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[lightningfang]

 

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[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. ]