The outskirts of Slateport were teeming with illegal activity. It seemed to be that way with any large port city - and Hoenn was far larger and livelier than Kanto was at its peak. As a ranger, it was Cherise’s job to make sure that pokemon and people weren’t being harmed by one another. Exploitation was the root of so much suffering, it was a good way to help make sure the region didn’t end up in the same state as the one she grew up in. [break][break]

But old habits died hard. The violence people committed toward each other was the reason why the woman found herself watching from rooftops, years of being lookout for rebel forces in Kanto just trying to keep each other alive. Years of doing her damndest to make sure as many allies made it out of the armed storehouses keeping food from innocent people as went in. Things were different here in Hoenn, the Rockets didn’t have the same foothold, people were, for the most part, free. Food and water weren’t taken from families rumored to be aiding terrorists. The league kept people’s rights intact. [break][break]

She didn’t need to do this anymore. [break][break]

Yet there were some nights where she couldn’t help it. With Aylette high in the skies, out of sight but not earshot, Sage perched across from her, and Elio circling the area, the woman had a birds eye view through her pokemon. It was Elio that alerted them to something being off, a low keen given for the person being chased, and four sharper cries for the pursuers seen. [break][break]

Cherise followed the sound, and took a fire escape to get to ground level before she saw them. A couple of thugs that she was sure had the traditional R on their shirts. She gave Sage the signal to use hypnosis, and the Noctowl flew silently ahead, attacking from behind and putting the assailants into a peaceful slumber. One that wouldn’t hold for long, but it would do for now. Where are the other bastards?” The ranger muttered, rounding the corner and quickly heading in the direction they had been going. It took everything in her not to stop and kick the two that were passed out, but she they were chasing someone - and they were priority over petty vengeance.
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Flametalon landed on the wall above the person being chased, hawk eyes trained on the platinum blonde. If anything came his way, the pokemon would protect him best he could until his trainer got here. [break][break]

The Rockets that were closest to their target grinned, they had the escapee cornered. “I’ll admit, you got pretty far. But you’re alone this time, no allies, no pokemon. You’ll be on the next boat to Kanto.” He wasn’t a lowly grunt, that much was apparent by his swagger, his grin. “You’ve been a thorn in my side for way too long - do you think I wanted to drop everything and come to Hoenn? Tsk.” He rolled his shoulders and flexed his wrists, violence shining in his eyes. [break][break]

Time to see just how much fight this guy had left after running all this way.


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[attr="class","credit"]milky

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Luck couldn't be any worse to her honestly. Her last attempt had been dreadful. She slipped, nearly drowned, and... lost her bikini top? Worst luck ever, it was only out of sheer stubbornness that she hadn't let it ruin her previous day, and had searched for the garment with Aylette until it had turned up on the foamy shores. Thank god for her Pidgeot's keen eye. Today, refusing to be bested by the beast that is mantine surfing, she would attempt the same trick - just to prove to herself it wasn't impossible. The mantine was nervous, because it didn't want a drowned woman on it's conscious, the lifeguard was probably eyeing her suspiciously because why the heck would she return? Could she even swim? Primarina Twist! And with that, the duo was off, headed straight up the next wave.

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[attr="class","pokeclass"]

So her first attempt hadn't gone so well, that was alright, that was how games at carnivals worked. Honestly it was surprising there were so many winners at all - and that was enough to give the ranger hope. She had really wanted to dunk that cute blonde the day before, but today would be the day that she didn't miss! The lady in the tank was adorable, almost enough for the ranger to feel bad for trying to dunk her. "This time, for sure!" But she had to redeem herself after her last failed attempt! Take two, more gusto! This time she wound up and put more power into the throw. Hopefully she wouldn't just end up hurting someone.


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She had been kneeling over the blonde when he suddenly awakened. A flurry of curses left his mouth, and Cherise watched as he blasted out of the sand by sheer force. She jerked back in reflex, landing in a heap on her butt so that they didn't both end up with a bump on their heads and a mean headache. He was buried pretty deeply in there honestly she was impressed at how quickly he had dug himself back out! But she was still worried about that burn on his face. [break][break]

When he came back, he had a sheepish look on his face, and the girl allowed herself to laugh. Quick and bright, she wished she could say it was more at the situation than the blonde himself, but it was rare she come across someone so animated. "It's really no problem." At the mention of how long he had been buried, she would stare at the hole the blonde had left before nodding. "You know, I was wondering how that happened - you slept through a proper burial." Honestly, had he passed out? Should she be more worried? "Why didn't your grave diggers come check on you?" She was still plopped in the sand as she asked her question, but that worked fine because she could dig around in her bag while she talked. There wasn't that much in the tote, so she pretty quickly found what she was looking for. [break][break]

"I'm Cherise, it's nice to meet you Isaac." She offered the water bottle bottle alongside her introduction. "You seem alright now, but tell me if you feel light headed. I've got aloe too, for your sunburn. I burn pretty easily too.

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+ Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Cherise's team didn't spend all that much time in their pokeballs all things considered. Aylette more so than the others, as the girl's first pokemon, she was trusted to stay out of trouble more so than the others. The pidgeot was also, in a sense, everyone's chaperone. The poor overworked bird had a keen eye and a mother hen sense, and was constantly watching over her partner as well as the rest of the team. "You work way too hard, you know. You should play with the others." Cherise spoke gently to the large bird, motioning toward the smaller members of their team. Her voice was a quiet coo as she petted the fluffy feathers on Aylette's face. [break][break]

"We're going to have some fun today, we'll go swimming, get some suveneirs, and eat so many snacks." The ranger had come prepared for a full day of fun! She walked as she babbled at her pokemon, and started digging through her bag to make sure that everything was present. She had a big tote with things every beach goer needed. Sunglasses, Sunscreen, an extra large water bottle, some spare poke for snacks and souvenirs, some poffins and pokefood, and change in case they found a good vending machine. [break][break]

Unfortunately, while simultaneously walking, talking to Aylette, digging through her bag and glancing over at her Eevee to make sure she played gently with Ducklett, she didn't see the head popping out of the sand - and came dangerously close to stepping on it. Or - er, him. "Oh- excu...se me..." She would pause, looking down at the blond who was... buried... extremely well actually. There wasn't much of him to trip on at all - just his head poking out of the sand like a little clam or a flower. He was sleeping so peacefully too... shame about that awful sunburn. [break][break]

"Oh Aylette, I can't leave him like that." She frowned, leaning down to perch on the back of her legs, expression tinged with distress. "Hey, wake up! You need aloe, and sunblock, and some water." She looked around for any signs of chuckling friends, but he seemed to be here alone, buried completely. How had he slept through a burial like this?! "Aylette, can you give us some shade?" Cherise would turn slightly toward her Pidgeot, accenting the word 'shade', she spread her arms slightly and splayed her fingers - a signal for her partner to spread her wings and hold. [break][break]

Turning back toward the buried boy, the girl would hold back a chuckle.  "Yooohoo~ rise and shine sleepy head." Good thing she had packed for a good chance of sunburn, this guy was placed directly under the sun. Ouch. But at least the rest of him would be alright, he was buried so well! [break][break]

+ Isaac Merlo  

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

What were vacations for except for exploring new, undiscovered places? Sure, maybe when people made those brochures, they didn't immediately think about archeologist digs as Hoenn's main tourist destinations. However, that was hardly Artie's fault. As far as he was concerned, that was their fault for not advertising properly.

[break][break] And so what if his travel destination had also put up a few, very bold signs that he ought to watch his step and that trespassers would be persecuted? Those were obviously not meant for him. Those were for civilians. You know, commonfolk, who had to follow the rules and regulations of society.

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[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Hoenn’s skies were no stranger to Cherise and her pokemon partner. Today’s tailwind brought the duo to the shores of Ever Grande City. It was a long flight so Cherise was sure to add a few pit stops along the way so that Aylette didn’t get fatigued. It was quite a ways out from the mainland, and in that way it reminded the young woman of days long past, playing on the shores of Cinnabar Island miles away from the Pallet Town. Once the island was in view the pair made a smooth landing. With a whoop and a whistle, the girl slowly leaned left and Aylette followed suit. Breaking through the clouds, Cherise was met with a spectacular view, an enormous field of flowers. She absolutely wanted to visit - maybe after she visited the ranger’s headquarters.[break][break]
The two would land near the entrance to the ranger center. ”You want to rest out here?” Sometimes Aylette was a bit claustrophobic, especially after long flights. The bird would make a few affirmative chirps, rusting her feathers and spreading her wings a bit. ”I’ll call you if I need you.” With that, the woman nodded, and the pidgeot flew off - but not very far, she (like any pigeon really) liked to roost on the tops of buildings.[break][break]
Knowing her partner would be alright and was nearby, Cherise would enter the building. She doubted that there were a lot of rangers here, Ever Grande was pretty out of the way. But the wildlife here needed protecting just as any part of Hoenn did, perhaps even more so with its somewhat wild state. It was almost a preserve of sorts. No fences or anything keeping people out, but its natural state wasn’t hampered too much by the city within. The lights were on but the lobby was a bit quiet, maybe she could find the training center on her own.[break][break]
Prone to wandering, the woman made sure her green armband was visible before waving at the receptionist. They gave a dull smile and returned to what they were doing before. The armband was useful for getting in, but also made it obvious that she was a new recruit and didn’t really need much recognition. That worked well enough for Cherise though, it was time for a good bit of meandering. Who knows, maybe she would find the cadet that she’d be training with while she got acquainted with the building.

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Hailing from an island town, swimming came almost second nature to Cherise. And riding a mantine, well, they're a flying type so it should

The beach was bustling with energy, the shore was lined with stalls and activities. She would watch the dunk tank with interest for a while, laughing as contenders quipped and tried their hand at the carnival game. Although she wasn't familiar with anyone present, she was still excited when a chance came for her to throw. ""You ready to go for a swim?" With a nod and a wink toward the blonde that was sitting in the tank, Cherise would pitch her pokeball at the target. [break][break]2fgkTOMv

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