Soothing Falls, Restless Mind

[Joshy]

Sounds of the waterfall bounced off the rock walls around the area, making it seem just a little louder than it really was. Riley didn't mind though, he just needed somewhere to be by himself while he thought about things. More specifically, what he was going to do about Keko and Team Rocket while they were here in the Senko region. He also had plenty of information about the Senko region that he could use to his advantage if he did decide he'd go back to be a Rocket member. The only thing was, he didn't really want to. He wanted to do things on his own terms and not have to worry about taking orders from higher positions anymore.

That was part of the reason why he had left Team Rocket in the first place. To be able to get away, especially since their leader was starting to suspect him for wanting to take over leadership of the damn organization. Yeah, right. Riley didn't exactly like working with other people a whole lot. Team Rocket was too large for his liking to try and take that place over. Still, it amused him that someone like Giovanni was afraid of him and his knowledge.

So much research that I need to do on this region to get a better grasp on what I should do... Riley thought to himself. He let out a soft sigh as he laid on the rocks to prevent himself from slipping into the water. His clumsiness was really something he needed to work on, though he found that if he didn't really think about it too much, he wouldn't actually break anything or trip over anything. That was something to be noted for himself so he would be able to just relax a little more without the worry of falling over every two steps.

The only thing on his mind at that point was everything that was going on. He truly didn't understand what to do at this point, since there were so many options. Maybe he would just leave the region and not worry about it anymore. But that was something that he really didn't want to do, considering there was so much potential for him to either get himself into serious trouble, or to help the region out in some way that he couldn't even think of quite yet.

Either way, he wasn't in a position of power to do either quite yet. The region was so unknown to him that he'd need... Something to give him an edge. The only thing was figuring out what could give him that sort of power, and when he could figure that out, he'd go for it no matter the cost.

[adarkangel]

The sound the faint, far away promise of a roaring waterfall was what had lured Kal to make the trek. Close at hand, his partner Stryker climbed over a damp, moss covered rock. The fire Pokemon scowled, flailing a clawed hand at the moist substance pouting up at his human. "What...?" Kal stared down at him. The two exchanged looks, ending in the grey haired teen sighing and calling the Pokemon back into his Pokeball much to it's relief. With that issue resolved, he pressed on, carefully he made his way on. The air felt colder than he'd anticipated, a thin line of air danced in his vision momentarily.

Once alone, and free of the creatures antics he was allowed to think freely. He had not traveled the land of Senko long, but what he had learned was enough to keep him here. The inner workings of things remained a source of mystery, almost entirely however. On his journey he had spent most of his time alone, with either his own thoughts or the his small companion. Faces, of people he'd never see again. He had little expectations granted. People had largely, as a rule been absent in his life. They came and went. Gone before he ever really had a chance to grow attached to anyone in particular.

His fingers closed down around a small black pebble. Studying it, he turned it over once or twice. His liliac colored eyes narrowed on the stone before he shook his head and tossed it, watching it descend out of site. Why was it even relevant? He found himself wondering. It wasn't like he'd find something here either. Only forgotten stories and memories beyond his grasp.

Finding a comfortable ledge, he settled himself down making a quick sketch reference, and scrawled notes. At some point, Kal realized he wasn't alone. Squinting, he made note of a figure not to terribly far away, lying across a few rocks. "Hrm.." he set his pencil back to a fresh piece of paper and began furiously scrawling at the page.

"I'd appreciate you not moving it at all possible for a moment." Kal rose his voice just enough past the rumbling. Whatever was on his mind, he could not be certain of. Whims like these usually led to spells like this. Kal's lack of regard for how people felt when he fell into this habit usually weren't his first concern. (if at all really). His gazed rolled up briefly fixated on the teen, before resuming his activity. If he had fear or worry for what the other might think of his statement, it didn't show.

[Joshy]

Riley stayed laying where he was while it was still peaceful, being lost in his thoughts on the possibilities he had. The footsteps that he heard were ignored in favor of trying to sort out the new information he had, even though he had little to work with. Was it really Team Rocket? Or a completely different branch under a new name that he didn't know? He wouldn't know until he saw them again.

The boy listened as the newcomer sat on the rock, the light shuffling of feet gave away that he was sitting and doing something with something else. Riley looked over his shoulder, shrugged and went back to his neutral position and looked at the sky. That's when he heard the other boy say something.

"I'd appreciate you not moving at all if possible for a moment."

Riley eyed the boy again before just shrugging and ignoring him again. He was enjoying the relative silence aside from the roaring echoing through his ears from the waterfall. Then something started irritating his nose. Riley scrunched it, trying to ignore the sensation before he outright sneezed and sat up while doing so. He sniffed a little, trying to recover from it before looking at Kal again, sighing lightly and walking over to the boy.

"I'm sorry about that. Some of the mist from the water must have irritated my nose." he stated. He reached out a hand to Kal in a friendly motion with a faint smile. "My name is Riley. It's nice to meet you."

[adarkangel]

If he been anyone else, he might have scoffed harder than his brief grunt of dismay. Instead of fussing, the male shook his head bemused. The distant sound of dripping water against the erosion in the stone added a strange note to the already melodic humming roar of the falls. The scratching of the pencil ceased, a unintended line running off the paper jabbing at his pant leg.

God damnit... Kal laid his pencil down across the pad a light sigh escaping his lips. It was almost comical the timing the other had chosen, but given the others apology --- it left him with little other option.

Even with his lack of consideration for others, he still knew how to be polite given the timing. In reality, he knew better not to be. To many times had he been the reason for a problem occurring...when none had existed before hand. Call it feeling altruistic, but his sense of duty to this would be stranger kept him in check. A little extra helping of patience went a long way.

Besides, he had to admit. It was fairly humorous all in all. "Its fine, I was about done anyways." The boy replied, shrugging at Riley as he tipped his head upwards to get a better look at the other as the boy walked closer. Names. Often time they escaped him, but faces? Those made lasting impressions. At least in theory anyways.

His gaze then flickered to the out stretched hand, biting down at his lip ring in consideration. Kal reluctantly stood up just as quickly, clasping the others palm in greeting.

"Kal." He replied inclining his head, offering a half-attempted lop sided smile.

Shifting his weight onto one side mostly he shook his head releasing his hold on the others palm. He leaned over to return his book and pencil to his bag. "What brings you up here?" the trainer asked, casting a considering look directed at the other. Not that I have a good reason myself...

[/blockquote]

[Joshy]

Riley pulled his hand back after it had been released. He put his hands into his pocket as he thought about the other boy's name for a second. Kal. It sounded nice enough, but was he someone to be trusted? Or a spy for Ja'aku? Riley couldn't be too sure, especially since he knew of his own deceitful nature. That's when he heard Kal speak again, this time asking what he was doing there at the waterfall.

Riley looked to the ground for a second. What was he doing there at the waterfall? That was a good question. He thought for a moment, bringing himself back to the thoughts he was having earlier about not knowing what he was going to do about everything. That's when his fingers brushed against something in his pocket. He made a disgruntled face inwardly as he tried to figure out what was in there. It was small, smooth... With a bump? He didn't feel like taking whatever it was out at that moment and went back to the task at hand -- answering the other boy's question.

"I'm here because I needed to think," Riley stated simply. He needed to keep his thoughts to himself and not let the whole world know them. That's what he did on a regular basis anyway, so it wasn't going to be hard. For some reason though, he felt the need to hold them even closer than before. No one could be trusted, only himself, he felt. Even then, could he really trust himself when he didn't even know what he wanted to do with his life? Who knew. All he knew was that he had to maintain his control when it came to everything that he could actually control.

"What about yourself? Why are you here?" Riley questioned Kal, moving toward the small lake that was around the waterfall. "There has to be a reason, am I right?" That's when he stepped on a slippery rock, falling onto his butt, and sliding into the relatively calm waters around the fall. Riley quickly pushed himself back up to the surface, not actually realizing that the water didn't dip down steadily like it would at a beach, and just dropped off the second you got into it. He held onto the side of the large rock he had slipped off of, glaring at nothing while he waited for some sort of answer from Kal.

[adarkangel]

Kal arched a brow as the other seemed to fuss internally with whatever mental dialogue suited him. It was not uncommon for him to meet people who preferred to keep their secrets just that. He himself wasn’t all that forth coming either. His answer was enough to satisfy Kal’s curiosity.

It wasn't too far from the reason he himself had made it this far. Before he could respond to the boys return question, his eyes could only stare in mild disbelief as the other tumbled down into the ethereal blue lake below. “You…are not very careful are you..” The teen sighed, carefully making his way down the slope, and leaning at the edge of the water peering down at the other owlishly.

“Things to draw, and record mostly.” he replied after pausing, chewing at his lip ideally. Kal then proceeded by offering the other, scowling boy a hand to ‘save’ him from his watery scenario. “Honestly? It seemed like a good idea at the time.” He replied as an after thought, shrugging.

“Here.” Kal murmured.

Riley. It was obvious the boy was clumsy; it was enough to break a hint of a smile on Kal’s face. It was quickly replaced by a quirked brow as he waited to see how the other would respond. The others guarded expression in his eyes was foretelling in its self.

In reality, he had little other actual reasoning. He was neutral to most conflict, and while he had his own beliefs he was not one to run his mouth. Observe, and reserve judgement. Not enough to formulate an actual opinion. Data was too precious a resource; he had spent many hours acquiring whatever he could. Micro managing new people and quickly figuring them out was always a high priority. He knew little to nothing of the Senko region, or the people in it. Not that he had any inclination to what knowledge the other boy possessed. As far as he knew, Riley could have been anyone.

[Joshy]

Riley glanced at the hand, then glared back at the rock again, thinking about the boy's answer as to why he was there. Drawing, that was something Riley didn't really enjoy doing too much, but to each their own he figured. The boy took a moment longer before clasping onto the other's hand and taking the help to get out of the water. When he finally was pulled out, he was completely soaked, dripping water everywhere across the rocks on the ground. He sighed, taking off his shirt and throwing it near his beige back before resuming his staring contest with the ground. It was easy to guess who would win.

"Thanks," he muttered to the other boy before walking toward his bag. He quickly dug through it in order to find a remedy for his being shirtless, pulling out a white t-shit to replace the blue one he was wearing. Riley looked down to his shorts, realizing that they were just as soaked as his shirt was. He placed a hand over his face, showing his frustration outwardly rather than just keeping it to himself. He knelt to the ground to untie his shoes, took them off, followed by his socks. He decided to remain bare foot while he was there at the waterfall. Knowing his luck, he'd fall back in anyway. He glanced at Kal, sighing for a moment before walking back toward the boy and sitting at the edge of the water.

No point in changing my pants while someone's here to watch, the boy thought as he dipped his feet back into the water. At least the water wasn't too cold for his feet to remain in it, but decided to try and avoid taking another dip that he wasn't in the mood for. He looked up to Kal for a second, then glared at the water. Why did he have to fall then and there? He would never know.

"So, what brought you to this region?" the boy questioned, trying to fish for something to talk about.

[adarkangel]

He fought the urge to laugh at the others continued misfortunes, but wisely chose to remain neutral given the other boys sour expression. Even he had to admit; it was fairly amusing. From sneezing to tumbling…Kal hadn’t met someone this disaster prone. Leaning back he gazed out across the lake as he fell silent, allowing the other privacy. Searching in the small collection of rocks, he shuffled a few around before selecting a flat one.

“Hm..” he tsked, flicking it. The small rock hopped several jumps before sinking. The ripples shattered the face of the water, rolling and turning until gradually it settled. Before he went for another rock, the others sigh and shuffling to take a seat distracted him.

“What brought me here?” he replied, closing his eyes and musing. Kal sighed drawing a knee up to his chest. “A new start, anything was better than what I had going for me.” He cringed inwardly his expression akin to a grimace outwardly. The after-thought of what that actually meant in the grand scale of things annoyed him. Nothing. Wandering, alone aimlessly gathering data about anything and everything. Some life.

“More an excuse to branch out and see what comes of it.” He finally finished grabbing another rock, and flicking this one much like he had the first. Kal sighed, shrugging off his coat, and fussing with his shoe laces, kicking them off and easing down the rock side.

“You?” the teen asked resting his chin in his palm peering over at him.

[Joshy]

Riley listened carefully as Kal gave him an answer, nodding a little about a new start. Then when it came time to answer the question himself, he wanted to cringe. He forgot people would typically want to have the same information as well. The boy looked out to the waterfall, staring at it for a second, with a completely blank look on his face. He thought about how to answer the other's question, without making him seem like he was out to be a "bad guy." He let out a soft sigh, returning his glance downward toward the water below him before looking at Kal.

"I'll just start with this then. I'm not proud of my past at all," he started. He fidgeted in place for a second, looking back to the water. "But I don't know who I am because of it. Am I a bad guy since I want to continue down that path? Or am I a good one for trying to leave it? I won't truly know I feel." He let out a soft sigh, trying to figure out exactly how to continue his reasoning for coming to Senko. He was going to keep the key things away from Kal, such as him initially coming to the region to try and control what he could, and instead opted for some safer responses.

"I came here to try and stay away from Team Rocket. I also came here to gather information for myself, which I have been successful in gathering large amounts of it. I'm the type of person who has a lot of knowledge, and that caused the leader of Team Rocket to be nervous around me. Then I encountered his daughter here in Senko, so now I'm unsure of what I'm going to do, he finished. Riley wasn't going to continue on with more blabbering to Kal, especially since he had said more than he wanted to as it was. He let out another sigh, leaning back and placing his hands behind himself and looking up to the sky. He was ultimately just going to wait for a response from Kal at that point, where it was a good or bad one, he didn't really care. The boy hadn't truly cared about anything since leaving Kanto and Team Rocket.

[adarkangel]

Short of being a murderous, petty rapist of some sort Kal hardly had qualms with such things. He had done enough stupid things in his life to bother being extraordinarily judgmental. Logical and quick thinking, it was easy to exploit things here and there. He'd set enough things a blaze both purposely and accidental, on top of various run ins with the law in order to acquire the occasional thing or two? Sure, it went without saying. He’d done what was needed to both survive AND profit in his years on the road. As a child he had been ADHERENT to such things, but with time the virtuous lines of right and long and smeared into some finer grey matter.

“One rarely is.” He turned his gaze onto Riley then, an almost searching look on his face as if truly considering the others presence fully. “It’s the journey that makes us…usually.” He murmured more to himself. At the others questioning of his own himself and reasoning’s, Kal’s head tilted to one side, behind his hat a brow arched at the other.

He took that very next moment to lean over lightly clasping the others shoulder. “Stop.” Kal replied, releasing the hold just as quickly as he’d gotten near the other. “Only time, and what comes day by day will be the juror.” The boy replied. “In the meantime, do what’s needed and nothing more.” If dismissive we’re meant in a caring way, Kal had mastered such arts long ago. His intentions were heartfelt, he simply wasn't the best at expressing it 'nicely' 100% of the time.

Team Rocket. Now there was a name he recognized. A time or two he’d pissed off a member or two with his meddling, but had never involved himself to any real degree. It didn’t change anything in his mind, Riley, in the end had choices to make. It went without saying habits were as hard to break, as the people that preformed them. “I’m no stranger to bending the rules.” He finally answered shaking his head, bemused by the others confession. By his words and guarded expression Kal could safely judge it was a need to know basis. “Forgive me if I pick your brains on sheer principle then.” He looked away staring at the water, a blank look on his face. “Knowledge is both a useful tool…and weapon in the right hands.” He concluded with a shrug.

Simple really.

[Joshy]

Riley thought about what Kal had said, glaring down at the water again as if it had committed the biggest sin in the world. What was the biggest sin in the world at that point? Riley would have to figure that out for himself before he continued on that train of thought. He glanced at Kal, sighed a little, then went back to staring at the water. There were some things that he would just have to find out later then. There was no immediate answer, and something that was to be discovered. That was going to bother him to no end though, not knowing what he would do with himself.

Maybe he'd go join the branch of Team Rocket that was in Senko. Then again, he'd have to be incredibly secretive about it with Keko walking around. She wouldn't like it one bit if he were to try and "go crawling back," as she would more than likely word it. That's when his nose started to get irritated. He scrunched it, trying to force the feeling back. Then Riley rubbed his nose, but nothing would help him. He sneezed, with enough force that caused him to lean forward just enough to fall back into the water, head first.

He stayed under for a moment, giving an angry look to absolutely nothing. Riley sure was in a foul mood right now, especially since he hadn't done anything like that in a while. He was starting to be less clumsy, then all of a sudden, it hits him in the face again. He pushed himself back up to the surface, grabbing back onto the rock again and glaring at it, as if it had been the reason he sneezed.

"At this rate, I won't have any dry shirts," Riley muttered angrily. He went to pull himself up, promptly losing his grip and falling back into the water for a third time. When he came back up, he was anything but calm at that point. "Fuck's sake! Why me?!" he shouted. He opted to not grab onto the rock this time, and instead decided to just stay in the water even though he didn't want to. At least then, he couldn't fall in again.

[adarkangel]

Kal found himself wondering what that even meant. It made his lip curl ever so slightly, such uncertainty…while it was indeed measured just as he had said --- it didn’t make it any less frustrating. In fact it required puzzle pieces to fragments he didn’t even know how to begin to connect. It was funny really and likely why he enjoyed research so much. Each was possible answers to the present and future alike. Written record of memories gone by, all that ever was, or all that ever COULD be; for the entire world to see. At least this was the theory anyway. Some tombs led to crap after all...meaningless, useless even. Something about the boys scowl made him nod in a knowing gesture. Not the best answer, but better than being depressed about factors out of his control at least.

“You kn…” he stopped, staring in disbelief. His jaw slackened a fraction, staring in wonder down the distance between them. Wow. Even he had to admit, that was raw talent…or something to that affect at least. Shaking his head Kal slipped off his perch, tossing out the poke-ball that contained his starter. “Stryker…” Kal indicating to the wet clothing, encouraging the small creature to hold some sort of heat source up to the sopping material.

“Smooth.” He murmured, slipping off the rock in a single smooth motion. Kal did not immediately offer help to Riley this time. It was given the other was content to thoroughly pout. “I’d ask how you manage that but..” seeing as I watched you do it, that would be relevant. “Given the circumstance.” He tsked, sparing the other the embarrassment of being laughed at, the grey haired teen choosing wisely to remain neutral save the three seconds of smiling once the other emerged frustrations a blaze.

“I have a spare outfit I can loan you in the mean time.” He replied, walking away from the other to retrieve what he had offered. Laying it back across a low sitting rock the teen walked away, turning his back to give the other a chance to climb out, and change as needed. “They’ll likely be a bit big…you look about my height granted.” He shrugged.

Kal had a feeling the other would likely sulk given his oh so cheerful scowl, in which he busied himself building a fire within an alcove.

[Joshy]

Riley continued to just sit in the water, not really willing to try and climb out at this point. He would more than likely just fall back in anyway, and he didn't really want that to happen. His clothes were starting to make it difficult to stay above the water though, as the fabric started to tangle around his midsection from his shirt, and his legs from his shirts. He watched curiously as Kal put out an outfit for him, though he shook his head soon after.

"I'm not getting out. It's not like the water is freezing or anything anyway," Riley stated, trying to sound as calm as possible even though he was fuming at his clumsiness. "Plus, I don't want to get your clothes wet as well.

With that, Riley went under the water for a brief second to tug his shirt off so it wasn't trying to tangle him up and pull him under. When the boy came back up, he threw the shirt to land near his other belongings, but it ended up landing on Stryker's head. Riley wanted to put his face in his hands, but since he was using his arms to keep himself up, he decided not to. He thought of a brief second, wanting to get out of his shorts too since they were causing him issues like his shirt was. Why his shorts were so baggy, he'd never know, but they definitely didn't work like swimming trunks very well.

Of course, I can't take my shorts off because I opted to go without underwear today... Riley thought. He hated himself at that moment, as he should have expected to end up falling into the water the very second he felt like going to the waterfall. The boy just wanted somewhere peaceful to stay and think, not really expecting anyone to show up, and now he was making a fool out of himself to someone who was also new to the strange region that had appeared out of nowhere. Of course, Riley actually had the information on why it had reappeared, but he wasn't going to give that out so willingly.

"Well... I might have to get out anyway, but I don't want to put on your clothes," Riley muttered, his expression softening quite a bit as he started to blush a little. "My shorts are tangling my legs and are making it hard for me to stay up, but I don't want to fall in, and get your clothes wet, like I said," Riley also added in a rather low voice that Kal may or may not have heard, "Plus, I'm not wearing and underwear because I didn't think things through when I came here..."

[adarkangel]

Kal had to admit the idea of going for a dip in the pool of water was rather tempting but it also required climbing out his own clothing and actually joining the other. Given the situation, Kal reasoned it would be highly inappropriate...especially when he took into consideration that the other was in fact naked under those over sized shorts. That certainly kept his ass by the fire, hiding his own embarrsement by poking at the ashes, stirring the fire.

The small pokemon squawked in dismay as the wet thing smacked into his face. Flailing around it ran in circles for a few moments before it fell off him. Sulking the small Charmander scoffed at the other boy, wobbling to its ball it pressed the white button, vanishing in a brilliant flash of red light.

"Thats fine." Kal replied, hiding his own flushed expression by scowling down at his partners ball. The very fact he'd gotten wet had sent the little prankster running. How suprising..."Well there goes that idea.." he grumbled, more so to himself. At the others confession he had to take a moment to pull at his lower lip, pondering. Well that certainly DID make it complicated now didn't it. "If you say so." He murmured chuckling softly. "If you catch a cold it isnt my fault then." Of course the other would turn down is offer. His mind quickly reasoned. Logically, it was extremely odd of a stranger to offer such things anyways.

In reality, short of setting them of fire Kal didn't particularly care if his cloths did get dirty/wet. It was merely an exstended offer should the other boy choose to accept. Oh well, if he gets deathly ill as a result..bleh.

His expression softened a fraction as he peered over at him. "Don't worry...I set an entire wing on fire once because I forgot I had explosives on me..." Ae muttered moodily. Leaning back he laid himself down and glanced over at the other. He had a distinct impression Riley overall was still troubled. It was evident by the way the teen held himself. "Do you prefer to be left to your thoughts?" Kal inquired, giving the other a quizzical look, blinking owlishly. "I can make my way back down the trail if you prefer.." He remarked.

In reality, the trainer wouldn't have blammed Riley. With a heavy sigh, Kal realized some things were out of his control. However, he had to admit, Kal hted to be disturbed if he was deep in thought personally. Laying his arm across his eyes, Kal fell silent allowing them both time to think. Suprisingly, the tension wasnt overtly awkward at least.