Sanguine Rose

Pokémon: There and Back Again

Faye Wrexlyn

Inventory

Pokédollars: 500
Egg in Egg Case
1x Potion
Camping backpack with a cold weather sleeping bag with a sleeping pad added to it, waterproof canvas tarp, 50 ft of rope, mess kit, extra clothes, a week of food (granola, jerky, a few canned soup, pokemon food for Sage, etc), water purification kit and canteen, compass and maps of the region, magnesium fire starter, multi-tool knife, and a camping saw.

Pokemon

On-hand

Sage

♂

Species: Eevee
Type: Normal
Level: 6
Status:
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Sand-Attack
Ability: Adaptability - Increases STAB from 1.5x to 2x
Held Item:

PC

Faye nodded. That all sounded fair. She could always check on the kids after seeing this Mr Hoots the kids mentioned. From the description, it sounded like a rowlet, but she didn't want to set her hopes on it and be disappointed by children's poor descriptions. "Well, if you think they'll be fine, I'll help them out after I see this Mr. Hoots. And maybe I can pay them back for Sage's first battles by doing a photo session for them with their Pokémon. I've done it for other young trainers in King's Cross, and it's literally the least I could do to repay them for letting Sage get some experience under his belt." She pulled out one of her business cards and offered it to the teen she was following.

It was a longer walk than she suspected, but it was a nice day for the walk anyways. Sneaking through a portion of someone's yard made Sage nervous, but he stuck with her all the same. At last, they came to it though. Why walk so far away to have their little battle? There was plenty of room here. Probably because they couldn't decide how to fairly handle it and needed to be at a place closer to where others might come across them? It was the only way to ensure they maybe got the attention of another trainer and get a fair tournament. (Though calling it a fair tournament didn't seem quite right given how quickly all of Sage's fights went.)

Her thoughts were derailed by an ear-piercing whistle. Sage ducked his head and covered his ears with his paws.

What Faye expected was a run of the mill rowlet. What she saw was far more fantastic. She blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't staring in awe at the poor thing. Considering kids were fighting to get the right to catch it, it might not have appreciated that. Her hands went to her camera hung against her side, but she held it low instead of instinctually snapping a shot of the thing right away.

"Well, before that, would you mind if I take a picture of you? Even if you don't want to join me, I doubt I'll see another rowlet that looks like you and I'd really appreciate getting the opportunity to photograph you." She motioned with her camera but hadn't taken her eyes off the so-called Mr Hoots yet. "Then, if you're interested, I'd would like it if you would join me. Sage and I are just starting out our journey together and we'd love some more company."

Pokémon: There and Back Again

Faye Wrexlyn

Inventory

Pokédollars: 500
Egg in Egg Case
1x Potion
Camping backpack with a cold weather sleeping bag with a sleeping pad added to it, waterproof canvas tarp, 50 ft of rope, mess kit, extra clothes, a week of food (granola, jerky, a few canned soup, pokemon food for Sage, etc), water purification kit and canteen, compass and maps of the region, magnesium fire starter, multi-tool knife, and a camping saw.

Pokemon

On-hand

Sage

♂

Species: Eevee
Type: Normal
Level: 6
Status:
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Sand-Attack
Ability: Adaptability - Increases STAB from 1.5x to 2x
Held Item:

PC

Things weren't looking good for the first time using Tail Whip, but much to Faye's surprise, the Wooloo had even worse luck. The poor thing was offbalance then distracted, and while she was apprehensive about how well Sage's tackle would land - that was definitely a fluffy Wooloo after all - it all seemed to go off so much worse than she figured.

Sage bounced off the Wooloo and landed, shaking his head to right it after the hit landed. Then watched on in a bit of worry as the Wooloo bounced away and started rolling down the hill. The whole thing happened so fast, Faye couldn't think to react and stood there just, dumbfound, and watched in horrid amazement as it rolled away. Thus ending her third battle as a trainer.

Wait...they won, again, just that easily?

The Eevee yipped happily as he trotted back over to his trainer. A few blinks, and Faye was able to greet him with a smile and scritches. "You performed wonderfully, and looks like you're getting stronger too." The congratulations were short-lived as her attention was stolen away by the babysitter. Right. The runaway Wooloo....Oh, right! the Pokémon she was even battling to get to try to capture.

Faye stood, casting one last look toward the children chasing after the Wooloo. She and Sage caught up with the girl and walked with her. "Are you sure they don't need any help catching Wooly? We can help them catch him again before going to see the Pokémon."

Pokémon: There and Back Again

Faye Wrexlyn

Inventory

Pokédollars: 500
Egg in Egg Case
1x Potion
Camping backpack with a cold weather sleeping bag with a sleeping pad added to it, waterproof canvas tarp, 50 ft of rope, mess kit, extra clothes, a week of food (granola, jerky, a few canned soup, pokemon food for Sage, etc), water purification kit and canteen, compass and maps of the region, magnesium fire starter, multi-tool knife, and a camping saw.

Pokemon

On-hand

Sage

♂

Species: Eevee
Type: Normal
Level: 5
Status:
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Sand-Attack
Ability: Adaptability - Increases STAB from 1.5x to 2x
Held Item:

PC

Okay, this one definitely didn't feel like a good win, not that the other did either. The kids had asked her to participate, and Sage wasn't exactly experienced in battling as far as she knew; starting Pokémon were generally trained enough to tamed already but not battle exerts. Still, the girl crying made it hard to congratulate Sage on a battle well done. She exchanged the apologetic look with the teen, though. It may not have been the first time, but it still mustn't be easier on the girl's sister to deal with a kid wanting comfort after every fight.

A soft, sympathetic smile slid into place as she turned her attention to the girl. "You know, you've got a pretty good Pokémon. If you continue to train it as well as you have been, you'll be beating people easily. This field is a great place to train your Nicket to get stronger and less susceptible to scares."

Sage, in the meantime, trotted over rather proud of himself. Maybe her words would help calm the girl's tears, but if not at least she tried. Sage didn't deserve his triumph to be overshadowed by the other's defeat though. This was only his second battle, after all. Faye knelt down and gave him scritches behind his ears. He yipped happily, and Faye smiled more. "Yes, you did well. You were a very fierce little fighter. Soon enough you'll be stronger and even have a team to battle with that will help you get even tougher."

She turned her attention from the last battle to her next one.

Like the other kids, he seemed just as certain of himself as well. While another normal type should have made her feel confident - which wasn't to say she wasn't given she was battling kids and how strong could their pokemon be? - this was only Sage's 3rd battle. She didn't want to go in too confident and lose to a kid. The Wooloo was extremely fluffy - just how much of that fluff was fluff and how much was body? One way to find out.

"Sage, get in there and use Tail Whip, then Tackle."

Pokémon: There and Back Again

Faye Wrexlyn

Inventory

Pokédollars: 500
Egg in Egg Case
1x Potion
Camping backpack with a cold weather sleeping bag with a sleeping pad added to it, waterproof canvas tarp, 50 ft of rope, mess kit, extra clothes, a week of food (granola, jerky, a few canned soup, pokemon food for Sage, etc), water purification kit and canteen, compass and maps of the region, magnesium fire starter, multi-tool knife, and a camping saw.

Pokemon

On-hand

Sage

♂

Species: Eevee
Type: Normal
Level: 5
Status:
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Sand-Attack
Ability: Adaptability - Increases STAB from 1.5x to 2x
Held Item:

PC

Sage's growl was far louder and more fierce than she ever expected. It certainly caught her off-guard how scary a noise her Eevee sounded, but the surprise vanished in a second with a quick blink. She was going to have to remember he could do that so she didn't betray the shock next time; fighting a more seasoned trainer would pick up on the unexpected aspect and assume she was an amateur. While being underestimated would be an advantage, she dreaded the idea of anyone assuming she didn't know what she was doing.

At least her assumption was correct: this wasn't going to be a quick fight. It was good the Nicket wasn't badly hurt from all Sage's attacks, but it meant there was still risk of Sage getting hit hard too. At least the kid sounded like this was the usual strategy - lower defense and hit it.

"Sage, go in for another Tackle, then use Sand Attack to try to throw off its attack again." While lowering the Nicket's attack ability further first would be helpful, the other pokemon could move faster than Sage if it knew Quick Attack already, which meant another attempt to try to throw it off again was going to be far riskier than the first time. She was better off trying to just beat it instead of trying to lower its defensive or offensive abilities.

Pokémon: There and Back Again

Faye Wrexlyn

Inventory

Pokédollars: 500
Egg in Egg Case
1x Potion
Camping backpack with a cold weather sleeping bag with a sleeping pad added to it, waterproof canvas tarp, 50 ft of rope, mess kit, extra clothes, a week of food (granola, jerky, a few canned soup, pokemon food for Sage, etc), water purification kit and canteen, compass and maps of the region, magnesium fire starter, multi-tool knife, and a camping saw.

Pokemon

On-hand

Sage

♂

Species: Eevee
Type: Normal
Level: 5
Status:
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Sand-Attack
Ability: Adaptability - Increases STAB from 1.5x to 2x
Held Item:

PC

Did she feel bad about beating a kid that was about half her age? Absolutely. Did it diminish her first Pokémon battle and, by extension, first win? A little, yeah - as long as she was being honest with herself. On the outside, she did her best to remain calm though. "Don't be discouraged. Sage just got a lucky hit. Keep training and some day you'll be on your own journey to take on the Evig gyms and Elite 4." When Sage trotted over after the battle was over, she crouched and scritched the fur on his cheeks and behind his ears. "You did great. But one easy fight doesn't mean they all will be," she murmured to him. "Though that was a good warm up, and soon we'll have more on our team to help us get stronger." Sage yipped in response.

She looked over and watched the other battle nearby. It was a good way to see what other Pokémon she'd be putting Sage up against, and try to figure out a strategy for moving forward. One lucky hit didn't mean every fight would go that easily. Sage seemed to be better at fighting other normal types, and the odds were in her favor the kids would all have normal types, but that wasn't a guarantee.

Like now. She knew only a little of the fox Pokémon summoned. A little more than just the pokédex entry, enough to know it wasn't normal type, but couldn't remember what type it actually was. It didn't matter; Sage was it and he'd face it just the same. But her Nickit was faster than the Rattata. That required a different strategy.

"Sage, growl as fierce and loud as you can then kick up sand to distract it. Then hit it with a tackle." It wasn't likely to go as quickly as the first fight, considering Sage got a lucky hit, but hopefully it wouldn't drag out. But that was her basic strategy - distract and intimidate the Nickit into weaker attacks or missing all together, then go in for a hit.

Pokémon: There and Back Again

Faye Wrexlyn

Inventory

Pokédollars: 500
Egg in Egg Case
1x Potion
Camping backpack with a cold weather sleeping bag with a sleeping pad added to it, waterproof canvas tarp, 50 ft of rope, mess kit, extra clothes, a week of food (granola, jerky, a few canned soup, pokemon food for Sage, etc), water purification kit and canteen, compass and maps of the region, magnesium fire starter, multi-tool knife, and a camping saw.

On-hand

Sage

♂

Species: Eevee
Type: Normal
Level: 5
Status:
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Sand-Attack
Ability: Adaptability - Increases STAB from 1.5x to 2x
Held Item:

PC

Faye let out a steadying breath. This was to be her first Pokémon battle. While it was against kids almost half her age, that kind of meant failing at her first battle would be even more embarrassing than if she fought someone her age and lost. That meant the pressure was on. She had to win, not just because it meant getting the right to first claim for catching that rowlet, but to preserve her confidence in being a trainer. Perhaps embarrassing wasn't the right term for if she lost. It would be a lot more than embarrassing. She'd studied to do well her with her first Pokémon - know what starter moves did and what could counter what regardless of Pokémon type - and losing to a munchkin would be a blow worse than just losing with her first step onto the trail of being a Pokémon trainer.

Words from her mother's parting advice repeated in her head. Trust your Pokémon and trust in yourself. The first challenger, Will, called out his Pokémon. Faye put her hair up in a ponytail and stepped into position with Sage at her side. They were battling another normal type. She let out another breath and muttered quietly, We've got this.

She looked down at Sage. "Ready?" Sage nodded and yipped back. "Alright. Let's show these kids how to battle! Sage - go!" She pointed toward the center and Sage charged out into position. Her attention was focused on the battle at hand, not noticing any others that she might have recognized show up on the route on their way out of town.

Listening to the instructions the kid shouted at his Ratatta, her confidence wavered but she kept it bottled up. Defense lowering and actual attacks...okay, she could do this. "Sage, dodge its tail and get into a good position! Kick up sand and get it in its eyes, then go in for a tackle!" From there, she would keep advising Sage to dodge in and out with varying instructions to use other stat reducing attacks between tackles.

Pokémon: There and Back Again

Faye Wrexlyn

Inventory

Pokédollars: 500
Egg in Egg Case
1x Potion
Camping backpack with a cold weather sleeping bag with a sleeping pad added to it, waterproof canvas tarp, 50 ft of rope, mess kit, extra clothes, a week of food (granola, jerky, a few canned soup, pokemon food for Sage, etc), water purification kit and canteen, compass and maps of the region, magnesium fire starter, multi-tool knife, and a camping saw.

On-hand

Sage

♂

Species: Eevee
Type: Normal
Level: 5
Status:
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Sand-Attack
Ability: Adaptability - Increases STAB from 1.5x to 2x
Held Item:

PC

The amount of trust that babysitter placed in her wasn't misplaced, but Faye wasn't entirely sure it was the right thing. She supposed maybe the girl wasn't as irresponsible as that statement first appeared given she could easily watch to make sure the new trainer didn't do anything improper. So long as the game was kept out in the field anyways. Given how much the kids all seemed delighted she might just join - Faye struggled to find a viable reason it wouldn't be okay. Even if it was a game of tag, she could still spare an hour to a little lighthearted game if Sage could play, too, she supposed.

It was odd watching them all huddle up to discuss, though. What could those little devils be planning? The way they eyed her and Sage after coming to a consensus on whatever their discussion was made her second guess wanting to see what the game might be. Maybe coming over wasn't the right call. She certainly didn't want to start off her journey with getting Sage mauled by some kids.

Of course, then the blonde explained it all. Hearing it was a Pokémon battle tournament...How could she say no to that? Especially if it was the fair way to get a chance to catch the wild rowlet.

'Don't go easy on them for me' the girl had said. Problem was, Faye was still a new trainer. The first round in this would be her first fight ever. She was confident she could handle a fight, but a round robin match? Even against kids, there was no telling how long any of them had their Pokémon, aside from the fact that only one Pokémon still meant a bit of a learning curve. Not to mention Eevees were normal type; Sage may have seemed a bit stronger

Faye looked from the girl to the kids to Sage. "Well, what do you think?" Sage seemed to do the same evaluation before looking up at his trainer. "Vee eev eevee," he yipped with a nod of his head and determined look. The teen nodded her head as well and looked back at their waiting opponents. "Alright. We're in. After all, it might be her very first match as a trainer, but she had been studying, and eventually there would have to be a first battle. She was confident she could handle fighting a couple of kids. Especially if it meant getting a chance at a rowlet.

Pokémon: There and Back Again

Faye Wrexlyn

Inventory

Pokédollars: 500
Egg in Egg Case
1x Potion
Camping backpack with a cold weather sleeping bag with a sleeping pad added to it, waterproof canvas tarp, 50 ft of rope, mess kit, extra clothes, a week of food (granola, jerky, a few canned soup, pokemon food for Sage, etc), water purification kit and canteen, compass and maps of the region, magnesium fire starter, multi-tool knife, and a camping saw.

On-hand

Sage

♂

Species: Eevee
Type: Normal
Level: 5
Status:
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Sand-Attack
Ability: Adaptability - Increases STAB from 1.5x to 2x
Held Item:

PC

She hadn't gotten a chance to get a very good look at the game before the children stopped and started approaching her. A quick volley of questions bombarded her not long after. Faye may have been a multitasker, but keeping track of so many questions all at once was far from easy. At first, she was up for answering, but the nonstop questions made it so she wasn't sure where to butt in and actually start answering them. Sage had been cheerful of the attention at first, but slowly backed away to hide behind his trainer to avoid any of them potentially grabbing at him.

But when what appeared to be their babysitter yelled for them to leave her alone, she looked over at the other teen. She must have missed the blonde girl when she first approached. Though that wasn't terribly surprising. Her focus had been on whatever they were trying to do.

Faye smiled softly, laughing awkwardly as she scratched the back of her head. "Well, I didn't really mind. I just wasn't sure where to butt in to answer them. Yes, I'm a trainer. My name's Faye, and this is my Eevee - Sage. You all looked so engaged with your game and having such fun it caught my attention on my out of Grand Glory, and I came over to see what it was. I can't agree to play if I don't know though, so would any of you mind filling me in?" She looked over at what appeared to be their caretaker. "If you're okay with me getting involved, that is."

Anepool Academy for the Gifted

Sorry for the delay in getting that up, but yeah - feel free to drop your characters in.

Just a couple notes before someone asks:

Yes, you can make up NPC students/staff names. For the most part, these roles can and will become canon but don't count on these NPCs to be frequent reoccurrences.

Yes, any NPC I've posted in the character tab is able to be located and interacted with by anyone (of course this is precluding the headmaster).
NPCs mentioned in the opening post that aren't in the character tab can still be approached and interacted with by anyone. They are mentioned by name (Ms Reed and Mrs Coleson) or note (characters at clubs and specifically the one with Mr D) they will be ones to be getting character sheets posted next. I just haven't finished getting them together and posted.

If you have any questions or need help, feel free to post it here, in the discord, or DM me and I'll be happy to help out.

Anepool Academy for the Gifted

A beautiful day greeted the students returning to campus for the first day before class. Teachers settled into their classrooms and on campus lodging - for those that stayed on campus for only the school year - while students finished settling into their own lodging. The annex buildings were still locked up, and any returning student would be well aware they were all monitored far more heavily than the main building. Tables advertising school clubs were set up along the main walkways leading from the parking lot to the dorms; senior students sat at them offering out fliers and talking with perspective new club members. Another set of tables were stationed near the main office, with 2 staff members - Ms. Reed and Dr. Coleson - sitting at them; the tables had signs indicating they were where new students could show up and collect their enrollment packets as well as find out where they were being housed and get directions.

Students were welcome to explore, and any new students that needed a tour could easily find older students willing to help show them around, or at least direct them to where their dorm may be. Mr. D could be found in the main lobby of the school building, sitting at the security desk that passed as his remote work space on days non-students might be around. Most teachers, by now, were in their classrooms preparing for the first day of class. A few could be seen hanging out in one of the faculty lounges as well. Some of the more perceptive returning students would notice a few new faces among the staff this year; though there wasn't anything off, per say, it was more the fact they seemed a bit on edge watching the various students arriving at the school than other new teachers. One such new face - Mr K - sat next to Mr. D, and appeared to be discussing something on a monitor hidden under the countertop of the desk.

A notable absence was Ms Target, the headmaster. While it wasn't every year since becoming headmaster that the woman was readily found on campus for students to speak with, she at least brought a weight to the main building that many could almost sense she was watching from her office. This year, that sense was gone, and if one were to inquire, they would find rumor had it she was indeed not present. Word of mouth among other students would turn up no solid answers. Rumors ranged from just running a little late to a top secret assignment from the LVA to even one kid hearing she died over the summer. One thing was for sure, if she was showing back up - none of the students knew when it actually was.

But for now, classes wouldn't be starting back up for another day. Time to settle in and get used to a new year at Anepool Academy for the Gifted.