Alright, he was sick of working at the damn diner. So, he quit. It was about time Alastair was on his way and went to go visit the researchers to get that map. He needed to get started on his own research, especially if he wanted to go home with his doctorate. Leaving his parents behind was a tough decision, especially since his dad couldn't train the Zebstrika like he once could, but Alastair was sure he could find a good job when he got back. Then his parents wouldn't have to work anymore.

He had a full team of Pokemon, including Alfredo who had arrived at the Pokemon Center earlier that day. August was healthier too, having been cleared by the nurse to begin traveling, as long as Alastair took good care of her. He would, obviously. Horses were his thing! Besides, burns were a little easier to deal with than electrical shocks in his book. Even the, August only burned him once. After that she began to trust him and became the sweetest thing he had ever known. Besides "Making You Dizzy", that is. That mare was sweet off the track, but a demon within.

After quitting his job, Alastair decided to think about his options and which way to go. What better place to do that than the beach? He had already poured over a map and learned most of the common routes in Orre from it--but hands on experience was something else entirely. Now the only question was which way he would go?

Alfredo wasn't much help. The cat sat silently on his shoulder, scanning the surrounding area like a hawk. Ever since Alastair got her, strange things had been happening. When he would be walking in an ally to go back to his crappy apartment, people could be groaning and moaning behind him for no reason. They didn't even accept his help to get to a hospital! Alright, so, he wasn't the most observant when it came to himself, but Alastair wasn't an idiot. He knew what Orre consisted of and he knew he had to be careful, but he just couldn't think bad about every person he met! Alfredo did not take any chances, however. Unova was safer than Orre in almost all aspects. In the cat's eye, Alastair probably had no idea what he got himself into.

Alastair came out of his thoughts when he heard someone yelling. The movement caught his gaze and, damn his curiosity, he made his way over to the stranger. Join him? In what? Alfredo gave a loud hiss at the stranger. Alastair shushed her, but the cat continued to lowly growl, clinging to a pawful of Alastair's hair.

"Join you in what?" Alastair asked, getting close enough to actually look at the guy. He was half buried in the sand. Not going to lie, it looked fun.

Sometimes you have to run away! You live to see another day!