It was an exceptionally busy day at the Safari Zone; trainers and hikers alike gathered at the entrance, preparing for their trek across the grounds. Barnaby was simply one of many today.

He decided on a different route than the one he'd taken last time. Rather than cutting down the main path, he veered right and took a less-trodden trail. Grasses and underbrush peaked out along the margins of the trail, fanning against the man's legs as he walked.

For a second Barnaby thought the soft thud on his calf was just a wayward branch - but, looking down, he saw a STUFFUL at his feet. The little bear Pokémon gazed up at him with button eyes, all regard for safety thrown to the wind. It seemed transfixed by Pepin, who had by this point climbed onto Barnaby's shoulder.

"Wanna tag along with us, little one?"

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befriending STUFFUL

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The STUFFUL mewed a mellow response, which Barnaby took as consent. With a smile and a little pat to the bear's head, he continued his excursion into the interior of the Safari Zone. The STUFFUL waddled casually behind him, keeping up with its new trainer.

As they walked, the trio passed by a large pond adjacent to the trail. STUFFUL paused near the water, which Barnaby wasn't even aware of - Pepin had to squeak out an alert for him to turn his head and notice the bear. Its paw was raised above the surface of the water, poised and still.

"What are you—"

Before Barnaby could even finish his question the STUFFUL's paw smashed into the pond - a masterfully executed Force Palm. From the water it withdrew a writhing LUVDIC.

"Oh. Well, didn't expect tha— Wait! Don't eat it!"

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capturing LUVDISC

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LUVDISC's eyes were as big as saucers as it stared up at the STUFFUL, whose mouth was wide open. A pleasant surprise to Barnaby, the little bear had actually listed to his order and stopped mid-chomp.

"I've got something else if you're hungry. Let's leave the fish alone."

With a simple flick of the wrist, LUVDISC was safely within the confines of a Poké Ball.

Keeping to his word, Barnaby walked over beside the pond and extracted a bag of treats from his backpack. The STUFFUL gladly accepted the offering, snuffling them from the palm of it's new trainers hand.

A soft rustle came from the nearby vegetation. Barnaby turned his head, curious of the source. Within moments a shy HAPPINY emerged, apparently drawn in by the smell of food.

"Hey there, bébé. Would you like some too?"

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befriending HAPPINY

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Filled with unbridled glee, the HAPPINY waddled over and took a piece of the treat from Barnaby's hand. STUFFUL seemed unphased as it casually chewed on its piece, but Pepin... he wasn't nearly as calm.

The EEVEE squeaked the alarm from atop Barnaby's shoulder, his hair standing on end. He jumped down and ran into the bushes without another sound.

"Pep-" Barnaby began, but cut himself off when the small Pokémon disappeared into the undergrowth. "Damn that Eevee."

It was definitely one of the most high-strung Pokémon that he owned. But he wasn't disloyal; whatever had spooked him had been important enough to give chase to. Sighing, Barnaby quickly placed his newly caught Pokémon in their balls and then followed after his EEVEE.

One short trek through the woods later, he eventually stumbled open a small clearing. The telltale squeaking told Barnaby that Pepin was close - but where?

Suddenly, the little guy burst from the underbrush - with a little girl in tow?? Wait, was Barnaby seeing this right? TWO EEVEEs? The pair frolicked around him for a moment, chirping in unison, until they both plopped their cute furry behinds down in front of him. Barnaby could only shake his head and smile.

"You find yourself a friend, love?"

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befriending EEVEE

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