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The mountain of leaves fell away to reveal the yawning maw of a dozing Slaking. Nash whimpered and took a step back, lowering his head. There was no shame in showing deference to a stronger beast. [break][break]

Jethro clicked his tongue and steered his horse to the right. He whistled for his dog as Wildfire took a few uneasy steps away, [break][break]

“Nash – c'mon boy.” [break][break]

The Houndoom's line of sight was fearfully locked onto the ape. The ape, in turn, didn't really seem to acknowledge that the dog existed. Jethro huffed as a bubble of snot ballooned from the Slaking's nose, [break][break]

“He ain't gonna hurtcha,” the man reassured his dog, “We just gotta get a mosey on a'fore he wakes up.” [break][break]

As his horse took another few steps away, careful to keep a wide berth of the wild creature, Nash uneasily glanced between his master and the Pokemon that could snap him in half like brittle kindling. With a sudden bolt, the Houndoom dashed away and returned to the comfort of Jethro's side.

[attr="class","bottom"]skipping slaking [break]
using incense for normal-type spawns [break]

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The dog seemed to be in better spirits now that the dozing ape was far behind them. Nash trotted a few feet ahead, sniffing at every tree and bit of brush in their path. Jethro watched with some amusement as the morning light grew strong, the sun beginning to peak out from behind the craggy mountains to the east. He wanted to feel that radiant warmth sink into his tired, aching bones, but they still had some time to go before the day would begin in earnest. [break][break]

Before that, though, they would have to make their way through the Rusturf Tunnel. He was no stranger to caves, but that didn't make him dread the prospect of traveling through that cold and dank place any less. So when the pitter-patter of running feet suddenly echoed through the morning air, Jethro considered himself thankful for the distraction. [break][break]

Nash suddenly looked up and to the direction of the noise with anxious hesitation. The ex-Ranger did not share his dog's fears; from the sound of the footfalls, whatever was heading their way was far lighter than the last of the locals had been. His suspicions were confirmed when a little cream-colored blur suddenly burst into view, [break][break]

“Well, ain't you a cute little feller,” Jethro chuckled with amusement as the Lillipup dashed past the Houndoom and right up to the man and his horse. That chuckle turned into a bout of hoarse laughter as Nash did a literal double-take, looking from the break in the trees and back to the excited puppy with confusion, [break][break]

“You gotta be quicker'n that, boy!” [break][break]

He stooped low from his saddle to give their new friend a scratch behind the ears. Nash was over in an instant, dark eyes wide and nose twitching. The Lillipup didn't seem to notice that the other dog even existed, even as the Houndoom drew close, [break][break]

“C'mon,” he said to the both of them, and the gregarious Lillipup looked up with an expression akin to a canine grin, “If yer goin' our way, then you better keep up. I'm hopin' ta make it back to Fallarbor by nightfall.” [break][break]

The little pup barked with delight. Nash continued to watch on, dumbfounded. The more the merrier, Jethro supposed. At least when it came to Pokemon.

[attr="class","bottom"]catching lillipup! [break]