Twelve days aboard a sinking ship wears hard on a person.

It seems rather odd, given the expenses put forward by her father, that Eliza Grey would find herself in that kind of situation. One would think passage on a vessel like the S.S. Clerisy would be peaceful. Serene, perhaps. But weather certainly doesn't bend to money. So Eliza told her father, but he did not listen. She was going to arrive in Neo Bay when he decided she would, and no patch of cruel storms would delay her journey. So when the ship began to take on water halfway from her home to Caldera, Eliza knew she had been right.

"I suppose if I'm getting away, I won't have to worry about his poor decision making anymore," she thought, "at least for a while I can make my own decisions. For now..."

It was a bit of a relief as Eliza stepped off the platform, small black satchel in hand. The small ship had made it, but had taken on quite a bit of water that a team of the sailor's Pokemon were dealing with. The captain of the ship, Cptn. Foster, had quickly gone ashore and was returning now, Prof. Willow in tow. Eliza and the professor had already met: the Grey family funded of scientific research. Though not directly involved in Prof. Willow's current expedition, they had been partners in the past. In fact, Eliza's Echoise had been a present from Prof. Willow only a few months prior, in preparation for Eliza's trip to Caldera and Kirant.

"It's so lovely to see you again, Eliza," the professor said, touching Eliza's shoulder. The affectionate gesture wasn't lost on her: Eliza liked Prof. Willow decently well. She was as nice as could be expected.
"I'm afraid I must try to help fix some of this ship's controls. But I understand you're being looked after?"
"In a while. I'm supposed to be getting myself to Softwind City. From there transportation has apparently been arranged."
"That works for me," she said, smiling as she walked past on to the dock, "I don't often worry about you, Eliza. You're much more competent than I think most people give you credit for."

Eliza blushed a little, but quickly composed herself as she walked off the dock and into the small village. There weren't too many houses, but they were well-constructed and didn't look quite as impoverished as Eliza's father had described it. He was like that with most things. He had trouble seeing what most things were worth.

She felt herself moving faster, but wasn't sure why. Her legs just seemed to glide every so slightly faster with each step. turning her head slightly, she could see someone following her. As she turned around one of the houses, she spun around just as a boy walked right into her. Well, he would have, had not Eliza trust out her hand, knocking him to the ground.

"That wasn't so nice." The boy delicately picked himself up and dusted off his long overcoat. In one hand he held a cane, in the other he held a black notebook. He tucked the notebook and held out his hand.
"Maybe we can try that again. My name is Hart, and I was wondering if you were Eliza?"
"And what do you have to do with me?" She shook his hand, trying not to seem as guarded as she felt.
"It's just that some of the sailors on the ship mentioned you, and how you were travelling to Softwind. By yourself no less. I was hoping I could tag along, since I'm headed in that direction myself."
Eliza tried to look at him again. The white scarf wrapped around his neck, the thick coat clearly too warm for the weather and the cane all suggested frailty or sickness. Something had to be wrong with him. But... he didn't seem sick. There was a light in his eyes and a heartiness of his voice that did not seem like someone weak.
But all observation aside, Eliza wasn't exactly the type to encourage strange company. Then again...
"Even if I don't need him, it might be nice to have someone to talk to. But I can't have him thinking I'm bringing him for the wrong reasons."

Eliza reached into her satchel and pulled out her single Pokeball.
"Well, Hart, I would be happy to take you along with me, but I need to make sure it will be worth my while. If you can defeat me, I will take you along. But if I win, I reserve the right to leave without you. Clear?"
"I had hoped you would say that," Hart giggled, pulling a Pokeball of his own from inside his jacket. "I think I've heard your name before. If I'm right, this could be interesting."

Both Eliza and Hart tossed their Pokeballs into the air, and the flash of light from both erupted at the same time, blinding both opponents for a split second.

"Take this opportunity, Echoise. Get to the left and use Tackle."
She hoped whatever Pokemon Hart was using, it wouldn't be too far beyond her.