Help Isn't Cheap

(Energy 19-10=9)

Shadowhue Forest was not a welcoming place. It's thick canopy made the forest floor dark and ominous as light struggled to force it's way through the treetops. Such a dark locale seemed like something to be avoided by anyone who wasn't confident in their own ability to traverse the dungeon. In theory, Gentzer had been feeling confident when he decided that morning to visit the dungeon in search for gems and lot that he would be fine. But now that he'd arrived, his usual demeanor had become noticeably jumpy as he reached the Forest. His eyes were darting left and right (as well as they could for gem eyes) and he was tittering nervously as he went.

"Okay Gentzer, here you are, let's get to finding some good gems." He thought to himself. Peering at his surroundings, he found even finding a good spot to start looking was difficult, in the dark he couldn't save much of what lay ahead save for a few bastions of light seeping through the canopy. "Ok, maybe this wasn't the best idea..." He wanted to venture forth, but the foreboding atmosphere paralyzed him from moving forward all on his own, but he couldn't bare to go back and admit defeat on his first expedition that was even remotely dangerous. He stood there trying to gather the strength to progress, half wishing he'd brought someone else with actual combat experience.

"Yep, definitely not the best idea I've ever had."

Gauel sighed audibly as he plodded towards the dark, foreboding forest. It was a sigh made from pure boredom, as the Grovyle hadn't done much of anything since coming to the area. Given how barren the forest in front of him appeared, his hopes for something more interesting quickly drained from him. Though he did know there were ruins somewhere deeper inside given what Pokemon had said in town, so at the very least he might find some items to sell.

With an audible pop coming from his neck as he bent it at an angle, the Grovyle gave his muscles a stretch before stepping forward. The soft crunch of leaves under his feet broke the silence as the Grovyle walked into the edge of the dark woods. His bright yellow scales seemed to hold onto every bit of light they could every time he was under the dark shadows of the trees. With this, he almost looked like a beacon in the woods.

(Energy= 26)

In his unease, Gentzer had done the only thing that came naturally to him: dig. He'd dug a small hole and had jumped in it to hide himself for the time being, the purple, gem adorned top of his head the only thing appearing above the top of the hole if he stood up in it. He peered around, feeling better already now that he had a little bit of cover. As he scanned the area, he heard something coming from behind him.

*crunch* *crunch*

He whipped around to see a Grovyle in strikingly blind colours walking in his direction, deeper into the forest. While the bright colouration seemed like a good start, even Gentzer could tell this Grovyle was not to be messed with. If this was a normal day Gentzer would've approached the Pokemon, cracked a joke, and inquired about the gems he had, but this was not a normal day, and in madness-aided paranoia, he ducked into the hole, and tried to stay quiet. If the Grovyle didn't change his trajectory, chances are he'd walk right on top of his hole!

Gauel continued walking forward, his eyes scanning the edge of the woods for movement. He knew the residents of dungeons tended to not stay this close to the exit, but thieves, explorers, and other such Pokemon did. He had to be careful not to fall into a trap, or worse, an adventurer looking for a buddy. Granted, Gauel didn't truly mind travelling with others. It was only dependent on who the Pokemon was. A coward or an extremely odd fellow would make him want to leave them behind.

However, his eyes caught the slight movement of something directly in front of him. It wasn't well hidden, given the fresh dirt covering bits of fallen leaves and creating small mounds on either side of the hole. Either this person dug this hole for another reason, was already going to attack Gauel, or was an idiot thief or coward who didn't know how to properly hide.

Gauel sighed loudly, walking straight up to the hole. With the fleeting thought that if he continued walking, he could simply enjoy a solo walk in the woods, he spoke up. "G'morning, nice hole ya dug."

At the Grovyle's greeting, Gentzer ever so slightly broke out of his paranoia, peeking out of the hole to see the Grovyle towering over him (the fact Gentzer was half underground did not help). His first instinct was to dash for the exit, yelling like a madman. But it occured to him that if the Grovyle really meant harm, he'd have cut Gentzer into breakfast already. As suddenly as his paranoia had arrived, it died in the presence of company that didn't (immediately at least) want him horribly drawn and quartered.

"Hehehehehe...caught me at a great time!" Gentzer said, climbing out of his haphazard safety hole, grinning. "Name's Gentzer! Gem finder extraordinaire! I came around thes eparts to do some gem hunting but..." at this point he trailed off, surveying the area again, a touch of those previous nerves coming back. While he was glad to be doing so much since venturing out of Serene Cave, he was finding this situation unique for a less happy reason. For the first time...Gentzer was embarrassed.

"Look, I-I'm gonna be honest, I haven't been out in the wide world for very long, so I'm not exactly a...heh heh...MASTER adventurer, being in a cave with a bunch of Pokemon that don't like you for several years will do that!" He admitted, still grinning in spite of the rather unhappy topic. In truth, the opinions of peers never got him down that much, but standing here, in a dark forest, being so clearly outmatched by a Grovyle that looked like he'd seen his fair share of fights, had highlighted the Gentzer's own failings.

It would have almost been depressing, if Gentzer hadn't been too busy trying to think of a good joke to get on the Grovyle's good side. For the moment though, he employed one of the few polite things he'd learnt in recent times and offered his hand up towards the larger Pokemon. "You look like the kind of guy who could beat up a Steelix given half the chance! Even if he did see you from half a mile away with those colours! Would you mind showing me how a pro traverses these sorts of places?" He enquired, smiling genuinely.