“breath the smoke into your lung,”

It's like she's prompted to listen. Even if her lungs still burn when she inhales again, craving more oxygen than she cares to give them, eventually the acheing fades.

“let it sit and breath in some air.”

It almost feels like she's clenching her chest, but she finds the next inhale going a lot easier. When she exhales she stares at the smoke leaving her lips, and the faintest of coughs teeters in the back of her throat, yet she swallows it bravely. When she shifts her gaze to the man beside her, her eyes end up lingering at the smoke he's exhaling, and sighs softly as she wills away the thoughts riding on that smoke. Painful, with very little bad habits to distract her from it.

Their silence seems to continue until she blurts out words in a silent voice, not even sure where they came from. Somewhere deep inside, she figured.

"Sometimes I wish memories could fade as quickly as cigarette smoke..."

The thought wasn't any less true.

FERNANDO SILPH

☉

"I'd be much obliged if I could, because I highly doubt I'll find the way by myself... if at all." she smiled sheepishly. Next time she'd be downloading a map of the area she traveled to, because this getting lost was becoming an awfully persistent habit.

"As in, POG Bank's Martín del Mar? Well I'll be.... It's a pleasure to meet you, Mars. Brynnhildr Erling, but likewise, Brynn is just fine." she took his hand, rendering him a firm shake before letting go. She could freak out about meeting POG Bank's CEO another time, for now, all she had to do was ignore the Drifblim floating past the treeline there and keep a straight face. Maybe having some small talk would help settle those nerves. "Apologies if it's none of my business, but what brought you here, Mars?"

Skip~

Martín del Mar

☉

"I'll be sure to do if I ever meet him then." A joke, mostly, audible in her tone, but a half-truth as well, because the Galarian knight seemed like interesting company to keep. And as she spoke her wisdoms, Brynnhildr took mental notes, because out of the two of them, Mireille seemed to have the most experience with pokémon and traveling. In that regard, there was nothing she couldn't learn about it from the knightess.

"I'll gladly take advantage of those," she smiled kindly, positioning herself a slight bit behind the blonde so she could watch the showdown between her brightly-colored Sirfetch'd, a pokémon she'd never seen before, and the wild Pignite in front of them. "I'll observe while the professionals handle things, if you don't mind..."

Mireille Wynter

☉

Her feet brought her to the observatory before she'd even taken note of it, but she remains silent through it all. When the carton is extended to her, she takes a single cigarette from it, nodding a brief thank you. Brynn had never taken to smoking, not even when she was still in college, but now? She couldn't care less.

She'd wait for a fire to light it and took a deep pull, letting the nicotine assault her battered mind in peace. When she exhaled it almost seemed as if she'd been smoking for ages, allowing the smoke to become a dull screen in front of her.

The second pull didn't go as smoothly, and left the Unovan hacking and coughing as she botched it, making her regret having accepted the cigarette in the first place. Alas, she was too stubborn to put it down, even in this state.

FERNANDO SILPH

☉

On her list of places to visit and reset her troubled thoughts, the farm of an old childhood friend had come to mind. It had been since their days together in Unova that they'd spoken, safe for a few correspondence letters, but even that had died down when obligations picked up. Thus, Brynn thought, there was no time like the present to pick up that thread again! And although she hadn't quite send a message as heads up to make sure, she did hope she wouldn't be intruding too much.

After been given the right directions, Brynn had now nearly reached her destination--- safe for the fact that a group of Audino and a tall dark-haired man stood somewhat further, surrounding a pokémon she'd not yet come across before. It seemed agitated by its stance, but did not seem to move-- at least, that's what she could make of it. Carefully she got closer to the man and his pokémon, hearing a familiar voice call the pokémon by its presumed name. Although her first intent had been to call out her Thomas' name to make sure it was truly him, the situation didn't quite call for it. First and foremost came the Absol, and figuring it why it was acting strangely. "Is... is everything alright with her?" Brynn asked carefully, still keeping somewhat of a polite distance, as not to startle anyone.

Thomas Benoit

☉

Dewford had always given her some peace of mind, mountains, forest and beach, capable of accommodating to anything visitors and vacation-goers could possibly think of despite being but a small town. Yet it were those distractions Dewford offered that had lead her here, under the watchful eye of her Riolu, Spica. Spica had been trained as an emotional support pokémon, and subsequently given to Brynnhildr for those purposes. Because even though the Unovan looked fine, she was all but so.

So a change of scenery had been suggested, and Dewford came to mind. Mostly for their environment, which had not included the surprising sight of Ampharos walking hand in hand with their trainers. She watched it from the sidelines, a faint smile on her face. It did look rather cute, how the Ampharos was holding the young man's hand and following along; yet it's expression was one she knew all too well.

Spica bumped her leg with the back of its paw and nodded at the duo that had now passed them by. She looked back at Spica slightly puzzled, who then bumped her again, a bit more persistently this time. As if it were trying to tell her to go up and ask what was depressing the pokémon. There was a sigh as she looked back up. She really didn't want to get social, but she knew that if she let this slide, she would regret it later on. With a small trot Brynn tried catching up with the two. "Uhm, excuse me- I don't want to intrude, but... why is your Ampharos looking so gloomy?"

Lux Defort

☉

The energy surges through the sky, and then it surges through Stufful's body like a never-ending whirlwind of power. It morphs and grows to a size it's never even dreamt of being, and brimming with power the cuddly beast stands tall among its Dynamaxed allies. Brynnhildr would not have known how close it had come to the Necrozma if it hadn't dynamaxed, but what surprised her even more than it's gigantic size, was that despite the dire situation… Stufful looked happy. Excited even, by the bouncing it was doing.

And with every bounce the ground would vibrate further, its cries echoing through the darkened sky. It would not make an ulterior move; not until all of the other dynamaxed Pokémon had sent their attacks towards Necrozma– its bouncing would cease as it reared and focused fully on tonight's bane and sent itself flying towards it, fully intending to bearhug its face with an incoming Max Strike. It knew well it would not come out unscathed. Or rather, its trainer knew. Stufful just cared about hurting the thing that hurt its master.

gY14SJrk

@

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"Not quite, but when some of our projects were still in their beta phases, local farmers were kind enough to have their pokémon checked by us. A Mareep farmer in particular had some very interesting stories to tell about his herd. And seeing Mareep and Wooloo are of a similar animal family... I'm quite sure they have similar tell-tale signs too." she replies, eyes now too set upon the oddly-colored Wooloo. It seems nervous, not daring to move an inch as the Houndoom circle around it, even prodding it with their nose to get it to move. Yet it didn't budge, frozen in place. Brynnhildr frowned, getting closer to the Wooloo to examine it.

"It's not supposed to. Most of the times they stray because they're either curious, or something frightened them. A flight reflex when pr she said, checking the black sheep-pokémon for injuries. It allowed her to get close, still frozen stiff, and flinched only briefly when her hands wandered its wooly coat. It started relaxing a little bit, yet the nervosity in its eyes remained as they flicked left and right, as if they were searching for something. There were a few scratches on its paws, but nothing that could rule out a previous predator attack. It could've just as much cut itself on stray branches or rocks dotting the fields.

When the Wooloo tensed again, she started slowly shushing it, and without standing up nor breaking eye-contact addressed Maverick. "I think whatever's scaring it is still nearby. Close enough for the Wooloo to pick up its scent again, at least."

maverick noah ryder

☉

The winds are far less relenting as she climbs the sky, further, higher, until she can see all below her. The people; those scattered and those huddled together in groups, pokémon far more exotic than she’d ever thought to encounter, the strange flowers, the tree of life…. She doesn’t know where to look first, yet her eyes always seem to focus back on the tree and the flowers. A shrill shriek of her Togekiss snaps her out of her daze, but before she has the chance to even think of her next move, her mounted pokémon starts trashing heavily.

Within moments Togekiss is descending, crashing. Brynnhildr tries to hold on for dear life to both Togekiss and Bell, her Galarian Ponyta, and nearly lets go when her left hand grazes the needles stuck within the Togekiss’ belly. They sting, and the sudden movement of the spikes make it bash its wings in a weak attempt to catch air once more. Both trainer and pokémon realize one of its wings refuses service when it’s far too late, and the ground is fast-approaching.

Something snaps when they crash into the ground below. Togekiss, in a last attempt to save its trainer from being crushed beneath it, flung her away, effectively sending her flying. The first hit is the hardest, and she feels her shoulder crack in a sickening way trying to shield Bell the Ponyta from any hurt. Panic fills the Unovan as the strength in her arm disappears, and with it Bell too escapes her grasp as she keeps on tumbling onward. Unaware as she keeps on falling, the pokéballs on her belt have come loose and open, calling Pallosand, Stufful and Krokorok to the field. As she comes to a stand-still, the world around her is spinning, and pain has taken control of her body. No matter how much the Unovan tries to, her arm refuses to move, and when she tries to roll over on it the pain has her back on her back in seconds. Her face is burning, and as she’s trying to make the world stop from spinning a wet nose nudges her head. Brynn’s trying her best to focus, and does so immediately as the shock of his red snout has her on alert. Yet she soon realizes the blood is not his… but hers. With her good arm she’s trying to touch it, and notices the severity of the gash snaking across her entire forehead when her hand comes back soaked in carmine liquid.

Then, two things happen. Bell starts glowing, and taps its small horn against her forehead, using Heal Pulse to try and lessen the damage. Brynnhildr however only now notices her wrist is glowing; and not just a little bit, but like someone had hidden a small light underneath her skin. The rest of her pokémon have now gathered as well, and help her sit up. She sees Togekiss in the distance, but the disturbing amount of red on its feathers make it abundantly clear no more help can be given to the poor thing. Joltik too has disappeared from the safety of her neck, and Brynnhildr’s naively thinks it’s just lost in the tumult, unknowing that it too has founds its demise by the spore it had snuggled earlier.

She would find out soon enough.

With the help of Krokorok and Ponyta, Brynn gets back on her feet, and feels herself drawn towards a certain direction as by instinct. Instinct, and the glowing wrist that seems to guide her towards a small group. Two are further down fighting the tree, but Brynn only has eyes for the figure holding the young girl. The pain they were going through was apparent, and she spoke softly as she got closer. ”Bell, do that thing you did for me, but on them. They need it more than I do,” There’s something in her voice that makes the Ponyta obey, reluctantly trotting over to Felix Gallagher and using Heal Pulse on him instead.

Intruding as she might be, she cares little as she sinks to her knees near them, her wrist still glowing as she merely introduces herself and her pokémon with a short. ”Allow us help,”. Krokorok and Stufful set themselves up as second defense between the three and mint frost jayden cross , while her Pallosand has a mind of its own, and suddenly starts moving all the nearby sand towards itself. It’s trying to grow until it’s big enough to cover the trio, like an open-mouthed cave, and uses Sand Tomb around itself to add extra layers to its self-imposed defense.

@

☉

”Wuh- Hey! That’s not very professiona- oh, who am I kidding.” she tries to call after Tempest Quinn as he too, after angelo vestri , skyler dross , and Kazimir Wynter , leaves her presence with the mere advice to stay safe. Why yes, sure, let the foreigner find their way to safety in a city she’s never visited before, why don’t you? Well, not that they knew this, of course. That and at least she could sympathize with Tempest Quinn for ditching his job to go and find his fiancé out there. She probably would’ve done the same, had she a significant other to worry about.

For now however, she’d just focus on herself, and the pokémon left in her care. Or rather, to care for her. The hulking Aggron was looking at her in a rather funny way while it kept its Protect up. And she on her turn just looked back at it for a short while, locked in a staring contest amidst the chaos.

Until….

do not lose sight of the future.

a choice will come that only you can make.

think, feel, act.

make the correct choice.

The voice resonates inside her head like a choir’s song echoing through an empty church, and for a moment the Unovan clasps her head, palms pressing against her temples in a futile attempt to offset the headache that’s hit her like a brick.

It fades just as quickly, but the pressure she’s been experiencing— the physical one, is doubling, leaving her nigh-close to dropping to her knees. Brynnhildr’s becoming more and more aware of the cheer chaos reigning Sootopolis. Aside from the fact that everyone bolted towards wherever their legs could take them, each seemingly with an intent to actually do something about the situation, she’s left questioning what her role in all this is. Within the safety of Deva the Aggron’s Protect, and its physical prowess, she manages to keep herself on her feet by leaning against it, and mulls over the words of the prophecy that flooded her mind.

”A choice only I can make…”

Well, as vaguely as that sounds, her life seemed to have had plenty of those as of yet. Her brow creases as she regards the Aggron beside her, her Galarian Ponyta, Bell, and the small Joltik on her shoulder, who’s seemingly growing worse for wear underneath the safety of her hair. She still has no idea how badly the little thing is doing because of the dark seed, as her Joltik has had the habit of randomly vibrating while hiding in her hair. Yet her focus returns to the decision left to be made.

Yes, she’s rather poor at handling pokémon the way trainers do. So if it were to come down to fights she’d be basically useless, and would have to rely on her pokémon’s instincts to get her through. On the other hand, there must be something she can do to help, even if it’s just… she sighs, not even bothering to finish that thought, and clips one of the pokéballs off her side, tossing it up in the air. A Togekiss takes flight the very moment it’s released, and lets out a shrill cry when it swoops down to get its orders. ”Go! Find a burly guy with spiky blond hair, that kinda smells like this guy here,” she points her thumb at the Aggron, who almost seems offended for a moment. ”Help hi—!”


think. feel. act.


”WAIT!” she calls out for the Togekiss as it is about to leave, and watches as it goes full circle and straight back at her. There’s a gesture its previous handler had taught it before the Togekiss was gifted to the Unovan, and as she repeats it the flying type goes low. Brynnhildr grabs her ponyta ever so tightly and holds her arm out to grab hold of the Togekiss as it soars past mere inches away from her, taking her up in the air. ”I’m sorry, we’ll be back!” she shouts at the Aggron before burying her face into her Togekiss. It’s only when it starts leveling and floating in the sky above the tree’s battlefield that she dares take a peek, only to be left baffled at what’s going down beneath her. She should have stayed with the Aggron.


Maybe this wasn’t quite the correct choice after all.

@

☉

And suddenly she's not so alone anymore.

The shrill whistle startles her, and as she turns she sees someone (Tempest Quinn ) gesture at her as they call out that they probably shouldn't be there. Which, in hindsight, wasn't all too farfetched– Brynnhildr's curiosity however demanded a satisfaction her common sense did not grant it just yet. There were others gathering around the man with the whistle, so she too decided to abandon her current path for the safer option of regrouping with them. Maybe he was merely an officer of the law in daily clothes, called out of bed to help navigate the chaos around town? Not that the Unovan was planning on tempting fate to find out, however.

Brynn's so absorbed in her current goal of swaying through the masses that she fails to see how the spores are twirling down upon them, a sudden feeling of dread captivating her. The heaviness settles in her chest, and she finds herself having a hard time breathing properly as things beyond her comprehension start unfolding; her breathing becomes slighty ragged, as if she's trying to catch her breath after having run a marathon, while Ari is having the time of her life trying to capture the strange pollen floating through the air.

While she does want to reply, or even react to Kazimir Wynter , angelo vestri and skyler dross , the eerie feeling is still dominating her body, leaving nothing more than a shakey nod to escape her as reply. And as she tries to look up she realises her muscles too have started denying her service, cramping up soo tensely that she finds herself stuck looking at the ground, like she's a mere captive in her own body. There's a slight panic forming inside of her because of it, easily visible on her face even though it's downcast. In the meantime Bell, who has been trying to nudge his trainer forth towards the group and inside the protective bubble that had been thrown up for the group, is trying its best to keep the spores away with Fairy Wind.


tRUp6AGd

@

☉