LuckyBlackCat

Memento Mori (Urban Fantasy)

I'm sticking around if this is still alive, but sadly it doesn't look like it is.

Be my Sanctuary

Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey

"Ehh..." Jess flinched at the flare of discomfort followed by the sarcastic comment. Great, one attempt at making conversation and now she was acting like a wreck again. She forced herself to tilt her shoulders back, uncurling from her hunched position, trying to look at least reasonably confident. Not that Roxy was looking, and not that she'd be fooled even if her back wasn't turned.

"I'm, uh, a little out of practice," Jess said, putting on that fake smile, trying humour as her own form of defense. "But, umm, it's not like we'll have any shortage of opportunities." She glanced away from Roxy, towards her soup bowl. She'd just gone and reminded the anchor that they were stuck with each other whether they liked it or not.

Pokemon Spiral

Sophia Danvers

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323

Just as she'd expected, Oscar wasn't going to settle for the answer he'd been given. Sophia frowned.

"Geez! Do you ever quit once you're set on something?" Her glare became even more pointed. "Look... I'm not like most people. Having these abilities means I have standards to live up to. Higher standards than most." The psychic's crossed arms tensed. She had to meet those standards. Exceed them. "My family, they've done so much for me... it's only fair that I make them proud. So I promised I would."

Before she could say anything else, she caught a glimpse of the overexcited Darumaka darting down the hallway in a red blur and disappearing round a corner. "Lumas, wait!" As she ran after him, she heard a crash and the startled yelp of what sounded like a canine Pokemon.

She instantly scanned the area with her abilities. The presences she picked up on blurred together, but they all seemed fine - better than fine, in at least one case. That was a lot of vitality she was detecting. Reaching the corner, she looked ahead. In a room in front of her, Lumas jumped back up as another Pokemon climbed to its feet. A small, blue one with a black mask-like marking across its face. A student took in the scenario, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Lumas! Please don't run off like that again!" Rushing over to the two Pokemon, Sophia crouched down. "Are both of you ok?" The Riolu nodded, and Lumas hopped up and down. Sophia turned her head towards the student. "I take it this is your Riolu?" At first, she'd expected people here to stick with Normal types, but the group of Darmanitan and the Darumaka had already proven her wrong.

The student, appearing to have taken no offense from the incident, shook his head. "She trains and meditates with us, but she isn't anyone's in particular," he explained. "Pokemon, as well as humans, make use of this monastery for peace and development. Some live with us - I see you've already met the Darmanitan." The monk glanced towards Lumas. "Some visit with their trainers, and you'll find wild ones enjoying the quiet outside. This Riolu recently left her mother, and has been here with us ever since."

The young Pokemon tilted her head, studying the two strangers. There was something odd about the girl's aura, apart from how heavy it seemed, weighing her down, giving off ripples of bitterness and frustration. Looking closer, the Riolu realised what this human's energy reminded her of - some of the Psychic type Pokemon she'd seen around the area. As for the boy in the hallway... She focused on him, slowly approaching. The aura he exuded was one of strength and determination. One that, in a way, she felt she could connect with.

Notes

Pokemon Party: Gothita "Lacey" lv13, Purrloin "Grimalkin" lv12, Staryu "Arcturus" lv12, Darumaka "Lumas" lv11
Pokemon in PC:
Inventory: Pokeball x2, TM33 (Reflect)

Pokemon: New World

✿ Florence Hadley ✿

Location: Greenhaven

@Dusksong @Dark Light

Florence shivered as she followed the others through the desert, wishing she'd brought her jacket. There was no middle ground here, it was either sweltering or uncomfortably cold. Not that she'd let either extreme slow her down. There were people and Pokemon in need of help.

Right now, the only Pokemon accompanying her was Tiergan. She'd returned Bonica once the drop in temperature had started getting to her - and it would be a bad idea to reach a poachers' base with an unusually coloured Pokemon out. The Cacnea, though, not just used to harsh climates but thriving in them, showed no discomfort or tiredness, no matter how far he walked.

Florence peered ahead into the darkness, noticing a distant shape. A rocky mound by a cave, with several figures moving next to it. "Is that her?" she asked the other two, the words sounding rough as they left her parched mouth.

Florence

TP: +1 (30)
Pokemon:

• Chikorita (Vernie), female, lv5 (Missing)
• Budew (Bonica), female, lv7
• Happiny (Panacea), female, lv5
• Cutiefly (Chay), male, lv2
• Cacnea (Tiergan), male, lv2

Inventory:

• Pokeball x1
• Rare Candy x2

Rank: Beginner
Organisation: Aether Foundation

---

♥ Ellanor "Ella" Beaufort ♥

Location: Greenhaven

@Dusksong @Dark Light

Ella, who had started to flag, perked up at the sight of her friend. She took a few steps closer, her pace becoming a run. Stumbling, she fell onto her hands and knees in the cold sand, her body having yet to recover from the events of the past few days. Easing herself up, she managed a brisk walk instead.

"Viv! It's been ages!" She pulled her friend into a hug. "I'm sorry we were stuck in Stillwater for so long! There were all these people having nightmares, and this Pokemon wouldn't let us go, and we finally managed to escape, but then these Cutieflies got lost, and then the poachers turned up..." The story came out in an incoherent torrent of words. A few days ago, she'd called Vivian to tell her that she and Leisy had been held up in Stillwater, but she hadn't given many details. "I've missed you so much!"

Treasure, upon noticing the group of Pokemon, backed away. She studied them for a few seconds, edging forward as her attention settled on a Pokemon she recognised, the Flabebe. After mumbling something to the Fairy type, the Trubbish grasped a small rock and moved it away from the heap, then another, helping in whatever small way she could.

Ella

TP: +1 (62)
Pokemon:

• Trubbish (Treasure), female, lv20
• Ekans (Smiley), male, lv8
• Duskull (Brighteye), female, lv28
• Inkay (Jumbles), male, lv11
• Stunky (Allsort), male, lv10
• Pumpkaboo (Lucette), female, lv8
• Weedle (Taffy), female, lv1
• Nidoran (Pincushion), male, lv1

Inventory:

• Black Sludge x1
• Pokeball x1
• Great Ball x1

Rank: Skilled
Organisation: None

---

CP

+1 (63)

Pokemon: New World

@Zarkun @Darkmoon Angel Are both of you waiting for each other?

Be my Sanctuary

Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey

Jess took a quick look through the fridge and cupboards before deciding on a can of leek and potato soup. It didn't really matter what she ate, as long as she wasn't eating alone.

She shouldn't be feeling like this, she thought as she searched for a saucepan and used it to heat up the soup. She shouldn't be relying on someone else. What had being cut off from society for so long done to her? There was no point in continuing to beat herself up over it, though. She'd just have to fix the issues that had come up, and reclaim as much of her identity as possible.

"Well..." she said as she looked for bowls and dished up. "This is the first meal I've shared with anyone in a while."

Pokemon Spiral

@AbysmalDemon Yeah, you could have Alex talk to Nyxx, or you could set up a wild encounter or something along those lines.

Be my Sanctuary

Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey

Roxy's anxiety still tightened Jess' nerves, but at least it hadn't gotten any worse. "Yeah... I'm sure it'll all be fine," Jess said, forcing that smile again even though it probably just made her look panicked.

She really was a terrible liar and she knew it.

In some ways, her mother was pretty accepting. She'd supported and encouraged her daughter's dreams. She'd been fine with it when Jess had admitted to having a crush on a girl at school. In other ways, though... The empath didn't exactly blame her. Like just about any parent, she'd still wanted her child to live up to certain values, and had watched her fail. As for what had happened with her father... Jess shuddered. It hadn't been her fault, she knew that rationally, but she still couldn't forgive herself for burdening her family at the worst possible time.

"Uh... Food! We were talking about food." Changing the subject in an attempt to ease the tension, she headed over and opened the fridge. "Anything in particular you want me to cook?"

Pokemon Spiral

Amber Pine

Outside Mesalon Pokecentre

@Heckno12 @AbysmalDemon @Dusksong @Noxx

The heavy feeling that had settled over Amber earlier grew at Aedre's words. Still, the researcher nodded.

"She'll have to know," Amber replied. "My sister wants nothing more than to be a trainer." She paused. What she'd said barely went into the issue, but she wouldn't go into it.

She wouldn't go into the bullying she'd tried her best to protect Coral from. She wouldn't go into the way her sister had started acting up, skipping school, falling in with the wrong crowds, hiding behind folded arms and a sharp tongue. She wouldn't go into how the only thing that had drawn the younger girl out of that phase had been receiving an Omanyte, a Pokemon too shy to go with the trainer she'd been meant for, but who had connected with Coral. Both girl and Pokemon had emerged from their respective figurative and literal shells, their bond strengthening over the years, and Coral's plan to travel as a trainer with her Omanyte gave her a sense of purpose she'd never had before.

"This most likely won't put her off," Amber continued. "but, well... it goes without saying she'll worry. So will my parents, about both of us. They're plenty supportive, but they were pretty understandably anxious while I was preparing to leave... the original plan was to come here with a friend, you see." She fell silent again for a moment. "But I'm not alone. I'll tell my sister that. I'll tell her there's a group of us, willing to help each other out whenever we need it."

Hopefully, now that Coral's self-confidence had improved, she'd do the same, find a group of friends to travel with. A group of friends who would support and defend each other.

Amber returned Aedre's smile. "Thanks for the advice."

Notes

Pokemon Party: Kabuto "Chalcedony" lv10, Yanma "Aeshna" lv9, Rockruff "Kyra" lv12, Rowlet "Tacita" lv10, Anorith "Larimar" lv11
Pokemon in PC:
Inventory: Pokeball x1, Potion x3, Dusk Ball x2

---

Sophia Danvers VS Oscar Berg

Mesalon Gym

_{Collab between LuckyBlackCat and fer1323}

@fer1323

Striding into an empty hall, Sophia took her place at one end, arms folded. She smirked over at Oscar. "You ready?"

She pretended to ignore Lacey rolling her eyes at the display of fake confidence, and hoped Daisho wasn't telling Oscar what the act concealed. Despite the recent meditation, she couldn't shake the feeling of tension that grew by the moment. She may have won last time they'd battled, but he'd surely learned a few things since then - things he wouldn't let her forget if she lost.

Oscar follows Sophia into the hall with Daisho and Roadrunner in tow. In the hall, Oscar releases Skoll and Nomia as well. "I am ready when you are. I hope it is okay if we let all our pokemon watch." Oscar thinks that is underprepared for this fight but he hopes that it will not be that bad.

Focusing her power on the three occupied Pokeballs still at her belt, Sophia made them detach themselves and drift around her before letting out the Pokemon. She remembered what Rheese had said about not tiring herself out, but she had to remind Oscar who she was - who she could be. Who she should be.

The Darumaka instantly starting jumping around, scampering all over the room. "Lumas... Do you want to do this? Fight alongside another Pokemon?" Sophia asked, breaking the haughty pose by bending down a little. "I know you're not used to battles, so are you ok with one?"

With a grin and an affirmative cry, Lumas began leaping around even more. This would probably do him good, channelling his boundless energy into a battle, Sophia thought as she watched her new Pokemon.

Oscar gesture to Skoll and Daisho. Roadrunner seem sad that he is not battling. "Do not worry, pal. I promise that you will get you turn soon." Oscar turns to Sophia with a serious face. "That might on other but that does not work on me." Oscar is not intimated by Sophia's abilities. Oscar still thinks that Sophia can use her abilities to be more uplifting for others, other than putting people down.

Thinking back to Oscar's party trick comment the first time they'd battled, Sophia scowled. "You still just don't recognise talent, do you?" she huffed. "Fine then, if that doesn't impress you, this will. I know just who to send in."

Her attention shifted to the Staryu at her feet. "Arcturus, let's show him!" The star-shaped Pokemon, who'd been flaring its core like an angry eye at Sophia all the time she'd been bragging, nonetheless spun forward and took its place next to Lumas. Both pairs of Pokemon advanced towards each other.

"Ok, Arcturus, start with Water Gun at the Growlithe! And Lumas, uh..." She quickly consulted her Pokedex to see what moves her Darumaka knew. "Use Rollout on the Ralts!" She looked back up at Oscar. "I-I knew what to do there! Just... double-checking the strategy, that's all!" Maybe she should have looked up information about Darumakas earlier.

Arcturus' blast of water hit, but Lumas, in his excitement, hurtled forward only to roll right past Daisho.

Skòll could not handle the blast of water on and he falls. Oscar feels guilty as he withdrews Skòll. "You did fine." He turns to his remaining pokemon and says "Daisho, Use Confusion in the fire type." Oscar knew the Sophia would that he is a weak battles when he loses but he will not make the win that easy.

She should feel better about this, Sophia thought as she watched Oscar return his Growlithe. She was winning. Deep down, though, she couldn't help wondering what it would prove if she won, other than that she relied on type advantage.

Lumas, flipped back by Daisho's attack, sprang up again, a little dizzy but still brimming with energy. "Use Rage this time, Lumas!" Sophia called. "Arcturus, hit with another Water Gun!"

Daisho got hit by both attacks but is still standing. "You doing great, Diasho. Go for the Confusion again." Daisho does so at the fire type. Oscar knews that Daisho will not survive this two on one combat for long. Oscar has already accepted this loss. It was a good attempt anyways.

Even though the attack had clearly taken its toll on Lumas, his Rage move just now had worked him up enough that he leapt to his feet, letting out a furious cry.

"Both of you, finish this!" Sophia commanded. "Lumas, use Rollout again! Arcturus, one more Water Gun!" Arcturus launched another jet of water at the Ralts, and the hyped-up Darumaka pulled in his limbs, rolling straight towards his target.

The combined force of Sophia's pokemon is too much for Daisho. He succumbs to the attacks before Oscar recalls him. "You did your best. I am proud of you." Oscar turns to Sophia with a smile on his face. "That was a good battle. It is two for two for you." Oscar hoped for a different outcome but is okay with how the battle turned out. He hopes that Sophia has learned to be humble.

Sophia grinned, though the grin was strained. "I told you!" Even to her, the words sounded hollow.

She hadn't expected to feel like this. Empty, as if this was the battle that meant nothing. Had she won with her skill as a trainer, or just because she'd used a Water type against a Fire type? She was sure that, if she told her mother about this, she wouldn't get any more praise than she had the first time round.

"Good work," she said to Lumas and Arcturus, trying to sound as positive as she could. "And..." She looked up at Oscar, pausing for a moment. The gloats and taunts she had in mind just wouldn't leave her mouth at first. "You... I have to say... You held out better than I thought you would," she commented instead. "But of course I was bound to win in the end!"

He was being so calm and collected about this. Despite herself, Sophia couldn't help but find something respectable about his attitude. The thought surprised her. This was the guy who acted like he knew everything, who constantly made poor attempts at sounding deep and meaningful, who didn't know when to quit prying... and here she was, respecting him anyway?

Dammit, what was wrong with her?

Oscar should have expected as much that Sophia will still act superior. He goes over to the healing station and puts his two pokemon in it. Once done, Oscar release them again. Skòll looked a bit disappointed at his loss and Nomia goes cheers him up. Daisho, on the other hand, relays the feeling of hollowness. Oscar can only guess that it is Sophia. Oscar decides not to pry Sophia but try to try different tactics. "Didn't You tell me that you will tell me about the reason of your journey here?"

After getting her Pokemon healed, Sophia let them back out. As Lumas reappeared, jumping up and down, Grimalkin turned and sulked, clearly not too pleased that her trainer had picked the newest team member instead of her. "You'll get your chance to battle soon enough," Sophia reassured her, leaning down and tickling the cat behind the ears.

At Oscar's words, she straightened up and glared. Trust him to remind her what she'd gone and said the other day. "You just had to go and bring that up, didn't you?" She was silent for a moment, a feeling of resignation weighing on her - she couldn't go back on this.

"Fine. I made a promise," she replied. "I made a promise to my family. There. You've got your answer." She knew all too well Oscar wouldn't take the hint not to pry any deeper.

Notes

Pokemon Party: Gothita "Lacey" lv13, Purrloin "Grimalkin" lv12, Staryu "Arcturus" lv12 (+1), Darumaka "Lumas" lv11 (+1)
Pokemon in PC:
Inventory: Pokeball x2, TM33 (Reflect)

Be my Sanctuary

Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey

As Roxy moved away, Jess realised the uncomfortable feeling that had come over her wasn't entirely her own. Remembering the heavy-hearted sensation just now, she figured the anchor must have issues with her own family. Had Roxy lost one of her parents too, or was it that she didn't get along with them?

"Thanks. Uh, there's no need to worry!" Jess blurted, not knowing what else to say. As usual, she regretted her words. She had no idea what Roxy had expected this bond to be like. The purple-haired woman clearly tried to conceal her emotions behind that aloof attitude. Had Roxy thought herself completely successful, or had she known that not even an anchor could hide everything from an empath? Now it was probably obvious that she couldn't.