When Josh was young, he had gone to an ice rink, finding that skating was not for him at all. While he could push off the edge and move in a straight line, any time he tried to turn, he would spin out and go sliding into the opposite wall. It was a minor miracle that no one had ever cut his fingers open from being unable to avoid him.

Today on the rink, he didn't need skates. He had his Pokémon. Seated on the back of a Dewgong, the Gym Leader slipped and slid across the ice, the Pokémon's warm, blubbery body melting the ice enough for it to refreeze, patching up holes where others had skated over. Riding Ulysses over the surface felt like being on a sled going down a slick, snowy mountain. Even without water to swish his tail through, he could still steer by shifting his body weight around and pushing off the rink's walls with his tail.

After a thrust away from the wall, propelling them across the ice at a good clip, Josh saw they were on a collision course with a young female. "Ulysses, hard right!" The two shifted their weight to the right, but it was apparent the adjustment was not going to be in time. On the other side of the rink, Hylda the Glastrier shook her head in disappointment.

Shirley that saw from distance start to chase her, untying the ribbon on her leg hoping that Zahra could grab onto it as currently between them two - Shirley display much more skill on gliding and stopping on the top of the ice rink. However, Zahra's speed has been accumulating to the point that Shirley can't catch up. Zahra saw a man on the top of his pokemon right in front of her, she can't make a turn right now as she needs more room to make a turn with her current skill. Despite his effort on evading her (Rude, he could at least try to help stopping her) the collision is inevitable. The hard body of the dewgong and its weight make her felt like she was crashing into a not-so-solid wall as she bounce back and gives her a nasty fall. Shirley manages to catch up and jump while positioning herself between Zara and the man growling as in her perspective - He is the one that injure her trainer.

Ouch, ouch... Zahra groans trying to rub her bottom wishing for the pain away. She hopes that it doesn't give her a permanent damage; an doctor friend of hers once told her in the past that falling right on the bottom is quite dangerous. Shirley, it is OK girl. It is not anyone fault here. He could have try to stop me in a way but ultimately that is not his responsibility Zahra calls out to her Absol while speaking bluntly with a pained smile. She doesn't want to stand up yet since the fall quite shaken her up a little bit. Shirley stops growling but still glaring at the Dewgong and their trainer.

Sorry about that but umm... can you help me a little bit. I don't think I can trust myself to stand up on my own right now Zahra calls out the man who she just crashed into

Josh Devlin

Ulysses let out a deep cry as he collided with the novice skater, the Gym Leader worried about an impact with his Dewgong's head. Not for the ice-type's safety, but for the strangers. "You okay?" Josh asked. "Ulysses' horn didn't get you, did it?" That horn was an icebreaker and the Pokémon's greatest weapon.

When Josh noticed the skater was uncomfortable trying to stand, he scooted up in the Dewgong's saddle. "Hop on! I can take you to the edge of the rink where you'll be able to stand more easily. You can call me Josh." The Gym Leader's demeanor was friendly, his offer generous. Perhaps he was even too friendly for his own good.

[break][break]

Z A H R A ✦ P O E T R I

Live streamer ✦ 24 Y.O ✦ Pansexual ✦ She/Her

[break][break]

Mama told me not to lie, so the answer is not okay but can manage Zahra partially lied over the former part as her mother never said anything lie that on her entire life. If I was an opportunistic bastard, I would pull some kind of trickery over this to maximize my gain over this unfortunate accident Zahra ponders as she painstakingly try to climb over his Dewgong's saddle as to her that is the best idea she could have right now. Nah, too much work and stuff ain't no time for that. Consider that this ride is my accident fee from the accident if there is even any Zahra laugh jovially then suddenly wince as a sharp pain suddenly come in a surprise but gone once again. [break][break]

My name is Zahra by the way, what's yours handsome? Zahra asks casually throwing out a playful flirt that holds no seriousness on it. She doesn't want to make this interaction an awkward one, she wants to thaw down the ice for a little bit with some conversation.

[break][break]

Josh Devlin

As blunt and brash as she was, her honesty was appreciated. Josh would give her a hand climbing aboard Ulysses if she needed help. "If the horn got you, I want to make sure I can get you patched up. People don't realize how sharp a Dewgong's horn is." He glanced back as the Dewgong slid toward the rink's entrance, checking for a trail of blood. "I wouldn't charge, anyway! I just like helping people in need when I can." Was this what it was like to be on the receiving end of when Josh got uptight around his superiors? Perhaps it would make him think about relaxing a little around them.

"Oh, I guess I didn't speak up enough," Josh replied, not thinking about how it might come off bringing to Zahra's attention that he was repeating himself. "Gym Leader Devlin or Elite Ranger Devlin, but I go by Josh." The flirt caused him to raise an eyebrow. Was she hitting on him?

[break][break]

Z A H R A ✦ P O E T R I

Live streamer ✦ 24 Y.O ✦ Pansexual ✦ She/Her

[break][break]

Ah so you are the illustrious Josh Devlin. Definitely have heard your name before but since I am not much of a reader, I never saw your picture like at all. You get me Zahra completely oblivious that Josh already actually introduces himself earlier nor it registered to her brain what he meant by his first remark before re-introducing himself. You should speak more, you sounds someone with many stories. Bet many ladies chase you around, eh. Could be men too, not judging Zahra spent some chit chat with the guy. Her bottom has felt considerably better as they reach to the side. There is no pain linger anymore that she could feel so now she is confidence enough to go again. [break][break]

Hey Josh, how is your ice skating skill? Good enough to teach a helpless girl like me on how to do it Zahra playfully wink on her without any actual romantic commitment to it. She just like to tease people and be playful, consequences? She would handle that later.

[break][break]

Josh Devlin