[attr="class","hanapoke"]

[attr="class","hanahold"]

[attr="class","hanaflavourtext"]❝呼べよ、花の名前を❞

[attr="class","hanatext"]She knew better than to curse the sun. Sunlight was a necessity for all living creatures in this world, delicate rays that basked the soil in such warmth and allowed life to flourish and grow. It drove many natural cycles and often blessed the people with sights that had yet to be seen, a gentle soul that simply gave and never asked for anything back.

And yet, she still cursed it anyways.

Bright, uncomfortably warm and most certainly trying to get in her eyes, sunlight was a gremlin that knew not the meaning of stop, eliciting the quietest of sighs as Lilith haplessly blocked the light with her hand. Having listened to the vehement protests of Rubia, Hex and Yule all morning, she simply watched as they escaped into their precious pokéballs - No doubt having the time of their lives as they avoided the dreary notion of being baked under the sun. So it seemed that she'd only have Eclipse by her side for this leg of her journey, a young and vibrant incarnation of mischief itself as he darted between her legs and dipped into the tall grass nearby.

Every so often, he'd disappear for a brief moment - eliciting a soft twitch of fingers from Lilith - before returning with a pebble in tow, dropping it before her feet with a puffed chest and a loud growl, almost as if he'd just returned from the greatest hunt known to pokémon-kind. And with each turn, she would only raise an eye, crouching down to pick the offerings up and reward him a scratch behind the ear. Returning the gesture with an affectionate lick of her palm, the Zorua would be quick to latch onto her arm, bounding right up onto her shoulder and letting out a sharp yowl into the warm seabreeze.

Even as she cursed the sand and the endless heatwave, even as the sharp edges of wild grass grazed her calves and the world was drowned by a cacophony of Wingulls, there simply was something comforting about the carefree attitude of Eclipse. Far beyond the dark corridors and halting breaths... Trembling fingers entwined themselves with a silky pelt, rhythmical strokes gradually losing their hesitance with every low purr that rumbled in her ears.

Even if she hated travelling in such places, it couldn't have been all that bad if at least someone was enjoying their time.

[attr="class","hanatags"]@cat || @rye || outdoors

[attr="class","hanapoke"]

[attr="class","hanahold"]

[attr="class","hanaflavourtext"]❝呼べよ、花の名前を❞

[attr="class","hanatext"]No matter where she went, it seemed that nature truly did have a Pandora's box of surprises lying in wait. Whilst Pokemon cries weren't out of the ordinary, the yells in a well-understood language definitely were, especially in the wildlands. Despite the countless regions she had travelled and the numerous people she'd met, a cry similar to that would only ever signal distress and an urgent need of help.

Of course, there'd be a full second that the girl would slow in her step, squinting ever so slightly at the sight as she weighed the benefits of interfering with nature's course. In this world, it was most definitely a survival of the fittest, the remnants of a war having shaken this region to its core as those who lived on struggled to pull their lives back together. Poor living conditions in some regions, harsh climates in another; Only heaven knew if this region was infested with those whose hands were covered in blood. If a kid couldn't even defend themselves from a bunch of Pidgeys... Well, she didn't want to guess how his fate would unravel.

Just as she was about to turn tail and leave this farce all behind, there would be a sharp nip to her ear, a soft curse escaping her lips right as Eclipse used her shoulder to leap right into the bushes. And with a quiet rustle, he was gone without a trace, his scent soon scattered to the wind. It would take all but a second for her mind to take it in and her body to soon follow, a cursed chill creeping right through her veins as she scrambled right after him.

Knowing his tendencies, he was probably trying to help the stranger, wasn't he? Those Pidgeys seemed unwilling to flee even in the face of danger, so getting involved didn't necessarily mean that anything would be achieved. What if he got hurt? Or worse, what if they were affiliated...? A thousand thoughts would flutter by but nothing would stand out more than the knife right in her back, a serrated blade twisting deep into her consciousness even as she stumbled and scraped her knees.

Right as she'd reach the duo, an Arbok would slither right out of the tall grass, glistening fangs bared as it raised itself to its full height. Serving as the natural predator of Pidgeys, fear would no doubt have been struck in their hearts, feathers rustling restlessly as they warily took a step back. With its unnatural size, it could easily have held a person in a chokehold too if it tried. And yet, she'd show no hesitance in approaching the Pokemon, readily pulling the Arbok into a hug and holding it tight - Oh, didn't fate love taunting her for a reaction. Of course, it was inevitable that she'd be caught up in things, pulled in by chance encounters and led to follow the hearts of others once again.

Caught off guard, the Arbok would freeze, only to then soften in her presence and accept the situation for what it was. No more separations, unsaid words that would be kept for as long as time allowed them to. Then again, they still did face the predicament of the hoard of glaring Pidgeys, neither party willing to make a move just yet. Releasing her hold on the lengthy snake pokemon, Lilith would reach into her pouch and pull out a small offering of leftover bread crumbs, gently crouching down and holding them out to the antagonised flock. Sure enough, the smallest of the Pidgeys would waddle its way over, casting the large Arbok a narrowed glare before cautiously reaching out to snag a piece.

Not much in terms of making everlasting friendships, but just about enough to convince the foul fowls that she wasn't here to fight. Redirecting her gaze to the two toddlers, Lilith would squint as she reached into her pouch once more, gesturing the duo to put out their hands. If they did, she'd have given them a portion of bread crumbs as well, waiting for them to call a truce with the Pidgeys before things got out of hand. And if not...

Well, they could just find out what people meant by the cruelty of nature.

[attr="class","hanatags"]@cat || @rye || outdoors