Lucia followed behind Shalin after meeting the Ranger from her run-in with her while delivering the egg to Oldale Town. Her excited footsteps shadowed behind the woman with green hair alongside her Dunsparce that trailed behind them both. They entered the hollow tree where Shalin like resided, only to be led down a ladder in the back that led to someplace else.

"Whoa! Look at all of them!" Lucia marveled at the numerous Pokemon in this little backyard area.

Countless Pokemon were wandering around or interacting with each other: napping or busy lounging in the afternoon sun. Serena came running to them as Lucia smiled and knelt down to be at the Persian's level. She showed it just as much affection as she had last time. Petting her fur and praising how fast she was. No doubt she was busy running around the woods in the back of Shalin's house!

"It's great to see you again, Serena! You're still so fast!" More head ruffling around was had before Lucia looked up at Shalin. "Is this where you train your team at? Or is it a sanctuary?"

Shalin Nariya

☉

All of the Pokemon were looked so wonderful and happy. It was like a small slice of heaven that Lucia had stumbled into. She admired the sights there were to see where she was, but her eyes slowly caught onto something weird about that Starmie. It had a saddle on it, for some reason...

Wait, some Pokemon also had saddles, and they weren't exactly the kind of Pokemon that one would consider "rideable".

"Huh?" Lucia looked at the few Pokemon and then back to Shalin. "Are you...riding some of these?"

The Greninja, that Salazzle and even the Eveelutions that were all congregated over in one massive group.

"Does that hurt? These don't look like strong enough Pokemon to hold somebody's weight."

Shalin Nariya

☉

Jeez, those Eeveelutions were huge! Even from afar, Lucia couldn't help but wonder what the hell Shalin would have been feeding them.

The Dunsparce by her fluttered its wings quickly and then went to slither up to the shiny Jolteon as it came up to Lucia. His curious nature made him interested in the electric-type, though not as much as his trainer, who stepped forward to pet the Jolteon.

"Hey there." she smiled to herself, enjoying the little tingles as his fingers combed through the charged fur. "You look pretty fast."

After having her fill of Pokemon petting, Lucia swung back to Shalin at her desire to go faster. Thinking back to her experience with the previous Pokemon ride, Lucia had to admit she loved the feeling of speeding through the forest they had been lost in.

But something in her was still hesitant about doing this again. It was like...fear? But excitement kind of? It was hard to put into words without babbling to herself.

"Is it any harder from the last time we did this? I know how the reins work still but still..."

Shalin Nariya

☉

"Volt. Such a pretty name~"

Volt had been so cute and already friendly to her. Her fingers tickled from the quills and watched as the Jolteon offered himself as a mount for Lucia. She would have gladly taken him up on the offer, although the mention of seeing Shalin's fastest racing team member was more than enough to catch the child's interest.

"Yeah! I'd love to see which one's your fastest!"

Shalin called for her Zeraora, who leaped into the fray in record time! Instead of being on two feet like all others, hers was...kneeling? Was it hurt in some way? It caused the younger girl to looked at it in confusion before turning her attention back towards the other Ranger.

"Oh, I've got a Zeraora too, but it's not really something to race like yours!" she said, looking between Volt and the other mythical pokemon.

"You could try out Savanna for now while I ride Volt! I'm still trying to get the hang of riding down."

Shalin Nariya

☉

Lucia was still on the edge about trying to go so fast due to the previous riding session that was due when she was delivering the Shaymin egg to town. That was only a brisk little run, but it was still enough for the smaller girl struggle to control her ride. But going so fast was freeing, almost liberating in a way! It was all that you could focus on! So much so everything other problem just seemed so miniscule.

"I'll be careful, I promise!" Lucia said, smiling at Shalin, making a little note about how jittery or more she looked, though it could have been some kind of anxiety because of her riding such a sensitive Pokemon. The child carefully gave the Jolteon another few little affection laced pats and carefully climbed onto the the back of the shiny electric-type. "Ready whenever you are, Shalin!"

Once she was given the green light, Lucia started things off by slowly whipping the reins of Volt and off they went! The Jolteon's path was a little bouncy, but they were going fast enough! She held on while watching the scenery go by fast and continued to ask the Pokemon to go faster!

Shalin Nariya

☉

"Whoa, let's maybe this this EASYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" Lucia rocketed in front of Shalin at high speeds as Volt barreled in front of the racing track. She had been expecting a little ease into the high speeds, but her little mount had decided to forgo that option. The high speeds that the green Jolten could go was surprising! And as they quickly leaped into the air, Lucia was afford a look into the place below them.

The aerial view of Shalin's hidden play place was a good look at how large this place actually was. The other Pokemon, regardless of size, looked just like colored dots from up here. Some were looking up at Volt and his passenger as she held on for dear life, while others were far too busy with whatever they were doing to really both with the child in midair. "You doing alright, Volt?" Lucia asked, keeping her head down and coaxing the Eevielution again. "I'm kind of getting used to this. Wanna give Shalin and her Zeraora a race?"

She'd grin, looking back at the ranger and continue to cheer Volt to push himself faster.

Shalin Nariya

☉