[video]

[onetrackminds]

[Anders is sitting in a small clearing in the forest right outside Union, his back up against a tree. He's fairly relaxed, and noticeably so for those who know him from working at the Medical Center, as that's more than rare for him. He's even smiling a little.

Wow.]

I've left my job at the Medical Center, and I'll be working as a Field Medic from now on instead. I'm going to spend at least this week training, but if anyone is planning an exploration soon and would like a Medic along, let me know.

Queen Cleo would like to help out as well. Wouldn't you?

[He turns the warp band to show a tiny Espurr, who appears much too busy licking berry juice off her paws to pay much attention. She glances up, though, briefly, making a small annoyed noise as if to say, did he have to do this in the middle of lunch?

Anders turns the warp band back on himself.]

She means she'd be happy to help. Just let us know.

[[ooc: open to action to anyone in of Verdant Forest North.]]

Comments

action in the forest, post video

[border_of_phantasm]

In my day, Medics usually didn't travel alone.

action

[incousinswithyou]

[here, have a Michiru. She looks pretty casual as she walks along, a Budew happily following at her heels and a Kirlia doing her best to imitate her Trainer's elegance.

Oh hey, a dude in the clearing.] That's a cute Espurr you're friends with.

[onetrackminds]

[He looks up when she approaches, although his little queen is still too busy grooming herself to greet others.]

I wouldn't call it travelling. I'm just outside the city. [He raises an eyebrow.] In your day?

[onetrackminds]

[Oh hey, a lady and two walking plants. Said Espurr looks up with a pleased noise, clearly agreeing with that assessment. She is the cutest, thank you.]

Yes, she is. [said fondly.] She knows it, too.

Hello.

[incousinswithyou]

[welp, since nobody is getting attacked, Budew is going to hop on over to say hi to the Espurr.

Kirlia is just going to keep a suspicious eye on Anders.]

Hello there. Don't you work at the Medical Center?

[she's probably been there a couple of times, but it looks like she missed your video]

[onetrackminds]

[Espurr looks up, then, giving the approaching pokemon a critical look. Can't she see she's busy?]

I did, up until a few days ago. Now I'm a Field Medic. [he watches her for a moment, trying to place her.] You've had some bad injuries before. Are you a ranger?

[incousinswithyou]

[Budew smiles! Busy doing what?]

Oh? I'm surprised you remember me.

Close. I work at the Union Divine Theater. [Michiru, that's not even remotely the same.

She'd roll her eyes a little at all the secrecy, but oh well. She's not in charge, so...]

[onetrackminds]

[Busy cleaning herself! She keeps getting twigs and grass stuck in her fur.]

Injuries like that are rare within the city. [...pause.] How is that close?

[incousinswithyou]

[whoa, that sounds super important! But why don't you just take a bath?

That just gets a chuckle from her as she skates over the mention of her injury.] Supposedly, we safeguard people's minds from boredom.

[the amused look in her eyes probably tells you how seriously she takes that]

[onetrackminds]

[And ruin her fur even more with water? Plus, that sounds cold.

He raises a slight eyebrow.] You'll never hear me denying the importance of that.

[Not that he goes to the theatre. Maybe he should sometime, just to see.]

[incousinswithyou]

[nuh uh! It's really fun!]

We all have different callings. [now back to you] So have you done any field medicine yet, or is this your first time?

[onetrackminds]

[That's easy to say for a grass type.]

It's my first time. [shrug.] I'm training for now.

[incousinswithyou]

[aaand Budew takes that as a compliment. Yay!]

Well then, would you oblige me by tag teaming with me? I want to see how either of these two [a gesture towards her Pokemon] work with a stranger.

[border_of_phantasm]

Don't worry, it was a long, long time ago.

[She looks like she's maybe in her 30's, if that]

[onetrackminds]

[Sigh. She'll turn towards Anders instead, then. Anders, help her.

Anders absently reaches down to untangle some twigs from Espurr's fur, then brushes his fingers through it to untangle any knots. It's clear he spoils her.]

I wouldn't mind. Unless you're planning to start attacking friendly pokemon, that is.

[he has to make sure, because that's not how he works.]

[onetrackminds]

[And he's 30, tending to look a bit older.]

You mean when you were in your diapers?

[Because seriously, you can't be that old.]

[incousinswithyou]

I'm hardly that type of person. [and she's not, unless it's for the sake of the world or something.

Budew beams at her new friend Espurr while Kirlia gives the psychic cat a level look.]

[onetrackminds]

It never hurts to check.

[Because you never know what humans are capable of. He stands up properly.]

I'm Anders. And this is Queen Cleopawtra.

[Espurr, now twig and tangle free, stares up at this strange person for a moment, before deciding she might as well say hi.]

[incousinswithyou]

[that gets a smile]

A pleasure do meet you. I'm Michiru Kaioh. This is Waltz [a nod at Kirlia] and this is Lullaby, [a nod at the Budew, who smiles], Lulu for short.

If you don't mind, I want to see how Lulu does first.

[onetrackminds]

I don't mind.

[Why would he? They're her friends.]

My little queen isn't used to working with others at all, though. Are you?

[The last part was clearly to the Espurr. She just stares up at him. I can handle it.]

[incousinswithyou]

[Kirlia is more experienced, though both Pokemon have been well-trained.

Michiru smiles. That cat is definitely spoiled.]

Shall we go, then? [take a bit of a walk, see what pops up.]

[onetrackminds]

[Sadly, long days of working in the Medical Center has left little time for training for the two of them, up until now. But Anders has faith in Queen Cleo.]

Lead the way.

[ He says that, but Espurr will be running ahead to scout for danger. Or to show off.]

[incousinswithyou]

[and she'll take point (barring Queen Cleo), wending her way deeper into the forest. Budew follows happily at her heels, though Kirlia is a lot of observant of their surroundings.

The paths she chooses invariably start narrowing as she heads into the older, denser parts of the forest.

She suddenly stops, holding up a hand. There's an intense rustling in those bushes and...where's your cat, Anders?]

[onetrackminds]

[His cat is above them, in a tree, thank you. They were so slow, she had time to climb. Now she's staring down at them, and at the bush.

Anders is turned towards said bush, too.]

That seems angry.

[Spoken quietly; he senses it, though. Cleo jumps down next to them, ready to defend him.]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru nods at Budew and she hops into place. The plant has taken a more defensive stance, eyes on the prize. Kirlia is less fazed, but no less wary.

The rustling gets louder and that is a Nuzleaf leaping out of the bush at Cleo!]