CitrusArms

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

"Do Onyx scare easily?" They didn't, as far as she was aware. She didn't know too much about them, though, only what that encyclopedia had told her. She had tried to keep her attention on pokemon that were known to appear on these islands, though she may have gotten. "I suppose this one could be skittish."

"Rapier's been my eyes and ears in the sky hundreds of times." The ranger smiled fondly. The idea of calling on Rapier in battle took her back. "Hmm. It's been a long time since I asked him to fight. I'm sure he's kept his talons sharp. I wouldn't call on him for just anything, though." Something would have to make her quite serious. Thinking about it, such a fight could be very influential in Sarah's research. She couldn't help but think of a specific person, from back home. Regan believed in the philosophy she held as a trainer, that Pokemon were not tools. The respect formed by treating them as living equals furthered their potential, as only by respecting them could you so truly maximize the effectiveness of their training. And besides that, you should be so kind to them, as they are just as alive as anyone else. "Perhaps that fight will be more educational than you realize."

"Or maybe not. Until then, you'll have to settle for watching Kawaken and I." Her Poliwhirl popped out from the single ball kept on her belt. He jumped up with a hand raised and Regan met him with a high-five. He landed, looked around, got disappointed, and sent himself back into his ball. Regan gave a chuckle, "sorry, buddy. No water here, I'm only talking about you."

"I've been her eyes and ears in the sky many, many times. We've searched deserts, mountains, forests, plains, even the ocean. I was surprised how different it is flying over a desert, or the ocean. Moisture makes a big difference." Rapier brought his attention in from Regan and the horizon, to see Gira searching. "And what is it you seek, Gira? Maybe I can help."

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

Seems that way.

Man, I'm fussing with Rapier's last line. I think that's a better one.

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

Question: how do we feel about Aura?

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

Mmm, this mashup up XY and Sword/shield gym leader themes is pretty good. Regan's champion theme, perhaps?

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

So I post from my phone a lot, and sometimes, when I post, it loads the offline page it has stored, and I'm left with no idea on if it took it it not. Uhg.

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

"Aaah, now you've got me thinking about the old team. The team I challenged the league with was Umi, my Lapras; Terra; Brawly, my Breloom; Lucia, my Lucario; A Hariyama that wouldn't let me name him; and Naien, my Blaziken. She's probably helping Mom cook. Hm hm."

"I have no doubt it will take us a decent amount of time to cross the terrain the Professor described. That's why Rapier is so good to have around for this. It'd take us much longer to find the Onix on our own, not just because of his vantage point, but even more because be doesn't have to contest with the terrain. He found the clue we needed, so it's up to us to get there. I dunno how far ahead he went in the first place, though. I wonder if I should have requested a vehicle..."

"Oh, Rapier? He's a patient old bird. When you spend enough time with a Pokemon, it gets to be like you share thoughts. Even if they aren't psychic." It was a good bond to share. It filled her with a certain sense of satisfaction. The Ranger looked at her companion as the other relayed her gratitude, "oh? I'm certainly pleased to be able to help. Let me know if you need anything else. Help with your research?"

"Hm?" Rapier turned his eyes down from the sky as Gira approached. He'd been considering doing lazy circles through the open air, maybe a little hunting, but that could wait. "Ah, it's the Girafarig. Gira?" He considered it for a moment, and decided he should be sociable. "She calls me Rapier. You've met her already, I noticed. I've been with her since I was a Starly. Hah, that was a long time ago." He saw Regan waving and raised a wing momentarily, in response. "We had quite a journey. Hah, I suppose we still are."
@Salenea

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

Sarah didn't display a desire to be on top, necessarily, but it seemed enough. Wanting to give her all for the competition was a compatible goal, and she wouldn't be causing any disrespect. Good. "A fine goal. I think you'll do well." She'd have to watch the young lady a little longer, maybe even have a little match against her. Just to be sure she was right for the tournament. But, that could come later. For now, more observation.

"I met Terra, my Flygon, when she was just a little Trapinch. She joined my team after she evolved once. I've always specialized in fighting-type Pokemon, but somehow I was also very good at handling her. Her and Umi, my Lapras. Well, not mine anymore, I released then when I quit being a trainer. If we run into any of my old Pokemon, I'll be sure to introduce you."

"Seems like we're getting close," the Ranger had just stumbled on a rock, causing her to assess her surroundings. As she searched the skies ahead of them, she smiled and held out her arm. Rapier returned, and alighted to her arm. She scratched the bird on the back of the head, "you're back quickly, what did you find?"

Rapier turned to face her properly and gripped her arm repeatedly with alternating feet.

"... Tracks? Sounds perfect. Show us the way when we get close."

The Staraptor took off again, flying just a little bit ahead to land on the next tree.

"Well, sounds like he's found something promising. I wonder how far ahead it is?" She wanted to see this big Onyx. They were normally pretty big, so how big was a big one?

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

Hek, git wrek.

How's everyone doing? I'm training at my new job~

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

"Whoa," Regan took a half step back. She hadn't expected it, "that's a big one, isn't it?" According to the Pokedex, it should be appreciably shorter than she was. It had said specifically, but she couldn't remember that much. This one must be bigger, then. "Heh, you ride her? I suppose she's big enough, you could, yeah. I probably shouldn't, but I bet it looks super cute when you do."

"That's about the only reason I could think of for a researcher to want to participate on the league." There was a problem, though. If she wasn't going to aim for the top, then she shouldn't participate. Was there a desire, any at all, to stand at the top? "It's the best place to find a lot of great trainers and Pokemon. Tracking down hermits and recluses can be so much work. If you're not there for battling, itself, though, how are you going to come at it? Are you still going to try to win the league?"

Regan smiled at the psychic Pokemon. Already feeling mellow, she didn't feel the need to regulate her mind in front of this psychic type. She reached up calmly to pet Gira's neck. "I used to ride from town to town on a Flygon, when I needed to get somewhere quick. The way they sing through the air is so soothing."

The Rorie League, a Pokémon Trainer RP (always open for more players)

"It'll be hard to spot directly, maybe, but it should be easy to find its tracks. They'll be larger than a normal Onyx' tracks, which aren't hard to find when they're there, and we've got an eye in the sky. Unless he's taking measures to cover his tracks, but that would only raise the question of why. We'd have quite the clever Onyx on our hands, too."

"Ooh, you have a Girafarig. I've never seen one in person before, they've got quite an interesting look to them. That rear head is somethin' else..." Regan had been flipping through the paper pokedex she borrowed from the Rangers, while she was waiting for the boat to come pick them all up to bring them to the islands. She preferred an actual book to those back lit screens. There had been a picture, documenting a Girafarig and a trainer.

"A Weedle? Not a bad catch. Speakin' of bug types, I wonder if there are any Heracross around here... hey, wait, you've still got an eye on competing? If you aren't interested in battling, itself, then you must be," she thought for just a moment, "going to study something? Perhaps a more detailed study on how a trainer affects a pokemon, or the like. Have I got it right?"

@Salenea