A wild HONEDGE appears!

[ofpromisedvictory]

[Action - The Verdant Forest]

[On your way to/from Caldera for the festivities? Wandering out in search of Pokémon? Fleeing from a flock of Spearow? Odds are that you might run into a Honedge wandering the woods. They're not completely uncommon in Union, but finding them in the wild outside of ruins is almost unheard of. Too bad it's not Shiny...]

[It's definitely behaving oddly, though. Rather than going for the immediate attack, as many Wild Pokémon do, it's...lurking. Observing, actually. It's too honorable to lurk. But it seems to be hesitating about approaching for a little bit.]

[At this point, you can choose your path, almost like it's some sort of visual representation of a novel with multiple options given to the reader:]

1

[Approach the Honedge with Pokémon ready to attack, or with a Warp Band as if you're about to try to bond it (she, actually), and she'll unsheathe herself, ready for a fight.]

2

[Start speaking plainly, or wait long enough for the Honedge to get comfortable, and the Honedge Shifts into the form of a young lady in an old-fashioned dress, who immediately bows in greeting.]

Greetings. I ask of you - do you know the way to a place called "Union City"?

Comments

[ofpromisedvictory]

[Saber, for her part, looks immediately concerned...not that it stops her from continuing to kind of loom over Maka.]

I didn't mean to startle you. I'm not used to taking on this form quite yet.

[heartandsoul]

[Please oh Savior please, don't let Stella have seen that this woman is a Honedge Shifter and is now appearing to be bearing down on her trainer. This situation does not need an angry Psychic cat.

Maka pushes herself up, trembling slightly not from fear of Saber, but the lingering shock that she witnessed a Shifter changing form. All right. She doesn't look that intimidating now that the girl is not on the ground gaping like a Magikarp.]

That's all right, I didn't mean to freak out, I just thought you were...

[Going to attack and she has a double weakness to a Honedge since she's Fairy and Psychic.]

N-never mind. Have you been traveling long? To go to Union, I mean.

[ofpromisedvictory]

It has been a few days. It's the farthest I can recall traveling overland.

[heartandsoul]

That's no good, you must be tired.

[Not speaking of a Psychic cat, a Meowstic makes its way out of the shrubbery carrying some berries in its paws. The Pokemon looks surprised that there's another person there, there certainly wasn't one before, but apparently it's not too much cause for concern.]

Oh, this is Stella. Are you hungry? Stella could share her berries with you.

[A Look that says "I got these for you" is directed at Maka by Stella.]

...Don't be like that, Stella, this lady is trying to get to Union.

[ofpromisedvictory]

[She shakes her head, sighing.]

I appreciate the offer, but Berries are plentiful in the forest. Stella may keep her food.

[heartandsoul]

[At least someone doesn't hold manners over their own health, Stella grumbles in Meowstic-talk as she trots over to Maka--the berries are insistently held out and Maka takes some.]

Anyway...we can take you back to Union with us, if you want.

[And, in a move that is in no way appropriate for a girl her age and status, Maka holds out her hand to Saber for a shake.]

My name's Maka! Sorry about my reaction before, I've never actually spoken with a Shifter, though there are some in the neighborhood I live in.

[ofpromisedvictory]

[She nods, shrugging off the apology as unnecessary.]

This is my first day speaking directly with humans. I am making my fair share of mistakes as well.