COWPOKE.

Liv wasn’t completely sure of what to expect stepping in to the Gym. She remembered battling her way through them years ago, but they often change ownership over the years. Couldn’t quite understand why she was so nervous about it now, palms beginning to sweat; figured maybe it’s just something about Poison types. But she knew, she was sure she would be in fair and pleasant company – no reason to turn away from one of Agron’s Elite Four, right?

Maintaining at least somewhat of a professional air about her, Liv approached quickly, but stopped short just before the set of double doors. Somewhat taken aback by a man in a mask, but recovering quickly, she attempted to give some semblance of a smile.

“ Hm? Oh, no – ”  Shook her head in reply, hoping to reassure quickly that there was absolutely no trouble.  “ I’m here out of … curiosity? ”  That was essentially it, after all, though she supposed she should try to make it seem less like a mission she was on.  “ And, um, I don’t know you Gym Leaders all that well – is this a bad time? ”

   While it wasn’t a normalcy for those of the elite to show, that didn’t mean Ike would be RUDE--whether the gym’s hours were closed or not, those wide doors are propped open, allowing for poison wrangler to step aside and offer Liv entrance. 

   “No, no, it’s a perfect time; I was jus’ closin’ up, so there ain’t no worry ‘o any challengers comin’ on by ‘ta interrupt.”

   --Curiosity? Now, whatever could one of her stature be so wondrous about when it came to a small port gym? Ike couldn’t help but wonder himself, forest eyes scanning their visitor from behind masked visage, but, they found it better to allow her to explain rather than drop a million questions upon the first entrance to their domain. 

   Head dips in more proper welcome upon such, gloved hand reaching up to remove the styled hat from head, bringing the attire to chest in a loose hold. Shaggy hair of brunet escapes from behind mask’s clasp, and though that voice is echoed, their usual drawl spills out comfortably and with a casual air following.

❛ I’d love to show you around set once I’m done! A shawl takes no time at all, isn’t that right Viola? ❜ Designer chirps, looking down at his Meowstic. ❛ Mii! ❜ she squeaks back. 

Other pokemon have returned to their pokeballs, Souya leading the gym leader to his workstation onset. everything was outdoors, save for the trailers dedicated to both human and pokemon actors, but the staff all had tents to shield themselves from the sun. Souya’s work area consisted of his sewing machine area, a few body models of different sizes, head models with hats he premade for the scenes in the next coming days and measurement tapes, and a shelf unit with rolls of all sorts of fabrics and decorations. ❛ You stayed out because you want to help too don’t you Viola? ❜ he asks, setting her down next his sewing machine. Viola squeaks in delight. 

❛ Mr.Parish, feel free to choose a fabric that’s to your liking on that shelf there, there’s lots to choose from! I-I’ll get measurement things ready in the meantime. ❜

   Bewilderment still lingers behind masked visage, never being one for handcrafting themself, leader assumed it would take hours, if not days, to complete such a task. Though, still do booted feet click in follow, eyes flickered to-and-fro from all the scenes and sets, actors and Pokemon that scattered about; and out of fear of their own companion ruining one of these said sets, a Pokeball is taken from belt.

   “C’mon, Coffee, ya can take a ‘lil nap f’er now.”

   None-the-wiser is Koffing requested to return, and with a flash of light, back to the comforts of capture machine they go. 

   “Ain’t ever been on a movie set before, always thought most’a the backgrounds were. Uh...real.”

   Ike murmurs to themself, peeling eyes away from it all once surrounded by fabric and sewing equipment, blinking thrice over when told to find colors to their liking. Lips twist, knead together, and with a step over to said shelf it takes but a mere moment--eyes spotting exactly what it was they wanted. Gloved fingers reach out, folded material taken, and once turned around its proffered out in wanting.

   “This one alright?”

   “...I just wanna see Scolipede be as tall as a buildin’. That’s all. Then I want ‘em ‘ta stay that way. Forever.”

oof, that’s intimidating.

“I’d much appreciate that actually, haha. Kinda had my fill of cave walls for now.” Ledden gave a nervous chuckle as he scratched the back of his head. He spares a glance to the Scolipede behind his savoir. Just as intimidating, but gives the same air of power. “…And a big thank you to your friend here. Might’ve blacked out if they didn’t.”

“I thought to peek my head down here to take a look at the kind of Pokemon were hiding down here…” He bluffs. “Can’t believe I didn’t think to grab any Escape Ropes… Rookie mistake, huh? But you live, you learn…”

He relaxes his stance and gives the stranger another once over. That hat, that mask… If he remembered correctly, the leader of the Syenite Port Gym often wore such wardrobe. And given their proximity to the city…

He might have a shark on the line here.

But without so much as a nervous glance he gives the signal he’s ready to follow, relaxing his posture and cradling his shoulders in a little to feign uncomfort at his surroundings.

“You, ah, head down here often…? You’re kinda the first person I’ve met down here… Woulda thought it’d be chock fulla people like me training, their teams or something.”

   A curious sound rumbles within the mask, and though visage covered the leader spares a sympathetic glance; hand falling away from Scolipede’s back when stepping forward. Ike eyes the younger, and a gloved hand coils out in offering if he so pleased to take it.

   “Guess y’er jus’ lucky I was headin’ back from Norite. Quickest way there is through the caves, though not many decide ‘ta actually take the challenge. Like wastin’ all ‘o their time on the surface.”

   Gentle quip, head tipped, and cowpoke reaches their other hand out to shoo the insect Pokemon.

   “Ace, go ahead. Make sure it’s all clear so we can get the ‘lil fella outt’a ‘ere in one piece.”

   In request to trainer, the Scolipede’s large body is popped up in a gallop, pleased to follow directions and begin trotting back through the cave’s system ahead of the pair. Seemed not only did the leader know the tunnels, but partners as well--perhaps an answer for ones question before Ike themselves proceeds to answer. Hand drawn back, shawl fluttered, and pivot on heel sends Ike turning down a rightmost tunnel to lead.

@wranglepoison

There is something almost peaceful as Yuki finishes off the gym battle. Her personality suddenly shifting from the cold intensity back to light and bubbly. It’s... shocking. The poison gym had been a bit of a struggle for her team, mainly due to her own incompetence, but they got through it.

Her Garchomp stomps over to her and she wraps her arms around his waist before petting its head. Of course it had kneeled so she could do that. Her hand reaches for the pokéball on her hip, pulling back her Garchomp and smiling.

“Good job, baby. We will get you healed up soon.” Her voice is a whisper, the pokéball up to her mouth as she looks up to Ike. Her hand shoots out to shake his.

“Thank you for that battle. I’m excited to be in this region, and your battle proved why. I’m looking to be the next champion here and getting all eight gym badges is the start to that.” Her smile only grows as she boasts her goals. The gossip she’d heard of the Champion being insanely difficult to beat were true in every region she’d gone to. So to have a gym leader almost take out her team made her salivate with excitement for what’s to come.

“You can call me Yuki! Soon to be Champion Yuki of course!” There was her true personality shining through. The bubbly nature only making it a bit harder to believe she was the same trainer who turned into a stone cold fighter when battles came about.

   Disappointment lulls leader from the high of battle as their remaining teammate is returned to the safety of their pokeball, and the buzzer rings out as another challenger once again gains victory. Ike exhales; stale breath slithered from the muzzle of their mask, and a hand comes back to rest upon hip while on the opposite field the victor is given a moment to harbor their excitement. 

   “--Guess I should start expectin’ these travelers ‘ta be strong.”

   A murmur to themselves, and the field is walked across to diminish the distance between they and Yuki, and though expression was masked, a faint smile etches upon darkened cheeks. Hand out, and gloved fingers take it in stride, offering a hearty handshake and a boastful pipe.

   “Ya did real good out there, ain’t many who can withstand the poison without gettin’ cold feet. Not that I blame ‘em--sure can be some nasty stuff.”

   Cant of head and her words seem to force a wider smile to bloom along with a bout of laughter to escape; ever delighted to see the fire of passionate trainers passing through their gym. With hand released, fingers splay back against a hip, and Ike takes on a lazier stance now that the dust of battle had begun to properly settle. Though he wasn’t one for showoffs, the way Yuki carried herself was somewhat admirable--given, that she wasn’t crude, nor overly boastful about the goals she seeks to achieve.

❛ I would be happy, b-but, I would feel bad if you had to walk around dirty. You have battles coming up, don’t you? ❜ Souya frowns. Viola watches intently from his arms, also giving the gym leader a worried look. 

Really, he had expected gym leaders to be the intimidating sort of type, but speaking to one, they were actually quite kind. Well, he supposes for opponents, they would have to be intimidating, or the challenger would lose the motivation to battle. The world of Pokemon Gym Challenges sure was interesting, but he liked his world of Pokemon Contests. 

Suddenly, he gets an idea. ❛ Perhaps my work station over on the set? I could make you a new shawl quickly! A-at least, something temporary until you’re able to wash yours? ❜ he suggests. 

   Leader finds themself more than a touch bewildered when offered outright to have a new item MADE for them--all because of a bit of coffee, at that. Ike wants to refuse, to shake their hands and calm the other’s worry, perhaps, that would be the very way to do such. Though expression hidden, uncertainty dawns, and a glance is cast over shoulder to the Koffing who still lingered; the crater seeming less than aware with anything transpiring before it. 

   “Well...suppose it can’t ‘urt. I got plenty ‘o time before I gotta show up f’er the next challenger.”

   Shoulder lifted, filtered air exhaled, and gloved hand reaches up to remove the western-style hat adorned. Tufts of brunet hair poke out from beneath the clasps of mask, and with a dip forward, cap is brought to chest to accompany their motion of a bow. 

If it’s one thing that she’ll take interest in, one could easily guess it’s Fire types. What started as a phase had easily blossomed into, well, a career. She’d even read up on them in her spare time, and by read up she obviously meant spending a lot of her downtime just scrolling through info on web pages, news articles, et cetera. It had been in her monotonous web searching that she came across a video of a local Pokemon battle; some amateur recording of some young trainers and who she’d eventually discovered to be Syenite Port’s Gym Leader. What had captured her interest, naturally, was the striking beast they used to smoke the trainer out – a Salazzle.

She’d never seen one in person, only heard of them coming from some distant land. Liv was intrigued, and as much as it may pain her jump through social acrobatics to perhaps catch a real glimpse at the beast – she supposed maybe she could actually try to make an acquaintance out of it.

Couldn’t remember the last time she’d traveled this far out from the League; it’d been a while, and while she recognized spaces it still all seemed so new. Fortunately, the Gym was exactly where she’d remembered it being.

Three knocks on the door, and she stepped inside.

🔥 @wranglepoison​

   Not often did the poison leader find guests at their door; only trainers passing by to test their skills, gain their badge, and continue on with their adventure. Not that Ike wasn’t pleasantly surprised when a knock came from the gym’s threshold, but they found themselves a tad unsure of who in all of Agron could it be--trainers didn’t typically have such polite manners, often bursting in with little to no announcement and forcing the wrangler up and off their backside. 

   This, though, seemed different--or at the very least, they had no need to prepare for battle, and allowed the Pokemon out of their capsules to continue their rest and play among the gym’s stadium. 

   “Uh--comin’!”

   Voice rings out, muffled by adorned mask, but with hurried steps Ike wastes little time before unlatching the locks they’d set in for the night, and peering between the double-doors. Muzzle of mask sticks out, likely looking a tad silly as they stared down their own nose to take in the familiarity of one of the League’s finest. 

The strategy was decent in theory, but in hindsight could’ve been more foolproof before putting into practice.

His hand traces the rocky wall as he saunters through, other hand grasping at the pokeball in his hoodie’s front pocket. This should be the path out… or at least lead to the fork that leads to the plus junction that leads to the… huh.

No sugarcoating it, he was lost.

Ledden had wandered into the depths of Schist Cave to test this strategy. The evanescent smile on his face betrayed his true feelings; the hand in his pocket grasped tightly. Weavile and Zoroark were down, and Wobbafett was poisoned. Mawile was his saving grace, and even she wasn’t doing too hot. 

“Aah… shoulda packed some more repels, huh?” He hummed, coming to another unplanned fork in the road.

Then he felt the vibrations at his feet. He turned quickly and witnessed one of the depth’s denizens, a wild pokemon charging to his position. A sweat formed at his brow and he prepared to loose his hand to ask his partner’s assistance, but hesitated. Is it worth it? Do I run? Can I run…?

Before he could decide the shadow was slammed from the side with a thud!! Shrieking, the wild pokemon thought to size up it’s new opponent, but soon fled once logic seemed returned to it. Ledden turned to the newcomer, still on edge. It could still be a wild one… Maybe I should…

His fears were unfounded though, as he soon saw it’s trainer wander nonchalantly to it’s side. The boy breathed a sigh of relief.

“Phew… Close one, huh? Thanks for the assist. Didn’t think Mawile here would’ve liked to be woken up to that right now.”

Sharp eyes gave the figure a quick up-and-down. Interesting. But in an instant, they were again filled with the soft nervousness of a lost trainer.

“You, ah… Wouldn’t happen to have any spare repels on ya, would you…?”

   Cave walls were no stranger to the likes of the masked figure, leader holding little care for the dark and dank surrounding, but, knowing well enough it was the quickest way through to the glory that was Norite. No heed to approach wild Pokemon, no goal to catch any on their way, but still did Scolipede trundle in their wake in the rare instance he may be needed. 

   “Alright, Ace, keep y’er guard up, some’a them cave Pokemon can be unruly.”

   Ike warns, but the megapede seems unaware; delightfully trotting at his trainer’s heels. Forest eyes roll, poison wrangler amused, but the faint rumbles of an enraged creature alerts both them and partner, and it seems this time, their head was on right. A motion forward, shawl fluttered from belt-line in the case they’d need to summon another, but as the shadow of a cave-dwelling Pokemon comes to sight, leader commands.

   “Ace, get ‘em! Steamroller!”

   Only vaguely aware is Ike that another lingers in the area, that, the Pokemon fumed with competitive force likely had a target in sight. Though, on their command, the Scolipede charges forward; using its massive form like a wrecking ball to crash into opponent, successfully, warding the Pokemon off to yelp and whine as it retreats back into the rocky depths. 

   Relief exhaled, form relaxed, and Ike approaches their poison partner with a hand to its back; offering congratulatory scratches to the exoskeleton of the creature. 

   “Good job big guy, think ya saved that ‘lil fella over there some fright.”

   Said ‘lil fella’ is looked to, the muzzle of Ike’s mask pointed directly down in a curious tilt.

   “ well, howdy partner’ !! “ thyra finds herself in ike’s turf, syenite port always had such a charm to it though - it was probably one of her favourite hotspots in the region, bar her own city of course! but she’s quick to greet her fellow gym-leader with a high-five and a lazy grin.

   “ thought i’d stop by and see how my favourite poison wrangler is doin’ how’s the port treating you? free at the moment for a catch up with your neighbour? “

@wranglepoison​

   “--Now that’s the face ‘o home I’ve been missin’.”

   Ike croons, gloved palm quick to meet the incoming gesture of fellowship, and even though features are masked, their own lips twist up into a welcoming smile. Leading the gym in the port left them away from Kenyte for weeks, and rarely, months; lone-ranger beginning to feel a touch queasy with homesickness as the bustle of Syenite was never quite as welcoming. 

   “It ain’t so bad--always a touch too busy f’er my taste, but nothin’ ‘ta properly complain about.”

   Voice exhaled in a sigh, but with a heft of shoulders leader seems prepared to leave the safety of their gym, a click of spurred boots signalling an already moving form.

The sun shines down, wingulls cawing overhead as Souya sighs, using the hand holding a half eaten sandwich to shield his eyes, the other holding a cup of coffee as his pokemon chowed on their food. He was on his lunch break in Syenite Port, specifically close to the film set he was working on for the day. Or rather, week as they filmed on location. He had already finished the costumes needed so he played no particularly big role ( truthfully he was thankful for that ) but he was still required to be there, in case of costume mishaps or malfunctions. Well, not that he minded, he loved his job. 

Eyes shift from the darkness of his palm to the bustle of the port, to which they fly open at who’s walking around. Isn’t that Syenite Port’s gym leader, Ike Parish?! Sandwich is nearly thrown on the bench as he scrambles to get an autograph, shuffling through bag for an autograph board and something to write with using one hand, still holding his coffee and his pokemon tag along, having finished their food. Though he was not a battle trainer, he was still starstruck whenever he saw a gym leader. 

❛ E-Excuse me, Mr.Parish! May I have your autog- ❜ Viola’s tail trips him up a bit and coffee flies from cup just as he hands board. ❛ Ah! ❜ Breath catches in throat, his first instinct to pick up his Meowstic in worry and check on her tail, the second to realize he’s spilled coffee on the gym leader.

❛ I am so, SO, sorry, p-p-p-please, allow me to pay for it or clean it or- ❜ 

☾ @wranglepoison​

   Ike was no actor nor one to have their face displayed upon screens, but still did they wonder from afar when camera crews gathered at the port. Time between battles at the gym were used to breathe in the sea-salted air, but with an unusual amount of individuals gathered around, that re-breathable mask is kept secure over features scarred. 

   In leader’s own wake a Koffing lingers, puffs of gas seeping from its pours to keep it afloat, and the meteor chimes its pleasure in being out and about. Ike in turn peers over shoulder at the Pokemon, leaving them unaware of the pounding footsteps that came forth, and by the time that excited voice pipes in their ears it was too late to escape the bitter splash of brew. A noise of startle catches in Ike’s throat, the crimson cape folded about their form taking in the brunt of the heat, luckily, leaving the leader unscathed of burns.

   --But surprised still are they, shoulders stiffened back, and eyes widened in a bewildered stare to the one who spouts their apology. A handful of moments they can’t find their voice, but once doing so, their own hands raise and shake back and forth in dismissal. 

   “No, no, don’ worry ‘bout it! Y’er alright, it was jus’ an accident--jus’ got on my shawl is all. Ain’t no harm done.”

   Lips quiver in a smile of amusement beneath mask, and with a hand clutched to crimson fabric, their head tips down to get a look at the staining damage.

▐: @wranglepoison​.

sizzlipede aren’t exactly known to be speedy pokémon. so how in the world did her’s manage to disappear from her vision in seemingly an instant !? lillian toys with the hem of her shirt as she paces the pathway of the park, ampharos at her side and togetic hovering in the air, glancing around in an attempt to locate the bug - type before he wanders away from the park. she can’t imagine he made it too far so she paces around the area she’d been relaxing in earlier in hopes of finding him. thankfully, his brightly lit body, albeit small, shouldn’t be hard to spot among the greenery. much to the breeder’s relief, it isn’t long before togetic chirps and prods her shoulder, gesturing to a group in the distance.

with them?: her sizzlipede.

it appears he’s found a friend. a scolipede. lillian assumes her sizzlipede was attracted by their similarities and simply wanted to play, but she never knows what kind of people he’ll find! an embarrassed red tinting her cheeks, lillian rushes over, beckoning her pokémon’s attention.

❝ tiny, no! ❞ she scolds, reaching down to usher him onto her wrist. he coils around the limb happily, as if nothing was amiss in the first place. she’s not mad, just worried! once she’s safely gotten her pokémon back, lillian takes in the scene: another trainer, seemingly on a walk with their own pokémon. not just any trainer, either. of course not! that mask is … unmistakable. she’s never personally met them, but she definitely knows of them. 

❝ i’m sorry about that !! i hope he hasn’t bothered you or scolipede … ❞ she bows her head slightly, lips pursed together. meanwhile, sizzlipede looks rather pleased with himself, wriggling his little legs and looking curious about the larger bug before him. 

   While the atmosphere of their gym was often preferred, even the masked leader needed time in the sun; to ‘breathe’ in crisp air rather than re-breathed filtration. Their Pokemon too deserved time away, to relax from the day’s battles, and ever happy is Ike to treat them to a park local and known for trainers and their Pokemon to wander through. 

   A few wander; Arbok following Salazzle at the tail, Drapion seeking a shady tree to nestle under, and Scolipede acting a menace. The megapede gallops ahead of his trainer, and while Ike believes it to be aimless, the Pokemon had a goal in mind: and it was to follow its instinct, aiming to near topple over the much smaller pede-like Pokemon settled in the park. One of poison seeks that out of fire, and once the little creature was in sights, Scolipede hunkers its large body down to flop; its form like a fallen building with the slam of exoskeleton to grass. 

   While the familiar Pokemon ran to one another, Ike was close behind, yet, no urgency was in their movement, knowing that their own companion merely wished to play. Though mask obscured vision the leader allows a smile to settle, and arms tucked away beneath cloak move the fabric, elbow popped at rest against hip.

   “--Found y’erself a ‘lil pal, did’ya?”

   A faint coo touches their voice, but before the pair of creatures have enough time to properly introduce themselves a trainer’s voice piques, and her frame in a flash is there to retrieve what was likely, her own partner. Behind mask Ike blinks, and in disappointment Scolipede stays on its side; stubby legs kicking in the air in some form of a fit.

   Over-dramatic. 

   “--Ain’t nothin’ ‘ta worry ‘bout. Ace jus’ got a lil’ excited is all. Sorry if’n you’ve been lookin’ f’er y’er partner ‘ere, would’a brought ‘em over if’n I knew.”

   Ike’s own body is tipped in a half bow, and apology wrought upon features is unseen. 

Ya’ll’d’ve yee’d y’er last haws.

I’m Dust, or Dusty, and I’m here to go buck wild. Do ya’ll like cowboys? What about poison types? No? Well, we got both crammed into his bad boy. Syenite gym leader, Ike Parish, is here to spout too many countryisms and annoy their competitors to death into forfeiting.