(ACE) The MARSH Team

((Gonna skip these two this round))

It was warm.

It had been so cold, wet, and unpleasant the last few days Eleroo hardly recognized being warm and dry anymore. Nestling deeper into the soft bedding the Radeon buries his face to keep his nose just as toasty, his paws curling happily as he purrs to himself. Consciousness had barely come back to him, the nightmare from earlier in the night fading from his mind as his enjoyed this moment in safety. Soft fur brush along his face as he shuffles, the scent familiar and comforting along with the gentle heartbeat. He dares not open his eyes and let the moment slip away, the horrors of yesterday all too willing to take his peace in an instant. For now, he nestles deeper into Seek's fur, sleep no longer coming to him but he relished it all the same.

Seek had yet to awaken. Though she initially struggled to fall asleep the rest was desperately needed, and her exhausted muscles could not deny the safety they felt. Completely knocked out, the Aiveon lays with her limbs wrapped around Eleroo and holding him close and safe. Even in her sleep she would not allow him to be taken again, the touch of his fur enough to say he was still safe. As he started to stir she pulls him in closer, comforted by his presence and the warmth of his pelt. If hwas safe, they were safe..

Eventually, the Radeon lets his eyes blink open. The soft crackle of Shenron's flame and the shuffle of dry bedding alerted him to life in the room, though it remained quiet with an air of calm. The soft hum of rain outside could still be heard, though only faintly. Giving his legs and spine and big stretch the Radeon lets out a massive yawn, his tongue lolling as he rolls over. Seek's paws drag through his pelt, keeping him close though they do not have the strength to prevent him from sitting up. Her face drops deeper into the moss, looking completely at ease for the first time in a long time.

With a smile, he chooses not to wake her and instead begins to groom his pelt. Between the rain, squabbles, and nestled slumber his bed head was particularly unruly. The symbol of decent rest would take longer than normal to groom, and while Eleroo enjoyed the normalcy of the task it slowly roused with each stroke of his tongue. He finished with another large yawn, tongue still lolling form his mouth as he turned his blurry gaze toward the center of the room. Before them sat a pile of berries, Pecha, Bluk, Shuca, and a handful of Orans. There weren't many for a group their size, but it was enough to share. With a smile Eleroo goes to thank the pair of Radeon, assuming they were sharing, only to realize..

They weren't there.

Rubbing his eyes with his paws to ensure he's not dreaming, Eleroo gasps as the empty nest comes in clearly. Placing a paw on Seek's side he nudges her, hoping to wake the Aiveon, but her white paws simply curl up over her exposed blep. "Seek.." He whispers, not wanting to disturb the peace of the room, but the Aiveon remains out cold, her flank steadily rising and falling. A frown sets in on the small Radeon's maw, but with a deep breath he resolves not to panic; after all that fuss he could not accept that the others had left them. Rising to his paws Eleroo walks over to the pile of berries; they smelled of Johvani, their scent still fresh, and he grabbed a pair to bring back to the nest. "There's some berries for us." He says a bit more loudly, hoping to catch the attention of anyone left in a half sleep.

The constant sound of rain was peaceful and familiar. Skulking through the undergrowth Reed's senses were alert though his steps were relaxed. Hiding his own pawsteps he was able to guide himself back to the thicket with ease, the territory familiar and comforting. All morning his mind had been whirling, plotting, thinking. Finally, finally it was time to act, and his very claws itched impatiently.

Paced a few feet back Johvani trotted after him, their steps falling in line where his were to mask their trail even further. Though this morning was the same as many, many before, it had an air of melancholy the Radeon could not shake. That their little routine would change, that it would be different. That their little bubble of faux peace would be burst by their own paws. As they arrived at the thicket the pair paced the parameter, checking for usual smells, sights, or followers. Again, this unsavory area was vacant, and with Reed on last watch Johvani made their way inside.

Shaking out their pelt they were grateful for its oily nature. While not fully waterproof their fatty diet had pelt it grow resistant to their wet home territory. Reed slipped in beside them and did much of the same, his scruffy pelt standing dauntless against the moisture. "It was a good patrol." They comment, and with a small acknowledging nod Reed makes his way forward.

"There's some berries for us." Eleroo's voice chrips from up ahead, a welcome sign that the other Pokemon had remained and finally awoken. "Gathered them this morning. As fresh as they get." Reed comments while padding into the main area of the den and settling down on the same nest once more. Johvani was quick to follow up, though they remained to the side of the next to wash any shmuts from their fur. "We figured you could use a meal." They pause, gentle smile turning back toward Reed who only nods. "And weren't sure how you felt on hunting." Reed snorts, knowing their shared meals were nothing let these 'mons, but their was no need to share that.

Eleroo continued to poke and prod until eventually Seek untucked her nose and gave a massive yawn. Her eyes were squinted, tongue lolling as she dared bring herself out of her deep sleep. How long had it been since she rested properly? There was no yelling, screaming, or pain, thus her mind did not immediately jump into a panic, but it also was slow to start as the world came into focus. Pushing her chest up so she was supposed by her forepaws the Aiveon looks around, the quiet den reminding her of simpler days and early mornings before her owner would turn on the lights. Eleroo beamed her way, and though his face was still blurry she smiles and licks at his cheek affectionately. Yes, just like those old mornings.

"Good morning you two, sleep well?" Shenron's voice chirps from nearby, its familiar sound comforting as she she begins to groom the moss from her fluffy fur. Letting her head tip to the side she gives a big grin and another yawn. "Quite, actually." She chimes before resuming her wash. "Good morning to you." Eleroo chirps from around her, his gaze traveling to the dragon though he spoke to both Pokemon before a sudden sneeze sounded from the other direction. Felix was quick to get to his feet, shaking out any debris that clung on from his rest as he was shocked awake. "Good morning Seek, Eleroo and Shenron." He mumbles, covering up the rough awakening. Eleroo chuckled, amused by the sight as he gives another, "Good morning!"  

Giving Seek another nuzzle with a purr rumbling in his chest Eleroo padded cautiously toward the awaiting berries. "These look lovely." He comments while enjoying the delightful aroma. "Gathered them this morning. As fresh as they get." Reed's voice trails in from the entrance, his arrival preventing further questions as the small Radeon beams their way. "For us? Thank you, thats so generous." Getting up early, taking their time to get the rest of them a meal. It wasn't easy feeding an extra mouth, let alone four. Pawing a berry closer to himself the smile stays upon Eleroo's face, grateful to have such kind Pokemon around him.

"We figured you could use a meal, and weren't sure how you felt on hunting." Johvani explained while settling down. Getting to her own feet Seek stretched out her spine and legs individually. With a quick shake of her pelt she could feel her sleep fog dissipating, and as Eleroo rolled a berry toward her she felt hunger ignite deep in her belly. "Appreciate it," she mumbles through her first mouthful, the wild fruits having a strong and succulent flavor. "Did you already eat your share?" She asks, noticing none of the fruits where near the pair of Radeon. It'd give a new meaning to 'fresh off the vine' if they literally ate them from the shrubs and trees.

OoC)) Skipping Felix for now, he's simply eating and humming a little tune to himself.

"For us? Thank you, that's so generous." The kid chirps, practically beaming with delight at the offering of fruit. Reed snorts and continues to clean the mud from his paws. Slowly the fur regained its sparkly white tint, both his pride and bane as he removed any further muck from his feet. It was impossible even for a local not to get dirty trotting out there; the rest of this lot would be a complete mess. "You'll need your strength. Figured we'd have an easier time collecting in this area than you lot would." Stumbling blindly, dropping the fruit in muck. Making noise and attracting unwanted attention... Reed focused on his washing with long, rough strokes; they would be dirty again soon enough.

"Appreciate it," Seek mumbles through a mouthful of food, sleep doing wonders to keep her civil but not courteous. "Did you already eat your share?" Johvani gives the other Radeon a sidelong glance, his washing uninterrupted by the question. "Yes, during our patrol." They explained, unsure how much detail they wished to give and wished to spare. "Less to carry, fewer trails to cover." With a wave of their paw Johvani tries to dismiss the subject, but another another long stroke and flipping his paw over to the beans Reed chimed back in. "Prey needs to be hidden or consumed promptly." Chewing a hard clump out of his pads Reed spits the rock on the ground. "Walking around with bait is just asking for trouble."

Shifting uncomfortably Johvani simply nods. All Pokemon could consume berries, even natural predators could subsist on them, but even with their current company it felt taboo to discuss such matters. Was it the young ones, or having a Pokemon present that could make a meal of them all? they hold back, smile hiding all opinions on the matter. "Its no trouble, but do eat up. I'd be a shame to waste food out here."

Gnawing at the berry Seek munched through and enjoyed her meal in relative quiet. Despite her drowsiness she kept most the juice away from her brightly colored fur, her fluffy clouds safe for the moment as she pawed at another piece of fruit. "You'll need your strength. Figured we'd have an easier time collecting in this area than you lot would." A snort chuffs from her nostrils, the shot acknowledged but ignored as she continued her meal. Too pathetic for berry picking? Odd way to discredit them, but she put it aside.

"Yes, during our patrol. Less to carry, fewer trails to cover." His head bobbed up and down, settling on his paws and perking back up as Eleroo tried to picture the whole process. This was a lot of berries for two Pokemon to carry, let alone the food they had for themselves. Did they use branches, or leaves? Had they made multiple trips back here that didn't wake the rest of them up? A small shiver runs along his spine; best not to think about that. Walking around with bait is just asking for trouble." Reed continued the thought for him, and Eleroo practically chocked on his bite at the comment. It was an odd way to refer to berries, or even food general. Staying at the piles Eleroo suddenly felt very uncomfortable, a realization striking him he had not considered, but biting his tongue the young Pokemon dared not speak it aloud.

Finishing another berry in several hungry bites Seek felt much more awake as she licked any sticky spots from her paws. The light chatter was not meant to spawn questions, or so she assumed with the nonchalant attitude Reed had, yet it made her curious all the same. Her interests laid elsewhere from her brother's, the whole trip much more intriguing than the food. "A patrol, at this hour? I can still hear the rain, and assuming its early, isn't it too dark to see?" Walking around yesterday had been dim despite the sun being up, pre-dawn light would give them nothing with so many clouds. "Why even look if we're heading all the way back anyway?"

After Felix finished eating for the time being, he began to listen in on the others. "A patrol, at this hour? I can still hear the rain, and assuming its early, isn't it too dark to see?" The sylveon didn't think the same though, some pokemon adapted to the dark after the light pollution left ever since the humans had left and things decayed to where it was now. "Why even look if we're heading all the way back anyway?" If anything, the question would be an easy answer, in case Salem and East had stepped up guards blocking any entry ways. If they really wanted to keep them out, that would likely be it.

The Sylveon then interrupts. "If they wanted to keep us out, they'd likely put more to prevent us from making an ambush. However that said can be held to us as well, they could be waiting for us to come and ambush us. Them patrolling would help us know where to avoid and where to find the easier path if that helps any Seek." Felix however thought maybe that might be a bit complexed but he also wanted to explain a bit on them seeing when in the cover of little to no light. This he was able to simplify it more for Seek. "As for them seeing at night, they're used to the dark so they adapted to it." That he knew pretty well. He'll have to teach Seek and Eleroo sometime when things are in a better situation. Listening to the rain, the sylveon could tell it hasn't let up at all. "Seems it hasn't let up out there, I wouldn't be surprised there'd be flooded areas now where we once passed through."

After that, he looks over to Shenron and asks the Charizard something that was on his mind. "Shenron, I'm curious on this, before all this, did you ever enjoy a hobby?" Despite everything, Felix outside of psychology, actually did enjoy watching some good movies with his trainer and even weather movies.

Chewing the grit out of his paw Reed flashes his fangs as he frees it from the fur of his pads and spits the debris on the ground. Hygiene was imperative for swamp Pokemon that were constantly exposed to moisture and microbes alike, and while his poison typing and upbringing made him all the stronger against it, the wash up was a small bit of normalcy he enjoyed. "A patrol, at this hour?" Seek started, and got a quick reply of, "Everyday, like clockwork." Twice a day, unless circumstances prevented it. "I can still hear the rain, and assuming its early, isn't it too dark to see?" Seek questions the other bit of normalcy and routine he maintained. "You need more than just sight to patrol these lands." He explained, night vision being only one important sense in being aware of the land around them. He narrows his gaze at the child, her bright, sky colored eyes catching his attention. Birds were not nocturnal creatures; had her night vision suffered from evolution?

"Why even look if we're heading all the way back anyway?" She continued, seeming to miss the point of the patrol entirely. "To ensure the paths are clear." Johvani chimes in with a gentle nod, but their deflecting would get them nowhere. "If they wanted to keep us out, they'd likely put more to prevent us from making an ambush. However, that can be held to us as well. They could be waiting for us to come and ambush us. Them patrolling would help us know where to avoid and where to find the easier path if that helps any Seek." Felix rationalized, his hypothosis fair but off the mark.

Speaking with a flourishing wave of his paw Reed cant help but give a slight laugh as he speaks candidly. "It's cute that you think its about you lot, but its not." With his paws cleaned off he rises into a relaxed sitting position, his tone calm as he explained. "As I said, we were once guards around here. Warriors for the civilian type. Constant patrols were made to minimize the undead threats." Of course, they have more paws back then, and the routes and locations were only those proximal to Pastoria.

"We were making our morning rounds checking for undead and infected. Dispatched what we found and saved other Pokemon from similar fates." Consuming or removing the bodies to prevent others from getting sick as well, though such sickly details were left out. Reed's gaze turns to the side, the gentle sound of rain echoing in his ears. "We aren't bound by duty to keep Pokemon safe anymore, but I refuse to sit idly by when I have the power to protect them. Its why you see so few undead out here."

Gently licking Reed's forehead Johvani smooths out his scruffy fur, though the stubborn tuft was quick to stand once more. "Call it the honor of a noble soul. Or force of habit from a hard worker." He snorted but didn't deny their claims. "Anyway, its clear for now. We didn't see anything unexpected." Weather not withstanding, there was nothing note worthy on their patrol that would cause alarm. "Seems it hasn't let up out there, I wouldn't be surprised if there'd be flooded areas now where we once passed through." Felix continued to ponder aloud. "That river you tried crossing is actually all flood water. It doesn't usually exist."

"Everyday, like clockwork. You need more than just sight to patrol these lands." Reed rebuffs, as though she should have known the answer to begin with. Everyday? Why? Were they looking for something, someone? If they were in hiding or something like that it seemed weird to expose themselves. "To ensure the paths are clear." Johvani followed up, though Seek still wasn't satisfied with their responses. Wasn't their shtick the Pastoria Pokemon? She grunts; it was too early for this kinda stuff. "If they wanted to keep us out, they'd likely put more to prevent us from making an ambush. However, that can be held to us as well. They could be waiting for us to come and ambush us. Them patrolling would help us know where to avoid and where to find the easier path if that helps any Seek." An ambush? Rubbing any remaining sleep from her eyes with the back of her paws Seek lets out a tired sigh. "How would we ambush Pokemon on their own turf? We don't even know where in the Marsh we are!"

Standing up to give her pelt a hard shake the Aiveon fluffs up her fluff and smooths out any bedhead. "Besides, wasn't yesterday their attempt at an ambush, or some kind of capture?" Whatever you would call the Golbat attack, that had to count for something. Though she racks her brain for reason or something, the weary Pokemon is not able to think up to speed, and any further thoughts are cut off a snort across the room. "It's cute that you think its about you lot, but its not." A spark bolts through her mind, a burn never not noticed, and the Aiveon whips her gaze toward the Radeon. Eleroo is quick to place a paw in front of her, though he looks on with a more curious expression. The battle-worn Pokemon went on to explain their task very bluntly but the danger in it was very real. They were looking for undead, infects, and any threat that needed to be dealt with... everyday.

"We aren't bound by duty to keep Pokemon safe anymore, but I refuse to sit idly by when I have the power to protect them. Its why you see so few undead out here."

A chill passes between both kits as they realize the reality of the situation. What had they seen since arriving here? Some birds, which can appear in an instant, a sentient creature that was quick on its feet, and a Pokemon that just recently turned. In such dense wilderness with abundant water that could spread illness... it was a suspiciously small number. Even their original trek out of this place, and the only that lead them to these Radeon had been shockingly barren of threats.
And that was no stroke of luck.
Seek's stomach churns uncomfortably. She was.. upset? Some sort of feeling bubbles in her gut, the berries not sitting comfortably anymore until she bursts out, "They were awful to you, and you still put your life at risk, everyday?! For this place?!" Wanting to change things around here was one thing, but to willingly put themselves before undead on the daily, just the two of them no less, was insane! "Call it the honor of a noble soul. Or force of habit from a hard worker." Johvani tried to settle the other Pokemon but Seek's hackles were rising. Was it honorable? Sure, yeah, but that didn't outweigh the risk.

"The power to save lives is such a precious thing, espcially these days." Eleroo says whimsically, his gaze not focused on one 'mon, and a smile across his muzzle. With a grimace Seek can't bare to look his way; was he talking about himself, or something else she couldn't possibly relate to? "Anyway, its clear for now. We didn't see anything unexpected." Johvani puts an end to the topic, and with a gentle paw Eleroo tries to settle the other eeveelution who was getting worked up over it.
Felix helped draw the conversation elsewhere, his thoughts always a mystery to the younger Pokemon. "Seems it hasn't let up out there, I wouldn't be surprised if there'd be flooded areas now where we once passed through." Eleroo's skin rippled as he recalled the the landslides and deep puddles. Just a few days prior it had been so clear! He wouldnt be bold enough to say he recognized any place out here, but now that didn't even feel like an option. "Its amazing how much rain has come down since we arrived here. It was clear just the other day and now everything is so squishy." Though he hadn't gained much height in evolution Eleroo was suddenly grateful for the small gain in leg length.

"That river you tried crossing is actually all flood water. It doesn't usually exist." Johvani explained, the thought overwhelming to think about. A river just didnt exist? Was it just a pool then, or still? "Isnt that scary? Everything around here can change so drastically.. how do you keep your bearings?"

Felix listened to what Shenron said and even then, he ignored Reed's jest but he could tell there wasn't any harm in it. "Indeed, my trainer's den-mother taught me to blow glass and it was a very soothing bit of stress relief" Glass blowing? That was a very honest hobby. Since Shenron was a fire type, he could have done quite a few glass designs. Now if there was the right things and they was to find the right place after this mess, they'd have some time to relax. Then what Johvani said caught him off guard. "That river you tried crossing is actually all flood water. It doesn't usually exist." The sylveon then considered how lucky they was to survive that. It hit him then, the grass on the bottom, the pull of the current, they was lucky.

Getting the thoughts processed through, he looked at Seek before looking at Johvani then back to Seek. We're lucky to be alive. If that current was even stronger, we would have been swept out to the actual river and possibly injured or dead. Felix couldn't get that thought out of his head after hearing that and it just made him shiver at the thought of it. He shook it out. Sitting down, he then asks Johvani out of curiosity. "What other places in Kalos did you get to see with your trainer if its okay for me to ask?" If Felix recalled correctly, there was a lot of tourists who was from Kanto, Johto, and other areas but he didn't have much interaction with them.

"Its amazing how much rain has come down since we arrived here. It was clear just the other day and now everything is so squishy." A warm smile plasters Johvani's face, grateful that the youths of today can still be amazed by the little wonders of the world. If circumstances were different, xe would have loved to show these Pokemon the little beauties of this land. It was xyr home after all, and growing appreciation for it rather than fear did the soul well. "Isnt that scary? Everything around here can change so drastically.. how do you keep your bearings?" Stormy weather always made it hard to travel, but for the uninformed everything out here could very well look the same. Had these Pokemon been traveling with no sense of navigation?

"Using easily findable landmarks as anchor points is key. They will always tell you your relative location, and you'll have a starting point even if everything else changes." They explain with a gentle turn of a paw. Massive, gargantuan trees and boulders, uniquely shaped slopes and overhangs, and every dock and human signpost made for a familiar sight. "But, there are plenty of ways to prevent getting lost, if you know what to look for. Some areas out here smell a little bit different than offers, or they grow different plants and berries in abundance. Certain species favor different zones and are more common in some spots. The rails for the train run through the center of the Marsh, and all the human structures out here make for fantastic landmarks."

Reed grunts, the premise that they would get lost in their own home more insulting that it was ignorant. Do birds get lost when its cloudy? A snort escapes him; there was no point berating these Pokemon over directions in a place they were foreign in. They start to chat once more, bringing up random thoughts of days long past like a family talking over a shared meal. Flexing his claws the male Radeon was growing impatient. He would allow them a chance to eat, to waken, to prepare for the day ahead yet these Pokemon were.. strangely nonchalant. They showed no sense of danger, survival, or even apprehension. Were they not afraid, had they no fear of throwing their lives away?

His claws dig against the hard floor, the weight of his coming actions pressing heavy against his shoulders. "You should finish eating." He says firmly, not ordering the Pokemon but pressing the importance of time.

"Using easily findable landmarks as anchor points is key. They will always tell you your relative location, and you'll have a starting point even if everything else changes." Landmarks? Eleroo tipped his head to the side and tried to think of anything they had passed that stuck out. Let it be the rough days or the bad weather, he could only picture generic plants and ponds. Maybe the tram station they had stayed at, but the child was unsure if such a structure would count. It seemed more like a destination than a starting point, after all. "Like the North Star," Seek chimed in, "but something you'd find on the ground." Awed by the idea Eleroo tried to think a bit more broadly. "Like a.. clearing you can see from a distance? Or a tree who's leaves are always a weird color!" That should stick out, right? If they could locate something like that, perhaps from climbing a tree or flying up, it offered a relative perspective.

A purr rumbles in Eleroo's throat, shocked by such a simple but genius concept. Though most the plants out here appeared generic or forgettable, perhaps it was only his eyes that were untrained. Pathways buried beneath the rising water could leave clues behind, he just didn't know what to look for. Peeking carefully at the other Radeon, he wondered if this simple concept had kept them from getting caught all this time. "But, there are plenty of ways to prevent getting lost, if you know what to look for. Some areas out here smell a little bit different than offers, or they grow different plants and berries in abundance. Certain species favor different zones and are more common in some spots. The rails for the train run through the center of the Marsh, and all the human structures out here make for fantastic landmarks." With excited tip taps the small Radeon practically yips, "Its like you know everything about this place! You must never get lost." Even drawing his mind back to his birthplace Eleroo can not recall all the litter details as such. He knew his way around, sort of, but the buildings and pathways were all very different and well laid out.

Chuckling at his simple amusement Seek pulled her last berry closer. Her stomach had felt empty the moment she woke, and the energy boost was desperately needed. Swallowing in hurried bites the kid wondered how miserable the return journey would be. She doubted their would be much light, and even with their guides it would be an uncomfortable journey for the rest of them. "You should finish eating." Reed hurries them, as though the morning banter was an absolute slog. With a snort the Aiveon finishes her meal and relishes the last bits of flavor. "Yeah yeah," she huffs, waving paw before giving it a long lick. "Legends forbid we enjoy a last moment of peace." Lapping any specks of berry juice from her paws and muzzle the Aiveon stands and shakes out her fur. Fluffing up her pelt she knows its a vain effort to keep out the chill of outside. "Lead the way, oh wise one."

OoC)) Skip, I got nothing for Feilix this round.