a split second for the girl to realize what in the world Scarlett is trying to do. With a little giggle, the girl screeches to a complete stop, already looking around rather comically for this 'free ice cream' - unaware of the fact that if Scarlett can't stop in time, the woman and her Ekans might just end up crashing into her and tumbling head over heels.

Well what fun would this be if that wasn't exactly what happened? Sure enough, Scarlett crashes into Melissa like a derailed train sending both girls tumbling to the ground. Knowing she is much bigger than Melissa however and not wanting to truly hurt the girl, Scarlett uses some quick thinking to push out her hands and stop her torso from hitting the ground, and Melissa. The Ekans that so dislikes Scarlett isn't any more overjoyed with her when she falls, slithering quick as he can manage onto her back and giving a grunt. <Geez... stupid, clumsy... you've just got everything goin' for you haven't you doll?> he scorns. "I have you now!" Scarlett glares at a pinned Melissa "Surrender!". Someone hasn't seen Grayson yet!

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

Grayson runs swiftly closer, booted feet near-silent on the pavement. He stops a few feet away from the two, water-pistol held in a two-handed grip and aimed squarely at the 'Rocket'. "Freeze, scum," he growls at Scarlett, pitching his voice to be heard and obeyed. "You're under arrest." The Ekans around his neck watches, giving off the impression of being vaguely amused.

"Eeee!" Melissa shrieks, no longer having much fun as the large woman smashes into her back, sending her crashing down to the wooden planks. "Eee - oof!" The Pewter girl's cheek crashes into the ground. After a moment of complete paralyzation, the girl lifts her head off the ground, rubbing her cheek softly and mumbling a grouchy "Ow." Her next movement is to adjust the glasses on her face, which quite miraculously didn't fall off of her nose. She sees and hears Grayson, but doesn't pay him much attention quite yet; she wants to make sure she's not injured before she continues playing the game.

Olive eyes looking up to see who is speaking, Scarlett freezes. She hasn't seen her 'ol friend Raymond in so long! Her first reaction is to give him a big hug, but this isn't really the time is it? Ah! That girl made a sound like she was hurt. Is she allowed to break out of character if someone gets hurt? "Um... darn you sneaky cops!" Scarlett sneers, raising a hand to shake it like a fist "Someday when you're not looking--bam! Team Rocket will take over!" Melissa isn't the only one taking lines from outside sources, that one was from a movie Scarlett saw last month. Her Ekans looks up at Sid and gushes <Finally! An intellegent being! How's it slithering, brother snake?>.

The soft light dims at dusk.

Sid replies, <Amusssingly, don't you think?>, and his trainer smiles. "Later, you two. Got to get this stinking Rocket into safe custody." He chuckles softly, then straightens his face, apparently as best he can. "On your feet, Rocket, and don't even think about escaping! You're going away for a long, long time!" The tall real-Rocket breaks out into an infectious grin he just can't help. "Or we can stop playing cops and robbers and go get a burger, all three of us and Ekanses."

Melissa comes to the conclusion that she's not hurt anything severely, and, interested in getting back into the "scene", the girl does a half-push up, outstretching her arms but still keeping her lower torso on the ground. She probably won't bump into Scarlett, even if the woman is still in her outstretched-arms-position. Giving Grayson a nod that's perhaps a tad too serious, Melissa barks a sharp, "Good job, Agent..." Pause. "Um." Pause. "Williams." 'Agent'? There's a light pause. Raymond suggests getting dinner - and he's hit Melissa's breaking point. She lets herself fall back to the ground, now laughing freely into her shirt, her face reddening heavily.

As if to answer, Scarlett's stomach grumbles rather loudly and she blushes. Someone spent all day working and forgot lunch! Bad Scarlett, don't you know you need three meals a day? Watching the younger trainer fall into a fit of giggles in front of her Scarlett smiles "Aww, I was so close to getting her to switch sides too!" If that's true or not isn't a point, as Scarlett's tone shows she's half kidding. Getting up from the ground and offering a hand to Melissa to help he up she smirks "Burgers do sound like a good idea." The Ekans nods and agrees with Scarlett for possibly the first time since they joined forces <Yes, let's get away from this stupidity. Please.>. Why doesn't he draw out his 's' words like Sid? Heh.

Grayson chuckles, offering both girls a hand up. "There's a place not far from here," he nods, a smile on his angular features. "I'd offer to give you both a lift, but there's only room for one at a time on the bike, I'm afraid." He looks down at Scarlett's Ekans and smiles again. "I can offer you a lift, though. I've got a forearm free if you want to climb up here and coil around it. No biting, though, okay?" His voice is as soft and warm as his smile is intended to be, though the sharp angles of his face do lend a slightly malevolent cast to his expression.

Melissa thankfully stops her giggle fest rather shortly and, shaking her head softly, she too ascends from the ground, being careful to not have her glasses fall off. In the process, she quiet accidentally ignores the real-Rocket's helpful hand. Giving off one last tiny wheeze that passes as a small giggle, the teenager nods softly to Grayson, not giving him a very long look, before bending down to wipe her clothes free of dust. "Th-thank you," she mumbles getting a little red. "Looks like you, um, you saved me." There's a small pause here, as two pieces of a puzzle snap together. 'Saved me'. Stopping in mid-wipe, Melissa blinks softly for a few moments, before shrugging it off as mere pointless deja vu. The girl turns to her 'captor', smiling softly, "Are you, um, are you okay? Did you, uh, hurt yourself?"

"Nah, I'm a tough gal!" Scarlett winks, making a muscle with her left arm. Her Ekans seems more than a little eager to join Grayson, not caring about what he was instructed by his real trainer, who told him to stick with his assigned person no matter what. Using Scarlett's flexed arm he makes his way onto Grayson's (uh... non-flexed arm) and seems ten times happier. <All brawn, no brains.> he whispers to Sid, pointing his rattler at Scarlett.

Sid just hisses amusedly, finding something very funny indeed. Grayson, however, pauses as he looks at Melissa, smiling ever so slightly as he too has pieces of a puzzle snap together and then smiling down and winking at the strange Ekans. "Food," he decides, gesturing politely for the girls to accompany him to the burger bar, then asks the snake on his forearm, "Are you eating too, or has Scarlett here got some eggs for you for later?"

A featureless blanket of grey cloud covers the evening sky.

Everything in Melissa's body is telling her to not take a glance at Grayson - but she does so anyway. It's not a very long peek - but it's a relieving one. The man doesn't look very familiar - there's something about him (perhaps his voice?) that's ringing a bell, but it's not his appearance. "... Oh, um," Melissa blinks as Grayson quite obviously points out the burger bar. She hopes she's got enough money. "Oh, um, right." Giving Grayson on last peek, the girl heads in the direction of the restaurant, walking slowly so as for Scarlett to catch up - supposing she's coming.

Scarlett catches up just fine, her long legs helping her move distances with a bit more speed than the younger trainer. Placing the rubber knife in one of her many overall pockets and the mask in her backpack she follows Raymond and Melissa to the place where they shall partake of burgery goodness!

Grayson appears to be having the same reaction to Melissa as she is to him, the occasional sidelong glance as though he recognises her but can't exactly place her. He politely holds the door open for the girls, ducking in after the two of them, still smiling. "So, what's it like being a Rocket, then, Scarlett?", he asks with a smile, Sid watching and listening with that same hint of slight amusement.

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

It's a small world, Melissa convinces herself, but it's not that small of a world. The chance of finding this exact person is much too small - it's been too long ago, certainly the girl's just mistaken? - If he really was that man, he would have said something by now! Despite a little thing called 'reason' offering all of these suggestions, Melissa simply can't shake Grayson from her mind. Needless to say, she's quiet, and will continue being quiet unless Scarlett or Raymond directly asks her a question. She barely even gives the man a nod as he rather politely holds the door for her. Note, now, that her PokeForce hat is still equipped.

"It's not easy." Scarlett laughs, thanking the older trainer with a nod as she passes through the open door. It is only then she realizes she doesn't even know the young girl's name. "Sorry for not introducing myself before-- I'm Scarlett Madison!" she grins warmly at Melissa, holding out her hand for a firm shake. <Scarlett 'Airhead' Madison.> snickers the Ekans, not caring if the role-playing is over. He still seems to get much pleasure out of making fun of Scarlett. Grayson chuckles. "Now, now," he smiles down at the Ekans. "She may be an airhead, but she's a good friend." He chuckles softly, lifting his other hand to try and gently scratch the top of the snakelike pokemon's head. "Raymond James," he adds his own introduction, then looks over at Melissa, expectation writ large in his expression. "And I've been pondering defecting to the Rocket team - I keep having people telling me I'd make a good pretend Rocket. Something to do with my face and the bike, I think."

Melissa snaps out of her mind for a moment as Scarlett introduces herself. The girl's initial reaction is to simply peer at the woman's hand, but social skills step in and the teenager outstretches her hand, nodding first to Scarlett, then to Grayson, "... Melissa. Um, Melissa Barlette, Pewter City." She goes silent as Grayson talks about joining the Rocket team - and the girl becomes even more confused. The man she's thinking of was an angel from the heavens - probably not someone who would even joke about joining the Rockets, right? With a small little smile, the girl stays quiet, turning her head to Scarlett in anticipation of the redhead's reply.

The night is moonless and starless.

"Huh? Airhead?" Scarlett narrows her eyes and glares at the Ekans "What is he saying about me?". Her anger is forgotten when Raymond mentions being a Rocket, and laughter erupts from her throat. Raymond, be a Rocket? One of the nicest people she knows? "That'd be something to see! You dancing about with a rubber knife." Scarlett beams, finding a nice booth next to a window for the gang to sit down in.

Grayson chuckles. "You don't want to know," he assures Scarlett, then chuckles at her response to his idea of changing sides. "Yeah, I guess me dancing around with a rubber knife would be something to see," he agrees, laughing, sounding highly amused by the whole idea, eyes bright and smile wide. "Still, you've got to admit that I really don't suit the hat. It keeps falling off, my head's too big."

Melissa slips into her seat, taking a place right next to Scarlett, unless Grayson beats her to that seat. She wants a position that'll give her a good look at the man she's watching. As Grayson speaks, the girl grows more and more uncomfortable - and more and more clouded about this mysterious man. Idly noticing the silly PokeForce cap on her head, perhaps because Raymond just mentioned his own, the girl gives a little blush, yanking the hat off and setting it down upon her lap.

Roaring with laughter at Raymond and his hat, Scarlett pounds her fist against the table once she's seated "You crack me up, man!". Shortly after everyone is seated an elderly waitress shuffles over to the table and more or less throws menus at the lot. "Be back in a minute." she mumbles before waddling off once more, obviously not in love with her job. "Hrm." Scarlett says, opening her menu and browsing the selection. Sure, in the end she knows she'll get a burger, but might as well see what else they have!

Grayson is very careful about slipping into a seat, careful not to bang his head on the light hanging over the table - and careful to let Melissa choose her place first and take an empty seat that isn't too close. He smiles amusedly at Scarlett for a moment, and then ice-blue eyes turn to the smaller girl. "I remember," he tells Melissa gently, sincerity and kindness evident. "If you ever want to talk about it, just let me know. Sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger." The moment of seriousness over, he smiles again. "So, reckon I should ham it up as a Rocket, then?"

Melissa is now taking almost regular glances at Grayson, wondering if she can just ask him a question to prove her point. A question that wouldn't invoke curiousity if this isn't her 'guardian angel', but would let her know if he is. Grabbing the menu, Melissa half-looks at it as she pieces together a decent question. She opens her mouth to speak - but Grayson's words come out instead. Her jaw agape, the teenager can only peer at Raymond while he speaks, looking very much like a Magikarp who came across the wrong lure. And even after the real-Rocket has finished, she continues looking at him. ... Well... That was easy.

Scarlett is so busy looking for what she wants to eat she doesn't catch Grayson's words to Melissa "Double cheeseburger and fries sounds good!" She looks up in time to get Grayson's question to her however, winking "Heck, if you don't I'll be very disappointed. Then Melissa will be outnumbered though!" <We need all the help we can get.> Scarlett's Ekans confides quietly.

Grayson chuckles. "I agree completely," he nods to the Ekans, then smiles again, looking between the other two. "That's that settled, then. I'll defect to the Rocket team and ham it up horrifically for a giggle. I'm sure Sid and the others will be quite willing to help out, too. Feel like being a Rocket pokemon, Sid?" The Ekans hisses his assent, definitely highly amused.

Turning to the menu, Melissa just sort of blinks, staring at the menu rather blankly. "I'll... probably just have, um, a regular burger. Lemonade." After a moment's pause, Melissa says somewhat quietly, though she'll stop if somebody else speaks up, "I wonder, um, if the burgers are, ah, are as good here and th-they are in Pewter." A pause. She's babbling and greatly off-topic, but it feels... nice to just speak. Should nobody else interrupt, she'll continue. "I, ah, I go to the... Rolling Stones Burger Club constantly. Nice burgers. I've, um, got some coupons at home.

Scarlett gleefully replies to Melissa "I ate there once! Very tasty!" The mean old waitress returns, yellow pad of paper and well chewed pencil in her flabby hand "Whaddya y'all want?" Scarlett seems to ignore the attitude of the lady and in her most polite tone replies "The 'Holy Cow Special', if you please! With a Chansey Cola." Scribbling that order down as fast as she can the waitress turns her spectacle donning eyes to Grayson "And you?". Geez, not even a 'sir', she's got this whole grumpy thing down pat!

Grayson inclines his head politely. "I, dear lady, will have a simple double cheeseburger meal, if it's not too much trouble of course." The entire sentence was spoken absolutely straight-faced. He nods to the other two then, smiling at Melissa. "Yeah, Rolling Stones is good, I agree. Can't beat Celadon, though, I'm afraid. There's an absolutely wonderful burger bar there."

Melissa gives a shy little smile to Scarlett as she folds her menu. She probably should be ordering a salad right now to watch her weight - but she's not quite worried about fitting into those new jeans she got for her birthday just this moment. The moment Grayson mentions 'Celadon', the girl's eyes lift up, and she glances at Grayson once again, this time almost a little worried. Is he mocking me? she asks herself, nervously shuffling the menu around on the table and ignoring the waitress. "Um... ... I'll have to, uh, er, to try it sometime. Not that..." Ahem. A little blush, and the girl turns her head to the side. "... Not that I'm, ah, planning on, um, going b-back to Celadon soon, no..."

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

Clearing her throat the waitress 'tap tap tap's her pencil against the yellow note pad, before speaking up in an impatient tone "Whatta 'bout you, little missy?". Hey, how did she know Melissa's name? Or, it could just be what she calls all the young girls. A psychic waitress is a pretty scary thought, don't you think? Scarlett puts her head in her hands and exhales "It's been such a long day... I need a vacation something bad.".

Grayson smiles at Melissa, gentle and kind again. "You've got to go back sometime," he says quietly. "You can't let fear rule your life." Again, that side of the mercurial Rocket vanishes beneath a cheery facade. "Scarlett," Grayson points out with a grin, "You're in Cinnabar. If you can't have a rest while you're here, then you've got no hope. Go soak in the hot pools tomorrow or something, for goodness sake." He chuckles, then winks at Melissa.

"Burger a-and a Lemonade, please," Melissa mumbles to the waitress, gesturing to the menu for our friendly neighborhood waitress to pick it up. Shaking her head very softly, Melissa sort of avoids Grayson's friendly smile and his gaze, mumbling "I try" quietly under her breath. Melissa herself looks like she's becoming a nervous wreck herself - she doesn't know whether she's supposed to blurt out every tiny little thing that's bugging her in hopes that this amazing guardian angel will make everything better, or if she's supposed to just stay quiet and keep in mind that it could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

So... tired. Scarlett lowers her head onto the tabletop and rests her eyes for a few moments. So nice to relax for a few minutes. Her Ekans looks at her with malevolence <Hmm, maybe we'll luck out and she'll become like Rip Van Winkle and sleep for thirty years.> The hefty waitress collects the menus and snorts at Melissa, not too pleased she had to stand in one place for such a long time. Service with a smile is not in this woman's agenda.

Grayson grins down at the Ekans. "One day your mouth is going to get you into trouble," he chuckles softly, scratching the snakelike pokemon's head gently again. He looks up at Melissa, either sensing the nervousness or seeing it, and smiles. "We're both trainers," he smiles, "We'll see each other again. Look me up next time you're in Celadon, if you want to chat." He ignores the waitress completely, focused on the two girls.

The tide is low and ebbing.

Melissa nods her head slightly at Grayson, probably picking up on what the older man is implying. "Maybe I... will..." The absolute most faint smile is dabbed on the teenager's lips as she parts them to almost whisper, "Raymond." She looks at him for just a moment longer, gives Scarlett a quick glance, and glances back at the man. This time, with a little more certainty, the girl gives Grayson a nod and repeats herself. "Maybe I will."

<Fade to black...>