[center][color=forestgreen][h2]Ryan Harrell[/h2][h3]May 7th, Norilsk, Russia[/h3][/color][/center]

A proud grin spread over Ryan's face as he held up the newly-occupied Pokeball. [color=forestgreen]"You see? That's how you go about it,"[/color] he lectured the others. Didn't that other guy know that running up to a wild animal and throwing things at it would only spook it? He hoped his fellow beginner trainer hadn't scared the Foongus too much. At least the mushroom Pokemon had visibly relaxed afterwards, enough to go along with him.

As much as he wanted to get back to headquarters and spend time with his new Pokemon, the mission's objective still wasn't complete. His spirits bolstered, he sprinted to the front. He was, after all, the first of the group to catch a Pokemon...

Twenty minutes later, it turned out expending his strength like that hadn't been the best move. Gritting his teeth and trying to ignore the stitch developing in his side, he forced himself to keep going as people began to outspeed him. This wasn't a race, at least not to the others, but no way was he going to break his streak of success. Mustering his remaining energy, he made a wild dash towards the front...

And promptly fell forward into the snow, sending powder flying up. Cringing at the sound of snickering, he staggered to his feet and dusted off his coat. [color=forestgreen]"Heh, laugh all you want!"[/color] he called to the two people who rushed ahead, their jeers continuing. [color=forestgreen]"I st-still beat you to it in the P-Pokemon catching department!"[/color] Trying to stop his teeth chattering, he patted the round shape of the Pokeball zipped up in his pocket. No matter what, he reminded himself, he was the first official trainer on the project. Maybe, once those two idiots had their own Pokemon, he'd show them a thing or two in a battle.

Despite the ache in his bruised knees, he resumed a jog, only for people to slow down around him. Just when the sargeant announced it was time to head back, something caught everyone's attention. A short distance away stood an Alolan Vulpix, wagging its tail like a friendly little puppy.

The bubbly goth girl he'd seen around a few times seized the opportunity, bouncing forward and throwing a Pokeball. Just a moment after vanishing into it, the Vulpix popped back out, seemingly treating this as a form of play as it batted the capsule around.

Considering the girl's enthusiasm and the fact that he already had a Pokemon, Ryan wasn't going to go for this one, but he peered closer. This was a good observation opportunity, and maybe he'd have to gently advise the goth girl if she made any more mistakes.

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[center][color=turquoise][h2]Mililani Kekoa[/h2][h3]May 7th, Norilsk, Russia[/h3][/color][/center]
[@Cerces22]

Flexing her numb fingers above the Monferno's flames, Mililani watched a blond-haired guy's attempt at catching the Foongus, this time successful. For a moment, given the way he'd comforted the poor nervous Pokemon, it looked like he might have the right idea. Then of course he had to go and brag, casting more than a shadow of doubt over whether the capture had been entirely for the Pokemon's sake, if at all.

[color=turquoise]"D-Don't you let it g-go to your head,"[/color] she warned, barely able to speak for shivering, before everyone resumed running. An eternity seemed to pass as the bleak landscape stretched endlessly on with no sight of the Ice type the group was so keen on finding.

When the sergeant finally announced it was time to call it a day, Mililani slowed her pace. [color=turquoise]"W-Well, hopefully the Ice type will do alright out here until s-someone can find it,"[/color] she muttered to the pink-haired girl and the two Pokemon. [color=turquoise]"And th-thanks, Hephaestus."[/color] Although she had a Fire type of her own, she wasn't letting Keahi out here, considering his possible unpredictable reactions to wild Pokemon.

The sudden appearance of the Pokemon they'd nearly given up on, a Vulpix with white fur that marked it as being from Mt Lanakila, drew everyone over. Shivering violently despite the nearby Fire-type's warmth, Mililani observed from a distance. Many of the Earth people, she'd noticed, had this fascination with certain Pokemon from Alola, specifically the ones with different forms in other regions.

Just as she'd expected, someone rushed right forward, flinging a Pokeball. Mililani shook her head, letting out a long, drawn-out huff, breath misting into the air. Unsurprisingly, the fox leapt back out of the capsule. Why did so many people think charging over and hurling a Pokeball before the Pokemon even knew what was going on was the best way to catch one?

[color=turquoise]"Oh d-dear Arceus, what is w-with this bunch?"[/color] she mumbled to the girl who'd let out the Monferno, in Poke so nobody from Earth would understand. Given the earlier act of kindness, she wasn't going to entirely shut out this woman, but she wasn't going to let her too close either. From what she'd heard, Liz had a reputation as a champion, and some champions went to any extreme to reach the top. Extremes she hoped none of these beginners would end up resorting to.