The floral hedgehog was still getting used to life away from his cloudy garden in the sky - and to his new master as well. It seemed, in fact, that the SHAYMIN hadn't really been around humans at all before BARNABY FINCH and Elisabeth Fiorelli had ventured into his Gracidea-hewn meadow. Perhaps that's why he had been so trusting so quickly, waddling up to them with little reservation.

This friendliness suited Puck. He was truly a cheerful little fellow, always willing to give a good nuzzle or happy squeak. His head was currently tucked below Barnaby's chin in a show of affectionate trust, while the rest of his round body perched on the man's shoulder. He didn't seem inclined to move from the spot, either, even as a FOMANTIS crossed in front of their path.

The wild Pokémon was caught off-guard and threw up its small pinchers in an aggressive display (which, admittedly, came off as rather adorable to Barnaby).

"Alright, you stay there, then." He assured his SHAYMIN, before releasing a Pokémon better suited to take on the FOMANTIS anyway. "Colombe, see this little one along."

The unusually-colored TALONFLAME that had emerged from her Poké Ball flew in an arc around the group, sizing up her opponent with a sharp eye. Then - quick as lighting - she executed an AERIAL ACE that sent the Sickle Grass Pokémon to the ground.

It looked rather injured, actually. Colombe had gone a little overboard in her attack. Barnaby decided to capture the thing so that it could at least receive medical care. Perhaps Elisabeth Fiorelli would take the creature on as her own, even.

catching FOMANTIS
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The Safari Ball shook one, two, three times before the central button lit up and pinged! its confirmation of a successful capture. Barnaby strode toward the newly-filled device and pocketed it.

With that done, he continued down the trail with Puck riding passenger on his shoulder and Colombe flying overhead.

SKIPPING ♡
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Their walk continued uninterrupted for a good while; blessedly, a nice breeze had begun to blow, serving to cool the sweat on Barnaby's arms, legs, and face. It almost made the heat bearable, but not quite. So, when they happened upon the Safari Zone's central pond, he thought it a good idea to rest and maybe dip his feet in the water for a bit.

Colombe had other ideas, though. Rather than taking a break, she was on the hunt. Her predatory eyes scanned the water for easy prey and, soon enough, she spotted a MAGIKARP near the shoreline. With unrivaled AGILITY, she dove straight for the fish, extending her talons at the last possible moment until - SPLASH!

She gripped the thing by its tail, rapidly flapping her wings in an effort to hover closer to the shore and beach her quarry. MAGIKARP being MAGIKARP, it simply FLAILed about helplessly.

Now, Barnaby would normally let his Pokémon have such a snack, but he'd actually been interested in owning a GYARADOS lately. So, instead, he called Colombe off and chucked a Safari Ball at the fish.

catching MAGIKARP ♡
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Success!

No sooner had Barnaby retrieved the Safari Ball, though, than another interruption occurred.

He felt something hard and spherical hit the back of his head. Nothing life-threatening, but annoyingly painful. Turning around, Barnaby saw an apricorn on the ground and a jabbering GROOKEY chittering at him in a nearby tree.

The monkey was obviously vexed about something; it stamped up and down on a thick branch, scurried a few feet to the left to do the same thing, and then back again to repeat to process. Positively incensed.

Rubbing the back of his head, Barnaby wasn't feeling particularly kind right now either.

"Colombe..." He began, his tone dark as he glared up at the GROOKEY. "Flame Charge that insufferable chimp."

catching GROOKEY ♡
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With that annoyance easily dispatched and captured, Barnaby and his team were finally able to take a much-needed break. While Colombe perched in the same tree the GROOKEY had occupied, Barnaby and Puck ventured down to the pond's shore to dip their feet in.

As Barnaby lowered the SHAYMIN into the water his tiny paws wiggled furiously, ready for the cooling sensation to hit his toe beans. The water only went up to Puck's chin, which actually wasn't very deep considering his small size; still, Barnaby enjoyed watching his little hedgehog play in the shallows.

SKIPPING ♡
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Puck was fucking adorable. There was no denying it: the little Mythical Pokémon splashed around in the water, merrily squeaking his delight.

Barnaby watched, amused, until he heard an odd snuffling sound by the rocks where he'd left his backpack and shoes. Turning, at first he saw nothing. Then, suspiciously, the fabric of his bag began to bulge and shift around. A few seconds passed before the head of a SALANDIT - with his lunch between it's teeth! - popped out of the opening.

"Hey—!" Barnaby exclaimed, his brows furrowing in frustration. "Don't you even think about it!"

Oh, but the SALANDIT was doing more than thinking. With what sounded like a mischievous giggle, the lizard began to scuttle away from the scene of the crime. She thought herself very clever for waiting until the human was preoccupied away from his bag.

She didn't seem to notice the raptor in the tree above her, though. In one silent, deadly swoop Barnaby's TALONFLAME dove toward the SALANDIT in an AERIAL ACE, attempting to pin the thief to the ground until her trainer could come closer and capture it.

catching SALANDIT ♡
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