In Her Dominion - A Pokémon Roleplay (Closed, Started)

[Terratina.]

"..."But I don't think you'll have to worry about that, now will you?"

Under the eye of the Pokéathlon Dome employee and, of course, under the supervision of Casper. The Haunter grinned as each little bit was filled in, each small scribble brought them closer to the tournament. Of course, it wasn't long before it was all finished. She immediately tried to get it done as quickly as possible once she had turned around and saw the long line behind her. Mel handed the form and the pen back to the rather friendly employee. Well, overly friendly employee. The wink had made her a tad uncomfortable. But maybe it was just the policy there? A wink and a smile for every potential entrant? Regardless, Casper made a face at the man in an attempt to grab his attention.

Mel spoke in a little voice as she handed the form and pen over, "Uh, here. Thank you."

 

[JokerboyJordan]

The dining room was abuzz with stimulating conversation, but forever fashionably late Alisia couldn't help but feel left out as she crossed the threshold. The sights and smells of food hit her immediately like an oddly satisfying sack of bricks, and Alisia was quick to reach for the Pokeballs on her belt to release her team one by one, all save for Sprig of course, who was already out of his Pokeball and had sprinted straight for the desserts.

She sighed to herself. After all this time she still hadn't complete control over her starter. Perhaps that was a good thing though, no point in having teammates who were completely reliant on you after all. A little independence and personal autonomy went a long way when it came to becoming stronger, yet Alisia still couldn't help but wonder whether having a completely obedient team would have its own merits.

I guess I'll never really know which is best, as such an extremist view is only shared by those who use Pokemon for their own personal gain - criminals that is.

Alisia's gaze hovered over the girl sporting the bandanna and jacket with the large red "R" on it. She couldn't help but find the logo oddly familiar...something about it reminded her of some eco-organisations back in Hoenn. She brushed off such feelings however as she happened to overhear a surprisingly thought-provoking conversation between several guests.

"If you're a participant then by necessity you have a single, narrow perspective. As an observer you're free to think more laterally. Its all about subjectivity. Of course, by the same token, actually fighting provides experience that no amount of observing will be able to match. I learned that lesson the hard way, I can tell you."

"Hmmm. You'll have to count me on the side of the empiricists. That is, learning through experience." she chimed in, picking up a drink from the table and giving a quick wave of the hand before introducing herself.

"Hi, Alisia. I take it you're all here for the tournament as well?"

 

[Belmarc]

"Just one person, right? And Pokémon, of course, but just you? One night's going to be 1,000 dollars, but if you're staying until the tournament ends it'll only be 1,500. Kind of a 'buy one, get one half off' type deal."

"Oh, just that? No problem. One second." Pulling out his phone while cradling his Swinub in only one arm, he held down a single button and put the device to his ear, waiting until he heard a voice on the other end. "Hey guys, it's me. Just calling to ask that you put some money onto my account. Like usual." Whatever he was hearing on the other end caused his smile to drop more and more, being replaced by shock and disbelief. "W-what? You can't be serious. But... but..." With a sigh, he pulled the phone away and stared at it. Ty shook his head as his Pokemon stared up at him in curiosity. He turned back to the reception. "Ah, sorry about that. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay here."

 

[Texas Joker 52]

=HARLEY=​

Harley nodded once as the academic introduced himself as Thomas, then explained his reasoning behind his own argument, and the values of learning by either observation, or by practical experience. He finished by saying that both had their place, and were useful for different things.

At that, another trainer stepped in, one that Harley couldn't be sure seemed familiar or not, and piped up herself.

"Hmmm. You'll have to count me on the side of the empiricists. That is, learning through experience.".

Then she smiled and waved.

"Hi, Alisia. I take it you're all here for the tournament as well?".

Harley grinned wickedly. "That's right. The names Harley. I'm looking forward to the competition, 'specially since most of my Pokemon end up itching for a fight sooner or later.", she said, before looking Alisia over and sizing her up.

"In fact, part of me was hoping for a... 'Friendly' sparring match. You game?", she added.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

"That's right. The names Harley. I'm looking forward to the competition, 'specially since most of my Pokemon end up itching for a fight sooner or later."

Alisia smiled at the girl who stepped forward to introduce herself, she was the one with the Large red 'R' on her clothing. Despite the unsettling feeling towards the symbol, the girl seemed friendly enough, well, as much as you'd expect someone to be to a relative stranger at least. She returned a relatively mild smile, cautious at becoming too chummy with people she most likely have to compete against.

"In fact, part of me was hoping for a... 'Friendly' sparring match. You game?"

Hmmm... The chance to warm-up for the tournament does sound tempting... but the suggestion coming out of the blue from another participant sounds like it may be for more than just kicks, especially after the talks of "learning through observation"

She looked over at Sprig, who was gorging himself on Poffins and was likely not in the appropriate mood for battling after their trying journey. Still...

"Sure, why not. As long as nobody minds, I see no harm in it. Lead the way?"

 

[Texas Joker 52]

=HARLEY=​

Alisia seemed to hesitate before glancing over at her Pokemon, a Grovyle, who was currently stuffing Poffins down its gullet. Then she looked back and answered.

"Sure, why not. As long as nobody minds, I see no harm in it. Lead the way?".

At that, Harley polished off the food she'd piled in front of her, and stood. "You got it.", she said, before looking over at the others.

"Alright you gluttons, lets work off that meal.", she called.

In response, all but Fahrenheit seemed to smirk at that, and the Combusken simply snorted before following close behind. As Celsius scampered behind him, Oracle and Godmother floated and flew behind her respectively, and Harley glanced back as she strode out of the dining room and made a beeline for where she knew the stairs leading to the rec area was.

"Hope you don't mind if I keep my Pokemon out. Personally, I think it's a shame to coop them up if I don't have to.", she said offhand, before quickly making her way down the stairs and stepping into the small, well-equipped room.

"So, you want to go first, or should I?", she asked, striding easily to the far end of the small battle area.

Then Harley simply turned and crossed her arms over her chest while her Pokemon readied themselves behind her.

 

[Pappytech]

"Uh, here. Thank you."

"Splendid!" the man said, happily taking the clipboard from Mel's outstretched hands. "Alright Ms... Mallory, everything seems to be in order. Just be sure to get here half an hour or so before the tournament begins, and we should have the ballots all set up."

Taking a second to file the paperwork away, the employee flashed the trainer and her Haunter another quick smile. "Unless you have any other questions, I think that's about everything."

[hr]

"W-what? You can't be serious. But... but..."

'Well,' Marie mused, stealing a glance at the trainer's crestfallen expression, 'so much for some extra income.' She'd seen that look before, mainly on people who'd "forgotten" their wallet in their other bag, so the next few words out of the ex-potential lodger weren't exactly surprising.

"Ah, sorry about that. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay here."

"Yeah, yeah," the young woman sighed, irritably fiddling with the register to recall the room charge. "Couldn't have mentioned that before I got everything rung up, huh?"

Despite her grumbling, it only took Marie a matter of seconds to get everything squared away, even with her painfully throbbing finger. Working the register was practically second nature to her now, as sad as that might be.

With her work done, she took a minute to simply lean back against the wall and relax. Stuff in the kitchen was fine (mostly), and it wasn't like the customers would starve if she wasn't there for a few minutes. Yeah, a quick coffee break would be just fine.

...At least, it would be, if it wasn't for the presence of the sorry-looking trainer, standing there with apparently no place to go. With that helpless, shell shocked look on his face.

"Dammit," Marie muttered under her breath, before stepping forward and leaning over the counter. "Look, if it was any other day, I'd probably just kick you out of here," she said sharply. "But, you're in luck. Did you see that guy in the dining room? All dressed up, glasses, had a Magneton? I'm pretty sure he's got an extra room or two, and if you ask him nicely, he might loan you one. Alright?"

[hr]

Thomas blinked, politely, as the group's conversation somehow devolved into a challenge for a Pokemon battle. The Team Rocket girl, Harley, seemed to take her stance on experience vs. observation quite seriously.

Still, if there was going to be a battle anyway, then maybe it wouldn't hurt to continue to argue his own take on the matter... Besides, if he was reading Trevor's body language and tone right, a change of subject might be called for.

As Harley and the newcomer, Alisia, left the room, Thomas stood to follow them. "Hmmm," he said simply, gesturing towards Faraday behind him. "Watching a battle tonight might be a good way to gear up for tomorrow. What do you think, Faraday?"

"Bzzzzt."

"Exactly."

Nodding towards Simon and Trevor, the researcher and his Pokemon began to file out of the room, following in Harley and Alisia's wake.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

Alsia followed the roguish girl as she collected her Pokemon from the dining table, being eventually led to a small flight of stairs with the sign "Recreation Room" on the wall with an arrow pointing down.


The Rec Room was surprisingly well-equipped for such a modest establishment, with training bags and equipment lining the walls, presumably bought to entice prospective trainers for the tournament. She wondered at what cost such facilities were worth, as she had known even basic gyms to charge a significant amount for less than what was offered here.

The two made their way to the far side of the room, where a circular ring lined with matts indicated the sparring arena, Harley setting herself up on one end, her Pokemon eagerly awaiting their trainer's word.

"So, you want to go first, or should I?"

Alisia gave a small shrug. "Normally I'd say ladies first..." she said, reaching for a Premier Ball strapped to her hip. "...but I suppose that doesn't help in this situation"

Now detached from her belt, Alisia tossed the ball up into the air and caught it in her hand, before immediately pulling her arm back and catapulting the sphere forward.

"Go for it, Kumi!"

In a flash of red light came the Fox Pokemon, briefly looking back at her trainer for encouragement, before confidently stepping forward and delivering a small, high-pitched growl.

Spoiler: Kumi

 

[Texas Joker 52]

=HARLEY=​

The Team Rocket Fan simply chuckled at Alisia's response, saying that the old fashioned 'Ladies first,', didn't really work in the situation they were in. Then she promptly tossed a Luxury Ball, something Harley envied the moment she saw it, releasing a Vulpix.

"Go for it, Kumi!".

As soon as it touched the sparring area, it looked back at its trainer, then stepped forward and growled admirably. So, a Fire-type. That ruled out Celsius, and potentially Oracle. It also meant Fahrenheit would be at a slight disadvantage himself, though she didn't want to use him for this fight anyway. That left Godmother, or Oracle if she really wanted to play the risks. After a moments hesitation while she thought that, she nodded and glanced up at the Misdreavus.

"Alright Oracle, you're up. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI2NDJ6TxBg]", she said, jerking her head toward the sparring area.

As she did, Fahrenheit looked up at her in disappointment, and she idly stroked the crest atop his head. "Not this time, buddy. Gotta keep some things close to the vest before the Tournament.", she said quietly, even as Oracle floated over to her position.

Spoiler

"Mis-Dreavus!", the ghost called, bringing her attention back to the Pokemon in front of her.

"Confuse Ray! Follow with a Shadow Ball, then Ominous Wind!", she barked, and the Misdreavus complied at once.

 

[Mush]

"Ah, dammit." Trevor was intrigued by the proposition of a battle. Particularly, whether Harley's bite matched her bark. Plus, if he went up against either of them tomorrow it could prove to be enough to tip the balance in his favor. But...

... screw it, I'll just get take away. He quickly picked some food, enough for all of them and followed the trainers downstairs. "Come on Ice, I think this should be interesting."

"Char..." Ice gave a somewhat disheartened sigh, dissapointed by the lack of eating in his near future, casually strolling behind his trainer.

Things were already underway when he arrived. Harley's Misdreavus was squaring off against Alisia's Vulpix. A quick look at his pokedex confirmed them to be the exact same level (Huh, that's... fortuitous, I guess). Type likely wouldn't factor into it either as fire and ghost are mutually neutral.

This should be close.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

Harley wasted no time in ordering Misdreavus to attack with extreme prejudice.

"Confuse Ray! Follow with a Shadow Ball, then Ominous Wind!"

Alisia had perhaps been too lenient in allowing her opponent the first move, as Oracle's beads began to glow a hazy purple she saw that it was already going to be difficult to avoid the brunt of the attack, and then all Kumi could do would be to return in kind.

"Kumi! Manoeuvre number three!"

Spoiler: #3

Confuse Ray, Faint Attack, Flame Burst

 

[Pappytech]

"Mis-Dreavus!"

"Kumi! Manoeuvre number three!"

It didn't take long for the battle to get underway, as Oracle and Kumi rushed towards each other, ready to give it their all.

The Ghost-type, with otherworldly speed, launched a harsh, blinding beam towards its foe. Unable to avoid the ray in time, poor Kumi was barraged with impossible sights and sounds, sensations that couldn't possibly exist. Needless to say, the Vulpix's mental state was thrown into disarray, and instead of launching its own attack the Pokemon slipped and skidded painfully along the ground.

While Kumi struggled to regain its footing, Oracle rushed in for a hit, hurling a sphere of dark energies towards her foe. Though she was hit, the Fire-type simply gritted her teeth and rose to her paws, her unfocused eyes somehow managing to track the Misdreavus. With a growl, Kumi charged forward, feinting first one way, then the other, before lashing out with her jaws and clamping onto the Ghost with a different sort of dark power.

Judging by Oracle's pained shriek, the attack was more than effective. Wrenching herself from her enemy's grasp, the Ghost-type floated backwards, letting off an oppressive aura as she retreated. The Vulpix, already reeling from the earlier Confuse Ray, reacted poorly to the attack. The spurt of flames she was summoning up flickered and faded without ever touching the Misdreavus, but not before painfully scorching her own paws.

Oracle had certainly taken a devastating hit, but Kumi was certainly on the losing end of the exchange. However, refusing to back down, the Vulpix managed to focus her gaze on her opponent. She wasn't out of the fight just yet.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

=HARLEY=​

Oracle didn't waste any time in charging up her Confuse Ray, causing the largest 'stone' on her neck to glow purple before firing off a beam of energy towards the Vulpix, even as it tried to do the same. But luck was on Oracles side, since she managed to fire first.

The Vulpix seemed to slip, before skidding along the ground after a failed attack. But, Harley had to admire it's determination as it fought to get up, only to be hit head-long by the Shadow Ball that Oracle had gathered in front of her in the meantime. The orb of energy seemed to hurt, but the Vulpix wasn't going to let it be beaten so easily, and it rushed in, executing several feints before latching it's darkly-glowing jaws onto the ghost.

"DREAV!", Oracle screamed, before pulling herself away and glaring at the little fire fox.

Even as she pulled back, she spun once, releasing a horrible aura, which took advantage of the Vulpix's confusion, adding more injury to the insult of it's own attack backfiring.

Harley didn't like the fact that it managed to get such a good hit in on Oracle, and it was clear that neither did the rest of her Pokemon, each of them calling out some form of encouragement to their comrade.

She simply watched as the Vulpix fought to get to its feet one more time, locking its gaze on the floating Misdreavus even as Harley noticed that it's paws were terribly vulnerable.

"Oracle, two more Shadow Balls! Aim for the feet, take it out!", she ordered.

The ghost, taking a moment to see what her trainer saw, seemed to nod before gathering another orb of baleful energy.

 

[Anayna]

Wash had only just stuffed Spheal's pokéball into his trouser pocket when the doors to the gym flew open again. Two young women burst into the room engaged in conversation. So preoccupied were the two, that neither seemed to notice the old captain standing by the PC terminal in the corner. Wash however, looked up immediately at the diminutive Harley and imposing Alisia, and frowned. Despite differences between the odd couple there was only one thing they registered as in Wash's simple mind.

More girl-children? Really? What do they all want down here? Probably gonna braid each other's hair. Or gossip about boys. Or paint themselves up like harlots! Or...

"Go for it, Kumi!"

"Alright Oracle, you're up."

Or have a spirit of the dead battle a fire breathing fox? What?

Alisia and Harley had indeed gone straight for the small arena and were now fighting with a Vulpix and Misdreavus respectively. Not that Wash actually knew what the two critters were called. Truth be told, the captain had very little experience fighting anyone other than fellow sailors and the Water-types they typically employed. That was just a natural consequence of spending 90% of one's life on boats.

"DREAV!"

As Oracle withdrew in pain in response to Kumi's super effective attack, Wash had to admit that he had trouble following the fight. Was the floating purple wig a Ghost-type? He wasn't too familiar with those. And what was that move that was effective against it anyway? After a short debate between his stomach and his pride the captain walked over to the gym entrance, folded his arms and leaned back onto the wall. Food would have to wait. He was going to win that tournament tomorrow; that was a given. But that task could be made marginally easier if he was just a bit more familiar with how trainers fought on land.

Not that these two girl-children had anything to teach him about fighting! Oh, heaven forbid! No, he was just observing the fight to learn a bit more about land dwelling trainers. You never knew with these landlubbers and their... landlubbery ways. Pssh. Girl trainers. They were probably just fighting over a boy. Or over who used the last pink nail polish. Yeah, that was probably it, Wash mused while scratching his white beard.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

Although they were able to land a Super-Effective blow against her opponent, Oracle's powerful attack had left Kumi coming out of the exchange the worst for wear, helped in no small part from the Vulpix hurting itself in its disorientation from Confuse Ray.

Kumi's perseverance was admirable, and Alisia looked at her with pride as the Pokemon rose to her feet despite its injured paws. Any inspirational pep-talks were cut short however, as Harley was quick to notice her opponent's newfound vulnerability, hoping to exploit it and bring the fight to an early end.

"Oracle, two more Shadow Balls! Aim for the feet, take it out!"

The fox-pokemon looked worried, the last STAB Shadow Ball had been damaging enough, but two more? Alisia knew that Kumi was a goner if they didn't act fast.

We may not have the Speed to outpace it, but we do have the type-advantage... and the element of surprise

"Use Flare Blitz to charge through its attack! Then flank it with Feint Attack, Kumi!"

The small vulpine nodded at its trainer's behest, as it began to cloak its body with flames.

 

[Pappytech]

"Oracle, two more Shadow Balls! Aim for the feet, take it out!"

"Use Flare Blitz to charge through its attack! Then flank it with Feint Attack, Kumi!"

The two Pokemon squared off, getting ready for round two. Or round four, if you wanted to be technical about things.

Like before, Oracle's greater speed allowed her to strike first: Before her foe could preparing her own attack, the Ghost-type had already charged up another sphere of dark power and had let it fly. Crackling with energy, the Shadow Ball tore through the air, more than ready to wreck havoc on the already injured Vulpix.

Surprisingly, however, Kumi didn't do anything to avoid the attack. In fact, the fox Pokemon charged towards Oracle's attack, spurts of fire spontaneously spurting to life along her fur as she ran. The blazing aura seemed to make the Vulpix move even faster, sending her flying across the arena towards the Misdreavus.

The Shadow Ball and Kumi collided in the center of the ring, dark power and flaming fox slamming together with a crack of force. The Shadow Ball crumbled and broke around its target, its pieces dragging across the Vulpix's burning body, but the Fire-type carried on despite the pain. Her momentum carrying her forward, Kumi jumped up into the air and slammed her frame, still coated by a miniature inferno, into Oracle, briefly wreathing the Ghost-type in fire.

Both parties disengaged after the impact, Oracle hissing as she circled up and back, Kumi struggling to keep her footing after landing back on the ground. Both Pokemon were on their last legs; they'd have to move fast if they wanted to win.

As Oracle began to construct yet another purple sphere, Kumi chased after her, feinting right then left with her claws and fangs. If she could just outmaneuver the Ghost-type, then she could-

"Pix!"

The third, and final, Shadow Ball slammed into the Vulpix with unrelenting force. Though she'd withstood the earlier ones, this time the Fire-types stamina just couldn't take it. Her eyelids falling shut, Kumi collapsed limply to the ground, her small chest heaving. Oracle had won the day. This time, at least.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

=HARLEY=​

As soon as she barked out her next orders for Oracle, hearing Alisia's next directions for her Vulpix, Kumi, made Harley clench her teeth in anticipation.

"Use Flare Blitz to charge through its attack! Then flank it with Feint Attack, Kumi!".

That wasn't good. She had thought too directly, was too focused on simply going in for the metaphorical 'kill', that she wasn't flexible, and the Flare Blitz may just have been enough to get past the first Shadow Ball, while the Feint Attack was sure to take Oracle out if it connected.

But, as Oracle launched her first of two Shadow Ball's, Harley realized that it was simply up to the Pokemon now. She couldn't do jack to stop what was set in motion now.

The dark orb streaked across the small sparring area even as Kumi, wreathed in flames, sprinted straight toward it, and the Rocket Fan's fears were confirmed when the Shadow Ball broke up on impact, doing minimal damage thanks to the shield the fire around the fox made. As it's body slammed into Oracle, they were both engulfed in flame for a few moments before they pulled back in unison.

This time, the Misdreavus didn't scream, but her glare only intensified towards the fox, and charged what was sure to be her last attack of the match, one way or the other. And just before the Vulpix could finally execute it's last feint, the second orb of malevolence rammed into it, and this time enough was finally enough. After a few moments, the little fox collapsed, and fainted.

The breath Harley didn't even know she held exhaled, and she sighed softly before striding over to the floating Ghost and patting it head gently with one hand, while the other pulled out a Potion to spray on her wounds.

"That was a good job, Oracle, you kicked ass.", she said with a smile, taking the time to be thorough with the Potion.

Oracle didn't argue. "Mis Dreav-Dreav.", it chimed tiredly, even as the other Pokemon of her team strode, or hopped, over and put in their own encouragement to the Ghost.

Once Oracle's wounds were taken care of, Harley took out a Super Potion and offered it to Alisia.

"Here. May not be much, but it should help a little at least. That was a close match.", she said, and it was clear there was respect in her tone.

"That Flare Blitz in particular was clever. That'll remind me not to be so single-minded next time, particularly since that tactic should've worked.", she pointed out, before offering her hand this time.

"Looking forward to really facing you in the Tournament, Alisia.", Harley said, smiling.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

It was almost awe inspiring to witness; Kumi charging straight through Misdreavus's Shadow Ball at her trainer's insistence, emerging valiantly from the maelstrom of fire and energy to connect with a scorching blow of her own. As her intrepid Pokemon rushed forward to deliver what was to be the killing blow, Alisia clenched her fist in the belief that victory was within sight.

If only for a second.

By the time Kumi had wound up her attack, Oracle's second dark orb was already on its collision course, catching the fox pokemon mid-feint and sending it hurtling into unconsciousness.

"Kumi!" she cried, both in worry over her teammate's status as well as a rousing attempt at urging the pokemon to continue the fight. It was already too late however, a fact that was verified after she had ran over and checked at Kumi for herself. The wounds to her pokemon she could handle. The damage to her pride? Uncertain.

Alisia calmly sorted through the sections of her bag to look for her healing-items. The sights and sounds of Harley's pokemon in celebration growing fainter as she focused on her single-minded pursuit. A lone voice shocked her, as her opponent knelt down beside her to offer assistance.

"Here. May not be much, but it should help a little at least. That was a close match."

Her tone was admittedly humble, but Alisia couldn't help but look at the offering with somewhat reluctance. She was hardly the type to accept charity, especially from someone who had just bested her.

Play along for now, bide time and get revenge later.

She quickly hid her own potions from view, graciously accepting Harley's as she sprayed the medicine over Kumi's visible wounds, the fire-type becoming instantly more respondent.

"Looking forward to really facing you in the Tournament, Alisia." the trainer smiled.

"I look forward to it as well. Thank you for the opportunity to learn." she said. She returned a smile, before offering her hand to the genial trainer in a sign of mutual respect.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

=HARLEY=​

It wasn't hard to see that there was some initial reluctance after she offered the Super Potion, but Harley couldn't say she was surprised. After all, she wouldn't have appreciated the gesture much in her shoes, not initially at least. But the fact that she accepted it graciously caused a small smirk to tug at the corner of Harley's mouth. Bigger woman than me, that's for sure, she thought, before accepting the hand Alisia offered.

"I look forward to it as well. Thank you for the opportunity to learn.".

"Likewise. I'm going to have to keep a close eye on the battle if I go up against you again.", she said as she shook her hand.

After all, it was clear from the fight that Alisia was a formidable opponent. Not only that, but she was one that Harley was already starting to like. If the tournament had more contenders like her, it was going to be interesting, that was for sure. She'd have to get training soon, but not tomorrow. Tomorrow, they'd relax until the Tournament officially started, so they were rested and ready to go.

Once she released her grip, she turned towards her Pokemon and grinned. "Alright. That's enough for tonight, lets get back to our room. Tomorrows a big day, and we'll need our rest.", she said.

And she was answered with squawks and cries of agreement at that, and as she strode to the exit, she looked back and waved.

"See you all at the Tournament.", she said, her grin wicked and her tone tinged with challenge.

Then she stepped out and made her way upstairs.

 

[Arcanist]

Anthony woke with a yawn as he felt something wet touch the side of his face. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, Kelvin's snout came into view, pressing against his trainer's face. Anthony could hear the distant tone of a whine in his voice, but that changed to a happy bark as soon as he saw his master stir. Still dazed, Anthony took a look at his surroundings. It was already dark - he must have been out for a while. "Heh. The ride over must have taken more out of me than I thought." He placed a hand on Kelvin's head, stroking it as he tried to regain his cognizance. "You been here the entire time, boy?" Kelvin responded with another whine, pawing at Anthony's bag, specifically at the pocket he used to store his pokeballs. Anthony's eyes widened with a start - he had completely forgotten!

He stumbled out of his chair, hearing something clatter to the floor at his feet. Looking down with a confused expression, his eyes came on to a small key with a number etched on the handle. The receptionist must have left this while he slept. Wasting no time, Anthony swept the key up into his hands and stuffed it into his pocket as he ran outside. Reaching into his bag, he produced two pokeballs and threw them, releasing two familiar figures. "Sorry! I sort of... well, forgot to let you guys out. Right." He looked sheepishly at the ground, embarrassed at having forgotten something so important.

Artemis, for her part, paid only cursory attention to her trainer's apologies, focusing more on stretching her wings. "Noc!" A hoot issued from her beak before she flew up to the hotel's roof, claiming it as a makeshift roost. Chick also took his time to stretch before turning his attention to Anthony, but his mood was much less forgiving. "Bay! Bayleef!" He punctuated each syllable with a stamp to emphasize his displeasure before turning away with a huff. "Look, I know it's uncomfortable. And I said I was sorry! What else do you want from me?"

"Leef! Bay, Bayleef!"

"But...I..." Anthony let it go with a sigh. Chick had a habit of being difficult, especially when he thought someone had slighted him in some way. Nothing to do but let him cool off. Anthony's attention was brought yet again to Kelvin pawing at his bag, this time at the place he kept their food. "Oh, you must all be starving. Come on, let's go see if this place serves anything."