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It was still cold outside, and it seemed like it was only going to get colder as the sun started to set. Ruby breathed out a heavy sigh, the cold air making it so she could even see her own breath. At this height, it was only going to get worse if she wasn't careful. Making her way down the mountainside with a rather nervous pace, her boots crunching the snow with every step as the girl reinforced her desire to get somewhere warm for the night.

However, it was on her trip down that Ruby noticed something a bit strange. It was that girl she had met before, oh what was her name... Annie? Something like that. She seemed to be chasing a Delibird who was too determined to deliver presents. Almost immediately Ruby glanced up at the sun once again. It was starting to get darker and she couldn't help but feel a bit selfish all of a sudden. She couldn't just run away and try and get some warm place to sleep when gifts were in danger of not being delivered! Besides, it was heading down the mountain anyways.

"H-hey!" Ruby shouted, quickly running down the mountain to join Annie as they kept chasing the Delibird. "I uh, thought maybe you could use some help. If that's okay, of course."

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"Well, I have to head down the mountain myself anyways." Ruby chuckled softly to herself as she wrapped her jacket a bit tighter around herself as she watched the rather adorable Vulpix act like a personal heater. It was certainly chilly, and while she was used to the cold from back home, feeling cold in Hoenn was still a very different experience. How were the natives who weren't used to cold at all handling this? She dreaded to know.

Tucking her arms close to her side, Ruby quickly made her way down towards Annie's side as she watched the grumpy Delibird continue walking, not even bothering to take a look at her. "Besides. It's a Delibird traveling, no doubt there's gonna be lots of kids or who knows what else who wouldn't get anything from him! We can't just, you know, ignore that, right?" Picking up her pace, Ruby refused to slow either of them down.

"How long have you been at this, Annie?" She spoke curiously, tilting her head back at the younger girl. "I mean, I can only imagine a Delibird all by themselves this late might attract some bad attention. Best we can do to keep him safe, yeah?" A soft, yet confident smile spread across her face as she continued walking.

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Ruby was admittedly quite confused about why Annie didn't respond right away. Tilting her head, she slowly turned to look at whatever the girl was so focused on. Were those... Hats? On Birds? Why was her life surrounded by Pokemon that wore hats? She couldn't help but chuckle softly at the thought, turning her head back to look at Annie as she spoke about them. She honestly didn't know much about them, but Annie seemed to have enough information for the two of them. They were following him?

Ruby tucked her arms a bit closer to her chest as she walked, the cold mountain air starting to get to her a bit. "Goodness, that's quite a bit of a walk!" She hummed softly in thought, blowing hot air at her hands as she rubbed them together in an attempt to stay warm. "Well, I don't know much about Delibirds, honestly! Even though I have one myself. But I know for a fact they can fly! Or... Maybe we can convince him to let us teleport him? I mean, my Gardevoir could..." Ruby trailed off as the Delibird just seemed to huff and keep on walking, trotting down the mountain.

"Or... Maybe we just keep him company." She sighed softly, glancing up at the birds off in the distance for a few seconds as she hopped down a small rock on her way down the mountain. "You think, maybe, they'd try and attack once they do get the rest of their flock, like you said? Or when it gets darker out? I can't imagine anything good coming out of them, that's for sure." Just to be on the safe side, Ruby suddenly sent out Squishy, her Malamar. Tall and intimidating, their presence should hopefully be a bit helpful. Of course, she knew they were a big softie inside, but the wild Pokemon didn't know that.

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Ruby had to admit, she was a bit impressed that Annie walked everywhere. While there was certainly something to be said for exercise, Ruby wasn't against just taking the bus if she was tired. And yet, there seemed to be a bit something strange with what she said. Her entire day mostly consisted of eating, walking, or running away from something? No downtime at all? She forced the frown wanting to form on her face away, now wasn't quite the time for that.

However, even she had to smile when Annie praised her decision to bring out Squishy. Intimidation wasn't a game she played well, but it seemed like it was a viable option here! As the Exeggutor came out of their Pokeball, Ruby stopped and stared for a few seconds. That... was big. What did Annie feed him to get him so tall? Some intense fertilizer, it was all she could assume. As Annie talked about something called the 'AnnieDex' she only giggled softly in response, hoping down to try and walk side by side with the girl.

"You know..." Ruby started, looking over at their two Pokemon standing tall. Squishy's lights still occasionally flashing, with that signature aggressive look on their face. "I don't think we're gonna have any more problems. With these two beautiful boys, I think the only obstacle we face now is the distance! But we'll get there eventually, no doubt about it."

She paused in speech, noticing that the Delibird had seemed to actually look back at his new bodyguards, only to huff in what Ruby could only imagine being approval. Or was he simply still apathetic? Oh, if only she was psychic herself, then she could tell what he was thinking. "So er, any idea where he's going? Asides from down the mountain?"

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Ahh, a lady. Ruby politely courtsied in response, smiling up at the tree-like Pokemon. It certainly wasn't her intent to upset them, but when some Pokemon didn't have any gender differences at all it was hard to tell the difference sometimes, let alone interpret what they said. Either way, Ruby wasn't too flustered over it.

She hummed in thought, debating over their options. If he was heading a huge distance, surely he would sleep at some point, despite being so stubborn. Either way, Ruby nodded in return as she glanced over at Annie."I think some dinner might not be a bad idea, now that you bring it up! I need to set up somewhere for the night too, actually. I'm sure Lavaridge has some nice places to dine!"

She suddenly paused a little bit, an idea suddenly popping into her head. "Maybe after we get him a snack and send him on his way safely, I could invite you to dinner with me if you wanted! I can't remember the last time I really hung out with someone my age, if I'm honest! Most evenings tend to be me, Darling and Whisper. And they aren't the best at conversation." Ruby giggled as she spoke, grinning ear to ear.

Ruby certainly seemed excited by the idea, hyping herself up for it even without a direct answer from Annie. Visibly joyful, Ruby had a literal skip in her step as they descended down the mountain. Tonight was going to be fun, or at least so she hoped.

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