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Post by Kris Parker on Mar 12, 2019 16:58:07 GMT -5
Tags: Kurt Emerson, one more prequel thread. Moving to an island in a remote region was, to put bluntly, a pain in the ass. Kristen took a few deep breaths and tried not to hold onto the armrests too tightly as she sat in her airplane seat, not looking forward to the flight. It was a shame Mona couldn't have just teleported them over to Ascua.
"How are you doing?" she asked Kurt.
It had been crazy the past couple of months. None of the other ranchers were ready to move by the time Kristen and Kurt were, although Kristen hoped a few of them would end up on Gaia Island at one time or another. By the sounds of it, many of them were taking a break from the ranch life after Gaia Ranch closed. Many were returning to their home regions and towns, visiting family and friends that they hadn't seen in a while, or even traveling to other parts of the world before deciding whether to completely move on from Gaia Ranch. Solaceon Town had bought the land instead of one of the previous ranchers and, last Kristen heard of it, another family from the town would be taking it over.
It had really been bittersweet to say goodbye.
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Post by Kurt Emerson on Mar 13, 2019 13:22:35 GMT -5
Tags: Kris Parker, *thumbs up*"Doing okay," Kurt admitted. "Never really liked airplanes." He would much rather trust Apple to fly him where he needed. Better yet, surfing with Jello. His Quagsire could be too laid-back for Kurt's tastes once in a while, but Jello was a dependable swimmer. It was Kurt's preferred method to get around. He glanced over and realized how tightly she was holding onto one of the armrests. The plane hadn't even started moving down the runway yet. "Are you okay?" Kurt pointed to the white-knuckle grip she had.
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Post by Kris Parker on Mar 17, 2019 7:36:50 GMT -5
Tags: Kurt EmersonKristen gave Kurt a tight smile and relaxed her hold just a touch. "I think I'm just nervous at this whole escapade, but I also learned that I'm not thrilled with airplane rides… That, and it feels really weird not to have Trek with me. I feel like I forgot him or something."
While it wouldn't be a problem to have a Pokemon or two with you, as long as they weren't too heavy, of course, on an airplane, with how long the ride would be from Sinnoh to Ascua, it made more sense for all of their Pokemon to be held in their PCs at a professor's place. Kristen's Pokemon were hanging out with Professor Birch at the moment, and she was sure he was having a field day with all of them there.
The plane lurched as it started down the runway and Kristen grabbed the armrests with a near death grip. Arceus, she hoped the plane ride would go fast...
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Post by Kurt Emerson on Mar 19, 2019 6:50:32 GMT -5
Tags: Kris Parker"Pretty sure you would never be able to forget Trek," Kurt said. "But, to ease your worries, I was there when you reluctantly returned him to his pokeball – for the first time in Arceus knows how many years – and transported him to Professor Birch with your other Pokemon. He'll be just fine until we get settled on the ranches."The plane began moving and Kurt bit his lip to keep from chuckling at the tight grip Kristen had on the armrests. Out of everything Kristen had faced on her journeys, both as a trainer and as a rancher, it was a little amusing to him to see how she was nervous from an airplane. Truth be told, though, Kurt definitely would feel safer if his own Pokemon were with him. Kurt reached down and placed a hand over Kristen's, hoping that the action would be welcomed rather than considered inappropriate. The pair were good friends, and there had definitely been times between the two that could have been considered flirting, but it was an awkward dynamic when Kristen had been considered his boss. On Gaia Island, she may still be considered his boss, but at the very least Kurt would be his own boss too. Not that he particularly cared about the boss-employee dynamics… Considering they were friends, Kurt shouldn't have to care, right?
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Post by Kris Parker on Mar 20, 2019 6:48:25 GMT -5
Tags: Kurt EmersonKristen glanced down at their hands before giving Kurt a small smile. She took a deep breath and exhaled just as the plane took off into the air.
For the most part, Kristen seemed alright as the plane flew toward their intended destination. She did have a brief fear that she would need the air sickness bag near the beginning of the flight, but she seemed to relax after the plane steadied out of some turbulence. With that said, the pair didn't talk too much during the flight, with Kristen opting to just zone out with the movies that were playing on the plane to keep her mind off the actual flight.
Eventually the light to buckle up went on again and Kristen took off her headphones to put them away.
Kristen gave Kurt a quirked smile. "We have a very brief connecting flight after we get off of this plane," she told him.
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Post by Kurt Emerson on Mar 24, 2019 8:15:06 GMT -5
Tags: Kris Parker"Finally," Kurt murmured when the light to buckle up turned on again. The flight had been about ten hours, and Kurt was totally ready to stretch his legs. The flight itself hadn't been too bad -- Kurt mostly just dozed off and on throughout the ride, occasionally tuning into the movie before napping again -- but it was longer than he would have liked. Then Kristen mentioned that the two had a connecting flight and Kurt's shoulders sagged. "Seriously?"The pair were interrupted by the stewardess coming around to be sure everyone was buckled up. Kurt felt his own head spin at the descent and he patted the back of Kristen's hand -- she hadn't protested it when they went up, and he hoped it was still a small comfort as they landed -- when the plane eventually coasted over to the landing strip.
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Post by Kris Parker on Sept 22, 2019 14:57:00 GMT -5
Tags: Kurt Emerson"We're landing in Blue River Valley," Kristen said, "a place that's apparently famous for its spas. It's right in the middle of the region, it seems. From there, we'll have a water aircraft that'll take us to Gaia Island. One of Professor Cypress's assistants will be piloting it."
Kristen again held tightly as the plane landed on Blue River Valley's runway strip, giving Kurt a small smile -- that honestly probably looked more like a grimace, but she was sure he would understand what she meant -- as thanks as he tried to comfort her. Still, she couldn't help but give a sigh of relief when the plane finally slowed to a stop.
"Here's hoping the next plane ride is smoother," Kristen muttered. "If and when I ever go back to the other regions, I'm just going to have a team of flying Pokemon carry me."
Getting off the plane was much easier than it was boarding, and Kristen took the lead when it came to navigating out of the airport. She took a deep breath as they finally made it outside the terminal, the scent of the sea slapping her in the face as she gazed around Ascua's Blue River Valley.
It was one of the fanciest places she had ever seen, despite having visited before. It was warm, but the ocean breeze gently kept the temperature comfortable, with palm trees dotting the edges of the streets and pathways throughout the city. Modern buildings were dotted here and there, and one of the spas that she had mentioned was just down the street. Right outside of it was a fenced-in pool and raised areas with outdoor jacuzzis. Opposite of the large spa was a blue-tinted building touting the words, "Blue River Valley Gym" in bold lettering.
"Kurt?" She glanced up at her friend, anxious to see his reaction at his first sight of the Ascua region.
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Post by Kurt Emerson on Sept 23, 2019 7:10:04 GMT -5
Tags: Kris ParkerKurt forgot about his aching legs from the plane ride over and gaped at the beauty of Blue River Valley. "Jello would have an absolute field day with this place," Kurt said. After Kristen allowed him to stare for a few more minutes, he let her lead the way to the Pokemon Center where the pair made a beeline to the transporters. Kurt went to his own PC while Kristen no doubt claimed another, and Kurt tried to decide on who to ask for to join him immediately. He didn't know the terrain of Gaia Island other than from the pamphlets and paperwork Kristen had shown him, so he greeted Professor Elm and asked for Peanut, Kiwi, Apple, and Jello to be returned to him. Coconut would be too overwhelmed to come over right away, and Mocha probably would be as well. Chili sometimes didn't know whether he was coming or going, but his presence always helped Mocha out, so he could stay with Elm for a little longer. Once Kristen was all set getting her Pokemon, the two went out to find their charter plane to the island. "Ah, Ms. Poli!" A gentleman clad in a straw hat and a sleeveless coat over his basic shirt and pants ensemble greeted Kristen as she and Kurt got closer to the sea docks of the oasis. The man's gaze flickered over to Kurt before returning to addressing Kristen. "Welcome to the Ascua region! Allow me to help with your bags."
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Post by Kris Parker on Sept 24, 2019 6:42:13 GMT -5
Tags: Kurt Emerson"I'm sure Jello would," Kris said with a chuckle, pleased at Kurt's awe of the place. There had been a niggling worry in the back of her mind that Kurt would get to Ascua and decide that the place was not for him.
Granted, he could still decide that in the long run, but for now, he seemed like this could work for him and his Pokemon.
The pair made their way to the Pokemon Center, taking out a couple of Pokemon to join them for the last leg of their journey. Kris was grabbing Trek, of course, one of her physically stronger Pokemon as a back-up, and a flyer. After greeting Professor Birch and taking a moment for some small talk, she asked for Bruce and Fang with her Grovyle from the professor before she was all set to find their charter plane to Gaia Island.
"Thank you, Mr. Cordue," Kristen said to the gentleman who had greeted them. "This is Kurt Emerson, one of my friends and colleagues. He'll be moving to Gaia Island as well. Kurt, this is John Cordue, Professor Cypress's associate."
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Post by Kurt Emerson on Sept 25, 2019 6:54:57 GMT -5
Tags: Kris Parker"A pleasure, pleasure, Mr. Emerson," Mr. Cordue said, taking Kurt's bags as well. "Let me tell you, we're pleased to have you both joining our region. We've heard nothing but good things about your work in Solaceon under your ranch, and we're thrilled to have your expertise here in Ascua.""Thank you," Kurt said, a bit bewildered at the man's exuberance. Kurt himself had never believed that he did anything that special. Yes, of course rehabilitating and fostering Pokemon who needed it was good work, but it was more just common sense to Kurt to care for Pokemon. Mr. Cordue chatted away as the trio went up into the air, and Kurt found the watercraft to be a much more enjoyable experience than the regular commercial airplane. Sure, it was smaller, but it was more than enough room for Kristen and himself, along with the pilot, and the ascent, and probably descent, was much smoother. Kurt wasn't quite sure what he was expecting when he was told they were going to live on an island. He figured it had to do with beaches down the sides, maybe some palm trees here and there. Yet, when Mr. Cordue told them to look out the window at their new home, Kurt gasped in astonishment. From their height, Kurt could see that Gaia Island was vaguely star-shaped. Tall, imposing mountains with snow-capped peaks dominated the northern area. It wasn't nearly in Mt. Coronet's range, but they were mountains nonetheless. The mountains pattered out to smaller, jagged hilltops down the west coast, desert-like areas dominated that side. It wrapped into what must have been a forested area, with tons of treetops blocking out the ground. Circling around to the southeast, the land became milder, with plenty of grasslands and meadows before growing upwards to areas dominated with lakes and ponds. Right in the middle, snug between the southeast and southwest areas, was an indent that led to what Mr. Cordue called the Central Port. "This is Gaia Island?" Kurt asked quietly.
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Post by Kris Parker on Sept 26, 2019 8:35:32 GMT -5
Tags: Kurt Emerson"This is it," Kristen said from beside him, her voice lilted as she smiled at his astonishment. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
She leaned over him as they stared out the same window. "I was thinking, right by the ports, that's where the marketplace and offices are going to go. A little further up, in the middle of the island, is where the new Gaia Ranch is going to go."
The middle had a little bit of everything, a central place for Kristen to be able to get to anywhere else on the island with minimal time as well as give her plethora of Pokemon types a comfortable home. She gazed at the other landscapes, wondering if Kurt would take a ranch a little further east. The calm lakes seemed like they would work best with his Pokemon.
"You can have a ranch wherever you want," Kristen said aloud. "You have first pick, after all."
She paused a moment before saying, "That sounds a little overwhelming, doesn't it? I suppose this whole venture is, though..." Kristen leaned back in her own seat, giving Kurt a teasing, crooked smile. Her brown eyes, though, held a glimmer of worry, perhaps fear. She hoped Kurt wouldn't regret coming with her to Gaia Island.
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Post by Kurt Emerson on Sept 26, 2019 9:38:02 GMT -5
Tags: Kris ParkerKurt smiled at the back of Kristen's head as she leaned over closer to him to gaze out of his window. "It is a little overwhelming," he admitted, leaning back in his own seat to gaze at his friend better. He wasn't used to seeing her not look confident about her decisions and he didn't want to start. "But it'll be a damn good adventure." "That's the spirit!" Mr. Cordue put in. "Buckle up again, now. We're coming in for a landing."The watercraft neatly sliced through the water's service, slowing down as Mr. Cordue cruised it into a stop right next to a loading dock. As the plane came to a halt, Kurt caught sight of a woman standing at the far end of the dock. Most of her hair was caught up in a bun and out of the way, and she kept her hands and sleeves in her lab coat's pockets to ensure they wouldn't whip around in the wind. "Here we are, safe and sound," Mr. Cordue said as the plane was steadied on the water. He got up and out of the plane, chattering all the while. "Allow me to get your bags out of the cargo hold. Professor Cypress is ready to greet the both of you!""Thank you," Kurt said, jumping onto the dock before turning to give Kristen a hand down. Kurt took a deep breath, the reality of where they were smacking him in the back of the head. But he fully believed that this would be their next great adventure.
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Post by Kris Parker on Feb 4, 2020 7:59:02 GMT -5
Tags: Kurt EmersonShe accepted the help gracefully, thanking both him and Mr. Cordue.
"Good afternoon, Professor," Kristen said, greeting the other woman.
"Ah, Kristen!" Professor Cypress met them halfway on the dock, clasping Kristen's hand before she turned to Kurt. "And who is this strapping young man? One of your fellow ranchers?"
"This is Kurt Emerson," Kristen said. "Kurt, this is Nia Cypress, Ascua's leading professor. Kurt here was one of the longest residents on Gaia Ranch and I'm pleased that he agreed to join me here on the island."
"Wonderful, wonderful!" Professor Cypress said, turning her handshake to Kurt. "Then allow me to give you the grand tour of the island."
Mr. Cordue joined them on a quick tour. Kristen had already seen the island and what it offered, so it was a refresher for her, but it was the first time Kurt was seeing everything up close. Their jeep traveled on mostly worn paths, and Kristen chatted with Cypress about doing some light landscaping around the island ("Nothing to harm the natural habitat, but roads would be nice.").
Eventually, the group ended their tour by returning to the port, the central area of the island. There were a few small buildings, looking mostly intact, in what Kristen was calling the marketplace ("Stalls and outdoor shops can be set up here. Our main office will be here as well."), and they were led into the first one.
"It'll do until you are able to construct your own houses on your land," Professor Cypress said of the small home. Kristen glanced around, finding that there was a combination kitchen and eat-in area across from a makeshift living room with a standard television. One hallway led to a couple of guest bedrooms and the bathroom. Her thoughts tumbled around in her head, wondering if this would be the front for her own ranch with the land out back, or if they could, perhaps, refurnish the building into the main office.
"I have plenty of contractors ready to go," the professor continued saying. "We have a team that is based in Greenberry Town, where my lab is, and Falldale, the next town over, which is used to building fast and sturdy houses and barns. Mostly I employ them for the buildings and equipment on my lab, but they'll be eager to help out the new island inhabitants too."
"I'm sure we'll be using them a lot," Kristen said. "Of course, we each have our own Pokemon that can help with the landscaping and building as well."
"I'd expect nothing less," Cypress said.
There was another round of talking, mostly of plans for the island, along with the professor dropping off food for Kristen and Kurt, before Professor Cypress and Mr. Cordue actually took their leave.
"The jeep is yours," Cypress said as she was walking out the door. "I imagine you both have Pokemon to help you get around, but a jeep may be more practical in certain situations. You know my number should you need anything. We'll be in touch to help get everything set up."
"Thank you again," Kristen said as she let them out. After a round of waving, Kristen eventually shut the door and heaved a sigh as she leaned her back against it. She gave Kurt a smile before pushing off the door and reaching over for a hug as she asked, "You still awake?"
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Post by Kurt Emerson on Feb 6, 2020 7:41:44 GMT -5
Tags: Kris ParkerKurt's head was spinning. Despite how long the flights took, everything was suddenly happening too fast. The tour of the island was nice, but Kurt mainly just listened and watched as the island around him transformed with every marker they passed. He did his best to keep up with Kris and her words, at the very least, always willing to be helpful to her. Otherwise, his head was getting fuzzy with all of the new information being thrown at him. Once it was just Kris and Kurt alone in the little house at the end of the tour, though, Kris turned to him and asked if he was still awake. "Barely," Kurt said, embarrassed that Kristen noticed how tired he was. He only hoped that he didn't seem rude in front of the professor and her assistant. "Sorry about that. It's just been a whirlwind of a day.
"Now that they're gone, though…" Kurt shook his head to get rid of the fuzzy sleepy feeling and jumped up to go to the kitchenette to see what kind of food was left behind. "I will be in charge of dinner. You get yourself situated in one of the bedrooms—"He felt arms warp around his shoulders and Kurt grinned to himself before turning around and returning the hug. "What's this for?" he asked.
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Post by Kris Parker on Oct 25, 2020 12:31:15 GMT -5
Tags: Kurt Emerson Notes: Officially wrapping this up."You really have to ask?" Kristen said. "Thank you again for coming all this way for me, for the island… I can't imagine being here by myself at this time--Oh Arceus!"
Truth be told, Kristen would never truly be alone, not when she had her Pokemon. The thought of her Pokemon made her abruptly remember that poor Trek had been stuck in his pokeball for this entire time. Kristen darted over to her bag that had previously been abandoned by the hallway and released her Grovyle.
Trek stretched his limbs generously and gave his trainer a soft smile. He glanced over at Kurt and gave the man a nod, not finding his presence surprising. "Grove…" Trek looked around the small house, then turned a bemused expression to his trainer as if to say, "This is it?"
"This is not it," Kristen said, interpreting her Pokemon's words and facial expressions. "This is temporary housing while we build and landscape what we need until the island is ready to open for future prospects."
Kristen talked with her Pokemon as Kurt started up dinner. Kurt was in his element in the kitchen, tossing together a few ingredients that the professor had given them to make a light meal for the evening. Hearing Kurt's and Trek's voices, smelling the food cooking, setting up the bedrooms… The environment was different, yes, but it could very well be the beginning of home.
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