4th Planet from the Sun | Action

[netting_nettles]

[Despite the blackout, Kariya's persisted in going out everyday to train, usually till near sundown. At the moment, as he dashes through the grass on Route 3, he is beginning to regret that.]

Suisei! Suisei, come on! Run!

[The Duskull behind them is looming, its red eye casting a glow across the grass in the night air. It's near pitch black now, and he's not too sure where he is, and, oh crap, he could swear the thing is floating after them just fast enough to stay in range, like some kind of horrible movie monster. He's trying to tell himself that it's just a Pokémon, but that stopped helping staunch the panic a few minutes back.

A lot of his team is in real need of a trip to a center to begin with, and, even if it is a Pokémon, what if it catches them?]

Faster!

[The Duskull gives a low, hungry-sounding moan. Kariya shrieks and tears onwards.]

....

[Some time later, there's an exhausted, absolutely nerve-shot boy huddled well away from the grass near the beginning of Route 3. He's begun to recognize Striaton in the distance, but for now he's too worn out to even bring himself to move.

There's a fifth occupied Pokéball resting at his belt.]

((OOC: Feel free to catch him before or after his fight with Duskull. Or in the middle of it, for that matter!))

Comments

[doingthemistything]

[Pfff.] ... Fair enough.

[netting_nettles]

[By now, they're finally on the edges of Striaton. Kariya relaxes some as they pass through the city's gardens, which are familiar enough even in the dark.]

And maybe after it's back, too.

[doingthemistything]

[Kirino falls silent for a while, but he eventually speaks up again.]

We should probably think about challenging the gym soon. I want out of this city as soon as possible.

[netting_nettles]

Yeah.

[He grunts that back automatically. His vote's definitely for not being in Striaton any longer than necessary. If only because it's seen more of him screaming like a little girl than he'd like to remember.

A few seconds later, he tacks on more circumspectly:]

Think we'll be strong enough for it? I've been training a lot, but...Gym Leaders have to be tough. They're like boss characters.

[doingthemistything]

[Seconded except replace "screaming like a little girl" with "cursing like a sailor".

... Digressing.]

I'm pretty sure we can handle it. I've been looking into information about this city's gym for the last couple of days.

[netting_nettles]

Information like what?

[Asked curiously, since he hasn't paid much attention to the gym at all. His time's been spent almost entirely out on the routes or at the Trainer's School, since the incident at the Dreamyard.]

[doingthemistything]

You know that cafe not to far from the Center? That's where the gym is. They give a discount to anyone who's earned the badge.

Anyway, more importantly, there's one key difference between this gym and most of the others: There's three guys who run this one. Chili, Cress, and Cilan, who specialize in fire, water, and grass-types respectively. Trainers can pick who they want to battle--or there's the option to take on two of them, or even all three. Heck, you could even have tag-team sorts of battles with a friend or two if you really wanted.

[netting_nettles]

Fire, water, and grass...

[He takes a moment to rack his brain for what those types mean for his team. He's been doing better about learning weaknesses and resistances lately, but sometimes they still slip his mind - ]

I think I'd be even against most of them, then. Except Reize and Pluton don't like fire. I don't think any of them mind water or grass-types. So, I'd be okay, if we can all pick who to fight.

[doingthemistything]

[He nods.] I'm probably going to battle Chili myself anyway, since Constance is a water-type.

[netting_nettles]

Hm.

[He'd tease Kirino for taking the easiest pick, but he's not really in the mood. Or planning on setting his Mawile and Spinarak up to be roasted, either.

So, instead, he shrugs and asks:]

Are Hayami- and Shindou-senpai planning on taking on the gym, too?

[doingthemistything]

[It's ~*~strategy~*~.]

I know Hayami probably is. I'm not sure about Shindou, though.

[netting_nettles]

Maybe Captain's planning on being a breeder like you.

[That, on the other hand, has a definite air of snideness about it. Partially because they're out on Striaton's streets by now, and he's speeding up his pace straight towards the Pokemon Center.]

You don't need badges for that, right?

[doingthemistything]

Quite possible. [There's no remark on how snide Kariya's words sounded as Kirino picks up his pace to match.]

That's right. But you have to get a specific license for it.

[netting_nettles]

Really? When are you going to be able to get that?

[He asks, as he holds open the Center door for both of them. Not waiting for an answer before making a beeline for the front desk, though.]

[doingthemistything]

I actually already have mine. I got it while we were in Nimbasa.

[Kirino follows after Kariya, leaning against the front desk a little, with Pochi lying down at his feet.]

[netting_nettles]

Oh.

[That's all Kariya says until he's handed his Pokéballs over and gotten all five of them back. He tilts his head thoughtfully as he fixes them back on his belt.]

Did you have to take a test or something?

[doingthemistything]

Not really a test, per se? There's a lot of paperwork to fill out though, and you have to agree to certain responsibilities.

Being a breeder does have a few perks, though.

[netting_nettles]

Like what?

[Wandering over to the Center's sitting area now. Kirino'll have to forgive him if he's a little distracted, as he clicks a ball loose again and lets Reize out onto a seat next to him.

The Mawile had been drained from a long day of training and gotten KO'd by Duskull early on.]

Doing okay?

[It gives its best combative cry at the concerned look from its trainer. It takes way more than some stupid ghost to bring this Steel-type down...!!]

[doingthemistything]

Discounts on certain things, for starters! And we get to enter contests for free. Non-breeders usually have to pay a fee.

[netting_nettles]

Discounts on what?

[Cue a somewhat suspicious look from Kariya. Meanwhile, he's just going to lift Reize into his lap for a (totally masculine and adult-seeming!) hug.]

Wouldn't you need less stuff, since you don't have to battle all the time? Doesn't sound fair.

[Probably just because he sort of blows what cash he gets really quickly, himself.]

[doingthemistything]

Well, in Nimbasa, they sell these caravan things. Otogi and I were discussing getting one when we get back there. They're not quite as quick for travel and they're pretty expensive, but I guess that's the price paid for having actual beds. Plus, there's certain things used in contests that cost money, too.

[He'll reach into his bag and pull out his Poffin case. He sets it on the floor and sits, Pochi leaning over his shoulder.]

[netting_nettles]

Like...a travel van or something?

[Oh, okay, suddenly less suspicious and a lot more interest-piqued. Kariya hasn't minded the nights they've had to camp out, not exactly, but...he'd be very okay with having somewhere indoors to sleep.]

That would be cool to have.

[doingthemistything]

[He nods.] I think there's a few other features they come with, too...

[A Poffin gets pulled out of the case and handed to Pochi, another gets handed up to Athos. Kirino glances over at Kariya and the Mawile.] Does Reize want one, too?

[netting_nettles]

A shower?

[He wouldn't miss traveling with that soccer team smell, when they're on a longer route...

As to the Poffin, though:]

What is it?

[Reize doesn't share his hesitation. He hops right down to move to where Kirino is, both hands up in a gesture that's less "Please" and more "Gimme."]

[doingthemistything]

Quite probably. [It'd certainly be appreciated at least.

Kirino chuckles at the Mawile and pulls out another Poffin for him.] They're these pastries specifically for Pokémon. [Kirino puts the reddish-colored treat in Reize's hands.]