Close To Home (Mod/Open)

[Prince Pony Age]

Yukiko sat on a stone brushed clean of snow, wearing not much more over what could be considered "street clothes" by some than a thin jacket. She was quite comfortable, though, rather enjoying the slight numbness that tickled her skin.

The wind blew slightly, here, as this rock was somewhat up the side of the valley.

She had done a lot to come here, for some reason, and for now just felt like resting for now.

She absent-mindedly petted Persephone, who was dozing on her lap, as she thought. Why did I come back to this place? she wondered. She had always enjoyed the cold weather like none other, but she could have easily avoided this valley. Yet, in her journeys to the North, she for some reason felt she had to come find it again.

From here, she could barely make out the manor she grew up in. The path that dwindled out of existence, or at least visibility, could not be seen from here. As it started to climb the mountain, it was all but lost even close-up. The manor was mostly self-sustaining, thus still fairly rich despite the economy; too bad for it that they hardly ever traded.

Yukiko shook her mind of these thoughts, realizing that anyone reading her mind for some reason or other--not that some omnipotent creator was logging her story, that of course couldn't be the case--would probably find it boring.

To be rather more interesting, she woke Persephone up and got the Sneasel off her lap, and started off again. She half-walked, half-slid down the hill, as the snow certainly wasn't making it any easier. Once she was at the bottom, she glanced back at the dot that was the manor, then started walking the other way.

Perhaps this was a bit too close to home. Ah, well. Yukiko supposed it was nice to see it again without having to deal with the people inside.

[Lady Leaf]

“No, Im telling you north is that way.” Kero pointed in the direction he believed was north his charizard simply rolling his eyes. “You were going south!” Charizard let out a few snorts and growls claiming he had not been going south, he had been going north. He also believed that the only reason they were lost was because Kero dropped the compass. “I wouldn’t have dropped the compass if someone hadn’t thought it would be fun to fly through an ice cloud!” Kero retorted crossing his arms over his chest. “But Im telling you north has got to be that way! Ugh, Id prove it to you if I could only figure out where we are on this useless map.” He knew they were in the mountains but exactly where was a mystery to him. He hadn’t even known there was a place in these mountains that didn’t have a thick fog. On top of it all, there location didn’t seem to be printed on the map he had.

Charizard simply rolled his eyes again and turned away, making his way through the snow. It caused Kero to sigh and follow. Normally when lost Charizard would simply fly around until they found where they were suppose to heading. Sadly, after flying through the ice storm, Charizards body temperature seemed a bit lower than normal. Both Kero and Charizard were use to the hotter weather. So to make sure Charizard didn’t get sick, they decided to walk for a bit and hopefully find a warm spot to rest. They were lucky to have found this rather large opening in the fog and cold.

“There was a big mansion up ahead somewhere wasn’t there?” Kero asked as they walked, Charizard giving a nod of the head. Kero couldn’t remember just how far away it was but maybe if they could make it there the people could help them out. He just hoped there actually were people living there. They hadn’t walked very far when Charizard stopped, causing Kero to look up. There was something or someone in the snow ahead of them. It appeared to be heading their way. If luck was finally in their favour it would be one of the servants from the mansion they were heading towards.

“Hey?” Kero called out to them, waving one of his arms for a moment. Hopefully they would notice him.

[Prince Pony Age]

Yukiko saw the charizard a while before they spotted her--after all, she was dressed in cool tones, as usual, whereas a large creature like a Charizard stood out like a sore thumb against the whites, blues and greys. Despite being a Pokemon her family was likely to have, they would be unlikely to be walking or training so close to the manor.

If challenged to a battle by this unknown trainer, she planned to refuse unless he actually assaulted her. Not that she could have stopped a battle from happening at that point anyway, what with Persephone out--though the Charizard would win that battle, it wouldn't be the dragon that Persephone's first attacks would be aimed at.

After several moments, the did see her, and called her over. Well, at least they seemed friendly, she supposed. She lifted her hand in a small swoop--she couldn't just wave at someone like a normal person, of course not--to show she'd seen the signal, and decided she may as well talk to this person.

Wehn she was close enough to be heard without shouting, she said, "Greetings to you too." Persephone was untrusting of the man, but then when wasn't she.

[Lady Leaf]

As the being neared Kero and Charizard they noticed that it was actually two creatures. A human girl and a Sneasel. It didn't take long for Kero and Charizard to start judging her. "She dresses as a servant." Kero pointed out causing Charizard to nod and snort, "Kind of short, isn’t she?" Charizard snorted again in agreement, "Is her coat is just well stuffed or is she fat?" Kero asked, causing Charizard to shrug then reply with the answer of 'fat'. Once Yukiko finally made it to them they stopped talking and Kero looked her up and down.

"The names Kero Blackthorn," Kero replied to her greeting instead of returning it, "I'm a count from the Southern wastelands and I require shelter in your master’s mansion for a little while." Kero was good at getting to the point. It was clear that he felt no need to use manners on a mere servant. Or at least people he believed to be servants. After all that was what a servant’s job was and most servants needed the job to live happily in this day of age.

You see Kero had grown up spoiled. He had always been taught that he was better than anyone with a lower rank than himself. If someone was a higher rank than he would actually respect them, however, one day he planned on getting ahead of them all.

[Prince Pony Age]

While Yukiko could not hear what they were saying, there was definitely some conversation going on between them. She wondered what it was.

Persephone pricked her large, feathered ear up to listen in. She wished she could tell her trainer what they were saying, OH MY GOD HOW COULD THEY--but since she couldn't, she looked at them, back to Yukiko, and hissed lightly. Looking back at the other pair, she hissed much more audibly.

She looked at her trainer once more, hoping for anything that could count as permission to attack; Yukiko wondered why she was so upset--this was a bit much, even for her. She shook her head, and bent down to pet Persephone on the head once. "Shh, dear. If they're as bad as you think, I'm sure you'll get to fight in time; but we're at a disadvantage, at the moment."

She continued forward, more cautiously; maybe...Maybe this was one of the family? Probably one of her sister's suitors; if he'd been there long enough, he likely smelled like the manor.

While she wasn't terribly likely to trust a strangeokay she was pretty nieve about who to trust, she'll admit; after all, she was fairly close with Alaric in hours, despite feeling like months for some reason. ...Anyway, she certainly didn't trust him now.

"And I a--" She was cut off by the latter part of his introduction.

Her voice rose a bit in both volume and emotion as she said, "I have no connection to the Charbonneaus! Begone, little lordling; they do not house weary travelers, no matter how noble of birth they claim to be." She moved her hand to her bag, getting herself ready to take out her other two Pokeballs--she doubted that would leave this man's ego unbruised, and with something like a Charizard, she doubted he was the reserved, courtly type. Also, he was lost in the mountains. Courtly types didn't usually do that.

Hmm... "Rain dance." she said softly. Persephone glared at her for still waiting to fight--but she listened anyway; she closed her eyes, moved her arms in and out, and swayed a bit, in a rhythmic manner. The clouds/fog above them condensed even further, and a freezing rain started to fall down around them.

[Lady Leaf]

Kero folded his arms over his chest and looked at Charizard with one raised eyebrow as the girl denied knowing the so called ‘Charbonneaus’. She then continued to insult him while also demanding that he leave and why. Yet Kero wasn’t going to just turn around because some girl told him to. He refused to take orders for a lower life unless that beings name happened to be Alvaro.

“For someone who doesn’t have any connections to the manor up ahead, she sure does believe she knows a lot about them. I bet she just recently got fired for her running her mouth too much” He commented to Charizard before turning back to Yukiko. “Firstly commoner, you should learn your place in this world. A low life like you has no say...” Kero didn’t have time to finish he lecture before icy rain began to soak him. Charizard’s expression went from being amused at Kero’s words to completely unimpressed. He had been flying all day, already went through an ice storm and now this? He really wasn’t feeling up to battling but it was looking like he had no choice.

“Why you little...” Her words hadn’t bothered Kero but her actions, or rather the actions of her pokemon had. Just like Charizard, Kero was tired and not up for kicking someone’s butt but there was no way he was going to let her get away with this. He was not going to be made a fool of by some low life, no good, rude, woman.

“Charizard rise to the skies and show this girl a real attack. Flameflower.” Kero commanded, stepping back a bit to give Charizard room. Charizard spread his wings open and gave them a few flaps however he did not lift of the ground. His wings felt too heavey and cold from the ice to even try flying. So instead he simply turned his head and aimed the flamethrower straight at the girl and her pokemon. Kero on the other hand could feel himself start to shiver as the freezing water began to soak its way through his clothes. If he didn’t end this fast then he would become an ice cube before the battle was over.

[Prince Pony Age]

Yukiko blinked at the remark. "You honestly still think I was ever a servant...?" It was rather soft, and less of an actual question than an outward expression of disbelief. While...Yukiko supposed the servant-itude was technically true, what with who her father probably was--she never did quite get that out of the man she still thinks of as "Father"--well, she wasn't treated as such. She wasn't treated well, by any means, especially by the servants.

These thoughts were not quite as direct as written here, though, just background noise. ...Damn, Yukiko was [/i]not[/i] good at on the fly strategizing. But then, this Kero took long enough time to command his Pokemon... As he started flapping his wings, Yukiko retrieved the Pokeball of battling Pokemon, and the one not weak to fire.

And then he didn't fly.

She wasn't set on her feet, so was easily knocked over by Persephone, who took major damage from the Flamethrower--but unlike a human would've fared, was still quite alive.

She barely glanced at the Charizard responsible and took this opportunity to directly attack its trainer.

Oh how Persephone wished she could call aloud the words that came to her mind.

You fuck with her

YOU FUCK WITH ME, BITCH.

[Lady Leaf]

Kero had been worried for a moment when Charizard hadn’t lifted off the ground, but upon seeing the effect of the flamethrower he smiled. It had done its job well enough. That pokemon wouldn’t be battling anymore. Or at least... Kero had believed he wouldn’t be. Much to his suprise the pokemon was heading straight for him and moving rather fast. The only thing Kero could do was put his arm up in hopes to block the pokemon’s attack.

Much to Kero’s luck, sort of, Charizard had also seen the pokemon racing towards Kero. Just like Sneasel Charizard was very protective over Kero and would do just about anything for the boy. He had grown up with Kero since he was born. Charizard at the time had only be a Charmander. Since then Charizard had saved Kero from many things. Just recently one of those ‘things’ was a ninja like woman/man by whom he believed was called Nero. Anyway... Charizard took it upon himself to use Take Down aiming it for the spot between Kero and the Sneasel. Charizard wasn’t sure if he had hit or missed the Sneasel but he had been able to protect his partner... for the most part. The attack had thrown up a bunch of the snow, not only covering Charizard but also knocking over and covering Kero. On top of it all, the recoil from the take down attack, the events of the day, the ice rain and snow was just too much for Charizard to handle any longer. For a moment he attempted to stand back up but only ended up falling down again. The flame on his tail had grown rather small and there was no way the large pokemon would be able to continue battling. At least not in this condition.

“Ah, Charizard!” Kero blurted out weakly, stumbling a bit as he stood up and made his way over to his pokemon, “It’s ok, just rest for a bit.” It was rare that Charizard, if ever, went into his pokeball. So the pokemon did not end up going back inside. Which was a bit lucky for Kero as he could use the pokemons body heat to keep himself a bit warmer. Though the young man was soaked to the bone now and shivering like mad.

“Alright Blue, it’s time for your help.” Kero grabbed his pokeball and threw it, releasing a rather pretty little Swablu. She turned and looked at him for a moment, a rather worried expression on her face before she turned to see who she was battling. “Swablu use safeguard and then attract.” Swablu wasted no time to do as Kero had said, her safeguard helping keep the freezing rain of her. Now the question was, would attract work?

[Prince Pony Age]

Yukiko stood up just as Charizard used Take Down. She saw a flurry of snow, then nothing. She dusted herself off, then, waiting for the air to clear.

Shortly, Persephone wiggled out of the snow--out of sheer force of will, it seemed. She only got her head and arms out before she gave an apologetic look, and fainted.

Damn it.

Yukiko withdrew her Pokemon. The next was...Swablu? Really? But--well--Damn it even more. If she'd just managed to get Aphrodite out earlier... Well, make do with what you have, I guess.

As the Gardevoir walked past her, Yukiko slipped the psychic her NeverMeltIce, and took the Twisted Spoon in return. May as well take what advantages you can, especially when you only have two battling Pokemon. ...In a pinch, though, Circe could be used as a debilitator to start a double-battle.

It wasn't really by the book to change a single to a double battle, but...Yukiko didn't care about the rules when it came to these spoiled rotten noble types.

Before Yukiko had time to command, the Swablu had already made two moves--the safeguard, of course. That would be a little annoying, but...well, it makes it less likely she'd break the rules out of desperation. Of course, with his Charizard out of the equation--without so much as a scratch from Persephone, it looked like--things were much less frightening.

Then, the Attract. ...Yukiko was honestly uncertain how this would turn out. After a few moments of staring dazedly, the Shiny Gardevoir seemed to shake it off. Yukiko was unsure whether this was a function of gender or sexuality, seeing as she had no way of knowing the Swablu's gender; but, well, she wasn't complaining. "Icy wind," she said quite calmly for someone who'd just been saved from a flaming column of fiery death and doom.

Apphrodite's eyes glowed as she raised her arms, and a hefty breeze. Along with the snow generated by the attack itself, the recently kicked up snow was tossed about a bit as well. It wasn't anything grand, like Blizzard would be, but it seemed pretty impressive for a Psychic, anyway. Also it looked pretty amazing, Yukiko couldn't lie.

[Lady Leaf]

The little bird pokemon looked a little sad that the attract hadn’t worked on Gardevoir. She always believed she was pretty enough for anyone to love. Either way she didn’t have time to feel the insult for long. The Gardevoir had begun to use an icy wind attack which Blue was not looking forwards to facing. She did her very best to lift off the ground to avoid the attack, but the winds caught her wings and sent her whirling around in the air for a bit. The cold snows that hit her feathers made it a bit harder to fly but she managed to keep in the air.

“Astonish” Kero called out to his pokemon. The little Swablu narrowed its eyes and began flying straight for the Gardevoir. As she flew towards it she let out a high pitch screech, almost like a deadly ghost would make in the dark of the night. Kero had actually never had Swablu use this ghost type move before but he figured it was his best bet vs a Gardevoir. Especially vs one that knew ice attacks. It made him wish he had decided to take out Gastly instead. The Ghost pokemon would have been much more effective. But it was too late now. Swablu was on the field and so far she was doing alright. Besides, if anything the tiny bird needed the practice.

Kero on the other hand wasn’t doing so well. His bones were feeling rather stiff and he could hardly feel his fingers, toes or nose. Not only that but his chest was starting to feel heavy. He wouldn’t be surprised if ended up with a cold or worse by the end of the day. He just felt lucky to have Charizards body heat to keep him warm enough to not receive frost bite. Kero had heard many rather disturbing stories about frost bite and defiantly never wanted it.

[Prince Pony Age]

Aphrodite had barely come out of the attack when she was Astonished. She made a small shriek in fear, leapt backward and hugged on to Yukiko.

Her trainer was somewhat startled by both the attack and the cool-colored Gardevoir's reaction. Yukiko squeezed her dear Pokemon back for a second, but then pried her off. She smiled and said "Sorry," softly, as she stepped back.

[The Flinch and other exchange happened in place of our turn, in other words.]

[Lady Leaf]

“Blue, Swift!” Kero called out seeing that the other pokemon had flinched from Swablu’s last attack. It was the perfect chance to try and get another attack in before the opponent could react.

Charizard lifted his head slightly, watching the battle. He was impressed on how well the little bird pokemon was doing. It appeared as if all of Kero’s training with her was starting to pull off. The question was, would the luck stay on their side or did the opponent have a secret up there sleeve? There was no way of knowing until the battle was over.

After a moment Charizard turned to Kero and gave a small snort. He wanted the young man to snuggle closer while the battle continued. Kero was looking rather pale and it was worrying his pokemon.

[Prince Pony Age]

Aphrodite tried to dodge, but the glowing stars of...some sort of energy swerved as she did, and found their way to her like heat-seeking missiles. She cried out as they cut her, though thankfully each lost its glow and dropped to the ground after impact.

The freezing rain was starting to let up, it looked like. There was very little time left, and Yukiko wished she'd realized a turn ago that a Swablu was nothing more than a little blue bird, unlike its dragonic evolution, a turn earlier. Well, this should help that, anyway. "Aph! Thunderbolt! ...Please." Desperation made her forget her normal cool, collected manner, and--oh this was not going well. She could only hope that this trainer had some reason to not keep a full party with him.

Energy collected between the palms of the Gardevoir, but rather than some unnamed energy like that in Swift, the yellow crackling made it obvious it was electrical. It grew rapidly, and shortly Aphrodite flung her ball of lightning at the bird. In the meantime, the sparks traveled between the raindrops, and small shocks were felt by everything near--not enough to count as damage, noticeable.

[Lady Leaf]

Blue was feeling rather proud and mighty when the swift attack had sought out her target. It wasn't often that she felt this way. Most of the time she was too shy even say hi to new people or pokemon. She really wanted to grow stronger for Kero though. Just as strong as Charizard so that someday she could protect Kero without worrying if she was too weak or small.

Kero, being distracted by trying to keep warm by Charizard, and Swablu feeling a bit too proud, hadn't been ready for the electric attack. Blue's small round eyes opened a bit wider when she saw the attack coming and attempted to dodge but was a bit too late. Next thing she knew she was falling to ground after having the electricity run through her tiny body. Kero let out a small gasp feeling bad for having been distracted. He was about ready to call her back when she suddenly, but slowly stood herself back up. She wasn't ready to give up yet... or was she?

Blue suddenly started to let out a few small chirps which was followed by a few small tears. Next thing Kero knew, the tiny bird was crying her eyes out. It was one of the saddest things Kero had seen in a long time. He almost wanted to run out and hold her, but something told him not to.

[Prince Pony Age]

Aphrodite fit her name well, even if her love was less the lustful sort and more friend-of-all-living-things sort. She was also somewhat naive, and...well, she was utterly taken in by the Fake Tears move. She felt so bad for hurting the small bird, and was ready to go over to comfort the puffy-winged, and puffy-eyed, little thing.

Yukiko saw no way this could end well. She admired her Gardevoir for her continual optimism, but was not nearly so starry-eyed as her lover good friend.* Thus, she withdrew her Pokemon, saying "Sorry, love." She didn't like withdrawing her Pokemon without warning, or at all really, but there were certain times she had to do what she had to do.

She sent out her remaining Pokemon, Circe her Shuppet.

<sup>*Yuki's a Pokephile 8'D Hope this doesn't make you go EWW WAIT WHAT GET AWAY FROM ME 'x3;

...totally unrelated but DIS WAS MAH 800TH POST YEAHHHHHH /random</sup>

[Lady Leaf]

The moment the Gardevoir was returned, Blue stopped crying. In fact her sad chirps turn to rather proud chirp’s. She had done it! She had won the battle! With her excitement she flapped her little wings and few up into the air again just in time to see Yukiko send out another pokemon. This one was a ghost type. It meant none of her normal type attacks would work on it. Maybe if she waited for it to attack first she could... it was worth a try... maybe.

“I can’t believe she won by crying...” Kero slightly laughed to himself as he laid his body against Charizards still attempting to get warmer. He had to admit, he was rather proud of how hard the Swablu was trying for him. He could see clearly that she was trying her very best to be as strong as she could for him. It almost made him wonder what he had done to gain such loyalty. He hoped someday the rest of the world, or at lest those who would rise about, would supply him with the same loyalty too.

((lol its what makes character unique and congrats on 900!))

[Prince Pony Age]

...No first attack? Very well. "Shock wave," Yukiko said, confident that one more attack should probably be enough to faint the bird. Of course, she could be wrong, but she didn't believe she was, especially considering how much damage the Thunderbolt a turn or so ago did.

Meanwhile, she pondered her predicament. She had several Max Revives with her, which she would use after the battle. She would only do so sooner if it turned out this other Trainer had more than three Pokemon, and only as many times as would make the battle "fair". She wondered if she would need to do so.

She also wondered what this man would do when he lost. She accounted for the possibility of losing, but did not think it likely.

[Lady Leaf]

Swablu was ready for the attack from the other pokemon but she wasn’t ready for another electric attack. Why did all her pokemon have to have electric attacks? It had completely ruined her plain. She knew, even as the electricity hit her and surged through her tiny body, that this would just be something she would have to overcome someday. But not today. With a rather shocked expression the tiny bird fell to the ground and laid there dazed. She just couldn’t handle another hit from an electric attack.

Kero saw Blue fall and frowned as he recalled her. He knew she had given it her best. He reached down to his belt and pulled out his last pokeball. For a moment he looked down at it, unsure if he even wanted to battle. He really wasn’t feeling well but… he couldn’t lose to the likes of her! He had to stand up no matter the cost and fight till the end just as Swablu did. With that thought he threw the poke ball and Gastly was released.

The Pokemon instantly gave a huge smile and stuck out it’s long tongue. It was ghost vs. ghost. Both were weak against each other and both had an advantage. “Gastly quick, use Hypnosis!” If he could put the other pokemon asleep then perhaps he could have a chance. Other wise… well Gastly wasn’t that strong of a fighter yet. Gastly’s smile faded for a moment and a unseen wave moved from his head and was sent towards the shuppet.

[Prince Pony Age]

The Shuppet grew drowsy, for a moment. She acknowledges your argument that the die roll was successful but asks that you please regard her bowl cut Ability--that is, Insomnia.

The drowsiness does make her slower for a while, and will likely not dodge the next attack that comes to her. And by "likely" I mean, even less so than any dodges that haven't even happened yet.

"Shadow Ball," Yukiko said rather calmly. She was rather glad, for the moment, that Ghosts managed to deal greater damage to other Ghosts than most other elements, but was somewhat wary of that. Then again, her remaining Pokemon was a seasoned battler, and while Ghost moves would dreadfully hurt her poor Aphrodite, her natural Psychic moves should cause just as much pain, due to the Gastly's poisonous nature. Hm.

Of course, thinking about it like this was all well and good, but there was no telling what may happen in the battle between now and then. She half-consciously readied Persephone's Pokeball so she could revive the Sneasel, should this lordling have say a full house, or the like. He seemed to be traveling, but what the point of his travels were a mystery to her: catching Pokemon, meeting other lordlings, who knew. Of course, this left how many Pokemon he had with him up in the air.

It was annoying to not be prepared for something like this.

It was also highly frustrating that she had ended up needing to defend herself like this. What a callous and, well, stupid boy--she doubted he had the mindset of an adult, anyway, having likely been spoiled his whole life, and, just. Augh.

And oh, hey, a bunch of stuff about what Yukiko was thinking that had absolutely no immediate impact on what was happening right now.

Cool.

[Lady Leaf]

Gastly began to twirl around in the air after he used his attack. His smile had returned and it looked like he was playing now rather then paying attention to the battle.

"Gastly, keep an eye on your opponent!" Kero called out causing Gastly to stop and stare at Kero for a moment. After the ghost pokemon finally registered what Kero had said he turned around to face the other pokemon but it was too late. A shadow ball was heading straight for him and hit him right in the middle of the head. It knocked gastly to the side causing a small black rock to fall out of Gastly's mouth. It was a rock he had a friend of his lick not too long ago. Now he kept it under his tongue for keep sake. Shaking off the attack Gastly quickly floated over to his rock and scooped it back up. He then floated over to Kero and returned to his pokeball. He didn't feel like battling anyone right now. He just wanted to protect his rock and play games.

Kero was shocked for a moment. That shock was then quickly taken over by disappointment as he let out a long sigh and slide down into the snow. He had lost his third battle in a row. Unless he counted the battle he had with Alvaro. Though that battle had been a draw in his mind. Gastly had pretty much beaten the other pokemon but instead of actually winning the battle he went and licked Alvaro. It seemed Kero would need to put a lot of work into training Gastly properly in the next few days. As for right now...

"Ugh..." Kero groaned as he set his hands over top of his head. He felt sick, he was cold, sore and now he had lost a battle. He didn't even know what was going to happen next now that he had lost. He supposed he was at this girls disposal. What a pain. All he had wanted was a place to rest. It wasn't his fualt she dressed and looked like a servant.