Departure

[bravenewmods]

The time has come.

At General Ironborn’s direction, the assorted troops of Caldera, Citadel, Refuge, and Union begin to roll out of the gates of the city. It would be a long trip – Sanctuary lay far to the west of Caldera, beyond any of the territory currently known to Union. Crossing the perhaps now-familiar desert would be merely the first leg of this journey. The atmosphere, as they depart from the gates, seems chipper. There are high hopes for the reclamation of territory from Gigas, and the people of the Sanctuary Resistance, especially, begin to entertain the appealing notion that their city might be free once more for the first time in decades, exchanging wide smiles and congenial laughter.

They do not travel light, of course. Caravans pulled by Ponyta and Tauros accompany them, stocked to the brim with food and supplies to last their small army for weeks. Their efforts hopefully wouldn’t last much longer than that, but they are assured by the Sanctuary natives that so long as they were able to reclaim a portion of the city, the people would happily provide them with what they needed. Other wagons are stocked with odd-looking machinery and gadgets – those sitting inside will spend the majority of the journey fiddling with equipment. Anyone who inquires will be informed that the technicians are making preparations to highjack Sanctuary’s communications network for their missions – perhaps they would care to assist? Still others are filled with armor and weaponry, useful Enhanced Items hurriedly crafted by the artisans of Union, and a few even tote heavier Pokémon who wouldn’t be up to the task of traveling the distance alone.

As it turns out, war is very troublesome to wage.

Over the course of the journey, there is plenty of time for idle conversation and brief side excursions or rest stops. The caravan eventually elongates and stretches out such that the furthest travelers are several miles in front of the rear – still, it is simple enough to go between wagons. In a pinch, the Valkyries swooping in the sky are always happy to take on a passenger for a short ride.

Eventually, word would spread that they were only a day’s travel from Sanctuary, and the mood will become somber, serious. But in the meantime, why not chat up your fellow travelers?

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[actsmagnificent]

How sweet.

[ Haruka isn't accompanied by any Pokémon - both of hers are scouting ahead. But since it'd feel weird to not be riding anything, she's atop the Pokémon pulling their wagon. Never trust anything you aren't driving yourself: that is the Haruka Tenoh way.

It's calm, though. Calm enough she can glance over her shoulder and grin at family bonding time. They'll need that loyalty soon enough. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru chuckles.] Do you think it's moving enough? [emotionally, in any case.

Waltz takes that hand - and then looks away, ignoring the slight flush on her cheeks.]

Rose... [Lulu is busy looking around at their surroundings, wondering if she would have time to find a souvenir for Natto.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Whatever's pulling this caravan appears to be in no hurry, Lulu. You're probably good. (How well can you run, just in case?) ]

I thought that kind of thing was better taken slowly.

[ Just like certain other kinds of bonding. Lowercase "b" this time. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[he's going to end up with a small collection of interestingly shaped leaves and maybe a couple of rocks if Lulu gets her way.]

That depends on who is at the receiving end.

[are they still talking about the gods]

[actsmagnificent]

[ EXOTIC LEAVES FROM FOREIGN CLIMES be still Natto's unadventurous heart. Seeing the new fashions as people from Caldera and the Citadel visit Union is really neat, but....leaves...!!

Haruka just smiles. ]

I like private performances best.

[ Now they're not. For sure. Or maybe they are simultaneously, and she's also admitting she's not liking the idea of being spied on and judged, even by omnipotent creatures, but there's not much she can do about that except make passive-aggressive remarks.

Haruka! ]

[incousinswithyou]

Just for you?

[Lulu chooses that moment to sit up straight, staring at a passing bush. She's never seen that type before! Looking up at her Trainer and] Roselia! Lia?

[Michiru glances at Lulu's object of interest and then turns to Waltz.] Would you...?

[the Pokemon huffs, but stands up. Lulu excitedly hops off the wagon as Waltz follows sedately. Even if they are moving slowly, Lulu could take her time if she's got Waltz with her.

Michiru looks fondly at her Pokemon, but that smile gets coy when she turns back to you.]

You're getting spoiled.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka laughs - at the Pokémon, at Michiru, at the whole situation. She looks around the traveling "army", thinking. It's very likely Michiru's words apply to Union at large, and they won't realize just how in over their heads they are until they're confronted with Gigas again. This won't be like Caldera. The enemy's had a fortified presence in Sanctuary for years.

She keeps smiling, but she sighs. ] Realizing that isn't so bad.

Do you sense anything? [ About their mission, prospective end of the world, etc. She's not too worried - she has a concrete goal and an idea how she can go about performing it - but the Team Evolution side of things always gets her a little touchy. What is their stake in consistently involving Union in wars? ]

[incousinswithyou]

Other than the fact that we're heading straight towards danger? [and incidentally, where they should be.

Her gaze stays firmly on your back, though.] Would you believe me if I said everything will go according to plan? [now she's just teasing]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka tips her head back to grin at Michiru over said shoulder. Would she believe that? Please. ] If it's you.

[ Too bad there probably aren't room for two on this Pokémon. But there's nothing saying Michiru couldn't come sit on the lip of the wagon... ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru looks amused and fond at the same time.] If I had known you were that gullible...

[not that it stops her from changing seats and sliding onto the driver's bench.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka grins and looks around. Is everyone traveling around them busy? Yes? Good.

They can probably fit in a quick kiss, then. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[heh. That's definitely a smile, and she can't quite hide it when she pulls away.

Traveling with you is never boring.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka's smiling, too. ] We can do this.

[ There's a part of her that's glad to have concrete instructions to fulfill. The number of times she and World Shaking have gone running to clear her head has increased since they went back in time. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[she has definitely noticed that, but that's probably expected. Michiru holds out her hand to you, much in the same manner as she did with Waltz.]

Perhaps it will even go well.

[and maybe this time, when they prepare for spelunking, it won't turn into an ocean.]

[actsmagnificent]

Don't get ahead of yourself. [ Ah, she sees. She rates the same treatment as your first Pokémon. Haruka supposes that's flattering.

It doesn't stop her from taking that hand, though. Or from lacing her fingers through it, one digit at a time. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[hey, the only two who consistently get insights into Michiru's emotional state is...well.]

Good thing you're here to keep me grounded, then. [that statement is hilarious in a myriad of ways.

That's a squeeze of her hand.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ You're hilarious. Haruka holds on tight. ] How are they holding up?

[ She knows you're fine. But what about Lulu and Waltz? ]

[incousinswithyou]

Waltz thinks it's a given that she got to come along. [even if it is the truth. Michiru looks amused.] She was quietly rubbing it in Martelé's face earlier.

Lulu is more concerned with bringing something back for Natto.

[actsmagnificent]

She isn't a fighter. [ Though she doesn't doubt that under Michiru's supervision, Lulu'd hold her own. Just...consider this a query. Is she coming on the main mission? ] Mine seem fine as guards.

[ And by "fine" she means "Flight never has an opinion about anything" and "Breeze feels like a ninja superstar". But that just means they're well-suited for this, so. "Fine". ]

[incousinswithyou]

[leaning back a bit, looking up into the sky]

No, she's not. [Lulu is best at status effect moves, especially when somebody else is depending on her. But she won't think to attack directly unless commanded.] But a bit of Stun Spore could go a long way.

[unless the Pokemon got tapped into keeping Brad Stunned because there is apparently no room in the tunnels]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Maybe Brad will run into Gigas and end up afraid of humans. It will be the only good deed they've ever committed...

She rubs Michiru's knuckle with her thumb. The Master of Training knows how to bring out the best in everyone. ] So creative.

[incousinswithyou]

[he'd only escape completely unscathed, mentally and physically. Somebody is too oblivious to recognize danger.]

It's called practice. [she's probably teasing. Either way, that's a smile and she's leaning in close.]

[actsmagnificent]

Amazing that they still like you. [ Tease tease. Haruka leans back to touch her forehead to Michiru's. This is precarious, but she doesn't care. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[precarious or not, Michiru takes this opportunity to steal a quick kiss.]

You would know, right? [she knows what your Pokemon call her]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka is not sure who started that nickname, but she has a sneaking suspicion the culprit's name starts with an N and he likes foliage. She won't worry about it, however. Not when she's getting such thoughtful attention from her partner.

Though if she gets extra attention, does that mean she's Michiru's unruliest charge? ] Sorry.

[ This crooked grin isn't sorry at all. ]