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You decide to train Nika first and keep working on comboing Counter off of Detect so she can do it consistently.

You release her and she bounces on her toes, looking around, before focusing back on you.

"Ready for some training?" You ask her.

She yips and jumps up and down with enthusiasm at this question, nodding eagerly.

"Um... do you mind if we train with you?" Daisy asks cautiously.

"Not at all." You reply. "We're going to keep practicing what we were doing with James yesterday." You explain.

"Er... I don't think we saw that, what were you practicing?" She asks, brushing a stray strand of green hair from her eyes.

“Combining Detect with Counter.” You reply. “It’s tricky, but Nika’s already got the fundamentals. She just needs practice.”

“Oh.” Daisy blinks. “Well, that sounds simple enough. So, you don’t mind if Buneary works on Ice Punch, then?” She asks.

You nod affably.

“That’s perfect.” You assure.

You spend the next half an hour or so training with Daisy, her Buneary practicing Ice Punch to some limited success, while Nika practices combining Detect with Counter, which turns into a relatively sedate round of parry and counter-punch, which while simple, does help build her confidence and help her nail the technique for punches.

You could keep going, but you give her a berry and let her go sit by the fire where Gareth’s Riolu is meditating and relax rather than do another hard session like you did yesterday.

“Thanks.” Daisy says, giving you a shy smile. “This was fun. I’ve never had anyone to train with before.”

“That’s a shame.” You reply. “Because you’re good at it.”

She fidgets, ducks her head, then beckons her Buneary and beats a retreat back to her tent while you release Piker.

(Part 1)

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>>6452870

After your last training session with Martha, you now know that it’ll be easier teaching Piker some intermediary moves first to give him a better grounding than to just try brute-force teach him a powerful and complicated move like Water Spout, so you decide to start with Surf.

It’s relatively easy to teach, useful in battle and it’ll be fantastic when he evolves, because he’ll be able to carry you across rivers, allow you to explore the lakes more thoroughly and while you might not be able to manage the Basculin Strait between Newport and the Rime Islands, he should be able to manage shallower and less treacherous stretches of the sea.

All in all, a move that you’re determined to teach him sooner rather than later.

With that in mind, you start with the basics - creating the necessary volume of water in a short enough time frame and at the necessary pressure.

You move a short way from camp to avoid accidentally washing things out before you start practicing. This proves to be a wise move, as fairly soon, Piker is throwing considerable volumes of water around to varied results.

He’s struggling, but you call a halt after he accidentally manages to launch himself with a bad attempt and crashes into a tree, hard.

His aura drops to yellow, but more concerning is how stiffly he hauls himself up and how gingerly he moves afterward.

“That’s enough for now. Good effort today.” You tell him, giving him a Bluk Berry to take the edge off and noting as you do that you only have one Oran Berry left.

You return to camp shortly there after to find that Holly’s had a shower and Daisy’s evidently taking her turn now.

Martha’s also emerged from your tent.

“How’d training go?” She asks.

“Alright. Piker’s going to be a bit tender for a day or so.” You reply.

She gives you a flat look.

“We were practicing Surf.” You explain. “He accidentally launched himself and crashed into a tree. He’s a bit bruised, but he’ll be alright.” You defend.

She sighs.

“I swear… how is it, you can get away with the dumb, stupid shit, but something mild like that is where the accident happens?” She wonders rhetorically.

“Complacency’s funny like that.” You reply, shaking your head. “But it was a freak accident, in this case.”

“I’m just glad he’s alright.” Martha admits.

It’s dusk now and dinner’s still going to be a while.

>Talk with someone.
>Train one of your pokemon. (Piker and Nika are Tired. Latias is Exhausted)
>Call Fie.
>Study something.
>Other

>>6452871
>>Call Fie.

>>6452871
>Call Fie.

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>>6452875
>>6453069

It's been a few days, so you decide to call Fie. At this time of day, she'd be de-stressing after spending her day in the gym.

You go sit by Latias again and pat her flank as you call Fie.

It takes a minute for her to pick up, but after the third ring, she answers.

++"Hey, Alex."++ She says, sounding and looking tired. It must've been a long day.

"Hey Fie." You reply, smiling. "Long day?" You guess.

++"Yeah, kind of a long day. Gym caught fire twice. Novice trainers who don't know their fire safety."++ She explains with a sigh and you have to wince at that.

That means paperwork.

"Oof. That's not great." You admit.

++"Yeah, although from what I hear, you've had a lot more not great on your plate lately."++ She says with a wry smile. ++"And some 'holy shit' this afternoon, if what Martha's told me is correct."++ She adds pointedly.

"Oh? What'd she say?" You ask, curious to know how Martha characterised you going after Landorus.

++"That you, off the cuff, decided to go chasing Landorus with Latias and not only caught up with him, but caught him."++ Fie replies. ++"You're nuts, you know that, right?"++ She asks, shaking her head.

>I mean, I wasn't expecting that to actually work...
>I know, but I figured it was worth a shot.
>I'm quite sure I have no idea what you're talking about.
>Other

>>6454099
>I'm quite sure I have no idea what you're talking about.

>>6454099
"You love me because I'm a bit nuts."

>>6454099
>"You love me because I'm a bit nuts."

>>6454099
>"You love me because I'm a bit nuts."

>>6454135
>>6454589
>>6454630

"You love me because I'm a bit nuts. And you knew what you were getting into." You reply with a lopsided smile.

++"I had an inkling. I didn't think you were actually 'Legendary Hunter as a novice trainer' crazy."++ She replies drily. ++"Still. I'll be interested to see if you can pull it off."++

"Kind of wish I had a bottle of alcohol I could give him." You admit.

++"You're just going to have to settle for some good food."++ Fie advises. ++"Still. Heard about the shitshow with Latias and your giving Jacky a hand in Redmont."++ She says. ++"How're you holding up? I mean - I know my brother says that Greenshoot's a nice town and everyone pitches in to help people when they're down, but your house being condemned isn't a 'no big deal' event."++

>Honestly, alright. Things could be worse.
>I'm holding it together, but the pressure's there now.
>I guess I'm grateful for the excitement and being on this journey, because I've not been able to stop and think about it.
>Numb, honestly. What sort of sociopath *does* that?
>Other

>>6455470
>>I guess I'm grateful for the excitement and being on this journey, because I've not been able to stop and think about it.
That's why I need to catch MORE LEGENDARY. For Home defense purpose. Like founding Apricorn master intended.

>>6455470
>>I guess I'm grateful for the excitement and being on this journey, because I've not been able to stop and think about it.

>>6455480
>>6455686

"I guess I'm grateful for all the excitement and being on this journey, because I've not been able to stop and think about it." You reply frankly and the realisation sits in your gut like a lead weight.

++"That why you went chasing after Landorus?"++ Fie asks.

You're silent at that as you turn the question over.

>Yeah, but not for the excitement. I'm going to need strong pokemon if I want to take on more trainers.
>I just wanted to see if Latias and I could catch him.
>...I don't know. Maybe?
>Other (Highly encouraged.)

>>6456945
"No. I just felt like... I **had** to do it. What if another sociopath irresponsably catch it? What if team green got their nasty hands on Master Balls?
...
Yeah, it was not a stupid thrill chase thing. Maybe more a Savior Complex one."

>>6456945
>>...I don't know. Maybe?

>>6456945
>...I don't know. Maybe?
To catch a god

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>>6456968
>>6457181

It's a good question and not one that you really have an answer for. Partly because you've been focused on the journey ahead of you, rather than the mess that fucker Laurence made of your house.

"...I don't know." You admit cautiously after a long moment. "Maybe?"

Fie sighs.

++"Look, it's fine if you're shaken up about your house and nearly losing Latias to that fucker, but please don't go taking stupid risks."++ She says. ++"You're a good trainer and unless I miss my guess, you've got a long and bright career ahead of you. You're not going to have to worry about money."++ She adds seriously.

"I'll try not to." You reply.

++"I'll take it."++ Fie says, giving you a wry look.

>So, how'd the gym catch fire?
>How's your dad taking the mess Team Green made?
>Oh yeah, you might have a group of really strong trainers dropping by in a day or two.
>Thanks for the talk. I won't keep you any longer.
>Other

>>6458079
>>Oh yeah, you might have a group of really strong trainers dropping by in a day or two.

>>6458079
>Oh yeah, you might have a group of really strong trainers dropping by in a day or two.

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>>6458190
>>6458326

A thought hits you.

"Oh yeah, you might have a group of really strong trainers dropping by in a day or two." You reply.

++"Ooh, how strong?"++ Fie asks, perking up.

"Really strong. Some of their pokemon had weird moves they ordinarily wouldn't know, or else had moves that worked a bit different to normal." You explain, before recounting your battle with James.

++"Huh. They do sound tough."++ Fie agrees. ++"They say where they're from?"++

"One of them, a big blond guy named Sven, said they're on break from the Falinks Ranger Academy." You reply.

Fie grimaces.

++"Right. Yeah, I've heard of that place."++ She confirms. ++"They're definitely going to be tough. You did well beating one of them, even if you did get lucky. The Falinx academy is known for only taking the best of the junior leagues by invite and for being absolutely brutal with its standards and curriculum."++ She explains. ++"The Academy is basically there to turn out the Ranger Union's elite members who're then tasked with going around and kicking the living shit out of criminal organisations and syndicates until they disband. They apparently got their start around twenty years ago. Don't really know too much about that, but the first class weren't all that spectacular, from what I hear, which is apparently why they switched to headhunting prodigies from the junior leagues."++

"You sure know a lot about them." You observe.

++"My brother got invited to join."++ Fie explains. ++"He declined, but he said that the academy was absolutely spartan, for how state of the art it is."++ She added. ++"Guess I'll have to be on my A-game when they come calling. What did they all look like?"++

You briefly describe Sven and his friends as Fie puts down some notes, then she sighs.

++"Alright, well thanks for the heads up. If nothing else, I'll be able to tell some of the others that they can either break out the really high-level pokemon or let 'em through."++ She says. ++"I've got this paperwork to finish up though and I'm starving, so I'll let you go."++

"Love you." You reply, receiving a blown kiss in response before Fie ends the call.

"Good talk?" Gareth asks.

"Yeah, good talk." You confirm.

>Study something.
>Groom one of your pokemon.
>Talk with someone.
>Other.

>>6459170
Groom Piker

>>6459170
>Talk with someone.
Fie

>>6459258
Fie we just called for half an jour?

>>6459170
Groom Piker

>>6459259
I wanna talk more

>>6459656

If you elaborate more on that, I'll keep it in mind for the next time you have the opportunity to talk.

>>6459658
Honestly, I just wanna know how the gym caught fire twice in a day but missed the vote to ask and I think we could help her teach the newbies to not torch the gym constantly

>>6459659

Noted, I will remember that as a potential subject for the next time you call her.

>>6459257
>>6459275

Okay, can I get some rolls, please.

DC 60. He's a little sore.

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>6459667

>>6459672
Niiiiiice

Rolled 36 (1d100)

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>6459667

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>>6459672
>>6459702
>>6459808

After the knock he took earlier, you decide to give Piker some TLC.

He gives you a somewhat concerned and dubious look when you release him, but it's replaced by relief and understanding as you begin to gently polish his scales, rather than keep on with more training.

He leans into the cloth and lets out a peculiar and frankly adorable squeaking noise as you work, before nodding off before you're half done. You guess that after the knock he took, this might be doing a little more for him besides just keeping his scales clean.

"You're good at that." Daisy says. "I've never seen a pokemon just... doze off in someone's lap like that." She admits.

"It's a measure of trust." Gareth says as he checks dinner, then nods.

Nearly done.

"Trust?" Daisy asks, frowning.

"What, your pokemon aren't comfortable falling asleep in your lap?" Gareth asks.

"Well, they're comfortable enough to sit with me, but even when I've dozed off in the shade or what have you, whenever I've woken up, they've just been... watching." She said. "Me, the surrounds..."

Gareth and you chuckle as you finish up wiping Piker down and return the sleeping Feebas to his ball. He's looking a lot cleaner and he's clearly more relaxed than he was.

"What?"

"It's not that your pokemon don't trust you." Gareth clarifies.

"They were trying to keep you safe." You add. "Making sure nothing and no one got close to you while you were sleeping.

"Which speaks well of you, because Bunneary are notoriously skittish with their trainers unless they make an active effort to win them over." Gareth adds.

Daisy fidgets and blushes, but doesn't reply to this as Gareth checks the pots again, then nods.

"All done." He says with satisfaction, digging the cooked damper out of the coals and taking the pots off to drain and mash the potatoes.

(Part 1)

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>>6462028

Meat and three veg isn't the most inspiring of meals, but it's still welcome after another long day's hike, even if you spent most of it flying with Latias.

Your pokemon are likewise enjoying their own meals, Latias, Nika and Piker in particular after their exertions today.

When you're done with the main meal, Gareth goes the extra mile and prepares some whipped cream, so you can have it with some of the leftover damper and jam for dessert.

When you're done, Holly goes to wash up, leaving you with Gareth, Martha and Daisy just lazing around the fire.

>Ask Daisy about herself. It's been a couple of days and you still know next to nothing about her.
>Ask Martha what she was doing in the tent while you were training Nika and Piker.
>Ask Gareth what you can expect in Genesis Cave. It's only a day or two away now.
>Study something. Martha mentioned the Shrine of Plenty before you went and caught Landorus, but you still need to figure out where you'll go after you reach Halfway City and there're plenty of other topics you could stand to look into...
>Just lay back and watch the stars and let the others socialise some.
>Other

>>6462029
>Meat and three veg isn't the most inspiring of meals
Boeuf Bourguignon begs to differ. Just add a bottle of wine to your stew. Simple as.

>>6462029
>>Ask Daisy about herself. It's been a couple of days and you still know next to nothing about her.
new girl bonding time. I like her.

>>6462029
>Ask Daisy about herself. It's been a couple of days and you still know next to nothing about her.

>>6462029
>Ask Gareth what you can expect in Genesis Cave. It's only a day or two away now.

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>>6462034
>>6463910

You look over to Daisy and it occurs to you that despite the fact that you've been traveling together for nearly two days now, you've still hardly talked.

"So." You say as you put another branch on the fire, prompting Daisy to look up from her pokedex to you, blinking owlishly at the change in light level. "How're you enjoying yourself so far?"

"It's been pretty fun so far." Daisy admits after a moment's thought. "You guys are chill."

"Not missing home?" Gareth asks.

Daisy shakes her head immediately this time.

"Nope. Not for a moment." She admits cheerily.

"How come?" Gareth asks, sounding taken aback.

"Mum's... she's not..." Daisy grimaces. "She's a drug addict." She says heavily. "I had enough of her. I left. I thought Team Green would give me a fresh start. Help me escape."

"And instead, you're on probation." You reply, shaking your head. "That sucks." You admit, feeling inordinately lucky that for all their financial foibles, your parents are decent, upright folk.

Sure, you've ran away from home in the past, but that had less to do with your parents being awful and more to do with wanting to get away from Mike. Or else getting restless or impatient and going camping or bushwalking.

Now, that's certainly gotten you into some trouble a time or two, but never anything bad enough for the police to get involved.

"If you're looking for a place to stay when the season's out or until you turn eighteen, just say the word." Martha says, her voice a lot softer than her expression. She looks like she just bit into a rotten apple hearing that about Daisy.

The greenette gives Martha a shy smile.

"Thanks." She says.

"Well... er... d'you have any hobbies?" You ask weakly. "Or, anything you want to get out of training?"

"I'm not sure." Daisy admits. "All I really wanted to do was get away. I didn't really have a plan... I've never thought that far ahead." She admits.

>That's okay. You've got time now. I'm sure you'll find something you like.
>Give Daisy some options she can aim for.
>Change the subject and ask one of the others something.
>Well, road's not getting any shorter. Shower and turn in.
>Other

>>6464440
>>Give Daisy some options she can aim for.
Help other people in her situation by turning social worker/building a shelter.
Learn some crafts. Maybe sewing or gardening would suit her.

>>6464440
>That's okay. You've got time now. I'm sure you'll find something you like.
No need to try and make her figure something out now. She'll figure it out herself as time passes...

>>6464443
+1

>>6464443
>>6464598

"Well, there's plenty you could do, both long and short term." You assure. "Pick up a hobby, study for a job... lot's of stuff."

"Before anything else though," Martha says, giving you a look. "Take a minute to breathe and center yourself." She advises. "Talk if you want, but sounds like you just crawled out of a hell I can't fathom. You've earned some time to just adjust. Hiking out here's actually pretty good for that." She adds.

"Mm..." Daisy says, nodding. "Still, what could I do?" She asks, looking to you.

"Well long term, you could try and make it as a trainer. Take a nursing course, or just pursue further education..." You shrug. "Lots of stuff. Hobbies, there's always cooking. Gardening, sewing, crafts..."

"I'll think on it." Daisy assures, sounding a little bemused. "Can't say I've ever given any of that much thought." She admits.

"Well, you've got time to now." You assure before you lapse into comfortable silence again.

"Thank you." Daisy says at length.

You give her a small smile in response.

Holly rejoins you shortly and you lay back to look at the stars.

You've rarely seen the night sky and the stars so clearly.

"You going to go shower?" Martha asks at length.

"I can wait, if you'd prefer." You reply.

"Nah, after you." She says.

You shrug and go shower.

After the past couple of days, the hot water is heavenly, but you don't have time to really bask as the camp shower is on a timer. You wash quickly and finish rinsing as the timer runs out and change into your pajamas before returning to the fire trading places with Martha.

"I miss anything?" You ask.

"Not really." Holly confirms, then yawns. "Well, see you in the morning." She says with a wave as she heads for her tent.

"She's probably got the right idea." Gareth admits, stretching. "Night."

"Night." You say as they both leave.

You bank the fire and go climb into your sleeping bag.

>Read.
>Talk with Martha.
>Just turn in. (Dream or no dream)
>Other

>>6467012
Turn in, no dream

>>6467012
>Just turn in. Dreamless.

>>6467012
>>Read

>>6467724
>>6467334

The hike and the unaccustomed winter warmth are starting to take a toll on you, so it's not long before you've fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep.

You're actually legitimately startled awake by your alarm and as you're fumbling for it, a pillow hits you in the back of the head.

"Turn that off..." Martha mumbles sleepily. "'n' give m' pillow back..." She slurs. "Wait for mine..."

Your alarm cuts out and you blindly pass Martha's pillow back, before you settle back down into a doze.

It's cold but that won't last once the sun is up.

It feels nice to sleep in though...

You're jerked from your doze by Martha's alarm to find that it's light now, before it cuts.

"Alright, rise and shine sleepy head." Martha says, already out of her sleeping bag and changing without an ounce of self-consciousness.

You blush, but follow suit and shortly, you're stoking the fire for breakfast and trying not to think too much about what just happened while Martha cleans her teeth.

>Aim to get moving early today so you reach the roadhouse with plenty of daylight left.
>Take some time to train this morning.
>Read while breakfast cooks.
>Practice your capoeira.
>Talk with Martha.
>Other

>>6470648
>>Take some time to train this morning.
We still have Piker's evolution to reach and Wilt to manage

>>6470791
+1