A temporary guardian

(Cana: Energy: 25-5=20, Equiped: Trap scarf, Activated: Fire Dust)
(Niracamda: Energy: 21-5=16)

Niracamda was making her way towards Pecha Forest. As Deimos couldn't go with her, she had to search for someone else to guard her. The shiny Houndour actually had considered going alone, but after meeting that Houndoom in Grassveil, she didn't want to do that. He had been really scary and strong. Niracamda got the idea she and the Treecko were lucky to have survived that encounter. She hoped she wouldn't come across the Houndoom again. She glanced at the Pokemon that was walking next to her. It was a Fennekin named Cana. She was in general pretty shy and it took a while to get Cana to trust her. She was happy that she was willing to go with them. Pecha forest was not far ahead. They would soon reach the entrance.

Cana was still wondering why she had agreed to go to Pecha with the Houndour. She had seem really nice, that is true, but could she really trust the shiny Pokemon? The Fennekin glanced at her. She seemed happy to her. No, Cana knew she could trust Niracamda. The Fennekin averted her attention back to the forest in front of them. They had reached the entrance by now. She wondered what they would find in this forest. Cana hoped she wasn't going to come across any Nidorino or Nidorina. They poisoned her last time they were here and were pretty strong.

As the two fire types reached the entrance, they looked up at the trees in front of them. They had reached the dungeon now. Without saying a word, they walked further down the path, into the forest.

(Energy 17 - 5 from entering Pecha Forest = 12 Energy left)

The Vulpix walked silently through the tall grass, her maroon paws lightly brushing the grass to the side as she took graceful strides, he head held high as she sniffed the air for any hint of nearby pokemon. Her large ears twitched, the stood erect in a show of alertness for any feral pokemon that may be stalking these same grasses in search of prey. He curled six tails laid stagnate, lowered near the ground to draw less attention to herself. The fox pokemon breathed deeply, ”Good, there are no other pokemon in this area.” She frowned and looked over her shoulder, ”For now, at least. I need to find what I need and get out of here before any feral tries to attack me. Now what is on my checklist today.”

She found a small clearing free of tall grass, near the entrance of the forest, the one that leads to Grassveil. But going to town was not one of her priorities, she needed to head deeper in the west to find more Pecha berries, and she is going to need more Oran berries too while she’s at it. But where there are berries and items, there are ferals, and while she has braved this forest too many times to count, she still knows to be sneaky and weary of running into ferals, especially since she cannot fight them. Sometimes she is attacked, and she turns to honing her decent running skills to get the hell out of those situations. To her luck, her last few times in Pecha she found some great company to protect her, a strong Absol who despite his standoffish attitude give very meaningful conversation, a construct pokemon who is a little odd but with a great heart, a powerful young ralts with a master to match her mother, and a odd duo of a Eevee and a Porygon, all of which did wonderful jobs of protecting her from the many ferals in this forest.

Maybe if her luck would hold out, she can find a few non-ferals who would truly be willing to guide her through this forest. She would be ever greatful, ”I really need to get a real bodyguard.” She sighed and started walking down one of the more worn paths.

Niracamda and Cana had made their way deeper into the forest. They hadn't encountered any ferals so far but they didn't find any items or interesting plants either. The reason Niracamda had come here was to once again look for medical plants. She was happy with the company. Cana was not very talkactive but she didn't mind that. Niracamda told her companion some of the stories she had heard from the time she worked in the hospital.

They didn't move at a very fast pace but neither of them were in a hurry. The two Fire types had decided to travel over a pretty worn out path. Many Pokemon were probably traveling over it when they were trying to get through the forest. Less ferals would probably be around to attack them. Ferals rather stayed away from busy paths and villages for as far as they knew. It didn't mean this path was safe though.

As they walked further, they saw a tree laying on the middle of the path, blocking their paths. "This tree has fallen down on the path...What do we do?" Niracamda turned to her companion. "I'm not sure. We could try to climb over it or we could try to leave the path and get around it." Neither of them wanted to encounter any ferals so climbing the tree seemed better but they weren't sure they would be able to climb over it. They stared at the tree as they tried to decide what to do.

The fox pokemon sniffed the air, closing all of her other senses momentarily to focus only on the scents drifting through the wind. The fox was down wind, so anything from the direction she was heading would have its scent blown to the Vulpix. The one thing she was really hoping to catch in the air was the scent of berries, just using her sight alone will not help her find what she needs anytime soon. But the strength of her nose is far more reliable tool than her eyes, it can find both pokemon and fruit faster than her eyes could ever hope for. She sat in silence for a few more seconds, before opening her brown eyes and staring ahead with a determined frown.

”I can smell them, there are berries ahead, but the smell of other pokemon is strong too. I don’t know if I can hunt down those berries without encountering any ferals,” She stood up and started walking up the path again, ”Such complications..ugh. Hopefully I can locate a few berry bushes, maybe even a tree bearing fruit if i’m lucky enough.” The vixen troted along the path slowly, still on alert for any other pokemon.

After thinking it through, the small Houndour tried to climb over the tree. She didn't manage to get over it. Niracamda might have lived at the foot of a mountain, that didn't mean she was good at climbing. She barely left the village to go into the mountains. The rare occasions she did go, she had to save a poor soul who got injured up there. Of course she never went alone. They went with a group to threat the Pokemon and take them to the hospital. The Houndour never got used to traveling through rough terrain or climbing over things.

Niracamda looked at the tree. It was pretty big. She was guessing it was very old before it died and fell down. She had to wonder how it ended up on the path. Maybe a Pokemon made it fall down, or maybe it fell down because of a strong wind? Maybe it got struck by lightning? It was hard to tell but at the same time, it was pretty fascinated. If they weren't in a dungeon, the medic would surely try to investigate the tree.

Cana had silently watched the shiny Houndour's attempt to climbing over the tree. It seemed they weren't going to get over it. The Fennekin had hoped they didn't have to leave the path but this tree was a problem. Cana turned her attention back to Niracamda. It seemed as if the Houndour was staring at the tree with what seemed to be interest. The Fennekin did not know what was going through the head of the hound and wasn't really interested in asking. "Nira, it seems we have to walk around the tree. We should probably get going."

The Shiny Houndour looked up as her companion spoke up. "Oh right, I'm coming." The Houndour stood up and walked into the bushes at one side of the path, planning to find their way around the tree.

The vixen strutted slowly, nose still held high as she focused more on the scent of the air than her walking, so far she couldn't catch any trails to any berries. It was almost like they where non-existent, which frustrated the lady greatly. She hasn't been having much luck on actually getting anything that she needs this entire month, and now she fears that her reputation as a reliable party planner may suffer from these inconsistencies. Oh how her mother would look down on her if she fails so miserably a job she has been doing for over 10 years, it's shamefully to even think about how she would end up disappointing her clients. If there is one thing this vuplix hates more than anything in the world, it's seeing the sad and let down faces of pokemon that have put their trust in her, betraying that would spear her though the heart like a freezing cold lance.

She sighed and lowered her head, stopping her walk to look up to the sky with a hopeless expression, “I pray that I can find what I need today, I just wouldn’t be able to take letting all of those kids down. I promised them a party like no other, but I just don't have the things I really need. Ugh” She shook her head roughly, ”No, I can not afford to lose any faith, I'll just have to keep trying...” Her black nose twitched suddenly, catching a drifting scent that she couldn't identify right away, she sniffed around carefully to get a better grasp on what is near.

Kitsune Empress carried out 2 launched of one Pecha Forest :

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Niracamda and Cana quietly walked aside the tree. Both knew the tree was big but it still took a while before they reached the end. It seemed they had chosen to walk towards the top of the tree. Niracamde turned around to walk beside the other tree back to the path they came from but Cana didn't follow. The Fennekin thought she saw a different path further between the trees. "Nira? I think I see something there." Cana thought she could see something move across the path although she couldn't see what it was.

Niracamda turned around and moved next to Cana. "What is it? Did you see a Pokemon?" The shiny Houndour whispered to Cana. Niracamda looked around and didn't see anything at first. "Hmm? I think there is a different path over there. Lets go see where it leads to." Before Cana could say anything, Niracamda was already walking over towards it and stepped on the path. Cana let out a sigh and followed the small Houndour.

Cana looked around and noticed a Vulpix further down the path. It didn't seem like Niracamda had noticed them yet. The Fennekin wondered what the Vulpix was going to do. Was it a feral or not? She didn't think there were feral Vulpix in this forest but she was still on guard.

(Energy = 12 - 8 = 4 energy left)

The alert fox Pokemon’s ears twitched, she heard faint noises behind her, they weren't that loud but her ears weren't for nothing. She let her brown eyes glance behind her, her tails rising and splitting as she took in the site of two pokemon around her size a fair distance down the path from her position. They were two Pokémon she recognized after only a few seconds of carefully observation, a Fennekin and a Houndour, both fire type pokemon that she has seen before in her life. The two fire types are definitely not natives to pecha, so perhaps they are adventurers or visitors. Of course there is the very real possibility of them being outlaws, and if they were hostile then she was certainly outnumbered. But more importantly, they were not what she was smelling. She couldn't have smelled them since they are downwind from her, so something else was hanging around in these trees.

The vulpix stared at them for a second longer, searching for anything telling her that they were hostile, but it seems that they were not, only the other fox pokemon was on guard. The vixen relaxed her tails and body, a small neutral frown on her snout. It was in her nature to socialize, but she really does need to get moving. However the possibility that she can acquire protection from them, even if it was with a price, was a good enough force to make her turn around fully and walk a few feet towards them. She smiled softly, and hopefully, “Good day my Loves, how does this time fair for you?” she stopped a safe distance away from them, a good 5 feet.

Cana nudged the Houndour next to her and pointed in the direction of the Vulpix. Cana was unsure what to do and she had to somehow let her companion know there was someone else there. Niracamda was confused for a minute because Cana didn't say anything. The shiny Houndour looked behind her to see another Pokemon. She didn't think it was a feral and watched how the other Fire type walked towards them and greeted them. Both now knew for sure the stranger was no feral Pokemon.

Niracamda smiled friendly at the Vulpix and answered her greeting."Hello. We are doing pretty well. How are you doing? My name is Niracamda and this Fennekin is my friend, Cana. She is a bit shy. We came here to find plants that have medical uses. What brings you here?" Her voice sounded friendly as usually. Cana on the other hand, didn't say a word and looked at some tree. As long as she wasn't spoken to, she didn't feel like talking. Niracamda had answered the Vulpix now so she didn't know what to add to it. The Fennekin did feel more at ease since there was something with her she trusted and saw as a friend.

The vupix's smile grew larger, her ears perking up ever so slightly in interest as the Houndour explained what they was doing in this forest. It wasn't often where you would find pokemon who actually searched for medical herbs instead of running straight for berries to fix all of their problems. The fox pokemon for one doesn't pick up medical herbs very often, since she doesn't know much about how they work and the side-effects they can cause to her body. But clearly this isn't the reason for the dual fire type, she must have had more knowledge since she seems to actually need them.

“Well my love, you may refer to me as Lady Jasper, I walk these forests in search of berries I can use for dyes, decor, and food for a party I must set up for the little ones at the small pond. I am also looking for aught of use for the party, be it just pretty stones, seeds, orbs, or any bands or ribbons. Not that you can find all of those here...” She sighed lightly, “Though I must say this, it's not often we have pokemon searching for herbs instead of berries for medical purposes. Are you a herbalist of some sort or just curious about them?” she cocked her head slightly to the side as she asked this, tails waving around in a relaxed pattern.

Niracamda smiled at the Vulpix before her. She seemed really nice. "It's nice to meet you, lady Jasper. No, you are right about that. Not a lot of Pokemon know the use of medical herbs. Well, I guess you could say I have an interest in them but I did work in a hospital for a few years as a medic. I did study medical herbs and thus have a lot of knowledge about them." Niracamda spoke with a soft and kind voice. The Vulpix before her seemed interesting and she was happy to meet her.

Cana looked up at the Vulpix. It did seem that the Vulpix was not going to harm them so she relaxed a bit. Cana was rather curious and interested in what lady Jasper did. "You..are organizing a party for children?" The Fennekin asked with a quiet voice. She was still acting a bit shy, but she was a bit less shy than before. In all honesty, she would love to help with the party and maybe entertain the children in a way. She had to do that a lot for her younger siblings and she really loved doing that. Seeing them happy also made her happy.

Her brown eyes lit with interest at the friendly houndour's words, ”You studied formal medicine? Now that is a rare talent around these parts, we have very few doctors that I have heard of. You certainty are a valuable pokemon aren't you, Love?” She smiled at the doctor, tilting her head to the side as she gazed at the fire type. At the other's words, Jasper turned her smile to the Fennekin, ”Yes, one of my greatest passions is planning parties for other pokemon. I've learned the joy of seeing other pokemon celebrating, faces alight with cheer and hearts cleared from sadness for at least that one moment. It will always fill me with love to see young children laughing happily as the hunt for tasty treasures or seeing the looks on their faces when I present them with their own gifts.

I have been creating parties for at least 7 years now, and my feelings are still the same now as they were then. Now as to the party I’m organizing now, it's a small Easter themed party for a young Marill's birthday. I already have some of the decorations and food for the party, but not enough yet. That's why I'm here now after all.” She sighed lightly, ”Though I must admit it has not been proceeding as I hoped, I have yet to find anything I can use for the party, and I cannot freely roam in search because of the feral pokemon along with my inability to harm other pokemon. I do hope I can afford to hire a bodyguard soon, maybe then I can have more luck deeper in the forests and perhaps a few dungeons as well. Such a shame all of the useful items are in such dangerous places.”

Niracamda nodded at the words of the Vulpix. She was rather nice, but it seemed Jasper had the same problem as she did. Niracamda could not protect herself without a bodyguard. She hated it to hurt other Pokemon and she could not bring herself to fight. "It really is a shame. I have gone into dungeons on my own a few times. I was lucky I managed to find some nice Pokemon in there to help me. I....rather don't fight. I'm a doctor after all. It just goes against who I am. This is the reason I asked Cana to come with me today." Niracamda explained towards the Vulpix. She didn't mention that she actually did have a bodyguard, but she didn't think that was important.

Cana moved a bit forward when lady Jasper spoke up. She felt like she could trust this Vulpix. She seemed really nice. Cana was really interested in what the Vulpix did now. "That....Seems really nice." The Fennekin smiled slightly. "I really like children. I hope it will be a great party." The Fennekin glanced at the Houndour next to her for a moment. "Um...I'm not really strong. I don't know if I could really protect you..." Cana was rather insecure about herself and her strength. She hoped she was not going to let her friend down.

Cana:

Evana carried out 3 launched of one Pecha Forest :

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Jasper smiled at the girls, nodding her head as she agreed with the houndour's words, "It's nice to meet a Pokemon with the same views on fighting as me, I couldn't dream of harming any Pokemon with my own paws. I dislike seeing others come to harm, whether they mean me harm or not. I guess this is why other Pokemon sometimes view me as weak, but that is not something that bother me." The vulpix isn't exactly weak per say, but she just wouldn't be able to fight back. It's just against her morals.

"Thank you for the support, my love." she said, smiling at the Fennekin, " And don't you worry about protecting me, I know that you will do you best out there. I'm a pretty skilled runner if it comes down to it." Jasper winked at Cana, tails waving slightly faster behind her.

Niracamda nodded as the Vulpix spoke up. "I understand that completely. Where I grew up there had been a few Pokemon who bullied me because I didn't fight but also because of my...coloration...or my height." The Houndour's sentence trailed off when she spoke up about her coloration and height. Those were more sensitive subjects to her. "I did run into a bit of trouble a few days ago. That is why I rather don't travel alone." Niracamda showed her front paw that was wrapped in some kind of bandages. She had a few bruises over her body but nothing too bad. Her paw still hurt at times. It was were that Houndoom had bit her. It was a rather ugly wound. She hoped it would heal before she would see Deimos again.

Cana smiled at lady Jasper. She really liked the Vulpix. "Oh...Er... I hope so. I wouldn't like to fail protecting the two of you." Cana said rather shy. The Fennekin glanced at the Houndour next to her. Cana didn't know what had happened. She had noticed those bruises but she didn't feel it was a good idea to ask about it. It seemed like the Houndour had a rough time.