One ring toss had completely swerved to the right and struck an ice cream cone from another child's hand. Another had flown upward and managed to get itself stuck in the netting where the plushies were kept. And the last, well... the last had accidentally struck the scowling game attendant watching the whole thing. Needless to say, Audric had LOST THE CARNIVAL GAME.

He takes a moment to inspect his hands, genuinely wondering what is wrong with them, before moving into another line with LUCY the CUFANT by his side. It isn't until a moment afterward that he realizes he's not even sure what ride he has gotten in line for. Or the fact that he'd accidentally cut in front of someone while getting into it. But his Cufant realizes.

The little elephant tugs at his sleeve to get his attention, and is successful before long. "Oh! I'm sorry, I was, uh... preoccupied. Please." He apologizes, gesturing for the person to step ahead of him in line.

✨ PROMPT CLEARED!

✔️ Lose at least one carnival game

[break][break]

LAST DAY LAUGHS + 🍁
ARTIMOOSE

☉

"Oh, yeah, we got time. Don't we, Lucy?" Audric responds, looking down at the shy Cufant below and smiling. When the woman apologizes for running into her (or being run into, really) the black-haired biologist shakes his head. "Oh, she's fine. She's just worried you might be mad at her, that's all."

As a result, the Cufant instinctively is distrustful of the hand that reaches out for her. But, after seeking reassurance in her trainer's eyes, she dares to reach out with her trunk and gently tap Aubre's hand. When she finally realizes the woman isn't mad, the Cufant brightens and steps forward to present herself.

"See? She's not going to hurt you." Audric chuckles. Perhaps the intensity of the TAUROS-RODEO GAME they'd watched earlier had rubbed her in the wrong way. Regardless, the ranger reaches out for a quick handshake. "My name is Audric Black by the way. Do you have a general idea of where your Pokémon might have gone? We should start looking now."

✨ PROMPT CLEARED!

✔️ Involve or reference a Taurus-Rodeo Game

[break][break]

MUKBANG MARVELS + 🍁
Aubre McKenna-Settentrione

☉

"Have you ever saved anyone from a fire?"

"Not yet."

"Have you ever beat up a bad guy?"

"No."

"... What kind of hero are you?"

"I'm a Pokémon RANGER."

Seeming unimpressed, the child promptly leaves Audric's table to find someone more suited to his standards. And there were certainly rangers who covered some of that criteria, but Audric was not it. As far as he was concerned, he was taking part in the MEET-YOUR-LOCAL-HEROES EVENT as a means of educating people on the importance of wildlife conservation and the environment.

Unconvinced that anyone would come to ask him about such things, however, the black-haired biologist sighs and rises from his seat. The CUFANT that had been sleeping beside him gets up at the sound of the skidding chair. Then, together, the pair decide to venture back into the heart of the festival and find something to do.

✨ PROMPT CLEARED!

✔️ Partake in the Meet-you-local-heroes event

[break][break]

FIREWORK FRAZZLE + 🍁
OPEN

☉

Paxton was straight to the point. It was clear for Audric to see the natural leader in him. And, in addition, it was no wonder he'd been promoted to oversee such important matters.

Frankly caught off guard despite that, however, the black-haired ranger needs a moment to snap out of it before jogging along to catch up. Just as he does, a magician places a hand on his shoulder and stops him. "Excuse me, good sir! If you'd just give me a moment!" He insists, waving his hand to bring the small crowd that had been watching his CARNIVAL PERFORMANCE closer.

Confused and not wanting to be left behind by Paxton, Audric begrudgingly waits. But it soon becomes clear that he's being used as little more than a prop. The magician reaches behind his ear and seemingly pulls out a playing card from it. Addressing his crowd and, in particular, a civilian he'd chosen as his volunteer, he asks with a smug smile: "Is this your card?"

Audric rolls his eyes, then he runs off to catch up to the more senior ranger. "Hey! Sorry, I was pulled behind for a bit. Ferris wheel, right?" He asks as his Cufant toots behind him.

✨ PROMPT CLEARED!

✔️ Play a part in a carnival performance

[break][break]

STARFRUIT SASHAY + 🍁
paxton concordas

☉

Audric shares a laugh with the lass before nodding in understanding and pulling his hands back to his side. "Completely understandable." When she brings up that previous suggestion of a kiss, however, he admittedly fidgets in place a bit himself. He hadn't asked for it, of course. What kind of creep would! But, ironically, he felt a bit guilty himself for placing her in this position.

Thankfully, she makes other suggestions that are much more comprehensible. He brightens again at the sound of them, admittedly hoping to get to know her better... when, suddenly, he realizes he doesn't even know her name. "I mean... I definitely wouldn't mind some company, I suppose. They say carnival rides are better enjoyed in pairs, right?"

A rhetorical question. He wasn't even entirely sure anyone actually ever said that, but it made logical sense. Offering his hand, he smiles. "My name is Audric Black by the way. I'm a ranger with Verdanturf."

When he realizes she has her hands full with the plushie, however, Audric pulls his own back and chuckles. "Oh, hey, and since we're tagging along together..." He continues afterward, reaching into his pack and pulling out a mini cotton candy tube wrapped in plastic. "Do you think your Togepi would want this? I can unwrap it and place it in its hands if you're okay with it."

✨ PROMPT CLEARED!

✔️ Offer a carnival treat to someone else

[break][break]

SHARPSHOOTERS + MISSION
luka chêne 🍁

☉

Audric turns to regard the stranger and his HOUNDOUR with a somewhat embarrassed look. "What? No. I mean, yes, I'm lost. But that's not the issue right now haha." He explains, abashedly rubbing the back of his neck. "I seem to have misplaced my Joltik. Or rather... he seems to have gotten himself lost."

He continues to look around for the micro-sized Pokémon afterward, then sighs when he realizes it probably isn't in his vicinity anymore. "I knew we should have played the MAGIKARP FISHING GAME instead... would you happen to have something like a treat to lure it out?" He inquires. "I left my honey pot at home."

✨ PROMPT CLEARED!

✔️ Involve or reference a Magikarp Fishing Game

[break][break]

REFLECTION ROUNDABOUT + 🍁
Julien Demassieux

☉

It was time to take another dive. The first few that he had taken were rather uneventful. He had only discovered one thing of note so far, however.

This time, Audric hoped to find something more impressive. Perhaps, even, something of scientific interest. After placing all of his gear on, he takes the dive.

DISCOVERED X1 TERA SHARD!

CLAMPERL DIVING + 🍁

☉

Another day to see if he could finally be the DUNK TANK king. He wasn't dishearted though! He was confident he would meet the mark today. So, stepping up to bat, Audric takes a deep breath.

Again, he apologizes to the person sitting there preemptively. Then, reeling his arm back, he focuses. In one powerful gust of wind, he casts his throw.

DUNK TANK + 🍁

☉

It's a good thing that luka chêne takes the plushie when she does. One of the people waiting in line behind them grumbles about having waited too long and begins to harass the carnival attendant for a free token as recompense. Just before things get a little heated, however, Audric casually turns to give that TROUBLESOME CUSTOMER full view of the HOENN RANGER patch on his shoulder.

The troublesome customer apologizes, thanking Audric for his service, before stepping forward to take his turn with no further dispute. Audric, in the meantime, takes a moment to gather himself before turning back to the young lady and stepping away with her. Once they've cleared the game booth, he sighs with a smile.

"It's no problem. Some people can just be impatient." He replies, realizing it might be ungentlemanly to let her carry a thing nearly twice her size. "On second thought... do you, uh... need help taking that to the shipping booth? They'll have it sent right to your home." He says, reaching out with his arms to take it back.

✨ PROMPT CLEARED!

✔️ Help a carny with a troublesome customer or other issue

[break][break]

SHARPSHOOTERS + MISSION
luka chêne 🍁

☉

Audric waves a hand dismissively and laughs. "No! No need! I'm serious, what am I going to use it for anyway haha!" He assures the pink-haired lass as the vendor hands him a heapful of plushie. Now a bit muffled, he smiles. "Plus: it just seems like it'd really make your Togepi's day."

Now feeling a bit safer behind the giant plush Togepi his trainer carries, the Joltik reemerges and crawls out to greet the pair. When the carnival attendant suggests buying the giant plush with a kiss, however, Audric glows red. "U-Uh-- HERE YOU GO." He stammers, presenting the large prize forward for her to take and practically hiding it behind.

The Joltik, who now finds himself in the spotlight, quickly scurries back into his trainer's collar again.

✨ PROMPT CLEARED!

✔️ Give your prize away to your thread partner or an NPC

[break][break]

SHARPSHOOTERS + MISSION
luka chêne 🍁

☉

Audric traces the young woman's line of sight but also finds nothing or no one. "I haven't, sorry. Did you need help looking for one?" He asks, turning slightly sideways to tap the HOENN RANGER patch on his jacket's shoulder. "I'm a ranger; I can help." He smiles.

Meanwhile, like a DUGTRIO at the DUGTRIO-RING-TOSS GAME, Lucy peeks out from behind the ranger's leg repeatedly to catch a glance at the woman. Was she mad at her? Would there be repercussions?

Well, of course not.

But the anxious Cufant didn't know.

✨ PROMPT CLEARED!

✔️ Involve or reference a Dugtrio-Ring-Toss Game

[break][break]

MUKBANG MARVELS + 🍁
Aubre McKenna-Settentrione

☉