islandshore | 59 - video (action for Sora and Kairi)/filtered text;

[Well, he probably should've seen this coming. After last year's turn out, it's no wonder Clair opted for another prom. And, well, after getting nailed on the head by at least three of those invite balls, Riku appears onscreen in what looks like a kitchen, leaning back against a counter.]

So, I know everyone's getting amped up for the prom, and I can't really blame you guys. Tohjo's a pretty sweet resort, but something about it still bugs me. That place is supposed to to be the Elite Four's private getaway, and we haven't even seen them over the past few years, let alone heard from them.

[He narrows his eyes, shifting his position against the counter.]

Gotta wonder what their deal is. Supposedly, they're the toughest trainers out there, but ever since I came here, they've been MIA. No challenges and no explanation, but the locals talk about them like they're these big-time celebrities.

[He waves one of his hands.]

Maybe this year will be different. Beats me, but I guess if anyone wants to hang out during the party, we can work something out. That's what parties are for, right? Not fussing over battles that might not even happen...

[Sigh. With that all said, he'll switch to a private channel.]

Filtered to PGC/Allies;

Heads up. I know the timing's kind of bad, I figure we won't have a better chance then this. Sometime during the party, we need to meet up and touch base. It's been a while since the incident down in Olivine, but I doubt the Rockets will stay quiet for long.

If you're worried about getting caught, don't be: the place is huge, and I'm sure almost everyone will be too busy with the party to consider tracking us down. But just for added security, we can pick a secluded spot and talk there.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If we meet during the day, the sleeping areas should be empty enough. They'd be large enough to keep a few security Pokémon on standby, too.

[A beat.]

...Personally, if I knew dozens of people were hoping to challenge me at once in my own home, I'd choose that moment to take a long vacation. Preferably very far away.

Hey, I like the way you think. Bet if we slip in there while everyone's down on the dance floor, nobody'll even notice.

[He grins, more than a little pleased now. Here's hoping this doesn't blow up in their faces.

And when the topic of the Elite Four pops back up, Riku lets out an awkward laugh.]

Touche. Maybe they're worried about dealing with all of us. I mean, it's not like we all play by the rules. We're from totally different worlds, and they probably don't know how to deal with that.

And if we leave in pairs, they'll make a different assumption if they do notice.

[Which is probably a very bad thing, but at least it's an excuse.]

Especially since most of the local trainers are content to stay on a single route, waiting for challengers. Few bother with the complete badge challenge, let alone more difficult battles.

Hey, better they make assumptions about your love life than about our team. At worst, it'd just be pointless gossip.

[But then, Riku's already taken care of in that regard, so maybe he shouldn't brush it off. Others might be more self conscious.]

I wonder why they stick to the routes in the first place, though. Don't they get tired of the same old spot?

It could end badly if someone in a... precarious romantic situation was witnessed leaving with someone other than their partner, but that would merely be the sign of bad planning on their hand.

[Especially with a few days' worth of advanced warning, but he knows not to expect too much from the more impulsive types.]

Perhaps they've sworn to themselves that they'd not move on before winning a battle? They do lose more often than not.

But couldn't they avoid that if they let their partner know ahead of time? Or just left with their partner in the first place.

[Riku shrugs. Really, it's a tough call. He's not about to interfere with the love lives of people here, and if they don't communicate, that's on them.]

It's kinda sad how often they lose, too. I've seen people go back and fight them just to make a steady income, and you'd think that they'd run out of cash sooner or later and have to budge.

You are assuming thoughtfulness, emotional honesty and ease of communication from all persons involved. That is a lot to expect in love, especially from young teens.

[Or from adult dragoons, as he's long learned.]

The younger ones probably receive some sort of allowance from their parents, but I've no explanation for the adults. Considering the time they spend waiting there, they've no opportunity to work decent hours.

Heh. Not just teens-- some of the adults around here are just as bull-headed.

[Blake comes to mind, even if Riku doesn't mind the guy.]

All I can think of for the adult trainers is that they somehow manage to score a few victories when no one's looking. It's that or they have Pokémon forage for them.

Foraging Pokémon and rare victories could explain how they eat and how they manage to still pay after a loss, but not how their clothes stay relatively clean even after weeks or months in caves. I've spend days wearing the same clothes before, and the results were not pretty.

Hmm...

[He squints, rubs his chin, and takes a few seconds to mull this over. Then:]

Maybe they've got some hidden stash of clothes that look exactly the same, and they have a water type wash them when nobody's looking. That, or they just don' sweat.

...That cannot possibly be healthy. Well, perhaps in the Ice Cave, but during the summer on a sunny route? They'd be collapsing from the heat with every slight effort. Still, you'd think they'd get sick of owning only one type of outfit...

And even in the ice cave, you've gotta deal with cold temperatures. Sure, fire types help, but you'd think the trainers there would catch pneumonia from all that icy air.

[Just the thought makes him shiver, but Riku's never been a big fan of the cold.]

Pneumonia would only be a start. Spend enough time there, and even the thickest gloves would not save your fingers. I doubt the Pokémon Centers can heal that much.

[Cure spells, how he misses you.]

And yet we can't die, so if one of us got stuck in that position, we'd have to suffer through it. The locals might not be as lucky.

[And ugh, now his mind's racing through thoughts of hikers getting lost in the cave... and never returning.]

...And yet parents willingly and happily send their ten-year-old children alone out there, knowing such a fate might befall them. Young children can be extremely talented at surviving, but not without magic or weapons.

[He's perfectly fine with young children using magic and weapons, though.]

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