C.J. waved to William's back as he stalked into the dark forest. She called out a quick, [color=goldenrod]"Good luck!"[/color], before turning her attention back to the ongoing battle before her. She took note of the Rattata's boldness and ferocity, quickly scribbling out sketches and fragments of nearly illegible handwriting into a small leather bound book she had pulled from the satchel at her waist. After gulping down the last hunk of the rice ball, Zulu secured himself around his friend's forearm, keeping his small head exposed to the crisp night air at the base of the girl's wrist. His golden eyes flickered with anticipation as Richard's Ekans fainted Joey's Rattata with a final surge of its wrap attack. 

A pang of empathy struck C.J. as the youngster ran off with his fainted Pokémon, realizing how heartbroken she would feel when Zulu lost his first battle. More so for the confidence of her Pokémon than for a failed battle strategy on her own part. She tapped her pen against the leather cover of her book, her thoughts becoming muddled and chaotic. The victory hiss of Richard's Ekans brought her back to reality. The curious serpent drew closer to where C.J. and Zulu still sat together, and C.J. leaned forward onto her knees in a welcoming gesture. Zulu tightened his grip and retreated slightly into the folds of C.J.'s jacket. She patted his head through the yellow fabric and pulled another rice ball from her belt, happily extending the snack for the deserving Ekans before her.

[color=goldenrod]"Great battle, Ekans! Maybe you could show Zulu some of those sweet moves?"[/color] She smiled sweetly before looking over to Richard. She wondered if the martial artist would be up to accompanying her into the woods after such an intense battle, but she knew either way where her and Zulu should be heading soon. She needed to win one of those ribbon cases in order to start her journey to becoming a regional champion, but that would also mean adding a new Pokémon to her little family. It would need to be someone very special, but C.J. had high hopes for the potential partners awaiting her and Zulu within the eerie forest. She gently shook Zulu from her arm as she stood to shake Richard's hand. He plopped to the ground and balled into a defensive coil, cautiously eyeing the mirror-image before him. [color=goldenrod]"Fantastic execution, Rich! Glad Zulu and I got to see it go down."[/color] She furrowed her brows at her partner and nudged him closer to the other Ekans with her foot. [color=goldenrod]"We were just about to head out, seems like that's where everyone else disappeared to."[/color] She cocked her head to the side as she added, [color=goldenrod]"Care to join us? We might fare better with the two of you."[/color]

[@supertinyking]