First… Glow? [Video]

[heartofalioness]

[So… you know Route 31, right? Nice quiet forest path, cute little pond, entrance to Dark Cave… way too many ledges?

A couple of days after the Snorunt leave their blessings (or “blessings,” in some cases…), the PokéGear feed will open up to… a yelp! A young, very feminine, oh-so dignified yelp, and a camera showing lots of rolling dirt, grass, trees, a rock or two, flashes of the winter noon sky, and occasionally a ball of pink coat and LONG moon white curls! (Hopefully no one in the audience has a fear of heights or vertigo.)

Thankfully, the fall only lasts a few seconds, and the audio of a groan after a few seconds lets everyone know both the PokéGear and its owner still function. Well, at least the camera does. The bad news… well, when Allura attempts to inspect device, everyone gets a good look at her mud-splattered face, AND at least three small branches jammed into her hair!]

Oh no, please don’t be broken!

Comments

[tempredmental]

They're fine. Just... [He sighed, stepping carefully away from the mud and back on to the road.] Just being lazy for some reason.

[Ugh... he was going to have to clean his Rattata now. At least it wasn't feeling so lazy that it didn't get up and start following as Keith walked away.]

I don't know. They just don't want to train or something.

[heartofalioness]

Mm... well, hopefully it's just a temporary mood. Perhaps some more sparring will help? Not to mention this will be our first gym to challenge; that should be exciting.

[Surely it's not like the ennui will linger for a WHOLE MONTH, right?]

[tempredmental]

[Gee! Why would it last a whole month? Huh... I wonder...]

Yeah, it should be. Hopefully, we can get them excited for it so they'll be ready.

[He looked over and- HOLY COW THEIR FACES WERE CLOSE - He was going to focus on the road now...]

[heartofalioness]

[Don't worry, Keith, just four more weeks and you can get those sweet sweet 8 levels a week again.

OH HI, KEITH'S FACE! But then he looks away and GAH, he's probably just stunned she looks like a mess!]

E-exactly. Patience yields focus?

[heartofalioness]

[Allura doesn't connect this boy to the Secret Santa exchange right away, obviously, but it is a young boy fussing over, so Allura calms herself down with a quick breath and tries to smile.]

It's all right, really. It was just a short fall. I'm uninjured, and my traveling companion should be here shortly. [She says, unaware she's sprained her ankle yet.] Thank you, though.

[tempredmental]

[Keith looked a little surprised for a moment, and then chuckled.]

Right. Patience yields focus.

[That phrase was definitely going to stick with him. He was honestly glad if it helped other people, too.]

[heartofalioness]

[Thankfully it's not long before they reach the road and the rest of their Pokémon. Uuuunfortunately Galarian Pontya are quite tiny; actually most of Allura's roster is still on the small side, like Morling being the tallest at 3'7". Unless Keith has a bigger Pokémon, it looks like he'll have to carry her or let her lean on him the rest of the way, oh noooooo...]

[shiro2hero]

No.

No, it is not. None of their fortunes are exaggerated.

[heartofalioness]

Wonderful... Have you seen any, Shiro?

[shiro2hero]

I wish I hadn't...

[He hasn't really noticed the Bad Luck issue yet. Why would he hide anything about the snorunt from Allura?]

Thought I'd show them the telescope at the observatory. It did not go well.

[heartofalioness]

Oh no... please tell me they didn't break anything.

[shiro2hero]

No, no. They didn't. They started screeching when I tried to put them down.

None of them wanted to share.

[necrodentia]

I'm sure it'll be fine. These things are pretty hardy.

[ After all, they're built to withstand the trials and tribulations of ten year old kids out in the wild! ]

What was the reason for the tumble, if I can ask?

[heartofalioness]

Ancients... Well, that will be one Pokémon I won't be catching.

[RIP potential Froslass.]

[shiro2hero]

They can't all be that bad...

At least, I hope not.

[heartofalioness]

Point... [She's learned her lesson about not painting all members of a species with the same brush, thanks, Keith....] Still, it will likely be under specific circumstances. If they're usually this fickle, that would likely make them difficult to train.

[Meanwhile, CLEARLY Coressa is the superior ice Pokémon! ... Along with Europa. And Acxa, Thace's Ninetales. Acxa is GOALS.]

[shiro2hero]

I think it just depends on the individual.

Like Haunter, for example. It's nothing like the descriptions of other Gengar.

[heartofalioness]

That's good to--

[Wait... Allura pauses mid-relief to squint at the screen.]

You... look familiar. Have we met before, sir?

1/3

[heartofalioness]

Really?

[Let's pull up the Pokédex real quick--]

2/3

[heartofalioness]

[Oh. .... Oh dear sweet Ancients yeah, Haunter does NOT do that at all, and BOY is Allura grateful for that.]

3/3

[heartofalioness]

S-so I see...~ How interesting...~

[heartofalioness]

In short, I was chasing after one of my Pokémon. [As if on cue, a fluffy little Swablu lands on her messy head.] Kirlos is a Flying type... I am not.

[shiro2hero]

Yeah. I know...

It's okay - Haunter has never been... normal. According to the dex. It's even helped out when other ghosts start making trouble.

Video;

[nightyorb]

[Riz visibly winces as he watches Allura tumble. This is reminding him of Kristen's more infamous spills.]

Wow, that was-- Are you okay? Nothing broken?

[Cause it's not like there is convenient healing in this world.]

[tempredmental]

[Not exactly... his weren't all that evolved, either. And, with the slower progression and their lazy attitudes since the Snorunts came through, it likely wasn't going to change much in the next month.

So, it looked like he was going to be stuck carrying her...

What a shame. Hope she didn't mind being cradled.]