[Koragg]

((Don't worry I've been up all night with a stomach issue. I'm going to the doctor's in an hour. I might be home all day though. I don't mind swearing at all. :P))

Nazo nodded and said, "My father was a pretty famous psychic-type trainer. I've had the chance to battle using them against my dad as practice. My favorite pokemon he had was definitely his Espeon. I battle using her quite a few times. She's like a sister to me." He continued to walk and said, "So you've watched a few battles? Like from the Indigo Plateau tournaments? You shouldn't worry I can teach you how to battle, Sandy." He smiled brightly at her before continued to walk through the forest.

[Shenandoah]

((I'm sorry you've been sick, hon... *huggles*))

Sandy flashed a smile. "Espeons are awesome," she said with enthusiasm. "I love Eevee and its evolutions." Then her smile faded. "I've watched a few gym battles. I got a part-time job at the Gym when my family lived in Celadon and would clean the place. It was good work and decent pay... plus I got the chance to watch the battles that went on as well as the training... And I'd appreciate the help."

Right as her voice trailed off, she glanced forward and saw a Pidgey. The tiny bird Pokemon was pecking at some berries off to one side of the road and seemed so intent on its finding that it wasn't paying attention to the people approaching. Sandy's eyes widened as she came to a pause next to her and Nazo's Pokemon.

[Koragg]

Nazo chuckled and said, "I love Eevee and the evolutions too. I want to get an Eevee eventually and evolve it to Umbreon obviously. You were in Celadon? My dad has the badge from the gym leader there from about 20 years ago." He was about to continue when he noticed the Pidgey eating berries close to them. He crept up to Kuro and said, "I think it's time I see what you can do in battle, Kuro." He walked back over to Sandy and whispered, "Well I can definitely show you how I battle. That should help." Nazo pressed the button on his iPod and a fast rock song came on. He closed his eyes before snapping them open and saying, "Showtime Kuro!"

((Thanks Shen. -hugs- I'm sure it's nothing serious. I'll get better. ^^))

[Shenandoah]

((Hope so. It sucks to be sick.))

"Well, we didn't live there that long ago. Dad's job transferred us there..." She trailed off. Many different jobs in the world involved Pokemon in some form or another, her father's job no different. He had had an excellent job working as a construction worker and worked well alongside the Pokemon he was around every day. However, ever since his accident... he'd been put on disability pension and her mother was the real provider now. It was hard to see such a tough man confined to a wheel chair, never to walk again...

She physically shook her head to clear it of such thoughts. Her father was thrilled for her to leave home and go forward on a Pokemon journey. He had never tried, having focused on what he had been best at, which was making things. She looked forward to seeing her family again - if only temporarily - once they reached Saffron City.

Sandy watched in earnest as Kuro positioned herself before her Trainer, her eyes focused on the Pidgey. The Pidgey, startled, looked at the people and Pokemon in uncertainty before getting a determined look on its face. The next thing anyone knew, it kicked up sand at Kuro and Stomp, hoping to blind them with Sand Attack. Kuro dodged the dust with a hiss, not wanting to get dirty.

"Stomp, come back here for a bit! Let's watch and get pointers from Nazo and Kuro, okay?" called Sandy.

[Koragg]

Stomp moved over beside Sandy and stared at the battled unfolding before him. He was itching for a bit of a fight himself, but his trainer didn't seem to be experienced. He hoped she would learn fast so he could show what he was capable of.

Nazo smirked and said, "Pidgey's gonna have to do better than that. You ready Kuro?" Nazo's head was slightly nodding to the beat of his music as he put his second headphone back in. He felt the flow of the music running through him as he fell into a trance-like stance. Nazo was a believer of rhythm playing an important part in everyday life. He applied the same strategy to battles. If he were to go with the flow he would be okay.

"Kuro start with a Growl, then Scratch when Pidgey gets startled." It was a pretty simple tactic but he needed to test his synergy with Kuro. He hoped it would be easy enough for Sandy to learn too.

((I'm staying home from work today. At least I can respond fast in the RP. :D ))

[Shenandoah]

((And I couldn't post. Suuuper busy today.))

Kuro didn't bother to respond, dodging another sand attack before snarling out Growl. The Pidgey flapped backwards slightly, startled. Kuro pounced just as Pidgey recovered, knocking the bird off kilter.

[Koragg]

((It's okay Shen I was lying in bed all night trying to sleep.))

Nazo smirked as Kuro easily got the leg up on Pidgey. "That's how you do it Kuro! It's all about the rhythm of the battle! Now follow up with another Scratch." He was happy Kuro was so good at fighting. Granted it was just a Pidgey, but it did look like Kuro was going to be a strong competitor.

[Shenandoah]

((So sorreeee! I have been so busy the last few days. Between rodeo and shopping for my new apartment [that I do not yet live in] and taking care of my grandmother, it's been absolute chaos. And even now, I'm still tired, so if this post is crap, then please forgive me.))

Kuro slashed the bird with sharp claws the moment she got close enough to do so. The Pidgey had apparently had enough by this point. Little wings flapped furiously and quick, sending the tiny body it was attached to up into the sky. Kuro growled slightly, annoyed about being deprived of a real victory.

"Uh... that was anti-climatic..." muttered Sandy, glancing at Stomp before looking at Nazo. Kuro snorted in disdainful agreement, her tail lashing furiously.

[Koragg]

((It's okay Shen. I'm still sick, so it's been hard for me to post as well. I'm going to the doctor's today I hope that I can figure out what's wrong with me and get it fixed.))

Nazo frowned and said, "Damn birds. Always flying away. Can't stay and fight like a true pokemon." He walked slowly up to Kuro and pulled out another treat. "You did a great job in your first battle Kuro." He picked Kuro up and held the treat in his hand for her to munch on.

Nazo turned over to Sandy and said, "Well that's more or less how battling works. Kuro and I were destroying that Pidgey. I wish it had stayed though. It wasn't a very exciting ending." He smiled sheepishly as he finished his statement. "I guess when we get to the first gym I can show you a real fight, Sandy."

[Shenandoah]

((*pets Koragg*))

"That could be the reason it fled," Sandy said. "Maybe it didn't want to be caught or be hurt any more." She smiled as Kuro nibbled the treat from Nazo's hand. "As for battling, I'd like to practice some out here before we hit up Pewter's Gym. I don't want to do something stupid... like be completely out of sync with Stomp." With that, she ran her hand along the horse's back.

[Koragg]

(( >.> -purrs- XD ))

Nazo smiled and said, "Don't worry Sandy we'll be doing lots of training before we go to the Pewter Gym. We can't run in there with no training under our belts. We need more than one pokemon too most likely." He chuckled and began walking again. "Well we have a lot of daylight left still. Let's keep moving Sandy."

Stomp nuzzled Sandy's hand after she ran in down his back. He wanted to battle too but he was just happy to have such a caring trainer taking care of him.

[Shenandoah]

"Sure!" chirped the younger of the pair. "And maybe next round, I give it a shot, yeah?" She started after him, flicking a few stray strands of hair back over her shoulder. Once she became level with him, it was obvious she was thrilled about seeing a real live Tamer-vs-Wild Pokemon battle, even though the Pidgey had fled. Kuro strolled alongside her Trainer, content to continue stretching her legs.

((Fuck me on shit post! You didn't exactly give much to go off of this round, so I'm not feeling very inventive. I've fluffed it out as best as I could.))

[Koragg]

((It's okay Shen. I was very tired when I wrote that. I'll do better.))

Nazo nodded at Sandy's statement and replied, "Sure next time you can battle I will give you tips if you want during the battle." As the group continued walking Nazo pulled out a book and began flipping through it. "This book is something my dad gave me to plan out my journey. It contains information about the type of pokemon in each region, so I know where I need to look to catch dark-types. It'll tell us what stuff we can expect to run into, though it doesn't know everything, the book is rather old."

Stomp thought about what Sandy said. It wanted to battle and show off his skills to her. He walked alongside her eagerly awaiting the next battle they would get into. It looked quickly at Kuro, rather impressed with her skills in battle, and needed to show her that he could do the same.

[Shenandoah]

((It's okay. I just didn't do as well as I wanted to.))

"That'd be awesome! And maybe I could look at the book some time? I know there are plenty of small basic Pokemon around here, like Pidgey and Ratatta, but it's not unheard of that some non-native wild Pokemon show up as they're moving through."

Kuro dropped back slightly and came around to stroll next to Stomp before jumping nimbly up on his back. She had gotten bored with walking and now felt that she needed to persuade the pony Pokemon to carry her. She looked rather regal on his back and hoped he would be willing to let her remain there as she didn't exactly ask to jump up in the first place. However, she mewled her request to him as soon as she was settled there.

[Koragg]

Stomp looked back at Kuro jumping onto his back. He didn't mind at all really. He closed his eyes as if making a happy face and nodded. He continued walking enjoying his new friend.

Nazo watched the scene and chuckled. "Seems our pokemon get along rather well. Kuro must've been a bit worn out after her battle. It's good to see them getting along." He turned to Sandy and said, "Of course you can look through the book if you want Sandy. I wouldn't leave my traveling partner out of the loop considering this book could help us figure out where we want to go to catch pokemon we like." He smiled at her and continued walking. His mind was still on his battle though, figuring out exactly how he was going to train Kuro. Her speed was good but he needed to work on the power of her attacks. A stronger scratch would've declared him a victor pretty quickly.

[Shenandoah]

Kuro took pleasure in the fact that she had been allowed to stay. She knew she could have gotten Nazo to carry her and that was her second option, but she thought this was a far better arrangement. The Ponyta, being a fire type, was far warmer than Nazo's arms would be.

Sandy watched the two in amusement. "They're so cute," she commented in reply to Nazo's observation. "So, what will we do once we get to Viridian? Stay there the night at the Pokemon Center?"