[Ettie Carnall]

It was a sunny, warm, and windy day on Route 4; a stark contrast to the storm that Azur and Ettie both had to deal with a few days back, when they had first made their way down towards Cherry Town. Having decided that their next step was going to be none other than Bass City - just across the water from Plum City - the duo had made the decision to head back up north through Route 4, although...

"... I wonder what kind of letter this is..." Ettie would comment out loud; glancing down at the envelope in her hands, before putting it away in her bag. Glancing in Azur's direction, she'd giggle a bit; remarking "It must be pretty important, if they need express delivery!" As the duo had made their way to leave Cherry Town, a man had come asking for them to deliver a letter to a trainer who was likely on the route as well, a ways ahead on the path. Since the duo were going that way anyways, they had both easily accepted the task - and in return, were given a pair of bicycles to help in the task. However... Glancing at the bike - which Pierre was now curiously sniffing, and which was only slightly shorter than she was - something seemed to be on the young girl's mind.

"... Do... Do you know how to ride a bike, Azur?"

As it might've sounded, Ettie never learned how to ride a bike. She never had to, in the bustling city she grew up in; typically hitching rides on pokemon or other forms of public transportation whenever she needed to get around quickly! As a result, she was... Admittedly a little nervous, over what was quite a new skill to her. Still, other people made it look so easy - maybe it wouldn't be so bad...? "Mm... Maybe... I should just, try to get up on it, first...?" With Pierre helping out by steadying the bike, Ettie would be able to easily and deftly hop up; perching herself on the bike. Sitting in the bike, gripping the handles, and putting her feet to the pedals... The bike might need a little adjusting later, to accommodate for Ettie's small size, but it wasn't as bad as she thought it would've been.

The other pups, meanwhile, would be gathered just behind Ettie - ready to tail her, once she started moving; excluding Aurien, her Popplio that she had caught the other day, and Princess. With how Aurien sometimes had a little trouble moving quickly on land (even with Aqua Jet) and how Princess was almost always asleep, everyone agreed that it might be for the best that they wait in their pokeballs, at least until the group reached Bass City. Anne, Duchess, and Ruffian would all be raring to go, however; seemingly eager for the chance for a good run.

After Azur (hopefully) gave her a quick rundown of riding a bike, Ettie would slowly - and carefully - begin to pedal, Pierre and Anne both on opposite sides; the two canines keeping pace with her, ready to catch or stop her if anything went wrong. So far, so good, she'd hope..!

---

Quest: An Elusive Recipient

Participants: Ettie Carnall , Azur Schild

Instructions:
Each post must be a minimum of 150 words to qualify. At the end of each post, do a [ proll ] (no spaces), then do a Mod Call to receive a random event to react to. You must react to the random event before continuing on, and roll again at the end of each post, etc. You may find the recipient either when your total combined dice rolls equal at least 200 and you have at least 5 posts, or at the end of your 10th post if you haven't reached 200 by then.

You will not receive rewards until you close the thread.

Rewards:
200 PD, 5 Rare Candies, and a free Bicycle.

skDkxYFZp_
65/200 Points
1/5 Posts

[Azur Schild]

Hmmm, now that's an interesting thing to do. Someone asked them to go on a little travel, deliver a mail or something... Azur sort of questioning what sort of mission this is too. Like, an elusive recipient? How can they find the recipient if they're so elusive? Just by riding a bike they could find them, and on top of it, if they cleared the request, they can get a bike? Hmmm? A bit sketchy, but the bike itself apparently is for them if they managed to complete this... goose chase. Regardless...

Azur looked at Ettie that looked so shaky... Yeah, he totally get it. It's hard isn't it! "I have no idea what's in the mail, but... it's not ours to check, Ettie... Sometimes inside could be important documents that could cause a lot of problem if we read it... I can't really tell what's the client's job either... but usually when it comes to my line of work, an urgent job with this size generally is about new recipe for medicines and whatnot. It's just made small enough so no one would open it up. As for other, who knows!"

As for the next question. "Well, I... didn't ride any bike back when I first started as a trainer, but... well... Eventually my family got well enough to buy me a bike. And... let's just say it's an experience of sort. I was fifteen the first time I ride a bike and well... I fell a lot. I had no idea how this item could balance itself with just two thin wheels..."

Anyway, Azur holds Ettie's bicycle. "First, make sure you're perfectly on center. You could feel how you're not on center by feeling off balance and uncomfortable. If you feel uncomfortable that means you're not on the center. When you're hopping on, put one of your leg on the ground, then another to ride it, like this." Azur showed her. "...afterward, put your leg that not on the ground to the pedal, make sure to move the pedal to a comfortable point... and then adjust your position, and lift your other leg from the ground... put it on the pedal like this. If you can't do that, just walk your bike, like this..." Azur showed her how to walk the bike. "If your seat is too high, tell me. After walking, you can try scooting... If you want to move from scooting to pedaling, press your bike's brake, adjust your position from scooting to pedalling... slowly let go of the brake and began pedalling."

Was that too much? Either way... Azur waited. Meanwhile, with him Zeit the Arcanine is sitting nearby, watching and encouraging Ettie through his gaze.
WC: 451

---

9EbxKszbp_
66/200

[Jae]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Ettie Carnall & Azur Schild

You hear... strange... almost ominously threatening cries in the distance. And you were asked to cycle right towards that. Be prepared.

[Ettie Carnall]

As Azur helped hold the bike steady, he would help her figure out her balance, and instruct her on how to ride it. Ettie's brows knit a bit in concentration as she listened as closely to Azur's words as she could - finding her center of balance the best she could whilst seated on the bike, so that she could start pedaling proper. Hearing the other recount how he had his own trouble riding the bike though, Ettie couldn't help a cheeky smile; teasing "Was it because you're so top-heavy?" as she gently booped Azur on the shoulder. Certainly, all of the muscle he had was plenty impressive... But she also couldn't help but wonder, how being so big and tough might affect one's balance...! Surely, if she was as big as Azur, she wouldn't be able to balance and parkour around like she tends to!

In any case though, it wouldn't be long before she'd slowly begin to peddle; her sense of balance aiding quite well, in growing comfortable with the bike. It seemed that really, the main issue was just figuring out the first steps to biking, and getting a hang of the pedaling and steering; when she'd try to turn along a curve on the path ahead, she'd end up tipping to the side a little with a slight yelp..! "Yeep..!"

But, thankfully, Pierre was quick to act - shouldering the bike and Ettie both, before slowly righting her. Ettie would blink for a second, before giggling softly; patting Pierre's head in praise. "Thank you, buddy. I guess I don't have turns down quite yet, huh?" Once they were sure that Ettie wasn't going to be tipping over again anytime soon though, she'd continue biking onwards; glancing about briefly at her surroundings with visible awe and glee. Route 4 looked so much different, when the weather was this clear and sunny...!

However... A distant strange sound - ominous cries from something, perhaps a pokemon - would prompt Ettie and the pack to come to a stop; the group glancing around carefully, and warily, as they tried to gauge what exactly they were hearing. Ettie, frowning briefly, would try to listen closely - wondering if she could identify what those cries belonged to, though... Glancing down to her pack - figuring that they'd know how to handle this better than she would - Ettie would ask "What do you guys think...?"

Anne - disconcerted at the potentially dangerous situation ahead of them - would growl in a displeased and wary fashion, before glancing to the other dogs. She'd bark to them in a commanding fashion - which prompted a grumble from Ruffian, being the delinquent that he was.... At least, until he noticed the plan that Anne seemed to have in mind. Though he was still displeased at being directed, whatever Anne was thinking had him interested. And thus, at the Rockruff's direction, Ruffian and Duchess both would disappear into the foliage beyond the beaten path of Route 4.

Stalking towards the source of the cries like a pair of prowling predators - all the while obscured by the foliage - the two pups would be sniffing the air, and slowly moving forward to investigate the situation. Meanwhile, Anne and Pierre would both slowly and cautiously advance; coaxing Ettie to take it slow and careful as well. Who knew what might lay, just up ahead...?

---

lBdiUPKCp_
138/200 Points
2/5 Posts

[Azur Schild]

Azur looked at Ettie with an expression similar to Toxel. "...I'm going to let go," he threatened. There's no way that he would, but even so, he figured out that threat should be enough. "Just for your information, I'm balanced! Like hell my top is heavier than my legs. I'm not some bodybuilders that doesn't know leg days! It's just I never rode a bike before! Plus just so you know, I might can't parkour, but pretty sure I can do bouldering just fine!"

Zeit who looked at that exchange chuckled. That was fun. He gave Anne a bit of a nuzzle then walked toward his trainer. Azur who noticed him coming closer greeted him. "Sup Zeit?"

The Arcanine barked, seem trying to ask how the two are holding up. "I think I'm fine myself. Just need Ettie to take back the outrageous claim that I'm top heavy," Azur replied. "...Don't look at me with a gaze that says that 'aren't you top heavy', you cheeky floofball." Azur decided to smoosh the Arcanine's cheeks. Contrary to how he was behaving in the past, now he's a playful (albeit big sized) canine friend of Azur. His true personality has shone through it seems!

Anyway, once Ettie seem to get hang of the basic, Azur returned to his own bike and begin pedalling himself. The bike are slightly different from the one he's used to, but... this is fine, all thing considered. Rotom Bike is just too advanced, he guessed. At any rate, Azur would follow Ettie closely behind until she nearly fell! "...Ah yeah, turning is a bit hard. To turn you have to slowly turn it rather than immediately turning it. Suddenly turning it would make you unbalanced. Try again!"

....Hmm, that sound though... Zeit wasn't sure what to feel about it. He looked alert, but unlike Anne, he just simply sticks close to the humans as if trying to protect them. "...Zeit, what do you think caused that sound?" a shook of head from the Arcanine. He doesn't seem to understand what voice was that either, but... At the moment, he guess he's the strongest in the pack. He have to lead.

"What's that? You'll go at the front? Well... if you says so... But be careful."

Zeit nodded. He barked at Duchess, telling her to be careful, then at Anne, to tell her that he'll take the front so she should take the back just in case of a pincer attack. The Arcanine walked ahead, slowly, tail raised up in a sign of being wary.

---

sOotimGcp_
141/200

[Jae]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Ettie Carnall & Azur Schild

The ground shakes, as much from the force of your bike and your Pokemon's walking as something... bigger.... the crying continues, but it's clearly a roar now. And then you see it: a massive Snorlax standing upright in the middle of the road looking very threatening for something quite like that. Who woke him up from a nasty nap anyways? You don't have time to question before he body rolls forward down the path ready to smash yall. 

[Ettie Carnall]

Even as Azur gave her an unamused expression and threatened to let go, Ettie would begin to laugh brightly; smiling widely. Even as he retorted that he could balance just fine, Ettie grinned in amusement - reaching back to ruffle Azur's hair, with the added height that the bike provided, on top of him being so close to her! "I knooooow, Azur!" She'd chirp with a laugh, smiling cheekily. "I'm just teasing you!" Even that being said though, Ettie would think for a few seconds, before wondering out loud "Although... a guy as big as you would probably still make a bike slightly top-heavy, wouldn't it? You're elevated on top of it, after all..!"

Anne would look just as amused at the duo's antics as Zeit was, though; tail softly wagging. As Zeit nuzzled Anne, the young Rockruff would be happy to reciprocate - pairing it with a gentle lick on the cheek. Ettie and Azur bantering like this was just another normal day, as far as Anne was concerned - and Duchess and Ruffian both seemed amused as well, if their gentle laughs (or snicker, in Ruffian's case) were anything to imply...!

As Azur instructed Ettie on how to better turn though, the young girl would nod in understanding - taking a second to regain her balance, with Anne and Pierre to help her along. The next turn on the winding road, thanks to Azur's advice, would go a lot more smoothly; the young girl being able to turn the curve with a bit more grace than before. "Eheheh... I think I'm getting the hang of it, Azur..!" Ettie chirped to the older trainer, smiling brightly. "How do I look??"

However.... There then came the question, of the strange cries from up ahead, and the source of them; which was, as it turned out to be, a massive Snorlax...!

Due to Duchess and Ruffian searching up ahead, however - both of them being hidden in the foliage off the beaten path, at that - they'd be the ones to spot the giant sleepy pokemon first, out of the group as a whole. Ruffian was unable to help a slight growl - he might be fighty, but he wasn't suicidal! - and glance to Duchess, telling her to go alert the others! The young Electrike in question nodded, and would turn on her heels - running back down towards the assembled group, and barking to them about what she had seen...!

Pierre and Anne both would be a little disconcerted at Duchess' explanation of there being a giant Snorlax up ahead; and for a moment, they both couldn't help but wonder how they were all gonna get around that of all things... Though that answer would surely come, when the ground would begin to rumble; the gluttonous pokemon starting to roll right down the path at them...!

With the forewarning Duchess provided, it was easy for Anne and Pierre to both act quickly; grabbing the bike (and Ettie by extension), as they yanked vehicle and trainer alike off the road - "Y-yipe..!" - to avoid the Snorlax that was looking to squish them...!

Ruffian, meanwhile, would be right behind the Snorlax; following it back down the path to rejoin the rest of the pack.

---

rfOe5i0Bp_
178/200 Points
3/5 Posts

[Azur Schild]

"You scamp," Azur returned her hair ruffling with his own. "The rights for hair ruffling is only for the older ones!" despite the gruffness of his words and the meaning of the words, the playfulness of his tone is unmistakable. "Well, I'm not sure if that's right. By that nature, then all sort of chairs would be top heavy regardless whoever sit on top of it because it's designed to support your body... But I guess that makes sense? There's no way that all sort of chairs are bottom heavy. That would be... a failure of a design I guess? Or maybe overcompensating?"

Zeit was happy with the lick and nuzzle back, but for the meantime he opted to watch the banter between the two humans while keeping watchful eyes.

Looks like Ettie is doing well! Azur nodded approvingly. "Yep, next you just have to get more used to it, then probably do tricks with it-- just kidding of course! These bikes probably aren't the trick bikes used by many extreme sports lover. Though, it's a sweet one, I have to admit. I wonder if they have Rotom bike though... Those are sweet, considering you could even bring it across water!"

...Ay, the sound is getting worse. What was it? Azur frankly doesn't like this figurative alarm that is ringing inside his head. Only then Zeit heard what Duchess said. He quickly barked, almost like a roar to alert the rest of the team to run from the main road! But it was a bit late considering that the Snorlax already rolling! Azur, bless his reflex, immediately steered the bike away before he could get crushed under it! Zeit immediately came to his trainer's side, nuzzling to ask if he's alright. "It's fine, it's fine, I'm OK," Azur would assure him. Ettie though... what about Ettie? Shit, hope she's alright... but with Pierre and Anne there, she must have been...

"...Zeit, go look for Ettie!"

The Arcanine was not happy to leave his trainer's side, but obliged after Azur pulled out Tristan's Pokeball. He's not so defenseless after all!

---

X1BDoMivp_
220/200

[Jae]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Ettie Carnall & Azur Schild

The Snorlax rolls onwards having missed its targets... kind of like a pin ball onwards to an unknown destination. You both are alright (??) but are a little pressed for time making sure that letter gets delivered! 

[Ettie Carnall]

"But chairs also have legs!" Ettie pointed out in retort, reaching over to poke Azur on the nose with a cheeky giggle. "And they're wider than bikes - Bikes are really thin compared to them! And you're higher up on a bike than you are on a chair! So it's easier to tip a bike over cause it's top heavy, than it is to tip a chair over cause it's top heavy..!" At her logic - which she believed to be irrefutable - Ettie would puff out her chest, smiling confidently and smugly (though, a lot of that smugness was just her being playful as usual, really.)

As the Snorlax rumbled on past the road though, Ettie would be hunkered down in the foliage with Anne, Duchess, and Pierre, the bike resting behind them. All three canines were tense - ready to act if the Snorlax's path changed at all - though... Thankfully, it seemed the massive pokemon would simply keep rolling onwards, down the road, and out of sight...! Ruffian would soon join the assembled group, though - the Lillipup puffing his chest. See? He wasn't scared of that big Snorlax...!

... Though, Duchess would briefly point out that he was following the Snorlax - and thus wasn't in any danger. The Lillipup stiffened, and then growled to Duchess - forget that, he was still close to the massive blob of fat that whole time..! The Electrike would raise an eyebrow skeptically, but didn't argue further - not wanting to start a fight. Instead, once the Snorlax was out of sight, the group would wait for a few seconds...

... Before coming out of the foliage, bike in tow, to meet Zeit face-to-face! Ettie, blinking in surprise, would smile brightly to the Arcanine, and raised a hand up to ruffle his mane. "Awww; were you worried about us? We're all okay, Zeit! How're you and Azur?"

Once they could confirm that everyone was alright and gathered together though, Ettie would hop back onto the bike - continuing on the road. She'd bike quickly - having gotten a hang of riding it - and wanting to make up for the time they lost, in avoiding that Snorlax...!

---

Dnr4dV0Tp_

265/200 Points
4/5 Posts

[Azur Schild]

Hmph, well, that's a logic there. "I guess the term's top heavy only applicable to something that doesn't entirely balanced by itself, is that what you mean?" Azur asked. "In that case I guess I can see how that happened... but you know, by riding on a bicycle, I think ironically you're helping it to balance too. Alone, I think it would need to lean on something so it won't fell sideway... Actually, with that in mind, I wonder what are people thinking when they designed bicycle?"

Well, looks like crisis is averted. Zeit barked happily at Ettie, seem to be glad that she's doing well. He licked her face several times affectionately, glad that she's safe. He barked at the rest, asking if they're alright, and if they need any medical treatment. Azur soon followed, nearly out of breath. He must have sprinted here!

"Whew, I see you guys are alright! Is there is anyone hurt? if there is anyone hurt, best speak up so I can patch you up. That includes any minor injuries such as scrapes and whatnot."

Anyway, after they regrouped and on the road again, Azur sighed and looked at Ettie. "That was sure something, huh? I can't believe that just happened... It was so large... I wonder if it's a local myth or something?"

---

GX4l0uqnp_
223/200

[Jae]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Ettie Carnall & Azur Schild

As you are biking onwards, you come across some unsteady ground. Ettie is able to get through it alright, but Azur should be careful of that unseen hole! Don't get the front tire stuck in there!

[Ettie Carnall]

Ettie pouted her cheeks a little, clearly displeased that Azur didn't get it. "Top heavy means when you're heavier on top than you are on bottom, right?" She'd ask, continuing "You're on top of the bike, so you make the top of it heavier than the bottom...! Hence, you make the bike top heavy!" Though... She couldn't argue with the mention of helping balance the bike, as well; it seemed as though the bike doesn't really topple over when you really get moving, as opposed to when it was still...!

As the Snorlax disappeared from sight and they were able to start regrouping though, it seemed that Zeit was happy to see that Ettie was okay - barking to her, and proceeding to lick her face repeatedly...! Ettie would splutter and laugh in surprise, but continued to ruffle his fur - smiling brightly and responding with her usual happy "Arf!" of her own...! And as Zeit addressed the others to ask if they were alright, the assembled group would bark their affirmations that noone was hurt - Ruffian including a serious rumble at the end, as if to say 'of course I'm okay!'

"Everyone's okay, Azur!" Ettie would smile to the older trainer, as she got back up on her bike. She might've had a bruise somewhere - having tumbled a tiny bit when Anne and Pierre pulled her off the road - though she wasn't sure at the moment, and she figured that it'd be okay to wait on worrying over it anyways; given that they wouldn't even know it was there until she bumps it or it starts showing up!

Instead, they'd continue on down the road; Azur's sigh grabbing the young girl's attention. The reminder of the Snorlax had her glancing over her shoulder briefly - as if to make sure that it wouldn't show up a second time - before nodding, responding "Yeah! It was really really big; too big!" with a brief laugh. After a second of thought though, she'd continue, adding in suggestion "Maybe we could see if people in Plum City know about it?" If this gigantic Snorlax was a local myth or legend, surely people in Plum City or Cherry Town would know something about what was up with the big guy!

It wouldn't be long until her focus went elsewhere, though; having to focus on the terrain ahead, and making sure that she didn't fall over on her bike...! Anne and Pierre, thankfully, were great help in this - helping her navigate the safest route to the other side of the unsteady ground - as she'd glance back, to check and see how Azur was doing.

---

q|3uOfu0p_
349/200 Points
5/5 Posts

[Azur Schild]

"But in that case, what's the top and what's the bottom?" Azur asked. "Is the top us then the bottom bike, then? In that case it does makes sense... but if you say that the cutoff is the saddle, then I think legs are still heavier than body no matter how you slice it." Well, semantics aside, Azur just pretty much enjoyed messing with Ettie's perception, heh.

Zeit simply shook his head in amusement at Ruffian's reply. It's very... Ruffian-like. Ettie too! She barked back at him as usual. Although again, it sounded a bit gibberish to the Arcanine, at the very least he understand the feeling behind it! He licks her again before returning to Azur, who was  glad that no one got hurt. Well, they're unfortunately quite pressed for time, so they have to press on.

"Hmmm... Maybe not Plum, but... probably Cherry Town knows them better? I mean, Plum probably does too, but I don't feel they're as... knowing as the smaller Cherry... if you ask why, that's because people of the cities tends to stay in their city most of the time, while those in the town often goes to bigger city when they wanted to get any form of recreation... or maybe to sell their wares... so they go through the routes more than people of the cities does."

...Whoops, here come the hurdle. Azur was warned that apparently there's a hole in front of him by Zeit!

pm8oXB8Tp_

With a bit of a manuvering, Azur does indeed feel the shake on his bike, but everything is fine... He did not... get tossed off his bike and get his tire stuck or anything, thankfully...

"...That hole just now... could you imagine it was made by that Snorlax?" Azur asked.

---

p_
285/200·

[Jenesis]

Congratulations!

Your thread is complete and now locked.

Ettie Carnall & Azur Schild

You found the recipient and delivered the letter!

Your thread has been locked. For completing the "An Elusive Recipient" quest, you each receive 200 pen, 5 Rare Candies, and a Bicycle.