Hit Home (Open)

[Deleted]

_{Tags: open!
Happiness: Echo - Maxed; Bolero - 0 (1/5); Ragtime - 0 (1/5)}

There was definitely a sense of nostalgia for Ava when she reached Gaia Island. She had never lived on the island, actually, but what it stood for -- the ranches, the sense of community -- hit home. She had been part of the original Gaia Ranch back in Sinnoh for a few years and, even though after a while she had gotten the bug to travel again back then, they had been some of the best years of her life.

"I wonder what it would be like to have a run a ranch with my brothers," she said aloud. Echo the Chatot had tilted his head from her shoulder, his neck feathers tickling her cheek as he turned. "Bryar would probably be the boss, but he'd let Tyson think that Tyson was in charge, ha! Murray would help design and landscape the place. And I probably would take to the skies more often than not. That seems to be my M.O."

Still, the island was nice to visit and Ava had let the few Pokemon that she had taken with her -- just her Staravia Bolero and her new Skarmory, Ragtime, along with Echo -- out to stretch their wings when she had reached the central park. She was planning on visiting a couple of old friends' ranches today, but for now she was getting rid of her sea legs.

[Kris Parker]

Tags: Avalyn Glasse, open!
Pokemon Happiness: Princess - 0 (1/5), Shay - 0 (1/5), Sumia - 0 (1/5), Fang - 0 (1/5)

"Nice to see the gym attendants let you escape once in a while." Kristen walked up to Avalyn with a smile. She almost didn't believe that it had been Avalyn when Kristen had first spotted her. It wasn't often that Ava got to go so far from her gym. "How's life as a gym leader?"

Right by Kristen's shoulder was her Swoobat Princess, who was giving Avalyn a grin. Up in the skies were a few of Kristen's other Flying-types, namely Shay the Fearow, Sumia the Talonflame, and Fang the Crobat, his body casting some of the largest shadows on the ground as he glided through the air.

"This place is perfect for birds to stretch their wings," Kristen said. "It's no surprise to me that you found this park. How's everything going?"

[Deleted]

_{Tags:
Happiness: Echo - Maxed; Bolero - 0 (2/5); Ragtime - 0 (2/5)}

Ava turned and grinned at the familiar voice. "Hey, Kris!" she greeted. The redhead rolled her eyes as Kristen mentioned the gym attendants. "They never let me escape. I've gained the skills of a ninja since working with those guys. I'm so stealthy with all the sneaking out I've done.

"In all seriousness, though," Ava said, "being gym leader is pretty cool. The challengers are usually awesome and the whole gym is totally catered to Flying-types, so that's lots of fun! How's the island going? It's amazing to think that you had started on just one little ranch before growing into a whole island."

She watched with bright eyes as Kristen's own Flying-types overtook the skies. Shay and Fang Ava remembered clearly from the old Gaia Ranch, but the other two Pokemon were new to her. "Who are these?" she asked, pointing to the other bat-like Pokemon and the bird with the bright orange plumage.

[Kris Parker]

Tags: Avalyn Glasse, open!
Pokemon Happiness: Princess - 0 (2/5), Shay - 0 (2/5), Sumia - 0 (2/5), Fang - 0 (2/5)

Kristen chuckled as Ava described becoming a ninja during her gym leader days. "I'm glad being a gym leader is going well," she said. "Besides the attendants, you sound like you're enjoying it." Avalyn mentioned how she thought it was amazing that Gaia Ranch had started as just one ranch and evolved into an entire island, and Kristen smiled in thanks. "It sounds like you. Ever think that you'd go from a gym trainer to running the place yourself? We're both following our dreams, it seems."

Ava had the familiar twinkle in her eyes that she had always had whenever a new Flying-type had joined the old ranch as she looked to Kristen's Pokemon. "The Swoobat is Princess," Kristen said. "I caught her in Unova. The orange bird is Sumia, my Talonflame from Kalos. I haven't seen too many of them around here on the island yet, but I could have just not explored the areas where they're found too well yet. How's your team doing? Do you use your personal Pokemon in challenges, or do you have a designated gym team?"

[Deleted]

_{Tags: Kris Parker
Happiness: Echo - Maxed; Bolero - 0 (3/5); Ragtime - 0 (3/5)}

Ava grinned, feeling herself blush at the praise from Kristen. "Yeah, it's actually amazing. Still not feeling the need to stick in one place for too long, though, if you couldn't tell, but it's pretty great being the gym leader."

Her eyes remained alight as Kristen introduced her other Pokemon, and Ava watched as her Pokemon mingled with Princess and Sumia. "They're beautiful," she said, admiring Kristen's birds. "I'm sure you remember Echo and Bolero. Ragtime is the Skarmory. He's my newest.

"Yeah, I have a designated gym team," Ava said. "Despite being birds, they're more than happy to hang around the gym all year round, but they're a good flock and my personal team get along well with them."

[Kris Parker]

Tags: Avalyn Glasse
Pokemon Happiness: Princess - 0 (3/5), Shay - 0 (3/5), Sumia - 0 (3/5), Fang - 0 (3/5)

"I'm sure you'll find your place soon," Kristen said. "Even if it's not in one spot. Maybe you're destined to travel all over the world. Imagine discovering a new Flying-type of Pokemon on your travels."

Kristen herself missed traveling, but she couldn't deny the joy and excitement she had with her ranch and the others who shared the island.

"Thank you," Kristen said when Ava complimented Princess and Sumia. Her Swoobat was darting in and around Ragtime with glee, trying to get the Skarmory to play, while Sumia was trying to engage Bolero in a race with herself and Shay. Fang was literally hanging around with Echo.

"Where did you get Ragtime?" Kristen asked. "Skarmory aren't usually easy to come by."

[Deleted]

_{Tags: Kris Parker
Happiness: Echo - Maxed; Bolero - 0 (4/5); Ragtime - 0 (4/5)}

Kris spoke of the possibilities of Ava traveling the world and, maybe, just maybe, discovering a new Flying-type Pokemon. Ava loved the idea, wondering what would happen if she did just that. The idea of moving through all the regions, with only her Pokemon and whoever wanted to come along with her was so enticing...

"Maybe one day," Ava said with a small smile, enjoying the dream. Her gaze returned to the Pokemon, seeing Ragtime swoop along with Princess and Bolero racing with Shay and Sumia. Echo was tilting his head almost upside-down in order to look at the hanging Fang properly, a chirp here and there indicating their conversing.

"Ragtime was actually an anonymous donation to the gym," Ava said. "I don't have any idea as to how or why, but he's fitting in well with the team."

[Kris Parker]

Tags: Avalyn Glasse
Pokemon Happiness: Princess - 0 (4/5), Shay - 0 (4/5), Sumia - 0 (4/5), Fang - 0 (4/5)

Kristen shared the smile with Avalyn and allowed the younger woman to her own thoughts. Kris's gaze followed Avalyn's to the birds in the sky (and, in Echo's and Fang's cases, in the treetops). Shay seemed to enjoy seeing Bolero again, with Sumia apparently pleased with the Staraptor's company as well. Princess was always thrilled to see anyone who would play with her, and it was great that Ragtime was a willing participant.

She raised an eyebrow at Avalyn's explanation as to how Ragtime joined her team. "He was donated to the gym, but he's in your party?" she asked. He did seem a bit young. "That was a generous donation. I'm glad he's doing well.

"Did you come to the island just to visit?" Kristen asked. "Or was there some business that you're attending to as well?"

[Deleted]

_{Tags: Kris Parker
Happiness: Echo - Maxed; Bolero - 0 (5/5); Ragtime - 0 (5/5)}

Avalyn's gaze stayed on Sumia's bright plummage and Princess's fluffy collar. Both would definitely be interesting species to try to raise. Vaguely, she wondered if Kris would be interested in mating a couple of pairs... After all, that was Kristen's business, wasn't it?

"It's because he's a bit young and needs more exercise than just what the gym can give him that he's in my party," Ava explained when the topic turned to Ragtime.

At Kristen's next question, Ava smiled. "Originally just to visit, but I think some business as well." She glanced up at the birds flying and gave a whistle. Echo and Bolero flew back down to join their trainer and, after seeing what his teammates were doing, Ragtime soon followed. "Thanks for the talk, Kris. You actually gave me plenty to think about. I'll probably see you soon!"

With that, Avalyn returned Bolero and Ragtime and waved goodbye to Kris as she made her way back to the small port inn that she was staying in for a few days.

[Kris Parker]

Tags: Open!
Pokemon Happiness: Princess - 0 (5/5), Shay - 0 (5/5), Sumia - 0 (5/5), Fang - 0 (5/5)

"Makes sense," Kristen said when Ava explained as to why she had Ragtime in her party. The women paused a few minutes just to watch their Pokemon flying freely in the sky, enjoying the companionable silence.

Soon, however, Avalyn gave a whistle and her Pokemon obediently returned to her side. Kristen smiled when Ava mentioned business and thanked the older woman before waving and taking her leave. Kristen pondered on what Ava had meant, but figured she would find out soon enough.

Princess landed atop of Kristen's head, watching Avalyn go, while Shay and Sumia continued their race. Fang chose that time to start snoozing again.

Kristen reached her hand up to scratch Princess's neck. "I'm sure we'll see them again soon," she promised her Swoobat.