[attr="class","matias"]"captain! what a surprise."

it's about as much of a surprise as the bottle of amber liquid she raises; he raises one, too, and knocks back a hefty swig, just like old times.

when it lowers, a pokeball bursts open, calling out his choice for the battle.

"loser buys drinks?"

[attr="class","noodles"]skyler dross

"Now you're talking my language."

About half of the matches she's participated in have ended with drinks being had. The other half have started with drinks being had. Clearly, the good ol' captain isn't missing any chances to stave off the heat - or to build her reputation around tequila. Or rum, depending.

"Svernos, under." Skyler doesn't wait, raising an arm to protect her eyes from the sudden onslaught of sand as the Garchomp DIGS deep, disappearing from sight.

"Flexing those battling muscles, Sarge? Or are you looking to win something?"

---

garchomp uses DIG 

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]garchomp DIGS and ninetales quickly DISABLES it, eyes flashing red as it prepares to be struck from under.

"looking to win, of course."

laughing, he says:

"have you tried tequila pong?"

[attr="class","noodles"]skyler dross

"A couple of times." Skyler smirks. The mention brings back hazy recollections, drowned out in her, at the time, drink of choice.

In all honesty, she can't remember most of the game. 

Beneath the Ninetales, earth and sand starts to rumble. A sharp fin erupts first, quickly followed by the rest of the Garchomp as she reappears under the fire fox with vicious intensity. 

"Are you inviting me for a round or two, Sarge?"

---

garchomp uses DIG 
the move DIG is now disabled

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]"a couple of times? cap, you're wild."

ninetales cries out in pain. her tails immediately curl under, releasing a FIRE BLAST right into the garchomp's side.

the attack sends heat rising all around them.

"yeah. figure i could kick your ass in that, too."

[attr="class","noodles"]skyler dross

"You know I can't say no to that." The play of bright sunlight on her face highlights her grin, slightly lopsided and mischievous. Usually a prelude to some harebrained and likely dangerous idea.

Unable to escape in time, Svernos takes the full brunt of the Fire Blast, hungry flames scorching her scales a darker blue. Her pained yowl transitions swiftly into a low growl, revenge taking the shape of a full body charge, attempting to BULLDOZE the fox in her warpath.

"You sure, Sarge? You know how it is with sailors and drinking. But you're on." Laughter bubbles out of her. "We should up the stakes somehow."

---

garchomp was hit by FIRE BLAST! ouch
garchomp uses BULLDOZE
the move DIG is now disabled

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]the matchup is definitely not in their favor. ninetales won't be able to outlast another hit or two like the last.

so the PROTECT that forms is only natural, instinctual. the brief lull after the impact is used to leap back, creating distance.

"what were you thinking?"

[attr="class","noodles"]skyler dross

Her mouth opens and closes, clearly stumped. She hadn't thought quite that far ahead when she'd made the suggestion. Which, to be fair, was very on point for the ship captain.

"I'm sure we'll figure something out."

Svernos' charge is halted by the protective barrier that shimmers around the Ninetales. Amber eyes glare down at her opponent, annoyance making itself known in the sharp teeth that chomp down a hairwidth away from the fox's snout. Strangely enough, the Garchomp lets her opponent leap back without making any move to follow after.

It's only when the tide begins to surge that her intent becomes apparent. SURF taking over the battlefield.

"Tattoos are out of the question." Her eyes follow the inked designs across Matias' skin. "Where'd you get those anyway?"

---

garchomp uses SURF
the move DIG is now disabled

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]could matias have picked a worse choice against a garchomp?

there's nothing to stop the SURF from washing over the battlefield. ninetales leaps, runs, but is still smacked by the wave that carries her a few paces.

when she drifts to a stop, her eyes flash pink in a CONFUSE RAY, desperation showing.

"kanto."

he grins.

"you sure, cap? i think a tattoo might look good on you."

[attr="class","noodles"]skyler dross

"Of course it would look good on me." A wry smile takes over her mouth, guileless and amused as she tilts her head to the side. Not that Skyler is a guileless person in any way, shape or form. But she has her moments. "But I think you're inked up for both of us, Sarge."

And besides, Skyler would never cover up her scars with ink. She's much too proud of them. She's much too proud in general.

Svernos is on her way to deal the death blow, so to speak, when the Confuse Ray has her staggering back. Finned arms are raised up in confusion as the dragon tries to get her bearings - only to utterly fail. This time, no attack is forthcoming.

Skyler's chin tilts to motion for the tattoos. "They mean anything?"

---

garchomp is confused!
the move DIG is now disabled

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]"they do. might tell you about them one day."

the confusion buys ninetales enough time to recover. like a dog after a bath, she shakes her fur dry, vibrating with the intensity of an EXTRASENSORY that looks to pierce into garchomp's mind.

[attr="class","noodles"]skyler dross

"So mysterious, Sarge." An eyebrow is quirked up, amusement rolling off her tongue, harmless. "Do the girls - or guys - fall for that often?"

Despite the confusion that has overtaken the Garchomp, Ninetales' next attack seems to give the dragon some measure of clarity. Shaking her head to try and dispel her disorientation, Svernos manages to slam both of her clawed appendages against the ground, an EARTHQUAKE rippling outward to hit everything and everyone in the vicinity.

---

garchomp is still confused!
garchomp manages to use EARTHQUAKE!
the move DIG is now disabled

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]with a wink, he responds:

"they do."

the grin that curls is only natural; it lingers even through the EARTHQUAKE that threatens them off their feet.

ninetales struggles to stay upright. she slips, hits her head against the ground, and almost faints from the pain. crying out in pain, she sends a desperate FIRE BLAST across the battlefield.

[attr="class","noodles"]skyler dross