(001/action) The Forest Shrine

[reborn_love]

[Forward dated to Monday the 20th.]

[Elly is back on the patrol. She has her Fletchling, Severain, with her today. She stuck to the forest after getting back from the expedition, giving herself and her Pokémon some rest after the intensity of the last patrol. She decided to investigate the shrines that a few reports from other Rangers and wanderers mentioned, though. That led her to the Forest Shrine. She stares up at it, at the moment.]

[Her rod, which she had used to beat back some underbrush, is in hand. Elly flicks it it out to the side -- and then it telescopes back in. She spins the smaller handle, and tucks it into her belt, before she starts walking closer to the small building and the altar.]

[A place where the dead come back to life... she finds that hard to believe, still.]

Comments

[action]

[reborn_love]

Ah... no, actually. [She shakes her head.] He excelled in training and evolving Pokémon, and had some psychic links with them. I, ah... nothing of the sort, actually.

[It sounds awkward, when she says it. Like she's faintly worried about that, for some reason.]

[action]

[somnambulatory]

Um... well... everyone's different. That's not a bad thing, right?

[action]

[reborn_love]

[Elly looks up; there's a small smile there, and she shakes her head.]

No, it's not. It's strange, but... it happens, sometimes.

[action]

[somnambulatory]

So, um...

[Jinxie feels like she's accidentally hit a sore spot, so now she's trying to cast about for a new topic.]

...what are you and your Pokemon doing out here today, anyway?

[action]

[reborn_love]

[Elly welcomes the change in subject. It's embarrassing, if for reasons she isn't likely to discuss at the moment. She perks up at the change, and then she looks around.]

Well... I bonded with Severain recently, and I wanted to train out here -- and explore, actually. I heard about the shrine and wanted to see it for myself.

[action]

[somnambulatory]

It's mysterious, isn't it? Have you heard the stories about people showing up here all dressed in white with no memories? What do you think causes it?

[action]

[reborn_love]

There are legends... that they died, and were brought back. But... I can't believe that. I think they may be just stories. I certainly never met anyone that did...

[action]

[somnambulatory]

I bet if it's real, it's a powerful Ghost Pokemon that's behind it.

[action]

[reborn_love]

Do you think--could a Ghost Pokémon really do such a thing...?

[action]

[somnambulatory]

Uh-huh. I think a really strong one probably could. There's gotta be lots of types of them that we don't even know about.

[action]

[reborn_love]

It's hard to imagine something so strong, Jinxie... do you believe the stories yourself?

[action]

[somnambulatory]

I've never seen it, but if so many people are telling the same story, probably at least some of it is true, don't you think?

[action]

[reborn_love]

That is true... there must be some truth to it, then. A powerful Pokémon would explain it.

[action]

[somnambulatory]

That's what I think too. There's lots of legends, after all.

[action]

[reborn_love]

And we know Pokémon can be very powerful.

[Their world is ample evidence of that.]

[action]

[somnambulatory]

I can't think of anything else it could be if that's what's really happening here.

[action]

[reborn_love]

Mm... [She nods.] But, even with the mystery, it is peaceful here. It's a nice place, I think.

[action]

[somnambulatory]

It is. You can really feel connected with Pokemon and nature here.

[action]

[reborn_love]

[She smiles at that.] Very much so. And it's quiet, which the city is usually not.

[action]

[somnambulatory]

Oh! I almost forgot! Has the charm I sold you been working?

[action]

[reborn_love]

Oh, yes. I think so, at least. I've certainly felt warmer. And encountered few puddles or snowbanks, so far.

[action]

[somnambulatory]

That's good! I'm glad to hear it.

[action]

[reborn_love]

I appreciate it. I'll tell my friends who to buy them from, too.

[She looks at the horizon, then back at Jinxie.]

Oh, I need to note a few things -- a few herd tracks and the like nearby. I should probably get on that. I'll see you later, Jinxie.

[action]

[somnambulatory]

Okay! Be careful out there.

[action]

[reborn_love]

[She smiles and waves at her.] I will!

[And with that, Elly's on her way to the edge of the shrine's vicinity.]