victory_road | February Catch-All!

Ah. A nice tropical climate. As soon as they arrive in Sevii Bo-Katan can feel her spirits lifting just from the warm, sunny climate alone. The weather back in Kanto had not helped her mood in the slightest and this was a welcome change.

The resort is nice and would be the place they stayed when not out exploring the various islands. The first order of business was to explore the island they arrived at. Offering to let Mando ride her Cyclizar, Balutar, Bo rode rode on her shiny Cyclizar, Riye. Balutar is well trained and experienced and would handle a stranger riding him better than Riye. This allows the Mandalorians a speedy, though still long, ride along Kindle Road. Though eventually they would arrive at the base of Mt. Ember, deciding to hike up the exterior of the volcano since Mando has an aversion to caves. There’s plenty of sights and Pokemon to see, and they certainly stick out with their gleaming armor.

On the way back to the resort though, Bo-Katan insists on stopping at the hot springs. Whatever Mando decides to do, she’s going to take some time to relax along with the pokemon she brought with her. Putting to use a blue two piece bathing suit she bought at the resort.

"So this guy rides like a speeder, right?"

It's not that Mando doesn't trust Bo; it's just that he hasn't ridden a Cyclizar yet, and he knows they sometimes crash into things! Bo has Skidmark as proof of that! He also hasn't ridden a speeder in a couple of years now, and is feeling rusty.

"Not quite. He's a Pokemon, Din, not a machine."

Bo-Katan stroke's Balutar's head affectionately as she waits for Mando to situate himself on the creature's back. The Cyclizar wasn't used to having someone other than her riding him, so she wanted him to know it was okay.

"You just need to tell him where to go and he will go. Leave the rest to him."

She had even put Balutar's saddle on him so that Mando could be more comfortable. It had handles like a speeder and place to put your feet but they didn't control the Pokemon in any way. Meanwhile she would be riding Riye bareback.

Edited 2024-02-06 14:16 (UTC)

"Oh, so more like a Blurgg."

That actually helps. Mando got better than he ever thought he would at riding Blurggs, and he settles onto Balutar's back more comfortably. He reaches down and pats the Pokemon's neck. "Good Pokemon. You're much more handsome than a Blurgg."

Which isn't exactly a high bar to clear, but it's still true.

He looks back at Bo. "Okay, we're ready."

“A… what?”

She wasn’t around for Mando’s Blurgg phase sadly. Balutar meanwhile turns his head to look back at Mando with a confused look but makes a happy sound? He will take the compliment?

With an amused shake of her head she then climbs on Riye’s back. Throwing Mando a little smirk.

“Try to keep up.”

And with that Bo-Katan dashes off with her shining Cyclizar. With Balutar just standing there, waiting.

"A Blurgg. You know, big lizard things they ride on Tattooine?" Has Bo never seen a Blurgg? It's not like Mando can get her one here, but maybe one will show up on one of those weird weekends. Mando can admit he's got a soft spot for the stupid things now, after Kuiil taught him to ride them. He also likes the Cyclizar a lot more now that he's compared it to a Blurgg.

When Bo takes off, Mando tenses, waiting for his ride to get going. It just stands there politely, waiting for orders.

Mando taps its sides lightly with his heels. "Go on. Go catch Bo."

That was apparently all Balutar needed, because he's off like a rocket, nearly dumping Mando off his back in his enthusiasm.

No she can’t recall ever seeing a Blurgg, but then she’s not the most well versed in creatures back home either. Tatooine is not a place she tends to go to as there really isn’t any reason. She has preferences for other backwater planets like Trask.

With Bo-Katan having dashed ahead, she looks back with a grin as Mando seems to be catching up. Kindle Road is a rugged but largely uneventful road in the shadow of the island’s volcano. Not much to be seen except the occasional Pokemon and the natural surroundings.

Urging Riye to go faster, the young Cyclizar gives it her best, but ultimately Mando’s mount is the faster one and professional racer. Though as the two Mandalorians speed along they get the attention of a herd of Ponyta and Rapidash. The fire horses running along with them as if in a race.

Let's be real, no one likes going to Tatooine. Anyone with any sense avoids that place like the gross litter box of a planet that it is. Which is why Mando is so confused that, from his perspective, he's flying there, yet again, because Boba goddamn Fett wants to apparently take it over and be a crime lord?

Mandalorians and Mandalorians-adjacent are nuts.

Fortunately, all that bopping around on volcanic Outer Rim planets have prepared Mando for this type of terrain and riding, and they catch up to Bo without a problem. Over the wind, Mando yells to her "Smoother than a Blurgg!"

They are kinda crazy it's true, but you won't find Bo-Katan going to Tatooine if she can help it. What Mando does over there is his business.

When he catches up with her, Bo throws him a little smirk. "I thought you would like it!" Riding and racing Cyclizars has been one of the highlights of being in this world for her. Mando struck him as the type to like going fast, especially considering the thing he flies back home.

It's then that she notices the Ponyta and Rapidash running along side them and can't help a grin, looking at Mando and jerking her head towards them.

What Mando does over there is usually try to LEAVE, as quickly as possible.

And yeah, Mando does like going fast. He doesn't get much chance to do it here; had he realised how fast these Cyclizars can go, he'd have had more interest in them. Bo might have to help him track down one for himself after this trip.

When Mando sees the horses, he leans over the Cyclizar's neck and instructs it to go off the road and run with the horse herd. Balutar obeys and dives in amongst them; they part ways and let the lizard run between them.

Bo can definitely set him up. Either to get one from Farrah or breed one for him herself. Either way, she can make sure he gets one and would be happy to.

When Mando has Balutar run into the midst of the herd, Bo can’t help a laugh as she watches. Having Riye move in amongst them too not far from him. The flames from the horses dancing around them as they went. It was a thrill for sure. Bo’s own fiery red hair practically blending in with the fire as it was whipped around by the wind.

He's going to name his inevitable Cyclizar Blurgg. This is simply a foregone conclusion.

As fun as it is riding between the fire horses, Balutar is faster than they are, and manages to work his way out of the herd. The Rapidashes fall back, and Mando leans low over the Cyclizar's neck, pointing up the mountain ahead of them.

"Up there. Let's get to the top."

That definitely would definitely be in line with how he's named all his other Pokemon!

When Mando runs ahead with Balutar, Bo-Katan follows. Riye doing her best to keep up but falling behind a bit. The terrain is a bit rough and steep, which slows them down, but they still manage to make a good pace towards the summit. The views of the ocean and and island taking Bo-Katan's breath away as she steals a few glances.

He is not a creative man. Everyone who knows him realises this, and shouldn't expect otherwise.

When they reach the summit, Mando leans in and tells the Cyclizar to stop. The Pokemon does, so abruptly that he nearly dumps Mando off his back. He manages to keep his seat, though, and waits for Bo-Katan to come join them.

"Pretty, isn't it?"

She’s there not long after he is. Riye coming to a stop right next to Balutar. The view from their point at the summit is even more expansive and breathtaking. A smile touching Bo-Katan’s face as she looks around, drinking it in, before looking over at Mando.

“It is.”

And it felt… nice. To be able to explore and see this world with someone else for a change. It wasn’t quite the same when you were traveling alone. It wasn’t as lonely.

"Do you want to have lunch up here? I have some supplies in my bag."

It's not anything nearly as nice as Boober would make for them at home, but it'll do. They could rest the Cyclizars and take in the view for awhile.

“Sure. I’ve got some too.”

With that she gets off her mount and moves over to Din’s. Balutar’s saddle has space for carrying things so she put most of her stuff on it. Whatever she thought they might need.

Taking another bag off the back of the saddle she then looks around for a good place for them to sit. There’s a flat boulder beneath a scraggly tree and that’s where she goes. Sitting down, she starts pulling things out of the bag. Bottles of water, packages foods, all of which she’s willing to share with him.

Mando manages to dismount without falling over--always a dubious proposition, especially when he's not used to the size and distance to the ground from his mount--and pats Balutar's head as Bo digs around in his saddle.

"Thank you. That was an excellent ride. You're a good Cyclizar."

With that said, Mando goes to join Bo on the flat rock. He has some similar things in his messenger bag, and he starts pulling them out and arranging them on the rock. Most of the food he has is the kind that can be sucked through a straw.

Balutar gives Mando another happy sound at the praise. The two Cyclizars watching the humans as they sat down to eat. Meanwhile Balutar and Riye found themselves nice rocks to relax and sun themselves on.

Bo-Katan looks at the food that Mando sets out and pauses. It’s been months since she had lived with her helmet on all the time. She knew the procedure well by now but since she now walked both ways it was sometimes easy to forget the inconveniences.

“If you want to eat properly I’m sure we could find a hole in the rocks somewhere. I can stand guard .”

It’s not judgmental, but rather a genuinely helpful suggestion.

"Thank you, but it's fine." He holds up a thermos and gives it a little shake. "I've got soup and a straw."

That was one of the first things he got when he arrived here: a series of straws that could fit under his helmet. Dimitri made them for him.

"I appreciate the offer, though." It's kind, and culturally sensitive.

That culture is hers too though.

"You taught me that you know. How to fit into your culvert and follow the Way."

Maybe not HIM him. But it was what he would do in his future.

"Soup is really enough for you?"

Seems to her that it would lack.. substance. How can he just keep going on a liquid diet like that?

"I did?"

It's very clear that, behind the helmet, Mando is smiling. He taught her something about walking the Way? That's some pretty incredible stuff, and he's immensely pleased by it.

"Yes, it'll be fine. I put protein powder in it."

He's getting better about not eating like a single guy who dumpster-dives behind the local 7-11 for sustenance, thanks to Boober's cooking and gentle nagging. But when he's on his own, he eats like a gymrat savage.

It’s a shame he’s only just now realizing this after she’d been here for six months. If only they talked more. Though that was her intention in coming with him to the islands for a whole month. A chance for them to spend time together, just them. So that hopefully he could get to know her better.

Opening up a packaged sandwich she had grabbed from the resort she took a bite while nodding. Her gaze looking out at the view.

“I belong to two tribes now, and walk both ways.”

She then looks back over to him.

“That’s why I take off my helmet.”

It's very true that it's been an issue between them. From Mando's point of view, they barely know each other. He's spent more time with her here than he ever did at home, and while he certainly enjoys her company, he can also tell that she's disappointed by his own. Not that he himself is lacking, but that he doesn't have the familiarity she expects.

"You walked with the covert?" Fascinating! Mando pauses in stuffing his straw into his thermos. "I'm glad you did. And that you're part of my tribe as well as your own."

He briefly puts one fist to his chest. "This is the way."

"This is the way," she says back, though with less enthusiasm.

She thought she had told him about this before, but clearly it must not have stuck. That was fine, it wasn't really that important here anyway. Was it?

It was true though, she was disappointed. It was hard not to be after the relationship they had cultivated, only to have it vanish. Rebuilding it wasn't coming easily for her.

Charizard rentals sure are convenient! It makes getting to other islands a lot easier and quicker. Not to mention what Mandalorian doesn’t like to fly?

When arriving at Two Island Bo-Katan decides to leave several of her Pokemon at the theme park that’s meant just for Pokemon. Let the creatures enjoy themselves while the humans look around. Though Bo still keeps some with her just in case.

The open air market is interesting and while not an avid shopper, Bo-Katan enjoys taking a look at the various stands and booths. But really it’s nice to just have some quiet time while walking to and visiting the cape. The scenery and views are lovely and it’s a nice time to just chat. Though when the old lady notices two strong Mandalorians outside her house she tries to entice them into helping her with a few chores in exchange for teaching one of their starter Pokemon a move. Honestly Bo-Katan can’t really resist that offer.

Though at some point Bo-Katan will be stopping back here to challenge the Married gym whether that takes one trip or two.

Edited 2024-02-02 03:18 (UTC)

Three Island is quaint and Bo-Katan is a bit wistful as she sees all the happy families that live there. It’s a nice place though there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot to do.

Most of the time here is spent exploring and making a stop at the aquarium. Though Bo-Katan’s main interest is the Berry Forest when she hears that Rowlet live there. Who needs a guide though? Surely they wouldn’t get lost. They have rental ‘zards that can fly them out anyway.

Mando had insisted on getting up at an ungodly hour when going to this island. Though when he explains why, she’s all in. They’re coming for you Shiro!

And… speaking of Shiro, he was definitely not kidding about the Voltorbs.

Once the Mandalorians are done harassing him, there are things to see! With Bo leaving some of her Pokemon at the daycare as they take a look around. Even bumping into a lady who supposedly was a former member of the E4 and is happy to give Bo-Katan some tips on training ice pokemon. She even suggests checking out the Icefall cave.

While the point of coming to the islands was to get away from the cold weather, Bo-Katan can’t resist. Sorry Mando, she will leave you to your own devices for awhile to take a quick Look in that cave. Eventually though she will come back, with a new Pokemon, and will suggest they do some fishing. And while renting a Wailmer to do some diving is tempting, it doesn’t sound like a good idea with a Mandalorian who can’t swim.

February Catch-All!

One Island

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Somehow I completely lost this. My bad.

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Two Island

Three Island

Four Island