Maverick has been a pokemon trainer for a couple months now, making him quite familiar with the basics. Today brings him to a town surrounded on all sides by forest. There are roads, sure, but the town is still somewhat secluded and has more the feeling of a very large outpost. Or a very very small town. As such, it's earned the quaint name of "Outpost Town".

  Considering the vast majority of Pokemon trainers seem to be small children exempt from school, Joe must be a terrible trainer for reaching that ancient age of 19 (no pressure when you're the only student in several classes during senior year) with just an unevolved Pidgey as his only <airquotes>owned</airquotes> Pokemon.

  Still, that's more than enough to be able to keep roads grass free and to put up disclaimer signs absolving Outpost Town of any responsibility for tall grass related injuries.  Joe's on his way back in when Maverick shows up.  "Oh, hey.  Welcome to Outpost town and stuff."

Maverick looks and sees a teen/adult. He nods. This kid wears black and has a rattata on his shoulder who seems to have its fur dyed black with runic patches where his fur wasn't dyed, making it look like he has purple runes on black fur. But the kid didn't go so far as to dye his own hair black. "I could use a place to rest..."

  Joe would have just dyed black runes because 'less effort', but then that's just him.  He nods, "Well, we got a Pokemon centre like most everywhere else to crash, and a few Inn rooms for people that enjoy the cash value of privacy."

  Perched on outpost town's edge, Superbird chirps, "Pidgey pidge gey."  Translation: You look like you spend your nights smoking cigarettes in graveyards.

Maverick replies to Joe, "Thanks." He's surprised there's an inn, small as this place is, but he ain't arguing. He heads for the Pokecenter first, though. May as well heal up his rattata.

Speaking of, the rattata looks at the pidgey. "Rat tat." Translation: Thanks.

  Well, not everyone who passed through every town is a Pokemon trainer.  Plus more options to take people's money?  Totally on that idea (David Darkthorne isn't all stupid plans).

  Superbird figured the rat to be the kind to take that as a compliment, they nod.  Joe meanwhile shrugs, "Would be silly of me not to mention the place.  Just passing through like everyone else I assume?"

Maverick says, "Sort of. I may be here a few days. I'm here because I heard there was trouble in the nearby canyon. Rumor has it, people's pokemon disappear whenever they go there. I was planning on leaving Rune here in town while I investigate."

  "Well, its nice you're concerned about them and all.  But going into a cave alone where pokemon at the very least capable of headbutting rocks in half go missing sounds the opposite of safe for you."

  "Pidgey pidge."  Translation: Caves are lame.

http://www.halolz.com/2012/03/09/every-time/

Maverick says, "Someone's gotta look into it. And if pokemon keep going missing, but not humans, then it makes sense for me to go look."

 Stupid conscience, making Joe do stupid things.  "Well you can't just go alone either.  I guess I could come with you or something if you're dead set on it."

"Pidgey." Translation: Don't forget your miner's helmet.

Maverick looks up at Joe. A small smile crosses his face. "Thanks. So until then, mind giving me a nickle tour?"

Rune looks back at Pidgey again. <<You do realize they don't understand you, right? Or you just saying that stuff for personal amusement or my benefit?>>

  "Don't mind, so might as well."  Maybe there was some karmic benefit for delaying small defenseless (Hah!) children going into dark caves?  Joe commences with the showing off tiny town.

"Pidge" Translation: Well let's see, be completely silent just because he doesn't speak bird, or talk anyways.  Obvious choice.

It's amazing what you can cram into pokemon speak

Maverick nods and follows Joe. "Thanks again."

Rune says, <<There is that. Is that human yours?>> he nudges his head at Joe.

  Joe commences the showing!  Oh look, diner.  Oh look, general store (now with 20% more camping hear than usual towns).  Oh look, Dad's Inn.  Oh look, people's houses we will not be rummaging through for spare pokeballs and heal sprays.  Oh look, Pokecentre.  Etc.  "As well as sporting goods offering a selection of Wood and metal basebal bats, if you liked that sort of thing."  So, do wood bats cound for plant weakness and metal bats count for metal?

  Superbird Nods.  <<"That he is.  Any Human that breaks a lawnmower over a scyther's head before they can tear my wings off is worth watching.">>

Maverick says, "Wouldn't hurt me to get a bat..." as he proceeds to purchase a wood bat.

Rune says, <Well since Maverick is getting ready to go on a dangerous mission and it seems so is your human, care to join me in protecting them without them knowing?>

 Edward Bartholomew Smashings approves.

 "Not unless you're a baseball or other unfortunate thing."  This Summer! Xtreme Voltorb Pool Volleyball!  Don't miss that serve! Or EVERYONE SUFFERS!

  <<That sounds like effort.  But at the very least I can point and laugh if only something annoying happens to him.>>

Maverick goes to the Inn and gets himself a room. "Well I'll be going in the morning. Maybe not first thing, but I won't be waiting till 11am or anything."

  Joe nods, "I suppose one would hope to get out into the sunlight after spending time in a cave, yeah."  Unrelated, there is a sign on the counter stating 'Five bucks and we leave a box of mint chocolates on your pillow instead of just one'

Maverick looks at the sign. "...tempting." he looks at Joe. "Are they good chocolate mints?"

  "What kind of horrible person would I be if I sold candy I wouldn't touch with a ten foot super rod?  It would mean I would have to buy extra candy if I wanted any for myself, duh." More sparkling logic from David.

  "Box of individual wrapped candy instead of one piece is good, yes.  Pay no attention to the madman behind the counter except when paying the bill."

Maverick says, "...OK?" and pays the 5 bucks. It's been a while and he'd like the mints to last him a bit.