[Elise Bell]

It had been a long time since she’d come down Route 1, Elise realized. She knew she’d come down this way once or twice after she’d gotten her starter Pokemon years ago, but just exactly when or why, she didn’t know now. It’s very pretty though…. The way the snow dropped off into beach and sea was quite beautiful even to the untrained eye. We should come down this way more often…

“What do you think, Spotlight?” Elise asked tilting her head back just enough to have the Hatenna struggle forward a little onto her forehead. The latter let out a soft noise back. She liked what she was seeing, of course, but she liked the positive vibes that were coming off of Elise much more. A small giggle escaped from the girl as she reached up to pat the Hatenna with a mitten hand. The latter cried out happily now.

“I can’t wait to go shopping in Birch!,” she smiled. “I’ve heard they have some really cute stores down mainstreet.” The Hatenna most certainly would have rolled her eyes if they… existed, but yeah. With more spring in her step, Elise continued on.

---

Isaac Faust

Ribombee [Shimmer] - lvl 30
Hatenna [Spotlight] - lvl 25
Morpeko [Sparkle] - lvl 20
Houndour [Sammy] - lvl 25
Umbreon [Shadow] - lvl 26
Absol [Sol] - lvl 30

[Isaac Faust]

Isaac couldn't help but wonder why he was out here again. Snow had a tendency to bury everything. But, at the same time, the cold was good at preserving things. It was like nature's ice box. Though the snow building up on the brim of his hat was a little bit of a pain. Occasionally the brim would sag down, as some snow fell off onto the ground. And his clothes were NOT mad for warmth. The cold chilled the skinny boy to the bone, but it wasn't like he could afford to get something warm. Besides, he had an image to maintain.

Trying to ignore the numbing pain in his hands, Isaac dug through the snow, trying to find anything that might have been buried under it. So far, no real luck. No berries, no apricorns, no nothing. It was almost quite frustrating. Thank goodness the cold was keeping his temper rather even. He shivered lightly in the cold, but tried to ignore it.

As such, he failed to notice the beautiful young woman and her Hatenna approaching, though with his dark clothing, he stood out like a sore thumb.

[Elise Bell]

As she got within sight range of the strange person digging in the snow, Elise momentarily stopped walking. What was that person doing out in the snow dressed like that? It looked positively freezing. She was a tad cold, and she had thermal clothing on! She could only imagine how cold they must be. Too bad I don’t have a spare…. Well, maybe there was a specific reason the person was digging without gloves. Walking a little quicker up to the person, she crunched a little more in the snow. “Hi there, are you ok?” she asked bending down to get a better look at the person before her. “Did you lose something or something?” The Hatenna on her head frowned softly but said nothing in response. She didn’t like those emotions as much.

[Isaac Faust]

Isaac hadn't even noticed someone approaching him until she was pretty much upon him, speaking to him. The lanky boy gave a yelp as he stumbled back, almost falling into the snow if he didn't catch himself. A young woman, rather pretty Isaac had to admit, was now standing in front of him. And was that a Hatenna sitting on her head? The frown she was giving him didn't exactly reassure him, so he focused his attention on the trainer.

"Oh, I-I'm fine, thank you." he said, though he was obviously freezing. But he didn't want to trouble this lovely lady with that. "I-I was just looking for any potential ingredients. Berries, mushrooms, apricorns, that sort of thing." He glanced at the frowning pokemon on her head. "Th-That's a nice Hatenna you have there."

Elise Bell

[Elise Bell]

A yelp echoed in Elise’s ears, and pinkish purple eyes blinked in rapid successions the person before them stumbled back and nearly fell in the snow. “Ohgoshareyouok?” Elise squeaked, her hands raised as she tried to figure out what to do in that split second. The person seemed to catch himself, though, so they slowly lowered again after. “Sorry- I didn’t mean to surprise you…”

Elise smiled a little softer when he started speaking, explaining what he was doing, kind of. “O-oh?” What for? Er, well. She knew what berries and Apricorns were for, but uh…. “It’s awfully cold to… be out doing that…” she commented. Her hand reached up to Spotlight there on her head and gently pet the creature. The Hatenna’s features became a little more neutral again. “Oh uh…. my name is Elise… sorry… what’s yours?”

[Isaac Faust]

"W-Well," Isaac spoke, feeling he should give some sort of explanation, "The snow keeps things cold and preserves them. I-It seems like a decent time to gather them." Isaac was starting to get into it. He felt he needed to explain more. "I consider myself a pretty good cook. That's why I left the forest and came out here in the first place. I wanted to see what sorts of ingredients I can find." He tilted his head in thought, now getting really into everything. "You would be surprised what you can use in cooking, if you know how to work it. For example, I know Apricorns are mostly used out here to make pokeballs, but they can be used in dishes as well. It just depends on how you prepare them."

Isaac blinked, realizing he had gone off tangent and was rambling. He blushed bashfully. "S-Sorry about that. I know you're not that interested. I-I'm Isaac. Nice to meet you." His body gave a shiver, as if to remind him he was supposed to be COLD. "Erm, may I ask what you're doing out here?"

[Elise Bell]

O-oh. Elise supposed the snow would act sort of like a refrigerator or freezer for anything below. A small head nod was given to Isaac’s words. She didn’t…. quite follow his rationale, but she understood the feeling of it enough. “Huh, that makes sense?” Elise tilted her head to one side and then the other. Spotlight shifted with her as not to fall off. It was still cold, but if Isaac was cool with the cold and all…she guessed that was fine.

The mention of what one could use in cooking earned a small smile. Elise raised a hand and put a few fingers to her lips. He really seemed passionate at least? Apricorns to Pokeballs… She was pretty sure she had heard that before somewhere. Either way she’d store it as information later. Spotlight, meanwhile, frowned a little at the passionate talk but didn’t say much of anything.

The apology that came thereafter earned a small giggle from Elise. “Nice to meet you, Isaac…. And I wouldn’t say I’m not not interested…. My dad’s actually a baker, so I know a little of what goes into cooking,” she stated briefly before delving into the question posed to her. “I’m actually headed to Birch!” she smiled. “There’s a huge sale going on in town.”

[Isaac Faust]

Well, he hadn't annoyed her with his rambling. That was a good sign. Isaac always felt like he didn't belong, ever since he left the Weeping Forest. But so far people had been nice to him. Guess he was just worried for when that niceness was about to run out. Though Elise mentioning that her father was a baker reassured him somewhat. He had tried baking himself a couple of times, though he seemed more akin to soups, stews and the like.

When she mentioned a sale going on in town, Isaac tilted his head. "A sale?" Why had he not considered that? He honestly felt a bit stupid for not thinking of it. Getting good ingredients for cheap was the perfect way to go. "D-Do you mind if I join you? I could find some good ingredients there."

[whimsae]

Elise Bell

A wild Pyukumuku has appeared!

What will you do?

	Pyukumuku Lv27
		5 Energy
	Large	Impish
	Innards Out
MOVES
Curse, Purify, Counter, Safeguard
NOTES
N/A

---

Isaac Faust

A wild Tauros has appeared!

What will you do?

	Tauros Lv6
		5 Energy
	Tiny!	Jolly
	Anger Point
MOVES
Rage, Tail Whip, Tackle
NOTES
N/A

[Elise Bell]

“Yeah!” Elise giggled brightly. Spotlight on the top of her head sighed a little. Sometimes her trainer was just too bright and poppy for her liking, but whatever she supposed it wasn’t too bad right now. “Everything’s on clearance for ….like some city holiday or something!” Elise went on not noticing the change in her Pokemon’s attitudes.

At the question, though, her eyes lit up. “I’d love a traveling buddy!” It made the time go faster! Turning thereafter, she made a directional point the way they were headed. “Let’s go!” And with that, she was off again.

Farther off down the path in the frosty sand, a Pyukumuku sat munching sand. It would look up as it heard others pass and then go back to munching sand right after. Elise just kept walking.

[Isaac Faust]

Isaac couldn't help but smile as Elise accepted him to travel with her. "Thank you. I'll do my best not to get in the way." This was really the first long interaction he had with people outside of shops, so he didn't want to mess this up.

The pair made their way down the path. It seemed rather peaceful, which was a good thing. Well, that was, until it stepped out onto the road. A Tauros. Smaller than average, but a Tauros non the less. The pokemon looked over at them, eyes looking back and forth between the young woman and Isaac. Taking note of the pokemon on Elise's head, it decided to settle on Isaac. The boy looked lonely. With a low moo, the Tauros charged towards Isaac, intent on giving him a hug (or at least the Tauros equivilent of a hug).

Unfortunately, to Isaac, he just saw a crazed Tauros charging at him. The boy's eyes bugged out as he stepped back. "W-Wait!" he yelled out, reaching into his robes, intent on throwing out one of his pokemon. However, before he could throw it, the Tauros crashed into him.

And then there was a flash of light, and the Tauros was gone.

Isaac laid on the ground, blinking. In his panic, he had grabbed an empty ball. Though it may not remain empty for long.

[Capture attempt with pokeball]

[whimsae]

Isaac Faust

Go, PokeBall!

One... two... and...

Q1qjjPjHp_



The Wild Pokemon was caught!

One Poke ball has been removed from your inventory.

[Elise Bell]

As a Tauros stepped out onto the road, Elise had immediately stopped walking. “Oh wow…” You didn’t really see those without a herd behind them… do you? Elise had only ever seen them consistently on TV, not quite like this? The Hatenna on her head, however, frowned deeply at this loud annoyance. If this creature was too annoying, she would beat it into submission. Luckily for the Tauros, he chose to bother Isaac— by charging him???

Elise squeaked as the Tauros went running at Isaac (or them both???). She stumbled immediately twisting around and falling back in the snow. Suddenly there was a flash of light and a ding in capture all of which Elise could barely process in the moment. She blinked slowly there in the snow with Spotlight now on her face staring down at her without eyes…. “I’m…. ok…” Elise whispered slowly sitting up and folding the Hatenna into her arms. “I-Isaac, are you ok??” she asked starting to stand and dust snow off herself again.

[Isaac Faust]

Even though he had captured the Tauros, the pokemon had still slammed into him before going into the pokeball, so now the witch boy was laying flat on his back, stunned and trying to comprehend what happened. Elise's call of concern snapped him out of it. "I-I'll be ok," he muttered, slowly pulling himself to his feet, picking up his hat and the pokeball. Well, that was certainly one way to capture a pokemon. Isaac looked over at Elise. "A-Are you alright?"

[Elise Bell]

As Isaac got up and assured her he was ok, Elise breathed out a little slowly. “I’m ok,” she answered gently raising up Spotlight to sit on her shoulder rather than her head. The Hatenna didn’t move, however, and seemed more content in the crook of her arm… so she left her there instead. “What do… you think it was doing?” she asked looking at the Pokeball now in Isaac’s possession. “It just sorta…….” A gust of wind had her shivering a little. “M-mabe we should keep going… walking and talking…. Before it gets too much colder.” She didn’t understand how he could wear such thin clothing and be “ok”.

[Isaac Faust]

"I...I'm not sure," Isaac murmured, looking at the pokeball curiously. It certainly was strange to see a Tauros act that way. Well, perhaps later, now that he had caught it, he could figure out why. But for now, as Elis was pointing out, things were starting to get a bit colder around her. Isaac was starting to feel a bit numb, though he didn't want to bother Elise with such things. He tucked the ball into his robe before looking at her and nodding. "Y-Yes. We should. B-Birch is this way, right?" he said, pointing down the road they had been travelling.

Elise Bell

[whimsae]

Elise Bell

A wild Binacle has appeared!

What will you do?

	Binacle Lv26
		5 Energy
	Small	Hasty
	Sniper
MOVES
Rock Polish, Clamp, Mud Slap, Slash
NOTES
N/A

A wild Horsea has appeared!

What will you do?

	Horsea Lv31
		5 Energy
	Average	Mild
	Swift Swim
MOVES
Brine, Focus Energy, Bubble Beam, Leer
NOTES
N/A

Isaac Faust

A wild Clobbopus has appeared!

What will you do?

	Clobbopus Lv8
		5 Energy
	Average	Rash
	Limber
MOVES
Rock Smash, Leer, Feint
NOTES
N/A

[Elise Bell]

“Right! That way!” Elise nodded again and started walking. The Hatenna under her arm made a low strange noise but settled again for a little at least. As they walked onwards, Elise would notice far off a Binacle seemed to be scuttling about orchestrating some rocks right up against the water’s edge. As she followed what it was orchestrating rocks for, however, she couldn’t help the soft “Aweeeee….” that escaped from her. Not far from the Binacale, a Horsea was watching very carefully! That was so cute! “Isaac look! Aren’t they cute??” she pointed out, hoping some positivity would distract them both. The Hatenna under her arm grumbled softly though at what, exactly, it was hard to tell right then. 

[Isaac Faust]

Isaac followed along behind Elise as they walked down the path towards Birch. He was still surprised about the capture of that Tauros. He could only wonder what he would do with the bull pokemon. Maybe if he got a cart, it could pull it. That made sense.

He was pulled from his thoughts by a squeal of delight from Elise. Isaac blinked and looked over, following her gaze to the Binacle and Horsea nearby in the water. It was a rather cute sight, if Isaac said so himself. Hmm, he couldn't help but wonder what sort of seafood there was around here. Perhaps he should giving fishing a try. Isaac smiled. "Yeah. They're kind of cute."

Then Isaac noticed something else nearby. A small pokemon coming out of the water. A Clobbopus. Was he watching the show as well? "Oh? Hello there," Isaac said, trying to be friendly. The small octopus pokemon looked over at Isaac, looking up at him.

...And then leaped up and punched him right in the face.

Elise Bell

[Elise Bell]

The shriek that escaped from Elise as the Clobbpus attacked Isaac directly had Spotlight hissing venomously in response. The Hatenna glowed with a bright Psychic power, and a Confusion broke in a wave at the cumbersome Pokemon. Elise squeaked at that too looking down at the Hatenna under her arm and then at the Clobbopus that took direct damage— and then at Isaac who also took direct damage of a different form. Dropping Spotlight for the moment, Elise immediately closed the distance between herself and Isaac. “Are you alright???”