Jax cackled heartily at Calliope's remark. "Why thank you I'm classically trained--hey wait a second what are you..." Before Jax could stop her, Calliope was attempting to climb the pole! Jax fidgeted slightly, his anxiety rising as he was not certain what to do. Calliope requested assistance, and Jax sucked on his teeth as he twiddled his thumbs. 

"I-I can't condone this! If you get injured I gotta be the one to put you back together! How would it look if I also helped you get injured. Ugh, I know what to do though."

Jax turned away from the pole, cupped his mouth, and shouted in the deepest voice he could muster. "NUUUUUUURSE!"

The flaps of a nearby changing tent flew open, red eyes beaming from its darkened interior. A gray figure exited with specter-like grace, almost floating as she approached her master. A grin was permanently etched into her face, an unnatural expression for such a normally reserved species. When Jax rescued Nurse the Hatterene from that lab in Unova, he found her to be reduced to little more than a killing machine. After years of rehabilitation she now could exist within polite society, though she has retained a fair amount of unusual characteristics from her feral days. 

Jax pointed to Calliope's behind. "Our friend needs some help getting up the pole. Would you mind assisting her?" Nurse screeched viciously, which either meant she was about to rip someone's face off or 'yeah sure, of course.' Luckily today it was the latter, as she would approach Calliope and push upon her posterior with her hat.

Calliope Marks 

As Caleb's floating form came into view, Jax would light up and begin waving his arms as if he were difficult to see. "Caleb!" He shouted as he hopped up and down, "I'm over here Caleb! Caleb!" Jax hoped to at least get a chuckle out of his mission partner, a bit of light hearted tomfoolery before what was likely to be a heavy mission. Helping injured pokemon was not exactly fun and fancy free after all.

As Caleb came near, Jax let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "My hero! Thank goodness you saw me." Jax daintily climbed aboard, throwing one leg over another as he settled into the lapras shell. How did they get these shells so comfortable? A mystery for the ages.

Jax clapped his hands together, "Right then, we patrol for injured corsola. Hopefully they aren't too far scattered, it'll be a struggle to get to them all." Did Jax think he could save every possibly injured corsola in one day? Probably, and don't you dare imply he can't!

Caleb Harcourt

Alright so now was not pie time. Things were very serious here at the fun ranger potluck, the opposite of what Jax expected. He thought this was gonna be like, an indoor company picnic. With games and such! No such luck, they were in code red all around. Seemed natural considering their apocalyptic circumstances--but what was he gonna do with all this pie?

Jax had the choice made for him as Calliope Marks approached his cart. How foolish he was to believe she might wish to try one of his pies, his face brightening up at the very thought. He proudly stepped aside as she chose one off the top, eagerly awaiting her opinion. Oooo Nanab berries and cream, a fantastic choice. 

His hopes were shattered as the pie was launched from her hand at the posterior of Matt Vice. Jax's face cracked, his hands slapping against his cheeks as he bellowed in abject horror.

"MY PIIIIIIIIIIE!"

His horror gave way to desperate confusion, and confusion gave way to rage. For the first time in many years, Jax was furious. "I spent two days on these pies you libertine profligate!" Blinded by his own despair, Jax picked up one of his own precious pies and attempted to slam dunk it onto poor Calliope's head.

Sorry Tam Fawley .

Geez, that thing that happened in Sootopolis was pretty wild. You know the one, the sky went black and an alien tried to destroy the world or something similar. Jax was not physically present, but he was here to help with the aftermath nevertheless. Rangers across the region were called upon to help the area recover, and boy did the water surrounding Sootopolis need a check up.

Jax's specific job was to scour the water for injured corsola, apparently the dark powers of the aforementioned alien did quite a number on their population. Yeah sure no problem, one thing though: Jax did not have a water pokemon. I mean he supposed he could swim, but he was not really dressed for it. Hopefully his partner Caleb Harcourt would have something they could use to cruise the sea. Otherwise they would look pretty silly!

And thus Jax awaited his companion, like a princess waiting for her hero to rescue her from a tower. A lot of waiting involved is all...

Jax nearly missed this exciting and turbulent meeting, though not without good reason. As soon as he heard that this was a potluck, he knew exactly what to do to make a good impression with his fellow rangers. He shall make some of his world famous pies! Delicious desserts that everyone could enjoy!

For two days in Jax worked with his birds to bake perfect pies for the event. It was no easy task, he was still baking all the way up until this very morning! His voice ended up shot since his birds respond best to singing and he had to sing his orders for them constantly. Do not fear though, he may be late due to his last minute preparations but there was plenty of pie for everyone!

He made this loudly known as he pushed a cart full of steaming pies into the middle of this very tense and serious discussion. It did not help that announced, "I brought PIIIE!" with his usual sing-song glee. Jax 'read the room' too late, and quickly tried to pull his cart out of the way before anyone got mad at him.

Jax had yet to be shown a picture of Mister Tam Fawley, so when a tired looking blonde pretty boy marched up to him Jax did a cautious double take. Jax's eyes said 'Can I help you?' while his polite smile said 'How can I help you?', that vibe.

When the man asked if Jax was the nee recruit, poor Jax nearly fainted from how rigid his body got. He stood up straight, taking the at attention stance they make recruits do in basic training.

"Yes sir! Jack Cocklyn sir! Call me Jax sir!"

Jax went from hiding his nerves pretty well to letting them out in the open like dogs on a sunny Sunday. As Tam mentioned today's mission and that he would answer any of Jax's questions, Jax would do a small salute. "Yes sir! I will follow you to hell and back sir! Or just down the street if that's what you'd prefer sir!"

This was already going poorly.

Up until this point, Jax had been content to be neutral. He did not know Calliope Marks well yet, but he was open to bonding with her over this rather mundane mission. However when she suggested smashing the nest, Jax's round-rimmed sunglasses nearly popped from how bugged out his eyes got. He gasped loudly, clutching his chest as he looked to Calliope with absolute shock.

"We can't do that! What if there are baby birds in there? I would lose my mind, I cannot handle that trauma today! No, he must check if it is occupied first. Hold on I'll call one of my boys."

Jax cleared his throat before inhaling deeply to power his operatic bird call, "Laaaaaa lalala la LAAAAA!" It was beautiful, trust me.

Jax stood with his hands on his hips, waiting patiently for one of his birds to arrive. As the seconds dragged on he looked to Calliope sheepishly, "They're free range so it takes them a while to get places. Give it a minute."

 

Today was supposed to be different, it was supposed to be her chance to finally earn the affection of Jake Abernackle and cap off the summer with a win. It was not supposed to be...be...

Like this.

The beach was in shambles. The changing tents had somehow caught fire, sending smoke in every direction. Umbrellas and beach chairs lay torn in the sand. The screams of innocents rang across the air--or at least they sounded like innocents. For all she knew it could have been more of them.

She was hobbling toward the city's shorefront, attempting to escape this sandy nightmare. Her ankle had been twisted, possibly dislocated. She was not a doctor, she could not tell the difference. She assumed that they would stay closer to the water, swarming around those foolish enough not to run. A haunting cry from above told her she was wrong.

She dove under a nearby fallen umbrella, praying that she was not seen. Her luck must have been out, as she heard something approaching her hiding place almost immediately. It was too late to run, even if she could. She decided to just close her eyes tight and accept her fate.

Jax pulled away the umbrella, exposing a hurt swimmer to the open air. The swimmer flinched, and Jax was quick to try and put her at ease. "Whoa hey now, it's alright. I'm a ranger, would you mind if I take a look at that ankle?"

Her injury stood out like a sore thumb, or based off of the positioning a broken thumb. She seemed confused and guarded, but never the less nodded in agreement. Jax smiled, putting down the medical bag he held in his hand and gently examining the ankle. "While I look at this, would you mind sharing what happened here?"

The swimmer choked back tears as she told her story, "I-I honestly don't know. One minute everything was fine, and the next the beach was swarming with--with--Wingulls! They were taking everyone's stuff, pooping everywhere, landing on people's heads and slapping them with their wings--it was chaos! I twisted my ankle trying to get away."

Jax nodded, pulling a popsicle stick out of his bag. "Where did they appear? Closer to the water?" The girl nodded, looking perplexed as Jax shoved the stick long-ways toward her face. "Bite on this please." The swimmer opened her mouth to question him but Jax beat her to the punch with a sing-song "Dooooo iiiiiit."

She did so, he seemed trustworthy enough. He had a nice smile at least. A second later Jax grabbed the ankle and casually snapped it back into place. The girl screamed through the popsicle stick, pain arching up her leg before quickly being replaced by relief. Jax raised his hands, "Hooray! Good job, now stay here." Once again before she could say anything, Jax got up with his medical bag in hand and re-covered the swimmer with the umbrella.

Jax looked toward the sea, certain of the danger that awaited him as shapes swooped too and fro in the distance. He shall probably need backup--luckily there should be no shortage nearby.

Hailee Jacobs

It was one of those days. You know the one, where nothing happens but you still have to be in the office all day. Rangers did not get half days, not when there were cadets out in the field putting themselves in danger. Nope, Jax was on call until the clock strikes five--six more hours from now.



Jax sat in his medical office, a long pipe lazily pushed up to his mouth as he leaned back in his favorite spinning chair. He blew lightly into the pipe, causing a small swarm of bubbles to emanate from its bowl. He had been blowing bubbles for ninety percent of his shift so far. Why? Well for one it was an off day for the beach, so no one was getting hurt. Secondly, his fellow cadets rarely got injured--so in total he had very little to do. Ugh if only he could just go home early!

Oh well, it could not be helped. Deep down he knew he wanted to be here, being even the slightest bit of help would prove worthwhile. He just wished it was not so boring, they really need to let him install a television or something. 

@arashi

Leaves cracked beneath the hurried steps of Jax, his eyes beaming with determination. He was striding somewhere with great purpose, while Petalburg Woods was often thought to be a maze Jax could navigate it like the back of his hand. This forest had been Jax's favorite birdwatching spot ever since his arrival within Hoenn, and today his consistent visits would pay off big time!   

His effortless traversal brought him to his destination quickly, and he would suddenly slow his approach. Becoming as cautious as a prowling tiger, Jax slid across the ground toward a nearby bush. Using the protruding thicket for cover, Jax pulled a small pair of binoculars and used them to peer into the clearing before him. Within said clearing would be this years largest gathering of Fletchlings, at least two dozen hopping about like social teens at a house party. 

Jax had heard that fletchling lover to visit these woods around Autumn, and when his favorite Bird Enthusiast Blog reported a large flock of the small orange shapes flying over Petalburg--well Jax knew exactly where to look. This clearing had an influx of Oran Berries, a favorite snack for the fire-hearted warblers. Jax knew it was only a matter of time before a swarm would stop by for a refreshing rest, and oh how right he was.

It was better than he could have imagined, these fletchling were incredibly interesting specimen! They were so affable, so kind and sharing toward one another. They must have been traveling together a long time to form a bond this close. Which made the one fletchling that stayed away from the festivities all the more noticeable. Jax focused in on this misfit, trying to figure out why it was excluded. No, not excluded--quarantined! One fiery sneeze told Jax everything he needed to know, the poor thing had a cold and did not want to make its friends sick. 

It probably should not have stood so close to the brush though. Another powerful sneeze sent flames flying toward a nearby tree. The bark, dried from the heat of this most scorching of summers, lit up instantly. Jax lowered his binoculars, his lips pursing as the flame began to spread. Well this was awkward--he should do something, right? He pulled out his cellphone and texted the Slateport Ranger Group Chat.

Fire at Petalburg Woods. Help would be appreciated <3

Orion Lykos

((Flashback))

The air was particularly pleasant today. The irresistible scent of a sea-breeze sent shivers down Jax's back. The remarkable smell did nothing to quelle his nerves, if anything it heightened them. He could not focus on the matter at hand, his mind was too busy being pulled toward the sea. The ocean was beautiful today, with the waves just right for casual wading--or perhaps a dramatic stare into the horizon.

Jax shook his head, he was not here to day dream! This was his big break, a chance to prove that he had what it took to be a ranger! His basic training was nearly done, and today he would be given his first field mission by his soon-to-be commanding officer. What was their name again? Oh drat, he should have read the briefing more thoroughly. What a terrible first impression this will be, unable to even remember the name of his future captain!

Ugh, enough of that worrying. Jax dismissed his intrusive thoughts as if they were fussing handmaids, as easily as the wind carried the sea's salt. Worrying would get him exactly nowhere, all he must focus on was exuding the confidence within his heart. With his back straight, hands on his hips, and a smile that could kill, Jax awaited the arrival of--Tam Fawley! That was his name, oof what a weight off his shoulders.