[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

"Yeah! Did some more when I was younger, but used more motorbikes then ... and am getting more into it again," Lutgarde replies with a grin, as there's also a familiar name that drops. "Oh, Josh? I've actually gotten a lesson with Oreo and him recently, he's really good, hmm?" they laugh.

They do a bow at Thea's compliment, smiling satisfiedly. "Thanks a lot. I can tell you all the secrets if you want ... unless you already know them. Is your friend wanting to become a hairdresser?" they wonder - or maybe they're just really into hairdressing and styling? After all, not every passion leads to a job!

Speaking of job, ... it's part of the ranger job description, but they smile fondly nonetheless. They haven't known Thea for a long time, but they're already quite fond of her and have the feeling it might be mutual. "I'm looking forward to it!" they grin, "Is there any way I should adress you in class?" they ask as they follow Thea to the Tatami mats. That's some comfortable flooring!

Thea Naito

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

Lutgarde is a naturally sociable creature, so they couldn't quite understand Ever in that regard - but they also weren't the type to judge, and simply grinned in reply, "There is an upside to everything!"

Their personal changes in height were often simply solved by hopping onto Sylph, so ... well, that is certainly true. "Honestly ... I've never thought about it that way, but that's pretty great indeed ... I'm spoiled by my Togekiss and elevators," they laugh, "but! I do work out, so there's that." Personal fitness and honestly? They simply like exercising, and even if they switched their simpler garb for frills and bows, they're still a jock after all!

It doesn't take long for them to meet a cluster of pokémon, who gladly don't take their arrival too badly. Lutgarde leaves Sylv to talk and communicate with the pokémon while moving closer to the apparent blockage - and they frown, a frown that only becomes deeper as Ever agrees with them. "Guess we'll have to see when the blockage is gone ..." There's chances the culprit might already be gone, but if not ... they might need to prepare themselves for a battle.

They have a closer look at the blockage while Ever's asking the pokémon, and he'd also find support in Sylv who picks up on the situation and also asks the pokémon. The cluster is growing visibly uncomfortable about being squished into one tiny place, so they're gladly quite open to helping. Some step forward to the blockage, even if they quickly also stop - seemingly quite appalled by whatever the blockage is composed of.

"It's really something," Lutgarde says, standing up from their crouched position, "But maybe some parts should be able to be dissolved with acid? It's the best idea I've got right now. Sylph can also try and use Air Slash on some, while Sylv's using Light Screen to keep everything from spilling everywhere."

ever blackwell

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

It's by a hair that they manage to all escape safely, with Lutgarde offering to help Aubree on foot should she need it. Once they're near the gates, Sylph also started racing forward, pushing herself faster and faster with Extreme Speed. Lutgarde quickly moves everyone out of the way, and Sylph hard crashes towards the floor to have it help her lose speed quickly, or she might overshoot way too much. The ranger's running towards their Togekiss, but she just spits to the side, recovering herself on her own with Life Dew. "Way to go, Sylph," Lutgarde smiles, the worry not entirely hidden, as they take out a berry and throw it for Sylph to snack on.

It's only then that they start taking in their surroundings. Sylph has stopped a few ways to something in the middle - a creature with a hole in its middle, but more worrying is ... a giant Corviknight. "Oh-" they say, turning to Shalin and Aubree, and- They stare at the round object in Aubree's hands, which seems to pulsate with soft energy. They then turn towards the creature again, maybe something like a robot, an automaton ... "Does it go there?" they ask the red-haired, before nodding at Shalin.

"We've gotta keep that Corviknight at bay ...!" they say, motioning for Aubree to focus on getting whatever's done that she needs to get done. They don't believe for a second that there's anything malicious coming from that stone and automaton - but maybe that's just their gullibleness. "Sylph, are you up again? Carry Sylv up!" they say as the Corviknight starts to move at their commotion, roaring with mechanical clicks and starting to charge. "I'm- It might be a guardian, focus on disarming, fainting!" they add.

Sylv and Sylph nod as the Sylveon hops onto the Togekiss' back, and they start taking off to meet the Corviknight halfway. Immediately, Sylv starts chanting with a charming, beautiful voice - his tone is soothing, calming. However, from that point, the duo also spots something else - a variety of cages, open and seemingly waiting for prisoners ...

Shalin Nariya Aubre McKenna-Settentrione
prompt battle, flee or become captured by a massive mechanical corviknight that continually hunts you to cage in the castle.

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

After the dodge and a couple of metres across, Lutgarde notices that Shalin's not ahead of them anymore and quickly slows down, as quickly as that goes when you were going speedy before. "Sorry, focused a bit too hard on getting away from there," they apologise, but are glad that they haven't gotten seperated in that moment.

It's only more fortunate as another beast comes up entirely. It just seems to appear, making Lutgarde think that it might be similiar to what they've seen before in Eternatus - a hallucination made manifest, real in ways only an illusion could be. They look at Shalin, and see that look of recognition, of horror, soon followed by- oh.

"What is that?" they ask, not being able to answer Shalin's question, but then quickly shake their head. "Let's keep it at bay for now. We've got this," they reassure Shalin, before nodding to Sylv (who detangles himself from Lut) and calling out Oreo as well. "Dazzling Gleam, Oreo! Sylv, use Disarming Voice!" The Galarian Rapidash neighs, filling the air with sparkles that, in this environment, seem more lacklustre than usual. Sylv seems to put extra effort to make his voice calming and soothing, even if his eyes fixed on the Hydreigon are fierce.

They really aren't sure if the typing's still the same, but it won't hurt to try ...

Shalin Nariya
choice confront a hallucination made real, 50pts
100pts

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

It really seems like Thea thinks they're really cool, so they really have to give today (and everyday) their best not to disappoint her! "Rope's very useful, yes," they grin, "and I've learned quite a few, too, while I was on the ship getting to Hoenn, as well as from dealing with horseback riding." They'd have to be tied so they're, indeed, tied, but also in a way to enable an escape should the worst comes to happen.

"I mean, it is very cute," they agree, laughing, "Also why I generally prefer curled twintails, but they're not really practical, unfortunately." While talking, they decide to go for a bun instead - just tying it all up quickly and with some more equipment from their bag. "It can really hurt to get a ponytail in your face, just in case we do some whirlwind movements today ..." they say, talking from experience.

As the preparations are done, they put their hands on their waists, signalling that they're ready to go. "Are you going to instruct me, Thea?" they grin.

Thea Naito

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

Disaster and catastrophe is about to unfurl in front of them, facing the legendary, but the simulation fades and they find themselves in an entirely different, yet similiar landscape. There it is again- Eternatus. Lutgarde has since looked up how it looks like from the outside, and it's ... it's hard to believe being inside one, and in such a grotesque way, too.

"Sylv, are you alright?" they ask, opening their arms so the Sylveon could jump up. He's shaking, but tries to fool Lutgarde into thinking he's alright - a futile attempt with their connection via his ribbon. "It's alright."

They turn to Josh, "What an intense scenario in many ways," they say, trying to calm down their panic, even if ... yeah, this isn't that much better. But ... "Are we supposed to pick up one of those?" they ask Josh, then lean forwards with a pensive face. "I'm always a bit more shield-inclined." They'd be open to go with Josh's pick too, however.

choice? shield, 1 curio
Josh Devlin

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

Sylv remembers how shy Belle is, and seems subtletly overjoyed as she indeed goes for a greeting as well - but it's a tailshake instead of the usual nuzzling! Sylv is happy to adapt to that greeting, given that his tail's maybe even a bit similiarly shaped - just not as fluffy. After the tail greeting, he cooes once more, friendly and happily.

Lutgarde watches Sylv exchange fond greetings with Thea's pokémon with a smile and a quiet laugh - he's really affectionate. It's truly hard to imagine just how incredibly petty and judgemental he can be at times - and like, it's not like he's even wrong during these times, either ...

They pick the biggest gi and put on the loose pants first, before joing up to actually get that thing tied up properly. They focus on Thea's movements more than the explanations, having always been a visual learner, and nod after a while. "Okay, I think I got it ..." It's not that different from tying a bow and knots, and they're pretty good at those!

After a moment and more of focused silence, they go half into a T-pose again, asking, "And? How does it look?" They tug a little bit at the edges, too, to make sure that there's nothing that could get loose during movement. "Do you think this ponytail's alright, or should it do a bun?" they also ask, pointing at their hair. The ponytail's down to their waist, with part of their hair already put up in a donut around the ponytail's origin - there's truly just so much hair to consider here.

Thea Naito

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

Lutgarde already has their arms opened up as well as they spot Thea, but is a bit confused by the short length of the hug, but hmm- is it because the Dojo setting requires more formality? "Hey there, Thea," they greet her then as they step back, leaving Sylv room to do his fluttering ribbons greeting. (He will never be stopped by "appropriate conduct", and will charm his way into people's hearts if he must.) Sylv greets Thea and her pokémon with friendly cooes and nuzzles if they want, before settling next to Lutgarde's side again.

"Thanks! But uh-oh," they laugh. They do a little curtsy-bow mix (the most ladylike their behaviour ever gets) after the twirl, before following Thea to the locker room. They smile as they see that there's a non-binary option - they don't really mind the men's one either, but well. Some men had a problem and made it their problem which ... "I gotta admit, yeah I have no clue how to tie an obi if you could show me now?" they laugh before also having a look at the spares wardrobe. "Hmm, let's see what's the biggest ..."

Their height is gladly just really tall and not we don't have stuff your size tall, even if ... ... (Yeah their paychecks go to getting custom tailored and fit outfits for those that truly do not have their size at all.) "I've never worn a gi before."

Thea Naito

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

It's a relief to see Eris lighten up after all, and Lutgarde's demeanour becomes a bit more relaxed as well - but well, their default mannerisms are fairly easy-going already, so the difference isn't too stark. "Don't worry, I don't get cold that easily," they laugh, "I'm pretty sturdy." As proof, they lift one of their arms and flex a little bit, with muscles becoming visible under the fabric of their frilly longsleeve dress shirt, adorned with a variety of bows - it's quite the contrast, frankly.

Lutgarde nods at the information about crystalblooms and their connection to sygna suits - huh, that's ... huh. They nod, pensively, trying to file away the information such that they might find it later - it's something they couldn't really do on command, but they're hoping for the best here. Maybe they should start writing such things down ... It's a moment of lacking attention that is the cause of them being thrown into yet another springtide storm, but this time, it's bigger.

The ranger is awestruck, looking at the honestly kind of refreshing attack and its aftermath. It's also only now that they fully register that the sparkling constellations are indeed real, weaved from the nighttime sky onto fabric. "Oh! You have a Sygna Suit? That's amazing!" they exclaim, "It's really pretty."

Lutgarde's team has been caught off-guard, but unharmed by the sudden storm, managing to get safely away, too. The area's almost entirely cleansed from the toxic sludge now, and their pokémon start to work on the remaining bits, with Noh using Bubble Beam, Garnet using Splash and Sylph just plainly attacking every strange poison-affected pokémon on sight.

Eris Halla

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

Lutgarde grins, "Even without, it's really something," they laugh, before the situation turns more serious. They descend, and while nothing immediately happens, the feeling is similiar to how being in Eternatus' core has felt. The sheer intensity of the energy around them ... yeah, it'd be hard to make that one up by hand. How is something like this even powered?

They couldn't help but look around in awe as they wonder about this, their interest in city planning and infrastructure often leading to such considerations. In this case, it also helps - they spot shadows moving, and are able to immediately follow Shalin as she and Seismitoad leap to the left, with Sylph's Extreme Speed giving the Togekiss the speedboost it needs to get out of way unharmed.

"!" They aren't sure if they've seen that pokémon ever before.

Shalin Nariya
choice go left, 50pts
100pts total

[attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][attr="class","emapokemonteam"][newclass=".emapokemonteam"]height:40px;width:40px;background:#2b2b2b;border-radius:100%;margin:0 5px;[/newclass]

The heat catches up to them, threatening to engulf them fully if they don't find themselves with a sudden temperature drop. Time shifts, fast forwarding, and ... suddenly, it seems like it's the ice age. Lutgarde has no idea who is standing before them now, but they feel that this pokémon must be what myths and legends are made of. Incredibly powerful, and so, so dangerous.

It's only proven further by the menace in its eyes, making Lutgarde doubt there's anything they could do against this. However, Josh calls forth - Entei? - trying to battle the beast, and they couldn't just stand there either! "Sylv, Light Screen!" they shout, and the Sylveon moves quickly, providing cover for the many times larger Paradox pokémon as best as he could, with his screen being way, way larger than anything they've used before.

Josh Devlin