[center][h2]Richard Evans[/h2][h3]Byjerlfal City — Commercial District[/h3][/center]
While some part of him did feel a bit bad about pushing the Munchlax onto Laurel, the fact that she seemed to cave in and that the Pokémon itself seemed pleased by the result left Richard with some hope that he hadn't done the wrong thing here. With any luck it'd grow on her... Provided it didn't eat her out of house and home before then. 

When Nurse Joy offered to heal their partners back up for the journey ahead, Richard was more that willing to oblige; the newfound confidence Luna seemed to have gained had left him feeling equally invigorated, and if he wasn't eager to get on the road to wherever the road took him then what else could he really have been? 

The momentary lull in activity as the Pokémon were brought away to recover was promptly broken by Laurel's own offer, though—one that Richard hadn't really expected to hear given how she seemed so eager before now to head out on her own. While he didn't have any particular goal or direction beyond taking the Gyms around the region on until this point, heading out to Giervor didn't seen like too bad of an idea—doubly so if it was at the recommendation of a local.

"Uh... Yeah, sure, I'd be fine traveling with you—if you'll have me, of course," Richard responded as he slipped both hands into his pockets. "I'd appreciate the company, especially with someone who knows this place a lot more than I do."

Once Nurse Joy returned with their now fully healed Pokémon, Richard took Luna's ball back with a 'thanks' before turning back towards Laurel.

"You want to lead the way, or should I?"

If it came down to it, he could always just use his phone's map to send them on their way... But surely Laurel would know best how to get them to where they were headed, right?

[@Rune_Alchemist]