[@Pirouette]

The Malamar glared at Sno getting in its way as it flew forth, and Sno could definitely tell it had changed target to the one most immediately in its way, even if it was still heading for Erika. It aimed Payback at Sno, and as the more experienced of the two it was confident it could hit first, and-

-and Tara struck it from behind with Astonish. It didn’t do any particular damage, but it did cause Malamar to wince and the Payback tentacle lost its focus, and then Sno adding to it didn’t help. Malamar flinched!

[color=e090b8]‘[i]MOVE[/i]’[/color] Rose shouted to them, and assuming at least Tara did, she pointed at the Malamar where it was now, and shouted. [color=e090b8]‘Jukebox, ROUND!’[/color]

Malamar spun around, preparing to dodge in whatever direction was needed… except with one Whismur having taken off to the right, one to the left, and Chimecho floating up in front, there was no direction an attack wasn’t coming from. Now, common sense would say actually moving in any direction would help take less damage, but in the heat of the moment and without its trainer’s guidance Malamar froze up. That its speed had been slower earlier could also have played a part.

The sound-energy slammed together at Malamar’s position, a very loud blast of soundwaves emerged perhaps closer to Erika’s position than those before it. Sno was completely fine, though. Eventually, the sound dissipated, and the Malamar floated briefly in the air… before collapsing onto the floor. Malamar fainted!

[center][color=6ecff6][i]Sno grew to level 27! Sno learned Frost Breath![/i][/color][/center]
[center][color=6ecff6][i]Tara grew to level 27! Tara learned Refresh![/i][/color][/center]

Then, if Erika turned back to look at Musharna, the giant Pokémon’s eyes had open to give her a very, very sullen look. Seems like it had woken up.

[color=a86f53]‘… Have you guys recovered yet?’[/color] Lotus stood up with arms crossed and asked the question to her coworkers, who were finally getting onto their feet.

[color=gray]‘Yes, I’m sorry, Director,’[/color] said one of them. Then all of them took out their various Pokéballs.

[color=a86f53]‘Good. Then catch this thief for me,’[/color] Lotus commanded, pointing forward at Erika.

[color=gray]‘At once!’[/color] the followers confirmed, and then from their Pokéballs emerged a veritable army of Drowzees, Jigglypuffs and Munnas. While individually substantially weaker than Lotus’ Pokémon, there were a LOT of them.

Rose threw one look at the army of Pokémon before spinning back to Erika.

[color=e090b8]‘Okay, time to leave!’[/color] she shouted, spinning around to go through the door at least before turning to make her Pokémon cover the door while Erika got Musharna out of here, if that’s what she was doing.

What does Erika do?

[hider=Lovesick Lane](albeit without snow)

[center][url=https://i.imgur.com/GZZwye1.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/odwDT3N.png[/img][/url][/center]

Alike Afterthought Abodes, Lovesick Lane is dominated by medium-size buildings and is primarily a residential area of Bigfjord City. However, unlike Afterthought Abodes, the citizens of Lovesick Lane managed to give their home a greater appeal, an identity of its own. It features its own streak of entertainment; there’s plenty of nice restaurants, there’s strange parlors and dance clubs, all employing various Pokémon. Compared to most other places in Bigfjord City, the citizens here seem almost happy… albeit that certainly isn’t due to the quality of their jobs, but more due to the community they return home to. The star attraction of the place is Maledy’s Menagerie, a circus as well as the star celebrities of the area. Of course, they’re rumored to do so much more than just entertain the people. The whole of Lovesick Lane has this dim magical sweet scent about it…

Yet even here, there’s people standing around, sitting outside various buildings looking sad, having likely spent what little remained in their pockets in an attempt to feel some happiness.[/hider]

[hider=Bigfjord City Map][center][url=https://i.imgur.com/HvTiU6R.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/dIZcSgV.png[/img][/url][/center][/hider]

[hider=Bigfjord City][center][h2]Bigfjord City[/h2]


[url=https://i.imgur.com/nnyLDfS.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/nnyLDfS.jpg[/img][/url][/center][/hider]

[hider=Suggestions to actions, Bigfjord City]1. Find Pokémon. [i]Can still search for Pokémon in cities~[/i]
2. Talk. [i]In cities, there are considerably more people one can talk to. Talking can give you info on local rumors and such.[/i]
3. Exit. [i]Exit the town to any of the connected areas.[/i]
4. Specify. [i]If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result.[/i]
5. Trigger random event. [i]Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you.[/i]
6. Current location: Lovesick Lane. [i]Everything you need to waste what money you still have.[/i]
	6.1. Pokémon Center. [i]Even here, there’s a Pokémon Center.[/i]
	6.2. Maledy’s Menagerie. [i]The biggest building, the palace of Lovesick Lane, is the circus run by the one called Maledy. She has various attractions, from mystical mazes, haunted houses, and of course the grand circus itself…[/i]
	6.3. The Aromatisse Atelier. [i]A chain of beauty-salons, employing Pokémon to at the very least make those who visit feel better about themselves. The scent of Lovesick Lane seems to emanate from this place, and its customers.[/i]
	6.4. Debonair Danceclub. [i]Just peeking in you can see a Jynx and a Ludicolo inspiring people to dance to various music. It is crowded, and it feels a bit desperate.[/i]
	6.5. Bigfjord Game Corner. [i]Apparently it wasn’t enough to be able to gamble in Worldedge City, they have it here, too.[/i]
6.6. Divination Corner. [i]A store where people have Psychic Pokémon and people try to predict your fortune or future. Apparently quite popular.[/i]
6.7. Dream World. [i]A big, adorned inn. A sign says; “Let our Pokémon put you to a deep, magical sleep. Wake up rested like never before.” Looks very popular…[/i]
7. Move to other areas.
	7.1. Steppingstone Streets. [i]The part of Bigfjord that most resembles a normal city. Got to keep up appearances for the freshies.[/i]
	7.2. Brighttown Boulevard. [i]The gleaming center of Bigfjord, with the bank, Rukh’s and the City Guardians’ HQ, the Pokémon Gym, and more.[/i]
	7.3. Gemstone Skyline. [i]Countless office-buildings with towering sky-scrapers and plenty of stores make a common backdrop for the city’s fighting.[/i]
	7.4. Safehouse Docks. [i]Countless warehouses loading and unloading wares from ships. Secure and orderly, for the most part.[/i]
	7.5. Evergreen Avenue. [i]The personal villas of the noble families that live here. Few stores are open here, just rich living.[/i]
	7.6. Foxhole Foundries. [i]Home to Bigfjord’s many factories and productions. Also home to many unhappy workers.[/i]
	7.7. Lovesick Lane. [i]A couple mystical streets with magic in the air, most famously surrounding Maledy’s circus, the crown jewel of the area.[/i]
	7.8. Afterthought Abodes. [i]Home to countless middle class citizens who go to work in other areas. It isn’t particularly pleasant.[/i]
	7.9. Sunset Slums. [i]A poor area where the struggling nonetheless live peaceful lives trying to survive to the next day.[/i]
	7.10. Tightrope Alleys. [i]The bad part of town. As poor as Sunset Slums, but not as peaceful. People warn you not to wander there at night, or at all.[/i]
8. Bigfjord City Trades: Dark-type
8.1. [color=DE6E87]‘I asked for a Dark-type from Alola… and I got a Grimer!? Is the pirate stupid!? It’s color is all weird. After seeing something so ugly,I want to see something beautiful now. Trade me a beautiful Pokémon.’[/color]
8.2. [color=3c71db]‘I got this Impidimp from an egg I got from the pirate. I don’t really want it. As a sailor, I’d prefer a Poliwrath. I’ll trade Impidimp for Poliwrath, Poliwhirl or Poliwag.’[/color]
8.3. [color=d2bade]‘I wanna go surfing the world. With that in mind… would you trade me a Bibarel for my Maschiff?’[/color][/hider]

[i]Connected areas: [/i]
Route 12. [i]A long, peaceful plain stretching far west towards Redcoast City.[/i]
Route 13. [i]A route of eternal night, leading east towards Worldedge City.[/i]
Route 26. [i]The calm waters north of Bigfjord City, leading towards Ironcliff Town.[/i]