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

[heartofalioness]

[At least she's not getting killed by a corn golem and its droppings...]

Nn... I'm fine, Riz. [Save for the twisted ankle she doesn't know about yet.] Just embarrassed...

[nightyorb]

Okay. Good. I know non-magical first aid, but that'd be pretty hard to administer over these crystals.

[He'd try though, if need be! Because as we all know the nurses here can't be trusted.]

Uh, you've got a little-- [he gestures in the vague direction of his own hair, or what is visible of it at least under his hat.] some stuff in your hair there.

[heartofalioness]

[Yes yes, just point out how his hair is Timothee Chalamet perfect while hers is... currently a Rattata's nest. Have a royal flat look.]

Thank you, Riz... I'll see to it once I find a mirror.

[Thank llama-god they're due to reach Violet City before the day's out.]

[nightyorb]

[Sorry ma'am, he was just genetically cursed with having great hair.

And really, Riz could end it there, but he doesn't want to. He is, despite his idiosyncracies, a pretty social person. And back home, he's used to having five very close friends to talk with all the time. And while Riz can handle being on his own just fine, it's also been... rather lonely. Allura had been good to talk to in the past, so he's just going to keep this going.]

Where are you, anyway? It looks like you are travelling.

[It's a little stilted-awkward, because Riz isn't good at small talk, but he is trying.]

[heartofalioness]

Route 31. Keith and I are on the way to Violet City.

[And he should be coming shortly... thankfully after this conversation ends, so Riz won't have to be subjected to Keith trying to princess carry her all the way there like the lovestruck knight he is.]

[nightyorb]

[Thank god, Riz has dealt with enough people getting their kisses in back home. Or helplessly mooning after other people.]

Cool. Going for the badge, I guess?

[heartofalioness]

[Yup, romance is totally overrated, who needs it? Certainly not Allura!]

Exactly. I know you've been working with Jane's detective agency, but is that something you'd like to do as well?

[nightyorb]

Well, actually--

[Riz leans away for a moment to grab something, and when he pops back into frame, he's holding a cheap badge case, popping it open to show one (1!) whole badge inside.]

I just got this. I don't really care about getting them all or beating the E4 or whatever it's called, but it was a good way of earning a lot of money at once.

[heartofalioness]

Oh, excellent! Congratulations, Riz! Which badge is that?

[nightyorb]

The plain one. It's the one in Goldenrod. It's the third one on the route if you travel past all of them, but the first two gyms are kind of bad for me to take on.

[heartofalioness]

Ah. [So bad Type matchups.] I'm sure you could manage if you were able to beat a stronger Gym, but whatever suits you best.

[nightyorb]

[Riz thinks that maybe he could take on the bug gym at this point, if only cause his bugs are stronger, but those birds? Nah.]

Maybe I'll go back and beat 'em some time when I need more money. I'm fine right now.

[heartofalioness]

Exactly. [A soft sigh as she thinks about how GOOD this would is, letting people pursue what they want at their own pace without worrying about a universal-scale war.] I won't keep you, but I appreciate you checking on me, Riz.

[nightyorb]

It's what friends are for, right?

[Not just for clues. He's learned that much.]