Normally Klaus was punctual. More than punctual, in fact. His social anxiety led him to arrive early in case he had the wrong time, wrong place. Today, however, despite his attempts, Klaus was late and it was all these's hellspawns' fault. Refusing to stay in their pokeballs, Klaus spent the better part of 10 minutes chasing the damn Eevees through the lobby before he managed to haul one under each arm like a barrel, the little fox-like pokemon writhing and howling bloody murder at their newest confinement.
[break][break]
"I'm here," calls a harried Klaus as he wrangles the banshee-screeching Eevees into the lab; a scratch slashes across both his arms and one across his cheek. "Ow - fucking hell you little -" he snarls at the Eevee under his right arm, the little beast refusing to release his hold upon the man's wrist.
[break][break]
Whoever the hell said Illumina pokemon were supposed to be more passive were liars.

[break][break]

+ Ceri Glynn

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Klaus will be the first to admit when he doesn't know something. It's easy, really. Just say you don't know. And while that can be helpful, in this situation he feels overwrought and twitchy, his magenta-pink gaze flitting about in uncertainty as he looks over the selection of pokemon offered in answer to the presented riddle.
[break][break]
He's too strung out on nerves to focus, so he does the next practical thing and watches what everyone else picks.
[break][break]
Hanging back behind everyone, attempting to keep to himself, when it's finally Klaus's turn he moves hesitantly to the terminal. His hand shakes, and he glances around once more as if attempting to find some sort of anchor to steady him. Finding none, an audible swallow sounds from the young man before he reaches out and taps the image of Reshiram like so many before him.
[break][break]
Klaus very much wishes he had stayed home.



[break][break]

+ Klaus watches what everyone else does and picks Reshiram like all the cool kids [break]
+ He has no idea what he's doing

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Klaus flushes beneath Xiura words, his brow drawing up into a furrow as embarrassment colours his expression. Glancing away from the woman to pointedly study the skin of the Mantine beneath him. His embarrassment deepens further at Xiura's musings about a boba creation fashioned after him.
[break][break]
"It isn't that big of deal," he whispers, his voice constricted and gaze refusing to rise from where it rests on the pokemon. Nonetheless, something tight unspools in his chest, an appreciation blossoming for Xiura at her easy kindness.
[break][break]
Finally, he glances over, his face totally blank for a moment at her suggestion of a sprained muscle. "Something like that," he utters self-consciously. There was a snowball's chance in hell he was telling her what happened with that Absol. His throat clearing, he taps the Mantine to get its attention and directs, "We need to get up the sides and out on the ocean, but you have to go slow. We don't have a harness to hold onto, yeah?"
[break][break]
A soft trill of acknowledgement sounds from the Mantine, and with slow, precise movements it skirts up into the air, its pace steady. "Hold on," Klaus directs. "And don't move too much." Holding on near where the Mantine's wing-flaps and body connect for balance, the trip over Sootopolis's natural walls, all things told, isn't too terribly difficult. They're soon out on open water at a steady clip, sending them towards Lilycove.
[break][break]
"Holding up alright?" Klaus calls over the rush of the waves, his hair already damp from sea spray.

[break][break]

+ Xiura Balfaltin

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Klaus glances askance as Barnaby offers his limited sign language, the young man's expression going flat in an instant. "Ha ha." He utters mechanically, the desire to throttle Barnaby clear as day upon his unimpressed face; some of the tension, at least, bleeds from his expression.
[break][break]
He nonetheless grabs a glass for himself and fills it with water before returning to the table, a half-smile offered to Barnaby when the bottle opener is produced and the first beer of the night opened; passing that one to his guest, a second soon follows that Klaus takes for himself. After a single, small sip of his beverage, Klaus's shaking hands move to pull over a nearby book, which he props open.
[break][break]
Before the pair can truly get started, however, a soft trill fills the air, and not a moment later a shiny Alolan Meowth manifests at the kitchen's doorway to trot over to Klaus and immediately jump into his lap. Blinking once, Klaus flushes faintly as the cat rubs her face vigorously against his chest, the pokemon not stopping until he gives up and begins to scratch her. Somewhat embarrassed, though noticeably calmer now with the presence of the Meowth, Klaus offers a touch shyly, "This is Traute."
[break][break]
With that introduction made, Klaus hesitantly moves his hands to begin showing Barnaby how to say his name in sign language. In theory, at least.

[break][break]

+ BARNABY FINCH

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Anwhistle was use to this sort of thing - this isn't his first rodeo at corralling wayward water-goers. Though he must say, not having to chase after people and merely float at his designated spot was an upgrade from the usual patrols he went on with his trainer.

[break][break]
Now normally, the Lapras was a relatively even-keel sort of pokemon. Little phased him, given his trainer's extracurricular activities. Today, however? Today he was in a techy mood and the perfect outlet was the unsuspecting racers who veered too far off course for his liking.

[break][break]
An Ice Beam and trill of warning gives him deep satisfaction.



[break][break]

+ Pokejob!

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

He could get used to this. Granted, it wasn't the same as surfing on one of his boards, but Klaus could understand the appeal of working together with a Mantine.
[break][break]
Time to attempt another Magikarp Splash, Klaus lightly taps the Mantine and utters the desired trick. They'd get it some day with enough practice.
[break][break]

pQzterTo

[break][break]

+ Score: 0

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Klaus absently scrubs at his face, a yawn ripping from his mouth as he lounges bonelessly on the sand. His chest heaves with a contented sigh, his eyes half-lid when he looks at the sky above. Plenty of time for a dive before his shift starts.
[break][break]
Pushing onto his elbows and then moving his body to lever upwards, Klaus forgoes dusting himself off and simply dives into the ocean, intent on searching the craggy bottom for anything interesting.
[break][break]

pUsKflkP

[break][break]

+ Clamperl Diving: Pokeball!

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Ish," Klaus hazards, his expression yet uncertain as he muddles through the plan forming in his mind. "I mean, for as well as Mantine fly. Which isn't terrible for short distances."
[break][break]
Heaving a soft sigh, Klaus looks about the area, taking in the somewhat choppy water, the ominous clouds above, and the woman stranded the same as himself before making a decision. "Look, if you don't mind probably falling into the ocean we can try my Mantine." He takes the time to wish he had a pokemon with teleport before resigning himself to his fate - work never stops, and given the poor weather it was almost a guarantee the waters around the lighthouse in Lilycove were more treacherous than normal.
[break][break]
"Alright," he mutters before moving carefully to stand on his Mantine; it's with great effort, a good deal of swearing, and the most awkward sitting position possible that Klaus manages to finally sit with. "Fucking shit," he hisses under his breath, his teeth grit from pain. Why did the Absol have to bite him there.
[break][break]
He pats the area beside himself to indicate where Xiura should seat herself as he offers, "I've got to get back either way. You're free to back out."

[break][break]

+ Xiura Balfaltin

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Klaus fully expects to wipe out on the trick, but nothing ventured meant nothing gained. Plus, it was excellent practice, even if he ended up with half-a-lung full of seawater for his efforts.
[break][break]
With that in mind, Klaus and his Mantine go for a Magikarp Splash!
[break][break]

OpaALgUg

[break][break]

+ Score: 0

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Eh?" Klaus utters ungracefully, pulled from his thoughts at the sound of his name. He blinks once, taking in the sight of the woman before placing her face from the beach, an awkward, "Oh, hey," spilling from his lips in response.
[break][break]
Before he can question what she's doing out here he pauses, his gaze casting askance from his awaiting Mantine to the dark-haired woman. Hell. "I - yeah," he chokes out, his mouth opening and closing as his mind races on how he's going to make this work. Allowing his nose to wrinkle, he slowly questions in turn, "How good's your balance?"
[break][break]
This was either about to be his crowning achievement, or an embarrassing walk of shame.

[break][break]

+ Xiura Balfaltin

[attr="class","pokeclass"]