---

Soon enough, lunch was ready. The sandwiches were plated as well as the stew made by Yuu, all laid out before them on the picnic blanket Soren had evenly unfolded before. This was the best way to eat, the boy thought, with others. Putting out bowls for their partners as well, Soren began filling them with a mixture of Pokemon kibble and berry treats he had taken out.

"Th-thanks for lunch!" Micah said with a little more pep in his voice as he took a seat on the blanket.

"Thanks for joining us." Soren smiled. "I think watching you and Low-low train made me even hungrier." The dark haired trainer took a seat next to Micah as he scarfed down half of his sandwich in one big bite. The teenager had a big appetite, having been taught to always clean everything off your plate to show gratitude and thanks to the chef. "So, are you from around here, Micah?"

Coughing from a bite of his own sandwich, the green capped youngster nodded as he wiped his mouth. "Petalburg City," Micah said. "I-I'm from Petalburg City."

"That's where we're headed actually." Soren said. "We're thinking of challenging the gym leader there."

"O-oh? Norman, he... he's tough." Micah replied. "M-my neighbor had to challenge him... three or four times."

"What, really?" Soren said as he glanced over at Yuu, with a bit of concern in his eyes. Maybe he was a little over his head, he definitely needed to power up his team and get in some training in of his own from what Micah was telling them.

"I-I'm sure that you two w-would be fine though!"

A nervous chuckle escaped his lips as Soren took a quarter bite of his sandwich, licking his dried nervous lips.

---

Heading that the first gym leader they'd face was tough, wasn't as big as a surprise. Then again he didn't know what types this region used for each gym, when he felt eyes on him he glanced up and met Soren's worried gaze. "All we can do is train." He murmured softly, gaze shifting between the group of Pokémon around them. The rest of lunch was passed trading stories at Micah's question of their precious adventures. Cleaning up went quicker then he'd expected it to with three people helping out, even the Pokémon helped by handing their bowls over with happy cries.

Moving on instinct from his precious adventure, Yuu sat down on a rock and pulled out a brush and gray rag. He'd learned early on from his parents that grooming your Pokemon could increase your bond, his former team had fallen in love with the ritual. Blinking in surprise when he wasn't immediately being jostled, he glanced up and found Ace, Haru and even Micah watching him.

[color=47E263]"I-I'm curious, what a-are you doing?" His head was titled and his wide-eyes were intent on him, Yuu rolled his shoulders in a shrug.

" It's a habit. Whenever we finish eating I would also take time to either brush or polish my Pokemon. My parents who breed Pokemon say that doing so as well as feeding them treats on occasion can help grow your bond." He explains easily, shaking both objects in his hands for emphasis. His eyes focus on his two members with a small smile forming on his lips, the breeze that flows around them warm and gentle. "May I? Groom you I mean?" Ace and Haru blink once, then share a look between them for several long moments. Before both move forward, the smile that forms on his lips is wide and happy.

"T-that's interesting. Low-Low? Would you like that as well?" He asks the bird perched on his shoulder, the small avian Pokemon chirps once with a flap of his wings. Micah laughs softly before moving to sit on a rock a bit away fron Yuu, eyes intent on the way the other boy tends to his teammates. "M-may I b-barrow those items when you're d-done? I-I'll have to buy some in the next town." Yuu nods quietly with his eyes never leaving his task, Micah stays silent but watches intently.

"Maybe Dash will like this too, Soren. Then when we reach Petalburg we can do some training." He suggests over his shoulder, hands never ceasing their movements. There was no rush to beat the gyms, nor was there a race to catch a full team.

@Dio