Honor-Bound

“Great our gear doesn’t seem to work well with other places maps. Not from Galar no. From a place a bit out there I guess.” He shrugs running a hand over his hair.

“Lupan.”

“Oh? Well what brings you to Sinnoh? The lakes? The mountains? The snow? There’s so much of it here, it almost never ends.” 

@glory-born

“Miss could point me to the nearest pokemon center?”

“Hm? Oh you’re quite a ways away from one. But essentially north. Are you new to Sinnoh? Galar maybe? You look magical.” She smiles motioning north of the trail they’re both on. 

Happily, Elijah sat down on the chair, having his Sneasel sit on his lap. The second his new best friend for the day set the drinks down, he took sips of the hot chocolate, and let his Pokemon try it as well. Though her trainer seemed to love it, she wasn’t a fan of it being hot. It’d be much better if it were cold! Elijah sure didn’t mind if she didn’t like it- more for him.

“Oh, none of that. I’m very used to the cold, so I don’t mind it. I’m actually going out to look for some lost travelers, and bring them back to town. You know- trying to keep the place less haunted.” Being thin and short, one wouldn’t think that Elijah would have the ability to do such a rescue. And they’d be completely right. That’s where his Pokemon came in!

Well, that wasn’t his only goal. Looting the already dead bodies was also in the plan. Afterwards, he’d report the bodies to the rangers so that they could recover them.

“No I understand. Coming from Sinnoh scaling the mountains can be a daunting task. I appreciate you coming out into the wilderness helping. You might have the makings of a ranger if you ever really wanted to consider it.”

It was a pleasure, no a privilege to talk to him. Kellyn! A top ranger! And to be so young and so successful was amazing! 

She was in a group of potential Top Rangers, listening to those who were already declared. Finally, she was able meet him in person. 

“It just crosses into my normal studies a lot. And I’m usually very reliable and close to the pokemon needed for these studies. Better than relying on traveling trainers.” He fills the vile halfway before putting the water type back and unclipping the vile from the device. 

“Ah I see.” Gloria steps back to let Silver pass through. 

“That’s fine it’s not dangerous like trying to get nido poisons.” He pulls out something similar to a syringe but doesn’t look like it stabs something. He looks at the quilfish and puffs his cheeks out the pokemon copying him. He places the device to its spines starting to pull poison.

“O-oh?” She puffs her cheeks out too, mimicking them for a minute. Gloria takes note of how well he handles the pokemon. Not too rough, but firm. It was similar to using her stylus for her missions. 

“They have to stab you. They can’t shoot if they can’t suck up enough water so it’s safe as long as you handle them well.” He sets them back down looking through hi’s tool bag. “They produce poison through their scales so you can kinda just suck it up.”

“Ah, do you mind if I stay during the collection? Or is it best if I come back after you’re done with the procedure.” Her heart races a little at the idea that she would be able to assist with a lab. Sure, she could do field research, but she had never seen a lab procedure. 

“Yeah..” He picks the quilfish up watching it puff up. It’s spines can’t pierce his gloves and it can’t draw in enough water to fire right now either. 

“They’re just protecting themselves. They think everything bigger will eat them.”

“I think they’re just neat.” 

“Well, their poison already causes fainting. It’s their best defense cause pokemon that survive know to avoid them. From what we know they put the brain in very low activity when they poison others.”

“Oh! So microdosing the poison won’t be harmful then. But they really are a pain to capture aren’t they?” She rubs her hand, having been one of assisting rangers on the dive. 

“It’s fine.” He sighs. He wasn’t mad it’s a normal reaction. He really couldn’t blame that reaction from people around him especially.

“Their particular poison has high potential in medicine. Especially in sleep medications since it’s possible their poison temporarily stops dreams.”

“Oh? And what would this mean for a sharpedo that got a bite out of qwillfish?” She observes the way he interacted with the Pokemon. Gentle precision grace. 

She pulls her hand back away immediately and stepping back. Gloria puts her hands up. “I’m sorry Professor! It was a reaction from teaching young Rangers and other trainers not to touch pokemon that can hurt them.” 

This winter seemed to harsher than usual. Of course, Elijah loved the abundance of snow and frigid temperatures, but he was among one of the very few.

There were many stories already this year of trainers getting stuck, arriving to town with hypothermia, and even dying on their way to Icirrus City. Elijah himself had helped out a handful getting to town safely. In fact, that was his plan today. He was beyond grateful for the rangers who had come to help, but he knew the area much better than they did. He knew where many people would get lost or stuck.

On his way, one of the rangers called out to him, offering him some of his favorite things. Within seconds, he was across from her, with his baby Sneasel  on his shoulder sniffing curiously at the camp.

“What, really? Absolutely! Can Topaz have some, too?” It wouldn’t be fair if only Elijah got some, right? His little ice-type friend would like some as well!

“Of course! We also have blankets in case you need to take a rest.” He motions for him to sit on a chair she put out and starts to get hot water out of a heater. “We’ve also got some room temperature water for those that want just a normal drink.”

She hands the two drinks and she settles back onto her own stool, tending over a lunch she made.