♥ Ellanor "Ella" Beaufort ♥
Location: Feyhollow Town
@Dusksong
Sending out two of her Pokemon who could comfortably be in the same room, Ella fed berries to Brighteye and the recently-caught Pumpkaboo. Both lit up with satisfied glows.
"I'll let you play as soon as I get the chance!" Ella told them, looking from the Duskull to the Pumpkaboo. "Lucette! You're ok with that, right? Lucy for short. I'll spend more time with you once I can." As much as she wanted to bond with the Pumpkaboo, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to have a ghost around easily-panicked Cutieflies.
Returning both Ghost types, she was just feeding Treasure the last few berries - as well as the empty paper bag - when the nurse called her over. Jumping up, she rushed to the counter to retrieve the Pokeball. The Trubbish, staring up in concern at her trainer, waddled after her, a piece of shredded paper still in her hand.
Ella pressed the button, and a relieved grin spread over her face as the fully-healed Chikorita appeared before her. "Vernie! I'm sorry I let you get hurt! You're alright now, aren't you?" she babbled. The Chikorita waved her leaf around, wafting a soothing scent towards Ella. Although the trainer felt some of the tension melt away, she couldn't help thinking this Pokemon shouldn't have to comfort her. It should be the other way round.
Treasure stood back from the unfamiliar Pokemon, but once she saw her help Ella relax, she slowly approached. Vernie bounded towards her with a cheery squeal, causing her to back away. The Grass-type slowed her pace, letting out a much softer "Chiko?"
"Uhh... Please be careful, Vernie!" Ella said, nerves tightening again. "Treasure's a little shy." The trash bag Pokemon, though, after staying still and silent for a moment, took a step forward and responded with a quiet "Trub-Trubbish". Watching Treasure calm down allowed Ella to do the same.
"It might be best for both of you to be in your Pokeballs around an agitated Cutiefly," she said. "I don't think he's going to attack any more, but just in case..." She returned both of them - enough Pokemon had been hurt that day - thanked the nurse, and set off.
Squinting through the light of the park lamps, she quickly spotted the greenhouse. Hurrying over and peering inside, she recognised the couple from earlier, standing next to Florence, bent over the little Cutiefly.
"Florence!" Ella kept her voice low as she approached the Grass-type trainer, so as not to stress the Cutiefly further. "Is he ok? Your Chikorita's healed up now." Handing over the Pokeball, she kept her anxious gaze on the bug.
✿ Florence Hadley ✿
Location: Feyhollow Town
@Dusksong
Just as Florence was wondering how much longer she could keep the Cutiefly restrained, Leisy reappeared at the doorway, the old couple behind her.
"He's here... sorry, I-I scared him even more, I didn't know what else to do..." she explained as the trainers approached the Pokemon. As soon as he saw them, the Cutiefly stopped struggling and gave a relieved squeak. He tried to skitter back as Ella re-entered the conservatory, but the old woman whispered something to him, calming him.
"Thanks," Florence said, taking back the Pokeball. "And this Cutiefly will be alright..." She turned back to the Bug-type. "Please, have this." She reached into her bag, pulling out a Cheri berry. The Cutiefly pierced the skin of the tiny red fruit with his mouthparts and drank the juice. His mobility restored by the spicy liquid, he took to the air. Florence drew back, but the bug simply landed on the old woman's shoulder.
With a sigh of relief, Florence let out Vernie, checking her over. It hadn't taken long for her to be healed - she must have used Synthesis. Still, worrying about her Pokemon was something Florence couldn't help doing. Bonica turned her attention from the Cutiefly to the Chikorita, letting out a delighted cry when she saw her new friend was ok.
As the couple thanked the group, Florence stayed back, head slightly bowed, hands clasped in front of her. She managed the faintest hint of a smile, but could barely look the shopkeepers in the eye. Yes, this Cutiefly would be alright physically, but that didn't change the fact that he'd had two traumatic experiences in a row.
✰ Jason Ackerman ✰
Location: Stillwater
@ToadRopes
With Iliana healed and a new Pokeball at his belt, Jason set off to resume his search for information on the local legends.
First things first, though. Sitting on a bench, he let out the newly-caught Pokemon. The little black fox peered up at him, then sniffed at Iliana. He jumped up, nipping at the red-brown Pokemon. "Ehh, try to go easy there!" Jason called, clutching the Pokeball, ready to return him if he played too rough, but Iliana gave a cheerful yip and pounced back at him. The trainer gave a soft laugh as he watched both of them play.
"Well, Velius," he said, "I see you've made a new friend."
After scratching the bellies of the two foxes, Jason stood up, heading off into the streets with Iliana and Velius scampering beside him. Making his way up a creaking wooden ramp, he came to an open-air market stall.
A middle-aged man at the till looked up, a wide smile crinkling his bearded face. "Welcome! What would yer be lookin' for? We've got all kindsa items to pep up yer Pokemon's moves, as well as a trainer's basics, Pokeballs, Great Balls and Repels."
Before Jason could say anything, a red-haired woman beamed at the two foxes. "Well aren't they just little dearies there? Ya know what'd make yer Zorua look even more charmin'?" She gestured towards a pair of dark glasses on a shelf. "A pair a' these Black Glasses! They'll also crank up the strength a' Dark-type moves."
After thinking it over, Jason took out his Pokedex. "I'm spoiling you, aren't I?" he said with a chuckle to Velius, giving him the type-boosting item. The fox gave a proud yip, his wagging tail indicating that the purchase had been worthwhile.
Once he'd also bought another Pokeball, Jason took on a much more serious look. "I was just wondering, would you be able to tell me anything about Lunala? I'm looking into the legends here."
The shopkeeper's expression became equally solemn. "Ah. Some outta-the-ordinary stuff's been going on with the legends round 'ere," he explained. "Just warnin' ya, Darkrai's been causin' some trouble. It's all sorted now, but I'd still watch out if I was you. As for Lunala, Darkrai seems ta have been in her way, but hopefully he's not causin' her any more issues. The stories say she's most active aroun' nights a' the full moon."
"Thanks. And yeah, I heard about the whole Darkrai fiasco," Jason replied. "Do you know where Lunala can be found?"
"Well, when she's not appearin' in dreams," the shopkeeper said, "there are rumours a' sightin's round the caves. But like I said, be careful."
Nodding, Jason turned to Iliana and Velius. "You two ready for some exploring?" he asked. "Come on, it's gonna be a busy day."
It did, indeed, turn out to be a busy day, but a far less fruitful one than Jason had hoped, mostly consisting of more asking around and traipsing across the beach. Now, the dull orange-pink of the sky stained the water, and the sea breeze took on a chill.
To think the mission had almost sounded simple, Jason thought as he wandered by the caverns, which grew darker as the sun sank further below the horizon. Only one objective. Yet these elusive Pokemon weren't called legendaries for nothing.