[center][abbr=Pit][img]https://i.ibb.co/7VzgY22/pit.png[/img][/abbr]
[color=gray](holding 1 level up)[/color]
Word Count: 1011 (+2 exp)
[u]Level[/u]: [b]5[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 224/50
[b]Location[/b]: Dystopiascape - Port Meridian[/center]
After lunch (or for one of them, a second lunch), Pit and Roxas separated to continue exploring the area each on their own. Realistically, there were only so many things that could interest a teen-brained angel in the town. It was a port, but the Virgin Victory was the coolest ship in its harbor. There were plenty of shops around, but they catered to the common working person, monster trainers, and tourists. Cafes, restaurants, and food stalls were plentiful, but even with a stomach as big as Pit's there was a limit. 

The only thing he hadn't really checked out yet was the farmland just outside of town. He hadn't been kidding when he said it was the biggest farm he'd ever seen - and he found himself wandering toward the outskirts of Port Meridian almost absentmindedly. Normally, before the whole Galeem recreating the universe thing, when he was deployed for air battles he only caught glimpses of farm lands while on the way to besieged cities or much, much weirder places. Seeing rows upon rows of grain and other crops organized into sections from the sky looked sort of cool. He didn't really think seeing it up close would be any more interesting (in fact it might even be less), but maybe he could get some fresh food for the road for everyone. There was kind of no telling when they'd end up a nice town next after all.

Despite the sky gradually growing darker with clouds, Pit decided to make his way out to the fields. He figured that he could beat the rain, but even if he couldn't he didn't mind getting a little wet. The only thing that might have given him pause was the weird feeling in the air. He couldn't quite place it, but there was a gradual shift happening. He glanced toward Midgar in the distance, wondering if it had something to do with that. Then he shook his head and walked a little faster.

When he got to the edge of the farm just outside of town, it was pretty much as he'd expected - lots and lots of fruits and veggies in rows extending out for a while. On one side of the path at least. The other was a fenced in field for a cattle ranch. Pit's attention was initially drawn to the cows. Cows meant fresh milk, maybe he could get a really good milkshake! But a rumble of thunder saw the ranch hands start to move their herds out from the open and towards shelter, pausing only to say some farewells to a [url=https://i.ibb.co/S5xkFbS/Pal-merchant.png]traveling merchant[/url] that had stopped by.

While the man started down the path, Pit came up it, leaning over the ranch's fence. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Aw they're leaving? I bet that vampire-cow Pokémon has weird milk, I wanted to see!"[/color]

"The Mozzarina? Those aren't Pokémon," the merchant said as he approached, chuckling like it was silly to even think that. "They're Pals. Distinction matters!"

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Oh."[/color] Pit had heard Rui say "Pals" once or twice, but he figured it was just like calling her little critters friends or buddies. Scratching his head, Pit squinted at the animals as they were marched back into their barns. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"They all just kinda seem the same to me."[/color]

The merchant tutted, holding up a wagging finger. "Not so! Every friendly monster is different. You wouldn't confuse a Nexomon for a Coromon, would you?"

Pit looked at the man, clearly baffled. Whether it was friendliness or a need to talk about his field of expertise, the pal merchant stopped to explain in more detail.

"See, they may be similar, but they all have their own quirks. Pals come in all shapes and sizes, and they have different elemental types. Some types are strong or weak against others. As they get stronger they learn more powerful moves that they can use in battle, and they're tamed by weakening them and catching them in spheres."

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"That's exactly the same thing!"[/color]

"No, no... if you saw them up close you could see how different they are. Here, take this little one for example." The man dropped his pack to one shoulder and opened the flap. A little [url=https://i.ibb.co/RbRRPVq/Gubwee-Figurine-Common.png]creature[/url] poked its head out, blinked, and waved at Pit. "This Ooblet doesn't look anything like a Pokémon or a Pal, right?"

[i]Yes it does![/i] Pit thought. He opened his mouth to say as much, but then there was a small noise by his ear promptly followed up Sandalphon's voice. 

[i]Another Consul! They just don't quit! And... two minutes?![/i] Pit wasn't too far into the acres and acres of farm, but he was technically outside of the city. He would have to hustle. He was already turning away to get a move on when he finally spoke up again, with the merchant looking on curiously.

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"I gotta go, I was just here for some food anyway!"[/color] Pit said, scooping up the closest crop - pumpkins, one under each arm. He raced down the road back to the port, calling over his shoulder, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"And just so you know they totally do all look the same!"[/color]

He sprinted down the road back into town, then through it. With the storm now overhead, looking to unleash rain at any moment, the small crowds that had been milling about earlier had started dispersing. It made moving through the streets much easier, so there was that at least. He headed towards water, and when the bay opened up in front of him he spotted the Virgin Victory only a few docks down.

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Made it!"[/color] the boy said, leaping up onto the ship's hull. He sort of chucked the pumpkins he'd snagged into the ship's interior so that he could remain up top for now, materializing the Palutena Bow into his hands. Thankfully, the fruits' tough outer skin protected them from breaking open when they tumbled in. 

It looked like he was one of the last of the Seekers to arrive - but now that he was there, Pit was ready to fend off would-be attackers, Consul or not.