The grating sound of rock on rock causes Matilda to jump up and clap her hands to her ears. She turns around to the sight of an enormous turtle, rock armor covering its torso and head. Her eyes go wide as her heart pounds in her chest. It stops pulling itself over the rocks when it sees her and the two small Pokemon, tilting its head slowly as it considers the group of them.[break][break]

Slowly Matilda drops her hands to her sides. Her heart still pounds hard in her chest - if a creature like that decided to attack her, she didn't stand a chance. She stepped towards it slowly, and initially it stepped back; but she carefully approached it, and it eventually allowed her near. Mattie could see a harpoon gouged deep between two sections of armor plating, and she sighed sadly. "Hey there, it's okay," she murmurs to the Carracosta, moving slowly and carefully as she talks to it until it lets her touch it.[break][break]

Once they're acquainted enough that the large turtle is okay with her touching and prodding, Mattie retrieves her bag and digs through it until she pulls out her first aid supplies. She'd never seen a Pokemon like this, let alone studied or worked with one, but she was certain that between herself and Taika they could help this lady feel much, much better.[break][break]

Matilda preps the injury site, being sure to apply as much topical anesthetic as she could while wishing mightily she could be back home with the small surgery suite in her aunt's nursery at her disposal. She explains everything she's going to do before she does it, and while she isn't entirely sure if the Pokemon can understand her, it does seem to be calmer when she's talking to it. Once Mattie releases Taika the Carracosta visibly relaxes; it must know what fairies do.[break][break]

Taika makes small, sad Togepi noises as it inspects the large spear in the Carracosta's side. She looks up at Matilda with pleading in her eyes, and Matilda nods. The two of them tell the Carracosta what they're going to do, but Mattie knew that wasn't going to help much with this next step. Without further ado, Taika places her small hands on the Carracosta's side while Matilda grabs the harpoon and unceremoniously yanks it out of the Pokemon. A loud roar echoes around them, but as soon as the head of the harpoon clears the Pokemon's skin Taika is already channeling the frost and condensation around them into a healing salve. The pink mist of Taika's fairy magic combines with the waters around them and within short order the Carracosta's labored breathing eases. The wound isn't completely erased, but it's healed enough that the wild Pokemon can continue healing on its own without extensive pain or suffering.[break][break]

Matilda continues her soft, comforting words as she puts Taika back in her capsule for safekeeping, and turns back to her two little ones to continue working with them. It becomes apparent after a while that the Carracosta has no interest in leaving; it stays happily on the rocks, watching the three interact. Some light snow begins falling, and Matilda packs up her things and puts Rigel away, but Mizar is having far too much fun and doesn't get to play in the snow nearly enough, so she leaves him out to frolic to his heart's content. She sits and talks with the Carracosta for a while before eventually offering it a place on her team, and it reaches out and sets one large flippered hand on her lap while nuzzling her with its large, armored head. Mattie giggles, then gently taps her new friend with an unused Pokeball before she heads back into town, Mizar bounding around her as he enjoys the snowfall.


[break][break]

I'mma catch that Carracosta!!

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky