[color=hotpink][h2][center]♥ Ellanor "Ella" Beaufort ♥[/center][/h2][/color] [color=hotpink][h3][center]Location: Feyhollow Town[/center][/h3][/color] [@Dusksong] A lump formed in Ella's throat as she watched Florence try to stand, determined to save her Pokemon despite her own condition. [color=hotpink]"Leisy's right,"[/color] she said gently, helping Florence up. She felt terrible saying it. The only people she'd ever seen this broken with grief were Vivian's parents. [color=hotpink]"Vernie would hate it if you got hurt again."[/color] Her own legs shook, but she remained standing, supporting the other girl. [color=springgreen]"B-But..."[/color] Florence could only speak in a trembling whimper. [color=springgreen]"Who knows what could happen to her?"[/color] That feeling of complete and utter powerlessness returned. [color=hotpink]"We'll find her,"[/color] Ella tried to reassure her. [color=hotpink]"The sooner we rest, the sooner we'll be able to. Florence, we'll do everything we can to help you!"[/color] She took a step forward. [color=hotpink]"Come on, let's get this Cutiefly back home,"[/color] she said, glancing down at the bug in the Audino's arms. One Pokemon found - another lost. The Cutiefly must have sensed the thieves earlier, she realised, and so had Jumbles, most likely. That would explain their odd behaviour. And the poachers must have done something to agitate the Onix... If only she'd paid more attention to the warning signs. With heavy, weary footsteps, the group headed back into town. [hider=Ella] [b]TP:[/b] +1 + 15 (mission) (75) [b]Pokemon:[/b] [list][*]Trubbish (Treasure), female, lv16 [*]Ekans (Smiley), male, lv7 [*]Duskull (Brighteye), female, lv27 [*]Inkay (Jumbles), male, lv10 [*]Stunky (Allsort), male, lv9 [*]Pumpkaboo (Lucette), female, lv7[/list] [b]Inventory:[/b] [list][*]Black Sludge x1 [*]Pokeball x1 [*]Rare Candy x6[/list] [b]Rank:[/b] Skilled [b]Organisation:[/b] None[/hider] [hr] [color=springgreen][h2][center]✿ Florence Hadley ✿[/center][/h2][/color] [color=springgreen][h3][center]Location: Feyhollow Town[/center][/h3][/color] [@Dusksong] When the old couple opened their door, their relieved expressions turned into shocked ones as they took in the state of the group. At first, Florence couldn't bring herself to speak. When she opened her mouth, only a sob came out, tears spilling down her cheeks. If she told the story, that would make it real. And what if the couple blamed themselves? It was Ella who told them what had happened. The old lady's kindly eyes widened. [color=palegoldenrod]"Come on in! You look like you need to sit down. We'll get you something warm to drink, and we'll make sure the authorities know about this. They say they're looking into what's been going on, and alerting people."[/color] Florence shook her head. [color=springgreen]"Th-Thanks, but we really need to get back to the Pokemon centre."[/color] Although the old man gave a warm smile, there was something sad in his eyes, as if he were at a loss. [color=khaki]"The least we can do is give you a token of thanks, after what you've done for our Pokemon, and after what you've been through,"[/color] he said, as the Cutiefly landed on his outstretched hand. [color=khaki]"Right now, it seems you could do with some more good, reliable friends to help you through this. We have three kinds of egg to choose from - Cutiefly, Combee or Weedle."[/color] Hesitating, Florence nearly turned down the offer. How could she be trusted with any more Pokemon, after what she'd let happen? Deep down, though, she knew the man was right - and that she was unlikely to get Vernie back while still a beginner. Once the group had chosen their eggs, Florence thanked the couple again before setting off towards the Pokemon centre, still leaning on Ella. In her cupped hand was a tiny, pastel yellow egg. Receiving it should have been a joyous experience, but instead, she just felt numb and empty as she cradled it close to her aching body. Beside the girls, an unusually subdued Bonica followed, as did Treasure, who held a larger, brown egg. The moment she entered the building, the nurse took one look at her and hurried over. [color=lightpink]"Florence! What happened?"[/color] Florence found herself able to explain the story this time, albeit in a rushed, garbled way, the tears coming back as she sank into a chair. She closed her eyes and hunched over, feeling Nurse Joy's hand on her uninjured shoulder. [color=lightpink]"Oh, Florence! Are your other Pokemon ok? You're not badly hurt, are you?"[/color] her former colleague asked. [color=springgreen]"I... I'll be fine, I think,"[/color] the trainer mumbled. [color=springgreen]"So will Bonica here, she's not hurt, thank Arceus. W-We just... We just need to rest up before we can do anything.[/color] She pressed a button on a Pokeball, and her newest team member appeared. [color=springgreen]"Panacea... Please, look after this egg."[/color] Staring up in concern, the Happiny removed the stone from her pouch and replaced it with the Cutiefly egg. Florence ruffled Panacea's curly hair, then reached for her medical kit, rubbing sanitiser into her hands, cleaning the bite wound and applying a bandage. [color=springgreen]"I'm sorry, Cea... I-I said you'd get to play, but... your new playmate..."[/color] Her eyes stung again. [color=springgreen]"I'll find her! I'll keep searching until I find her!"[/color] As Panacea placed a stubby hand on Florence's leg, guilt washed over the trainer. The Happiny had only gone with her because of Vernie. So had Bonica. Without the Chikorita around, would they really be happy travelling with her? [i]I'll reunite them,[/i] she thought, fingernails digging into her palms. [i]I'll make sure of it.[/i] [color=lightpink]"It's important you take care of yourself,"[/color] the red-haired woman said, helping Florence up and leading her to a room, accompanied by one of her assisting Pokemon. [color=lightpink]"Clefable, please watch over Florence, and help her sleep with Sing."[/color] As the tired and distraught trainer slumped onto the bed, the Fairy type approached her. [color=springgreen]"Both of you..."[/color] she whispered to Bonica and Panacea, after the nurse had left. [color=springgreen]"Sleep will do you good too, after... after today."[/color] Even as Clefable began her lullaby, Florence couldn't imagine falling asleep, worries gripping her mind like a waking nightmare. That squeal, those terrified red eyes, were all she could think about. Before long, though, her heavy eyelids closed, exhaustion taking over. [hider=Florence] [b]TP:[/b] +1 + 15 (mission) (41) [b]Pokemon:[/b] [list][*]Chikorita (Vernie), female, lv5 [b](Missing)[/b] [*]Budew (Bonica), female, lv6 [*]Happiny (Panacea), female, lv1 [*]Cutiefly egg[/list] [b]Inventory:[/b] [list][*]Pokeball x1 [*]Potion x1 [*]Rare Candy x2[/list] [b]Rank:[/b] Beginner [b]Organisation:[/b] Aether Foundation[/hider] [hr] [hider=CP]+1 (44)[/hider]