Fire roars, and the opening to freedom is clear. The Deerling charge forward, driven by adrenaline and the will to survive. The heat presses heavy on their delicate, grass-type skin. Almost there.

fwsh!

The sudden appearance of the unknown pokemon startles them, stopping them in their tracks. They him and haw, stamping their small hooves anxious into the earth as they all search for another way out. There is no other way out. Their frantic squeals only amplify as one rises into the air.

A series of low growls rumble through the roar of the red and yellow flames. The bright light of the fire is cut by the dark shadow of three Houndoom as they stalk towards their prey. There is hesitation, Alpha has never seen a pokemon quite like this. Two break off from their leader, traveling hidden in the flames to pinch around Mewtwo and the small herd of Deerling.

Was this intruding trying to steal their catch?

SEEK OUT-

Alpha winces, lips curling against the intruding voice in her head. The pack mates seem to hear it too. Toni ‘hears’ it, as she approaches from her previous location.

- ALL POKEMON

The voice penetrates her soul, rooting into places she’s never felt pain before. It brings her to her knees and forces her to rip the helmet off her head. With a face contorted in distress and irritation, her dark eyes burn back, glaring at Mewtwo with hostility.

---

FERNANDO SILPH

It isn’t too long after the departure of the Dewgong that another water type waddles its way across the sands. Unlike the Dewgong, the Houndoom just simple stares at the seemingly uninterested Azumarril. It doesn’t stop, and it doesn’t even spare them a passing glance. It seems that the pokemon is just enjoying a stroll on the beach. Maybe it belongs to another trainer to be so carefree?

Either way, Toni doesn’t pay it any attention, and the Houndoom settles its chin back into the warm sand.

---

Water/Fairy Spawn
Skipping! <3

He leads. She follows.

Only because she doesn’t know where she’s going.

His grin and taunt are met with a light, airy laugh as her lips curl wide to accentuate her bright smile, “Oh, yeah?” she teases right back, giving him her own shit-eating grin, “Give me a reason to and I will.”

Until then, his demands will echo through the space between them.

“Where are we going, anyway?” her gaze turns to look past him, attempting to predict their direction.

---

KING WAYLAND

The timer chimes, indicating the end of the date. But it’s also the end of the evening. There’s none left, no more ‘dates’. That’s not something she considered. When CIAN MAHER offers his hand, she glances at it with a rather curious look.

Her free hands reaches towards his, letting her fingertips settle into his smooth palm, “Alright,” she downs her champagne as well, shifting to stand and follow him. The movement stirs the Shinx on her lap. Willow flexes, jumping towards the floor to follow the duo. Instead, she’s consumed by flash of light, disappearing.

She doesn’t need to see this.

---

CIAN MAHER
4/4

He’ll try. Not really a promise. And not really intriguing. With a rather disappointed sigh, Toni reaches forward to accept the glance of champagne. She holds it delicately in her fingers before considering his toast.

”To pleasure,” she concludes, lightly tapping the crystal against his and rising it to her lips for a sip of the sharp champagne.

The bubbles sting her lips in a rather pleasant way, making the corner of her lips curve into a subtle smile. Her dark eyes lock with his, challenging him in a way. One more opportunity, “Excite me,” she demands with a rather predatory smile spreading across her dark red lips. If he’s not up to the challenge, so be it. There’s only a minute left on the clock.

---

CIAN MAHER
3/4

The Houndoom lying in the sand beside her growls, lifting her head at the sound of water splashing at the edge of the beach. Sharp digits pin on the glistening white of the Dewgong as it inches out of the water.

The pokemon lock eyes. A deep growls rumbles through the canine’s throat, holding steadily as its body tenses. It stirs Toni, making her sit up and lift her sun glasses, “Leave it,” she sharply commands, settling the Houndoom. The Dewgong turns around, wiggling itself back into the sea.

---

Water/Fairy Spawn
Skipping! <3

A single brow raises in curiosity. Usually not forward? Isn’t that what they all say?

A light chuckle hums behind closed lips. Her dark eyes roll, breaking their contact with his. It’s difficult to determine if she’s annoyed or amused.

“I bet that’s what you say to all your dates,” she flashes a glance towards the timer on the table, already ticking the seconds away, “Are you going to make these few minutes worth my time, or not?”

---

CIAN MAHER
2/4

The first date seemed to drag by despite it only being a few minutes. Still, Toni wasn’t complaining. She quite enjoyed the banter. There’s doubt the remainder will live up to her expectations.

At least, that’s what she thinks as she places a small smile across her dark red painted lips as she leans forward as well. Toni accepts the hands with the delicate placement of her fingertips against his.

“Pleasure to meet you, Cian,” she purrs, leaning back to run her manicured fingers along the back of the Shinx asleep in her lap, “I’m Antoinette. What brings you . . . here,” she vaguely motions to the room with her free hand.

---

CIAN MAHER
1/4

The cloudy, overcast days of winter are gone and Spring has parted the clouds (at least momentarily) to allow for a rather pleasant (but far from perfect) beach outing. Toni intends on taking every advantage of the nice weather to work on darkening her already olive complexion.

Leaning back onto her beach towel, Toni tips her shades down, dark eyes scanning the shoreline for anything interesting to entertain her. The Shinx by her side flicks its tail in annoyance, obviously displeased with sand tainting her rather perfect fur.

---

Water/Fairy Spawn

She doesn’t expect him to deny the offer, but it is still a pleasant feeling when he accepts the business card. Her small smile grows just a bit in satisfaction but is forced to pull back into a frown when the timer chimes on the table.

It seems their time is up.

Toni rises with Bel, letting him take her hand and plant a gentle peck on the surface. The woman responds with a nod, “Until then, bel,” she confirms, cradling the Shinx one arm. Toni turns and proceeds to her next appointment.

---

Belial Stone
4/4

The peacefulness of the night outside Littleroot is broken by the roar of a raging fire. The dark sky burns with red, orange, and billows of dark smoke. It came on quite suddenly. The source is unknown. Perhaps a careless camper? Or maybe a misplaced puff of Ember by a young fire-type?

Was it started on purpose?

Yes, yes it was.

The distant, eerie howl of a pack of Houndoom pierces through the night. They’re hot on the trail of a small herd of terrified Deerling that are running from the flames. A sudden burst of INFERNO cuts them off, forcing them in a particular direction where Toni will be waiting.

---

@open