[OPEN] [ACTION] Reading in the park, or This is why Lute needs a Pokemon sitter.

[demon_of_sforzando]

[Ah, a fine afternoon in the local park. Lovely weather for some outdoor leisure. But Lute is a huge nerd, so maybe that's why he's currently sitting on a bench perusing a large book. There is a Ralts next to him, equally absorbed in their reading. But maybe he should be paying a little more attention to whats going on around him.

Like the Skiddo laying next to the small stack of books next to the bench. It has the top book open and is slowly and thoughtfully chewing on the pages.

Or perhaps the Misdreavus hovering behind his head, who appears to be trying braid his hair. It's got some flowers to decorate him with too. That'll be fun.

But he should really be paying more attention to the two flying Pokemon in the trees behind him. At first glance, they appear to be playing tag. But a closer inspection reveals that the Hoothoot seems to be having trouble seeing clearly in the bright sunlight. Aren't they nocturnal anyway? The poor thing must be nearly blind out here. That would be enough of a handicap, without the Pidove deliberately leading it towards branches and other obstacles. And occasionally looping around behind it to push the poor Hoothoot into things.]

Comments

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[When Lenna approaches this scene, there are so many things she considers saying.

Excuse me, but did you know your Skiddo is eating your books?

Excuse me, but did you know your Misdreavus is trying to braid your hair?

Excuse me, but did you know your Pidove is intentionally and repeatedly luring your Hoothoot into physical danger?

Excuse me, but...

...Well, no, the Ralts is behaving itself.

But which ridiculous problem to point out first?]

...Hello, I'm Lenna.

[Nailed it.]

[demon_of_sforzando]

[He looks up with a cheerfully oblivious smile.]

Hello! I'm Lute.

[The Ralts waves. The Skiddo swallows another page. The Misdreavus sticks a flower into the little braid it just finished. And then also waves.

The birds land on a tree branch. And then the Hoothoot gets knocked off the tree branch. Or maybe it just fell. It should really be more careful. The Pidove does his best to look innocent.]

It's nice to meet you.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[Lenna glances to each Pokemon in turn and then tries to smile back at Lute like nothing in particular is wrong.]

...Nice to meet you too, Lute.

[demon_of_sforzando]

[Good idea. Lute slides over slightly to make some room on the bench.]

Would you like to sit down?

[The Hoothoot was just shaking off the affects of it's fall when several acorns fall on it's head. What terrible luck! Nothing to do with that Pidove above it. The Skiddo is sniffing thoughtfully at the next page. Is it full yet? The Misdreavus starts making a flower crown.]

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Oh. Yes. Thank you.

[Glancing nervously back to the Hoothoot.]

...Is your Hoothoot all right?

[Let's handle these one at a time.]

[demon_of_sforzando]

Hmm?

[He twists around to see his Hoothoot once again picking itself back up, rubbing it's head with one wing. Lute immediately puts the book down and stands up.]

Nocturne! What happened?

[The Pidove swoops down to help the Hoothoot up, brushing off some of the dirt and looking the very picture of concern. Lute heads right over.]

Are you okay?

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

He crashed into a tree.

[Lenna side eyes the Pidove.]

[demon_of_sforzando]

That's awful!

[He gently picks up the Hoothoot and carefully checks it or injuries. It's only a little bruised.]

I know you like to fly around in the daylight, but it's too hard for you to see.

[He doesn't want to crush it's dreams though. The Pidove's eyes narrow slightly. Stupid Hoothoot getting all the attention. It flies up to land on Lute's shoulder.]

Maybe we could find a place without so many trees...

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

I think it might have been having an argument with your Pidove, actually.

[LENNA'S GOT HER EYE ON YOU, YOU WINGED TERROR]

[demon_of_sforzando]

[Oh, if looks could kill Lenna, if looks could kill....]

What? Piccolo?

[Lute is clearly shocked by the very idea. And by the time he turns to glance at the Pidove it's blinking in innocent confusion. When he looks back at the Hoothoot, it looks pretty confused too. Although that might be because it can't see. Or possibly it's just not very bright.]

I'm sure there must be some misunderstanding. I can't even imagine what they'd be fighting about.

[incousinswithyou]

[and then there's a Roselia edging into your peripheral vision as she peers at the book. Hey, hey, hey! What's so interesting? Are there any pictures?]

[demon_of_sforzando]

[Not too many pictures sadly. It appears to be a history book. He's pretty absorbed in it though, it takes him a second to notice the newcomer.]

Oh! Hello there.

[The Ralts nods at her in greeting and the Skiddo carefully selects another delicious page from it's book and starts chewing.]

[incousinswithyou]

[sorry, but by the time he has noticed her, Roselia is already looking pretty disappointed.] Rose...

[there's some steady clip-clopping as a young woman astride a Ponyta. There's an open saddlebag with a snoozing Togepi in it if you look closer, but Michiru dismounts pretty quickly anyway.] Lulu!

[Roselia looks up and sheepishly makes her way back to her Trainer.

To Lute:] Sorry about that. I hope she didn't disturb you.

[demon_of_sforzando]

Sorry, I know it's a little dry...

[His smile is somewhere between embarrassed and amused. He knows not everyone gets as excited about this sort of thing. He looks up when Michiru speaks and shakes his head.]

Not in the least. The more the merrier, after all.

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru smiles, even as Roselia sidles forward again - this time towards the Skiddo. Whoa! Are books yummy to eat?

Ponyta snorts at the presence of the ghost type and tugs at the bridle in Michiru's hand.]

If so, that's quite a merry party you've got. [she reaches over to put a reassuring hand on Ponyta's neck, as she eyes all those Pokemon you've got with you. Wow. How are you even keeping track?]

[demon_of_sforzando]

[He really isn't. He probably should though...]

I figure it's good for them to get to know each other. Besides, most of them show up even if I don't invite them.

[The Misdreavus drops the flower crown on his head and he chuckles.]

And they seem to having fun.

[Also- books are delicious. Perhaps she'd like to sample a page? The Skiddo will offer her one like a good host.]

[makeitquick]

[ Um. You know, Melaka was just confused about if she should confirm if that guy is okay... until the Starly that is with her flaps off towards Lute. Kettie, the impish ticky dick that he is, has decided that if this fellow is a pushover, he's going to do his best prank yet! Swoop up from above and poop right onto the page of the book they're reading.

Heh heh heh.

Melaka is unaware of the bird's plans, but knows Kettie can be a bit of a dick. So she is left with no choice but the follow and close in on this scene to make sure the bird doesn't make it worse. Or try to, at least ]

[demon_of_sforzando]

[Lute doesn't notice the mischievous Starly approaching. And the two birds behind him are occupied with their own antics. Who even knows what that Misdreavus is thinking.

The Skiddo is watching though. He doesn't seem like he's going to do anything about it, but he is keeping an eye on things.]

[makeitquick]

[ Melaka, for her part, is racing behind the Starly. On foot, she's slower of course, particularly when Kettie abruptly swerves to get the trainer caught in a bush. Then, with a thrill of amusement, the little bird makes to swoop overhead of the trainer...!

And down comes bird poop, aiming right for the page he's on ]

[demon_of_sforzando]

[Aaand SPLAT! ]

AH!

[Lute yelps in surprise and the Ralts next to him squeals. That was not on the list of things they were expecting. The Misdreavus looks over his shoulder to see what's wrong and the Skiddo calmly shuts the book it was eating. No sense in taking chances with it's dinner. The Pidove abandons picking on the Hoothoot to glare at the newcomer.]

[makeitquick]

[ Oh. Melaka comes up on the bush now with a branch stuck in her hair, but- ]

...Something happen?

[ Meanwhile, Kettie the starly is laughing his ass off here so much he needs to land somewhere ]

[demon_of_sforzando]

Oh! Um....

[A quick glance from the book to the Starly and Lute has a pretty good grasp on the situation. Not one to make a big deal out of something like this, he pulls out a handkerchief to clean up the mess. The Ralts actually seems more upset than he does, and there is a definite pout on her face.]

I think maybe I was the victim of a little prank. No real harm done.

[makeitquick]

Oh c'mon, Kettie...

[ She groans at this, as she walks over towards everyone else, watching in the corner of her eye as Kettie goes to land in a tree branch ]

No, sorry 'bout that. What was it?

[demon_of_sforzando]

No, no, it's fine! Don't worry about it. Some of my friends are kind of a handful too.

[The Ralts clearly disagrees. She's still pouting about the book. The Pidove and the Misdreavus are wondering which of the other Pokemon he means when he says 'handful.' It's clearly not them.]

I'm Lute. It's nice to meet you.

[And seeing that the imminent danger seems to have passed, the Skiddo will be resuming his lunch.]

[makeitquick]

If... you're sure. Melaka.

[ With a little bit of a sheepish look. She looks uncertain between all of them for a moment, until he then holds out a hand for him to shake ]