A microbiologist and a Cylon walk into a pokémon lab... ((for youmeandpokemon))

[chiron_survivor]

As soon as Professor Madrone confirms a good time to drop by his lab, Adia prepares for the visit. It entails little change from how she usually prepares to visit the Nexus -- the only delay is Caspar getting ready, too.

He asked to come with her, but she has to remind him not to wear a suit, not unless he wants it covered in pokémon fur, feathers, or who knows what else. So he needs a little more time to pick out something casual -- jeans and button-down, which he's not thrilled about.

Adia assures him that he looks as professional as always, and teleports them to the coordinates that the professor sent her.

Comments

[youmeandpokemon]

Madrone wouldn't even begin to recommend taking a Gengar back to Atlantis, especially given the destructive nature that Ghost Pokemon exhibited. Maybe Tepig or Rowlet would be better starters to keep...but Madrone isn't planning on coercing either of them to take a Pokemon home.

The evolution is truly something magnificent to watch and even the professor is taken back by it, even though this isn't his first time seeing Pokemon evolve. After the evolution is complete, the Clefairy hand their flower crowns off to the Magnemite, who place the newly created charms onto Clefable and Magnezone's antennae. The dancing continues, but Clefable stops to stare at Adia and Caspar. She reaches down and grabs two small shards of the Moon Stone and the magnetic rock. Carefully, the fairy Pokemon walks over to them, offering each a stone as a token of her appreciation.

Madrone says nothing, not wanting to intervene in this interaction, but he knows it's special to be offered something from a Pokemon.

[chiron_survivor]

It really is a shame. Even Caspar with his sarcastic, standoffish manner, clearly has a fondness for pokémon. He chuckles softly at Tepig's enthusiastic response, then gently nudges her with his leg. "They're dancing again, do you want to join in?"

Tepig looks up at him, as if double-checking his approval, before running over to the ring of dancing clefairy. One of the them offers her a flower, leftover from their crown-making, but when she goes to sniff it, she accidentally scorches it. Oops! The clefairy giggles and pats her head.

"What's the significance of the flower crowns?" Adia asks curiously. She sets aside her pokédex when Clefable approaches, surprised by the gesture. "Oh... these are for us?" The moon stone shard glows briefly in her hand when she takes it. "Thank you, Clefable, for sharing these with us. And your evolution, too."

"It's a real honor," Caspar says quietly as he accepts the shard of the magnetic rock. He looks at it, expression bemused, before turning to Adia. "She's not expecting us to evolve, is she?"

Adia giggles. "No, I don't think so."

"Too bad," he quips, as he tucks away the shard into his jacket pocket. "You'd look adorable with pink wings." Adia giggles again, this time accompanied by a blush, and his soft smile turns into a grin.

[youmeandpokemon]

"Logically it seems like the Pokemon are identifying the strongest of their clans. That or..." He looks at the rocks being held by Adia and Caspar. "A union between Pokemon." Madrone smiles, and the next thing he says seems completely at random, without thought.

"Perhaps you could use the stones towards your own wedding rings..." He pauses, and in a rare moment, turns away from the group, almost ashamed of what he's said. "My apologies. I should not have assumed such a thing." Madrone reaches down to pick up his Pokedex, putting it away in his pocket.

Clefable, on the other hand, is smiling at Madrone's words. She reaches out to take Adia and Caspar's hands, bringing them together, then trying to drag the couple towards the dancing Pokemon. Clearly the fairy Pokemon wants the two lovers to join the celebration.

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh! Um..." Adia tucks the moon stone into her pocket, unsure of what to say. It was rather out of the blue for Madrone to suggest that, but she doesn't want him to feel embarrassed about it either. "We, um... well, that's a nice thought, but we haven't really --"

"Leave the actual proposal planning to me, Professor," Caspar suggests dryly, although he doesn't seem particularly irritated. In fact, it's not that bad an idea... he looks at his girlfriend uncertainly. Have they been together long enough that he can ask? Should he ask now?

Clefable's not-so-subtle cue fortunately cuts the tension in the cave. Caspar chuckles and takes Adia's hand, letting the winged pokémon lead them to the other celebrants. Once there, he sweeps Adia into his arms. "One dance?" he asks, swaying her gently. "It'd be rude to offend the bride."

"One dance," Adia murmurs, smiling softly.

[youmeandpokemon]

Professor Madrone is quick to apologize, realizing just how awkward the comment sounded. "I should have been thinking about that statement before saying it. My apologies Adia, Caspar." He's overly grateful that Clefable breaks up the moment, taking the attention off his inconsiderate comment.

The fairy Pokemon claps her hand together once Caspar takes Adia into his arms, while Madrone watches silently. Rowlet gently lands on his shoulder and coos reassuringly, as if letting him know that everything will be okay. Feeling slightly better about the situation, Madrone takes out his Pokedex once more, snapping pictures of the different Pokemon, as well as Adia and Caspar dancing.

[chiron_survivor]

All is forgiven, Professor, if how happy the couple look is anything to go by. Whatever self-consciousness was initially in Adia's expression melts away as Caspar leads her in a very basic waltz, a dance he remembers learning, even if he's only ever danced it with her. She keeps her gaze locked on him, warm and tender, while he glides them around the twin stones, careful to keep out of the way of any underfoot clefairy or low-flying magnemites.

Magnezone floats over to Clefaable to also watch the human-Cylon pair. He beeps something approvingly to his companion, and she smiles and takes one of his magnet appendages. Yes, they look very nice together, don't they? Giving them the shards was a good idea.

Tepig, worn out from all the dancing, trots over to Madrone and snorts. Is it time to go yet? The dance appears to be wrapping up, and she's getting hungry.

[youmeandpokemon]

Good. His guilt over saying something unprofessional is replaced by a sad expression, almost reminiscing about something while everyone dances. Tepig breaks Madrone out of his trance, and he smiles at the pig Pokemon, as if understanding her easily. "WE should probably call it a day, nightfall is almost upon us."

He puts away the Pokedex, gesturing of Adia and Caspar to rejoin him and the other starter Pokemon. "Much as I hate to interrupt, it's getting late and we should head back to the lab."

[chiron_survivor]

For a moment, Caspar seems reluctant to let Adia go, the magnetic shard a heavy weight in his pocket. Soon, he thinks. When the time is right, and he truly deserves her hand in marriage, then he can ask.

He gives her a quick kiss before letting her go. Adia blushes a little, smile bright; the Madrone's voice reminds her that they aren't alone. "Of course, Professor." They head over to him; Rowlet flutters over to Adia's shoulder, and Tepig oinks up at Caspar hopefully. "Too much dancing, Princess?" the Cylon teases, but he scoops her up into his arms anyway.

Clefable waves goodbye and Magnezone rotates one of his magnets in a similar gesture. They had not expected visitors, but were grateful nonetheless for their help in stopping Gengar the party crasher.

[youmeandpokemon]

Madrone also waves goodbye to the different Magnemite and Clefairy, the guiding Magmemite is especially happy, even if his new friends are leaving. Even if apart, the bond between Pokemon and human is a strong one indeed.

There's two ways of leaving the cave, going back the way they came, or taking the shortcut, as Madrone removes a PINpoint from his vest pocket. The easy way gets three hungry Pokemon back to the lab faster, along with ensuring everyone's safety.

"No objections to PINpointing back, I'm assuming?" If the group agrees, he's more than happy to extend his hand and port them back the front of the lab.

[chiron_survivor]

"None whatsoever," Caspar says quickly. He's totally fine with not trekking back through the cave full of psychic pokémon.

With Tepig in his arms, he can't easily take Madrone's hand, so Adia does it for him, Rowlet still perched neatly on her shoulder. She takes Caspar's hand and smiles at him sympathetically. It has been an exciting day, but she can tell that he'd probably like to get back home and recharge. (Metaphorically.)

[youmeandpokemon]

Once everyone has gotten a hold of each other, Madrone hits the button on his PINpoint, bringing everyone back to the entrance of the lab. The sun has already started to set, any many daytime Pokemon are scurrying back to their nests. Alas, Madrone's work won't stop after the sun sets, but he'll make sure the starter Pokemon get a good meal and also properly see Adia and Caspar off.

"I hope the trip was worth the time. It was enjoyable getting to spend some time with the two of you." He means it, since the life of a Professor lacks a lot of human interactions. "My door is always open for the two of you to come visit at anytime. I would advise calling first to make sure I'm here."

[chiron_survivor]

The sight of the setting sun takes Adia by surprise. Has that much time gone by? It feels like they only just arrived at Madrone's estate. "It was wonderful, Professor." She smiles warmly, squeezing his hand before letting go. "I feel like I learned so much today." Even if one took away the stranger events within the cave, she was happy to get to know the professor better, too.

Caspar's response is far more subdued, although he nods along to Adia's words. Madrone has apparently passed whatever test the Cylon likes to internally give everyone he meets.

"All right, princess. Last stop." He sets down Tepig, who whines a little at his impending departure. "I assume we're holding onto these for more field work?" he asks Madrone, holding up his pokédex.

Rowlet gives a friendly nuzzle to Adia's cheek before fluttering down to the ground. She hopes that the human can come by to visit again, but for now she's looking forward to returning to her poké ball and taking a nap.

[youmeandpokemon]

Adia's touch gets a faint blush and smile from Madrone, who happily clasps his hands around Adia's for a gentle shake. He's definitely happy that Adia and Caspar are good people who can be trusted around the Pokemon population. "I'm glad that the two of you had an enjoyable trip. You're more than welcome to come back and visit as much as you like."

He lets go of Adia's hand, nodding politely to Caspar. "Yes. Consider it an unofficial assignment from me to you. Continue observing and scanning Pokemon as you come upon them. The data will help my research of Pokemon living in the Nexus."

Rowlet, after saying his goodbyes, flutters back to Professor Madrone's side. Tepig, however, is still nudging Caspar's leg with her snout, whimpering a bit. Madrone has to coax the pig over to him, mainly reminding her that's its time for dinner.

[chiron_survivor]

"We'll be sure to," she says sincerely. She has a feeling that the professor could use some company. It's not easy being the new guy in the Nexus, especially when most of your time is tied up in research. "Hopefully with more data for your research."

Caspar quietly pockets the pokédex. He's not going to turn down free use of tech, even if he's not entirely sure how much time he'll have for pokémon spotting.

Tepig's whimpering catches him by surprise. When's the last time someone (other than Adia) was sorry to see him go? "Don't worry, I'll be back to visit," he promises the little pig. If she hasn't already been scooped up by a trainer, a thought that leaves him a little hollow inside.

He shakes off the bad feeling. C'mon, Caspar, you can't take care of a pokémon. "We should get going," he murmurs to Adia, wanting to put some physical distance between himself and this unusual sentiment.

"Thank you again, Professor. We'll be in contact soon." And with a final wave goodbye, she and Caspar head back on the path towards the Plaza, the lengthening shadows of the evening sky leaving a trail behind them.