New Year's Date for 'Josh' ((mynameisnotbrad))

[chiron_survivor]

Mid-afternoon on New Year's Day, and Crossroads Café is more or less empty.

The early birds and people nursing hangovers from the previous night's festivities have already cleared out, and the dinner rush has not yet begun. Adia has claimed a table in the corner -- by herself -- although Ice Bear had stopped by to bring her a chai latte and a blueberry muffin while she waits for Josh to join her.

Caspar had made noises about coming, but Adia insisted that he stay home this time. She had a lot of catching up to do with her friend, and Caspar would make it awkward. Her one concession is to keep her PINpoint out, and so when Josh arrives, he'll find her eyes on its smartphone screen instead of the door, texting quietly and smiling at whatever she reads in return.

Comments

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh, of course," she answers brightly. "They're wonderful, aren't they? They're so intelligent, and some of them are quite powerful, but many of them choose to form lifelong friendships with humans." For someone who loves animals, it's a dream come true. "I only wish that I had the time to make a career out of it, but I learn about them when I can."

She falls silent again during the exchange between the professor and Josh, but her expression likely gives away some of her thoughts. Namely, her surprise over her friend's method of catching the deino. She hadn't been there to witness it, but she assumed he had been more thoughtful in his decision. It makes the fact that he caught the pokémon all the more unexpected.

Sensing the professor's skepticism, she steps a little closer to Josh in support of his words. "We have seen some very bad examples," she replies, thinking of Bucky's injuries. "And you need to understand, from an outsider's perspective, watching pokémon fight one another can seem unnecessary and cruel. Where we're from, when humans have animals fight one another, it's purely for their own amusement, and the animals can be seriously injured or even killed."

She looks to Josh for confirmation, to see if he's thinking something along those lines. "I know that it's different in the world where pokémon come from, but it still unnerves me a little. It's why I'd rather study them than train them to fight."

[mynameisnotbrad]

"Yes, so many breeds exist here in the Nexus and lately the population has risen greatly. To be fair, I've been looking for capable people to assist in my research on how Pokemon adapt and interact in the Nexus." He seems happy to discuss these things and even Adia's agreement to Josh's statement doesn't seem to upset the professor.

"I've noticed that many people here feel that way about battles, and even if I presented scientific facts that debunk any misconceptions, I highly doubt it'll change the minds of people very easily."

Josh, without thinking his words through, comments on the situation. "If Pokemon want to battle, why should anyone stop them from doing it?" He really sees nothing wrong with combat, just the people instigating it. That comment isn't going to win him any points with the professor either.

"Your friend seems to have a much more logical line of thinking, in comparison to your emotional reasoning. Tell me, what do you intend to do with that Pokemon you caught? Are you going to force it to battle?" Madrone is now looking at Adia. "What do you think should be done with the Pokemon?"

[chiron_survivor]

Likewise, she is curious to hear about the professor's research. "I hadn't given much thought to that," she admits, "But it must have an impact on them. I can see why you'd need help, that's an enormous undertaking."

That subject will have to wait, though. Josh, it turns out, does not see things quite the way she does, and Professor Madrone seems to hone in on this difference with surprising accuracy. She shifts in place nervously when asked her opinion, not wanting to spark further disagreement. Her whole purpose of meeting up with Josh was to smooth over hurt feelings, not get dragged into pokémon discourse.

"If it were my pokémon," she begins diplomatically, "I'd return it to the wild, or if that isn't possible, find someone responsible to care for it. I don't live in the Nexus, so I wouldn't be able to give it the attention it deserved. I mean... caring for my friend's pokémon wasn't easy, and they were already tame and I had help. It's a big responsibility."

She bites her lip and glances Josh's way again, hoping he's not annoyed by her honesty.

[mynameisnotbrad]

"It is. I'm hoping to find capable people in the Nexus whom can with that research. Perhaps you could be one of them. Forgive my lack of manners, we've been talking and I failed to introduce myself. I'm Professor Madrone, and I suppose you could call me the Nexus expert in Pokemon." He laughs a little, extending his hand to Josh, then Adia, for a shake.

Once introductions are complete, Josh removes the Pokeball from his pocket, thinking about what's been said so far. He's made himself look dumb by talking so openly about violence and also the fact that he did get upset. Adia is right, however: can he really raise this Pokemon?

He sighs, then holds out the Pokeball to the Professor. If this is what will make Adia happy, then he's willing to do whatever it takes. Madrone takes it, a slightly confused look crossing over his face.

'You're right Adia." He takes a step back, then starts walking towards the door. The professor doesn't bother to try stopping him, focusing on Adia instead.

"It seems like being able to let go is hard for that young man. But, if you'd like, the two of you can stop by my lab sometime in the future. If you're interested in doing some research for me, of course."

[chiron_survivor]

Her eyes light up at the offer and she returns his handshake enthusiastically. "It's nice to meet you, Professor Madrone. My name is Adia Costas, and I would love to help to help you with your research." So long as she has the time, although she'd be willing to make time for this.

She looks a bit confused as well. She hadn't expected Josh to simply hand over the ball and walk away. "Josh?" she calls out tentatively. "Hold on a minute, okay?"

Reaching into her bag, she pulls out a pen and paper and jots down her name and PINpoint number. "Here's my contact information," she says, offering it to the professor. "If you can text me the address of your lab, I'll be sure to come by soon."

She'd love to stay and chat more with the professor, but she'd rather not abandon Josh, who seems to have abandoned the conversation.

[mynameisnotbrad]

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Ms. Costas." He smiles, clearly happy to make her acquaintance. Josh has managed to stop walking away upon hearing Adia call out to him, but decides to stay put near the doors, instead of walking back to the group. Madrone continues addressing her, but his gaze still shifts back to Josh.

"Of course." He takes the card and carefully pockets her information. "I will send you my information by the end of the day. Please stop by my lab so we can discuss the research further. Again, it was a pleasure meeting with you and your friend."

Josh turns away from Madrone with a troubled look on his face, mainly from sheer embarrassment. First Caspar, now Madrone...he can't catch a break when other guys. He's quiet, not sure what to say to Adia next, especially after getting called out for being reckless.

"...Sorry. i didn't mean to leave you stranded there, doubles with the fact that I didn't want to admit that he was right. About the pokemon, I mean."

[chiron_survivor]

"Great, I'll talk to you then." She offers another handshake, as that's a little more professional than simply waving goodbye, and then catches up to Josh by the doors.

"It's okay, Josh." She holds the door for him as she steps out into the Nexus. "It's a strange culture if you're not a part of it. I mean, it's probably even stranger for you, since it's a video game where you're from." She glances back at the store and smiles a little. "He offered you the chance to help him research pokémon, too. If it isn't too time-intensive, I'm going to give it a shot. It'll be the next best thing to having one of my own. Oh! And you'll be able to visit deino if you go."

See, Josh? A silver lining to everything.

[mynameisnotbrad]

Josh is still getting over his emotions when Adia addresses him, torn between being angry and actually sad at offering up the dragon Pokemon. "You're right...I just didn't like getting called out for being emotional. He reminds me of my mother, and not in a good way."

He shoves his hands into his pockets begrudgingly. "He was right though, about taking care of a Pokemon. I'm not exactly trainer material and the Deino would be better off with an expert." Although, he does manage to smile, thinking about how Adia's day was made. "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me."

[chiron_survivor]

It's a bit of a surprise that he mentions his mother. He has before, and never in a good context. It makes her feel a little guilty over her excitement at being able to help the professor with his research.

"I'm sorry," she says, her voice gentle. "I'm sure it wasn't his intention. And I think you could be a trainer, if that's what you wanted. I only said what I did because I know that we both have responsibilities outside the Nexus."

When he smiles again, she returns it warmly. "Of course I'm happy. I got to spend some quality time with you." A thought strikes her and she laughs sheepishly. "Although I'd probably be less happy if I had been bit. Thank goodness for the anti-violence field, right?"

[mynameisnotbrad]

Josh is surprisingly calm when talking to Adia, mainly because he's trying to put what happened past them. "He made a sound argument though...I'm busy and wouldn't be able to give the Pokemon the attention it deserves."

He feels the heat rising in his cheeks when she smiles at him, finding it hard to hide his feelings right now. Instead, he quickly nods in agreement to her words. "Yeah, I'm glad you didn't get hurt. Sorry we didn't get to explore the Poke'mart more, but we can always find something else to entertain ourselves with...? As long as you still have the free time." He can only imagine Caspar wants her home asap.

[chiron_survivor]

"At least you caught him before he ate up the whole store," she says, trying to keep the smile on his face. "Louis said you were a natural, remember?"

That blush is awfully sweet. "It's okay." She puts a hand on his arm to reassure him. "And sure, I have a little more time before I need to get back. Oh, I wanted to ask you something. How is your friend doing, the one who is ill? I meant to ask back at the café."

[mynameisnotbrad]

"...Yeah, I'll keep that in mind." His confidence at the situation wavers, but the fact that Adia is giving him such a supportive attitude keeps Josh from turning it into something negative.

The mentioning of his friend is disarming and Josh is back to wearing his emotions on his sleeve, specifically sadness. "He's not getting better, which I guess it what one would expect from someone with brain cancer. I've been dedicating time to making sure his legacy lives on, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm only getting in the way."

[chiron_survivor]

It is a surprising amount of work, to keep Josh from sliding into a negative demeanor. She's willing to keep trying, though. He did the same for her.

Except, oops, she's not helping by asking after his friend. The news does sound grim, and she frowns in sympathy. "Oh, Josh, I'm so sorry..." Impulsively, she pulls him into a gentle hug. "That is a shame... why would you think you're getting in the way? It sounds like your friend cares for you." Enough to impart some valuable advice, if she's not misinterpreting Josh's earlier words in the poké mart.

[mynameisnotbrad]

The hug is certainly disarming: causing Josh to just stare at Adia with a solemn look on his face. He almost wants to cry, but holds back those tears. "It's pretty typical, so I'm used to it. Not easy be me..." He weakly laughs, realizing that it's not to Kramer's apprentice that has issues, it's also Caspar. And no matter how nice Adia is, he still wants to know why she loves him.

"Please, don't get sad about me or my circumstances."

[chiron_survivor]

Poor Josh. Based on what he's told her, she knows that true friends are hard for him to come by. It must be gut-wrenching to lose one. She squeezes him once before letting go, her expression no less sympathetic.

"Don't worry about me. You enjoy the time you have with your friend, okay? And if you need anything, you let me know."

[mynameisnotbrad]

"But I..."

He wants to worry about her. Adia is his goal right now, the only female who's ever shown him affection. Stumbling, he tries to hold onto her hand, but lets go instead.

"Of course, Adia. I'm really glad we got to spend some time together today."

[chiron_survivor]

The fumbled attempt at hand-holding doesn't go unnoticed, but she dismisses it like every other strange thing Josh has ever said or done. "I am, too," she says with a warm smile. "We'll do this again soon."

She has every intention of keeping that promise. She opens her messenger bag and clips the clefairy keychain so it is hanging visibly on her messenger bag. Then she retrieves her PINpoint, and after waving goodbye, teleports home.