Uriah's presence wasn't immediately noticed by the pack - but it did not take long for multiple sets of eyes to be pointed in his direction. Anne would be the first to notice - pausing in another charge towards Haru, as her ears pricked at the sound of someone's approach. Once she came to a complete stop, she'd stare in Uriah's direction - her demeanor very much having the airs of a stare-down between wild pokemon, given her usual suspicion towards human strangers.

And once Anne had stopped mid-spar, Haru would be the next to notice - the braixen glancing over at Uriah with a hue of timidity and uncertainty, her shyness plain to see. Who was this person, she wondered?

But that was enough for Ettie to notice him next, the young wildchild perking up curiously at the notion of a visitor. "Oh! Hello, friends!" She greeted with a bright smile - briefly wiggling in place as if she were a happy granbull, or otherwise trying to wag a tail she didn't have.

(Much to Princess' chagrin, the Snubbull having been attempting to doze off on Ettie's lap.)

"Pack practice lots! Play-fight lots!" Ettie explained, gesturing animatedly towards her pokemon - before adding with a hint of reassurance "Friends not-intruder. Friend play-fight? Friend watch?" She would be more than happy to let Uriah's flapple join in, if they were interested!

And it was only now that Ruffian and Duchess would notice Uriah - both pups pausing in their spar (if it could even be called a spar,) to glance in his direction. The lillipup's eyes in particular would linger on the flapple that was flitting about the trainer, sizing up the little dragon for a potential fight. But Duchess, on the other hand, was just eager for more people to PLAY! with - her tail wagging as she yipped in greeting!

URIAH BLACK

Smiling warmly, Ettie would gesture Uriah over - inviting the older man to sit with her. Having a friend around was always good - even a friend you just met!

But not only was Uriah willing to come watch - but his flapple, Bert, wanted to join in the play-fighting! Ruffian would perk up visibly at this - and though the lillipup would attempt to play it tough, trying to keep his tail for wagging, it was safe to say that he was enthused at the news. He was eager to show both this stranger, and his pokemon, just how strong he could be!

Ettie was on board with the idea as well, giggling happily and clapping her hands together briefly. "Yes! Bert-friend playfight!" She'd agree with a nod, before glancing over to Duchess. "Duchess play with Princess?" She'd suggest, not wanting the electrike to be left out.

Duchess was game for this, too - the little pup running up, and nosing at Princess with excited little yips in an attempt to wake up her adoptive-sibling.

In response, Princess would grumble softly as she opened a somewhat annoyed eye - turning over to see who was bothering her... But the snubbull's gaze would soften, upon noticing it was Duchess. Though she yawned widely, Princess would slowly get up from Ettie's lap - and together, both pups would wander off to another part of the clearing, to play together.

And with that, Ruffian would be free to spar with Bert as he pleased - and the lillipup, looking forward to taking the opportunity presented to him, would go into a low and readied stance. He'd let out a low 'rrrrrruff!' at the flapple, already appearing to Work Up himself into a little frenzy, in anticipation for the fight!

URIAH BLACK

Ruffian, to say the least, had been initially confused when Bert flew off to a nearby tree. Weren't they about to fight? Where the heck was he going? He'd begin to grumble, sounding faintly displeased at the flapple suddenly being all distracted...

... But then, he would be presented with a berry - perfectly ripe, thanks to Bert's ability. Ruffian blinked at the offering, glancing between the berry and Bert a few times... Before he decided to dig in - wolfing the treat right down!

Ettie, too, would happily accept the berry she was given - chirping "Thank you!" to Bert, with a wide and warm smile. She'd eat her berry a bit more slowly - nibbling at it as she watched over the pokemon. But, then Uriah would introduce himself - and so Ettie smiled to him. "Hello Uriah! Am Ettie!" She spoke, briefly wiggling with happiness as she introduced herself in turn. "Uriah-friend good!"

It wasn't long before Ruffian was done eating - the lillipup briefly licking his chops, the fur around his mouth stained with berry juice. He'd turn his gaze up towards Bert, thoughtful for a few moments, before letting out a bark at the flapple - as if trying to tell the dragon-type to come at him, already! Snacks were good and all, but what he was really looking for was a good fight!

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At Uriah's question, Ettie nodded and smiled brightly - a smile that grew, at what seemed to be him understanding and agreeing. Friends were always good! And there were so many friends that Ettie was looking forward to meeting.

As Bert's Leech Seed dropped to the earth, Ruffian had the sense to jump away - even as the roots of the sprouting plant reached out to him, keen on draining his energy. Though some managed to brush up against him, trying to sap portions of his strength, he'd attempt to shake it off - using Work Up to pump himself up and make up for the leeching effect of the roots!

And as Bert dove down in preparation to tackle him, Ruffian was plenty happy to meet the challenge head-on - growling as he charged straight into the flapple with a tackle of his own! A clash of strength - between the two, who would win out?

URIAH BLACK

As Bert is pushed back, Ruffian would come to a skidding stop upon landing - little claws digging in for traction. He'd let out a low growl of satisfaction at both the clash and Uriah's praise, briefly shaking himself off - as if to let off excess excitement. However, the presence of the Leech Seed reminds him he can't remain idle for long, the roots continuing to try and sap away at his energy.

Thus, Ruffian would once more charge forwards - leaping at Bert and attempting to use Play Rough!

Ettie would curiously glance to Uriah as he clapped, meanwhile - not quite understanding the gesture due to her wildchild origins, but being able to guess at its meaning from context. Giggling, she'd mimic the gesture, clapping as well! "Watching fun!" She spoke - adding "Bert strong, too!"

URIAH BLACK

As both pokemon came to a stop from their little tumble, Ruffian - to say the least - is filled with a sense of satisfaction. He's a little puzzled at Bert's giggling - wondering briefly what was so funny. But in the face of the praise that he overhears from Ettie and Uriah, he nonetheless stands over the flapple with an aura of smug pride, nose tilted up and chest puffed out. He could fight even dragons, clearly - what couldn't he stand up to? The world should watch out, for this little lillipup!

... Although, with all of his overconfidence, Ruffian was also letting his guard down - and there was something that a wise man once said, about triumphant pride and what it precipitates. He wasn't even paying any mind to the ever-creeping roots, of Bert's Leech Seed...

All the while, Ettie would nod at Uriah, smiling brightly. "What Uriah-pack like?" She asked - curious as to what other sorts of pokemon he must be friends with, for Bert to play with.

URIAH BLACK