Thrown off Pidove fell to the ground, Liz was already bored with the drunkard and his attempts to battle successfully.

"Enyo, let's end this quickly please, we have places to go. Use Swift for me dear?? His Pidove stands no chance at all." She said to the equally bored looking Mienfoo.

@balthazar007

"Hi there!"

"Hey," Rin replied with a cliped tone as one hand strummed it's fingers anxiously against the counter while the other did the same to their chin. Rin was still watching the doors of the Pokémon Center like they were afriad Death itself would come walking through. No, Death would be infinitely less terrifying . . . just so long as Death wasn't a gorgeous woman; Rin would probably die a second time if she was upon meeting her. Having been tuning out the cashier, Yeri's voice in the back of their made made them remember there manners and listen to the rest of what he had to say.

"Just check out the monitor behind me here. All the prices are listed."

"Great, great, great," they rushed under their breath, voice tight. 'Why did they have to be as pretty as people said they were . . .' the trainer groaned within their head before chancing another glance back to the door. 'Bad idea!' Sunsay's Nurse Joy entered just as Rin had peeked; as if Arceus wasn't cruel enough, she just so happened to look back at Rin, and their eyes met across the room. Rowlet's would envy the speed in which Rin twisted their head back around. 'Very! Bad! Idea!'

"Just select your items and hand me your Pokedex. And we'll have you checked out in a jiffy!" If Rin's skin were any lighter the heat in their cheeks would make them indistinguishable from the Cheri Berries in their pouch. Fumbling with their backback, Rin whipped out their Pokédex and started mashing buttons on the automatically synced screen; flashing red the many times Rin panicked fingers clicked on more things then they could afford. Still, they didn't they dare take the time to properly select anything, instead they hastily and randomly adjusted the quantities over and over. In the back of their mind they already knew what they really needed, and so desperation made the choices for them. While Rin also didn't have the time for pride, their face still pinched upon tapping one particular item. Shoving the Pokédex in the man's hands, Rin impulsively began tapping their both feet. The cashier read over Rin's order list agonizingly slow.

INITIAL Balance: 40TP

• Standard Pokéball × < 3 > ~ 9TP
• Great Ball × < 2 > ~ 16TP
• Pokémon Whistle × < 1 > ~ 15TP

Total: 40TP
REMAINING Balance: 0TP

Rin had to physically restrain their hand from snatching what they needed to take. They could hear Nurse Joy's heels clacking against the tile floor, and Rin feared every step. Calmly the man placed each item in plastic bag which was a smattering of advertisements and lopsided business logos in blue upon a white backdrop. The very same second the shopkeep's hand hovered over Rin's bag with their new Pokémon Whistle, the teen practically used Quick Attack when they turned around only to slam right into the cause of their anxieties.

Thrown off Pidove fell to the ground, Liz was already bored with the drunkard and his attempts to battle successfully.

"Enyo, let's end this quickly please, we have places to go. Use Swift for me dear?? His Pidove stands no chance at all." She said to the equally bored looking Mienfoo.

Pidove shook off the bad landing and stood back up. She paused for a second, waiting for her trainer's command, but his reaction time was too slow, so she took matters into her own hands. She cast a very hard Leer toward Mienfoo. This threw off Mienfoo's attack just a bit, but one star did manage to find the mark.

Result: Mienfoo Gets "The Look"

@Balthazar007

A single star struck the Pidove, it's trainer unable to issue commands to his pokemon due to his drunken state. Liz knew she had the upper hand but was barely scratching the Pokemon, she had to power up.

"Alright Enyo, show us a meditate, boost yourself up!!" The Mienfoo nodded and sat down and searched for it's center.

When their foreheads collided Rin knew it was done for.
. . .
"I'M SORRY!"
. . .
That sustained, forty second exclamation was the last anyone had from Rin
. . .
before they shamefully dashed into Route 3.
. . .
_{~To this day in Sunsay, some say that when you see your crush, you can still hear the ghost of the flustered, femaric fan's ego~}
. . .

| ROUTE 3: Savanah |

| January 2nd, Afternoon |

Rin's exciting time in Sunsay was short lived. They made ther way north to Route 3 as fast as they could. The land was very barren. The ground they walked upon was very cracked and dry.

Despite all this, there were still some patches of shrubs around. It was out of one of these patches that a wild Heracross appeared. He peaked his head out of the grass. When he saw Rin, he ducked back down. He enjoyed being alone, maybe the trainer would pass on by.

@Balthazar007

A single star struck the Pidove, it's trainer unable to issue commands to his pokemon due to his drunken state. Liz knew she had the upper hand but was barely scratching the Pokemon, she had to power up.

"Alright Enyo, show us a meditate, boost yourself up!!" The Mienfoo nodded and sat down and searched for it's center.

"Pidove, use Gust!"
Well, better late than never the little Pidove thought. She flapped her wings and started up another Gust. This time her opponent had chosen to sit down and Meditate.

Before Meditite could find its center to power up, Pidove's gust hit her. She tumbled backward. This snapped her out of the meditation.

Result: None of That

@Balthazar007

Enyo took a small hit from the gust, sadly enough to disturb the meditate. But Mienfoo was a strong Pokemon, it was going to let this weak Pidove defeat it. It turned to face Liz and gave her an angry gaze.

"Mien-foo!!" Seemed the mischief maker was yelling at Liz for her mistake.

"Right sorry little buddy, we still got this. Show me a strong double slap!!" Enyo nodded ready to get back to the hitting part of the battle, she cracked her knuckles and went in to give the flying pokemon a pounding.

@Balthazar007

Enyo took a small hit from the gust, sadly enough to disturb the meditate. But Mienfoo was a strong Pokemon, it was going to let this weak Pidove defeat it. It turned to face Liz and gave her an angry gaze.

"Mien-foo!!" Seemed the mischief maker was yelling at Liz for her mistake.

"Right sorry little buddy, we still got this. Show me a strong double slap!!" Enyo nodded ready to get back to the hitting part of the battle, she cracked her knuckles and went in to give the flying pokemon a pounding.

When the dust from Gust settled, Pidove felt good about herself. She stood waiting for her next command. Mienfoo was already charging at her and still no command. In frustration she began to Growl.

Mienfoo was too focused to hear the growl, got in close, and landed a series of solid hits.

Result: Ouch!

@Balthazar007

The Pidove had grit, Liz had to admit, even if her trainer was a complete fool. Despite the tough pokemon Liz had long since grown bored of this.

"Let's go Into, show me your fighting spirit you had when I caught you. Finish this off with a pound!!" Enyo charged in close to deliver what it hoped to be the final blow.

'I'm lost . . .' When Rin's lung finally released the last notes of their shriek of shame, they found that their legs had taken deep into an unfamiliar Route. Rin hadn't exactly (which meant they hadn't at all) memorized the Town Map like Umi had instructed them to, but they didn't regret it for a second. Of all the many mistakes they'd made in short succession that day, this definitely wasn't one of them. This was an adventure! This was exactly where they were meant to be! Out in nature with nothing but their pokémon and passion! "W-!" Rin coughed and remembered they really needed to regain their breath properly before trying to hoot with glee. Rather than rest their hands on their knees this time, Rin gave their legs a much deserved break and sat squarely on the dirt road; a little puff of dust escaping from underneath them. Unbeknownst to the Trainer, a prime example of why they needed their newest buy peered at them from behind. Despite the Herracross's exceptional utility, it would overpower anything the Trainer had to put up against it, so it was for the best that Rin had unknowingly sat with their back to him.

Inhaling acceptance, and exhaling ego, Rin reached within their PokéMart shopping bag. "Come on, Rin. Let's get this over with." Their left hand trembled as if they were going to put a Colbur Berry up to their lips rather than their Pokémon Whistle. "Do it for Olotah, do it for Gerseti . . ." Their rational half knew what was necessary, but their rash half screamed otherwise. Rin inched it closer and their face grew more scrunched by the second. "Do it for Anusobeket, dammit!" With that Rin nearly choked themself when their patience with themself wore out, causing the Trainer to finally stuff the instrument in their mouth and get it over with. Getting back on their feet, maladroit fingers vaguely hovered over its various holes. Rin never was the musical type, perfering to be the dancer rather than the singer at parties, but they figured there couldn't be too much to it. It was like blowing a balloon, they told themself. While the ensuing stridulous song caused Rin to pop out their right hearing aide, they had faith they'd find just what they were looking for when they entered the tall grass.

@Balthazar007

The Pidove had grit, Liz had to admit, even if her trainer was a complete fool. Despite the tough pokemon Liz had long since grown bored of this.

"Let's go Into, show me your fighting spirit you had when I caught you. Finish this off with a pound!!" Enyo charged in close to deliver what it hoped to be the final blow.

"Come on Pidove, use Gust!" The way he spoke sounded like he completely missed seeing his Pidove's last Gust attack. It was as if he was calling out the attack for the first time. Pidove shook its little head in exhaustion but followed the order anyways.

But it was too late, in the confusion, Mienfoo had already closed the gap and used Pound. Pidove fumbled backward over and over again, until she came to a rest at her trainer's feet.

The boy looked down at the Pokemon in disappointment. He pulled out the Pokemon's ball and recalled her in a beam of red light. He then shook off his upset demeanor and put his smile on as if he was ready to forget the whole thing. Who knows, in his condition, he might have already forgot most of it.

"Yu did goo! I'm srry my Pidove wasn a match for ya. Here, I gotta presnn for ya!" The boy reached into his backpack and pulled out a strange looking ball. "This... a Net Ball. Is goo for Watr nd Bug type Pokem..." He tossed the ball over to Liz. By some miracle, it actually went straight to her.

Result: Pidove is Out!

Inhaling acceptance, and exhaling ego, Rin reached within their PokéMart shopping bag. "Come on, Rin. Let's get this over with." Their left hand trembled as if they were going to put a Colbur Berry up to their lips rather than their Pokémon Whistle. "Do it for Olotah, do it for Gerseti . . ." Their rational half knew what was necessary, but their rash half screamed otherwise. Rin inched it closer and their face grew more scrunched by the second. "Do it for Anusobeket, dammit!" With that Rin nearly choked themself when their patience with themself wore out, causing the Trainer to finally stuff the instrument in their mouth and get it over with. Getting back on their feet, maladroit fingers vaguely hovered over its various holes. Rin never was the musical type, perfering to be the dancer rather than the singer at parties, but they figured there couldn't be too much to it. It was like blowing a balloon, they told themself. While the ensuing stridulous song caused Rin to pop out their right hearing aide, they had faith they'd find just what they were looking for when they entered the tall grass.

The peaceful tune escaped from the whistle without any skill necessary of the trainer. The notes drifted across the air and fell upon a nearby Bonlsy. It had been quietly pouting in the tall grass because it was lost. However, the music was there to sooth its little heart.

Curiously he made his way out of the grass. Standing about ten yards away, he stared at Rin. He was very quiet.

@Balthazar007

Liz caught the ball easily enough and the inebriated man turned to walk away when she called out to him. He turned to face her, wobbling on his feet.

"You know, that battle might if gone a smidge different, if you had not been filled with drink. If you keep being drunk all the time, eventually your fustrated Pidove will leave you." She turned on her heel and left before he could say anything. Liz had to get away from this booze filled place.

"You know, that battle might if gone a smidge different, if you had not been filled with drink. If you keep being drunk all the time, eventually your fustrated Pidove will leave you." She turned on her heel and left before he could say anything. Liz had to get away from this booze filled place.

The drunk boy heard what the girl said... but not really. "Okay, whatever!" he shouted out after her. He then turned back to go party with his friends.

Liz continued to walk. By the time she reached the forests edge, the sun was low in the sky. It would be night very soon. Just up ahead there was a fork in the road. She could either go south (down route 27) or continue straight through the second half of route 8. Right in the middle of the fork sat a berry bush, with two ripe Persim Berrys, ready for the picking.

@Balthazar007

The sun was getting low and Liz knew it was about time to start looking for a camping spot. She came upon a fork in the road, and there below a sign were two prism berries. She approached semi cautious, she didn't see any trees that held prism berries, so either someone dropped it, or a mischievous pokemon left it as a trap. She picked them up and headed down route 27, Liz knew there were a couple landmarks right next to each and it was time for her to sightsee in the morning of course. She found a wayward pine, a large tree whose boughs dipped to the ground and allowing big enough room to walk around inside. She read about these in one of her text books, there weren't many but she was fortunate enough to find a secluded spot to sleep. She got inside and set up for the night, she pulled out a book to read before drifting off to sleep.

Rin couldn't fathom how anything found the whistle's tune soothing, but then again they weren't a low-level pokémon. Pacing through the tall grass, the trainer's eyes scanned their surroundings. 'Maybe it's supposed to sound bad to drive away higher leveled pokémon, but then why would that attract lower ones?' Rin lazily pondered until they finally spotted two yellow eyes staring right back at them! It was . . . a . . . The whistle sagged between their lips. Rin didn't know exactly what the pokémon in front of them was, but they weren't all that impressed. "So you're a Grass Type, huh?" Rin asked the little Bonsai Pokémon to no response. Scratching their head they reached into their belt to grab Gerseti's pokéball. "Well we've already got a stellar Grass Type, and I don't see you beating him anytime soon, but," with a flick of their wrist, Rin's Girafarig popped out of his Standard Pokéball, "I'm sure you'll get along great! He's a really cool dude."

"Rafrig?"

"You're cool too, Geri, don't worry about the fight," Rin comforted the Long Neck Pokémon's increasing worry lines as he look between his Trainer and his opponent. "You don't even have to beat this little guy up, just show him how cool you are with Astonish." With an encouraging smile, Rin had a good feeling that their first fight with Gerseti would go well.

The sun was getting low and Liz knew it was about time to start looking for a camping spot. She came upon a fork in the road, and there below a sign were two prism berries. She approached semi cautious, she didn't see any trees that held prism berries, so either someone dropped it, or a mischievous pokemon left it as a trap. She picked them up and headed down route 27, Liz knew there were a couple landmarks right next to each and it was time for her to sightsee in the morning of course. She found a wayward pine, a large tree whose boughs dipped to the ground and allowing big enough room to walk around inside. She read about these in one of her text books, there weren't many but she was fortunate enough to find a secluded spot to sleep. She got inside and set up for the night, she pulled out a book to read before drifting off to sleep.

As Liz took cover, a wild Electrike stood by. She hid within a nearby bush. These were her neck of the woods. She would have to keep watch over the trainer to make sure she wasn't up to no good. She would not leave the bush until the trainer left the area, presumably in the morning.

So adamantly she waited. She would let herself sleep when the trainer slept. Being a light sleeper, she would most likely wake up at any sound of the trainer waking.

"You're cool too, Geri, don't worry about the fight," Rin comforted the Long Neck Pokémon's increasing worry lines as he look between his Trainer and his opponent. "You don't even have to beat this little guy up, just show him how cool you are with Astonish." With an encouraging smile, Rin had a good feeling that their first fight with Gerseti would go well.

Girafarig did as he was told and attacked with Astonish. He charged forward make a loud uproar, designed to startle the little Bonsly.

In all honesty, Bonsly wasn't scared at all. He thought they were just playing. Nevertheless, his baby Pokemon instincts kicked in. He started making little peeps. Tear drops fell from his face. Girafarig stopped dead in his tracks, concerned. He'd fallen for Bonsly's Fake Tears: hook, line, and sinker.

Result: Poor Defenseless Creature...

@Balthazar007

DAWN OF DAY 6: ??? HOURS REMAIN.

Liz woke slowly, she quietly packed up and decided it was time to use her Rare Candy. She summoned Hephaestus and looked down at him.

"Hey buddy, got a little snack for you to eat." She handed him the candy which he gobbled quickly. He looked stronger already and excited Liz and Hephaestus left the wayward pine and excitedly took off down the path, never seeing the hidden Electrike.

Gerseti was well on his way to landing his first move when the baby pokémon began to whimper. From the sight of the first tear Rin knew that Gerseti would lock up, but Rin wasn't buying it for a second. If Midori had taught Rin anything outside of much of daily pest he could be, it was how to spot the difference between actual sobbing and crocodile tears. Their suspicions were confirmed when the Bonsai Pokémon gurgled with the small simper of a smile immediately after Gerseti halted. "Don't get psyched out, Geri! This little baby is coming with us, so let's make this as painless as possible." Rin considered calling for Tackle seeing how effective the Bonsai Pokémon was using Fake Tears, but what they wouldn't admit was that the wild pokémon's cuteness was persuading them to use caution.

"Girafa . . .?" Gerseti asked apprehensive. He didn't really have much battle experience, perfering to run away rather than engage, so he hoped that could properly restrain himself without prior practice.

"Let's go for Astonish one more time, bud. Knock its socks off," Rin added with a goading wink. Looking back between his Trainer and the Bonsly one last tims, Gerseti reared up for another attack . . .