Down to the Basics [Survival Basics Class][Social]

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While he wasn't one to sit in a classroom all day scribbling down notes, Adrian did find that the course about survival basics rather caught his interest. Apparently students who did well could earn more of these tokens he kept encountering as he spent time here on the property. Mizuma coins. They could be used at the on campus outlet shop. He had a small handful already from taking quizzes (and apparently for his dedicated research of the hills via wandering around like a bidoof with a case of amnesia). So as he told Mishu he planned to do when they met, he registered for a class.

He didn't know if he'd be on this camping trip into the wilderness with ten year olds or teens, but it didn't really matter. All ages could benefits from boy scouts training, especially trainers, as Adrian found out the hard way.

So armed with the required gear and a silly little notepad for taking notes and doing 'research' on the local wildlife they encountered while out and about...Adrian felt he was as prepared as he could be for this little trip.

At least Buddy was at his side, encouraging, happy to be around so many other people.

—

 

 OOC:  Registering to do a class, open to anyone who wants to join the same class study session

[necroix]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

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NOTES -I couldn't resist, mudkip is active

School was the last thing that Raiden thought he would be doing when he came to an entirely new region if anything he had never really had... schooling. Sure there was something like a school in Orre but he had never been. The only things he had really learned had been the things his father had taught him. So, it might be a good idea to actually get some lessons while he was in the area. Raiden just didn't think that he was really going to be doing a survival class of all things. In Orre every day had been something like survival, so he didn't think it would be particularly hard, but that didn't mean they didn't have a different idea of survival here than they did back home.

It is on this "outing" that he has decided to bring Mudkip, she could stand to use some encouragement and this seemed like the best opportunity for the both of them. Making sure he had everything that had been requested he made his way to where they were supposed to meet. Though it seemed only one other was present which was completely fine with him. Raiden wasn't sure he would be comfortable in a crowd. He would bare through it if he had to, that and he had signed up for it and he wasn't sure what would happen if he suddenly dropped. At the very least it seemed the other party was older, probably around his age, which meant they should know somewhat how to survive - right? Right?

Looks could be deceiving and though Raiden wasn't too keen on being friendly, not that he didn't want to be, he thought it best that if this was a survival class he should be somewhat approachable should they have to work together. "Do you know if anyone else signed up for this class?" he tries, but it's awkward at best, he isn't really sure how to be kind to someone he didn't know. It just brought up bitter memories of his betrayal. Yet this guy didn't have anything to do with that he had to remind himself that this wasn't Orre, even if all his walls were still up.

MADE BY MIZO

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"..." Adrian realized that another classmate had arrived and was talking to him. He looked around and only saw the professor so he shrugged. "...dunno. Maybe?" And after a while, it did appear that yes, they were the only ones. Goodie. Maybe it was just the day of the week? Really young kids probably weren't getting sent out to camp in the dark hills full of aggressive pokemon on a tuesday. Even if it was summer and they didn't need to be in any kind of formal schooling.

Once they were herded away from the campus proper, the lecture began. Yadda yadda map this. Compass that. Adrian grimaced. Yeah. No. He was, honestly, terrible at this part. Apparently they needed to navigate to the spot marked on their map and set up camp before dark. 

He unfolded said map as the teacher looked on expectantly, and then looked at Raiden, "You, uh...know how to read one of these?" Adrian tried his best, but he had a bad habit of someone getting lost when he shouldn't. Then he'd have to rely on his pokemon to bail him out. Sarge was at least good at that. And while he didn't bring Barry, he did have a flying type who could help them out a little in an emergency, even if it was a bee.

—

 

 OOC:  necroix

[necroix]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG Pixel

NOTES I'm so glad he's decent at this

The first thing that the trainer thought was maybe he had been too forward. The other didn't respond, at least not at first and it only made the fact that he had tried all the more awkward. Raiden really wasn't the type to start conversations, honestly he tried to avoid it ... and most people. He didn't trust other people and for good reason considering all the hell he had been through within the last few years. Betrayal had that kind of lasting effect and it extended to others that weren't even involved but if one person could betray you then anyone else could too. His thoughts are momentarily interrupted as it seems the other individual finally seems to realize he was talking to him.

Was this guy also really bad at interacting with others? Just his luck, someone else who didn't get along well with others, but that was fine with him too. If they didn't have to interact then he would be more than happy to keep it that way. The trainer crossed his arms as his necklace bounced slightly from the movement. It seemed his question would be answered regardless of the hesitation in the other's voice. No one else showed up and the lecture had begun. Maps and Compasses? That was something he understood, there were no nice little trails back home, cute little paths made out of flowers, there was mostly sand and an unforgiving desert.

If someone didn't know how to at least slightly navigate you were in serious trouble, and it really was life or death. It was nothing strange to Raiden, and he doubted that at a class like this, it would really be life or death. They would probably have officers swarming this place if that was the case. Raiden's eyes glanced over the map and to the compass, their location was relative to the - His thoughts went off as he began planning the best possible route to get to where they were supposed to go at least until a now familiar voice echoes once more. Raiden at first thinks he's joking and his eyes stare at him for a moment, before he slowly blinks, he was not joking was he?

"If you don't know how to navigate why did you take this class?" he wasn't trying to be mean, but he guessed it made sense because there was nothing like forcing yourself to learn. Clearing his throat after a moment he glanced away back at the map as if he was studying it when he really wasn't just gathering his courage once more to make sure to keep distance but also at least work with his fellow student. A small breath for himself before finally glancing back at his temporary companion. "I do know how to read them, had to back home. What don't you understand, maybe I can help." it would be useful to have two people that knew how to do it. If something happened and he needed him to help it would be better than Raiden doing all the work.

MADE BY MIZO

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Adrian would have been fine with silence, but this guy had to be a total mudbray about Adrian's difficulty with navigation. Dunno. MAYBE BECAUSE THIS WAS AN INTRODUCTION TO SURVIVAL CLASS. Temper. Temper. Mind your temper, Adrian. Breathe. In and out. His eyes did narrow and he glowered at Raiden for the question, moving away. Fine, whatever, he'd do this himself. He tossed out some pokeballs and from there emerged an assortment of pokemon, including a mightyena, a zigzagoon and a combee.

"Sarge, you know this area well." he said in a low voice, ignoring Raiden's offer for help for the moment. Someone also didn't trust very well. Seems like they were two peas in a pod outside of the whole map reading abillity. "I need you to sniff out signs of human activity. Smoke. Somewhere someone likely recently set up a campfire." Sarge made a noise for confirmation and sniffed the air. 

Zag and Queenie would be useful with the food gathering portion later. 

"Buddy, you keep an eye out for trouble. We don't want to run into any of the local wildlife. We're not here to battle."

It was then he finally looked at Raiden, "...Some of us grew up in the city." And then he followed Sarge's lead towards the trees.

—

 

 OOC:  necroix

[necroix]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG Pixel

NOTES oopsie we are at odds

He hadn't meant to be mean, not really, it had been an honest question because he wasn't used to classes like this. It wasn't like he was sure how all of this worked, new place and all. Raiden definitely knew he had said the wrong thing, the reaction that happened was easy to tell even if he hadn't actually gone off on him. The glare was enough, even after he had offered to help, perhaps he had not done it soon enough. The other had already moved away and seemed to be relying on his Pokemon, it was a smart tactic and Raiden didn't think it was a bad idea.

Honestly, he would have done the same if he hadn't just brought mudkip but he didn't think she was necessary at the moment. So for now she would remain safely in her ball until it was necessary. Still, he listened to the commands that were given and they were all sound. So he at least seemed like he was used to being on his own so it wasn't completely a bad idea to have their own separate reasons for being here. Though when he finished only then did he finally look back to him and say that people were from the city.

A frown crossed his face, he had grown up in a ... town, but he didn't like people so big cities here were not the best place to be. Instead, he sighed some and looked back to the map and the compass, and moved to follow after him. "I wasn't born nor raised here." he said after a moment. "I'm good with maps because the place I'm from had no real trails or paths, you knew how to navigate or you wouldn't survive." At least he could explain that much. "I did not mean any harm by what I said but I still thought you should know." that was all he could do, whether they did it separately or not now was up to him.

MADE BY MIZO

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"...Whatever..." Adrian sighed as he trekked onward. His hands would be in his pockets if he wasn't trying to orient himself with that map and compass. Buddy made a worried sound and glanced back at Raiden. Hm. Oh! She used a vine to pick a flower and offered it to Raiden with a cheerful sound. Here. Truce? Friendship flower? 

Zag saw her gesture and chittered, darting forward to grab a big leaf in his mouth before running up to Raiden and dropping a leaf on his shoe. Apparently Adrian had some very personable pokemon that were better at reading the room than their trainer. 

Sarge still lead the way for Adrian.

The professor didn't exactly seem to approve of this but...was letting it be for now. The boys were both trying to use the maps and nobody had completely abandoned them in favor of using a spearow or something to find the campsite.

Hm.

"That's odd..." Adrian mumbled after a while. "Sarge, are you sure you smell something that way?" He double checked the compass and the map. Sarge was veering off from what Adrian was pretty sure was the correct direction. But who was he to trust his non-existent sense of orientation?

—

 

 OOC:  necroix

[necroix]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG Pixel

NOTES would a rock bounce off his head or stick to it?

A small twitch managed to make its way to the brow of the Hooligan as he tried his best to not to say something cruel. He had done some not-great stuff when he was back in the Orre region and though he had sworn that wouldn't be his life here he is tempted for a moment. He wondered if this guy's head was as stubborn as he was and if a rock would bounce off it if he chucked it at him. Maybe it would stick to his head for how much it felt like he was made of stones as it was. Raiden wasn't an easy person to get along with, that was true but someone seemed far more annoying than even him. As much as he was about to open his mouth and say something it was the pokemon that stopped him from doing so.

The pokemon that were with him were far kinder than he, but perhaps that was the nature of most pokemon. Raiden had always been more comfortable around them. A softer, far-kinder smile forms on his features as he takes the flower that had been picked for him. At the very least Raiden could get along with his pokemon and only assist when necessary with their trainer. That seemed to be the best bet to get through this place in one piece without tossing a rock or two at this guy's head. The leaf however he had almost missed before he paused since he saw the pokemon zigzagging his way. This time he made sure to bend down to pick up the very special leaf and offer a small pet to the pokemon before putting the leaf in his pocket and making sure to hold onto the flower so it wouldn't be smooshed in his pockets.

Raiden would stop every few moments just to make sure that the compass was showing the correct path and then check the map in accordance with what was around them. It was only when he heard the other trainer speak again that he glanced up once more. Interesting the pokemon wanted to go one way, but the map pointed to another. "Do you think it's a trick?" not necessarily talking to him since he had seen how that had worked out before. "I'm not sure what level this class is, but there could be something out here that is tricking the compass. " there were pokemon out there that did that were there not?

As much as he didn't like this guy, he trusted the pokemon far more. Not that he gave two combee about Raiden's opinion he was going to give it anyway. "I would trust the pokemon over the map and compass, they have a natural sense of direction." it seemed Raiden was on board with it. Even if they didn't necessarily like each other they probably shouldn't separate out here.

MADE BY MIZO

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Trusted pokemon's instincts over a stupid compass? That he could agree with. But—

"What if it is the opposite?" he murmured. "Perhaps Sarge smells someone camping in the woods that isn't at our campsite?" Would they really put something out there that could mess with their directional gear? Could they? Was there like a cluster of magnaton out there? Hn.

Sarge lifted his muzzle high to breathe in again. Bark.

"...I suppose...no harm in following your lead just in case."

"Choosing to follow the pokemon over the map?" asked the professor, finally interjecting. "Are you quite sure?"

Adrian shrugged, "Yes?" He's been lost in these very hills before. He'd rather follow Sarge than his own sense of direction honestly. He turned to his combee. "Queenie. Fly a little higher. Come back down to me if you see smoke above the treeline, okay?"

Survival was all about, well, making do with what you had, right? Pokemon were an important resource to someone like Adrian. "If we get lost, we''ll use the map."

—

 

 OOC:  necroix

[necroix]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG Pixel

NOTES they are agreeing on something?!?!

Raiden didn't have to like this other person, it seemed that bridge had been burned but he didn't want to see anything bad happen to him. Either of them for that matter. Again, he doubted anything truly dangerous would be allowed out here - but they would definitely make it challenging at the very least. It was far easier to always come back if something did happen at least. Raiden could get them back to where they had stared, and they could follow a direction that the pokemon picked out first. A good question is the response from the other trainer and for a moment Raiden moves a hand to his face to think about the answer.

"It could be the case, but if that happens I can read the map to get us back to this point." he also thought for a moment before a thought came to him. "We can also leave something to track the path we are taking. I normally carry bandages with me just in case. We could use some to tie to significant points such as trees along the way if we have any concerns about it." That would work and even someone who did get lost could follow them. "Some may get taken down by pokemon, but at least it's a guide and we can use the map the rest of the way."

It was a solid plan and one he didn't see a problem with, even when the professor spoke up and the other responded. "I believe it's a good choice. We may not be home to this location, but pokemon have natural instincts about it. As I said if it doesn't work out we could always come back." The only problem was that his fellow trainer did not sound so confident in himself. There is only a nod when the other confirms that if they get lost they can use the map, not to mention the traces that Raiden would do on his way now as well.

A small frown crosses his face as he moves a hand to rub at the back of his head for a moment. He debated saying anything at all but finally settled on at least mentioning it. "If worse comes to worst, I can generally use the stars as well to help with navigation. I'm not the best at it, but had to learn some things when it was night out in the desert and it wasn't enough light to really use a map." it was a last-case scenario if they needed one.

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The instructor gave his reluctant consent for them to continue their adventure in using pokemon to navigate the woods. Adrian nodded in...mild appreciation of Raiden's reassurance before approaching Sarge, "Lead the way. We will follow and mark our path."

The mightyena made a gruff yip, before padding into the trees with the humans at his heels.

Buddy would very readily help Raiden tie any bandage markers, using her vines to reach higher branches that might be difficult to mark. Queenie buzzed along, investigating the various plant life as Zag, well...Zagged. He was up a tree, down a tree, running through bushes and touching everything he saw. 

He'd at least try to be helpful by bringing back a little mushroom that was edible and a branch with some berries on it. Of course, he was a distractible young raccoon. He also brought back interesting rocks, a shiny piece of glass from a broken bottle, and a rusty bottlecap. Adrian awkwardly praised Zag for bringing back his treasures and pat his head as a reward.

He would then be treated as a tree and climbed.

Sarge was far more focused, sniffing and searching with deep focus. 

—

 

 OOC:  necroix

[necroix]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG Pixel

NOTES time for rebuilding a relationship?

At the very least Raiden could do this much. Sometimes people just needed encouragement and Arceus knew that he himself needed a lot. Some days were harder than others, but he had to continue down the path he had set on. The path that his friends had given everything for and that was the reason he was able to take a step every day. He owed it to them if nothing else to make a better life for himself and to one day go back to face the fears he had left behind. That time was still far off in the distance, but how could Raiden even attempt something like that when he couldn't even have a decent conversation with someone he was working with right now?

There was some tension that was relieved however when it seemed that both of them had agreed with the same plan. So the man followed behind him and the mightyena that was leading. As he said, however, he would stop and tear off strips of bandages and hang them. A smile and 'thank you' were offered every time Buddy had helped him tie it to higher spots and places that might be harder for Pokemon to reach and tear down. Though he made sure that he didn't get far behind the other he made sure to catch up quickly.

"Any idea how far away we are?" he asked, he knew his pokemon better after all. Though Raiden did look back to check their markers and eyes lingered on the sky a moment or two. He hoped his skills hadn't dulled after being in this region but it was like a bike hopefully. "Not that it matters too much, I think it would be easier than saying 'hey you' the entire time, but my name is Raiden." an olive branch perhaps? This would be far easier to do together than fighting at least.

MADE BY MIZO

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"I dunno how far we are," Adrian mumbled. "But we're closer?" Sarge seemed to be going in a relatively straight line now. A pause, "Oh, uh...Adrian. You can call me...Adrian..." He rubbed the back of his head. 

Raiden and Adrian. If his name was spelled a little different, they could have switched around the letters and gotten each other's names. he fell into awkward silence for a bit, "...Where are you from?" It was clear that Adrian had shoddy people skills and a hot temper, but he wasn't purposefully a jerk. He wasn't antagonizing Raiden purposefully or acting snide. Just...grumpy and defensive, like he didn't trust easy.

His hands also twitched and fussed at his pockets in that nervous manner one might expect of a smoker who wanted to light up. But he didn't pull out a cigarette. Just kept trudging forward.

Sarge eventually yipped and bounded ahead. Oh? Had he found something?

—

 

 OOC:  necroix

[necroix]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG Pixel

NOTES I am so sorry for how late this is

It seemed that perhaps the negative energy had almost completely disappeared now. It was thankful considering that Raiden didn't really want to fight with the other. An olive branch was the best they could do considering that they had to survive with one another at this point. The teacher would be watching them which meant that they could be tested and Raiden wasn't sure just how they would pass it if they couldn't get along.

"At least it's something." he said in response. It was hard to really tell how far they had come unless they followed the trail they had left back. Raiden really wasn't the type to fail unless it was the only option. "Adrian." he commented only to assure that he had heard the other. Funny how their names were so similar but also very different at the same time. It was interesting, to say the least, but Raiden didn't quite believe in fate, but this might be one of those things people would jump on.

The silence was less awkward now and he was more comfortable with it until he asked the next question. It was fair enough and Raiden didn't mind if they could have a better relationship. This wouldn't completely ruin him even if he wouldn't talk much more about his past for the safety of those he wanted to protect. "The Orre Region." he said after a moment. "It's a small place, mostly sand, and even rougher people." he said with a small shrug. There wasn't anything really good thing to talk about when it came from Orre. "What about yourself?" he doubted that it was from this region, but who knew?

Raiden noticed the actions and it wasn't that strange considering he saw people all the time smoke. He didn't think he was close enough to even ask about it so instead one hand is casually placed in his pocket other than when he needs to put more bandages up. Though hearing the sound from the Pokemon Raiden glanced up and waited for the other only then proceeded in the direction it had called. "It's definitely sensing something."

MADE BY MIZO

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