[center][color=forestgreen][h2]Ryan Harrell[/h2][h3]May 12th, mid afternoon, Paris, France[/h3][/color][/center]

After sending a message to let the rest of his group know he'd caught a Pokemon - his second in less than a week! - and he had to head off to get it healed, Ryan returned Gilkey and hurried back to headquarters. Despite his giddiness about how well his adventure was starting out, as he placed the Pokeballs in the healing machine, he couldn't help but wonder whether the Castform really would take the defeat well.

At the beep that meant the healing process was complete, he picked up the capsules, letting out both Pokemon. "Cast! Castform!" his newest one squealed, looking smaller and paler in his normal form, but no less energetic as he zoomed around. Gilkey hopped after him, the two Pokemon giggling while chasing each other. Ryan gave a little smile. There were no bitter feelings about the loss after all.

[color=forestgreen]"I see you've made a new friend already,"[/color] the trainer commented. [color=forestgreen]"I'll call you Corentin - French name meaning tempest."[/color]

As if to prove he lived up to the name, Corentin instantly sped towards a stack of berry boxes, knocking them flying. [color=forestgreen]"Hey, no, no! Please, calm it down a little,"[/color] Ryan urged, rushing over and gathering up as much spilled food as he could. Once he'd placed the containers back on the shelf, he took his own box of berries from his bag and presented it to the Castform. [color=forestgreen]"You can have these instead."[/color] Corentin finished gobbling down his Mago berry, eyes widening at the contents of this box, mostly Pecha berries which Gilkey had refused to touch.

[color=forestgreen]"So, you like sweet things? I should have guessed,"[/color] Ryan said, watching the Pokemon who seemed on a constant sugar high chow down on the pink fruit. [color=forestgreen]"Convenient, seeing as Gilkey here hates them."[/color] He handed the Foongus one of her favourites, a Chesto berry. Thanking him with a soft "Foo!", Gilkey nibbled at its tough skin.

Once they'd finished eating, the trainer held out the Pokeballs. [color=forestgreen]"You ok coming back for now? We can go out and train later."[/color] As both his Pokemon drew closer, nodding, he recalled them and headed upstairs, his jacket leaving a trail of drips. Now he'd done the most important thing, heal up his Foongus and Castform, he needed to change into some dry clothes, then ask the professor about getting potions and more Pokeballs. At this rate, he'd be the first in the group to have a full team.

[center][color=forestgreen][h3]May 14th, early afternoon, Paris, France[/h3][/color][/center]

Listening to Professor Sycamore's speech, Ryan leaned forward. The way neither Gilkey nor Corentin had reacted badly to the battle had mostly put his mind at ease, and the answers to questions about Pokemon's wellbeing settled the rest of his concerns.

Then came an announcement he'd hoped he'd hear ever since he'd signed up to be a trainer. A league. Becoming a champion wasn't just a simple game goal, but a real possibility. No way was he passing this up.

Taking a paper form as he and the others left, he wasted no time in heading to his room, reading through in depth, and filling it out. He held his head high, self-assured smile across his face, as he strode back down towards the professor's office. With the way things were going, he'd have no trouble at all with this.

[hider=Ryan][b]Pokemon Team:[/b]
[list][*]Foongus ♀ (Gilkey), lv10 (0.5 xp)
[*]Castform ♂ (Corentin), lv8[/list]
[b]Items:[/b]
[list][*]Pokeball x1[/list][/hider]
[hr]
[center][color=turquoise][h2]Mililani Kekoa[/h2][h3]May 12th, early afternoon, Paris, France[/h3][/color][/center]

Mililani nodded, muttering a [color=turquoise]"thanks"[/color] before turning and leaving her newest Pokemon with Professor Sycamore, her steps heavy with reluctance. All in all, her gratitude was genuine. This was the best option for these Pokemon, better than leaving them struggling to survive in an unfamiliar world. Besides, giving the professors the benefit of the doubt was the only way she could think of to get back home.

Even so, worry gnawed at her as she petted Ohanna. The Lucario didn't seem to have sensed any warning signs, but some people were particularly good at hiding things, as Mililani knew too well. Aether were the most likely culprits, she reminded herself. The truth was, though, none of the trainers had the answers they so desperately sought. One of the worst things about all this was not knowing for sure who or what had caused it.

[color=turquoise]"I hope Mahina's going to be alright,"[/color] she whispered to Ohanna. [color=turquoise]"I hope we all are."[/color]

[center][color=turquoise][h3]May 14th, early afternoon, Paris, France[/h3][/color][/center]

Once the speech was over, Mililani stood up with a bitter laugh, storming towards the exit. [color=turquoise]"A league,"[/color] she muttered to Naia. [color=turquoise]"We've barely even started sheltering Pokemon, we're still no closer to getting back home, and now an Arceus-damn LEAGUE is suddenly our main priority."[/color]

One of the assistants approached, paper in hand. "You know, there's more to it than competition," he tried to reassure her. "It's a way to encourage Earth trainers to catch and train Pokemon. That and it'll make their job much easier. The stronger their Pokemon are, the more able they'll be to take on wild ones and bring them to safety, not to mention stay safe themselves."

Mililani sighed. She had to admit, the assistant had a point. Helping sick or distressed Pokemon was no easy task, as she knew from her Aether days. She glanced down at a scar on her hand from when she'd tried to calm an abandoned Persian. [color=turquoise]"I guess that's one way to think of it... but still..."[/color] she mumbled. The focus would end up being on the competition, she was sure of it. Even as she took the paper, she could in no way picture herself signing up.

[hider=Mililani][b]Pokemon Team:[/b]
[list][*]Primarina ♀ (Naia), lv34
[*]Comfey ♂ (Liko), lv34
[*]Lucario ♀ (Ohanna), lv34
[*]Oricorio ♀ (Palila), lv34
[*]Drampa ♂ (Aouli), lv34
[*]Alolan Marowak ♂ (Keahi), lv34[/list]
[b]Pokemon Reserves:[/b]
[list][*]Jigglypuff ♀ (Mahina), lv9[/list]
[b]Items:[/b]
[list][*]Pokeball x2[/list][/hider]