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[ ACTION , BACKDATED TO JANUARY 15 ]

[fortuna_tenax]

There you are, I've been looking for you.

[ While the contest was occurring and contestants were getting started with their entries, Jinx had taken some time to explore- stretching her legs, getting some fresh air, the works. And in that time, she'd lost track of her companion, but found something pretty dang neat- if not an unexpected dip into her funds. Still, at least it hadn't been the day pass. It had been there that she found a certain something in the meadow section... well, several somethings, but she was here for one.

She holds out a pokéball, careful to keep it away from Pup- who had taken to the things like toys- and waits to see how Razor will like his new friend. The little blue dog creature had been adorable, after all, and had been receptive to the idea of meeting a good trainer. (... She might have told it allll about her new friend.) ]

The pokéball is just a formality, really, but if you two like each other, it's yours to raise.

[lightningfang]

[After spending a couple of hours romping around with Pup, Razor is happy to see Jinx again. He perks up visibly, not quite smiling but still somehow having the body language of a dog who missed its person.

The ball she extends, however, is a bit of a shock to him.]

For... me?

[Upon receiving confirmation, he reaches for it and takes a moment to hold it in his hand, as if staring at it will let him see the creature inside.]

[fortuna_tenax]

Mmhm. ... When I saw it, I thought of you.

[ After a moment, she reaches over and pushes the button to release the little blue fight-dog. Given Pup's penchant to use them as toys, she's not surprised he's not familiar with the technology. Though, given his other tendencies, she's also not sure if he'll even like them. Still, it's time to see how they get along, so Jinx steps back a bit, gives a soft encouraging smile, and waits. ]

Go on, it's okay.

[lightningfang]

[As usual, Razor doesn't greet the animal with words, but with his movements. He cocks his head and sniffs the air, not very unlike the Riolu.

It appears he's more wary of it than it is of him, given that it approaches him first. Not that Razor is aware, but Riolu can sense his aura, and immediately understands that Jinx's appraisal of him was accurate. The boy may not be a skilled trainer at this time, but he's genuine. It shows him some level of acceptance by pushing its head into his hand, and he responds by scratching behind its ear.

Razor's eyes light up as the Pokemon gives a happy sort of whine.]

Oh... Thank you. He is so good. I will take care of him.

[fortuna_tenax]

I know you will.

[ For all that Razor's a bit... protective, he's a good kid. She's seen Pup's struggle with that, and the frustrations of it being born out of love than a lack of faith. They'll get through to him soon, though. And the riolu may just help, given his strength (according to the PokéDex that is) and psychic powers- there'll likely be no stopping him from doing what he wants.

But the gift isn't the only reason she's here- there's a lot of people, and it's been just them for a while, save when he went off with "Silver Vein". ]

How are you holding up?

[lightningfang]

[At first, he tilts his head and looks at himself, but quickly realizes it's probably a figure of speech. Another human intricacy. A shiver threatens to crawl up his spine, but Pup trots over from her resting spot to lay across his feet and introduce herself to Riolu. Razor keeps stroking the latter's head as he glances back towards the mansion.]

It is... so many humans. More than Springvale... [And even that amount of people can harbor so much trouble and hostility in their ranks.]

We stay outside.

[fortuna_tenax]

That's okay. I'll bring you the good stuff.

[ And she will, periodically, duck out with an sampling dish or two throughout the after party. Hopefully no one takes offense, but if they do... well. Their problem now.

And maybe soon they'd have more available to them so she could also make them food. That'd be nice. ]

I missed you while you were gone. Was it nice?

[lightningfang]

Thank you. It is... hard, here, with no prey to hunt.

[Razor feels more useless than he ever has before, in this world, but Jinx and their teams keep him in good spirits. Especially when Jinx says things like that. His face is suddenly warm, which he doesn't understand, but he does recognize the sensation of swelling in his chest as familial love.]

Missed you also. Silver Vein is very nice, but... it is more nice with you.

[fortuna_tenax]

This place is weird. No one in the grocery stores would tell me where they got their produce or meat... but. Well. We gotta eat. It's not your fault.

[ It was clear from the start that he was taking the inability to hunt rather... harshly. The first couple days were especially terrible on both of them, honestly, and then he had vanished for a couple hours during their brief stay in Cherrygrove... They were both on unsteady grounds in this place.

When he says what he does, though, she can't help but smile. ]

Did you get to meet the people you wanted to?

[lightningfang]

[Jinx's words are meant to be comforting, so Razor takes them at face value. Regret is a human emotion, one he will happily set aside in favor of living in the moment like a wolf should.

Regardless, he's pleasantly distracted when Pup nudges him, and he realizes both she and Riolu are staring at him, Pup tapping her feet in Jinx's direction. Razor huffs softly at her in understanding.]

Yes. [But he doesn't elaborate; rather, he takes on a wide stance, as if about to pounce, and Pup mimics it as Riolu watches.] Want to play-fight?

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Oh, well, that's enough of that conversation then. There was far more important things going on it seemed! Like the puppies playing. Which was, to be fair, immensely important. ... At least, she's assuming he's talking to Riolu? She hasn't been one for playing much in their time together, after all. Just in case, she crouches down beside it again. ]

They won't mind, really. It's okay.

[lightningfang]

[Riolu does look up at Jinx fairly confidently, but then again, it isn't he who is challenging her. On the other hand, Pup barks once -- not to deafen her, but certainly to get her attention. There's a determined look on her face all of a sudden, similar to the one she's been giving Razor for about a month, now.

One that he finally seems to be very close to matching.]

Pup wants you to play.

[fortuna_tenax]

Ohhh- I didn't realize. I'm sorry, Pup. I'm... used to cats. They communicate differently. Yeah, we can do that.

[ For a moment she considers who to send out- and then she figures, she got Razor a new friend. Why not introduce him to some of her own? She'd been busy that day, after all. So when a graceful leaf doll floats down from her release, Jinx smiles. Once she introduces her, it's time to play. ]

This is Blanca. I met her today too.

[lightningfang]

She is a good fit for you.

[Pup is certain to wag her tail before they start, so that Blanca knows without a doubt that this is a friendly battle, and not one for survival. She hardly has to look back at Razor to begin with a Howl, because as few battles as they've shared... they both start out each one with that. Even if Razor's doesn't exactly help raise Pup's attack.

Riolu has to watch from the side, apparently trying to learn some of its new trainer's nonverbal cues. It's... going to be interesting, getting used to each other.]

[fortuna_tenax]

[ There's something hilarious about her sending out one of the most status-infliction equipped pokemon she's ever seen and Razor deciding yeah, that tracks. Blanca is delighted at the idea of just a friendly sparring match, and is ready to go! (Thank God Jinx had checked her new additions and their capabilities over before she sought out Razor though- ]

Hmmm... Growth.

[ And in the sunlight, she does seem to grow in size a bit! ... Only a bit though. She's a tiny plant. Still, it's the desired effect: her Special stats have risen. Maybe not the best for direct defense, but this plant doesn't mess around! ... Okay maybe she shouldn't sleep powder her new friend. ]

[lightningfang]

[Conversely, Razor doesn't seem to really understand the concept of status moves or stat alteration, in spite of the Howl. That part is really just more... because he can.

He stomps a foot forward with a huff, and although it takes Pup a moment -- they're not quite practiced enough yet -- she interprets it as a Tackle command and sprints at Blanca, aiming to slam into the poor thing.]

[fortuna_tenax]

[ She never likes the first hit. But it does mean that Pup's close enough for a counter-attack, and one that's been boosted slightly at that! At Jinx's command, Blanca unleashes Magical Leaf, point blank. ... And tries not to think about where the leaves came from. ]

[lightningfang]

[Their lack of training is painfully blatant as soon as the attack lands. The leaves do far more damage than Razor would have ever imagined, knocking the Rockruff over and absolutely battering her.

Razor cries out Pup's name, and starts to run for her, but stops short when she raises her head and barks at him rather fiercely. They're both still for a moment, sharing defiant looks.

Ultimately, though, it seems Pup decides she wins out, because she gathers herself to her paws and throws another Tackle at Petilil. It isn't quite as focused as it would be as directed by a trainer, but she's trying, and that's the entire point.]

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Admittedly, at the severity of it Jinx flinches- she had hoped that Pup would have gotten through to him while they were apart, and- oh God, Blanca's probably stronger and has that type advantage. It's a good thing they're not having a real battle...

Blanca looks concerned for a moment. A conflict between trainer and pokémon? Had he no faith in her? But when Pup stands again and launches for another attack, she gains the little plant doll's respect. To keep trying when outmatched is to be admired. To stand against the storm, even moreso. ... Even if... the storm. Is leaves. From a tiny plant doll.

Jinx bites her lip- before she gives another call- Absorb. ]

[lightningfang]

[Though it isn't nearly as strong as the previous attack, the energy sapped from Pup is by no means negligible. She makes a sound part way between a whimper and a growl, clearly still set on proving herself.

Riolu is off away from the immediate area of battle, side-eyeing Razor as the boy seems to go through an exhausting array of emotions. Clearly Pup can't hope to win, going on like this, but... Razor is starting to realize how little he actually knows of her moveset.

Doesn't she have a move like the one that rabbit used...?]

Mud -- slap?

[Pup loses some of her ferocity, tilting her head like the confused puppy she is. She doesn't know that move. Wait, what was it?]

Um... Mud... Attack? Ground... [This is physically painful to both say and watch.] Augh. Dirt? Sand?

[Close enough! He said both words, albeit very far apart, so Pup uses Sand-Attack! At the very least, she can try to outlast Petilil by not getting hit so much.]

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Jinx legitimately hates that she's part of this. It- it's necessary, and at least with her she can be assured that nothing will go too far. Even if she hadn't started turning her life around she wouldn't have been comfortable with this.

If she keeps going, Pup runs the risk of getting hurt. If she doesn't, Pup can't prove herself. Either way, Razor may get more protective- and what if he resents her for going along with this anyways? It's like being stuck between a rock and a hard place, and also someone's carelessly throwing things off a cliff above you.

What to do- wait. ]

Blanca, Stun Spore.

[ If it lands, it adds just one more aspect to this battle of wills- and hopefully in Pup's favor. ]

[lightningfang]

[With the likelihood of a hit so low, Pup is able to dodge the stun, but it seems to not matter much, in the end. As worried as Razor is for Pup, it isn't just about her anymore. Jinx looks like she's on the verge of... something emotional, and he can't stand seeing her like that.

Despite Pup looking eager to land another attack, she stops dead when Razor gives a half spoken, half barked command.]

Enough.

[While she's obeying, he brings over his bag and offers her some of the berries they've picked. Though she doesn't seem the happiest about it, she decides to eat. Meanwhile, Razor looks to Jinx and Blanca with upturned eyes.]

I am... sorry.

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Jinx hugs Blanca the moment that Razor calls everything off. ... This is only going to get worse. ]

Razor... you have to support her in her fights, but you can't fight them for her. She wants to grow strong, but she can't do it without you.

I know it's hard at first, believe me. But they're all more capable than we thought they were.

[ Despite her distress earlier, her voice is steady and clear. This can't happen again. ]

I can help you with this, but you have to help her how she wants to be helped.

[lightningfang]

[After the small snack, Pup is looking better, and Riolu is back at her side, so at least there's that. Razor, on the other hand, seems more unsure than ever, though he finds himself looking up at Jinx for guidance.]

Want to help. Want her to be strong. [With a deep breath like a sigh, he looks down again, and pats both of his pups' heads.] I... am the weak one. Must train harder.

[fortuna_tenax]

[ Blanca floats over to Pup's side once Jinx releases her. She's truly sorry, she hadn't realized the circumstances- but the rockruff did great with all odds against her.

Quietly, Jinx crouches beside him, idly petting the closest of the pups. ]

We can have them train together. You can learn about their capabilities alongside them, support them. The Gear- it can tell you. There's a way to get it to read what it says out loud, so you'll know.

I- I'm sorry this happened. I didn't realize... ... I never wanted to hurt Pup. But I also know she wants to do this.

But Razor? It takes a lot of strength to be able to say you did wrong, and want to change. So don't forget that, okay?

[lightningfang]

[Pup licks Blanca's face as happily as before, no hard feelings! In fact, her tail is wagging in excitement from how strong Blanca really is! She may be little, but she's tough!

Razor is still unsure, but tries to take Jinx at her word. The Riolu blinks up at Jinx happily through the pets, and pats Razor's arm in turn.]

Okay. Sorry... Made you worry.

[fortuna_tenax]

[ She doesn't mention that she had assumed that he'd gotten through his block about battles while they were separated- that maybe he had seen her starting to train her pokémon more and had adjusted. He doesn't need to feel worse. If anything, she's mad at herself for not paying more attention. This could have been avoided.

At least Blanca and Pup are still getting along. Pup will grow! And then they'll be able to do even more, together! ]

You did! But we know better now. ... I know Pup's been wanting to actually battle for a while now- that's why I kept going, because I wanted to take her seriously. But neither of you are allowed to put me in that situation again- play's not supposed to hurt like that. Got it?

[ Later, she's going to activate text to speech for him, at the very least. ]

[ Backdated - 08/01 ]

[fortuna_tenax]

( it was supposed to be a normal morning- breakfast was simmering under watchful eyes, jinx had brushed razor's hair after tending to her own and she'd been checking the network like a newspaper. but then she'd noticed something- her list of pokemon was bigger than it had been last night.

okay, weird.

so she goes to check- and she has a new corviknight? daphnel? why did that sound so familiar- but okay. weird. original trainer... sylvain. but wouldn't he have said something about giving her a pokemon? there's no new messages- unless she missed something? with increasing confusion, jinx scans through her inbox- nothing new... hhhhhuh. )

This is so weird. I have one of Sylvain's pokemon, but I don't see anything from him. Has he contacted you at all?

[lightningfang]

[Razor has a feeling of impending doom. It's almost like the animal instinct before a big storm rolls in, though he can't sense anything distinctly like that, which has him... well, slightly on edge, really. He keeps quiet about it, though, waiting for the sound of thunder, metaphorically...

And Jinx's words make him rise from the floor where he was huddled around a couple of his team.]

No sounds from the box... I will check.

[It takes him a moment to navigate his PokeGear, and sure enough... there's nothing from Sylvain at all -- not even their history -- but there is an image of a Pokemon that he knows he hasn't caught. He clicks on it, and shows the screen to Jinx as the Gear announces Maurice the Midnight Lycanroc.]

Maw-ries? That... is Silver-- Sil-vein's Pup...

[fortuna_tenax]

( jinx watches as he checks- and quietly, nervously, keeps a hand on her skitty's head. skittles mews quietly, because the heavy air is uncomfortable and too strong. )

Maurice? But... why?

( but when she goes to try and message him, his contact information is gone. greyed out, like it's inaccessible- which. uh. it is, actually. immediately, she starts looking for something on the gear screen, typing rapidly- )

I can't call him.

[lightningfang]

[Though he does his best to try, Razor runs into the problem as well. Maybe he doesn't show his panic as much in his movements, his muscles feel tense and his hackles raise more by the second.]

Maybe he is lost? We can meet his pack, follow his scent.

[fortuna_tenax]

They're in the other region now- it might take us a bit to get to them. But I'm for it- we'll need to get to Goldenrod to get a ride.

( ... oh, oh boy. it... looks like on top of sylvain's absence, she also gets to explain trains to razor- but it's the best way for them to get to kanto, isn't it? so there's only so much they can do. )

[lightningfang]

A ride?

[Razor has the distinct feeling he's in for a lot of new lessons packed quickly in succession. It's fairly overwhelming, but... for Sylvain, worth every second.

He gives a soft huff, and all of his team nearby soon gather around. The boy glances around, taking a headcount, and...]

Okay. We are ready.

[fortuna_tenax]

( jinx nods, before scooping up the skitty- she'd been focusing on some of the weaker pokemon this time around, so all she had on her was basically babies, comparatively even if the last egg hatched shortly after prom, months ago. she makes a point of keeping her gear out, just in case. )

Right... ( man, good thing they already packed up, huh? ) If anything comes up, Felix will probably contact me.

( so now all that's left is booking it to goldenrod, isn't it? ... sighs, she probably should have at least kept amalthea-- oh well. )

[lightningfang]

[Razor just doesn't believe in many possessions. He keeps just enough changes of clothes to keep Jinx off his back, food for his team, and his practice sword. He is Always packed.]

At the Center, I will get Maw... He can meet Pup, and Cub... Then, after the ride... They track him, together.

[Even after so long, it feels odd and difficult for Razor to speak so much at once... And even as he tries to head for the door, his hair still stands on end. Not much makes him feel quite this anxious. An injured packmate, a missing pup... He thought he'd left this sort of worry behind in Wolvendom.]

[fortuna_tenax]

( the best thing about having checked her gear when she did? all the stuff she did carry was already packed. so all they could do was... well. get their butts moving-- wait, no, shit, checking out of the inn. give her a few minutes-

okay they're good. )

Sounds like a plan. Ah- so, to get to the place the others are in, we're going to have to ride something called a train. It's... a big metal box that glides on a track, and it goes faster than almost any pokémon. It might be a little scary, but it's gonna be okay. Okay?

( look his world has knights and shit, he has definitely never seen a train and she doesn't want to spook him. )

[lightningfang]

[Will he ever get used to all of this human stuff? Doubtful. This is needlessly complicated. Whatever happened to just... leaving someone else's territory and letting your absence speak for itself? Precious time is wasting away!

Ugh. And this train business sounds even worse. A moving metal box? People have the most horrifying ideas...

It's for Sylvain. He just has to keep telling himself that.]

Okay. I... trust you.

[fortuna_tenax]

( after a moment of observing razor- the way he quietly guards himself, the reservation in the way his mouth thins out- jinx reaches out and quietly squeezes his hand in her own. )

Hey, it's gonna be okay. I'll be right there, too.

Video

[brokencode]

[Angel is at least tangentially aware enough of general goings-on to know that... Razor might not be doing so well. She'd heard of Sylvain's departure through the grapevine, and had at least seen the two together once or twice. She'd wanted to reach out right away but... Well, the last thing she wanted to do was pick at an open wound.

So, early one morning, she opens her gear up and sends a video on over. She has Adorababy perched on her lap, nice and comfortable in the morning sun.]

Razor? It's Angel. I wanted to see how you were doing.

[lightningfang]

[At the very least, Razor either has a short attention span, or is quite accustomed, by now, to being separated from friends and family. So... he doesn't seem to understand why Angel is reaching out.]

Hello! We are okay... Resting, after the temple stuff... Were you there?

[brokencode]

[Well... that's alright by her! If he's not immediately sure what she's talking about, she certainly won't press the issue.]

I was in and out. I heard there was quite the battle! You were not injured, were you?

[lightningfang]

Oh, no. Not in fighting... Maybe my hand burned, but from my starfish.

[Because that makes total sense.

Razor soon remembers his manners, however.]

Oh! Are you also okay?

[brokencode]

Your... hand burned? [Processing... processing...] Did it use Scald while you were trying to help it?

[Someone obviously wasn't expecting that question.]

Oh-- I'm fine! Thank you for asking. Like I said I was occupied with several other things. I did do a little exploring with Armin but that was about it.

[lightningfang]

No, no moves... Maybe it stings?

[Razor nods emphatically.]

What were you doing?

[brokencode]

It... stings?

[Her head tilts in the opposite direction.]

We looked around for pieces of the map. I found a really lovely scarf!

[lightningfang]

The starfish. Do they sting?

A scarf? Good... Winter will be soon.

[brokencode]

The Staryu? I don't... think they do, but I have never had one.

[At that, she makes a face.]

I... feel like I didn't make it far in my journey at all. But I do not know that I am able to travel during the winter. Then again. It will be nice to settle down and see Armin again.

BACKDATED AF

[fortuna_tenax]

( hey guess who totally didn't forget to post this the day of like an idiot. it certainly isn't me. anyways, its razor's birthday and you know what that means? jinx gets to do Nice Things for her best boy. so after birthday pancakes and the morning brushies- very important, do NOT skip!!!!- she went and did a little shopping. razor's not someone who cares for material things- and she tends to keep track of the tents and cookware when they're on the road.

but jinx is also a firm believer that food is a love language, and it's her most favorite. so. yeah.

at some point in the evening, jinx will be making him a steak and potato dinner... and just this once, no green things. just for him. (and yes the potatoes are the puppy-paw hashbrowns he showed her how to make, because cuuuute!) and at the end of the night, a maple cake with a fluffy frosting- hopefully it's not too sweet for him, but even so she's going to make sure he paces himself. ... she learned her lesson with the snickerdoodles.

and for his darling mons, pokepuffs. even for the little shit of a starfish.

the non-food gifts of the day is, however, a cozy poncho and a cozier blanket, big enough to share with... well, she's hesitant to say all the lupical, but it's probably close. snuggles are important as the weather changes, don't you know. )