"Heeey!" Josh waved back, taking one hand off Blinky's reins long enough to greet Thea. His team of Eeveelutions was eager to chat with the younger trainer's Pokémon, though some were more chatty than others. If they persisted, they could get even Inky and Kamuy to speak up.

Josh guided Blinky close to where Thea was standing, giving her a good look at the gear she wore. It was evident he had put a lot of thought into the design of the saddle: it was slightly more curved than a standard Rapidash's saddle to help keep a rider from flying into the electric-type's quills, there was a narrow rubber layer in the center to prevent the rider from receiving electrical shocks, and most importantly, a guard designed to prevent a rider from being flung forward easily. It looked like it would weigh the Jolteon down more, but she still seemed fast as ever.

"You said you were most interested in Janus, right?" he gestured the Espeon, who mewed at his name being called. His gear was the simplest of all eight, though it was still functional enough to be controlled via tactile means.

Janus embraced Thea's affection, returning it with gentle strokes of his tail if Thea allowed it. "This highway is one of my favorite places to just floor it on a Pokémon. Not too heavily trafficked, and it's a straight shot east. Going downhill especially, from Verdanturf to Rustboro... it's great." Blinky sounded a cracked cry, eager to run. While the other Eeveelutions were slightly less enthusiastic about going all-out, they still enjoyed their time away from Mauville Gym. It was becoming rarer and rarer as the Leader's roster expanded.

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind at all!" Josh confirmed, some of the Pokémon even proactively stepping closer to Thea's team. "So long as they're our size or smaller, they'll be fine. You're welcome to mount up, too. Even Blinky if you want. If you want to give her a go, you're more than welcome; I'll slide off and onto another one." While the offer was there, it was doubtful in Josh's mind that Thea would actually accept it. Blinky was lightning fast, after all.

The speed Blinky could get to running west from Rusturf Tunnel to Rustboro proper would induce an adrenaline overdose in some, particularly ones not used to seeking thrills in general. All of Josh's Pokémon were near the top of what their species was capable of in terms of speed, the Jolteon painstakingly bred for it in addition to being raised for it. Riding her might feel like being astride a legendary Pokémon known for speed.

Josh hummed as he watched Thea's Pokémon hop on his own; it looked cute seeing them in place, almost like Zaborg did with his Manectric. The Sylveon let out a low-pitched squeal of excitement that sounded almost alien-like as she felt Gominha climb on. With all of Thea's Pokémon in place. the Champion gave Thea the go-ahead.

Were she to hop on, she would feel mild psychic reinforcement from the Espeon helping her maintain her balance. "Yup! Just like I showed you with the Rapidash!" Josh reiterated. "Most Pokémon follow the same nonverbal commands as horse Pokémon. Janus is special, though; if you open your mind to him, he'll listen to mental commands as well!"

Pinky and Basil, sensing playfulness from Thea's Pokémon, made a singular, light bucking motion much like one a Tauros raised to train beginning rodeo riders would. If Janus sensed bravery and the same kind of playfulness from Thea, he would have acted similarly before relinquishing full control to her.

With that, the eight Eeveelutions were off on their eastward romp, Josh holding Blinky back to keep pace with the rest of the group. "Any Pokémon you're hunting for in particular?" the racer asked before Kairi whipped her tail toward a rustling bush, capturing his attention. "See something, girl?"

Josh was impressed with Thea's posture; it seemed she was a fast learner. Psychic-types, as rare as they were, helped with learning quite a bit. Taking a fall from a mount was a real danger, particularly when astride something with a more vigorous gait such as a big cat. That and the added speed necessitated riders had a minimum level of bravery within them. Josh's Eeveelutions were in between a big cat and a horse; it was bouncier than Dashie, but not overwhelmingly so. When she mentioned her want of a Rapidash, Josh recalled something she might like hearing.

"I've actually got a Ponyta foal roaming Mauville Racing Grounds that could use a new home. If we can find a good Pokémon on our little trail ride, what say you to a trade?" he proposed.