Official Researchers App - Datum

RESEARCHERS GUILD: [Datum]
Date Joined: 05/12/2013
Current Funds: 6 St

Merits: 1
Strikes: 0

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[James Holford]
Species: Zigzagoon
Nature: Quirky
-Characteristic:Alert to sounds 
Gender: Male                  Age: 22 
Ability: Pickup

Strength: 3                    Agility: 2 
Intelligence: 5               Charisma: 0+2

Total Points Left: 0/10
Type Bonus: Normal -> Charisma

Move 1: Headbutt
Move 2: Rock Smash 
Move 3: Hidden Power (Steel)
Move 4: Thunder Wave

Inventory:

-Black Chesterfield

----Description: A waist length, black, single breasted Chesterfield coat with velvet collar. I'm rather fond of it.

-Dark Blue Scarf
----Description: A simple, thick dark blue scarf for comfort and warming during particularly cold and windy days. Nothing more.

-Fireworks Recipe
----Description: A recipe which allows Jim to create fireworks using guild materials

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[Leonard O’Seinn]
Species: Vaporeon
Nature: Serious
-Characteristic: Highly Persistent
Gender: Male                    Age: 43
Ability: Hydration

Strength: 2                  Agility: 3+2
Intelligence: 3              Charisma: 2

Total Points Left: 0/10
Type Bonus: Water -> Agility

Move 1: Rain Dance
Move 2: Ice Beam
Move 3: Protect
Move 4: Scald

Inventory:

-Fleet Greatcoat
----Description: White, knee-length Greatcoat with black trims, silver buttons and a high collar. The diamond shaped Fleet insignia is hidden beneath the folds of the collar.

-Body Paint
----Description: “Allows the use of an additional color to one of a team's Pokemon in the form of markings.”

-Item 3
----Description: 

========== WRITTEN TEST ==========

Ever since the clock tower incident with the slightly crazed serial killer a week ago, Jim had become increasingly unbearable. Leo had enjoyed a much needed peace and quiet after the Royal Guards questioned them. Jim had been pretty docile as he was recuperating in his room for three full days. Leo supposed that the Zigzagoon could stay quiet and conduct his experiments peacefully, but it seemed that “Quiet” and “James Holford” didn’t mix well.

The Tiny Racoon Pokémon started to drone on and on how it was too quiet and how there were nothing exciting going on. His experiments started to become louder and louder, with the occasional explosions behind his bedroom door. (Much to Ms Turner’s annoyance and Arthur’s exasperation). Jim never really leave his room except for food and bathroom. And then, there were the occasional loud thumps and bangs. When Leo checked on his flatmate, Jim had transformed his room into a training ring of sorts. Apparently, the gangly Tiny Racoon 'mon was refurbishing his move set.

“I'm at a serious disadvantage after I got nearly beaten with that Dewott.” Jim had said.

On one afternoon, however, the Pokémon decided to grace his presence in the living room.

“So...” Leo started awkwardly as the Zigzagoon plopped into the armchair across him. “How’s your... experiment?”

“Appaling.” Was the only answer Leo got from his flat mate. Jim somehow looked skinnier than the last time Leo saw him. His brown and beige fur was more tussled, sticking up at odd angles. His shirt was a rumpled mess.

“Have you heard from your brother?” Leo asked again.

“No.”

The Vaporeon took the newspaper-like pamphlet from the table. “You know, there’re some interesting cases in this morning’s paper.”

Jim slouched on his seat. His face impassive. “Do tell.”

“Well, Mr Rastaban reported that his jewelleries had been stolen last night, but there were no signs of break in.”

“Any witnesses?”

“His wife. She confessed that she saw her husband stole his own jewelleries, but she wasn’t so sure herself.”

“Evidences?”

“Broken glass display, and... a crowbar of sorts. But the doors and windows are intact.”  

“Stolen by Mr Rastaban’s cousin. He had been jealous of Rastaban’s success. They look a lot like each other, as if they are twins. Spencer would have solved it already. Just wait for this afternoon’s paper.” Jim drawled in a monotone as he drummed his fingers together.

“Well...” Leo scanned the paper for another interesting case. “ How about “My wife is two same Pokémon of different genders.” Weird... Says here that she -or he- has a distinct marking on her-his face and arm.”

“Fraternal and Identical quadruplets. An extremely rare case, mind you.” Jim answered, shifting noisily on the seat. “Anymore?”

Leo scanned the paper. “ ‘Mysterious mass suicides after a short gang war-“

“Spencer’s on that case. No use for me. Next?”

“Well, that’s all, actually.” Leo folded the paper down.

Jim shifted again on his seat, his legs dangled from the armrest. “Isn’t there anything excitable going on?!” he yelled suddenly, sighing. He shifted again on the armchair, drummed his fingers for a whole minute, and then tapped his foot loudly on the floor boards. Before Leo could yell at the Zigzagoon to keep quiet, Jim had stood up, strode into his room, and came out with his violin. Leo had expected him to rehearse his piece for the upcoming performance, but instead, Jim simply fiddled with it at random, creating a loud, annoying, and pretty much nonsensical tune.

“Will you stop that?!” Leo finally shouted above his lungs after thirty seconds of white violin noise. Jim stopped abruptly, his piercing blue eyes fixated on the nearly middle aged Vaporeon.

“Tell me, Leo. How was your meeting with that Audino waitress this morn- oomph!”

A pillow was shoved into his face as Leo stood up. “We chatted, no more, no less. Here.”

Jim blinked as he read the pamphlet that had been shoved into his arms. “Oh, they are re-opening registration? Fascinating...”

“So?” Leo tapped his foot impatiently.

“Is there something you want to say, Leo?”

“We got the invitation from the Guildmaster, right?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Are we going or not?”

“Going where, exactly?” Jim raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, for pete’s sake!” The Vaporeon harrumphed and stomped to the coat hanger. “We’re going to the guild, right now. Says here, the ones with the invitation wouldn’t need to pay for any registration fees for today. We’re going now.”

“Now?”

“Yes. Now.” Leo said through gritted teeth.

“I didn’t know that you’re so keen on meeting Miss Chelle.” Jim smirked.

If the usually placid doctor could snarl, Leo was showing a rather convincing show. “Shut up, and grab your coat.”

It was midday when Leo managed to drag Jim out of the flat. The Zigzagoon was none too happy with it actually, but he wouldn’t deny a nice walk. Not after his experiment on different kinds of alcohol went awry. He needed the fresh air anyway. It was quite a surprise that Jim found the Researcher’s Guild packed with ‘mons of types and ages.

“It seems that we aren’t the only one who had the invitation.” Leo remarked.

“Nice deduction, Leonard.” Jim remarked sarcastically.

“Shut up.” The Vaporeon said, not taking his eyes away from the crowd. “Come on.” He nodded towards the slowly lengthening queue that started from the Registration.

***

It took them nearly half an hour to get to the counter. Leo was grateful that they only needed to fill out some basic forms and the team name. The doctor didn’t really get why Jim insisted on using Datum. Oh well.

As the two newly registered Researchers were about to leave, they found themselves facing a huge crowd were blocking their way. Many of them chatted amicably, but some of them grumbled and snapped irritably. They soon found the source of the road block. It was a tall Flygon who was trying to shove her way through the crowd. By the sound of it, the Flygon was causing some unwanted ruckus. Her tail and wings kept hitting mons as she passed. And by the sound of her apologies, she was rather embarrassed about it.

“Guild Assistant.”

“Sorry, what?” Leo turned his attention to Jim who had spoken.

“That Flygon is one of the Guild Leaders’ Assistant. See how many research scrolls and blueprints bound on her arms, not to mention the state of her health.” The Zigzagoon explained. “Only Archimedes would drive their assistants to the ground with their workload.”

Leo blinked. “Who now?”

"Ohhh... Excuse me, pardon me, Leader's Assistant comin' through... C'mon guys, can’t you have your little meeting thing somewhere that isn't blocking a hallway? 'Scuse me, sorry, jeez..." came the voice of the Flygon. Leo’s eyes widened at the amount of things she carried. A large blueprint was strapped to her back, and an alarming amount of scrolls were bound to her thin arms, which threatened to topple any second. The crowd weren’t helping either. It’s just a matter of time before the Guild Assistant fell. And fall she did.

With a flurry of flying scrolls and papers, the Flygon fell flat on her face right when she caught on a stray -or not so stray- foot from the crowd. Instead of helping her, the mons around here chortled and chuckled at the Flygon’s misfortune. None of them moved forward to help the Flygon as she gathered her scrolls with some difficulty.

Jim rolled his eyes. “Typical.” He made a move to walk away, but Leo grabbed the collar of his coat before he could do so and began to drag him towards the Flygon Guild Assistant. “Wh-wha-?”

“Come on.” The middle aged Vaporeon crouched and began to sort the scrolls from the floor. Jim harrumphed, but he helped nonetheless. Soon, everything was sorted into a neat pile on Leo’s and the Flygon’s arms.

"There we go." The Flygon smiled at the two brightly. "Thanks so much for helping me pick all these up. I swear, that’s like the fifth time I’ve tripped today; I’m such a klutz…" 

“Yes, yes you are.” Jim said bluntly, dodging the nudge courtesy of his flatmate.

She blinked and cocked her head to the side, as if she had just seen the two ‘mons clearly for the first time. "Heeeey, wait a minute. You don't look familiar. Are you visiting the Guild?"

“Of course not.” Jim huffed, rolling his eyes. “As a Guild Assistant, I thought you would recognize a newly registered team upon inspection.”

“Jim.” Leo frowned.

The Flygon, however, broke into a warm smile. "Well no wonder, you're new!" She inclined her long neck in the best bow she can manage without dropping everything all over again. “Welcome to the Researchers Guild! I'm Kali, I'm one of the Guild Leaders' assistants here-“

“I’ve noticed.” Jim deadpanned.

Kali continued as if she didn’t notice the interruption. “-pleased to meet you! And you are…?”

Leo spoke as Jim opened his mouth. “My name’s Leonard. Leonard O’Seinn. This here is James Holford.”

Kali’s eyes widened. She was immediately at Jim’s side, grinning widely. “Really?! You’re him?! Waaaait... you’re taller than I thought.”

Jim was not amused to say the least, if his thin lips weren’t any indicator. “You’ve mistaken me for my brother.” He rolled his eyes, flapping his arms about. “How many times I have to tell you people that I’m not Spencer?!”

“Ah.” Kali coughed awkwardly. “Well... nice names, though. You don’t hear many like that around here, but then again Andalusst is kind of a mish-mash of a whole bunch of different kinds of names.” She smiled. “It's always nice to hear 'em since Pokémon do tend to come in from all over the place, after all. And speaking of which, did you guys get here from the fog or something?”

Jim stared at her oddly. “You should know that I practically lived here for years. The doctor here on the other hand came through the fog.”

“Doctor?” Kali blinked in confusion.

“Isn’t it obvious? See here.” Without warning, Jim pulled Leo closer than he would’ve liked and began pointing and prodding seemingly at random, talking really, really fast as well. “Latex residue, chemical stains, acid burn, medical cross, and a bag of medical supplies.” He zipped Leo’s bag open, shoving it for Kali to see for a fraction of a second before tossing it back to the Vaporeon.

“Careful!” Leo shouted, dropping the scrolls to the floor in the process of catching his small bag from the air, quickly checking for any damage to his delicate materials. He then proceeded to pick up the scrolls to his arm.

Kali was rather dumbfounded. “Okaaaay.... Well, good to know! You know, that’s how it is for a few people around here-”

“You’re not a native, are you?” Jim butted in.

Kali blinked in surprise. “Wut?”

“You’re not a native of Andalusst, like my flat mate.” Jim elaborated. “You didn’t have Andalusst’s distinct accent and Flygons aren’t usually found in this area. That, and your scale colour and patterns. They are not as vivid, and I would guess that you were a Researcher yourself?”

There was a silence from Kali’s part. The Flygon stared at Jim with wide eyes for a few seconds before she blinked. And blinked.

“Wow.” She whispered, now staring with his mouth open. “How did you do that?! That was amazing!” she gushed. “You’ve gotta teach me how to do that!”

Leo groaned as Jim looked at Kali with an odd expression.

“Alright, alright stop.” Leo shook his head, stopping Jim who was about to show off his deductive prowess no doubt. “Look. We’re on schedule, Miss Kali. I appreciate your attention, and if you would excuse us.”

“Wait! Wait!” she said quickly before Leo could steer Jim away. “I’ll just wrap this up quickly, yeah? I’ve got a few questions. It won’t take long.” She added.

Leo made a non-committal hum.

“Great!” Kali grinned.  “Anyway, now that you're here and you've been registered as a team, what name did you pick?”

“Team Datum.” Leo answered. “Not sure why I agreed on this name.”

“It fits.” Jim deadpanned.

Kali giggled. “Datum huh? Well, it fits with the Researchers Guild's spirits. Hah, that's so much better than the name I used when I signed up, wow. I was kind of, uh, young and silly back then, I guess you could say, so the name I used was... yeeeeaaaaah, pretty bad.”

“Something along the lines of Team Awesome or Sparkle or Princess Fairies I guess?” Jim was awarded with a good slap on the back of his head.

The dragon type blushed. “Aaaaanyway... so what's your reason for joining the Guild, anyway? There are three guilds here in Andalusst, and even if I like it here with the Researchers, I know it's not the best fit for everyone since we're kinda knowledge-oriented; you could've just as easily registered with the Hunters, or the Explorers. So why here?"

Jim took the opportunity to answer. “I’m more inclined with the Researchers than the other two Guilds. As much as I like excitement, Explorers are far too full of energy for my taste. And as much as I love to deduce the Hunters’ secrets out of their sneaky little Guild, I’d rather work in peace knowing that someone wouldn’t constantly be looking for a chance to stab my back.”

“What he says.” Leo said as Kali turned to look at him. “I’m more well versed in science than spying or adventuring.” He shrugged. “I’m actually quite interested at what this guild has to offer.” He added after an afterthought.

“Well, it seems like everyone in the Guilds has a driving force behind what they do, and some reasons are... well, better than others." Kali said thoughtfully. "So that’s the "why" and the "how"; what about the "what"?” her voice turned cheerful. Her veiled eyes gleamed with unconcealed interest. “What do you think made the Guild decide to accept you into the ranks?"

“Well...”

“We got invitation from Miss Chelle herself.” Jim said smoothly. “We attached the nodes on the Guardian Statue’s body quickly and swiftly.”

“Yeah, and you practically left me to my death.” Leo snarked.

"Oh wow, that's pretty cool!” Kali gushed again. “So you’re one of those impromptu helpers Professor Chelle talked about. You guys are lucky. Y'know sometimes I wish I had a better skill set like that; then maybe I’d be more help to the Guild. Pretty much the only things I do around here are draw and deliver papers everywhere and, well, get stuck helping Archie."

Leo blinked. “Archie?”

“Archimedes. One of the Guild Leaders I mentioned earlier.” Jim provided. “Better avoid him if you can stand his attitude, doctor.”

"I mean yeah sure he's one of the Guild Leaders.” Kali continued. “But he's just so... so...

“Irritating? Bothersome? Pesky? A git? A big, pompous a-“

Leo clamped his paw on the Zigzagoon’s mouth before he could go further.

“Annoying!” Kali exclaimed just as Leo shut Jim out, glancing around rather worriedly. “He’s just so annoyin.” She continued in a lower voice, but her voice grew louder and more emotional by the second. In the end, she was openly ranting at no one in particular. “He’s always bossing people around and taking credit for everything and acting like he's so much smarter than everyone else. And I'm always the one having to put up with him since someone has to help him but everyone else always runs off before they get stuck with him instead!"

Kali let out a great huff of frustration, glanced away for a moment before she remembered that she had an audience. Giving an embarrassed chuckle as her face slowly reddens, she said, "And oh gosh, there I go running my mouth, ahaha! Sorry, I'm not talking too much or anything, am I? I kind of have a tendency to ramble on sometimes... And I probably really shouldn’t be bad-mouthing Archimedes...”

“Well... you shouldn’t be bad mouthing him in the first place.” Leo deadpanned.

“Ahahahah.... my bad.” The Flygon said sheepishly, balancing the papers on her arms. She blinked, glancing at the papers on Leo’s arm, and then her face morphed into a panicky horror."OH MY GOSH I still need to take care of these!"

With a swift move, she snatched the pile of scrolls from Leo’s arm, adding it to her own load of papers and then turned the opposite way, accidentally whacking a Larvesta with her tail. “Oops! Sorry! Uh, it was nice meeting you! I'll, er, see you later, I hope?" She made an attempt to raise an arm to wave back, only to lose some of her scrolls to the floor. Cursing slightly, the Flygon whipped the loose papers with her tail, flicking them back to her pile and continued to run off to the depths of the Researcher’s Guild.