Initiation
Nov 25, 2021 20:57:51 GMT -8
Post by Revelation on Nov 25, 2021 20:57:51 GMT -8
The dark brown SUV lumbered forward, following the derelict gravel road as it weaved between the ancient trees of the forest. The low rumble of the engine was occasionally accented by a muffled pop as the tires below kicked up a rock into the underside of the chassis. Light constantly flickered across the dashboard as the early morning sun peeked through the canopy above. Here and there, a split-second image of a pokemon could be seen before another branch or trunk hid it from view. The culmination of these experiences was a trip that was both mysterious and peaceful, and yet above all else… slow.
Two men sat in the vehicle. One, the driver, was a tall, wiry man with a dark complexion and shaved head. His glasses sat low on his nose, and he was openly talking with just the slightest hint of an accent. “... and some of the other rangers live in Scurarte because of the easier commute, but don’t worry. A few of us are in Kotoba, so you should have plenty of rides until you can get a vehicle of your own. That is always fun, isn’t it? Ah, the joys of starting out on your own. I remember when I first signed up for this job and how difficult it was finding my way around. Of course, I don’t mind this trip anymore. It is a good time to clear your head before work begins for the day, or a good chance to unwind after. That is something you should definitely consider with this job. Always find your own personal ways to unwind so that the work does not get to you. Especially with this new program they have you in, where you will be at the station so often. Do not worry, the normal schedule will not be quite so hectic usually. It should even be better when you all finish…”
The passenger, a much younger man, continued to gaze out the window while the space between them was filled with ramblings about the new career he was entering. Aiden only gave a small bit of attention to the words being thrown his way. Instead, his mind wandered about, flitting between the sights of Skytouch Forest, his own recent graduation, and thoughts about starting anew. He had picked up a small studio apartment in Kotoba for relatively cheap, giving him a base to work out of as he gained his footing as a ranger. After this initiation and a few months of probation, the pay should raise a bit to where it is, if not comfortable, is at least not a squeeze. He certainly needed to get some sort of transportation of his own, though. Emir had offered to drive him out for the first day, which was great for actually getting to work, but he never stopped talking. Right now, that’s what he really needed.
Aiden’s hand aimlessly wandered down to his belt, feeling the newly-acquired pokeball holster attached to his hip. It was empty save for one spot, and his fingers quickly drifted there. The capsule was still relatively new, with an almost slippery texture on the outside interrupted by only a few light scratches. He had received this pokeball only two weeks ago, at the same time he had received the creature inside. When he had been accepted into the initiate program, one requirement was for him to get a pokemon to bring with him for training. Thankfully, being at GSUC opened up some avenues for that, and since Aiden had spent a semester in a biology class under Professor Marshall, it did not take much to arrange a meeting. The professor was awkward but amiable, and having a Grass-type partner seemed to make sense when it came to the lush flora of eastern Godai. Still, two weeks was very little time, so he knew little about the creature beyond its energetic nature. Plenty more training would have to come.
Emir’s ramblings halted for a second, bringing Aiden back to the present. He turned to look at the ranger, but he was busy looking off to the right ahead of them. “Ah, I almost missed our little turnoff. Even after all this time, it is easy to miss if you don’t pay attention.” Aiden turned to try and see what Emir was focused on, and he was just able to make out a faint dirt path veering off from the road. Emir spun the wheel and glanced at his passenger. “Do not worry, we are almost there now. How do you feel?”
“I’m ready to get started.”
“Ah! He finally speaks. Good, keep that attitude. You will have plenty to do while here.”
The trip down the dirt road only took about another minute before the trees began to space out. The SUV entered a decently sized clearing, and Aiden could see other vehicles parked to the side out of his peripheral vision. His main view, however, was taken up by the building parked directly in the center of the space. Wood and steel combined the past and present together into a large two-story main section, with smaller single-story wings branching out on either side. Light and dark grey stone made up several of the walls, further adding to the aesthetic. Thick wooden double doors marked the main entrance to the building, and tinted glass on the floor above hinted at some sort of observation deck.
Emir pulled over and parked with the other vehicles. Both men stepped out and proceeded to grab their bags from the back. Emir packed light, having just a backpack for his normal shift. Aiden, however, had both his pack as well as a large grey duffel bag packed with plenty of supplies for his extended stay. Around them, a few other rangers were grabbing their supplies, and another vehicle was approaching when Emir finally locked his own. The two men headed towards the front doors Aiden had seen. Emir nudged him in the side as they quickly closed in.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she? Welcome, Aiden, to the Eastern Ranger Station.”
(Word Count: 1015)
Two men sat in the vehicle. One, the driver, was a tall, wiry man with a dark complexion and shaved head. His glasses sat low on his nose, and he was openly talking with just the slightest hint of an accent. “... and some of the other rangers live in Scurarte because of the easier commute, but don’t worry. A few of us are in Kotoba, so you should have plenty of rides until you can get a vehicle of your own. That is always fun, isn’t it? Ah, the joys of starting out on your own. I remember when I first signed up for this job and how difficult it was finding my way around. Of course, I don’t mind this trip anymore. It is a good time to clear your head before work begins for the day, or a good chance to unwind after. That is something you should definitely consider with this job. Always find your own personal ways to unwind so that the work does not get to you. Especially with this new program they have you in, where you will be at the station so often. Do not worry, the normal schedule will not be quite so hectic usually. It should even be better when you all finish…”
The passenger, a much younger man, continued to gaze out the window while the space between them was filled with ramblings about the new career he was entering. Aiden only gave a small bit of attention to the words being thrown his way. Instead, his mind wandered about, flitting between the sights of Skytouch Forest, his own recent graduation, and thoughts about starting anew. He had picked up a small studio apartment in Kotoba for relatively cheap, giving him a base to work out of as he gained his footing as a ranger. After this initiation and a few months of probation, the pay should raise a bit to where it is, if not comfortable, is at least not a squeeze. He certainly needed to get some sort of transportation of his own, though. Emir had offered to drive him out for the first day, which was great for actually getting to work, but he never stopped talking. Right now, that’s what he really needed.
Aiden’s hand aimlessly wandered down to his belt, feeling the newly-acquired pokeball holster attached to his hip. It was empty save for one spot, and his fingers quickly drifted there. The capsule was still relatively new, with an almost slippery texture on the outside interrupted by only a few light scratches. He had received this pokeball only two weeks ago, at the same time he had received the creature inside. When he had been accepted into the initiate program, one requirement was for him to get a pokemon to bring with him for training. Thankfully, being at GSUC opened up some avenues for that, and since Aiden had spent a semester in a biology class under Professor Marshall, it did not take much to arrange a meeting. The professor was awkward but amiable, and having a Grass-type partner seemed to make sense when it came to the lush flora of eastern Godai. Still, two weeks was very little time, so he knew little about the creature beyond its energetic nature. Plenty more training would have to come.
Emir’s ramblings halted for a second, bringing Aiden back to the present. He turned to look at the ranger, but he was busy looking off to the right ahead of them. “Ah, I almost missed our little turnoff. Even after all this time, it is easy to miss if you don’t pay attention.” Aiden turned to try and see what Emir was focused on, and he was just able to make out a faint dirt path veering off from the road. Emir spun the wheel and glanced at his passenger. “Do not worry, we are almost there now. How do you feel?”
“I’m ready to get started.”
“Ah! He finally speaks. Good, keep that attitude. You will have plenty to do while here.”
The trip down the dirt road only took about another minute before the trees began to space out. The SUV entered a decently sized clearing, and Aiden could see other vehicles parked to the side out of his peripheral vision. His main view, however, was taken up by the building parked directly in the center of the space. Wood and steel combined the past and present together into a large two-story main section, with smaller single-story wings branching out on either side. Light and dark grey stone made up several of the walls, further adding to the aesthetic. Thick wooden double doors marked the main entrance to the building, and tinted glass on the floor above hinted at some sort of observation deck.
Emir pulled over and parked with the other vehicles. Both men stepped out and proceeded to grab their bags from the back. Emir packed light, having just a backpack for his normal shift. Aiden, however, had both his pack as well as a large grey duffel bag packed with plenty of supplies for his extended stay. Around them, a few other rangers were grabbing their supplies, and another vehicle was approaching when Emir finally locked his own. The two men headed towards the front doors Aiden had seen. Emir nudged him in the side as they quickly closed in.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she? Welcome, Aiden, to the Eastern Ranger Station.”
(Word Count: 1015)