Fifth Spell: Post-Victory [Video].

[behindblueskin]

Is Keldor looking inordinately pleased with himself? Does he have a reason to be?

Yes and yes.

Not long after coming back from the battle convention, Keldor decided to get in some last-minute training for his very first ever gym battle. Much was learned while he was there, and, eager to put that new knowledge to good use, Keldor did what he could to get everyone as ready as they could be for the showdown with Falkner.

But first, he'd decided to test what he learned on the students, who were the only ones there at the time [not that he minded at all—all experience is valuable; including the ones that gain levels].

Sadly, though, they're just students and can't give out badges to trainers no matter how well they did. If Keldor wanted one, he'd have to come back another time.

He did, and this time, Falkner was in.

It was a good battle, and at the end, Keldor got what he came for.

Now that that's over, it's time to get ready to pack it up and head on out towards Azalea Town and the next challenge.

First, though, Keldor has something else he'd like to do.

Shidosanda the Hisuian Voltorb and Fukiran the Growlithe are sitting in front of their trainer as their teammates look on.

It's a big day. A momentous occasion.

In Keldor's hands are two boxes. Inside these boxes are a leaf stone and a fire stone. He'd gotten them not that long ago, and had been keeping them boxed to prevent an accidental exposure to them.

Now? He's going to use them.

"You have done well," he addresses them all. "Fought well and helped me earn the Zephyr Badge. And now it is time for the next stage."

Keldor opens the boxes and empties the contents into his hand. Is he nervous? Yes. But he doesn't show it.

"Shidosanda?"

The Voltorb rolls forward.

Keldor touches it with the leaf stone.

A flash of light, and the stone is gone.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEELLLECCCTROOOOOOOOOOOODE!"

"Fukiran?"

The Growlithe comes forward.

"It is your turn."

But this time Keldor hesitates in evolving.

Is his bond with the Growlithe strong enough? Will Fukiran's disposition change once he's an Arcanine? Will he accept the kind of non-battle training Keldor intends for him?

Will Keldor be able to use Fukiran to get about the Pokemon World with?

Only one way to know...

Comments

[crystalmaster]

I get that. I want as many Eevees as possible.

[He smirks.]

They're all so different.

[He follows suit about his shoes. It's a nice tradition. His Pokemon wipe their feet.]

[behindblueskin]

[Radley's gonna end up as the Eevee version of the crazy cat lady.

Meanwhile, the owner of the teahouse—an older man who barely comes up to Keldor's chest—comes up to greet them, giving a slight bow.]

Welcome, guests. Are you looking for anything in particular?

What do you offer?

Oh, many things. From the modern to the more traditional. We've got it all.

[Hmmm. He's wondering how "traditional" is traditional here. Will he be asked to follow a traditional dress code for it? Does this establishment even have anything in his size? He'd had something more traditional in-between the Wish Festival and Cara Liss' mishap, but it didn't survive the trip into the past, and Keldor doesn't intend to replace it until he's got his own place [kimonos and dirt roads just don't play well together].]

[crystalmaster]

[He probably already is.

Radley is wondering similar things about the traditional version.]

How are they different?

[behindblueskin]

Well, I...

[He looks Keldor up and down, like he doesn't get many customers who might frequent the "Big and Tall" sections of clothing stores.]

...normally "traditional" can mean "fully traditional"...

[Complete with dress code, from the sounds of it.]

...but we also have more flexible takes on tradition, where we can wave certain requirements.

[Stop talking like Keldor's clothing uses up half a circus tent to make!]

[crystalmaster]

Radley nodded thoughtfully. "What kind do you want to try?" he asked Keldor. He was also quite tall, at 6'2", but not that muscular.

[behindblueskin]

[Yeah being muscular seems to be a requirement for characters from franchises like Masters of the Universe I mean, what?]

I think I shall go with the flexible option, as I do not currently own anything that fully traditional would require.

[But he will. He really did like that yukata he got during the Wish Festival and would like to get one similar to it.]

[crystalmaster]

Works for me.

[Radley was mildly curious, but didn't feel the need to go fully traditional.

The Pokemon warbled.]

[behindblueskin]

Good! Follow me; I'll take you to your table!

[That actually went rather well, despite the whole clothing thing. If the tea is good he might come back for the "traditional" option.]

[crystalmaster]

[Radley was glad there had been no request to put them away. They wanted to be there and they were very well-behaved. He went to the table. The Pokemon sat down when he knelt.]

[behindblueskin]

[If they're behaved enough to wipe their feet without being asked, then there's no reason to ask that they be returned to their balls.

Once everyone's sat or knelt, it's time to begin.]

Would you like the matcha? Or something else instead?

[Seeing as this isn't a traditional serving, no one's going to mind if they ask for a different kind of tea.]

[crystalmaster]

I'm not really familiar with it. I'm happy to try it.

[Radley will try most edible things at least once.]

[behindblueskin]

[How many stomachaches did that lead to?]

Matcha? That sounds familiar.

[Almost like the Gar's own word for it.]

It's a kind of green tea.

[Oh! They have that stuff here, too!]

I will have it, then.

[crystalmaster]

[Luckily, he is able to easily eat most foods other than anything with grape products.]

Sure, I'll try it too.

[behindblueskin]

[So no regular wine for you, then.]

Right then.

[The owner leaves for a few minutes, then brings back a plate of sweets.]

Water's on the boil. Should be ready in a few minutes.

[crystalmaster]

[Which makes it extremely awkward and uncomfortable since his family runs a winery. But he can't help that.]

Cool. Thanks.

[The Pokemon exclaim in delight. Radley chuckles and gives them each a treat from the plate.]

[behindblueskin]

[Perhaps he should save some for his own; to give once he's done here. He could do it now, but there really isn't a lot of room for things like Ampharoses or Lycanrocs.

As for the tea, it doesn't take long for the water to boil and be brought out along with several other items that should be familiar to anyone who's attended something more traditional.

Two bowls are set down, alongside a pot of honey for flavouring, powdered tea is scooped into them, then the hot water is added, and finally the owner begins whisking until bubbles form.

This is definitely not traditional, Keldor notes to himself, remembering to not interrupt until the owner's finished with both. But it's not bad, either.]

[crystalmaster]

[Radley doesn't know enough to know that it's not traditional, but it's intriguing to him to watch.

His Pokemon watch too, after they have the treats.]

[behindblueskin]

[Mmmm smells almost like proper Garese tea. But will it taste the same? During his time on Anwat Gar Keldor had managed to acquire a taste for the bitter brew, so if this is either "about the same" or "less than" he won't need the honey.

While the owner waits, Keldor picks up the cup in his hands. Nice. Warm. He smiles, thinking of the island of his people, then takes a sip.


Ooo this is very good!]

[crystalmaster]

[Radley smiles, glad he enjoys it. He tries it too. It might take a little getting used to for him.

The Pokemon want to try it too. Evie wags her tail.]

[behindblueskin]

[That's what the honey's for, if it's too bitter for you.

As for the pokemon, well... Maybe one of them is of a bitter-loving nature.]

Can they have some?

[The tea's been prepared so he feels comfortable in breaking the silence.]

Well... I guess they can...

[crystalmaster]

[Radley isn't a huge tea fan regardless, but the honey helps.

He smiles, petting Evie.]

Thanks.

[He waits, not sure if the host is supposed to pour all the tea.]

[behindblueskin]

[The host doesn't mind. He just heads back to get six more cups for Radley's pokemon to drink from.]

Here you go, [he says, scooping, pouring and whisking tea for each of the Eevees and one Ralts.

If any of them like it sweeter, he's ready to add honey as needed.]

[crystalmaster]

[Evie chirps a Thank You and starts lapping it up. The other Eevees do likewise, while Cosmo holds her cup and sips it like a human.

Isla and Lily seem to like it the best. Lily especially is used to eating whatever she can after having grown up in Hisui.

Evie is just thrilled to share this with Radley and doesn't care how it tastes. Evan and Kiryu want honey.]

[behindblueskin]

[Those who want it get it.]

This is quite excellent, [Keldor compliments anyways, even if we're not following tradition.] I would be surprised to hear you tell me you do not grow it yourself.

[The host's face turns slightly pink, then he says,] Not me, but my grandmother does.

She truly knows her trade, then, for I have not had anything this good since before I came here.

[There's a pleased look on the man's face now.]

My family is well-known for our tea.

And they should be.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley smiles.]

That's really special that you can share this together.

[He wishes it was like that with his family.]