(pokeAU) "So," Jobin leaned over. "What's your team like?"
“I wouldn’t really call them a team as much as a utility force… I’m honestly surprised they haven’t unionized already.” He said and sighed. “Most come and go, although two have stayed by my side. We look after eachother, it’s a form of ‘symbiosis’. As much as I profit off of them, they profit off of me.” The man added and looked over the field in front of him that was beginning to become overgrown, red spined fruit growing next to smooth orange and yellow ones, with purple flowers interwoven in the grassy mess.
“The ‘crops’ we’re standing in front of are made for them, specifically. They’re incredibly smart so they’ve naturally come to understand that there’s something they deserve.” Amidst the chaotic plant life, pokemon wander, two in particular (the ones he had mentioned) seemed to pause in their work.
“Lycanroc in it’s dusk form… and a shiny Kommo-o. It’s a shame I don’t really care much for fighting or collecting, I have some uncanny luck.” The man paused and without turning his head from the two pokemon from before shifted his dark-colored gaze to Jobin. “Speaking of my uncanny luck, it’s not common I see someone with as much power to their name as you, Jobin. You’ve certainly come out here for a reason, and something tells me it’s not to size me up for a fight.”
Jobin listened intently to Rai’s explanation, watching the two tend to the berries. He continued watching them, and when Rai finished, he sighed. “It’s hard being the champion,” he explained, resting his chin in his palm and pouting slightly. “Not many people make it past the Elite four. So I’ve taken it upon myself to visit some trainers and gym leaders to help fire everyone up, you know?” He said, pumping his fist in the air as an act of energetic strength.
“Getting to talk to the champion – really brings people closer. I’m not some faceless entity anymore- I’m the guy who complimented your radicate and said I couldn’t wait to battle.” He said, turning his head to look at Rai. “And I don’t know much about my fellow gym leaders, either. It’s really an opportunity to learn more about every trainer I might encounter.
“But enough about me and my rambling,” His voice turned more cheery. “I wanna know what brought you up here.”
Rai shifted a little, folding his arms quietly. “A goal of inspiration. Admirable.” He said with a bit of a short, almost annoyed breath. “I’m sure you’ll inspire dozens of kids.” The man added, a hint of bitter monotone as he continued to gaze over the peaceful and serene scene of his farm. Light breezes blew through the flower and fruit-filled branches of the perfectly organized orchard, accompanied by the faint sound of a wind chime and idle song from a pokemon hidden amongst the leaves. The fresh taste of dew hung in the air, even though it was already the afternoon, indicating the showers from the previous night. Everything was as it should be. The words of Jobin hung with him, though. Standing next to him was a man who had pursued the top his whole life, and even though it felt shallow and attention seeking to him, his morale-increasing efforts showed commitment and hope. Or perhaps, simply a desperation for a challenge.
“As for why I’m here… Isn’t it obvious? There’s a market for berries, one that seems to remain constant. I can focus on my other ‘hobbies’, too, since the weather’s mostly clear and I only really have to work when abnormalities occur and at the major seasonal and temperature-related environmental changes…” He said, making eye contact with Jobin at the end of his speech.
“It’s clearly not a life for everyone. Surely not as wild or excitement-filled as being a trainer. However it’s a satisfying endeavor that produces wealth and few, if any, opportunities for a ten-year-old to overtake my livelihood and leave me eternally unemployed.” Rai said with a bit of a dismissive tone. Being at the farm, mostly alone for seemingly endless stretches of time, had certainly given him more than enough time to think about his life choices. Just like everyone else, he had dreamt of being the league champion as a child. However he simply wasn’t foolish enough to dump countless hours of effort into something unachievable, something that could leave him without a job, only making his money off of occasional battles where his opponent would be forced by courtesy to cough up cash. It was the life of someone still stuck in their own childish dreams, and it was not the life for him.
“What about you? Do you feel satisfaction sitting at the top? People always dream of becoming champion, but is it really something to be desired?” He pressed, eyes appearing as empty, stonelike spheres and mouth pressed firm into an ever so slightly downturned scowl.
Jobin smiled, but only slightly. He met a few people like Rai before; they wanted a steady, normal life. It is something to admire, you don’t have to rely on your skills to get paid. Though, Jobin desired action, he craved the rush he got from battles and the excitement held within. He had to keep climbing; he had to be the best, but once he reached the top…it kind of slowed down.
“It is nice to be in the position of power.” Jobin spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. “Climbing up the ranks, bettering yourself to be able to overtake the champion.” Jobin’s voice began to have a twinge of sadness. “But when you’re at the top, all you can do is defend your position. Sadly, not many people make it this far.” He stared out blankly across the berry fields.
“It’s certainly more fun.” His voice shifted into a childlike playfulness. “The rush you get when you command your pokemon, the excitement when you win a battle, it’s all so…fun.”
Rai tilted his head a slight bit, the thick but tightly wound braids at the sides of his face moving with even this faint movement. Jobin was clearly the same childish type that he’d met over and over again, just as he’d previously assumed. Yet he clearly had the maturity to pursue his dream to the fullest, and despite his carefree demeanor Jobin certainly had to be intelligent to some degree. Rai once more glanced him up and down. He hadn’t yet encountered it, but could it be that his intuition was right? Was there something more behind the surface? He was quickly becoming more and more curious as Jobin continued to speak, and it was a moment before Rai spoke again, as if he was picking his words especially carefully.
“What will you do if you do eventually get defeated by one of the people you’re trying to recruit? Surely you can’t just wake up everyday with the singular goal of fighting people and winning. I mean, that’s the same mentality that your average addict holds. Do you have anything else you want to pursue when this is... over?”
Rai looked at Jobin, waiting for any flicker of a response. This was a quick and easy way of finding out if there was anything more to the league’s champion that just a pursuit of thrills and ‘fun’.
