Little Steps to Giant Leaps {Cora, Jay, MOD}

[Ball Rat]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/rukaposttable2-2.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(234),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:52px;margin-left:15px;)]After realizing that none of her friends would be readily available to join her on a trip to Paradise Island, Ruka had set up some flyers in various areas -- commercial district, party central, and various places in some cities in each part of Era. She had received a few answers, but most of the responders could not situate their schedules quite right to join her. Those that could join her seemed to be a pair of siblings and another young man. While she waited for them near the main entrance of the actual resort, she was reading a pamphlet. Sitting on her shoulder and clinging to her head was a Buneary, but the coloring was different. She was entirely black but with a sparkle of sorts to her fur. In addition, standing beside Ruka was a Riolu, who's color was also strange. White, but definitely not albino or leucistic. She was attentive, looking around carefully. However, seeming to harrass her a little with trying to get a hug was a Shiny Cleffa as well. The Riolu did not seem to appreciate this effort, exactly.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

'Orion you realize if we're caught on Paradise Island we have no way of getting away short of swimming...'

"Rigel, I'll be fine. Besides I know how to swim."

'Your confidence is making you cocky...'

"Look... I haven't been caught in nearly three years. I don't look anything like I did, and you know that. I'm just going for the massages... Cassi, Roy, and Fable could evolve really quickly there..."

And that had more or less settled the argument when it came down to it. Orion now found himself looking up towards the large main building / hotel of Paradise Island with a slight smirk on his face. He hadn't been to the island in over three years, but it hadn't changed much at least from the outside. Upon seeing a flyer in the commercial district with some woman looking for a group to go to Paradise Island with, Orion had actually taken it up rather quickly. He liked discounts. It saved money. Plus, if it worked out right, he could possibly have some new pokemon with him along with the evolution of his own. He knew he needed to toughen his team up more if he was going to actually start trying to help. Rigel was great and all, but he wasn't enough....

Upon finally coming up to the entrance of the main building, Orion hesitated if only for a moment before taking the door handle and pushing inwards. Looking around the lobby area, he caught sight of a woman sitting out with her pokemon. Blinking, he slowly started over. "Hey uh.... my name's Noah. I think we talked briefly by letter about the group thing?' he asked somewhat mentally kicking himself for sounding so obscure.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/Siblingstable.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 454][atrb=height, 255][scrolly:h(180),w(272),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:105px;margin-left:15px;margin-top:55px;margin-bottom:8px;)] It had taken hours for Sarah to get her brother to agree to go to Paradise Island. As soon as she got a yes out of him she dragged him all the way down. They have been in the west for a year and never came to this place. It was really lucky find the flyer, Sarah had a huge smile on her face as they got closer to the hotel. She looked back at her brother. " Oh Kurtis cheer up!! I'm sure we will have lots of fun and may make some new friends. She said with a cheerful smile. Kurtis smiled weakly back at his sister, he was still not a fan of this idea.. But he would make it work for his sister. Besides there was a low risk of anyone from his past being here. So he could let him self relax ad have fun. The siblings reached the building and went inside, Sarah looked at the everything in awe. She had never been in a fancy place like this. Kurtis blinked as he looked around, Indeed it was a nice place. Surely nothing wrong was going to happen here. Sarah then looked around for the people that they where going to meet, she then saw a another girl with odd colored Pokemon and a young man. Thinking that was them Sarah walked over towing Kurtis right behind her. " Hello, are you Ruka? I'm Sarah and this is my brother Kurtis. We are here for a group thing?" Sarah asked when she got over to them. Kurtis said nothing though he did give a small bow in greeting.[/scrolly]

[Ball Rat]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/rukaposttable2-2.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(234),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:52px;margin-left:15px;)]The first to react to Orion's approach was the Riolu, who set herself into a defensive stance, only to get glomped by the Cleffa now that she wasn't paying proper attention. A small drop of sweat trickled down her face and she sighed faintly. The Buneary looked up as well and just looked at him calmly, almost seeming bored. Upon the voice reaching her ears as well as a tap from the Buneary, Ruka looked up from the pamphlet and smiled. "Ah, yes. Thank you so much for coming. I'm Ruka," she re-introduced herself. Then she heard Sarah and turned her head, nodding. "Wonderful! Yes, that's me. Nice to meet all of you. This is Noah, the fourth member of the group. So... um, I'm not sure how all of you feel about the money issue, but I don't exactly make a lot so making this trip as cheap as possible is something I'd very much appreciate," she started to explain, a faint blush coming over her cheeks. "Being a group does give us a discount, but it's pretty small. Fifty dollars off for each of us. However, if we... er, well... If we... pretend to be... couples," she whispered the last word, averting her gaze from each of them, "then we get a total of one hundred and fifty off." After explaining this, she awkwardly looked between all three of them before her gaze settled on the other female, finding a little bit of solace in her presence. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Green eyes actually caught the form of the Riolu, and rather than feel threatened, Orion actually felt oddly amused by the pup. She reminded him of Rigel a bit, whether this was simply form or personality wise was left ambiguous in his mind. However, as the Riolu was disarmed by the Cleffa, Orion's attention moved away. As Ruka confirmed his thoughts that she was whom he'd sent the letter to, the dark haired man young man seemed to smirk a bit. "Nice to meet'cha in person," he answered back only to suddenly find two others had come as well. Looking towards both as Sarah introduced herself and her brother, Orion gave a simple nod in greeting as he was introduced.

As Ruka began to explain about the money, Orion couldn't help but half-grin. Cheap was good. However, as Ruka explained how it would become cheaper, a slightly unsure expression came to his face. Reaching a hand up and rubbing the back of his neck, Orion tilted his head to one side. That wasn't exactly what he had what he had signed up for, but if they could make it even less expensive.... Looking towards Kurtis and Sarah for a moment, Orion formed a wry grin. "Hey sounds fine to me," he answered back with a shrug of his shoulders. " 'S long as it works for you guys..."

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/Siblingstable.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 454][atrb=height, 255][scrolly:h(180),w(272),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:105px;margin-left:15px;margin-top:55px;margin-bottom:8px;)] As Ruka introduced the other young man as Noah, Sarah looked at him with a smiled and nodded in greeting. Kurtis also nodded in greeting when Ruka spoke. At this point Sarah eyes had fallen on Ruka's cute little pokemon. They all where oddly colored, but sooo cute!! She would have to ask Ruka if she could play with them later. her attention was brought back to Ruka however when she started to talk about discounts and how it would be even cheaper if they where to pretend to be couples. At first Sarah did not know how to react to that, though slowly a light blush came to her face as it sunk in. When Ruka looked at her, Sarah smiled and raised her hand to rub the back of her head. What would it hurt? " Sure, I don't mind. The less money the better." Sarah said as she side glanced Orion. Kurtis on the other hand blinked startled, ok he was fine with coming as a group with people he did not know.. But acting as couples?? Kurtis paled a little just at the thought. It was not what he had agreed to do.. Though he looked down at his sister and saw how she was approving of the idea. So with a sigh he nodded. " That will be fine with me as well." Kurtis said on a soft tone of voice. [/scrolly]

[Ball Rat]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/rukaposttable2-2.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(234),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:52px;margin-left:15px;)]Ruka fidgeted nervously at the initial unsure responses, but as soon as they all said it was fine, she brightened up. "Wonderful! Thank you... I'm sorry I didn't mention it in the flyers, but... I figured it would be really strange and, with my information on the papers, the workers might have found out I was planning to fake it and not give the discount if they knew we were..." She trailed off bashfully and reached up to rub her cheek when she realized she was blushing. "A-anyway..." Reaching down to pick up the Cleffa, she rubbed the baby Pokemon's head. The Riolu looked relieved. Awkwardly glancing at Kurtis and almost immediately looking away again, Ruka cleared her throat. "I guess... we'll go to the counter now?" Then, she started to walk toward the service desk. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

A slightly sly smirk came to Orion's face as Ruka explained why she hadn't made note of it beforehand. Heh... this'll... be interesting, I guess... he thought to himself after a moment. As Ruka picked up her baby pokemon, Orion once again noted the Riolu. Wonder if Rigel would like to see him... Orion thought to himself. His best friend could possibly like to see a younger counterpart.... or maybe he wouldn't. Orion... actually found himself unsure now that he thought about it. He was distracted by this thought now, yet after a brief moment, he looked back at Sarah and Kurtis. "Sounds good," he teased a moment giving a wink at Sarah before turning back and heading over to the counter. Though he wasn't a player by nature, it was fun to somewhat fake it on occasions.

Upon coming to the main desk, Orion found himself staring at a rather pale faced woman whom was looking at her papers before hearing someone come. After a moment, she looked up and offered a smile. "Good morning," she greeted. Whether this was the actual time of day or not, she was actually unsure given that she had been working since before the sun was up. "Are you all together or...?" she asked looking from each face and trying to discern what the formation actually was.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/Siblingstable.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 454][atrb=height, 255][scrolly:h(180),w(272),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:105px;margin-left:15px;margin-top:55px;margin-bottom:8px;)] Sarah blinked when Noah took off over to the counter. well if they where going to act like they where together he could have at least taken her hand. >>;; Sarah then took off after Noah, when she caught up to him. She then stood on tip toe and quickly kissed his cheek, then she wrapped one around one of Noah's arms and smiled at the lady behind the counter. " Hello~ I'm Sarah and this is my boyfriend Noah. And my brother is here with his girl friend as well." Sarah said as she looked up at Noah with a sweet smile. Kurtis blinked and watched as Sarah followed after the other young man. Part of him did not like this at all. but the side wanted to make sure Sarah had fun as well. Kurtis then looked at Ruka before bowing, he then stood up and offered his arm. Kurtis then smiled gently. " Shall we join them?" Kurtis asked, he then waited for Ruka to take his arm and started to walk over to the counter. [/scrolly]

[Ball Rat]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/rukaposttable2-2.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(234),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:52px;margin-left:15px;)]Ruka had frozen up. The idea of lying to the lady at the counter was actually quite terrifying. So, even though she'd started off before Noah, he quickly passed her and the moment she heard the woman's voice at the counter, she had turned to walk away and clear her head, only to find Kurtis. "Oh, uh... Um, y-yes, right, join them," she stuttered, turning red in the face. Her Riolu looked a bit perturbed by her nervousness, but only peered at the man intently for a moment before turning to wander off after Sarah and Noah. Ruka still had the Cleffa and Buneary, after all, so she was just making sure the other two humans didn't wander too far. Licking her lips nervously, as well as getting patted on the head by said Buneary, Ruka awkwardly shifted the Cleffa to one arm so she could take Kurtis'. "I'm... sorry, by the way. I know how protective older brothers can be..." After saying this just quiet enough to get the point across without the others hearing her, she looked toward the lady at the counter. "Y-yes, we're all together. Ruka Akifuma is my name. I called about a week ago to ask some questions and called back yesterday just to make sure there would be room for all of us. Er, not that... there's a lot of us." The Cleffa just happily waved to the receptionist from Ruka's arms. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

......o___O;.......Orion mentally twitched as he found a kiss on his cheek and a arms around his own. Right then and there, all he wanted to do was flail about and run away. In all honesty, he didn't think some sort of demonstration would have been needed for this.... and now he was just...uh...well....girls were.... He...but... well... They were only fun to mess with! When they messed back and were like this it--...er...well...damnit. Orion didn't even realize how much he was now suddenly precipitating though he felt his heart clearly beating. "Y-yea...." he mumbled before finding a rather obscure nervous laugh coming to him.

The receptionist blinked and turned her head slightly to one side, yet as Ruka and Kurtis appeared as well, she seemed to calm a bit more and smiled. "Oh I see," she answered back gently. "Let's see.. couple's discount as well as group discount... well that works out rather well for you all," she laughed a little. "That will be a total of fourteen hundred... will you be paying individually or...?" she asked.

On some unknown cue, Orion managed to beat himself into courage and responsibility. "Dunno about them, but I'm taking my girl, on my money," he smirked a little before giving a wink to the receptionist who couldn't decide whether to sweat drop or laugh nervously... or both. After a moment, she ended up scratching the side of her cheek and nodding her head.

"Alright... that will be seven hundred there..." she mumbled. Orion fished out the money he had been planning to save and paid. A part of him mentally kicked himself repeatedly, yet another part was sure that he could get some sort of money back, later... This was supposed to be an act or something, right? If there was one thing the prince knew how to do it was to act.... damn it.

((OOC: In the spirit of love, Jay has decided to pay for everyone P: happy early Valentine's Day, Tere and Cora))

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/Siblingstable.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 454][atrb=height, 255][scrolly:h(180),w(272),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:105px;margin-left:15px;margin-top:55px;margin-bottom:8px;)] Sarah blinked at the price. Ouch, even with a discount that was still steep. Kurtis still has a hard time getting a steady job so 700 is a lot. Though she blinked in shock when Noah paid half like it was nothing. Wow, he seems to have a lot of money. Sarah looked back at Kurtis with a worried look, her brother just smiled gently and gave a assuring nod. He had been saving up, and even with paying he still had lots of money left over. " I will pay for the other half." Kurtis said and handed the money over to the lady behind the counter. He did not let it show but it still stung a little handing over that much money he worked so hard to get. But it was worth it if Sarah could have some fun. [/scrolly]

[Ball Rat]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/rukaposttable2-2.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(234),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:52px;margin-left:15px;)]"Ye--" Ruka had begun to respond that they would be paying separately, only to blink when Orion paid for half. Well, lucky Sarah~ Lost in thought about whether she should pay her quarter or pay for the full 700 leftover herself, she blinked again when she heard Kurtis. Looking over at him, she looked surprised... or flattered; thankfully her own face was covering for her. Slowly giving a forced smile proved to further her flattered reaction over anything else, she took a deep breath to calm herself. "Th-thank you," she murmured. "I'll be sure to make it up to you." She seemed a bit too oblivious to the possible suggestiveness of this comment. While she did blush faintly, she didn't give any more reaction that would make it seem like she realized what she'd said. Ruka meant it literally. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Oh how wrong Sarah was, really. Though he had at once been rich, Orion now found himself without, and he too didn't have an exactly steady job. Despite this, his pride was still reigning over his actions, and he didn't allow any of the economical smack to be expressed. After a moment, he looked and noted that Kurtis too was doing the paying. That a' man the teen thought to himself before looking towards Sarah and offering something of a cool smirk.

After receiving all the money, the woman smiled and gave over four room keys. "The suite has two rooms and then a main room," the receptionist explained with a gentle smile before making a directional point and explaining the way to the room. Orion made a mental note of where it was and then took his key. Stepping sideways and then towards the hall, the prince stopped and looked back.

"Should we go there first or?" he asked looking at pretty much everyone but zeroing in on their leader of the moment, Ruka.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/Siblingstable.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 454][atrb=height, 255][scrolly:h(180),w(272),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:105px;margin-left:15px;margin-top:55px;margin-bottom:8px;)] Sarah could not help but smile and giggle softly at Ruka's reaction to Kurtis paying the rest of the bill. Even though she knew it was steep for him, Kurtis is a gentlemen through and through. When Noah took his keys and started to walk away, Sarah took hers and walked after him. Giving him a "hey!" Look for just walking away. This guy needs better acting skills... Or so Sarah felt anyway. Kurtis picked up his set of keys and looked at Ruka. He smiled gently and shook his head and chuckled softly. " No, you don't have to." Kurtis said softly, and he meant that. He would refuse to take anything from Ruka, he was just doing what he thought was right. When Noah asked if they should go to the suites, Kurtis blinked and looked at Ruka. [/scrolly]

[Ball Rat]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/rukaposttable2-2.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(234),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:52px;margin-left:15px;)]Taking her key, Ruka smiled gratefully to Kurtis. Still, she would try to do something for him. She wasn't really sure what, but she'd think of something before they all went home! When it came to the question of whether they should go to their suites beforehand or after, she blinked. "Oh... oh my. Uh... I just... thought of -- oh no. We need to check the suites," she answered finally. It had just occurred to her that they might have to figure out sleeping arrangements. Assuming, of course, the others planned to stay for a couple days, at least, like she did. Why she hadn't thought about this beforehand... she couldn't answer. Of course a couple's suite would almost certainly mean sharing a bed in normal cases... [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Orion flinched a little upon finding eyes on him. Hey, what the hell was that look for? Doing his best not to frown and leer back at Sarah, he instead closed one eye and forced a somewhat cheesy smile. "Something wrong?" he asked extending a hand to her to take. If I don't kill something by the time this is over.... he mentally sweat dropped by didn't actually express this. As Ruka spoke, Orion's attention shifted for a moment, and he nodded at the response. Then walking again, assumingly with Sarah this time, the price finally came to the suite and unlocked the main door before stepping in. Looking around the first room, the prince noticed the rather nice couch, tv, and other arrangements before he noticed the two doors that led to adjacent rooms.

Releasing Sarah's hand after a moment, Orion walked towards the other rooms and made to push one of the doors open. Sure enough, it was a simple room-.....with one bed. Oh......jeeze.... Orion sweat dropped unsure of what to accurately say. Thus, he turned around and stood there more or less awkwardly.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/Siblingstable.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 454][atrb=height, 255][scrolly:h(180),w(272),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:105px;margin-left:15px;margin-top:55px;margin-bottom:8px;)] Sarah smiled and shook her head when Noah asked of there was something wrong. Nope, nothing." She said as she took his hand and started to walk with him. When they got to the rooms, Sarah waited outside till it seemed Noah was done looking around. When he stood there awkwardly, Sarah blinked and walked in. When she saw the one bed in the room, she found her self blushing and face plumed. Why hadn't this come to mind??? Her color returned to normal and she looked over at Noah and the couch that was in the room. " Uhh.... Ok what now?" Sarah asked. Mean while Kurtis walked over to the room Where he and Ruka would be staying. When he got to the door, he pulled away from Ruka and opened the door for her. he gave a slight bow as he waited for her to go on. once inside Kurtis scanned the room with his eyes. A couch some other things in the room. When Sarah spoke he over heard and paled. That's right.. There would only be one bed in each of the bedrooms... Why hadn't he realized this sooner? Kurtis paled a little but his color returned. Well could sleep in the living room.. Being in the same bed room as a woman was bad in his mind and he could not allow it. [/scrolly]

[Ball Rat]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/rukaposttable2-2.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(234),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:52px;margin-left:15px;)]Ruka did not need any more proof that she was correct than the prince's awkwardness and she sighed faintly. What to do; what to do... Glancing between the three of them, she took a long, deep breath and held it for a moment, gulping quietly. Finally letting it out, she offered very quickly, "Noah can stay with me." Immediately, her face reddened and she shook her head. "I mean... I don't think it's fair to make someone sleep in a possibly uncomfortable place while I get a bed. Besides that, I'm pretty sure my brothers would rather share a room -- even a bed -- with me rather than let some guy I've never met before now sleep next to me so... I'm not sure if you're the same, Kurtis, but -- so, I'm leaving that decision up to you. But Noah can share a bedroom with me -- the bed, too, if you want," she explained, gazing over at the mentioned boy before the other two people and continuing, "This way as many people as possible get a comfortable bed to sleep in and no over-protective sibling feelings need be felt. Er, that is if you're even like that, Kurtis. I'm just trying to..." A quiet whimper escaped her lips at this point, now starting to worry someone would take offense or even think she was being whorish for offering to share her bed space with a stranger. Oh god. DX Prompt Buneary pat atop her head, as well as a cheerful little outburst from the Cleffa in her arms. Her Riolu as well softly patted her knee reassuringly. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Orion's eyelid twitched rather vigorously for a few seconds as he thought over what could be done. There wasn't any way in hell he was going to share a bed with someone he'd just met. It... it just wasn't ethical! Somewhere, in his mind, a part of the prince also reasoned that it would lower his status while another part of him just chuckled. Guess he couldn't kill all of the protocol and rules that had been instilled.... But... he still wanted some place to sleep. He'd paid for this!

As Ruka spoke, Orion looked back towards her and found his own face growing red. I get that... she's trying to be nice and stuff and... trying to make it less awkward....but.... Yeah.... It would be best though, right? And he'd still get a bed.... After a moment, a slight chuckle came from the prince. "Yeah... I can roll with that," he stated after a moment reaching a hand and setting it on the back of his neck. "Not like anyone'd do anything anyways, but makes it a little less...yeah..." he said after a moment. Well that certainly hadn't made much sense stated aloud, yet that was the best Orion could say at the moment.