Learning Opportunities [open]

[Deleted]

Angel|Mai

Sitting in the grass with his eyes closed, Angel took deep breaths to focus. In, out, in, out. Part of the stream that ran from the lake babbled gently south; the sound was oddly soothing, as if it awakened old emotions from a hidden memory. His mind cleared, and he tried to transmit his voice. Hello!

A tiny electric sound jolted his eyes open. A row of Psyshock stones had materialized and shot into the reeds along the bank of the stream before fading away again.

Angel huffed, twin tails flicking. He was a psychic-type; telepathy should be easier than this, right? On the other hand, he was no ordinary Pokemon. Who could say when he would master this seemingly natural skill?

He stood up stretched his arms above his head, muttering under his breath, "Maybe I can put practice on hold, for now." Long ago -- had it really been that long? -- Kurt had talked to him about eggs on the ranch, and Angel had offered to babysit. Now, there had been several eggs that had arrived at Riverrock Acres, some of which were born in the barn and sent off to new homes, and at least one that had come in from elsewhere (another ranch, he'd heard). There were two hatched additions to the ranch now, and although Angel had seen them around, he hadn't met them. Mai seemed to indicate that she hadn't, either, which made sense: both had been hard at work practicing telepathy for some time.

All the same, it was no good. How could he be a babysitter, like he'd promised Kurt, when he didn't even know the babies?

Licking his paws, he brushed down the white tuft of fur on his head, grooming himself. At the same time, he swiveled his ears. Perhaps he would hear and find the babies and get to know them, and babysit them. ...or, he would hear one of his ranch-mates nearby. Despite his promise to Kurt, Angel really didn't know the first thing about babysitting. He would have to do his best, but he definitely wanted some help.

Besides, figured Angel, it would be easier to determine if his telepathy skills were improving if he had someone to practice on.

Open for anyone, but tagging Avalyn Glasse for Reuben, Kurt Emerson naturally for Chestnut and any of the Riverrock Pokemon, @ninja for Cupcake, and Kris Parker for Caramel. Also Mod Kurt or Mod Kris for exp, just in case.

[Mod Kris]

Angel gained 5 experience points!

[Kurt Emerson]

(Tag: @aeranautics, open for anyone else)
Happiness: Merlot - 0 (1/5)

This was not what he had been bred for.

Merlot the Furfrou huffed while laying beside the stream, the fur dangling from his forehead disturbed due to his action, finding this whole place rather odd. There was grass and mud rather than paved roads and sidewalks, two little buildings on this land rather than skyscrapers.

He hadn't really wanted to get his hopes up about returning to the contest ring after being adopted, but it had been there nonetheless. Now he was in a place that he had imagined he would go after retiring, which wasn't supposed to be for quite a few years yet.

He straightened his head on his paws, careful to keep his ears out of the dirt, and heaved a great sigh. He supposed he'd get used to this place eventually, but this hadn't been in his life's plan...

[Deleted]

Angel|Mai

Angel abruptly quit grooming his fur when he heard a noise. Sure, the brook was making an endless sound, but the noise he heard was unlike the water's trickle, or the whush of disturbed cattails and reeds at the riverbed. Was there someone nearby? He took several tentative steps in the direction of where he'd heard the it. Was it one of the babies? One of his barn-mates?

When the Furfrou came into full view, Angel stopped, both tails bristling involuntarily. Neither, it seemed; this was a stranger entirely, all off-white fur and long, droopy ears. "Who are you?" he demanded, though he regretted his tone right away. He was still learning good manners, but he did know that being polite to others meant the less likely chance others would be upset with him. A little more gently, Angel added, "I, uh, I've never seen you around before." He forced the hair on his tail to relax.

Tags Kurt Emerson; open.

[Kurt Emerson]

(Tag: @aeranautics, open for others)
Happiness: Merlot - 0 (2/5)

The stench of another Pokemon permeated Merlot's senses when the wind lazily switched direction. The smell, at least, had a hint of the human and his dwelling, so Merlot assumed that whoever was around the river bend also belonged on this ranch. Merlot himself hadn't exactly tried to be social since arriving earlier that day.

If the stranger didn't belong on the ranch? Well, Merlot really couldn't find himself to care one way or the other.

The other Pokemon appeared, a Meowstic. It had been a popular enough species in the contest ring, although Merlot hadn't interacted with any outside of a contest. Although, with this one's attitude, perhaps that was a good thing.

"Are you always this rude to those you don't know?" Merlot asked, his tone flat. He stretched and shook himself, dislodging any unsightly dirt that may have gotten onto his belly.

"The human called me Merlot," the Furfrou said, bowing his head in a small greeting. "Are you part of this ranch as well? I don't know how the human's other Pokemon would react to seeing a stranger on their land."

[Deleted]

Angel's tails flicked a bit, and he replied, "No, I'm not. I mean, I try not to be. Sometimes it... comes out wrong, I suppose." When Merlot introduced himself, things started making a little more sense. A newcomer. No wonder he hadn't seen him around. "Yes, I'm part of Kurt's ranch. I'm called Angel. Kurt's other Pokemon are generally friendly to newcomers to the ranch. Where did you come from?" This he asked more out of curiosity than anything. Did Kurt go out on a catching spree?

Tags: Kurt Emerson, open.
Happiness: Angel - 0 (3/5)
since I actually had no idea if Angel could gain happiness on the ranch of Kurt wasn't explicitly present in the thread oops.

[Kurt Emerson]

(Tag: @aeranautics, open for others)
Happiness: Merlot - 0 (3/5)

"Hm." Merlot wasn't bothered one way or the other in regards to the Meowstic's tone. Nevertheless, he accepted the explanation.

"Kurt, that was his name," the Furfrou murmured in agreement, nodding along with the information. Perhaps he'd commit that to memory, with time. "With how enthusiastic Kurt seemed, that doesn't sound surprising... I suppose having a friendly human may make Pokemon friendlier. Or, perhaps, this Kurt collects many Pokemon, making new faces rather common?"

Angel asked where Merlot had come from, and he said, "The Adoption Center, as the humans called it, was where I was right before coming here. Before that, I was in Kalos, performing in contest rings. You?"

He supposed it was polite to ask the same of Angel in return.

[Deleted]

Angel|Mai

Angel gave his head a tilt at Merlot's question, raising a white-tipped paw to his chin in thought before finally deciding, "I think it might be both. Kurt has gotten many more Pokemon since I joined him some time ago. A lot of his other Pokemon are well-traveled, though, and generally of good nature. I suppose Kurt's friendliness rubbed off on them at least somewhat."

When Merlot asked him where he had come from originally, Angel paused for a moment. Though he'd long left the fragmented memories of his past behind him, this question had caught him off-guard. He took a deep breath and answered, "I had a mistress before being placed in an adoption center, too, where Kurt found me. If a friendly human can make Pokemon friendlier, then a mean human can make Pokemon meaner... But Kurt is much better. He's so kind and admirable, to all of his Pokemon." He almost let out a purring noise at the thought of his caretaker. "I'm sure you'll come to like him, too." Who couldn't like Kurt? Angel couldn't fathom.

After a moment of awkward silence, he said to the Furfrou, "Can I ask you something? A favor, I guess?"

Tags Kurt Emerson; open.
Happiness: Angel - 0 (4/5)

[Kurt Emerson]

(Tag: @aeranautics, open)
Happiness: Merlot - 0 (4/5)

Merlot gave a hum in response to Angel's words about Kurt and his friendliness. There wasn't much for Merlot to respond to. He just supposed he'd get used to this Kurt and his plethora of Pokemon in due time.

Angel mentioned his past mistress and Merlot listened. "Yes, nurture can triumph over nature depending on how one lives and is treated by others... At the very least, it seems as if I am lucky to land in a place where the trainer's Pokemon speaks so fondly of him."

The Furfrou paused when Angel asked for a favor. "It depends on the favor..."

[Deleted]

Angel|Mai

"You certainly are lucky," Angel agreed. Onto the favor. He cleared his throat and explained, "I'm actually practicing telepathy, trying to be able to transmit my thoughts into other Pokemon's minds so that I can eventually communicate with Kurt. Would you mind if I, er, tested my skills on you?" He hoped he'd made at least some progress -- and that he didn't accidentally use Psyshock on Merlot instead.

Kurt Emerson, open
Happiness: Angel - 0 (5/5) +1