Snow. Snow, everywhere. Although there already was snow everywhere technically, there was now snow everywhere - including covering Ettie and co. As the giant snowball that they made had only finally come to a stop when it slammed into a tree, exploding into a mess of white flakes that covered those in the immediate vicinity. Namely, the pack - who had been chasing after it in an attempt to stop it.

Safe to say, not only did the pack have to start from scratch, but there was also the trouble of anyone who might've been affected by the snowball's rampage - including nagi miwa and his snowboy. As Ettie shook herself off, she'd backtrack back to the young man, frowning faintly. "Is okay?" She questioned, looking him over briefly - before looking to his snowboy. "Ettie help? Help fix?"

She'd glance over to Princess - who seemed to be one of the few pups that didn't get covered in snow in the process of the shenanigans, by pure virtue of having been so far behind. "Princess help! Ice Fang?" Ettie would chirp, gesturing over the snubbull - who, in response, would grumble a little as she stepped forward.

With the ice-type move used to its fullest, the duo would not only attempt to fix any damage done to Nagi's snowboy - but also start back up on properly making their own. Perhaps without causing a practical avalanche, this time...

There were a number of things that humans have made, that Ettie had many thoughts on. Pokeballs, for example - though she wasn't sure about the idea of fighting a pokemon then catching them with one, it was still plenty useful as a place for them to hide and rest if they so desired. Things like Potions were interesting as well, cause they were an easy way to carry around medicine for one's pokemon - and it meant that Ettie didn't have to scavenge and gather medicinal herbs or berries for her pack, if anyone got hurt or ill.

But one thing that Ettie couldn't help but find herself pondering over, was Incenses. They apparently were filled with herbs and flowers and other such stuff that specific varieties of pokemon liked? And if she lit one and walked around, she might be able to find friends of that specific type! How hard would it be, for her to try and make her own, she wondered? And how well did they work?

Well, today would be the day to test it, at least. For Ettie might've 'borrowed' one from the market the other day - a dark-colored incense - and now, sitting in the middle of Route 120, Ettie was about to light it! "Haru help?" Ettie questioned with a warm smile, holding it up as the aforementioned Braixen lit her branch, bringing it up to the incense. As the flame took, smoke began to billow from the incense - filling the air with an almost licorice-like scent that made Ettie wrinkle her nose briefly. It was time to put this object to the test, then!

And thus, as Ettie hopped up onto Anne's back, they would be off - the pack making their way through the foliage, eyes peeled and ears perked for any signs of other pokemon who may be drawn in by the incense...

Using an Incense; Dark-type

Mt Pyre... Josh had promised Ettie that they'd go there, to look for Tera Shards together - those little jewels, that he had used to make Resheph all glowy-shiny-pretty. For a time thus, Ettie had lingered about in Fortree - wandering the surrounding routes, waiting for Josh to perhaps meet her there so that they could go to that distant mountain together. But, as time passed, the young child eventually became impatient - wondering where her friend might've gone.

Perhaps he was already at the mountain? Maybe that's why he hadn't shown up yet! Cause he was the one waiting, not her! Though it took a hot minute for Ettie to connect the place to the name, it was safe to say that the wildchild and her pack had no issues in moving out towards the mountain on their own. And when they arrived, it was with the hope that Ettie would be able to find Josh - and start finding as many pretty things as they could, to make the whole pack all shiny and crystalline, like the Terastallized pokemon that she'd seen!

There was no sign of Josh thus far, though - no hair nor hide nor scent of him or his pack. At least... Not until a blur of orange and purple up above cut through the sky, catching Ettie's attention. The pack's curiosity piqued, they'd follow the direction that they saw the strange blur go - further up the mountain, higher and higher... Until they were met with the sight of two trainers - one familiar, one not - and the stranger sight of what almost looked like a tear in reality itself, just beyond them.

The sight of the rift made the hairs on the back of Ettie's neck stand - and even Anne let out a soft growl by pure instinct, both mutually unsettled at its existence. Something about this felt wrong in a way that the young child could not articulate. And yet, seeing her friends here...

"Josh! Friend!" Ettie called, as she hopped down from Anne's back and approached the group. Following not far behind was her pack - though most of the canids' gazes would be locked on the rift, their expressions ranging between awe, to confusion, to even unsettled. "What is?" The young wildchild asked, pointing up towards the rift. "Is where pretty-shiny-glowy jewels?" Ettie wasn't sure if the pack would enjoy looking around here for them, but... She'd still do her best!

Johanna Joy Callan Young Josh Devlin

Ettie frowned a bit. That... She guess it answered her question, about why eight gyms - but not really in a way she could understand. Certainly not in a satisfactory manner. It didn't explain why these... IAPL - whoever they were - chose eight, either. But the look on Josh's face as she had asked the question - misinterpreting the stunned expression he had - it gave the feeling as though she had asked something wrong... Was she asking too many questions? Maybe she should just ask Julia this stuff, instead... In the meantime, she'd just nod - pretending that she understood so that she wouldn't have to talk about this any more.

The talk of racing and whatnot was a bit easier to figure out, anyways - and it was a lot more fun, too! As Josh spoke of the trust and cooperation required in racing, Ettie was visibly interested - nodding along as he explained it all. "Ettie trust Pack." She spoke, a gentle smile on her face as she pet Anne's neck. "Pack trust Pack!" That was what being in a pack was about, after all - mutual trust to be able to care for each other and oneself. So surely, they'd be able to do well, in their races!

But as Blinky and Duchess both raced on ahead down the road, trouble arose - namely, in the form of a wild pyroar! As the lion let out a ferocious roar, The young electrike yelped as she stumbled back and away - ears folding back and tail tucking, resorting to making herself as small and as harmless-looking as possible to avoid a potential fight. She meant no offense, straying into another pokemon's territory! She just liked running!

Yet, despite it all, Josh and Blinky would react much differently - the jolteon instead charging straight at the pyroar! For as impressive as the electric-type's bravery was though, it was pretty clear at a glance to even the young pup, that Blinky was not made for a fight against the larger feline. As Blinky was brought to the ground, Duchess stumbled back - before throwing back her head, and letting loose a Howl of distress!

And at Duchess' call, the pack came running - just in time for Blinky's Thunderbolt to stun the pyroar, shortly before Josh tossed a pokeball at it. Ettie blinked owlishly - glancing between the injured Blinky and Josh - before she'd move to tend to Blinky, in all the same way that she had tended to the other Eeveelutions before. "What happen?" She asked - frowning deeply at the wounds she could see. "... Was hunt? Why hunt bigger?" Ettie questioned further, wondering if what had happened was the same thing that had happened with the Cyclizar.

If that was indeed the case, then it seemed a bit irresponsible to not back off and regroup with the rest of the pack... But then again, Josh could've just not hunted the Pyroar in the first place - his pack was getting even more hurt, as a result of this...

But nonetheless, she'd bandage up Blinky - speaking softly and comfortingly to the jolteon all the while. "Is okay... Is safe... Pack is here..."

Skipping

Josh Devlin

The group moved with a pep in their step - though Anne would find herself having to occasionally stumble to the side or make brief pauses, just to make sure that she wouldn't be tripped by Aylin and Ruffian running about and chasing or wrestling each other underfoot. Even if Ruffian was likely to burn all of his energy faster than Aylin did though, he would try his damnedest to prove himself the stronger - perhaps taking this play a little more seriously than necessary. As the tinkatink came in close to wrestle once more, he'd attempt to bowl over the little fairy-type with a little 'rrrruff!', tumbling over in the process!

But at Toki's call, Aylin would resume following alongside him soon enough - and Ruffian, panting softly, would decide to hop onto Anne's back with Ettie. The young girl giggled at this, reaching down to scritch the lillipup under his chin, just behind the little 'beard' of fur he had. "Ruffian have fun?" She asked softly.

Ruffian, in response, rumbled gently - his eyes closing shut as he relaxed into Ettie's touch. He'd have to have a proper fight with Aylin later - but safe to say, a good amount of his excess energy would be burnt off by now. He was satisfied, if only for now.

With Ettie to help smooth things over though, the houndoom seemed content to approach the group now. The sizeable beast walked almost gingerly when she neared the younger pokemon - as if she were afraid of stepping on them by accident. But once the hellhound neared, she'd slowly lean down to curiously sniff at Azura - giving a chuff in greeting as she investigated the popplio.

This houndoom would need a name later on - though when the time came for it, Ettie would be happy to help them pick one out.

Meanwhile, as Toki spoke, Ettie listened - visibly curious, even if the young man didn't think his story was that interesting. So because Toki's dad helped other pokemon as a conservationist... He made friends with a bunch of them, and had some of them be friends with Toki, too? That made sense! She'd smile and nod, half-musing half-asking "Toki-home-pack big?" Clearly, Toki had set off on his own to form a pack of his own - like what Ettie did - but the pack he came from, that his dad was in, must've been big!

But, Toki's own pack was about to grow even bigger - namely in the form of a lopunny, who he was able to quickly befriend! "Friend!" She'd chirp to the Lopunny in greeting, wiggling with joy. "Hello!" Duchess, too, was more than happy to greet the lopunny - yipping as she ran up alongside the rabbit pokemon. Anne and the houndoom would both be more calm in their greetings, though - a simple chuff and nod of the head.

However, the lopunny was not the only pokemon in the area. The sounds of splashing just beyond the undergrowth that lined the path would catch the pack's attention - paired with rustling leaves, something approaching them. Ettie cocked her head, visibly curious at the noises - and she would hop down from Anne's back to take a few steps forward, slow and cautious...

... But a familiar star shape would be spotted, poking up just above the bushes, and Ettie stopped. Wait a minute - was that..?

With a shrill hissing roar, like some creature rising out of hell, a crawdaunt burst from the bushes - swinging its claws at the air in a threatening display. The pups would yelp in surprise, and Anne snarled - the lycanroc already moving to protect the pack. Ettie, though, would take one look at the crustacean pokemon - and she only had one thing to say.

"... No." She decided, with a completely straight face.

Could her pack teach this crawdaunt a lesson it would never forget? Perhaps, given that Ruffian and Princess knew Play Rough, and Duchess had a few electric-type moves. And on top of that, Toki's pokemon were sure to have their fair share of tricks up their sleeves. But did she feel like putting up with it today? Nope. Most definitely nope.

Thus, she'd simply get up onto Anne's back, saying to Toki "We go." as they picked up the pace down the road - a few of her packmates visibly puzzled at the sheer lack of urgency or concern in Ettie's demeanor. They wouldn't need to go all that fast to leave the crawdaunt behind, anyhow - even if it gave chase, it wouldn't chase them very far.

Skipping the Crawdaunt

It seemed that there were a number of different places they could go to, to find the shards that she'd need to properly use a Tera Orb on one of her pokemon. Littleroot, Oldale Town, both in the southwestern parts of Hoenn... Ettie nodded, noting these down in her head - "Little-root! Old-ale! Ettie understand!" - even if she wasn't wholly sure what made the area surrounding the latter so unsettling. It seemed that Josh didn't want to head out that direction, either - which was a source of uncertainty for them. Maybe she'd be better off, steering clear of the area, too? But it still sounded like Littleroot was fair game!

... But, all of that aside, there was one other place that they could go - namely, Mount Pyre! Ettie was aware of that area - even if not necessarily in name, and even if she never actually went that way. It was hard to miss the great mountain, whenever Ettie wandered in the areas surrounding Fortree - particularly the closer-by routes like 120. Even if she didn't pair the name to the place though, Ettie nodded eagerly. "Yes! Mount Pyre! With Josh-pack and Shawn-pack! Find many shiny!" She'd declare - wrapping her arms around Josh in a warm embrace.

(It seemed that by now, the terastallized wild pokemon that Ettie had spotted from the beginning might be going forgotten.)

As Josh had Resheph use Aqua Tail, Ettie was already climbing up onto Anne's back in preparation to get moving. Everyone moving together, as one big pack - the idea of such felt amazing, to little Ettie. Even though Mount Pyre was likely a ways away, she was already raring to go. "We go?" She asked, wiggling in place as she looked to Josh with all the excitement of a Yamper waiting for walksies. "Find lots!"

Haru, however, would watch with distinct interest as Resheph's jewel seemed to react to the usage of Aqua Tail - blazing alight in response. Certainly, it seemed that Primal Energy was the source of the increase in strength - flowing from orb to jewel, and from jewel to pokemon... But how did it work, exactly? Why did it flow in that way..?

Josh Devlin

A winding path through the cold woods, a path that the pack followed closely. Ettie couldn't help but wonder what the duo - whoever they were - were doing, going so deep into the off-road wilds... She almost felt as though this person should get more packmates, it was safer in numbers! And yet, that being said, she also recognized that a lot of trainers' pokemon tended to stay in their balls.

Anne - and some of the pack by extension - had a better idea of why this duo were out here, on the other hand. But that only raised further questions - namely, who the third scent trail - fainter and older - belonged to, and why there was a lone person out in the wilds like this. Humans may be untrustworthy creatures, but they were not made to survive alone, not when a pokemon could easily decide to prey upon them...

... But, a good ways into following the trail, something itched at the back of her head. The feeling of being watched, by some unseen individual - not unlike the feeling of being watched by a predator - and it was not a feeling that the lycanroc liked. Glancing back to her packmates, she'd let out a low rumble - a warning for caution, that had a few of the pups glancing about at their surroundings as they moved. They couldn't see anything, but - perhaps, as long as they kept an eye out, it'd all be okay...

Meanwhile, a clearing would come into view up ahead - and Ettie perked up, when she spotted an older man seated on a stump. Despite the ultimately cold reception that he gave, she didn't seem all that bothered by it. Instead, she'd just blink briefly - "Oh. Ettie sorry," The young girl spoke with a nod of understanding, before smiling and waving "And hello! Friends!" She'd chirp, wiggling briefly.

Anne would give Nikita a brief lookover as Ettie spoke - and it wasn't hard to tell that the wolf was quite unimpressed by him, as she stared at him with all the airs of a wild animal assessing a threat. Neither he nor his companion appeared all that friendly - which didn't exactly help with her natural suspicion towards other humans, ultimately. Ideally, she was prepared to leave with the pack, at the first sign of undeniable trouble.

But, speaking of the pack... Duchess would continue to sniff along the trail - clearly intent on continuing to search along, as Princess and Ruffian both kept watch for her. The Electrike would briefly veer near where Nikita had found the sock, before cocking her head in curiosity, staring off in the direction of where the scent trail seemed to continue. Glancing back to Ettie, she'd bark - pointing with a paw.

This got the wildchild's attention - and she'd hop down from Anne's back, to approach the little electrike. "What find?" Ettie asked, briefly glancing in the direction that Duchess was pointing. "Pokemon?" Duchess shook her head, however - which had Ettie tilting her head. "Human..?" Duchess nodded - and Ettie frowned. Alone? That definitely wasn't safe - though surely, this human had a pokemon in a pokeball with them at the very least, right...?

Ettie would blink a bit as Josh spoke about Gyms. Some of it went over her head - she didn't quite understand what the significance of the regions having eight gyms was, for example. Why not have more gyms, or fewer gyms? "... Why eight?" Ettie questioned, cocking her head. The badges apparently were necessary for a big... battle tournament? She wasn't sure what a tournament was - but she guessed it was something competitive, since people were fighting! "Lots of fight..." She'd muse out loud - having to fight eight gyms, and then a tournament, sounded like it'd take a lot of energy. More energy than just basic play-fighting and sparring, for sure - was it worth it to do it?

Well, Ruffian certainly seemed interested, the lillipup's gaze locked on Josh. His tail was twitching the slightest bit - as if he wanted to wag it, yet was trying to hold still to keep up appearances. Ettie couldn't help a soft giggle at this - maybe if Ruffian was so interested, she could try sometime..?

It also sounded as though Josh's own gym was at the northern edge of Mauville City, to which Ettie nodded. "Duchess grow big, Ettie bring Duchess to Josh-Gym!" She spoke, smiling brightly. Getting to race around sounded like a lot of fun - and Duchess, in particular, would give eager yips of agreement to the idea. "Run together lots!"

But on top of that, Josh knew Julia, too! Ettie perked up, before smiling brightly and nodding. "Yes! Julia-friend good! Very good!" She spoke with clear delight - wiggling happily, as if to wag a nonexistent tail. "Julia first-human. Teach-ed Ettie lots!"

Though then came the talk of how one became a Ranger, which... Ettie couldn't help but frown, half-pouting in disappointment. "Ettie... No-read. No-write. Makes head hurt..." Certainly, attempts had been made for Ettie to learn - and she could recognize and write some of the alphabet, if you showed them to her or asked her... But it definitely was a work-in-progress, and it most definitely wasn't the wildchild's strong suit.

Maybe becoming a Ranger would have to wait, then...

It was hard to be sad about that for very long though, when Josh was about to show Ettie just how fast his pokemon - namely Blinky - could go! As Ettie nudged Anne with a heel to signal for her to keep going, the young wildchild would turn around on the lycanroc's back to watch behind the pack - riding atop Anne in reverse. And there, off in the distance, was the Jolteon in question - fast approaching!

It was awe-inspiring, the sheer speed that Blinky would catch up - and then ultimately surpass - them with, a golden comet of crackling electricity! Ettie would whoop and giggle with joy as she watched them go - once more turning atop Anne's back to watch them go.

However, Ettie wasn't the only one enthused by the display. Clearly encouraged and excited at the sight, Duchess would throw back her head to briefly howl in an expression of sheer delight! And without much more warning, she'd begin to run ahead of the pack - using Quick Attack as well, darting along the road in an attempt to match - and perhaps catch up to - Blinky and Josh!

Ettie, laughing at this, would decide to howl with Duchess - "Aouuuuu!" - encouraging the little electrike's shenanigans! She wanted to see her packmate make an impression, too!

Skipping

Josh Devlin

Ettie couldn't help but pout, visibly disappointed over having not been able to use the Tera Orb like Josh could. Nonetheless, as he gestured for it back, she'd hand it right back to him - it wasn't like she had any intentions of keeping it in the first place, anyhow. She just wanted to try and do it like how he did it!

But, Josh had the answer as to why the orb didn't work for her - namely, because of the lack of some strange type of gem, much like the one that Resheph was wearing! Ettie blinked curiously as she stepped closer to the Dragonair, to get a better look at the Tera Shard she bore. "Ohhhh... Is pretty..." She murmured softly, nodding as she admired the little jewel on Resheph's neck. "Ettie understand!" Okay! That meant that she'd just have to find something like that for one of her packmates - then they could actually do the shiny-pretty-glowy thing!

... But, then that raised a new question. Glancing back to Josh, Ettie would point at Resheph's jewel, asking "How? Where is?" Where - or how - could she get one of her own? Given that it was the first time she'd seen something like this, it seemed as though it'd be pretty rare! "Josh-friend help find?" Maybe he knew where to find more, given that he already had one?

Josh Devlin

Ruffian, to say the least, had been initially confused when Bert flew off to a nearby tree. Weren't they about to fight? Where the heck was he going? He'd begin to grumble, sounding faintly displeased at the flapple suddenly being all distracted...

... But then, he would be presented with a berry - perfectly ripe, thanks to Bert's ability. Ruffian blinked at the offering, glancing between the berry and Bert a few times... Before he decided to dig in - wolfing the treat right down!

Ettie, too, would happily accept the berry she was given - chirping "Thank you!" to Bert, with a wide and warm smile. She'd eat her berry a bit more slowly - nibbling at it as she watched over the pokemon. But, then Uriah would introduce himself - and so Ettie smiled to him. "Hello Uriah! Am Ettie!" She spoke, briefly wiggling with happiness as she introduced herself in turn. "Uriah-friend good!"

It wasn't long before Ruffian was done eating - the lillipup briefly licking his chops, the fur around his mouth stained with berry juice. He'd turn his gaze up towards Bert, thoughtful for a few moments, before letting out a bark at the flapple - as if trying to tell the dragon-type to come at him, already! Snacks were good and all, but what he was really looking for was a good fight!

URIAH BLACK

Ettie wasn't sure what sort of game this was, but she was certainly enjoying it! As Azura bounced and flopped about, the young wildchild would bounce and flop with - rolling across the grass and hopping along with happy giggles. As she flopped onto her back before Azura, she'd reach out to gently squish the popplio's cheeks with both hands - grinning brightly. "Friend good! Silly-play fun!"

Ruffian was a bit surprised when Aylin would actually take him up on the roughhousing - and she began to wrestle with him, his eyes lit up in delight. Once more 'rrrrruff!'-ing, he'd attempt to wrestle right back - trying to prove himself the strongest of the two youngsters (even if it was equally likely for Aylin to be the stronger one, too!) This was certainly the best way for the little tinkatink to tucker him out, to say the least - if only because Ruffian was one to throw his everything into the match, at the expense of his stamina!

But eventually came time for the pack to move on - and once Toki agreed to being led, as well as called to gather his pack together, Ettie's own pack would gather as well. The young wildchild climbed up onto Anne's back, and they were off - the pack taking the lead as they went on down the road.

But as they moved, they talked - and Ettie nodded thoughtfully to the young man's responses. Certainly, she knew Anne for much longer than Azura and Toki knew each other - but despite that, it seemed that they both shared equally strong bonds, one that put a smile on Ettie's face. "Pack is family!" She spoke brightly, knowingly.

And in regards to the question how she met her pack... Ettie thought for a second, trying to find her words. "Anne sister," She begun - her hand idly trailing along the lycanroc's mane. "Grow-with, learn-with! With Mama!" Though Ettie was technically a good few years older, her earliest memories included growing up alongside Anne - and their littermates, their 'siblings' - under their mother's care.

Then for the trio... "Ruffian, Duchess, Princess... Meet together! In big-city!" She spoke, gesturing roughly in the direction she believed Mauville City to be in. The trio had originally been strays who had stuck together - but when Ettie met them, she took them in with the promise of friendship and food. A promise that the wildchild did well on upholding - having helped teach them to gather and hunt alongside them as a pack.

Finally, there was Haru - who Ettie smiled, reaching over to pat the Braixen on the head. "Meet on... Route! 1-1-1! Dry-open, cliffs everywhere." She spoke - describing the canyon that formed the route, leading up to the desert. "Alone, but eat-with. So friends!" They had eaten breakfast together - which was plenty enough for Ettie to declare the Braixen a friend!

Glancing over to Toki though, Ettie now cocked her head curiously. "How Toki-meet pack?" She asked - it was his turn to tell them all about it!

But first, they had a visitor - a wild Houndoom who appeared on the path before them. The hellhound was quite the large one, a strong-looking female with an imposing aura, and the muscles and scars to match. Faced with the beast and Toki's warning, the pack would come to a stop - as Anne begun to have a stare-down with the Houndoom, as if they were sizing eachother up.

However, for the unnerving stare the Houndoom had... They would be the one to break eye contact first - instead idly sniffing along at the ground, glances occasionally drifting towards the younger pokemon present. For the fearsome appearance they had, this wild pokemon... Actually didn't seem all that hostile. In fact, they appeared pretty calm and docile?

Ettie blinked with curiosity at this - and carefully, she'd get down from Anne's back to approach the fire-type. There was no sign of aggression, no sign of hostility - just a Houndoom who seemed curious about them - even despite the scars and muscle they had on display. "Friend?" She spoke softly, reaching a hand up...

... For the Houndoom, closing their eyes, to rest their head in her palm with a gentle chuff.

Ettie smiled with this - and glancing to the others, she'd call "Is okay! Is friend!"

Catching Befriending the Houndoom!

Smiling warmly, Ettie would gesture Uriah over - inviting the older man to sit with her. Having a friend around was always good - even a friend you just met!

But not only was Uriah willing to come watch - but his flapple, Bert, wanted to join in the play-fighting! Ruffian would perk up visibly at this - and though the lillipup would attempt to play it tough, trying to keep his tail for wagging, it was safe to say that he was enthused at the news. He was eager to show both this stranger, and his pokemon, just how strong he could be!

Ettie was on board with the idea as well, giggling happily and clapping her hands together briefly. "Yes! Bert-friend playfight!" She'd agree with a nod, before glancing over to Duchess. "Duchess play with Princess?" She'd suggest, not wanting the electrike to be left out.

Duchess was game for this, too - the little pup running up, and nosing at Princess with excited little yips in an attempt to wake up her adoptive-sibling.

In response, Princess would grumble softly as she opened a somewhat annoyed eye - turning over to see who was bothering her... But the snubbull's gaze would soften, upon noticing it was Duchess. Though she yawned widely, Princess would slowly get up from Ettie's lap - and together, both pups would wander off to another part of the clearing, to play together.

And with that, Ruffian would be free to spar with Bert as he pleased - and the lillipup, looking forward to taking the opportunity presented to him, would go into a low and readied stance. He'd let out a low 'rrrrrruff!' at the flapple, already appearing to Work Up himself into a little frenzy, in anticipation for the fight!

URIAH BLACK

So racing was about lots-run! Ettie would nod along as Josh explained what he meant by racing league - her curiosity plain by the wide-eyed look on her face. Running with Anne and her packmates and other people, it all sounded like tons of fun! Even Duchess would begin ti yip excitedly at the idea - prompting a giggle from the young wildchild. "Duchess run lots! Duchess run best!" Ettie spoke, praising and petting the little electrike lovingly. Even if Anne was made for stamina and persistence hunting, it truly was Duchess who was the fastest of the pack.

Although, then Josh would mention a 'gym' - to which she tilted her head curiously. "Gym?" She asked - wanting to know more. "What gym? Where gym?" Would going to this 'gym' let her run and race around with Josh and his packmates? Cause that sounded like lots of fun!

Another thing that Josh would bring up was Ettie becoming a Ranger, with how well she was able to connect to other pokemon - both wild and not. The young girl would blink a second ad the thought, before tilting her head and musing - mostly to herself, but nonetheless out loud "Ranger like Julia...?" It certainly sounded like a nice idea... Then she could be with her Ranger-friends more! And she already was making friends with wild pokemon, so it all lined up!

But at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder - "How Ranger?" She'd ask Josh, cocking her head at him. How could she become a Ranger? Would she be able to? ... Was it going to involve reading or writing? Cause trying to learn either of those tended to give her a headache...

The notion of learning just how fast Blinky could truly get, though, was definitely an interesting prospect. Perking up, Ettie would nod - already climbing back up onto Anne's back, as the pack gathered around her. "Let's go! Fast!" She'd chirp with a bright smile, pointing at the road ahead - to which the pack would begin moving, running on down the trail. She couldn't wait to see, just how fast Blinky could go with Quick Attack!

Skipping

Josh Devlin