✓ Memoir 2 // action

[hawkethat]

Hawke's been plenty busy these past weeks helping refugees and running errands for people; he's finally getting used to the city, and becoming familiar with it, as well.

It's not unusual to see him walking to and fro trailed by a pack of puppy Pokémon. The Houndour sticks to his side like a second shadow, but the Lillipup, Vulpix, and Growlithe all have a tendency to trail behind from time to time when an interesting person or Pokémon catches their attention.

Lillipup will busily investigate anyone sitting on a bench or at an outdoor cafe table, sniffing efficiently to determine if there might be any forthcoming treats.

Vulpix is mostly attracted to people or Pokémon that appear to be alone. She herself doesn't like to be alone, so when she notices that condition in others, she makes an effort to change it.

Growlithe likes to join groups, especially if it looks like a game is going on. If you're training with your pokemon, don't be too surprised if you suddenly find yourself with an addition!

Hawke is pretty good about noticing the straggler and doubling back to collect, but sometimes it takes a few minutes. Plenty of time to make a new friend!

[ooc: If you'd rather talk to Hawke directly instead of engaging one of his puppies, feel free to start a new thread!]

Comments

[hawkethat]

[Now that the danger to Dame is gone, Captain sits down a little harder than he meant to. He wants to flop, but Dame is still standing between his front legs, so he'll stay sitting up for the time being.

His bark in response to her question is more like a huff. He drops his head a bit, bending to sniff at her.

I feel kind of funny...]

[onetrackminds]

[I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.

Dame is so worried, and she doesn't know what to do. She tries to look around the area for inspiration, but only ends up walking in a circle before staring back up at Captain again. He really doesn't look well....

She flails her little arms a bit, as if that will help her think. And after a moment she decides:

We should find the big one!!]

[hawkethat]

[Do you know where he is?

He's not sure if she means Hawke or Anders, but it doesn't much matter. Since she wobbled out from under him, he's just gonna let his front paws slide out from under him, so he's laying down. That helps him feel slightly less miserable, but only just.]

[onetrackminds]

[Dame hesitates. Then she looks back up the hill. That's where he was, when she got away from him. But it would take her a reeeaaally long time to get back up there all by herself.

He'll probably find her soon, but then she did roll pretty far...

So it's time for action!! Determined now, she wobbles a few steps away, looking up at the sky. And sure enough, there's a Fletchling flying up there. She starts squeaking as loudly as she can.

You can see really far, right? Can you help us??]

[hawkethat]

[The passing Fletchling hears squeaks from below, and glances down to see what's going on. Spotting the distressed-looking Togepi and the unwell-looking Growlithe, it wheels a bit and flutters down for a landing.

Yes? What's wrong?]

[onetrackminds]

[Togepi is waving frantically with her little arms again as she explains.

Is there a big one? He's looking for me!]

[hawkethat]

[Woah, there, little Togepi, slow down!

A big one? A human? Fletchling looks between the Togepi and the Growlithe for some confirmation.

A human. Two humans, Captain clarifies. One is hers, one is mine. Hers has yellow hair and sometimes has an Espurr riding on his shoulders. Mine has black hair and a Houndour, a Vulpix, and a Lillipup. They should both be near here, in this park.

Saying that much has pretty much exhausted him, and he closes his eyes and lets out a big sigh. Fletchling blinks and nods. Got it! I'll help you look!

Fluttering its wings, it hops a few times and takes off, flapping furiously to gain altitude.]

[onetrackminds]

[Dame resumes walking in circles once the Fletchling takes off, unsure what to do and unable to decide where to do it. Is there anything she can do??

After a few seconds she walkes over to Captain's side, and starts petting his head like she's seen the big ones do.

Anders, meanwhile, isn't far away at all. He's been searching desperately for Dame since she disappeared, and has finally found the trail left behind by her and the two Nidoran. That doesn't look promising at all, though, and he's heart's in his throat as he starts following it, Queen Cleo running in increasingly large circles around him to help.]

[hawkethat]

[...o-oh, Dame, that's really nice of you...you can keep patting Captain's head like that if you want. His tail wags just a tiny bit in appreciation.

The Fletchling, meanwhile, has located a human that fit Captain's description; black hair, and a pack of puppies. It flies right up into Hawke's face, chirping urgently. Luckily for Hawke, he understands the pokemon just fine, and urges it to lead the way to his sick pack member.]

[onetrackminds]

[Dame seems to have rolled a long way; it's taking a while for Anders to get there. It doesn't help that tracking isn't exactly a skill of his, but something definitely seems to have happened in the area.

His heart's in his throat now. Pokemon can sometimes be cruel to each other, he knows.

Dame is just as desperate as Anders is. She's squeaking in what she hopes is an encouraging way, but Captain looks so tired and so unwell, she just can't take it. Finally she presses her entire body against him, little face pressed against his fur, doing her best to give him a hug. It's hard when your arms aren't long enough.]

[hawkethat]

[He follows close behind the Fletchling, and his heart sinks when he spots Captain, laying flat out and unmoving on the grass with a little Togepi desperately hugging his side.]

Thank you!

[He thanks the little bird and hurries forward, no other thought in his head besides finding out what's wrong with his newest pack member and making it right as soon as possible.]

What happened?

[Kneeling down by the pair, he can see at a glance that the Togepi is squeaking in distress, but isn't injured. He gently picks her up and sets her down between Sergeant's paws, knowing his trusty Houndour will keep track of her while he sees to Captain.]

[onetrackminds]

[Togepi is still fretting, still wanting to help, but when Sarge presses his puppy nose to the top of her head she flops down sitting, still waving her arms a little helplessly.

Mean Nidoran!

That's about all Hawke gets from her as an explanation, since she's not sure what made Captain so ill herself.

Anders isn't too far off now, either. At the top of the hill, he thinks he sees someone familiar, squinting to see if that beard really is who he thinks it is.]

Hawke?

[He calls out loudly, before noticing something seems to be going on down there. He starts walking a little faster, calling out again.]

Is Dame with you?

[hawkethat]

[Mean Nidoran, huh? Well that explains the poisoning...]

She's here!

[Sorry if he's a little distracted, Anders, one of his puppy friends is unwell. He doesn't carry Antidotes into the city with him, because seriously, what are the chances of someone getting poisoned in Union?

...A lot better than he had assumed, apparently. He gently picks the Growlithe up, cradling the hot, furry puppy close as he turns to face the approaching Anders.]

Captain's been poisoned. Do you have an Antidote on you?

[If not he's ready to book it to the Medical Center.]

[onetrackminds]

[Anders lets out a sigh of relief when Hawke confirms Dame's with him. He'd thought she must have been attacked or injured somehow, if she'd got this far away from him. His relief only lasts a moment, though, until Hawke continues.

Then he's running down the hill as fast as he safely can, Cleo right at his heels.]

Is he conscious?

[Anders comes to a halt right in front of Hawke, already digging through his bag for an antidote. He always carries several with him - as well as anything else he might need to treat injured pokemon. His bag is well organized, too, and it only takes him a second.]

Here. Hold him still.

[Thankfully it only takes a second to inject.]

[hawkethat]

[Captain doesn't have the energy or reaction time needed to protest, and anyway is being held too securely by Hawke for much wiggling anyway.

Once the Antidote is in his system, though, he almost immediately perks up, and turns to give Hawke's face a few enthusiastic licks before squirming to be let down. Laughing with relief, Hawke sets him on his feet, whereupon he immediately turns to check on Dame, still trapped gently between Sergeant's front paws.]

What happened, Captain?

[Still not one hundred percent reassured, Hawke crouches and reaches out a hand to stroke along the Growlithe's back while he makes sure Dame is properly cleaned from her tumble down the hill, washing her with his warm pink tongue. He leaves off the Togepi bath for long enough to briefly explain, but it's obvious his mind is less on his own recent misfortune and more focused on his tiny friend.]