Adventures of a Novice and a Myth | [ Kɪᴛᴇ & Bᴀᴇ ]

“Mm,” Baeleaf hummed and tilted her head, eyeing the plate and utensil as he ate. “I r’member,” though...the forks weren’t heavy metal like his, they were light, flimsy. She hadn’t eaten eggs before though— those were delicious though.

The next few minutes passed by quickly— he scooped the food into his mouth and quickly wiped down everything he had used to cook. Watching Graham move and work around his house was different— usually when she had observed him, she was on the outside looking in through his window or door. Sitting quietly on the floorboards of his home, she watched abs he went about some routine of cleaning and dressing for the day.

And he asked what she wanted to do.

Blinking as she thought, Baeleaf tilted her head. Usually by now she was perched in the trees watching passerby trainers walk through the forest. Her days were usually the same— watching curiously at all the different people and Pokémon that passed through. Baeleaf knew, after observing for so long, that there were more species of Pokémon that came through than the ones that simply lived here. She was always so interested in seeing them come through.

“Uh-uh.” She shook her head. She began to fidget a little— with the lack of things that were actually going on now her fight or flight was slowly ticking to flight.

It wasn’t even that she felt uncomfortable around him either— in fact, she was starting to enjoy his company, and not only because he spoiled her with honey and other delicious foods. But the constant of being around someone still unfamiliar to her brought to the surface some memories she didn’t like to touch upon. The chirp of bird Pokémon outside his window and the warm rays of sunlight filtering in calmed her down, and Baeleaf pointed. “Walk?”
 
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"Sure, I'm up for a walk." Graham said as he sprung up from his relaxed position on the makeshift bed.

After dusting off his bare feet, the hardened man slipped into and laced up his hard leather boots, checking the steel toes for damage. Finding none, he stretched his body before holding open the door for Baeleaf, another smile on his face.

"Lead the way, my friend." Graham said as his honey gaze met her lovely orange eyes. "I'd love to see your favorite spot."
 
Still entranced by his every movement, Baeleaf kept her eyes on the human as he dressed and readied for the day. Today must be one of those days where he didn’t have to leave the forest for hours at a time. Recalling it now, she remembered her curious delight when he’d returned one day the first time she started to watch him.

Stepping over the threshold into the warm sun and crisp air, she breathed in deep and took a good look over the area. There was chirping not too far off, a slight rustle of bushes across the way. Things seemed, for now, to be normal.

Usually by now she’d have completed, or nearly completed, her walk of the perimeter of the forest. But since she had spent the night at Graham’s hut, her routine was thrown off.

Head tilted upwards to look at him, she frowned a bit. Favorite..? Finger resting on her chin, she thought for a moment. Her favorite spot...Oh! Reaching around, she gently grasped his wrist and lightly tugged. When she was certain he could follow, she started to walk. Their destination was a bit of a walk from his hut but, she loved it.

There weren’t many places in the forest to see from up high, but she’d found one on the edge of the forest. It was risky, anyone who had plans to enter the Eterna Forest could potentially spot her one day, but she made sure she was always quiet and quick.

A few times in their trek, Baeleaf motioned for him to be quiet or crouch low, to avoid any wandering eyes. Finally they came across the rocky cliff side of a neighboring mountain. Carefully ascending the rocks and making sure Graham was close behind, she came to a plateaued rock formation. It was wide enough where they could both stand comfortably. The best part was the view it offered.

The entire forest was laid out before them; lush and green. There were pockets where trees had been cut to carve a pathway to the Old Chateau mansion on the other end; the gentle plume of chimney smoke coming from the chateau’s general direction. Baeleaf loved this spot. She could see everything, and the sight of the greenery calmed her. “My...favorite.”
 
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The hardened survivalist followed his new friend skillfully and seriously, his boots on the forest floor nearly as quiet as the girl he followed. Given her wits, he was sure she didn't want to be captured by a trainer, or worse.

"Woah." Was all Graham could manage as he stood side-by-side with Baeleaf, gazing at the beautiful sight before them.

He had never taken the time to climb up here, but now he was glad he did, the bonus being that he was sharing the sight with good company. He couldn't help but notice the old path and the plume of smoke. He was sure that mischievous ghost pokémon lived in that direction, but he had never been, specifically for that reason.

"Do you know what's out there, Baeleaf?" Graham asked as he examined the wispy smoke rising above the canopy.
 
There was a light breeze that picked up and ruffled some of the leaves on her body, but her gaze and attention was solely on Graham and his reaction to the view. She had never brought anyone up there with her— not that she had anyone to bring up, of course. But to see him happy, it made her warm and fuzzy.

When he questioned the smoke, she nodded. Eyes on the smoke once more, Baeleaf grumbled and pouted some. Yes, she remembered the day clearly. When she’d stumbled upon the Old Chateau one of her first nights in the forest, she was happy to have found what looked like an abandoned building for her to sleep and take shelter in. Wandering the dark and dusty halls had been eerie enough, but the ghost Pokémon that lived in the manse were far more mischievous that she’d anticipated.

A few loud knocks, Pokémon popping out from locked doors and some delighted cackling, Baeleaf fled and never returned.

She hated that mansion. “Rrrg,” she grumbled some more and balled her fists, then quickly crossed her arms. “Ghost mansion..” she shook her head and the leaves framing her face shook. “Don’t like.”
 
At Baeleaf's words, the familiar crackle of wood and bark reached the pair, causing Graham to carefully examine the area. Another crack filled the air, and the hardened man watched as a single tree vibrated violently before slowly falling. Panic coursed through his body, and his senses sharpened. He could make out the top of the giant stump Queenie's hive resided in, right next to where the tree had fallen. A fierce look took his features as he remembered the shards of the strange pokéball, still in his pocket.

"Let's go!" Graham shouted, inadvertently, spinning around and descending the mountain as fast as he could manage without falling.

Weaving through trees and leaping over rocks, Graham took the most direct route to his hut, his body pushing its limits for the first time in what felt like ages, fueled by rage and a desire to protect his friends. The door of his hut came off its weak hinges as he slammed into it, launching it into a shelf, which fell to the floor, scattering bottles and trinkets. Sparing nothing for the damage he caused, Graham retrieved a pair of hardy fighting wraps, old wooden knuckle-dusters and a pair of old wooden greaves. It took the hardened man only a moment to strap the greaves to his legs, afterwards skillfully wrapping his hands, wrists and forearms. His tunnel-vision finally lifting, Graham noticed a nearby combee buzzing frantically, no doubt sent to request aid.

"Get back to Queenie and try confuse whoever's attacking! I'll be there as soon as possible! Go!" Graham commanded as he slipped on the knuckle-dusters.

While the combee made for the battleground as quickly as its wings would take it, Graham turned to Baeleaf and set his hands on her shoulders, his golden-brown eyes set on her iridescent, fire-bright gaze, his expression entirely serious.

"If you aren't up for this, I understand," His tone firm, "but I'm going. I need to protect them, even if I get hurt."
 
The peaceful moment they shared with one another suddenly turned far more grim than she could have expected. Her molten gaze searched his form and a worried expression crossed her face. The forest, in her time there, had never seen a destruction so bad as to topple a tree. There had been storms, fires, landslides. But nothing such as this. The crack that resounded through the forest had a flock of Murkow's flying from their nests and taking to the sky. Before she could say anything, Graham took off. ​
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Scrambling to catch up and keep up his pace, Baeleaf's brisk jog turned into a run as she followed him through the trees and bushes back to his home. His ferocity was something she hadn't seen on him before; the fear he had for the forests safety and all her inhabitants was a comfort to know. Baeleaf watched, in a near daze as he hurried about his hut, the shelf torn down and items strewn about the floorboards. While he readied himself for a battle, she kept her eyes on the little Combee that flittered around in a panic before finally heading back the way it came. ​
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Hesitant to approach Graham when he was in such a flurry, the stayed by her spot at the door, frequently turning her attention in the direction towards the hive of the Vespiquen and her Combees. It wasn't until his hands found her shoulders that she searched his face-- eyes boring into his own and she nodded her head. ​
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While she was nervous to engage with another human, she understood his need to protect the forest. She lived there too. And she wanted to see all of them safe. Gently she raised her hand and set it over one of his. "I help, too."​

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With another scream of a demand, the young brunette watched the trees surrounding the hive of bee pokemon fall, slow and steady, creaking as they fell. Her dutiful pokemon laid waste to the area per her command as the girl seethed, eyes focused on the Vespiquen protecting her hive. If she had just been caught like a good pokemon, none of this would have happened! A hive worked under a queen, but surely the Combee's could get a new queen? Besides, the only thing pokemon were good for were to be captured by trainers to use in battle against others; gym leaders and the Elite Four.

It was only right for a trainer to show off their pokemon and battle prowess.

So when the Vespiquen had repeatedly escaped her pokeballs and refused to be captured peacefully, the brunette had grown angry. Then she was run out of the forest by the angry queen and her lackeys. Of course that wasn't going to stop her! She'd get her hands on that Vespiquen if it cost her half the damned forest-- what did she care? It was just woods-- they'd grow back. No one was going to be able to stop her; not with her Lucario and Meinfoo at her side to take anyone, human or Pokemon, down.
 
"Thank you." Was all the frantic, battle-ready survivalist could manage.

Graham was sprinting once more, headed directly for Queenie's hive. It didn't take long to find the destructive pokemon and the trainer that commanded such heinous acts to be carried out. His initial instinct was to launch a surprise attack on the trainer, but he found himself reigning-in his rage, wanting to resolve the situation as peacefully as possible. He approached her speedily, but stopped feet away.

"HEY!" Graham roared. " Are you fucking psychotic?! Stop this!"
 
Quickly, they made their way towards the field where the Vespiquen's hive was. Baeleaf's heart pounded in her chest with worry for the pokemon there-- the trees that fell on their way like thunderclaps in the quiet green.

With a laugh, the brunette eyes the destruction her pokemon caused to the field-- the large stump that housed the Vespiquen's hive had taken some damage, but the trees surrounding the field were falling in and infringing the area. Any more trees that fell could put the hive at risk for being trapped beneath dense treetops.

At the arrival of two humans-- or rather one human and one strange humanoid creature --the brunette glared and balled her fists. The intruders presence caused her pokemon to return to her side and stand before her in defensive positions. "Why should I?! It's all the fault of this stupid bee pokemon! If she'd just been captured to begin with-- this wouldn't be happening to them!"
 
"You're out of your mind!" Graham's volume still akin to a roar. "That's their home! Get the fuck out of here or I'll beat your ass!"

Graham adopted a defensive stance, trying to protect his head from blows, given his lack of a helmet. He had never seen the pokémon standing against him, but his resolve was unshakable. Protecting his friends was all that mattered.
 
She stomped, huffing as her hands balled into fists and her face scrunched up into another glare. "So what if it's their home!? What else are Pokémon good for other than weapons!?" She screamed back at the man, the fury tingling her skin. That Pokémon was going to be hers-- one way or another! So what if he got in her way; she'd take him down too! Flipping strands of brown hair from her face, the bratty girl scoffed. "Whatever, don't get in my way-- Lucario, Meinfoo, get this asshole out of my way!"

On their masters orders, the two Pokémon rushed for the human. From behind Graham, Baeleaf created some more vines and flung them at the Meinfoo. It was the smaller of the two Pokémon, and so she'd assumed it would be the easier to restrain.
 
At the brat's orders Graham lunged at the small, blue and black fox, throwing a right straight and barely missing. The brat's Lucario dodged around the punch, circling into Graham's weak spot on his right side. Ready to strike, the small fox threw a left hook, aiming for Graham's ribs. Without pausing to process, the hardened man seemed to spin in mid air, twisting his torso and landing a blow with his right steel-toed boot upon the Lucario's arm. While the attack had been thrown off, the fox's round spike upon its forepaw splintered the wooden greave easily. Graham landed in a crouched position, almost toppled by the sudden attack, but rose to his feet and got back into his stance again, taking a moment to process what just happened. Lucario lunged forward, leaping into the air with a spinning motion for a roundhouse kick that was aimed at Graham's unarmored head. Dipping into the space under Lucario, Graham mustered all of his strength, putting all the muscles in his body behind an uppercut that smashed the pokemon's blue, furry thigh and destroyed the wooden knuckle-duster in the process. Spinning uncontrollably in the air, the Lucario hit the ground, tumbling for a split second before partially recovering, the damage he received obvious in his lack of ability to properly stand. Graham glared at Lucario with his fierce, dark gaze, tossing away what remnants of the shattered knuckle-duster he clutched.

"You know your trainer is in the wrong." Graham's tone was firm and clear. "Stop this. We don't have to fight."

The hardened survivalist hated fighting pokemon, and hated the types of trainers that saw their pokemon as weapons. In his eyes, they were subhuman monsters. People like Team Rocket. People like this brat. Graham wanted nothing more in this moment than to treat this Lucario's wounds, hell, maybe even befriend him. He felt it was impossible now, as if he were out of reach. He had to defeat him, or his friends would be in trouble. He had to defeat her, their out-of-control trainer.
 
The brunette girl released another series of grunts and frustrated huffs as the other two met her Pokémon head on. The strange, plant-like girl had effectively restrained her Meinfoo while the human held his own against her beloved Lucario. With another screech of rage, the brunette brat stomped her foot once more into the dirt. Why did these jerks have to come and interrupt her anyway!? Whatever-- while they were dealing with her pokemon, she had ample time to capture and retreat with her new Vespiquen.

Or, she would have, if the Combee's weren't in her way.

While their trainer tried to ease her way through the sea of Combee's that still protected their queen, Lucario was locked in a match with the human. Surprisingly, he was keeping up well with the Pokemon who'd been trained for situations such as this. Not everything was predictable to the battle-hardened pokemon, however. The uppercut in which the human used knocked Lucario off guard and to the ground, scrambling before he finally managed to gain his bearings once more. One knee bent while he regained his breath and reassessed the situation. The human knew how to fight. It was evident in the scars that littered his skin. He didn’t hide them, either. Lucario’s eyes narrowed as he took stock of the human, trying to see in which he could pinpoint a weakness.

With a growl, Lucario narrowed his eyes, understanding the human's speech-- his futile attempt to reach out to him and change his ways. While the human in whom he served may be in the wrong, he was already sworn to the girls side. He was trained to protect her from people such as this human, whether he liked it -- or agreed with it -- or not. Taking up another stance before the human once more, the Lucario moved in for another series of quick punches and jabs, the years of training showing in his movements.
 
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Graham did his best to parry and dodge the Lucario's attacks, but couldn't help by focus on the trainer pushing her way toward Queenie. A couple quick blows landed on Graham's wrapped arms, pushing him back a bit while he maintained his defensive stance. He knew defeating this Lucario was the only way to stop her, but charging her was beginning to seem like the better idea.

"Stop her! Now!" Graham roared at the Combees swarming about. "She's going for Queenie!"

Graham feigned being pushed back by the Lucario's strikes until he threw a straight jab. Graham threw a right-hook at the pokemon's extended arm, striking his elbow with the remaining knuckle-duster. Lucario recoiled in pain, giving Graham the only opening he needed to press the attack, powerful blows raining down on him from the hardened survivalist. Graham didn't let up on the attack, his fists striking every available surface, helped by Lucario's hindered movement. The staggering blows eventually became too much for the Lucario to handle, knocking him to the ground, and into unconsciousness. Panting, Graham stood over the unconscious pokemon, sparing a moment of regret before turning to search for the bratty trainer among the Combees.
 
The Vespiquen chirped and clicked as she commanded orders, straying away from the human trainer whom she continued to evade. The queen and the hive were no strangers to persistent humans who tried, usually in vain, to capture the queen. Most were deterred by the well-formed hive and their protection over their queen. But this girl was stubborn in her attempts. Not only did she try multiple times in trying to take the queen, but she’d resorted to destruction around the hive itself— endangering both the queen, the hive and potentially the rest of the greenery. When Graham had appeared to assist in fending off the human and her Pokémon, Vespiquen had fallen back and was covered by her Combee’s as she stayed close to the hive as a last line of defense.

Baeleaf had been warding off, decently enough, the Meinfoo despite her lack of experience in battle whatsoever. She’d never engaged another Pokémon in battle before. Her heart was racing in her chest and she was flitting around open field avoiding jab and punch from the quick little fighting Pokémon. Her vines were quick but they lacked in the strength to keep her opponent tied up for long. Graham had been holding his own against the Lucario— whom she’d now seen knocked on the ground and not getting up.

The Combee army that assembled to protect their queen, turning their sights on the advancing brunette. Buzzing loudly and preparing an onslaught of attacks to fend off the girl, they’d fired off their abilities. Meinfoo responded to the call of its trainer when she’d screeched, hiding her face in her arms as the Pokémon stepped before her and blocked some of the hits, though it took many more. Baeleaf took the opportunity to fling another attack at the Meinfoo, her vines effectively wrapping around its smaller form and she twisted, releasing the other Pokémon and tossing it against one of the downed trees across the way. Hoping it was subdued enough, at least for now, she quickly stepped in with the Combee’s before the queen to help protect her as well.

“Grr!” The brunette huffed again and pulled out another pokeball— this one black and yello in color. Pressing the small button on the ball, it grew in size and she attempted to throw it, missing the queen and hitting on of the Combee’s nearby. “Just get caught already!” With a few shakes and a click the pokeball captured the little Combee. Baeleaf panicked and dove for the ball, repeatedly clicking the little button to see about releasing it as the other Combee’s prepared for another attack.
 
Pocketing the one knuckle-duster, Graham stalked his prey; the bratty trainer, the cause of this mess. His rage was rising and he wasn't sure if he could contain it much longer. His wrapped hand found her lengthy, brunette hair, mercilessly yanking it in an effort to drag her away from Queenie. As he dragged her away, she tripped backward, landing on her rump and reached up to try to free herself, yet Graham continued, dragging the trainer by her hair. His face held nothing but contempt for the brat.

"Did you think I was fucking around, you spoiled shit?" Graham's voice boomed. "Did you honestly believe I wasn't going to stop you? Because I intend on making good on my words."
 
Baeleaf took a deep, pleased breath when the Combee popped from the pokeball and hid towards the back of the group. Graham was already making his way to the trainer now that both her Pokémon were downed. The sea of bee Pokémon parted for Graham to take hold of the girl, who shrieked the moment Graham’s fingers took hold of her brown strands.

“H-hey!” The brat squirmed and tried to free herself, tripping as he tugged and sending her flying to the ground. And yet he still hauled her around by her hair. “S-stop, you stupid jerk— what is your problem?!” Her breath hitched with a hiccup and she scrambled, legs kicking and nails against his hand and arm as he pulled. Any attempt to pry him off. “Do you have any idea who I am?!”

A fear started to set in, the pain lacing her as he pulled her and threatened. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen! All she wanted was the damned Pokémon— and then this asshole decided to step in and stop her from getting what she wanted. “You have no right to do this! She’s not your Pokémon!!”
 
The furious survivalist spun the spoiled brat around on her bottom to face him, his hand still in her hair. His dark gaze full of rage, Graham mercilessly slapped the girl's face, holding her in place by her hair.

"She belongs to no-one!" Graham roared, his voice bouncing through the trees. "They are NOT your fucking weapons!"
 
Baeleaf looked on, face scrunched up at the interaction between Graham and this trainer. The girl had cried and screamed as Graham dragged her about and furiously told her that Queenie belonged to no one— something the girl didn’t seem to understand. While Graham vented his anger and frustration, Baeleaf tended to the Vespiquen and her hive whilst keeping an eye on the trainers two Pokémon.

Her face stung and instantly turned red. The girl cried out and released one of her hands from his arm to hold her cheek. She pouted, brows knit together as she continued to defend herself. “That’s all pokemon are, you dumbass! Why else do you think they’re captured and trained and battled against one another!?” That was all Pokémon had ever been good for— that’s all she knew how to do with them anyway.
 
Graham backhanded the brat on her uncovered cheek, his grip still on her hair, then again, just above the hand she used to cover the first slap. His dark gaze still held fury at her ignorant words, and he fully intended on teaching her a lesson she would never forget, despite how barbaric it would be.

"I'm going to keep beating you until you admit you're wrong and you apologize to Queenie. Understand?" Graham growled as he stared, wild-eyed, at the trainer.
 
The gurl yelped again and her eyes frantically searched his face for any sort of joke...or mercy... When she found one the trainer hiccuped again and felt the tears stinging the corners of her eyes. “What is wrong with you?!” This guy...he was insane! Each slap against her cheeks made her wince and sniffle, waving her hands frantically to get him to stop. Finally, she’d had enough.

“Okay, okay, fine!” She cried, glaring up at the man. While she still didn’t believe him in his words, the only way she saw him stopping was if she gave in. Her pride would be injured, but she swore she’d make him pay one day. Her eyes looked to the strange Pokémon woman and the Vespiquen she protected. “I’m sorry, okay?! I was in the wrong.” It took so much not to bite her cheek, roll her eyes or laugh. She bit her tongue. “Happy, you psycho?”
 
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Graham reeled back and slammed his fist into the brat's cheekbone without mercy, letting the force take her to the ground, as he had released her hair from his grip.

He was not convinced.

"No, I'm not." Graham growled as he checked his knuckles for damage. "Say it again. With feeling this time."

The hardened man loomed over the spoiled girl, his imposing shadow cast over her. His eyes held no mercy for humans, let alone one so destructive and entitled.
 
She saw it incoming and braced herself— the pain that sank into her skin and bones making her cry out loudly. The force of her hitting the ground wasn’t anywhere near as bad compared to the force of his fist colliding with her cheek. On the ground, the bratty trainer girl sniffled again as fresh tears cut down her cheeks, the metallic tang of blood on her tastebuds.

Tch. Of course he’d see through her bare-faced lie. Biting the inside of her cheek, the girl wiped her mouth and sat up straight, eyes boring into him with a searing glare.

“I’m sorry.” She said, firm even though her voice quaked and tears slid down her cheeks. “I shouldn’t ha—have,” her voice hitched as she hiccuped, “let it go this far.” Swallowing hard she looked to the imposing male and the Combee’s protecting the damned Vespiquen. “Please forgive me.”
 
"Now get the fuck out of here." Graham growled as he continued to loom over the disgusting human before him. "If I see you in this forest again, You'll need your poor pokemon to drag your rotten carcass back to whatever shit-hole you fell out of."

He wanted to strike her again. Skin and bloody his knuckles on utter garbage humans. Instead, he turned away, walking back toward Queenie, trying to calm his bloodlust. More violence would draw more people, and that was the last thing Graham wanted. His fists shook, adrenaline still pumping through his body, even as he walked toward his friends. He wasn't sure what to say now, especially to Baeleaf. He hoped, inside, she wouldn't run for the hills after seeing him commit violence against a nearly helpless human.
 
Scrambling for her two Pokéballs and quickly getting to her feet, the young brat recalled both her downed Pokémon to their balls and quickly ran from the vicinity. The bloodlust in the eyes of that man had made her shiver, wanting nothing more than to never see him again even as she swore her revenge.

“Jerk.” She hissed under her breath as she ran, fleeing the forest as fast as she could.

Baeleaf watched as the problematic human girl ran off, hopefully for good. Vespiquen buzzed as she hovered around, Combee’s chirping now that the human had left and their hive was protected. They flocked to Graham, making a path in their mob for their queen to approach him, buzzing appreciatively for his assistance. Baeleaf followed suit, sliding up to Graham’s side and reaching for the hand he’d used to beat the girl senseless.

While she wasn’t fond of violence, the girl had deserved it for the harm she’d caused to the hive and surrounding area of the forest, as well as the trauma for Vespiquen and her Combee’s. “You. Okay?” She mumbled, raising his hand up to inspect for damage.
 
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