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It's a relief to see Knight well, and ah, there's the reason why he's left his pokémon behind ... the Zorua's quite a devious one. They would offer the Pawniard Rapidash, but on their way here they've seen that it's quite fast, so they motion the horse pokémon to stay here, if they need to make a break for it again. "I'm glad to see you're okay, and yeah, it just ... kind of appeared?" they grin slightly, even in this situation. They would need to figure out how the hell it appeared just now. "Thanks for sending Chani, and as for the Zorua ..."

They look around carefully. "They're tricksters, and masters of illusion. However, I think this one is still learning, so if you're attentive ... the tail might be poking out. If we manage to touch that, the illusion disappears and we can fight it head-on." They take out some of their hairbands. "Never tried it that way, but maybe any disturbance on the tail will stop its illusions? Don't wanna fight one of us by accident."

The Zorua's giggles still echo throughouts the woods, so it can't be far ... "Maybe we should seperate for now. I don't think it'll approach again if we're together." It's far from stupid, as it has proven.

Knight Naito

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Lutgarde and the Rapidash move through the woods side by side. They don't mount it yet again, just in case they might need to have an impromptu battle - wouldn't wanna be on the horse in that case! However, their hand rests on the Rapidash's back, absentmindedly patting the Rapidash who approves with soft neighs. "Now, where did you come from? It seems like you've been looking for me?" they ask her softly. An intelligent eye turns to look at them, before she neighs another time, and moves her head up and down as if nodding. (They know she isn't- or maybe she's mimicking humans?)

"Well, I'm glad you found me," they say. Ever since getting Sylv and Sylph, they've not been alone - and they dread the moment they would be.

It's an almost peaceful moment, with a distinct lack of Zorua laughing. As they near the edge of the forest here, footsteps approach and they tense - and relax upon realising it's just Knight. "Been successful in catching that little rascal?" they grin as they see the Zorua, unconscious for now. "Well done." It doesn't look defeated, so Lutgarde doesn't worry too much, and instead mount the Rapidash again with one fluent motion. "Let's head back to the Wooloos and see how the situation's there!"

Only then do they also notice something else. "I think you got a new friend," they laugh.

Knight Naito

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Lutgarde laughs, "Seems like you've got two hungry mons today." They are take out one more berry from their dress when Mudbray isn't paying attention, and throws it down below to Knight as well. "The farm actually has a berryshop, too, if you want to stock up."

They nod at his question about the Zorua, gesturing for him to hold it for now. "I'll take the little guy to the nearby ranger base in a moment, or well ... maybe Ben will want a word with it, too." They are open to leave Ben to sort out the affair with the Zorua and the other thieves if he wanted - they know that even in their peaceful village, intrusion from outside isn't always too welcome.

"And we both got ourselves some noble steeds," they grin as they see Knight equally mount up. "Be careful not to fall!" But they trust in the Mudbray to know how to keep Knight in the saddle. "Did you ride before?"

Depending on the answer, their tempo is a casual or more serious hurry, as they make way back to the farm proper. It seems that the last sounds of battle are dying down, and they believe they could see their pokémon in the distance ... oh dear, Sylph looks unbelievably smug.

Knight Naito

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Lutgarde's concern for Knight on the Mudbray only lasts for one second, and quickly dissipates, seeing how happy Knight seemed. "Be prepared for some nasty aching muscles tomorrow," they grin, thinking it'd be better to warn him ahead of time. While the day might pass normally, they remember their first day after riding all too clearly ... they just didn't feel like standing up from their bed at all.

"Looks like it," the ranger laughs, as the full picture comes into view. All of the three pokémon were posing over a pile of Thievul and Nickits, all defeated with the Wooloo calmly grazing behind them. "You've done a great job, yall!" Lutgarde compliments them, coming to a halt before the fence and jumping from the Rapidash. "We've also managed to catch the little rascal."

They've just arrived in time as Ben also showed up, taking in the scenery for a moment with a stunned expression, then a grin. "I see that this Rapidash did find you in time then. A big haul, huh? Those were thieving around my farm for months now! Really devious creatures." However, the farmer also doesn't seem super angry at the intruders. "You taking them to the base with you?"

Lutgarde nods, "Or I could leave them with you, if you want. Maybe they just need some proper work to do ... but let me know anytime if they cause you problems again."

Ben nods with a smile, reaching out for Knight to give him the still unconscious Zorua. "I'll see what we'll do together. And ... huh. I didn't expect this guy to also show up here," he laughs, seeing that the youngin's arrived on another youngin.

Knight Naito

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"Not often enough, honestly," Lutgarde replies with a quiet sigh. Working in cities usually doesn't grant it too well, or motorcycles, cars are just faster and more convenient. However, since arriving in Hoenn, they've been travelling more, so maybe ...

Ben shakes his head at Knight's words, "It's no problem." Then, while actually cradling the Zorua like a little baby (it's just really cute), he gives Knight a long, long, critical look, before turning to his Mudbray. Before adressing these two, however, he finishes up the details of the end on this gang of thieves. Lutgarde makes sure he's got up-to-date contact info for the nearby ranger station, and they exchange a few more pleasantries and work-related issues.

Then, Ben clears his throat. "How'd you like that Rapidash? It's a fine steed, isn't it?" He seems quite proud as he pats the Rapidash's shoulder, who looks back at Lutgarde with somewhat of an anticipating look. Sylph's back in the background, and Sylv's back at their side, too.

"It is - riding it has been an honour," they reply, laughing and patting the horse pokémon as well.

"Would you like to have it?" Ben also looks over at Knight and the Mudbray, still probably close to each other. "But it seems we also got another duo here, eh?" He grins, but his expression is also stern "Knight was your name, yes? I think you and the Mudbray here might be a good match ... ... if you're willing to work for it, I can give it to you." Lutgarde looks a bit dumbfounded. They couldn't believe that Ben simply seized that chance to get a temporary worker ... ... but then again, yeah, that made perfect sense. "You guys can work together, actually, to tend some of the fields. You up for the challenge?"

Knight Naito

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Ben's eyes seem to glimmer with something that Lutgarde has seen all too often back home. A mix of pride to see some youth growing up well, as well as the satisfaction of having struck a good deal. There's no doubt on Lutgarde's mind that Ben already knows Knight's a good worker for such things, but they let the farmer do his thing. "That's what I wanted to hear," he laughs, his laughter rough around the edges, but not unkind.

Ben takes the group to the fields, explaining what they had to do - well, Mudbray's no stranger to that, so he also doesn't think they could mess that one up too badly. Lutgarde also rolls up their sleeves, but Ben holds them back. "Rapidash's for repaying that favour you did for me, so you're not gonna get to work." There's a crestfallen look on the ranger's face as they are forced to remain idle, but ... this is his land. "Bet you're gonna get plenty of opportunities to get me into your debt, anyway."

At this, they smirk, leaning against the solid Rapidash that neighs gently in conversation with Sylv. "I'm just doing my job."

Lutgarde grins at Knight's enthusiasm, and nods, "I'm watching every step!" They look over Knight with fondness, and actually do not look away, true to their word. It's nice to see these two get along so well, too - and, frankly, this is also really good practice for the garden that Knight wants to plant.

"I don't think it's just work," Ben picks up the conversation, looking at Lutgarde with a knowing look that they pointedly do not see. "I've seen your type around."

They shrug, feign indifference. "Where did you get this beauty, by the way? It's only seen in Galar, not - or is that exactly the answer?" they ask instead, and Ben gives up on trying to introspect the other. They engage into light conversation about Galar, and then also Kalos, and Hoenn. Up until the afternoon paints the sky with warm colours, and Knight finishes his task.

"You've done a really good job today, kiddo," Ben tells Knight after inspecting the field. "Keep it up, and you'll be a great person." Ben offers the student a handshake with a genuine grin, then pats the formerly-his Mudbray. "Take good care of the kiddo, alright? And you, too," he turns to Knight, "Feel free to visit anytime. Oh. I do recommend getting a saddle though, if you wanna keep riding it. Bareback can be bit tough."

Lutgarde lets them exchange a few more words, before pointing towards the time. "Unfortunately, it's go-time now - gotta get you back before time!" they say with a grin. "Can we borrow a saddle for now, Ben? I'll get it back to you tomorrow. It'll be quicker on pokémonback."

Knight Naito

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Oh no, thinks Lutgarde with a faint smirk as they see Knight's enthusiasm. They only need to glance a bit at Ben to figure out, yeah, he is quite pleased with himself. They hope they don't have to tell the farmer not to work that poor kid too hard, but they also trust in him.

They did not expect, however, to potentially open up someone's eyes towards the ranger profession, and well. It's their turn now to feel a little bit pleased with themself, even if they aren't exactly sure what they've done ... but hasn't it been like this for them, too, back then? Simply looking at the local rangers with sparkly eyes, and then falling even more in love upon arriving in the big city ... with no one reason, with simple adoration for the job.

"I'm really happy to hear that - it's a great job," they grin, raising their first for a fistbump. "If you got questions about it, let me know anytime." They'd have time to chat during the ride home, too, once they saddle up the now-caught Mudbray.

They do make a fairly odd duo, all things considered. Given Knight's work and Lutgarde's ban from work, he's also similiarly covered in mud like his Mudbray, while the Gothic Lolita on the Galarian Rapidash are mostly pristine. However, their vibes aren't all too different, as they both laugh freely, and the pokémon both let loose on the last steps on the firsts of their journeys.

Knight Naito