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A councilman? Of the League itself? Ruby gulped nervously, allowing Kim to take the lead as they danced and effectively direct her. She messes up her foot a few times but eventually starts to get the simple movements down. She's quiet as she listens to him speak. It certainly would have made it easier to focus if she wasn't currently being twirled, but oddly... it felt fun. Even if she was bad at dancing, he didn't seem to care. That mere fact alone slowly encouraged a smile that spread across her face.

His pep talk certainly helped, and she couldn't help but blush a little bit more as she smiled a tad bit wider. "Well... I guess I'm just not really used to even socializing. Or just, well, talking in general, heh." She quieted down a little bit, once again trying to focus on her dancing. "I'm not like... insecure, I guess. Nervous, maybe? I'm confident in who I am and all that. I kind of grew up really quiet, and I guess I still am quiet. Talking all the time is, heh, not my thing."

She was just about to continue talking, despite her statement about how she didn't always enjoy it when she was suddenly interrupted. A man she had never seen before suddenly came in and smooched her dance partner. Not just a peck, but a full-on smooch. Ruby was stunned, having no idea what to do or even say. He certain;y didn't seem to enjoy the kiss, however, as he made a rather interesting face. Was this normal for him? Having no idea, and admittedly a tad bit curious about whether or not it was going to happen again, she spoke once more. "Y-you're quite popular, it seems...?"

notes: Just talking and dancing. Very confused by the strange kiss.

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Time passed, and so far nothing happened. It was rather relaxing however, she had to admit. Listening to only the sounds of nature, the cold air in her lungs, the warm jacket keeping her protected from the elements. Meditating was probably a bit easier with her past experiences with Whisper. Knowing when to be quiet, how to silence your thoughts and just exist was a worthwhile tool. Or at least, Ruby thought so. Taking in a deep breath, she let out a soft, quiet breath...

Suddenly, Ruby was awoken by a loud sound, accidentally falling asleep in her position on the stump. Jumping to her feet and rubbing her eyes, it seemed like Meddy was fighting off a Drowzee that had come to eat her dreams! Rubbing her eyes and now wide awake, Ruby quickly outstretched a hand. "Meddy, use your High Jump Kick!"

Meddy quickly nodded, leaping high into the air, suddenly slamming down onto the Drowzee with intense force. It wasn't super effective against the psychic-type mon, but with their fighting even while she was asleep, it was enough to absolutely disorient the Drowzee. Without another word and totally determined to capture it, she tossed an empty pokeball, a soft grin on her face. Another Psychic mon for the collection.

notes: Route 116: Normal/Psychic. Attempted Capture of the Drowzee.

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"It's... really windy." She spoke to herself, staring out into the distance from inside her warm hotel room. The forest outside of town was filled with so much snow it was hard to see. The trees bending in the strong breeze, blowing all around. Honestly, she was incredibly glad that she was inside. Later, she'd take a nice bath in her room, maybe use one of her hot cocoa packets she had hanging around with her belongings, and have a nice time inside.

Just before she could hop down from her perch at the window however, she saw something a bit strange in the distance. Immediately curious, she leaned in close to her window. What... was that? It was like some ghosts were flying in the wind! Despite how comfortable she was, Ruby knew she wouldn't be satisfied unless she went out and saw. Quickly grabbing her jacket, she ran outside into the cold. The intense wind blowing her all over the place, almost even knocking her to the ground as she ran as fast as she could.

It took a few seconds for her to recognize the trio of Froslass's flying. What a beautiful sight... She stared for a few seconds, unsure what to do before she felt the spare empty Pokeball in her jacket pocket. Perking up, she quickly pulled it out and gave it a firm toss, hoping for the best.

notes: bplGVTla

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Ruby's eyes widened as Whisper's injuries slowly began to heal before her very eyes. Whisper rarely let anyone touch her, especially so close, but it seemed that the silent Pokemon had recognized the gentle and positive intent. She even closed her own eyes as her wounds sealed up shut. The frayed ends of her hair pulled back together, the wound on her cheek vanished almost as quickly as it began. She couldn't quite believe what she was seeing.

She rubbed her eyes, blinking in total confusion as brown tendrils spread across the gym leader's skin. What kind of magic was this? People couldn't do this kind of stuff! She stared in awe, struggling to come up with the words to say. Once Cait finished healing and sent her Grovyle to fetch a badge, Ruby slowly began to speak. "H-how did you... How did you do that?" She spoke with such a soft tone, almost as if she was witnessing some forbidden secret. Something she shouldn't know.

Whisper finally opened their eyes, taking a quick look at themselves and then over at Cait. Almost as if sensing their weary nature, the Hatterene's arm on her hat slowly wrapped around and rested on their shoulder. Almost as if they were trying to keep her supported and upright. That alone was a miracle in Ruby's eyes, she never willingly touched anyone else before except her parents.

"Ma'am, that... Is that, something you can teach me to do? I've never seen anything like that before back at home." Of course, Ruby had no idea what she was getting into.

notes: N/A

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Ruby knew there was something special about this area. Despite the snow that covered the ground, the psychic-type pokemon tended to flock here. She didn't know if there was any particular reason, but judging from her past experience with the type, perhaps they just enjoyed the relatively close distance to Rustburo, without being too close to it. Some seemed to thrive on the happy emotions, like Grace the Kirlia she had caught here in the past. Others like Whisper her Hatterene intensely disliked the strong emotions and secluded themself from most individuals until she came along.

With a curious gaze around the area, she pulled her jacket tight and slowly made over to sit down onto a stump after brushing off all the snow. "Alright, Meddy." She spoke, suddenly sending out her Medicham. "I found you here too, didn't I? Come on, let me practice with you again"

Meddy simply nodded their head as they looked around, crossing their legs as they suddenly began to float in the air to meditate. Almost immediately, Ruby crossed her legs as well, placing her hands onto her knees as she let out a deep breath trying to relax. It wasn't easy, but with these relaxing sessions with Meddy becoming more frequent, it helped calm her nerves. Hopefully, with meditating so openly, any curious psychic types might expose themselves to her.

notes: Route 116: Normal/Psychic.

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So it was her ride! She instinctively let out a soft sigh of relief, pulling her bag up close to her as she spoke. "Well, I was just out for a swim! And suddenly the waves came and swept me away in the current all the way out here. I'm just lucky I had let bubbles out to enjoy the sea with me. He went back and grabbed my bag for me." She quickly reached over, affectionately rubbing his back. Bubbles, of course, stood taller and quite proud of himself as the short girl praised him.

Hold on, did he just say anywhere in the region? Ruby's eyes widened a little bit. She was expecting just a lift to shore, not just a ride anywhere. This massively changed things, in an incredibly exciting way. Almost immediately it was like she was trying to internally debate. After getting swept away, she didn't feel like going back to another coastal town so soon. Maybe something a bit more... tropical! After all, there was so many interesting places around. However, it was lucky that she had a change of clothes in her bag. This swimsuit in any other place probably looked really out of place.

"Oh, Umm, well, do you think maybe I can Fortree City? I've never actually been there, but it sounds like it's beautiful. I'm kind of a tourist, I guess, so it's not like I really have any home I have to go back to!" She giggled softly, reaching into her bag to grab the Pokeball and retrieve Bubbles.

"If that's uh, okay with you, that is. I'll find a nice hotel or something!"

notes: N/A

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Ruby had to admit, Littleroot felt more like home than she had ever experienced in the Hoenn region so far. It was farther away from the major urban areas of the region, with a pleasant sort of "back-to-nature" feel that really reminded the girl of her home back in the Galar region. Her parents had a rather pretty house tucked away in the woods, with a beautiful garden, and everything they could have ever wanted was either just a short drive into town or around them. Laying down on the hills just outside of town, watching the clouds roll by, it was a beautiful day. But unfortunately, the clouds in the sky weren't the reason she was here today. It was the clouds rolling around the ground all around her!

Or to be more accurate, the Wooloos! These precious sheep Pokémon were just about the cutest thing. Her mother had a Dubwool growing up, and the beautiful sheep's wool helped make all kinds of fabrics for their home, like blankets and sweaters, plus selling any excess was a worthwhile secondary income! However, for the lovely people of this ranch, it seemed like they were trying to use Wooloo as their primary income! The cute little guys were simply rolling about along the grass, nibbling their food, bumping into each other, it was intensely nostalgic for her.

However, today wasn't a day to sit and play with these cute bouncy boys either. She was supposed to be on guard duty. The owners of the ranch were expecting trouble, and she was supposed to help out and make sure nothing happened. Wooloo wool was definitely expensive, especially in Hoenn, no doubt some rude individuals would want to take away these cuddly sheep for themselves! Quickly dusting off the dust from her jacket, she slowly walked around the ranch, hoping to find anyone else who was supposed to be helping. She might trust Whisper to take care of a few thieves, but if they also had strong Pokemon, it would be a bit tough.

Eventually, Ruby managed to find them. Their Ninetails definitely helped point them out amongst the field of clouds. "Hey!" Ruby spoke as she approached, gently pushing her way through the sea of white fluffy friends. "My uh, name's Ruby. I take it you're also here to help, right?"


notes: N/A

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"... What are we doing, again?" Ruby honestly was completely lost. At first, she thought the snowman was cold, so she ran off to get a jacket for him. Then obviously, a snowman wouldn't be a snowman without arms, so she stuck some sticks up the sleeves. Before she could work on the face, however, Pinky, her trusted Snowman Building Partner, or SBP for short, was already working away doing... something. They seemed excited and dedicated, so Ruby just let them work. But this was... starting to get a bit insane.

"I mean, you stabbed the jacket. His jaw is like, massive! How... where did you even get all the icicles? I thought he was just going to be angry because he didn't have pants! Not because he was like, gonna hurt someone." Pinky just seemed to laugh at her confusion, continuing it's dedicated intent to carve away it faces just perfectly. Ruby simply slumped back, sitting on a makeshift pile of snow. It was... something alright. Now, if only the top matched the bottom, it would have been rather cute, but there seemed to be no stopping Pinky from her dedicated cause to terrify passers by. At least, until they saw its shoes.

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He was... joking? Ruby almost immediately let out a sigh of relief despite herself. With apparently some incredibly important people here, it was hard to tell. She had never mingled with such high society before, it was kind of insane to even think she was here at all. A good thing that she was able to order a room before they all sold out, at least. Still, she gently squeezed Darling's hand as she let out another soft breath, just about to turn around and relax before the man himself spoke.

She didn't even know his name, or precisely who he was, but it seemed his offer to dance, with her at least, was now suddenly genuine. Immediately fumbling with words and unsure what to say, Ruby allowed herself to be swept onto the dance floor, Darling staying where she stood and waving gently, looking on at Ruby like a parent proud to see their baby grow as she swept away, staying near Stormy and that little group so she was easy to find later.

She didn't have a single clue what she was doing. Ruby was incredibly focused, staring at her feet to not step atop of his own, making sure to step in beat with the music. Overall, definitely clumsy, but nobody could deny that she was trying her best. However, at the statement that sounded like a question, she quickly looked up at kim cole-essam to reveal just how bright red her face truly was. "I-I mean, I've uh, never really danced with anyone before. This is uh, kind of a new experience for me."

With a shy, soft smile, she quickly glanced at her feet, making sure she wasn't going to step on him. Even though with how small she was, and how she wasn't even wearing heels, just a simple pair of dress shoes, even if she did step on his feet it wouldn't be that bad at all. "It's just, y-you know." She laughed nervously, finally locking eyes with him as she spoke. "Never been somewhere with uh, so many people before. Let alone people that are important. I-it's kind of intimidating."

- - -

Opal is admittedly a bit sad that her new friend suddenly ran off, but not too beat up about it. It is a party inside after all. However, she does notice another Aurorus doing something in the distance and begins to make her way over, one large step at a time.

notes: Ruby is incredibly nervous about dancing, but trying her darn best and being cute doing so. Darling's just with the group she separated from near Stormy, and Opal's just walking.

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Ruby's eyes widened immediately as soon as the battle ended. It was done? She won? The music was over, so she definitely won, right? She almost couldn't believe it for a moment, suddenly leaping across the field to quickly and gently wrapping her arms around Whisper. She didn't need to say anything, she already knew from experience that Whisper could read her joy and excitement off of her like she was a book. Even Whisper's tentacle arm slowly wrapped around her shoulder in a mockery of a hug, but it was close enough. Her eyes were practically shining as she suddenly glanced over at Cait. Suddenly a look of confusion spread across her face.

Lilligant just... got better. How was that possible? She was just touching them, there wasn't even a potion in sight. How did this happen? There was a strange light in her eyes that suddenly vanished after she blinked a whole bunch. Ruby's interest was immediately piqued, staring with large, wide eyes as she slowly separated from Whisper's embrace. She didn't even mind that they were out of badges for the moment, fully comfortable with the idea they'd just grab more from storage, but her questions only grew.

At the sudden question, Ruby quickly looked up. "Oh, uh, yeah. I'm from Galar, actually. I'm here exploring and growing to be a great trainer like my parents did in their youth." She paused, looking over at Whisper who was still beaten up but standing tall despite that. Glancing back at Cait, a curious, almost hopeful look spread across her face.

"... D-do you um, think you can do that thing to Whisper that you did to your Lilligant? H-heal them, I mean?" She definitely sounded nervous as she spoke, as if what she saw happen wasn't really reality. "I-I mean, m-maybe I'm just being silly, h-hahaha. I just, you know, s-saw some lights and... Something."

notes: N/A

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Whisper slowly smirked as she saw just how damaged the Lilligant was from her single attack, clearly quite pleased with herself for upsetting the dance, but still angered that the music didn't stop entirely. She continued her slow movement forwards, taking step by step as she effectively glided across the floor towards the plant pokemon.

Ruby finally smiled, she was doing so great! Hopefully, it wouldn't be too much longer before the battle was over. When she saw the Lilligant do the same move as before, the pink petals slashing away at Whisper, she quickly spoke again. If it wasn't for the psychic defenses Whisper had built up, she doubted they'd be in nearly as good as a position, but there was no reason to push their luck and waste time. "Let's try and finish this Whisper, use Psychic again."

Of course, Whisper was growing frustrated and in increased pain with every slash with the petals, one specific petal managed to get in close and slash away at her cheek, leaving a solid painful mark across the silent pokemon's face. The hair that was supporting them and keeping them upright seemed to wobble a little bit from the impacts, revealing that the damage was affecting her even if she was choosing to ignore it as best she could.

Once again pulling together and focusing the mental energies, Whisper didn't waste any more time. The swirl of psychic energies blasted towards her opponent once again, hoping to put this battle and the music to rest.

notes: Used Psychic.

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Darling returned just in time to see Ruby putting away her new gift, carefully tucking her into the purse that she was carrying. Turning around, Ruby would give her precious babysitter a soft smile as she returned with a plate full of simple snacks, leaning forward to give them a gentle peck on the top of their head. "Thanks, Darling." She took the fortune cookie from where it was sitting, finally managing to dig into it and slowly eat it. It wasn't bad, for a cheap cookie, but Ruby wasn't going to complain. It was given out of kindness, and that tasted sweeter than anything.

Before Ruby could resume her seat and continue watching Opal outside, a dance suddenly began. A beautiful waltz, with a beautiful pair of Pokemon putting on a show as a few people from the crowd began to dance. Her eyes widened in excitement, quickly shifting on her feet as a smile spread across her face. It was beautiful the melodies of the Krikitune, the dance of the Lopunny, it was so stunning. Once again, Ruby was about to be content to simply sit and listen to the music before more and more things kept happening, people kept arriving.

A man in a snowflake-printed suit walked in, suddenly demanding a dance from every single one of them. Even "Ferny," who was apparently the kind Santa from before. Almost immediately, Ruby shifted a tad bit uncomfortably where she stood. A dance? With someone else? Who was this man? Was it wrong that she was suddenly nervous? What if he was incredibly important in Hoenn, and she just didn't know because she didn't live here? Already suddenly at conflict, blushing softly to herself in nerves, Ruby was already confused. Her confusion only grew, however, as she saw the beautiful Solgaleo across the room, shining its lights around. Her eyes widened immensely, only to quickly sigh and look away, a bit overwhelmed by everything.

Of course, Darling is the good babysitter she was immediately noticed Ruby's emotions. Gently tugging on Ruby's hand to get her attention, she gently held it as she motioned for Ruby to breathe in and out slowly. Knowing better than to argue, the quiet girl closed her eyes and slowly let out a few deep breaths, trying her best to relax with all these sudden new stimuli. Was this how Whisper felt all the time? The constant bombardment of emotions, sounds, sights? She didn't even know what that lion Pokemon was across the room, but no doubt it was immensely special in some way.

After about half a minute of just breathing and focusing on the relaxing music, Ruby finally nodded and opened up her eyes. "Thank you, Darling. I should uh, w-well..." She took another deep breath to stabilize herself. "I don't know who that man is, but if he's important, I don't wanna make him mad. Can you, um, walk me over there please?"

Darling, of course, was eager to do so. Holding Ruby's hand, the Indeedee led the way around the dancefloor and towards the small group Kim had merged himself with. Ruby's nervous blush only grew even worse, struggling to speak for a few seconds before finally muttering out. "U-umm, excuse me, Sir?" She paused, hoping that got his attention before quickly looking to the ground before she could even accidentally look him in the eyes. "Y-you um, said it was an order? To dance with you, I mean? I'm uh, not very good at dancing, but..." She couldn't even quite bring herself to finish her sentence, the nerves very obviously a bit much, even with Darling's gentle squeezing of her hand to remind her that she wasn't alone.

- - -

Opal had finally completed her masterpiece. It was a large snow sculpture, or more accurately, an attempt at one. The lack of hands certainly made it challenging, but it was recognizable as a massive snowman, without arms or facial expressions, sure, but it was a start. Settling in close, Opal would hope that her newfound friend would help in the construction, giving it an actual face with their smaller legs.

notes: Ruby is overwhelmed a bit and was calmed by Darling. Thinking a dance is required of her, she made her way over towards Kim and the group he had merged into to offer herself to dance.