Wilderness Survival Lesson [Isolde, Karin, Seria]

[Tara Logan]

Tara hummed along to a song playing through her mind for the umpteenth time that day. It was impossibly catchy and all that much harder and more annoying to get it out. But really, it's not like she had much else to do at the moment. Here the pink haired Eastern Operative stood at the beginning of one of the multiple trails that led through the famous Hapuu Highway. However, it was also a path that led into the more dangerous "Deep Rainforest", a section of the immense rainforest far and away from the touches of civilization. If one wanted to learn how to survive in the wilderness, then Tara was of the mind that they needed to learn in a proper environment fit for the lessons.

And to this end, the Ranger had decided to hold her classes in the Deep Rainforest. With her experience it wasn't hard to make sure the groups she taught stayed safe. However, some groups tended to not be as keen on following her instructions and those learned quickly why it was a bad thing to go off on their own when they came running back followed by a wild Pokemon enraged by an invasion of territory. No one had been actually hurt yet, but sometimes she wondered if those numbskulls might be better off getting a nasty bruise or several. Nonetheless though, if people wanted to learn how to actually survive out in the wilds, she didn't mind teaching them.

A slender arm raised up as she checked her X-Transceiver for the time. Her class would start within the next 30 minutes and it was starting to look like today was gonna be a no show for whoever had signed up. Or maybe no one signed up today. Well, it didn't matter that much to Tara. She withdrew an Ultra Ball from within the pocket of the coat she wore this day, tossing it up in the air before the visage of a Garchomp appeared, roaring in delight to be free as usual. "Yes, good to see you too Sharknado." She reached a hand over, gently patting her Garchomp companion's head. "Get ready to head out of here. Time's about up for any arrivals."

[Seria Floria]

Seria was advised by her father's friend to get some classes on wilderness survival. Of course, for someone like her who no longer had the protection and advice of her parents at her disposal, she needed to learn how to do things on her own. Actually, even if she wasn't interested in the whole affair herself, Seria was told she was signed up for the class regardless of her actual wishes. She was taken to the Deep Rainforest, at least the entrance of it. She was then dropped off there and was pointed towards a lady who looked like a Ranger, turns out she was the one who was responsible for these classes. From the way she was checking her X-Transceiver, it looked like she was waiting for people. Late? Was Seria late? Seria broke into a run towards the Ranger and by the time she arrived she had ignored the fact said Ranger had already sent out one of her Pokemon, a Garchomp.

"Oh... uh... er... Sorry, I'm late, aren't I? I think I overslept." Seria said, fidgeting. "I was one of those signed up for your class." she said, her expression didn't show it, but it was clear from the way she spoke that she hadn't signed up for the class on her own. Not that Seria was complaining anyway, though. "Hope I made it at least..." Seria looked about. She was the first.

"...No show?"

[Isolde Spencer]

A wilderness survival class was just the thing that her parents would ever sign her up for, considering that they wanted her to learn how to survive out there when there's wild Pokemon waiting to attack. Good thing that she did have Tristan to protect her from all sorts of threats, but the small size of the forest ghost might not be the best way to defend a lady... Either way, the little forest ghost was happy to accompany her on a wild expedition towards the highway where dozens if not a whole lot of Grass type Pokemon dwell there and her teacher in that class was none other than a ranger. Upon arriving, there seemed to be a lady with purple hair and a blonde girl that were already there. Tristan seemed to be calmly floating beside her and also looking around in a paranoid fashion. Well, the purple-haired lady had a blue dragon-like shark which was a Pokemon she hadn't seen before. Then again, this shark might be rare around the region too, so she might see it one day.

Taking one look at the land shark, she spoke. "I never seen that Pokemon before. She must be a rare Pokemon around the island, but she does look a bit scary." The Phantump seemed to be a bit scared of it due to its imposing size and the fact that it looked really ferocious.

[Karin Norling]

Karin was still staying in Hapuu Town when she caught wind of wilderness survival classes taught by local Rangers, and latched onto the idea from the moment she heard it. Which wasn't to say that she needed a lot of help with surviving outdoors, but this region was still unfamiliar territory and a class focused on the kind of wilderness she would find here -- rainforest, humidity, lava flows, and rough routes -- would keep her from wasting too much time on learning her way around. So needless to say, it sounded like a good idea. Best yet, she could get into one fast without worrying about it being full.

When she heard that the class was going to be going very deep into the rainforest, however, she dropped the childlike eagerness she had had while signing up and suddenly approached it with uncharacteristic seriousness. This was an area that she fully understood was beyond her at the moment. So, after reading up on the area a bit, she took the rest of the day to make absolute certain that she was prepared. Plenty of water? Check. Food? Check. Poketch? Check. Pokemon? Between the Phantump resting on her hat and her other Pokemon, including a bizarre bird-like Pokemon she'd freshly acquired, that was a check. Map of the trails leading up through that part of the rainforest? Check. Clothes that she wouldn't worry about getting ruined, check (the hat stayed, though)? Clothes that would keep her from getting wet without being designed for Sinnoh weather? Um...

Well, six out of seven wasn't bad.

Then, once the time came, all she had to do was get there. So she set out, down the Hapuu Highway then up one of the many trails that would lead into the depths of the rainforest. She didn't get lost, thankfully, and she was able to point out exactly what trail led to the meeting spot. On the downside, she sorely underestimated how much time it would take to get there. As such, by the time the pink-haired Ranger and two people who had to be others taking the class came into view she was already late. Right at the time any sensible person would probably call it and get started with who they had, in fact.

"Sorry I'm late. Had a late start," Karin said, walking up to them as quickly as she could without losing her footing. "Hi Seria. We haven't started yet, have we?"

[Tara Logan]

The violet haired ranger's attention was abruptly ripped away from the intimidating predator of the land and brought to the sight of a young girl hurrying up. She asked if she was late, a real nervous way about her person. That's right, Tara did have three people signed up for today after all. There was one, but where were the other two? She briefly looked at her X-Transceiver again.

"A bit early, actually. Though time's about up for the other two."

As if on cue another girl appeared, asking about her Garchomp. This one was a blonde who looked far more at home in one of those fancy apartments in Lani City rather than someone looking to go out camping.

"This here is Sharknado. She's a Garchomp." Tara pat her large and intimidating partner once more, though this time she growled lowly in annoyance from the wait. "And she's the fully evolved form of a Gible. A very rare species of Dragon Pokemon that only appears in a couple of regions around the world. Here in Aina it's sole habitat is in the Sunrise Crater atop Mount Sunrise."

And now that she was finished speaking. Three... two... one...

...

Huh. Okay, apparently the other one wasn't going to pull the same sort of crazy timing these other two had. Another quick check of her X-Transceiver and the time limit was just about done. And THERE WAS THE VOICE. The Ranger Operative looked up and yes, another had appeared. Dark haired and she appeared to know the other one, a name being put to the face of the nervous Seria.

"Alright, that's everyone then." Tara clapped her hands together. "Now, you all have your packs prepared, yes?" She grinned while looking at the three.

[Seria Floria]

Seria nodded as she looked at the two new arrivals who had come in time after the Ranger had said that time had elapsed for them to come. One of them was a stranger, the other was none other than Karin, the girl Seria had met at the Sacred Pools. The stranger had asked about the Ranger's large land shark. Seria knew it was a Garchomp but had tilted her head upon the nickname given to her. Seria was wearing her typical outfit but had come prepared, wearing some manner of windbreaker jacket to cover her arms and exposed skin. And she had decided to wear a pair of track pants. It made her look real funny but Seria was well aware of the risks in going to a rainforest like this one. Her parents had taken her on a seafaring trip to look for a Pokemon that was said to look like the crescent moon. It didn't go too well but had given Seria an idea of the conditions behind seafaring, and that experience was something Seria aimed to put to use when traversing this area with the others.

Admittedly, there was little connection between this and nautical expeditions, but details. After Karin and the other one arrived and seemed to settle down, the Ranger grinned and asked if everyone was ready with their packs. Seria pointed to her own red rucksack which had a tube of water sticking out the back. It was currently plugged. It looked fairly heavy and it seemed that she had packed as much for this trip as Karin did. Then again, some of it was due to the insistence of her father's friend. "I'm pretty sure I'm ready, miss." Seria simply said.

[Isolde Spencer]

Ah, so this Pokemon was a Garchomp and it's pre-evolved form was found at the Sunrise Crater. The crater of course was not really accessible at the moment due to not meeting the requirements for entering the place. Still, it was interesting to learn that the ranger's Garchomp was a bit friendly and not really scary at all. The Phantump poked his head from behind her knapsack and realized that the Garchomp was not that scary at all, prompting him to come out slowly beside his trainer. The ranger then asked if they had their packs ready and the other blonde girl answered with her own rucksack. She answered while pointing to her own purple knapsack. "I'm sure I'm ready, miss. I've got everything packed as well." Good thing she had packed some snacks as well as a canteen of water inside the knapsack. It was probably best if she had a change of clothes for the outdoors, but oh well. Maybe next time she could get some outdoor clothing on.

[Karin Norling]

Late? Yes. But it would seem that Karin hadn't missed anything yet. That was good. Everyone was still here and hadn't left yet, and if Karin had missed anything that was said, she could pick it up as she went. She knew all the basics anyway. Watch where you're going, drink plenty of water, don't wander off (okay, she sometimes had trouble with that one, but she'd be on her best behavior today), and don't try to do anything you're not capable of. The last one was especially true today since they were wandering into dangerous territory.

"Yep, I'm ready," Karin said, patting her pack. She'd double checked it before she left just to be sure. Other than the dry clothes thing she was all set. But in the worst case scenario, it was all girls here. If she wanted to, she could just strip down and have Shiranui dry her clothes later. That was a thought to save for an emergency, though. Even though Karin wouldn't mind it, the others might.

[Tara Logan]

Good, good. Her little campers at least had their necessities. Proper resources was key to surviving in the wilderness. "Excellent. Whenever you travel in the wilderness, it's important to have proper food and clean drinking water first and foremost. As part of my class you will also be learning about safe food in nature as well as natural ways to gather and purify water." She then drew a pokeball from her belt before her Lopunny, Lola, appeared before the group. The Lopunny eagerly waved a hand to all three. "When going into an area like the Deep Rainforest, it is also important to have a Pokemon that can easily clear away tall brush, fallen limbs, or anything else that might be in your way via the use of a move called 'Cut'. Or as it's also known, HM 1." She gestured towards her Lopunny. "Lola here is trained in the move and she'll be clearing away impediments for us."

Tara briefly paused to let all of this sink in before continuing on. "Now, it is important to note before we enter that there are many different types of Wild Pokemon within the Deep Rainforest. If you break off from the group, it is very likely you will run into one and you WILL get harmed. I cannot stress enough to stay with each other or near one of my Pokemon that will be accompanying us." As she said the last part, Tara drew forth two more Pokeballs from her belt. From within them emerged a Gardevoir and a Golurk.

"In addition to Sharknado, we will also be accompanied by Titania and Panzer." She indicated the Gardevoir and Golurk in turn. Titania placed her hands before her and bowed shortly to the group, though Panzer remained inanimate. "These three will be dealing with any potential Wild Pokemon that show up. Let them do their jobs and do not get in their way. This is not a Pokemon catching trip, so put any thoughts of capturing out of the way now." The Eastern Operative's voice grew stern as she continued to speak.

"Do you all understand that?" Tara paused for any acknowledgements and then began to speak once more. "Now. Before we enter, does anyone have any questions?"

[Seria Floria]

Seria nodded as she paid attention to every single thing that Tara had been saying. First thing was first, they were going to be learning about safe food in nature as well as natural ways to gather and purify water. Seria was sort of familiar with the former but not really experienced in the latter, as her only exposure to it was what her parents did and they did it so quickly and so naturally. So it would be good for Seria to learn these things. Tara also emphasized the importance of being able to clear away grassy impediments to travel like tall brush, fallen limbs, or other such obstructions. Tara showed her Lopunny was able to use 'Cut' in order to get rid of these. "Understood," Seria said. Then eventually after a short pause Tara said it was of utmost importance to stick together due to the presence of wild Pokemon that may be potentially dangerous.

Eventually Tara pointed out the Gardevoir and the giant robotic golem Pokemon nearby, the former bowed but the other seemed to be inanimate, towering, watching. Seria agreed that it would be for the best if none of them got in their way and simply just let them do their thing. "Got it," Seria finally finished, acknowledging that she understood what was being told. "I haven't got any further questions for now."

[Isolde Spencer]

The ranger had sent out three more Pokemon to accompany the group which consisted of a Lopunny, Gardevoir, and a Golurk. She had explained that the wilderness will be packed with wild Pokemon that will attack at any moment and these three Pokemon will make sure to protect them while they were outdoors exploring the rainforest. Of course, she did have the personal protection from Tristan nearby as well. The Lopunny named Lola had the move 'Cut' which was the necessity required to cut the vines throughout the rainforest as the place was full of them. The ranger then asked if there was any further questions that the group could ask. "No, miss. I don't have any questions for today." She spoke to the female ranger.