[@Joshua Tamashii]

He looked a little confused at her statement, but it did seem she was heading off for the Silent Shrine. [color=6d80ab]‘You’re welcome. And also, I’d recommend grabbing an umbrella if you’re heading out on Route 3, heh. They sell a few at the store.’[/color] He then walked off to probably reappear somewhere else, fairly shortly.

Regardless of if she actually went to get an umbrella, they could probably be bought for, like, 50 P, Amelia would soon arrive on Route 3 as part of the trip to the Silent Shrine. Although the trip would take a left really soon… she was still greeted by the pouring rainstorm that so commonly plagued the route, water and wind showering down on just behind Highhill Town.

[hider=Route 3][center][h2]Route 3[/h2]

[url=https://i.imgur.com/nMLiW5g.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/PsW7NgC.jpg[/img][/url][/center]

Route 3 is partly covered by the Silent Forest, but a path has been made through the trees for people travelling by the northern path from Rainrock down to Highhill and onto Pureplain. It is a fairly decently travelled road, as it’s the main road from Pureplain to the other cities of Isson. But, that doesn’t change that it’s almost constantly under a heavy downpour from the many clouds known to gather in the routes around Rainrock City. The atmosphere is constantly damp, thanks to the rainy weather. Chances are large that Pokémon preferring a rainy day will be found in this route. 

While there’s likely a road for vehicles, the route for travellers is much different. With the proximity to Highhill, there’s actually a fair amount of hills in the area, and the route goes up and down. The path itself is fenced in with wooden fences and stairs up and down the hills, following those would lead to a fairly easy traversal to Rainrock City. But, step outside, and you’re officially in Silent Forest. The path is mostly cobblestone and stairs. The trees are mostly green with leaves but some blossom in pink or stranger colors. And of course, plenty of Pokémon if you just stray slightly from the road.

Due to the high amounts of rain and vegetation, few people live on this route, and besides the route itself there’s little in the ways of civilization. Just a very long, very wet route, with two splits. One near Highhill Town going deeper into the forest to the Silent Shrine, and one close to Rainrock east for those heading to Route 4 and Mt. Strength or Stillwood Village. Regardless… the rain will feel like it ends very suddenly, in either of those directions. But it has been like that for so long, people have just accepted it. “It rains on Route 3”, “water is wet”. And so, reality continues.[/hider]

Oddly enough, despite it was half a rainstorm, Amelia did not feel her usual apprehension for storms.

Additionally, the moment she strayed onto Route 3 to walk on to the Silent Shrine connected to the route, Amelia would feel the familiar sense. There are ghost-Pokémon on Route 3. Actually…

“DON’T LET YOUR CHILDREN HOLD DRIFLOONS!” - Sign at the entrance of Route 3. … There may be Drifloons on this route. So, it wouldn’t take too long to find one, with Amelia’s senses. They weren’t exactly as common as this sign made them seem. In fact, moving through Route 3 she’d undoubtedly see the two other most common Pokémon of Route 3 first. Some Bellsprouts just outside the fence just rooted there looking around, and some Shroomishes resting or preparing to get moving for the incoming night.

[center][url=https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/a/a2/069Bellsprout.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/9U2CH6G.png[/img][/url][/center]

[center][color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #69 – Bellsprout, the Flower Pokémon. A carnivorous plant, it traps and eats bugs to eat. It can root itself deep into the ground to drink, or uproot itself to move. It’s skinny body is extremely flexible to avoid attacks, and its speed with its Vine Whips at prey are said to be blindingly fast. It loves hot and humid places.[/i][/color][/center]

[center][url=https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/d/d8/285Shroomish.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/nocXtzD.png[/img][/url][/center]

[center][color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #285 – Shroomish, the Mushroom Pokémon. It lives deep in dark, damp forest where it eats the composted soil and fallen leaves. By day it remains still in the forest shade, by night it moves to eat. If it detects danger, it can spout highly toxic spores from the top of its head, strong enough to make trees wilt.[/i][/color][/center]

But… soon enough, if she just followed the road and avoided coming into contact with other trainers, she could see some… up there.

[center][url=https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/e/eb/425Drifloon.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/iTWyhsf.png[/img][/url][/center]

[center][color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #425 – Drifloon, the Balloon Pokémon. They tend to float around aimlessly. It loves damp weather, and can express emotions by expanding or shrinking. If a child grabs one it looks harmless because they’re so light, but children that have held a Drifloon for too long sometimes vanish. Stories say these children are dragged to the afterlife.[/i][/color][/center]

They were drifting above just under the crowns of the trees, likely soaking in the (according to them) lovely dampness of Route 3. Drifting aimlessly, they hadn’t even noticed Amelia yet. But, if Amelia wanted to, she could probably do something to get their attention. If she wasn’t afraid of being dragged to the afterlife by one, that is.

__________________________

[@Pirouette]

Pikachu totally looked super-happy at being called cute and shaking hands with Erika. But, he looked very happy with Joshua too. So, yupp.

Later.

[color=668570]‘I’m Joshua of Justroad City! It’s an honor to meet a woman of your caliber, style, grace and beauty, ma’am!’[/color] Joshua said, beaming to the woman after Erika’s introduction. She got a raised eyebrow from Lesley and a little chuckle, which he seemed to classify as a win.

[color=decdad]‘And I’m Ewan, same city. We two are trainers entrusted Pokédexes by Jacques of the Elite Four, while Erika’s is from Kalmia.’[/color] Ewan presented, nodding to her. [color=decdad]‘As Erika said, we were merely following.’[/color]

[color=edbf8e]‘Yeah, that’s okay.’[/color] Lesley smiled and nodded to them. [color=edbf8e]‘I was just that the intentions of those three was so blindingly obvious, I had to scare them off as quickly as possible to preserve my mood.’[/color] Lesley grinned happily as she said so. Assumingly, said happy grin was what she was trying to preserve, don’t imagine her without it.

[color=edbf8e]‘And don’t worry. You’re not trespassing, because this isn’t a recognized area you can trespass on.’[/color] Lesley waved her hands a little to discard Erika’s worry. [color=edbf8e]‘Thing is, if I tried to officially lay a law of protection on this place, everyone would learn it exists. Then, illegal or no, hunters would flock to this place. So, I’m just hoping it remains unnoticed by as many as possible, okay?’[/color] Lesley smirked at her. [color=edbf8e]‘I know it’s probably not going to work forever, but hey, I’ve got a pretty good number of competent guards watching it, don’t I?’[/color] So she smirked, and gestured to the flying Druddigons circling the mountains, and the occasional Salamence mixed into the mix.

[color=edbf8e]‘Erika Olsen…’[/color] Lesley looked at her a little, inspecting her. Meanwhile, the Salamence next to her had lost interest in the three trainers and instead turned his head to look over a family of Bagons throwing themselves off the cliff over there, then climbing up again… [color=edbf8e]‘Related to Johanna Olsen, by any chance? Now that’s a fine trainer…’[/color] Lesley smirked, analyzing Erika for potential connection. She chuckled a little.

[color=edbf8e]‘Anyway, what are you gonna do now?’[/color] She asked, looking at them.

__________________________

[@Rune_Alchemist]

[color=d6d2a9]‘…’[/color] Yvonne stared with her confident glare at Claire after having gotten her badge back, but didn’t say anything while Claire made her announcement. Then she looked away, her expression a bit… nauseated. [color=d6d2a9]‘Good luck with that…’[/color] Claire was free to interpret that any way she wanted.

So, Claire got her Pokémon healed…

[hider=nurse][url=http://i.imgur.com/9BmULgS.jpg][img]http://i.imgur.com/YHtjmDC.jpg[/img][/url]

[color=f59a95]‘Hello, and welcome to the Pokémon Center. Would you like to rest your Pokémon?’[/color]

Assumingly, yes.

[color=f59a95]‘Okay. I’ll take your Pokémon for a few seconds, then.’[/color]

She’d then accept the Pokéballs and put them into the machine, and…

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZugkxi_b8o][center][i]Di, di, di-do-da![/i][/center][/url]

[color=f59a95]‘Thank you for waiting. We’ve restored your Pokémon to full health.’[/color]

She says as she hands the Pokéballs back. She then bows to her customer and gives a friendly smile.

[color=f59a95]‘We hope to see you again!’[/color][/hider]

… And then she was on her way!

So, heading through Redcoast City. It’s a fairly nice place. There’s an atmosphere of that people are supposed to enjoy the city, with plenty of restaurants or shops or various luxury things around calling for the attention of a passerby to spend their valuable time and money. Hotels by the side of the sea with excellent views and the like… yet… it was not for any of those Claire was heading right now.

She found the Gym quickly enough. It was… huh. While other buildings around all seemed homely and inviting, this was a grey warehouse. There were scaffolding covering the side of it, seemingly bent on repairing or maintaining parts of it that were falling apart, and multiple walls showed signs of previous maintenance or just had outright cracks in them. Also, there were loud sounds coming from within. They sounded like cries…? Their origin was unknown. But, on the outside, a sign stood that cleared up everything else.

Redcoast Pokémon Gym - Minor League
Leader: Hector
“The Fighting Challenge-Buster!”

[color=6d80ab]‘Oh, hey! You’re a new face. Looks like I’m in time. You’re our newest Champion-to-be, correct?’[/color] Suddenly, someone approached her from the side as she was heading for the Gym. Now, Claire could completely ignore him if she wanted, or head on in.
 
[hider=This guy][center][url=http://i.imgur.com/6B7u7Dx.jpg][img]http://i.imgur.com/U6Kq8aq.png[/img][/url][/center][/hider]

[hider=Explanation][color=6d80ab]‘So, this is, as you no doubt understood already, a Pokémon Gym! The Gyms of Isson is divided into two categories, Minor and Major League Gyms. Each official town and-or city has a Gym waiting for you, which is one of the two! Defeating the challenge of the Gym earns you a Gym Badge, and there are nine Minor and nine Major League badges in Isson. You need eight badges of one kind to compete in the Pokémon League, against others of the same level! The winner of the Pokémon League then gets to challenge Elite Four and potentially the Champion!’[/color]

[color=6d80ab]‘The Minor League is primarily for people to grow as trainers, compete in the League and learn more as they complete their Pokémon journeys, as well as for those who find they can’t beat the Major League Pokémon Gyms. The Major League is for those who wants to become the very best! It’s definitely recommended to start with the Minor League, and there’s plenty of rewards for competing in it, too! Good luck!’[/color]

[color=6d80ab]‘Winning at the Pokémon League isn’t the only way to get to do the Champion Challenge, though. Any individual the Elite Four or the Champion judges worthy is allowed to fight the Elite Four and possibly the Champion for a chance to take the title! … But the normal way is most certainly to do well in the Pokémon League. Sometimes they even let multiple people who did well in the Pokémon League take the challenge, because the Elite Four aren’t immune to itching for a fight, too. Haha. But that’s for the future, back to the present!’[/color][/hider]

[hider=analysis][color=6d80ab]‘You’re here, at your first Minor League Gym! Hector is a user of Fighting-type Pokémon, a powerful type which smashes Rock, Steel, Dark or Normal types apart! But, they’re weak to Flying types, Psychic and Fairy types, so consider your team well! Also consider that Hector’s… well, he’s a bit of an oddball. He doesn’t typically just challenge people to normal Pokémon battles for his Gym challenge. Expect to be given a strange challenge he may or may not have made up on the spot! So, do you feel ready?’[/color]

So he explained, if given the chance to explain himself.[/hider]

Now, was Claire just heading straight past him? Did she stop to listen to him? Did she have any further questions? Did she reconsider her approach after having heard this? Or has she stopped to listen and is now heading in with redoubled (or unchanged) determination? Of course, all up to Claire.