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The Iron Valiant lifted its blade as the man rushed forward. Pink energy began to coalesce at its tip. But its trainer--even as her face changed colors---had the wherewithal to wave it off. [break][break]



This left the damned taco upside down between her feet.[break][break]




The Heal Pulse seemed to calm it somewhat. Though it was plain to see. Why is he hitting the small one? It thought to itself as it whirled to face them. But the blonde did not seem to be fighting him. She leaned into his arms.[break][break]

[break][break]



A mating dance perhaps? The internet showed many of those.[break][break]




The rough squeeze was enough to clear the blockage. A bit of orange chip flew out as she began to cough. After a moment of wheezing, she managed to croak out a response. "Thanks." She swallowed. "That would have been hard to explain on a tombstone."[break][break]



Perhaps that was Arceus's way of staving off these dark junk food desires. Still, judging by the fact that she picked off a crumb to eat, that warning was going ignored. [break][break]


Eat a carnival treat

[attr="class","bottom"]Thomas Benoit   [break]







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The blonde turned to him. An atypical smile appeared. "I believe I already did, your highness." A taunt entered her normally stoic tones. As she straightened her clothes, she gave a forlorn glance to the wasted food at her feet.
[break][break]


A pity. It was not as if she had money to be literally casting aside. The talk of Iron Valiant drew her gaze to the fairy-type at her side. Just beyond its shoulders, she could sight the Dugtrio Toss game.
[break][break]



"I was at Dewford with Amor Rose." She pauses in case there is any sense of recognition. "It attacked me. Hermes stepped in. I used its own blade against it, and it has been following me ever since."
[break][break]



She turned to face her cousin fully. "What of yours?"
[break][break]



At the hubbub from the Audino, the steel Pokemon moved to stare into the lake. Its pixel eyes skirted across the water in time with the darting fishes. As always, its expression was unreadable.

MENTION DUGTRIO TOSS

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Lydia's lips pressed into a firm line. "That is concerning." It appeared that these Paradox Pokemon were spreading like a virus. Another plague that Hoenn did not need. "It is interesting that they joined for similar reasons, however." Her own--as evidenced by its obsession with the pond--had been curious as well as impressed.[break][break]

At the lament, Lydia bowed her head. A hand reached for a beloved amulet her cousin would notice was no longer there. Instead, she grasped at its phantom. "Lord Arceus be with them. Amen." The loss of a loved one was never an easy thing. Fortunately, the depressing air was soon banished by carnival fun.[break][break]


Lydia followed the pair to the game in silence. "Remember, you will have to carry what you win, Thomas." This practicality initially stopped her from playing the game herself. Even if the hanging Horsea plush called to her from a few feet above. Any further thoughts were interrupted by the stranger's coarse, profane rants.[break][break]


Blue eyes narrowed as she watched the carnie back up. "Let's." Fortunately, it seems her assistance was not needed. "Lady, can ya tell ya-hic-boyfriend not to--" He reached for her chest, his hand disappearing as she sidestepped him into a stumble. A brusque push sent him onto his face. "My cousin is being far more merciful than I would be. Leave." The man fled like a kicked cur, his tail figuratively between his legs.[break][break]


The carnie, really just a kid, thrust two cheap bamboo roads at them. "Thanks."

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Blue eyes turned appraisingly to the lanky automaton. Following the actions of a nearby child, it threw grass into the pond. "Our sample size may be small, but the hypothesis holds true." Another frown appeared. [break][break]

Another story of Ultra Space and another deadly situation. Hm. "I am concerned by the number of people who wish to kill you." She had faced similarly harrowing situations, but she was not on a first-name basis with her enemies. The attacks were not personal.[break][break]


When the boy nodded, Lydia took the rod. "Thank you." A cast sent the bobber into the water. She felt a tug. Instead of a Magikarp, she emerged with a Feebas. A little red tag was gently locked around its fin.[break][break]


Judging by the lack of hooks, the Pokémon were trained to grab the line and hang on.[break][break]


"Uh--" She young man swallowed. "Want to try again?" With surprising enthusiasm, the blonde slammed a few dollars on the counter.

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The coarse simile received a frown. "I would rather not imagine you pissing in coffee, Thomas." Still, the rest of his words did nothing to soothe her concerns. The little chuckle received a raised brow in response. "You seem proud of that fact." [break][break]

As of yet, she had yet to have an assassin sent after her. A fact she had little desire to change. Fame nor fortune were ever high on her list of desires. She did things because she was asked to, not for glory or applause.[break][break]

The Audino's interactions coaxed a small smile from the normal taciturn woman's lips. "I hope he does not grow bored of it." A toy like that required some determination to lug around.[break][break]

With a new rod in hand, Lydia returned to the pond. "Is this the only game you have played, cousin?" She cast into the chemical laden water.[break][break]

This time, the veteran pulled up a small Magikarp. The tag on its fin was emblazoned with a capital S. The vendor smiled awkwardly as he handed over a tiny, keychain-sized Horsea. Its eyes were crooked and the stitching poor.[break][break]

It would be hanging from her keychain by the end of the night.

"Perhaps we can try a game less dependent on...chance."[break]

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Lydia sighed. For a moment, her voice was a perfect clone of her mother. "Boys will be boys." They took pride in the number of bloodied noses they left behind. Skinned knees were no different from badges of valor. At the discussion of Councilwoman Anderson, her lips pressed together. "I am concerned such a brazen act succeeded in the first place." While grateful for his actions, Lydia often focused on the root of problems. [break][break]

'Plenty' of little ones? Up went a carefully manicured brow. The normally stoic face twisted into one of teasing concern. "I am concerned this is becoming a problem, Thomas." She shook her head. "Even a ranch only has so many acres." But the sparkle in her eyes showed she was merely teasing. It was not as if her cousin was the only one with a penchant for cute things. Her own shelves were stacked with kitschy little glass animals.[break][break]

At the talk of Tauros riding, she blinked. Blue eyes shifted in the direction of that game. One that she'd had to shoo a few angry drunkards from. "For you or the bull?" A hand lifted to tuck a curl behind her left ear. "I have been enjoying the fare." While typically a woman of organic diet, carnival food was a particular weakness. "In between tossing out irritating patrons, of course."
[break][break]
The question received a shake of the head in response. "I have not..." Her cheeks colored. "My stature makes it...difficult." It was one thing to be turned away from a ride as a child but another entirely to be denied as a grown woman.