[Shalin Nariya]

Caprice and Shalin continued up the street, the girl's head bobbing back and forth as she kept her eyes peeled for the Slate Draperies logo. There were certainly a lot of fashion-oriented stores on this street, including what appeared to be quite the upscale boutique. In its window was an elaborate, dazzling dress advertised to be 30% off. Even after the discount, its price was just above an entire paycheck. She could go on a pretty long vacation for the kind of money they were asking for!

Wandering down Silver Street a bit more, she ran into what appeared to be a fairly upscale restaurant. This was certainly the rich district. Another half-block down was the intersection of Silver and...Constance. It was a road she had already passed. Lovely. She was lost. Again. And with no navigator. Our of options, she made her way back to the hoity-toity outfitter and noticed a couple that were making small talk. "Excuse me, but would you happen to know where Slate Draperies is located?" Shalin asked. "I have a delivery to make and the sender provided the wrong address."

p9ByG|Ci

{WC: 187}
{PC: 10}
{Shaln: 67/111}

[Jae]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Shalin Nariya

The posh couple seem to only laugh at hearing that you were lost. They also laugh at your outfit and hair and your Pokemon. How rude. 

[Shalin Nariya]

That was the first time Shalin had been called "useless" in a long time. It also reminded her of why she despised city-folk: they took many luxuries for granted. They wouldn't make it two days in the wilderness. After she and her Ninetales were shooed away, the girl subconsciously grabbed her Pokémon's fur more tightly. Her Pokémon sped up in tandem, the rider at first unaware she might be going a little fast for a city walk. Weaving around pedestrians quickly brought her to reduce her mount's speed, though.



A couple of drivers angrily honked at the delivery girl as she and her fire-type crossed the road toward the end of the signal. She took a second look at her surroundings afterward. Every building in this blasted city looked the same - she was growing more and more frustrated by the moment. Perhaps it was on South Silver, not North Silver, and she had turned the wrong way?

08UvGKtp

{WC: 159}
{PC: 11}
Shalin's level is now 11!
{Shalin: 127/127}

[Jenesis]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Shalin Nariya

You head down South Silver. Not too long after, you find the intersection cordoned off, with Rangers redirecting the flow of traffic and holding back the crowd of looky-loos. Peering over their shoulders, you can glean there was an accident involving a Rhyhorn and a minivan. You'll have to find another way around.

[Shalin Nariya]

"Of course the road is closed," Shalin blurted out, rolling her eyes. Why wouldn't it be? From the way the Rangers were directing traffic and how many of them were there, it appeared to be quite serious. Shalin had taken some pretty big spills before when riding outdoor trails, but all of those were solo accidents. They were painful, but that was it. Accidents involving multiple parties were far worse - the blame game, the insurance game, and a bunch of other lengthy legal games had to be played. As great as it was having a vehicle, especially in this kind of weather, they were far more of a hassle than a reliable Pokémon, and one of those could take you places even the most well-built ATV couldn't.



The Rangers appeared to be directing traffic back to the east. Getting back onto Silver Street wouldn't be a problem in theory - it should be just as simple as taking a left turn, then two right turns, then another left past where the accident was. Her biggest concern at this point was time - she had several deliveries on her route still, and she would have to pick up the pace if she wanted to make them all on time.


2d7|_2|o


{WC: 207}
{PC: 12}
{Shalin: 83/127}

[Jae]

Nothing happened!

All rolls were passed.

Shalin Nariya

You found the building! Huzzah! 

[Shalin Nariya]

Just as in exploring a ruin or cave, even one arbitrary wrong turn can add a lot of time to one's trip. In a big city like this, though, there were far more wrong turns to take. She had turned north instead of south, and it led to a huge detour. Caprice was getting visibly frustrated with being impeded at seemingly every turn. "Ah, there it is! They did change their logo." She pointed toward the Slate Draperies sign. Their corporate office was still in Slate City in Hoenn; this building appeared to be their Arciel branch.  The girl dismounted in front of the store and recalled her Ninetales.

Shalin entered the storefront - it was big. The business advertised itself as one of the largest home décor providers in Arciel for a reason. The place's signage wasn't great, but there was enough to locate the Customer Service desk. There was a middle-aged man there, and only one person ahead of her in line. It was only a few minutes before it was her turn. She showed him the package and kindly asked, "Excuse me, but would you be able to direct me to either Miss Zana Page's office or your Deliveries department? I have a package for them."

QwUWVGqS

{WC: 209}
{PC: 13}
{Shalin: 83/127}

[Jenesis]

Nothing happened!

All rolls were passed.

Shalin Nariya

You're in luck! The middle-aged man presses a button on a machine at the desk and speaks into his earpiece. A few minutes later, a young secretary emerges from the back. "I'm Miss Page. You have the delivery?"

[Shalin Nariya]

"I do," Shalin answered, the package still in her hands. She set the small parcel on the desk. "Have a good one!" Her second delivery complete, she left the big furniture store and took out another package from her bag, this one a little larger. "The Thunderzone, 3400 West Main Street," she read the destination address. "I remember hearing of an arcade with this name. They spun off from the Thundurus Resort and Casino a few years ago. There's been talk of them opening a location in Olivine City. I hope so - I'd rather not go all the way to Goldenrod just to play Step Step Revolution."

With that, she found Caprice not too far from where she left her. "Alright, girl, let's go!" The golden lupine fanned her tails before accelerating to a canter. She found her way back to the nearest major road, trying to route toward the city's center, where she suspected Main Street would be. If Silas had to ditch her, he could have at least been courteous enough to give her the printed route.

rTzeXNCt

{WC: 179}
{PC: 14}
{Deliveries: 2/6}
{Shalin: 83/127}

[Jenesis]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Shalin Nariya

Is this Main Street? You find yourself in a shabby, run-down neighborhood. The road is old and sorely in need of maintenance. A street vendor rudely waves a hand in your face, trying to sell you something.

[Shalin Nariya]

When Shalin noticed how poorly maintain the roads were, she realized she had made a left turn instead of a right, taking her out of the beautiful downtown area entirely. Her head turned briefly toward the street peddler's wares. Every last one of them, junk! And even if she was interested, she didn't have the time to be browsing. It was already well past noon, and she wasn't even halfway done with her route! The girl, her frustration building, just as rudely waved back, nearly striking the shady salesman.

Caprice inadvertently scared a trio of Rattata away with her sudden cry after her rider's equally sudden and sharp tug back. She quickly turned around and retraced her steps at a brisk pace, this time heading east instead of west at the traffic light. If she continued to wander, the place would be open and even more of a distraction. "Arceus why..."she muttered, Caprice just barely catching the traffic signal before it turned orange.

uA1eM3OB

{WC: 164}
{PC: 15}
{Shalin: 83/127}

[Jae]

Nothing happened!

All rolls were passed.

Shalin Nariya

You find the right way after all! And sure enough come to the correct house. At least things look to be turning up? 

[Shalin Nariya]

Yellow and purple neon lights - yep, this was definitely the place. It appeared Shalin had arrived around a half hour prior to the Thunderzone's opening. Most of these places opened in the afternoon and stayed open until midnight or later. She peered inside the front windows and could see a bit of activity - probably staff cleaning up before the gates opened. From what she could see through the windows, the place was a rhythm gamer's paradise. She would definitely be making a trip here after her shift, provided she wasn't too exhausted after work.

Gracefully sliding off Caprice's back, Shalin took her time locating the package addressed to the Thunderzone. Of course it had shifted to the bottom of her mail bag. She knocked at the establishment's main entrance, a fidgety Caprice shifting back and forth behind her. When the door wasn't answered right away, she started humming one of her favorite instrumentals from Step Step Revolution as she waited.

HQhwBkT5

{WC: 160}
{PC: 16}
{Shalin: 101/145}

[Jenesis]

Nothing happened!

All rolls were passed.

Shalin Nariya

It's some time before Shalin hears a rhythmic thumping, growing in volume, as someone dance-steps their way over to the entrance. "Dun dun DAH, danananana~" A skinny teen with spiked-up multicolored hair opens the door and glowers at Shalin. "We-Are-Closed--" They make to slam the door in her face, but at the last second notice the package and prop the door open, gesturing for her to yeet the parcel through.

[Shalin Nariya]

With the door opened, Shalin stepped inside, taking a glance at what games the arcade had. There were quite a few big names, as well as many posters for upcoming titles. There were several poster boards with what appeared to be tournament signups, as well. "This place rivals Goldenrod's arcade back home - I'll have to come back here after work," she said to the teen. "Good thing I brought my card. If you don't work too late, I'd love to play a couple sets with you - from your moves I just saw, you've got to be pretty good."

With that, she set the package down on the redemption counter, the delivery complete. She waved to the young employee before climbing back aboard the Fire-type and looking at her next delivery. "Halfway home, Caprice!" She pulled out her next parcel, this one the largest of the bunch. "Munching Munchlax Bar and Grill, 918 Alpine Court." Her stomach started to rumble. "I think I remember passing by that street on my way to Juniper. Maybe I'll stop for lunch, too." With that, she headed back in that direction, making a mental note of where the arcade was.

{WC: 195}
{PC: 17}
{Shalin: 101/145}
{Deliveries: 3/6}

Siunt26Op_

[Jae]

Nothing happened!

All rolls were passed.

Shalin Nariya

The grill is very easy to find! And the owners, an elderly couple, even offer you a free appetizer with your meal as thanks for the delivery should you choose to stick around and eat. 

[Shalin Nariya]

"You didn't have to do that for me at all," Shalin smiled, even blushing a little as she was offered a free order of the bar's breaded cheese sticks. She left the restaurant's delivery at the table where she sat down, perusing the menu for a few seconds. "A Lemonade to drink please, and for my entree...oh, you serve turkey burgers! Those are good--and good for you, too. How about one of those, but with no tomato and onion?"

Once her order was in, she glanced at each of the sports bar's televisions, but none of the broadcasts interested her. Two of them were rebroadcasts of golf tournaments from last year. Golf, yuck. She tried it once, and she had more fun trying to find her ball than actually trying to make solid contact with it.

The green-clad girl spread her route map on the table, finally having a moment to review it. She only had two deliveries to go - one was to Accounts Receivable at West Arciel Community College, on the very south edge of the downtown area. The other was...to the Birch City branch of the Explorer's Guild of Arciel. Fantastic - she had other business there! Except she couldn't take care of it while she was on shift.

Shalin had folded and stowed her map a minute or so before her order had arrived. Good stuff - her turkey burger had been done just right, and that was one of the best pickles she'd had in quite some time. When the waitress came by to take her check, she'd see there was an extra bit of gratuity in it - it included the standard percentage for the complimentary appetizer as well. "My compliments to the chef - if I'm ever in the area again, I'll be back." With that, she smiled and left for her next destination: the community college. She needed to make good time on her last couple of deliveries - rush hour traffic was coming...

dCvXsBiQ

{WC: 328}
{PC: 18}
{Shalin: 145/145}
{Deliveries: 4/6}

[Jenesis]

Nothing happened!

All rolls were passed.

Shalin Nariya

Luckily you manage to wrap up your meal and get out of there just as a swarm of a dozen people heralds the arrival of happy hour. Your map shows you a couple of routes - you could follow the main road directly south, or wind through some lesser-used side streets. Which way will you go?

[Shalin Nariya]

It was a good thing Shalin stopped to eat when she did - there was a crowd of people coming where she was leaving. From the matching jackets bearing the same logo, it appeared to be a sports team of some kind. Probably basketball. She looked upward toward the sky, and the sun had already started to disappear behind the cityscape to the west. Had she really stopped for that long? It was going to be night, and she knew how wild city nightlife could get. The wrong kind of wild.

Thankfully, people were still at work for another hour, maybe two. The streets didn't look too busy, but they might be a problem for a Pokémon Caprice's size on the way back. The delivery-woman mounted up on her fire-type partner and headed south along the main roads, passing slower traffic left and right. If it was like any of the regional community schools elsewhere in the country, there would be ample street signage to guide her the rest of the way.

35yi0BLx

{WC: 172}
{PC: 19}
{Shalin: 145/145}

[Jenesis]

Nothing happened!

All rolls were passed.

Shalin Nariya

Caprice bounds rapidly down the streets. You find the college, and the campus itself is shockingly easy to navigate, with flat terrain, wide roadways, and clear signage!