[attr="class","text"]

Thea averted her eyes for a moment, rubbing her nape. "Well, I got one, but I'm not really good with it." She chuckled embarrassedly while she pulled her PokéNav and scooted closer, listening carefully to the instructions of where to get there. "Ah, that is so helpful, thank you so much, mister!" Thea chirped—[break][break]

Until the reveal struck her like a straight punch on the face. "Wh-What, really?!" Thea's eyes opened widely. "What a terrible timing... Ugh, I should've asked when the Gym is open..." She pressed a hand against her face, with the Wigglytuff following the facepalm gesture. "Family, friends? Around here? Not really." Thea slipped a sigh, tapping her feet and tilting her head, pondering about what she should do, but the Audino cries surprised her and also her Minccino, Belle, that chirped back at the cry.[break][break]

The sight of the Audino made Thea gasp, and when the man picked him up for a hug, Thea's eyes sparkled. "Oh my oh my ohmy! Look at it! It is so pretty, so cute! Look at this fur!" Thea squealed, making Zeus take a step back with Belle, and Gominha to cross her arms and puffing her pink cheeks in jealousy.[break][break][break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Thea held the Pokéball fondly, smiling at it and nodding to her cousin's words. "I'm sure it will be." She said, turning to look at him when he bumped his hips on hers, making her chuckle and grin at him.[break][break]

"Another one? You are on fire today, aren't you?" Thea admired Knight's energy. "We have all time of the world though. Let's see if we can find another one... In fact..." Her eyes trailed down, noticing something interesting.[break][break]

"You see... There were only these two Pokémons around here, but have you noticed there are tracks of other Pokémon? Why don't we follow one of them?" Thea suggested, glancing down at the start of a track and looking at that general direction.[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

The Wigglytuff huffed satisfied at the petting, nuzzling Noah's hand a moment before he withdrew it and then rolling closer to Thea and Damian. The surprise in Thea's face was still visible, but that didn't stop her from having some manners. "It is nice to meet you, Mr. Noah!" She chirped, looking at him with an excited sparkle in her eyes. If he was a Gym Leader, that meant he was tough, right?[break][break]

When Noah mentioned a sponsoring, Damian's usual stoic expression didn't stop him from raising an eyebrow, with it darkening mildly at the mention of the recent events, which reminded him of the past ones as well. For Thea, the reminder also struck her a bit, but the excitement of the moment overshadowed those feelings, and she perked up even more when her name was directly mentioned. "It sure has been going through a lot... And it isn't every day we receive an offer like this one." He looked at the poster, then glanced at Thea, handing it to her since she was about to snatch it from his hand if he took any longer.[break][break]

"I must ask though. Sponsoring in what way? Collaborative training, or..?"[break][break]

Before he could continue his question, Thea barged in, after reading the poster in record-breaking speed: "This means we will train together?!"[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Knight's idea sounded absurd to Thea at first. She? Catching a Pokémon? For a moment, her mind froze, and that same question echoed into her mind, until she muttered it: "... Catching a Pokémon..." Her gaze narrowed, and she slowly glanced back to her three Pokémon. She knew they could easily defeat Pawmo and Falinks... But was that the right thing to do? Pokémons being captured were a normal sight, and it was part of their culture, so why it afflicted Thea that much?[break][break]

It was when Knight showed a different approach to it, one that Thea was surprised to see. It did remind her of Belle, in a way. At the time, her Pokémon would chase her until she accepted her. Maybe she could convince them to join her, just like Knight managed.[break][break]

"... That feels more right." Thea smiled to Knight, and then looked at Pawmo, with her other Pokémon approaching along with her as she stuck her hand into her bag, pulling out some self-baked Pokémon snacks. She laid those between her and Pawmo, and despite the initial hesitation, Belle and Gominha approached, taking some of the snacks and starting to eat, almost as if inviting Pawmo to join them.[break][break]

Knight's approach to Falinks helped with the first impressions, and after another second of hesitation, the Pawmo finally approached, glancing up at Thea and then her Pokémon, nibbling the snack and then looking at Knight as he spoke.[break][break]

"If you want to come with us, that is." Thea said, offering her hand to the small Pokémon, that after a moment, nuzzled her hand. Thea's eyes sparkled, and after the positive response, she took her Pokéball out and gently touched it against the Pawmo's forehead, triggering a reponse from her Pokéball and absorbing Pawmo into it.[break][break]

Standing up, Thea cupped the Pokéball with her hands, and after it vibrated twice, it settled. "It really did it..." Thea blinked for a moment. It was the first Pokémon she caught, even if it wasn't in the way she usually heard how Pokémons were caught.[break][break]

When she turned to her cousin, she smiled widely. "Thanks, Kay! I didn't expect I would have a new Pokémon today. I think asking them to come with you sounds better than hitting them until they are too tired to escape." Thea voiced her opinion while giving her cousin a soft and grateful hug, while glancing down at her other Pokémon. "It seems like we have a new friend to the team." She showed the Pokéball to them, and they sniffed, nodding in agreement.

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

[attr="class","text"]

The Pokémons that were on sight were certainly stunning, and 'tough' was an underestatement to describe them. Thea hoped to catch the attention of some of them, but at the end of the day, she caught attention of more than just Pokémon, with a man appearing mounted on a Tyrantrum, a pokémon that was already impressive to look at, but with someone mounting on it as if it was a horse only made the sight become even more breath taking.[break][break]

Impressed, Thea half opened her mouth, speechless for a moment before blurting out: "That's a very cool Pokémon! It looks so strong!" She cheered, then showing a warm expression and smile. "Very well cared for too..."[break][break]

Her eyes then shifted to the man, and when he voiced she should go to the check-in, she rose her arms and hands, shaking them. "Oh, no no! I wasn't going to hop over the fence, I just wanted to look at the Pokémon—" As she spoke, however, she noticed something in his words. "Wait, do you mean I can actually get in there if I go through the check-in?"[break][break]

Her eyes opened widely, with her hands clenching on the fence as she bent her upper body over it, as if trying to lean closer to hear more about it, if the man spoke. She didn't know that place was open to the public.[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Thea glanced at Cass, letting out a faint chuckle and raising her eyes. "Good luck on it. Be firm, and that should at least give him a reason to think twice. My Pokémon mostly listen to me because I've trained them to do it since they were young... Except for Belle. Belle was a dear since the start." She explained, and the Minccino fidgeted a bit embarrassed, while Zeus frowned a bit.[break][break]

Gominha enjoyed the exchange of tactile greetings, but as soon as it was about to go South, only being avoided by Cass' save, the Wigglytuff inflated and rolled away, pouting. "Don't inflate in the library, Gominha." Thea frowned to her Pokémon, and Gominha released all her air while whistling in annoyance.[break][break]

Her eyes then returned to Cass. "Well, if you are intimidated by these homeworks, I feel forced to warn you that there is more where these came from" Thea grimaced, opening her bag and showing at least more three homework sheets.[break][break]

"As for what to start with... I prefer to spend my braincells on the ones I have more difficulty with, so let's go for Linguistics first?" She suggested.[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Thea grinned at the Pokémon choice. The small Impidimp was cute, and she wondered how strong they were. It pumped her up just as much, and she huffed, bracing herself for a start.[break][break]

"Since you are offering, me and Zeus are going to take it. Thank you very much... Whenever you are ready." Thea said, waiting for the ranger and their Pokémon to be ready... And as soon as they seemed to be, she thrusted her hand forward. "Go, Zeus! Keep your focus and don't let your guard down!"[break][break]

Zeus huffed, leaping from the rock he was stepping on and sinking his feet on the firm ground before charging at Zylf, aiming a wary gaze at it while it Focused Energy.[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Gominha is quick to peek her head out of the bed to look at Knight, waving her hand when he mentioned extra pillows and snacks.[break][break]

Thea could only roll her eyes at the laziness of her Pokémon, but then smiled at Cass' joy and Knight's kindness. "That's wonderful, another friend for us!" She beamed, looking at the new Pokémon and trying her best to not be caught in Cass burst of happiness. The scream did make Gominha flinch, which was enough to make her fall head first on the ground before bouncing away. Belle watched the scene unfolding in confusion, and for once Zeus slipped a laugh seeing Gominha's misfortune.[break][break]

"Knowing Cass, this cute guy will be very well cared." She chuckled, watching the happy situation unfold a bit more before resuming the previous business:[break][break]

"Let's prepare our pillow fort then?" Thea picked up a couple pillows while Zeus and Belle did the same with one pillow each. "As for games, I have a 'who is that Pokémon?' card game. I also have Meowpoly, Yacht, Poké Up, and well... A basic card deck." She suggested, then glanced at her cousin, that had his own games too, if he wanted to offer or suggest.[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

When Noah stepped into the dojo announcing his arrival, a few students were in the middle of a kata practice: Kanku Sho.[break][break]

Between them, there were a few Pokémon, including a Primeape and a Minccino, and all of them followed the movements of Thea, that was in front of them to mirror and guide what they should do, while Damian corrected and adjusted each of the students posture, aiming for a perfect form for each of them, for every movement of the kata. However, Noah sudden arrival caught some of these students off guard, and one even turned to look at him, prompting Damian to give him a quick chop on his head.[break][break]

"Ow!"[break][break]

"Focus." He scolded, glancing at Noah and nodding briefly, acknowledging his arrival but not interrupting the kata practice just yet. Thea also glanced at the newcomer, but without turning her face or moving out of her current stance until the practice resumed.[break][break]

The younger and less experienced students, that were sitting by the sides of the dojo, looked at the man with curiosity... And a Wigglytuff that was sitting with them began rolling at his direction until she bumped on his leg softly and looked up at him with a smug smile, tilting her head and making the curl of her forehead twitch. The request was clear: 'Pet me'.[break][break]

Whether or not the Wigglytuff entertained Noah enough to keep him busy, the practice took less than a minute to end, and after a final bow between the students to Thea, and then to Damian, the sensei gave the students free time for them to spar between each other before turning and approaching Noah. Thea followed right from behind.[break][break]

"Noah. I didn't expect a visit." Damian bowed.[break][break]

"Hm? Do you know him, dad? Is he your friend?" Thea asked, adjusting the obi of her karategi.[break][break]

"No, but you should know him. He is the Leader of Verdanturf's Gym." Damian explained, looking at Noah as if asking for confirmation while Thea blinked surprised at the reveal. Then, Damian added: "My name is Damian Naito. She is my daughter, Thea. What brings you to our dojo?" He inquired.[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Thea remained wary of the tentacle-pokémon that was over there, but she didn't miss her cousin's approach to the Pelipper— And despite catching it off guard, Thea grinned proud of her cousin, seeing how he managed a combo for a swift capture.[break][break]

"That was a great surprise attack and a follow up, Kay. Heh! I guess that Loot Guard you spoke about is the real deal then." She chuckled, a moment before she felt a gentle tug on her pants. She glanced down, seeing Belle pointing with her free hand at a particular direction, while Zeus and Gominha seemed to glance at that general direction as well.[break][break]

"Kay!" She hissed. "There are more over there." She pointed, and hurried her steps cautiously.[break][break]

"Nnngh! A Pawmo~ It is so adorable, Kay!" Thea chirped, charmed by the cute Pokémon.[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Paying a visit to Lilycove was a nice change of pace. Usually, Thea would only travel somewhere else to seek for more Martial Arts or to practice or train. But this once, it was just to chill. Perhaps she should've invited some of her friends, but she needed a time for herself and her Pokémon, that also deserved a break.[break][break]

And of course, she couldn't let herself not visit the large department store of that city, but something interrupted her... In fact, more than that: it created a small detour.[break][break]

Gominha the Wigglytuff, perked her ears up and sniffed the air joyfully, darting off with pleased squeaks, which prompted Thea to chase after her along with Zeus the Primeape, and Belle the Minccino. "Gominha, don't run off just like that!" She called, but to no avail, Gominha only ran faster.[break][break]

Soon, the pink pokémon was hopping in front of the table, chirping to try to catch the attention of the boy. Thea approached right behind her, scolding: "Gominha, stop misbehaving!" She said, and the Wigglytuff protested, making Thea sigh and shake her head before looking at the boy and his Manectric apologetically. "Sorry, she gets a bit too excited at times, but— Hmmh?!" Her eyes grew wide when she noticed the nice smell, and the Primeape and the Minccino that followed from behind perked up as well. "Wait, this smells really good—" She pointed at the freebies.[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Thea's attention was divided between the man and his Pokémon. It wasn't hard to notice that they were nothing short of extremely tough, and when the man introduced himself and his pokémon, her eyes grew wide. "An Elite Four? It will be an honour to have a chance to practice with you!" She chuckled, and her attention was then drawn to Shuwen. Her expressions softened with warm smile.[break][break]

"That's a very beautiful Urshifu too... It has been a while since I've seen one fighting with my own eyes. That will be fun." The warmth of her expressions became fiery with excitement for the opportunity in front of her.[break][break]

"It is nice to meet you, Mr. Navidson, and Shuwen." She offered a handshake, while a sense of familiarity to the man's name pricked her mind. Perhaps she had heard it on the TV before, but... Hmm.[break][break]

It didn't take long for her Primeape, Wigglytuff, and Minccino to approach, curious about what their trainer sudden interruption. Thea glanced back at them. "Hey guys, we have a challenger here. Zeus, do you think you can take our big friend here?" She gestured to Shuwen, and the Primeape approached, looking the bear pokémon up and down while assessing the situation before clenching his fist and huffing with his pig nostrils. "Haha, I knew it." Thea looked back at the man. "Seems like he is pumped up. So why don't you spar with me while my father is still instructing his students?"[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","text"]

Thea's father started the greetings, with his apprentices, and Thea, bowing and following the tradition of the introduction of the training. The Pokémons in the dojo did the same, in their own way, and as soon as the inital speech was done, the practice started.[break][break]

They started with warm ups, with some apprentices making duos to help each other, while the sensei made sure to keep everyone in the right stances and strictly made sure they wouldn't slack off. Thea was doing the same, especially with her own Pokémon that were stretching and preparing for the bulk of the training.[break][break]

But Thea couldn't hide her mild frustration, noticing that she would be singled out once again, which would make it a third time this week.[break][break]

With a sigh, she pouted slightly impatient, but soon, her eyes spotted a new person showing up, making her perked up and adjust her karategi, approaching with a welcoming grin. "Good afternoon!" She bowed. "Another one for our training? If yes, you have come just in time. We have barely started today's training."[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"][break]