Getting separated was somewhere between inconvenient and disastrous, but Lucario hadn’t decided where on the scale that was yet. Then again, figuring out a solution was undoubtedly more important than determining exactly how important said solution was.
And so, the canid walked aimlessly alongside the dense buildings, trying to make sense of location or purpose of this new area. It had to be somewhere in the Kanto Region, undoubtedly, but everything just seemed a little bit off. No Pokémon, no particularly strong aura. It was just… dull. Then again, at least dull was calm, particularly as the streets seemed to not be all that crowded, even if Lucario seemed to be getting some particularly odd looks from the few people that were around.
Getting to the Pokémon Center seemed the logical priority, but… Where was it? Weren’t Pokémon Centers normally bright and garish buildings that demanded to be the center of attention? Wandering ‘this way’ might be helpful, but just as likely, it might not.
“Hm?” Someone was staring. Lucario’s red-eyed gaze fell on a young man who seemed less content to pretend he didn’t exist. In fact, said young man appeared to be heading in this direction. Well, maybe he’ll know where the Pokémon Center could be found.
No. No, the thing was not a statue, nor a clever cosplay. It was a living, breathing Lucario. Or at least some sort of genetic creation that looked startlingly like one. But how..? And why? Hakuba couldn’t help but continue his approach, halting only briefly when it looked at him. He had to know. Had to investigate.
Looking around, it seemed that no one else seemed willing to be as perplexed as he was; perhaps it was a symptom of being a Japanese native. This sort of thing probably happened often enough, if the stories were to be believed. It wasn’t too far from the realm of the reality that he knew, all things considered. After all, he’d dated an actual witch and made it a habit of chasing after a phantom thief. All stories had their origins in truth, so why couldn’t a pokemon exist?
Hakuba stopped a good five or six feet away, regarding the creature like he might a wild rabbit; slowly, calmly bowing, then straightening up and offering a warm and inviting smile, tilting his head.
“Good evening, Lucario-san. How are you?”
