After being checked in by Gym staff, one of the first things Lutgarde would witness would be a blue comet of flames zipping about not far from the Racing Grounds' back entrance. Alongside it would be a stampede of hoofbeats that, until the figure creating them slowed to a point of bring visible again, sounded like it was coming from an entire herd of hooved Pokémon.

Ixion's gallop was just that fast.

Josh skillfully reined the Shiny Rapidash to a stop near the Ranger he had been helping develop the skills of. They seemed to be much more well-prepared this time, perhaps even with eyewear to keep their eyes from drying out at the incredible speeds their equine Pokémon would be getting to. Ixion reared before calming down in front of Lutgarde, Josh excitedly waving. "Great to see you again, Lutgarde. Hope you've been practicing, because today... well, you ready to floor it?"

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As soon as they spot the comet of flames racing across the racing course, the duo becomes still in awe. Oreo seems to be especially attentive, seemingly becoming more determined. The truth is, while being rather speedy, she doesn't care that much about speed, but seeing it in action changes a few things in her mind. She neighs again, and Lutgarde pats her, smiling. "Nah, motivated?" they laugh, then greet the gym leader with a wave and a grin.

(Last-minute, they remembered bringing some eyewear, too.)

"Hey there!" they greet, grinning at Josh's excitement which they shared. "Absolutely. Not quite at those speeds, but I think Oreo here is also more invested in the training now." They look at her for a moment, hand petting the luscious locks, much like their own. "Think it won't be a problem today, but note to self - Oreo also needs a speed-fitted hairstyle," they laugh, "Give fast fashion a different meaning."

But, that aside, they also greet the other Rapidash with a smile. "Hello there, it's nice to meet you!" Oreo would also greet, and compliment the other's speed while she's at it.

Josh Devlin

Josh liked how prepared Lutgarde came, particularly thinking to bring eye protection. "Someone did their homework," he remarked as Dashie began to chitchat with Oreo. "No sweat at all! You gotta work up to it. Even when they're well-trained, Rapidash can take a while to get up to their top speed. Not because they're slow to accelerate, but because they run just that fast." He laughed hard at Lutgarde's wordplay, saying fast fashion under his breath more times than he should have.

"His name's Dashie," Josh introduced the Galarian Rapidash. "He's usually the first Pokémon my students who want to experience truly high speeds go for. Being a psychic-type and keeping a mental hold on a rider makes a world of difference." Josh's two equines led Lutgarde and Oreo to the SPLIT OVAL, a simple, ovaloud course ideal for reaching ludicrous speeds. "If this proves to be too simple, I can take you to the Aero Dive course on the other side of the property. If you're looking to practice raw land speed, that's the fastest course I've got." A dive on a land course implied a massive jump...

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Lutgarde grins at Josh's explanation, making mental notes that they hopefully wouldn't scatter all around when it's time to actually have them at hand. That grin even intensifies as their pun successfully lands, making them feel like a proud pseudo-dad. "I'm looking forward to what you're gonna get up to, hmm, Oreo?" they laugh, patting their Rapidash who's been chatting away with Dashie.

At the mention of the Psychic type, they actually hold on for a moment, before nodding - this really shouldn't have been as surprising as it is. "Gotta admit, I kinda forgot about it, but it makes a lot of sense. I had the feeling Oreo's quite in tune, almost a mind reader - but maybe that's not an almost?" they laugh, to which the Rapidash only neighs softly. "Happy to have made a good choice there." They follow to the Split Oval, nodding. "Think we'll see here first, then ... ... so the Aero Dive is for land pokémon, right?" It sounded more like something for flying ones, and they are both terrified and excited.

Josh Devlin

"Just be careful and don't try to take on too much. If it gets too fast, I'll try to slow down and match your pace," Josh assured, though Ixion seemed less excited. She wanted to show Lutgarde and Oreo her full gallop, her hooves merely kissing the track beneath her with every cycle of her running stroke.

Autopilot was one of the reasons Josh loved what few psychic steeds there were. As much as he enjoyed tactile control, having pure mental control as a backup was nice in its own way. It kept his hands free if he needed to do anything else with them, and that psychic hold kept him from falling if the ride got rough even by his standards.

"It is for land Pokémon," Josh confirmed. "It's called the Aero Dive because it's got the highest jump of any land courses. You'll feel weightless for a few seconds when going down the backstretch, and your Pokémon will get to experience running faster than their legs can normally carry them." That would be for later, though; this was the warmup. Like it would be an easy warmup; after all, they were still Rapidash, one of the fastest Pokémon on land.

"Hyah!" the Gym Leader cried, squeezing Ixion's sides. With a blue, flaring mane, the two were off, the sound of rapid, relentless hoofbeats filling the open air around Josh and Lutgarde.

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Lutgarde feels reassured by Josh saying that he'd match their speed if it should get really hairy, in a bad and avoidable way. (The general amount of hair the duo has at the moment is non-negotiable, even if it's one hell of a lot to care for.) "Sylv, I think for speed training ..." Their voice trails off a bit as they pat their Sylveon, who reluctantly untangles himself from Lutgarde and hops onto the ground next to Dashie. Normally, it wouldn't be a problem - but the risk of him being thrown off and just ... yeah. If it's about highspeed, you better be careful.

Lutgarde whistles, impressed, as they hear about the Aero Dive. "Sounds like it could be fun, hm, Oreo?" they grin as they pat their Rapidash, who neighs softly. However, for now, it was time to go easy and see just how steady the duo would be when it comes to this course. They navigate next to Josh, and Lutgarde adjusts their position, preparing themself for the ride to come.

At Josh's Hyah!, they also give Oreo the start signal, but don't speak - just squeeze Oreo, think of it and off they go. (Truly, given how they've connected with Oreo already before ... how did they forget she's a Psychic type?) Oreo whinnies, her head darting left and right briefly before she increases her speed, always chasing behind Ixion. The fiery Rapidash is faster than her, for sure, but this doesn't discourage Oreo - instead, she tries to chase Ixion, going as fast as she can, and then a tad bit faster still.

Josh Devlin

The fire-type horse's acceleration pushed Josh back in his seat, the rider grunting as he stabilized himself against the force. Every time Lutgarde Dijkstra approached, attempting to make a pass, the Gym Leader jabbed at his mount's sides, Ixion's blue flames growing brighter and taller. Were it not for his helmet, deafening winds would have blown over his ears, much like those of a tropical storm. He dreaded the coming of hurricane season; while it was mild last year, he wouldn't be so lucky this year.

The gentle left turns may have felt anything but gentle to Lutgarde at the speed Josh was being pushed to, though he knew he had to slow down if they fell too far behind. "Alright, let's go, girl! AGILITY!" the mounted master ordered, trying to goad the excited guest into doing the same. Firing the move at the top of a small hill, the two became a blue comet, beckoning Oreo to give chase!

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Oreo quickly reaches a point where she's going faster than she ever did before; it's both exciting and exhausting, as Lutgarde keeps in saddle. Thank goodness they've already been on Pinky, so even if this hasn't been a race before - just the way their Rapidash moves beneath them is harsher. They don't dare actually move their hand from the reins to rest on Oreo's shoulder, but their psychic connection hopefully would convey their feelings. You're amazing!

That left turn tho. Oreo and Lutgarde see themselves forcing to be slowed down ever so slightly, as they do not quite manage the curve at their current top speed. As soon as that's done, however, they pick up speed again, and, so speed-raising moves ... There's nothing in Oreo's kit that would immediately help, but ... "Hey, Oreo, try Fairy Wind!" She doesn't have wings (which would've been rad tho), but she knows the feeling of being carried by the wind nonetheless. She changes the pattern of her steps, almost easing them up - but doesn't lose speed as she uses the glittering wind that's building around her to help her along.

Josh Devlin

The two horses, enveloped in AGILITY and FAIRY WIND that did quite the impression of a Suicune's Tailwind, looked like long-tailed hunks of space debris orbiting an imaginary celestial body at the center of the Gym Leader's property. Even Josh let out a whoop as he felt Ixion's rough, rapid gallop. He lived for these moments, and it kept him in great physical shape, too. There was a common misconception that riding instead of walking did not give trainers the exercise they needed to keep up with Pokémon. That may have been the case at lower, more relaxed speeds. Pushing a mount to high speeds required such a strong core, exercising a different set of muscles than traditionally focused on. Was it tiring? Yes. Would Josh be drenched in sweat under his helmet? Yes. Was it worthwhile? Hell yes.

Ixion held her peak speed for a long few seconds before easing up and letting Lutgarde Dijkstra catch their breath. "I never thought of a Fairy Wind to run faster!" the Gym Leader admitted, impressed at their ingenuity.

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The rush and speed goes beyond what Lutgarde experienced the first time, now with proper clothing and seating that allows for higher speeds. It's almost too much, and they're glad for their eyewear that they brought last-second - otherwise, they would've need to go in blind, forcing their eyes shut and hoping they'd still be alright the next time they open them. They can only glance at Josh and Ixion to the front, keeping their head and posture fixed so that Oreo doesn't have to adjust for any sudden changes with her rider, and simply can let loose as she's gaining speed being carried by glittering wind that is dancing around her, acting almost as train in her wake.

It ironically feels longer than seconds as they slow down from this peak, and Lutgarde only notices now that they've held their breath after giving Oreo the command. The horses ease up their speed a bit, allowing Oreo and Lutgarde both to recover from that insane feeling. "Woah," is the first thing that comes to mind, before they laugh, and nod at Josh's words. "Thanks, I'm really glad it worked out that well- couldn't just have you leave me and Oreo in the dust, we could not have caught up to Ixion with Agility otherwise at all," they laugh, still feeling breathless.

"Damn."

Josh Devlin

The adrenaline rush from being in the saddle of a Pokémon moving at disturbing speeds was one of the things the Champion lived for. Even traditionally slower Pokémon, such as Gogoat, were quite swift in his capable hands. Pokémon that were already fast, such as Ixion, were terrifyingly so.

Even as they eased their riders out of their boosted speed, the equines were still flying across Josh's property, toward the Gym's back entrance. "Fun, isn't it?!" he blurted out perhaps a bit too loudly before lowering his voice some: still audible, but not yelling. "You're quite skilled. With those kinds of skills, obtaining my Badge should be trivial for you. Ever thought about an Arcanine for your team?"

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Lutgarde's mind, honestly, still feels a little bit like a tornado has just blown through it, and maybe that's not even too far off the truth. Oreo's psychic link keeps them rooted still, which they are eternally grateful for as their hand strokes through the gorgeous mane of the Galarian Rapidash. "It's really more fun than I imagined." They've never quite used speed for the pure enjoyment of it before - it's always been in the moment where they needed it, needed to get somewhere quickly or else.

It's nice letting loose for once just because they could.

At the question about Arcanine, they are pensive for a moment, before shaking their head. "I haven't really thought about it, no ... I kind of have a very soft spot for Fairy types," they laugh, patting Oreo's shoulder as they're slowing down at a more normal, casual pace. "I have a harder time connecting with other types as a trainer." Every attempt has somewhat lead to them giving them away to trainers who'd connect with them more - even if their Milotic Garnet might be a special case, perhaps. Or it's just because she's really close with Noh, their Primarina, now.

"I'll make sure to challenge you soon," they grin, "... if work allows. I think Sylv would like to battle you again, and we havne't figured out adjustments to his move set entirely yet ... but a race generally also sounds mighty fun." Despite not being focused today, they know Sylph's also itching to try out racing here.

"Thanks for the training session today," they also add, letting out a deep sigh to take in a deep breath. Their heartbeat is still racing.

Josh Devlin

High speed had its uses: quick escapes, fast travel, and of course, as a powerful weapon on the battlefield. More than he wanted to admit, though, his speed bent was so intense because he enjoyed going fast. There was just something magical about being atop one of the fastest Pokémon in the world and watching one's surroundings disappear into an abstract artist's masterpiece.

Did Josh have them hooked at last?

"Fairy-types, huh?" Josh wracked his brain for some speedy fairy-types he had at his Gym. "Ever thought about reining up an Alolan Ninetales?" The suggestion left him deep in thought, remembering the cruel way Rime's life ended. He was unsure whether he was going to hunt for another Alolan Ninetales her size. Fox Pokémon were notoriously tricky to break to the bridle, and Rime was a sweetheart about it. "Togekiss are super fast, too." One of only a few Pokémon capable of learning Extreme Speed, Mastema was one of his choices when he really had to put the pedal to the metal.

"Tell you what. One of these days, when you've got business in Hoenn's seas, I can show you Staccato, my Primarina. He's the only aquatic fairy-type I can think of that's big enough to ferry people." Once the two were by the back entrance to the Gym's office building, Josh would help Lutgarde down if need be. "You're welcome. I'm sure we'll see each other again!" With that, he would lead them back to Mauville's street level and on their way. That was a fun little diversion; it had been a while since he had the chance to ride a Rapidash at full gallop!