Fandom &nbsp; PokéSync: Team Delinquent (Private)

Theo713

After having an eventful time getting seasick (Draven did get some pills from a helpful sailor but then had to fight off Nate from shoving a ginger up his nose, which made him puke anyway), they were finally off the boat early in the morning.

Pastoria City was an interesting place to be, Draven's never really been anywhere in Sinnoh. Pastoria City was like if it were a more modern, more populated, and more technologically advanced Undella Town. Memories of his brief friends saying they wanted to go to Pastoria City after Undella Town and then... never seeing them again...

It left a sour taste in his mouth being here. He groaned, making sure he had $110 so he can buy himself a ticket. With his nose still sore from having a ginger shoved up it, Draven shook his head at Nate's question, his Trapinch clicking and squeeing about being on dry land finally. Draven could feel Kelessu's happiness at finally being on land, which had him chuckling. He picked up the Trapinch, holding the antlion in his arms as he held him close to his chest.

Zera left, and Riley was on her phone texting someone. Something about how someone didn't notice? Did Riley run from home? But she asked some questions, and so he gave a wry smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. I think it would be a good idea to get some training in. I've trained my Hoothoot quite a bit when I first got her, so now it's Kelessu's turn." He smiled, rubbing the antlion's head, earning a squeaky caw.

Before they left, he looked up at Riley. "So, what did you mean by 'knew she wouldn't notice'? Did ya run from home or something?" He asked, wanting to spend time getting to know his group while he traveled with them.

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous

- Team -
- Inventory -: A couple change of clothes, plus that black dress thing he found after the death of his possible girlfriend
Makeup from her
Powder shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush in travel case, and wet wipes
A large jar of Pokekibble for Ma'a and Kelessu, good for barely a whole day
Some canned and preserved food (mostly snack food) for himself
Mess kit
XTransceiver
Smartphone with a Rotom and a charger
Small flashlight
Batteries in a protective waterproof case
A knife, whetstone, flint, compass, and general map of Sinnoh
Canteen of water
Blanket and sleeping bag attached to the top of his backpack
Small tarp with stakes
Notebook with a couple pens and pencils
1x PokeBall
3x Potions
Money: $2,840

8:46 a.m. – July 3rd, Saturday

CloudySkyLoftyMoon · Oct 25, 2024

Pastoria City » Lake Verity

Hah?

This girl had some nerve…

Nate checked his rotom gear and sure enough

$110 exactly, not even a buck extra for my trouble.

It was whatever. He was headed to the Station anyway.

Or…he’d be headed there soon enough. You couldn’t visit a city without sampling the local attractions, no? The Great Marsh couldn’t be missed, he’d just have a little looksies…

“Honestly, my ass is starting to hurt.”

After near twelve hours on the ship and then another six or so on the train even the plushest seating couldn’t soften the sting of hard travel. At least they weren’t far from Lake Verity. The Lake was oft the site of annual festivals and celebrations, so at some point a train station had been built within its vicinity. From what Nate had read, the Lake saw most of its activity in winter where the water froze over and snowfall was heavy. It was a popular spot of winter sports of all kinds.

Of course, right now it was just a spot to catch Feebas. And that said, it didn’t leave much for anyone else to do while Zera went fishing.

“There's no way we’re making it to any Gym before tomorrow, so how about we get some battle practice, you in?”

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous
Interactions:

- Inventory -: Money: $2,865
Potion x 2
Pokéball x 2

8:45 a.m. » 5:45 p.m. | Saturday, July 3rd

Absollover77 · Oct 25, 2024

Lake Verity

Having sat on the train for several hours Zera stretched out getting a few pleasing pops of her shoulders, neck, and back, she sighed with relief. Picking up her bag and fishing rod she moved towards the water dead set on getting what she's looking for. It may be a bit much for her to handle now but her plans will not be hampered. Her nap on the train definitely helped get her get a bit more energy for what she's going to be focusing on. Getting a Feebas that will meet her standards will be a bit difficult. She needs one with Mirror Coat and Brine. A self-regenerating tank is the goal. Learning moves like Aqua Ring and Recover will be a very effective wall to stall out opponents tiring them out. With Water Pokémon having only two real weaknesses being Grass and Electric types. Softly muttering under her breath she steps over to the Lake seeing quite a a number of others casting their lines into the water as well. Taking a moment to observe, it seems a number of people had a similar idea to hers.

Setting up a respectable distance away, so there isn't any possibility of crossed fishing lines or contesting what Pokémon was pulled up by who. Letting Lukina from her ball so she can be ready to rumble with the fish Pokémon if necessary.

The first bite she got wasn't even a Feebas, it was a surprisingly familiar looking Goldeen that seemed rather pissed about being yanked out of the water. Much like the action on the boat Lukina hurled the Pokémon back into the Lake. About fifteen minutes went by without a movement, before a sudden strong tug and the battle was on, once again. It was a Feebas this time. A quick scan with the Rotom Dex and noting the moves were Tackle, Mist, and Splash. With a roll of her eyes she mentally ordered Lukina to put it back in the water. Interpreting it as make it a flying fish Lukina chucked it back in the water much like how they did for Goldeen. Snorting slightly at the thought Lukina might learn Circle Throw by tossing fish back into the water, she cast her line out again.

About a half hour later watching the water and seeing plenty of Feebas being pulled up by various people. Waiting for a bite of her own to happen once again, a shiver ran up her spine. Zera shifted her eyes around, looking for what made her feel that way only to set her eyes on Lukina waving one of her paws around trying to dry it off. The curious pink fluff ball must have decided to stick her paw in the cold water. Shaking her head a slight smirk on her lips, she felt the pole tug hard and nearly leave her hands even though she had a rather firm grip on it. This one was going to make her work to pull it out and she'd be damned if she was just going to let it get away from her. She battled with pulling the Pokémon in for about two solid minutes. Reeling with a sharp pull she managed to catch a glimpse of the desired shape but the color was off. Flicking her eyes around making sure the other trainers are a respectable distance from her. Easing up for a moment and giving a yank with her whole body behind it the Feebas was pulled from the water and it was definitely what she thought, the purple coloration gave it away. It seemed like she was lucky, but does it have the moves she wants? "Rotom, snapshot that pokémon and move check!"

The Rotom Dex slides out of Zera's pocket and after a flash of the camera, it scans the airborne Pokémon. "Female Feebas, moves: Captivate, Mirror Coat, Brine, and Tackle!"

Pulling a Pokéball from her belt as the purple fish descends towards the ground, she yanks the pole downward pulling the fish towards herself. Tossing the Pokéball upwards squarely at the Feebas, it vanishes in a scarlet red light once hit and the ball falls down into Zera's right hand where it is gripped firmly. The ball's button flashes red a few times and it seems to tremble in her grip, but it makes a soft clicking noise after a few seconds the red light turning off. "Well, it seems like today is my lucky day. Moves I need and shiny to boot." With a light toss up in the air and landing back in her hand, she did it once more and the ball glowed white and vanished. She now had a time limit to smash her way through a few gyms so she could start working on making Feebas a Milotic as fast as possible. "Fast reactions there Rotom, good job." The phone made a happy beep, somehow? Then glided back in her pocket. It seems to have been about an hour. Hopefully the other aren't too far from the train platform. She smirks and sends them each the photo Rotom got a moment ago and a text message: 'Got myself a purple fish. Ready to leave when you all are.' Message sent at 6:42 p.m.

Packing up her things and putting her pole away she reached down and picked up Lukina walking towards the train platform a bit of excitement in her steps. She just caught her first Pokémon and it was a shiny one. Perhaps she'd draw some attention in the gyms and in the tournament. Drawing in backers and endorsements should be easier with some shiny Polémon.

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous

- Team -
- Inventory (Duffle Bag -: Money: $2,030

Personal care items, 8 Pokéballs, 9 days of food and water,10 yards of Rope. (Good for tying someone up or other stuff) Fishing pole, Staryu shaped Lure, and 2 spare rolls of fishing line.

5:45 p.m. > 6:45 p.m. - July 3rd.

Theo713 · Oct 28, 2024

Pastoria City -> Lake Verity

Riley looked to Draven with a knowing look, offering the man a sly grin

"Something like that, yeah. Maybe one day I'll tell you about it~"

she shot him a quick wink before turning, heading for the train platform after a quick map search of where it was from their current location. She couldn't go around blabbing all her secrets so soon now could she?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Riley stretched upwards, standing on her tip toes now that they were on solid ground again. Arching her back forward caused her spine to audibly pop and creak after having been seated in the same position for so long, Riley letting out a content sigh after the fact. Any other time she would have made a remark, but currently found she was in no such mood to do so.

"Yours and mine both. If I ever sit down again it'll be too soon."

She rubbed her bum, hoping to easily and quickly massage the pain away. Here they were, a half a Region away from their intended destination, and $600 worse for it. Twinleaf Town had been....what was the right word? Quaint? Homely? Small. Small was word. She didn't want to admit it, but it was. The journey from Twinleaf to the lake was mostly uneventful. She caught a glimpse of a few of the wild pokemon for herself, barely catching their scan data before they fled at the sight of such a large group of humans. As they walked she noted Nox sniffing at a bush as if he were looking for something, wondering what it was until she spotted a small light blue horn poking out from the bush.

『You sly dog I saw that. Find yourself a girlfriend already?? 』

she chuckled, hearing back 『If we had stopped, maybe.』 she gasped a dramatic gasp, resting a hand on her chest. Well! She never.

The lake itself was crowded, Riley wondering how so many trainers hoped to catch anything with so many other people around. The first few trainers to arrive might have gotten lucky, but surely the Feebas and other water dwelling pokemon would have communicated with one another about what was happening and to not trust anything they saw for the next while.

"You guys know over fishing is what kills ecosystems, yeah??"

She called out in an attempt to give Zera a wider spot to fish, flashing a grin to whoever looked in her direction.

"Just saying. Today's lakes are tomorrow's marshes."

That's probably not how it worked, but she was committed to it now. She looked to Nate when he offered up a battle, quickly glancing down to his Zorua. That's what her pokedex app had claimed it was, but the image on the app and the pokemon before here were two very different things. Was it a regional variant, or was it something else entirely?? It was bugging her, and now was her first chance to learn about it for herself.

"Sure, I'll take you on. We need the practice if we hope to get anywhere. Just keep in mind: My safe word is strudel."

She walked away from the pair of men then until she felt like not walking anymore before turning, Nox on her heels the whole time.

』Think you can take the fox??』

The question was met with a light huff 『Can I? 』 The sass!! Meeting that female Nidoran must have stirred something inside Nox.

『Can you』

『I don't know! Maybe, ok?? 』

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous

- Inventory -: Money: $3,506
Pokeball x2
Potion x3
Preserved canned food x12
Knife w/ sharpener built in to sheathe
Lighter x2

8:45 am -> 5:45 p.m. – Saturday, July 3rd

CloudySkyLoftyMoon · Oct 28, 2024

Lake Verity

Strudel?

Nate blanched. Stuff him with jam and call him a strudel, she’d caught him off-guard with that one. Safe word? Heh, who would’ve thought… then again, he should’ve thought. Red was, after all, red. And didn’t ginger have a reputation for being spicy? That red hair was more than just the fuse to a bombshell.

The Orrean lifted his gaze from the curves from whence it’d wandered and locked eyes with Red.

“Bet.”

『Alright Jue-Jue, it’s time to top.』

『…what?』

『We’re gonna win.』

『Oh…okay?』

A BEEG stretch and Jue-Jue leaped from her perch to land on the impromptu battlefield. Nate lamented her departure. At first, he’d only tolerated the fox’s decision to occupy his shoulders, but he soon realized there were many incredible benefits. Chief amongst them was the steady ghost-chill she emitted that kept him cool and refreshed despite the summer sun. Frankly, this could turn into a great business. Ghost-fur cloth. Could modern technology even process that? He’d have to find out.

Thankfully, Nate had looked up Jue-Jue’s moves while he was researching her species. She knew quite a few: Scratch, Shadow Sneak, Snarl, Torment, Leer, and Hone Claws. From what he knew, her ghost typing should resist any of the poison moves Red could throw at them and while neither Ghost nor Normal moves went especially well into Nidoran, they had an easy way to boost their damage.

『Hone Claws』

Nate felt his fortitude vanish, his teeth ground together to overcome the surge of nausea and Jue-Jue drew from him and polished her claws and sharpened her senses. He’d read about this—stat boosting moves, especially ones that boosted stats by more than one stage, were incredibly fortitude intensive. The likes of Agility and Sword Dance sometimes couldn’t even be used by fresh Bronze Tier trainers as the more one boosted their stats, the more energy it required to boost them again. This was why trainers often didn’t sit back and boost up to +6, even if they could afford the energy cost, it just wasn’t efficient. Hone Claws was halfway there, raising two stats by one stage instead of one stat by two stages. Nate wasn’t eating the penalty for trying to further raise a boosted stat, but raising two stats at once had still put the hurt on his fortitude.

When Nate could once more focus on the battle, he noticed Red had done something as well—he didn’t know what. Better to end things quickly.

『Close in for Scratch!』

...

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous
Interactions:

- Inventory -: Money: $2,975
Potion x 2
Pokéball x 2

5:47 p.m. | Saturday, July 3rd

Merciless Medic · Nov 6, 2024

Pastoria City > Lake Verity

Draven Davidson
Interactions: Nathanael, Zera Quinn, Riley Reid

CloudySkyLoftyMoon

Theo713

Draven would join in on the groaning and complaining about his ass hurting too, if he weren't worried about getting more food for himself and his Pokemon. The last bit of PokeKibble was used during their train trip over here, which had him a little worried. This was probably another reason to be in groups - more people meant more money to pool just in case someone in the group needed something vitally important.

With Zera running off to fish, Nate offered a battle round, and Riley accepted it. Just the mention of the safe word had him wondering where the fuck she learned how to talk like that, or if she's just riding off the last legs of her rebellion since she apparently ran from home - of which he was still curious on and she made it a point before they left on that train.

Trying to ignore her weird-ass comment on overfished lakes turning into marshes, Draven sat off to the side with Kelessu in his lap, watching the two trainers battle it out. First was that Hone Claws from Jue-Jue, and Draven immediately noticed Nate gritting his teeth. Was Hone Claws that intensive? Good to know. Then there was Focus Energy from Nox.

It seemed the two of them were neck and neck with Jue-Jue's Scratch and Nox's critical Peck, with Jue-Jue's Torment making Draven smirk. Yeah, he'd have done the same thing, that Peck looked like it hurt, but also because Nox might not have another move to use against Jue-Jue that wasn't resisted - like the Poison Sting landing in a critical hit that also poisoned Jue-Jue.

While this was a mock battle between Bronze-tier trainers, Draven felt like he was learning something from this. Like how aggressive Riley was - going for the more offensive moves and greater damage output. Meanwhile, Nate was more defensive and strategic - using moves that would aid in controlling the opponent.

However, he could tell that Nate did not look very good, as the poisoned state of Jue-Jue likely also affected Nate quite a bit. Riley went for Leer - maybe thinking that the next hit with some poison damage would knock out Jue-Jue, but her miscalculation caused Nox's defense matrix to break from the last Scratch.

The defense matrix breaking - even just seeing it existing - was a new one for Draven. Seeing it in person was interesting, but it seemed that Nox was still alright. Even with the boost, Scratch didn't do a whole lot beyond breaking the matrix, which meant Riley was okay. How exhausted she was from it, Draven had no idea.

Still, the two of them must be really feeling out of it, especially Nate. Draven immediately went into action, making sure the two of them and their Pokemon were taken to the train station to sit down and rest while his Trapinch sat near them, as if guarding them. This was the time when Draven realized he didn't have any Antidotes on him - or even any Revives... Not like he had the funds for that item anyway.

Looking at the map, it would be an hour or two to walk to Twinleaf, so they would have to unfortunately sit at the train station for however long it took.

It seemed that there wasn't much he could do for Riley, but unfortunately for Nate and Jue-Jue they both needed a bit more care due to Jue-Jue's poisoned state. He had kept the napkins from their time eating pizza. Using a bit of water from his canteen, he dampened them and set them on Nate and Jue-Jue's foreheads, trying to ease their shared symptoms as much as he could.

An hour went by, and Draven got a buzz from his phone. Looking at it, his eyes widened upon seeing the purple Feebas on the photo. He scoffed. "No fucking way, she got herself a shiny Feebas..." He muttered, staring at the phone in disbelief. He set it back in his pocket, shaking his head. "How are you guys feeling?" He asked both Nate and Riley, wanting to gauge how well they are now after an hour.

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous

- Team -
- Inventory -: A couple change of clothes, plus that black dress thing he found after the death of his possible girlfriend
Makeup from her
Powder shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush in travel case, and wet wipes
Some canned and preserved food (mostly snack food) for himself
Mess kit
XTransceiver
Smartphone with a Rotom and a charger
Small flashlight
Batteries in a protective waterproof case
A knife, whetstone, flint, compass, and general map of Sinnoh
Canteen of water
Blanket and sleeping bag attached to the top of his backpack
Small tarp with stakes
Notebook with a couple pens and pencils
1x PokeBall
3x Potions
Money: $2,840

5:47 > 6:45 p.m. – July 3rd, Saturday

Theo713 · Nov 6, 2024

Lake Verity

The battle hadn't taken very long to complete, but it had taken its toll on them all the same. She thought she might have had a fighting chance, but that last attack connecting sealed the deal. Like a mirror shattering in to a million pieces Nox's defense matrix was broken, the effects of which sent Riley collapsing onto her behind. FuuUUUCKKK!! She sat there, motionless for a moment, valiantly fending off the need to release her stomach's contents on to the ground in front of her. Only when she was sure she wasn't going to did she dare to look up and over to Nate, seeing he wasn't in much better shape than she. He had won, so what gave?

Shakily she stood and started making her way towards the victor of their battle, stopping next to Nox.

『You did your best Nox. I couldn't have asked for anything more. 』

she smiled, reaching out and gently rubbing the spot between his large ears. Nox didn't fight it, feeling too exhausted to move. He did look up to her and give a light nod, acknowledging her presence at least. He could feel through their bond what her strategy had been and thought it was a good one too, so there were no hard feelings.

『Take a break now. We'll put in some more training tomorrow』

she promised as she recalled the Niforan to his ball. She could still feel his apprehension about going in to the sphere, but it wasn't as strong as it had been before. Maybe because she had already let him out once? She wasn't sure.

With that done she stood and finished the trek to Nate, standing before him and again sizing him up. Whether their first battle truly had been skill or just plain luck, she wasn't sure. She didn't think she ever would be. Right now she was only certain of one thing: He had beaten her fair and square, and she hated to lose. He had given her a reason to keep going. To get stronger. So she could beat him and even the score. In defeat, she found purpose. She had found her Rival. She had found

"Nate. Good battle. This isn't the end though."

She grinned, offering a hand to him, whether to shake or help him steady was up to him. Until now she had tolerated him. Seen him as a means to an end. A way to survive in this mon eat mon world. Now he had her respect.

She did what she could to help Draven get Nate to the train station, and from there it was a waiting game. Wait. Was it alright for them to have left Zera at the Lake by herself? What about the rule of teams of 3 or more? They were still at the lake, but what constituted being with a group in this situation?

"Guess the first thing I should try to get a hold of is one of those portable berry growers, huh? A stash of Pecha Berries on hand might not be a bad idea"

it sucked that both Nate and his odd Zorua were still feeling the I'll effects of their battle, but what sucked even more was the fact there wasn't anything she could do about it at the moment. She sat back on her seat at the train station, her attention going to Draven when he said Zera caught a shiny Feebas.

"Ooh Tauros shit let me see that."

She moved so she was sitting closer to him, leaning against his shoulder to look over it at his phone.

"That's a filter and she knows it. Don't believe that"

she shook her head, easing back on to the bench.

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous

- Inventory -: Money: $3,506
Pokeball x2
Potion x3
Preserved canned food x12
Knife w/ sharpener built in to sheathe
Lighter x2

5:46 pm -> 6:45 p.m. – Saturday, July 3rd

CloudySkyLoftyMoon · Nov 6, 2024

Lake Verity » Eterna City

Lucky bitch!

The battle had gone Nate’s way in the end, but the process couldn’t possibly have been any more grueling. Red’s every move had lucked into the best possible outcome; sure, Focus Energy increased the odds of landing a critical blow, but a critical blow on every move? Then she poisoned them on a critical poison sting? The only way this could’ve possibly been worse would be if Jue-Jue had poisoned herself on Nidoran’s Poison Point…if it’s ability even was poison point. Thankfully, poison wasn’t the most effective against ghosts.

“Heh…are we done? I didn’t hear no safe word.”

Despite his paling features, Nate still found a mote of humor to the situation.

『Great Work Jue-Jue, take a rest. We’ll get you some medical attention soon.』

Too tired to respond, the spectral fox retreated into her Pokéball to rest. They still needed to wait for Zera, but it shouldn’t take her long to catch a Feebas. With that in mind, Nate allowed Draven to assist him to the Train Station. Any hour passed and the poison coursing through Jue-Jue’s body had thoroughly wormed its way into Nate’s fortitude. Arceus…this was definitely a top 5 worst experience.

“I don’t care what color her fish is! Tell Zera to—urk, haul her ass down here!”

He could not withstand another hour of this…

“Phew,”

A hundred dollars poorer but with himself and Jue-Jue fully restored, Nate breathed a sigh of relief.

Now wasn’t the time to relax however, they’d only stopped briefly in Jubilife en route to their next destination—Eterna city...

By the time they arrived in Eterna, there wasn't much time to do much more than find lodgings. Tomorrow, Red and perhaps Draven & Zera, would be trying their hands at the Grass Gym and he would do some research on how to earn some extra cash.

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous
Interactions:

- Inventory -: Money: $2,665
Potion x 2
Pokéball x 2

5:47 p.m. » 11:35 p.m.| Saturday, July 3rd

Absollover77 · Monday at 10:53 PM

Eterna City

After having come back to a less than ideal sight of Nate looking sick, and Riley looking exhausted it didn't take much to figure out that the two decided to battle one another. Clicking her tongue in annoyance at the idea they decided to battle one another instead of someone else wasn't exactly smart. She kept her mouth shut however. Who was she to judge how they kept themselves entertained while she got her Feebas. Though they could have challenged some other people, at least then they could have earned a little money from it. Sparing is all well and good but finishing the battle isn't necessary and doing so with a Poison Pokémon is not advised due to what happened to Nate. Being basically poisoned through the link must have made him feel all levels of sick. She however wasn't their babysitter, nor mother. So it was likely best she didn't say a thing since she technically caught a wild Pokémon on her own. True there were other trainers in the area so danger was minimal and help would have been a shout away if she needed. Not that she would lower herself to do so. Lukina is more than enough to handle a few overconfident wild Pokémon in a weaker area.

----------------

A silent yawn escaped Zera as she stretched and prepared herself for the battle tomorrow. Pokécenter rooms were pretty nice all things considered. She had to hurry up and improve herself to ensure her new capture will be of use. It may be a unexpected boon for the water gym, taking away the home field advantage. There was other ideas, filling the water gyms pool with poison by using toxic or poison jab, or electrocuting the water with thunder punch or Thunder bolt. Both of the strategies require that she gets a TR for an event or manages to scrape up the capital to do so. Tomorrow will be her chance at the Grass gym. Not exactly optimal for a start point but until Lukina gets a dark type attacks Fantina's gym will be needlessly difficult even if Lukina has the move Foresight.

She grumbles as she takes some strategy notes and options based on what she knows about Lukina. It isn't impossible for Lukina to brute force the first gym. It won't endear her to any sponsors accept maybe those that like the Kantonian style of 'Overwhelming power trumps all,' and Zera would be lying if that type of fighting didn't resonate with her. It's made that much more difficult by being a generalist instead of a type specialist. With each scribbled note and option she devises it drives her other hand into her hair as she stares at the page filling with tactics that would likely make a dark-type's jaw drop with how dirty they are. From having Lukina hold sand in her paws and throwing it into the opponents eyes, kicking them when they are down, faking injury to lure false sense of bravado and many more. "If only I could be certain of winning tomorrow. It's not like I have Fire, Ice, Poison, or Bug type attacks to increase my chances." Glancing at her Rotom phone, she sighs noting it's almost midnight. Closing up her notes she puts them in her bag and lays down for bed. She'd go through her exercise routine in the morning with Lukina, eat and feed Lukina, and properly motivate the little pink bunny into the mood to beat down some weeds. Such a full day and the hard part was yet to come.

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous

- Team -
- Inventory (Duffle Bag -: Money: $1,930

Personal care items, 9 Pokéballs, 9 days of food and water,10 yards of Rope. (Good for tying someone up or other stuff) Fishing pole, Staryu shaped Lure, and 2 spare rolls of fishing line.

11:36 p.m. - July 3rd

Merciless Medic · Monday at 11:28 PM

Lake Verity > Eterna City

Draven Davidson
Interactions: Nathanael, Zera Quinn, Riley Reid

CloudySkyLoftyMoon

Theo713

While Riley seemed to be doing well, Nate was not. Riley obviously believed that Zera was using a filter, which Draven scoffed away. "She's not the kind of person to make a joke like that... I don't think. Portable berry pots would be a good idea..."

Yeah, he hadn't really knew Zera for long, but she seemed like the serious type. She wouldn't... Right? He winced a bit when Nate started yelling, and he chuckled sheepishly. "Hah, alright."

Thankfully, Zera finally came back and they were all able to do a pit stop in Jubilife City to heal Jue-Jue of her poison (and by proxy Nate), and then they were finally able to get to Eterna City. They got their lodgings, and Draven bade farewell to his Trapinch before swapping him out for Ma'a. The Hoothoot - once out - ruffled her feathers and hooted sadly.

The connection Draven had with Kelessu had vanished, only to be replaced with the more familiar Ma'a. Still, he could feel Ma'a's fear. He sighed, hugging her close and treating her to some nice treats. He couldn't really feel the hit his Fortitude took, but he was sure it was going to be a problem. Still, he began working out that night, as he remembered Fortitude was a reflection of one's mental and physical strength - at least he thought.

Either way, he needed to start working out some more, and he was going to do that starting tonight.

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous

- Team -
- Inventory -: A couple change of clothes, plus that black dress thing he found after the death of his possible girlfriend
Makeup from her
Powder shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush in travel case, and wet wipes
Some canned and preserved food (mostly snack food) for himself
Mess kit
XTransceiver
Smartphone with a Rotom and a charger
Small flashlight
Batteries in a protective waterproof case
A knife, whetstone, flint, compass, and general map of Sinnoh
Canteen of water
Blanket and sleeping bag attached to the top of his backpack
Small tarp with stakes
Notebook with a couple pens and pencils
1x PokeBall
3x Potions
Money: $2,590

5:47 > 11:35 p.m. – July 3rd, Saturday

Theo713 · Tuesday at 11:02 AM

Lake Verity > Eterna City

"Ooh Nate~"

she spoke softly, standing from her seat next to Draven and moving to sit next to her newfound rival.

"You beat me in the battle."

She leaned in closer to him, speaking barely loud enough for him to hear

"That doesn't mean you pushed me to my brink."

She gently patted his chest before pulling away, resting against the back of the bench. These benches weren't made for long term sitting. By the time Zera had returned and the train had arrived Riley was standing, her hands rubbing her bum.

"When I die tell them to bury me face down so I can give my ass a break."

The past few days had involved nothing more than a whole lot of sitting, and it was starting to wear her out. Hopefully once their adventure actually started she'd be able to complain about not sitting down, but for now that wasn't the case.

An uneventufl train ride and $200 later Riley would make for the cot she had rented from the pokecenter for the night, stretching while stiffling a a groan of pain.

"This journey's gonna $100 me to death."

She banked on hopefully winning her gym match tomorrow, but if that fell through she was going to have to hunker down and pick up a job or two to recoup some of her lost funds before she did anything else. Collapsing on to the cot she made sure to lay face down, quickly getting comfortable. Finally. A bed on solid ground. Ooh how she had missed this. She turned on her side and curled up in on herself as best she could, not even bothering to cover up to combat the chill in the air.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning Riley was up bright and early at 7 a.m., making full use of the pokecenter's bathing facilities. After that came breakfast, a small but filling meal.

"Gotta make sure you have your energy for our gym battle today"

She told Nox, who was happily eating out of a bowl on the table next to her. Eterna was a grass-type specality gym, which made this the best place for her to get her first badge. She honestly wanted to spend a few days training, getting to know Nox's movepool better and build up some more battle experience for the two of them, but doing that would mean holding the rest of the group up here with her. She couldn't have that. What if they decided they were tired of waiting for her to get stronger and left her here? She'd be royally screwed then. While she ate she browsed the local job listings on her phone, glancing up whenever someone walked by to see if it was her traveling companions yet. She really needed to get their numbers.

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous

- Inventory -: Money: $3,306
Pokeball x2
Potion x3
Preserved canned food x12
Knife w/ sharpener built in to sheathe
Lighter x2

Saturday, July 3rd > 8 A.M. Sunday, July 4th

CloudySkyLoftyMoon · Wednesday at 12:43 AM

Eterna City

Damn, this Bronze League shit is ridiculous.

How many days had it been? No more than two, right? So why had he somehow managed to spend nearly three thousand dollars? Sure, Pokéball were $200 a pop. And sure, Potions were 50% up from that at $300. And sure, he’d got fined $1,000 for possession of a tampered Pokéball but ?????

Exclude them all.

On travel, food, and accommodations alone he’d spent nearly $500—F.I.V.E HUNDRED! I’m sorry, what? At this rate he’d be broke in what…a week and change? Something was wrong… Did Sinnoh people just live like this? Ridiculous!

Distressed as he was, Nate had risen early to assess his finances and re-think his life choices. The state of affairs simply couldn’t be allowed to persist. When in doubt, the best source of information was the locals. The internet was great, but it would be difficult to find the best deals and tactics without some level of familiarity.

In any case, that was a task for later. Breakfast called.

Prices aside, Sinnoh had an excellent variety of finger foods, enough that even the PokéCenter served a portable breakfast. Why most people remained seated in spite of that was a mystery to Nate. Didn’t they have places to be?

Nate was about to hit the streets, riceball in hand, when a head of red caught his eye.

“Hey Red, feelin’ confident?”

Despite their initial friction, Nate found he rather appreciated Red. She was scrappy, sure, but so was Zera. The difference was Zera obviously wasn’t flirting. Red on the other hand? He wasn’t sure yet. Apparently, he hadn’t ‘pushed her to her limits’, and Nate hadn’t figured out it her actions yesterday were an invitation to try.

That too was a task for later. He’d looked over the job listings in the city and had spotted a few he was sure Jue-Jue could perform. He’d have to follow-up to get the details.

Sprites by Smogon Sprite Project
Base Code by Ambiloquous
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