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It was one thing to explore the region of Hoenn, but it was another one entirely to be actively walking even when the sun was starting to set. Normally she'd be setting up a camp or something for the night, maybe find a motel or some kind folks who'd let her stay the night if it was going to get too cold outside. But as it stood, she already had a room in the hotel back at Lilycove, but she wasn't going to miss this moment for the world. Astral the Gothorita was an incredibly new addition to her main party, but she enjoyed the gal all the same.

Even as it snowed around them, Ruby had found a large stone and sat down atop of it. She didn't quite understand what was going on, but Astral was simply moving around rocks with the power of their mind, organizing them into some strange pattern that she didn't recognize even remotely onto the ground. Of course, it was getting a bit harder to see with the light slowly fading from the world, but her pokemon seemed to be only growing happier and happier as the sun set over the horizon.

"So, you do this often?" She asked quietly, with a curious tone to her voice.

"Gothorita!" Was Astral's only response, which to be fair, didn't explain much. However, their nod was more than enough explanation for Ruby. She still had no idea what they were doing, but they certainly seemed focused, as if they had a plan of some kind, and she wasn't going to stop them.

notes: Route 121: Psychic/Ghost

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The mayor of Mossdeep was incredibly kind. She had never actually been on a cruise before, let alone one taking her to stay at a fancy hotel, for free! For her previous time in Hoenn, she had simply been staying at motel after motel, renting out couches to sleep, camping out in the woods, anything that worked! Of course, this time of year was too cold to simply continue to camp outside without any proper equipment. To be given such an offer alone was incredibly humbling, of course she accepted.

There she stood on the deck of the cruise ship itself. She had unfortunately neglected to ask the name of the beautiful vessel, but she was sure she would figure it out eventually. Standing next to her, and protectively making sure the girl wasn't going to fall overboard, was her loyal Indeedee named Darling, carefully holding her hand as the girl watched the ship sail out of port. It felt absolutely amazing! She was used to much smaller vessels, like her dad's little canoe, something this big was insane, yet she loved every second of it.

Smiling softly, she glanced down at Darling before suddenly speaking. Her signature Galar accent quite strong, despite all the time she had spent in Hoenn so far. "Well, look at us now Darling! Think we'd ever get so fancy to join a cruise!"

"Indeedee!" Was Darlings only reply, but the affectionate brushing her horns against Ruby's hand clearly showed how happy she was for Ruby.

"Tell me about it." She giggled softly, glancing around and across the deck. It seemed like quite a few people were below deck already, but with the cold winter air and the breeze from the ship sailing, she didn't blame them. Only tugging her jacket around her tighter, hoisting her bag over her shoulder and double-checking that the rest of her Pokeballs were in the right place, she turned back to look over the edge of the boat with a soft sigh. If only this relaxing peace could last forever.

Unfortunately, things were bound to only get much worse from here.


notes: Setting the stage. On the deck of the ship, with Darling keeping her safe.

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She almost immediately let her eyes drift over to the Arcanine. Oh, what she wouldn't give to be cuddled up to such a warm boy right about now. However, as he spoke her eyes quickly snapped back to him. She honestly didn't check the forecast today, mostly expecting to stay inside at the ball and then go to her room. It only just now dawned on her that not everyone had a hotel room here. Some of them might have to still travel home, but that wasn't likely to happen with this kind of weather. She hummed in agreement, slowly moving closer towards his Arcanine as if to try and absorb some of his warmth. "I hope so too. Traveling like this isn't going to be possible at all!"

As soon as he introduced himself, Ruby quickly nodded, unable to stop smiling softly as she noticed a faint smile growing on his own expression. "Oh, my name is Ruby. Ruby Walker, that is." She spoke softly, as she always did. Finally unable to help herself, she gently reached over to pat the top of his Arcanine's head, gently petting it as she stepped even closer to absorb some of that radiant heat he just put off. She felt much warmer already. Darling, of course, simply stood back with a soft, patient smile on her face.

"I'm uh, from the Galar region actually. I'm used to the occasional snowstorm back home, but here in Hoenn I was kind of expecting not to see any snow at all, you know? It's so tropical and stuff." Ruby suddenly paused, realizing that she was talking for quite some time and dominating the conversation. "... So where do you come from? If you don't mind me asking, of course."


notes: Talked with Adrian, pet a good boy and tried to soak up some radiant heat.

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Suddenly, the wind began to tear across the landscape and her own eyes grew wide as the windows shuddered and the fire in the hearth was snuffed out by the intense winds. Their dance was abruptly pulled to a halt, but she could easily understand why. Almost everyone else on the dance floor stopped as well. Quite surprised, Ruby took a step back with a soft laugh. It seemed like he was taking that time to dismiss himself. Not that she had a problem with it, of course. In fact, she couldn't stop herself from smiling. "I will!"

Even as he walked away, she watched a crowd of people suddenly pull out several of their pokemon to use an assortment of fire-type moves to restore the hearth back to its former glory. Slowly moving off of the dance floor, she couldn't help but be surprised with just how many Pokemon were able to fit into the massive ballroom. Of course, this got her slowly thinking.

Darling the Indeedee, seeing Ruby was no longer dancing, slowly began to make their way back over to their Trainer's side. Smiling softly, Ruby leaned down and gently kissed the top of their head. "Thank you for your help, sweetie. I never would have danced if you weren't there to help." Of course, this only made Darling's smile widen even more, looking a bit bashful, but smiling all the same. Taking the smaller Pokemon's hand, Ruby began to lead the way towards the front door. If they could have all their pokemon inside, why couldn't she bring Opal in?

She stepped outside, walking politely past Adrian Malcolm and almost immediately regretted it. The wind was biting away at her skin, incredibly cold. Yelping in shock, Ruby quickly yelled out to Opal. Unfortunately, there was no way she was walking all the way in this horrible weather. "Opal! Where are you?!" She carefully retrieved the Aurorus's empty Pokeball, waiting patiently despite the teeth-chattering cold. "Opaaaaal!"

And just like that, the dinosaur Pokemon slowly began to walk into view through the beginning blizzard. She absolutely looked like she was enjoying the weather, walking with a bounce to their step. Of course, this only made Ruby laugh softly. As soon as they were within range, she quickly retrieved Opal and walked back inside with Darling.

Brushing off the snow from her dress and hair, Ruby shook from the intense cold and turned to look at the man standing near the door as well. "H-heh... it's kind of a bit much outside, isn't it?" Of course, the entire time she talked, Ruby was rubbing her arms to try and heat up as fast as she could.


notes: Walked outside to get Opal past Adrian Malcolm and immediately hated the cold! Retrieving her Aurorus and walking back inside, she stopped to have a conversation with Adrian, who was by the door.

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Ruby couldn't help herself but smile as she finally got her papers back from the kind lady. "Thank you Ma'am! I appreciate it." She'd nod her head in respect before quickly moving down the hallway. Her hand was still gently holding Whisper's pokeball, ensuring that she wouldn't come out until the battle actually began. And yet, as she walked down the hall and into the room, her eyes slowly scanned around.

There was nobody there.

A few seconds of silence passed before she finally spoke. "Uh... Hello?" She blinked at the Computer across the battlefield. Was this who she was going to be fighting? Was the Gym Leader going to be fighting remotely? She had absolutely no idea. In her confusion, her grip loosened and Whisper suddenly revealed herself. The psychic pokemon standing tall next to her, simply curiously walking forwards onto the battlefield without so much as a single sound.

Still confused, Ruby spoke once again. "I'm uh, here for my gym battle! I uh, hope I'm not early or anything..."

notes: Gym Battle! Non-Traditional. One Versus One challenge.