Shoal Cave was a breath of fresh air for him. The deep expanse of the ice cold cave provided solace from the scorching hot temperature of the rest of Hoenn. Briefly, he wondered is the region was overheating because it was tropical or simply because a giant meteor was on its way to end them. Regardless, he simply had to have trust that the League would take care of it. If not, the end would be instantaneous anyway. [break][break]

Maybe a couple of super rich trainers with space suits would survive. Whatever. The only think he could really do was stay productive. That's how he earned his living, and how he kept his mind off dark and gloomy topics. He as here on research. Reginoal pokemon were regional for a reason, but somehow they'd started spreading outside of their natural ecosystems. While, not unnatural due to trainers and the capture and sale of rare pokemon, it's kind of funny how they're settling around Hoenn. Especially since they weren't exactly native. Were they fitting in? Or was an influx of alolan sandshrew and ninetails messing with the ecosystem? [break][break]

To check, he'd planned on gradually visiting such places he could find a concentration of foreign pokemon, the easiest being Shoal cave. Carefully, the man followed well tred paths deeper and farther into the cave, occasionally stopping to pick of a seashell or some salt rocks. He eventually made it deeper down, eyes adjusting to the light as he spotted a white blue Ninetails. He approached slowly, moving better than to storm its sanctum as he thought of a way to either befriend it or tag it. He had meant to pull out a couple of snacks to offer its brood of Vulpix when a scream broke through the stillness of the cave, pulling a yelp from even Viorel. Not long, there's a dramatic fall, a tumble, and then a young woman propped on the ground almost right in front of the Ninetails. Oh...how unfortunate. It seemed he wouldn't be able to tag any of the pokemon here today. Shame. [break][break]

"Are you alright?" he asked, catching the Ninetails' ire as well, though he didn't look back at the pokemon, uninterested in her wrath. He tapped a pokemon letting loose a giant red and purple centipede pokemon. "Trindle, please keep her busy." he asked as the Scolipede stopped nuzzling her trainer and locked eyes with the Ninetails before moving forward. Viorel for his part moved to go help Shalin

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+ Shalin Nariya | mission prompt: pkmn hunter [break][break]

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"Hey-" he began loudly, as Trindle moved to intercept the Ninetails only for it to rush after the fallen explorer. "You don't need to bait it-! Trindle is more than capable to defend us-" he said though it didn't seem the other girl was listening. The Scolipede instead was speeding towards the wild beast, trying awkwardly to find an opening to attack it without hitting Shalin. [break][break]

She blasted a TOXIC at it, poisoning the wild pokemon before chasing down Shalin and attempting to cut in between her and the rampaging Ninetails. Viorel frowned, backing away further before releasing his a Sizzlepede that immediately wrapped itself around his neck like a scarf. "Thank you, the temperature is dropping." Suddenly AURORA BEAM blasted out haphazardly, more intent on stopping Shalin the intruder, than Trindle the interloper.

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+ Shalin Nariya | mission prompt: pkmn hunter [break][break]

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The battle is rough, Vioprel stayed hidden watching as Shalin tried to stay on the Ninetails. They really should be running. Trindle would be able to outrun the menace, but not if they kept antagonizing the ice fox. "Trindle!" he shouted as the Scolipede used MEGAHORN to shove aside the fox as she sped towards Shalin to help her up and drag her out of the way as an enraged AURORA BEAM slammed into the wall where the poor trainer had just been seconds ago. [break][break]

As TOXIC crippled the fox, Trindle tried to drag Shalin behind cover. This was a waiting game, they just had to keep away the rabid pokemon. Viorel peeked out his head as the Ninetails stalked towards the pair before frantically picking up a rock. He could see her pups, small Vulpixes in the corner hiding from the danger. He feels bad, but he knows he can't let Tringle and Shalin get mauled. [break][break]

Wit has flick of his wrist he launches a small rock towards the pups. It hits the wall but its enough to make the Vulpix flinch and cry. The Ninetail sees him drop down to pick up another rock before launching it at the pups again. This time, one hits and it cries out weakly. That does it for him. His target is screeching in fury, changing courses and running towards Viorel. He's running, slipping and sliding towards a large stalagmite as the fox send out deadly ICE SHARDS at his feet.

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+ Shalin Nariya | mission prompt: pkmn hunter [break][break]

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Trindle, while a little annoyed, for the most part is alright with this situation, moving to cover for Shalin and assist her towards the exit. She is well aware of her poison coursing through the Ninetails' veins. Viorel could do this much. [break][break]

While not the most athletic, Viorel spent enough time in the wild running away form danger to at least be able to do this last bit. As the fox pokemon shrieked and scrambled after him, Vio is taking cover, popping up every time there's a pause in the AURORA BEAMs to sprint away. At some point he's simply throwing himself on the ice to slip and slide his way to cover. [break][break]

Eventually the dual type begins huffing and puffing. Panting as she chased him. Swerving side to side as if dizzy. Vio picks up another rock, as if to throw it. The mother moves to cover for her pups ,ready to take the little rock. The scientist meanwhile puffs up his chest before backing away slowly towards Shalin and Trindle's cooing. The Ninetails, sensing herself on the verge flees, picking up her pups as best she can and sending them away, all the while glaring at the humans that had invaded her domain. [break][break]

Once she's gone he let out a long sigh and turned to Shalin. "Hey there, are you alright?"

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+ Shalin Nariya | mission prompt: pkmn hunter [break][break]

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"Yes, I could tell." he said giving Shalin a quick nod. As the girl limped towards her belongings he made quick notes about the encounter and decided that perhaps he would be lucky not to see that fox again. So much for his tagging efforts. He might have to figure out another method of observation. [break][break]

Trindle does her best to assist, only glaring a little bit at the Sizzlepede still wrapped aorund Viorel's neck like a glowing scarf. "Ah, yes, I'm sure she wouldn't mind letting you sit on her while we take the way back up." he said with a small nod. "I can take you to Mossdeep. Besides, continuing my work after that spectacle would be futile. Most if not all who heard it would've fled. Or attracted the more aggressive and territorial of the cave." [break][break]

His attention turned back to Shalin who was injured and be began to worry. In an attempt to seem like he wasn't solely lamenting the loss of a day's work he looked over her bruised body. "No bleeding, right?" Hopefully nothing internal. No concussions? Wait- She had smacked into the wall pretty hard a couple of times. As his anxieties begin to bubble, he nodded over at his Scolipede who lent herself as a mobile chair. Before long, the trio began making their way out with Vio doing his best attempts to tamper down the worry and ask more on her 'pokemon riding'.

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+ Shalin Nariya | pumpkaboo p5 - worries | mission prompt: pkmn hunter [break][break]

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