023; [video/action for Goldenrod Gym]
[suddenly, Johto network: a boy and his giraffe! Sora is standing right outside the entrance to the Goldenrod Gym, Puddles snuffling at his face as he gives his four-legged friend a final once over. bowtie? check! freshly washed and shiny coat? double-check! looks like Puddles has got himself another hot date with a certain gym leader's Girafarig- it also looks like the trusty old Teddy-cam is doing what he does best: recording conversations he shouldn't be.]
[Puddles bleats and nudges Sora again, as if questioningly.] What?
[kid and giraffe both tilt their heads as they stare at each other.] ... It's okay, really. Riku's already got the Plain Badge, so we can get to Violet and back just fine. I don't need to get it myself. [Sora flails a little as Puddles practically sticks his snout in his eye. BUT TRAINER, DON'T YOU WANT TO BE A MASTER? I MEAN, I'D STILL BE FURIOUS IF YOU EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT HURTING MY HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS, AND I WOULD BLEAT ANGRILY AT YOU FOR HOURS AFTER THE BATTLE, BUT--]
Hey- Knock it off, Puddles! That's someone really special in there, isn't it? I know she's supposed to battle for Whitney, and lots of other people have already battled her... but you still hate it when she gets hurt. Right?
[Puddles bobs his head. yes, Trainer is right, it tears Puddles up inside when she so much as stubs a hoof- you should see him fret when someone inflicts a status on her. Sora... lifts a hand and rubs at his own messy hair awkwardly.]
Look, I... I know how you feel, okay? That's why I can't battle Whitney- and I'm not going to. So... don't worry about it. Go on and have a good time.
[Sora has to swipe his arm out of the way when Puddles turns to avoid being bitten by his tail- but he doesn't really pay it much mind. he doesn't seem to notice the wide-eyed Teddiursa with the pokégear, either. he simply turns in the direction of the Radio Tower looming in the distance, presumably the same place he'd been eyeing warily for days.]
[Puddles bleats and nudges Sora again, as if questioningly.] What?
[kid and giraffe both tilt their heads as they stare at each other.] ... It's okay, really. Riku's already got the Plain Badge, so we can get to Violet and back just fine. I don't need to get it myself. [Sora flails a little as Puddles practically sticks his snout in his eye. BUT TRAINER, DON'T YOU WANT TO BE A MASTER? I MEAN, I'D STILL BE FURIOUS IF YOU EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT HURTING MY HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS, AND I WOULD BLEAT ANGRILY AT YOU FOR HOURS AFTER THE BATTLE, BUT--]
Hey- Knock it off, Puddles! That's someone really special in there, isn't it? I know she's supposed to battle for Whitney, and lots of other people have already battled her... but you still hate it when she gets hurt. Right?
[Puddles bobs his head. yes, Trainer is right, it tears Puddles up inside when she so much as stubs a hoof- you should see him fret when someone inflicts a status on her. Sora... lifts a hand and rubs at his own messy hair awkwardly.]
Look, I... I know how you feel, okay? That's why I can't battle Whitney- and I'm not going to. So... don't worry about it. Go on and have a good time.
[Sora has to swipe his arm out of the way when Puddles turns to avoid being bitten by his tail- but he doesn't really pay it much mind. he doesn't seem to notice the wide-eyed Teddiursa with the pokégear, either. he simply turns in the direction of the Radio Tower looming in the distance, presumably the same place he'd been eyeing warily for days.]