Cat Hunt! [Roxy & Equius]

[Nepeta Leijon]

"Come on! Roxy, Equius, let’s get going already!" Nepeta said, brimming with excitement and impatience.
Pounce was resting on her head. Although if the Pokemon had done it another time it would have likely bothered Nepeta, she let the Pokemon be, not wanting to waste time focusing on something as minor as that. How she saw it, nothing would get in the way of her and Meowths.
This wasn’t exactly how she imagined her adventure would start. She imagined doing something cool, like a gym battle or a contest! Encountering and conquering a foe! Seeing and maybe even befriending a legendary! She heard really cool stories of journeys, with epic battles and amazing contests, with villains and heroes and legendaries. Of course, some of those were fairy tales; maybe more of them were than she was willing to admit. Though, that didn’t dim down her excitement for hopefully catching a Meowth. It was no gym battle, no contest, no legendary for certain, but she still recognized that this was her first step in her journey. It wasn’t the coolest one, but it was still of importance!
"This is going to be purrfect, amazing, wondpurrful! Wonderful, if you didn’t catch that. That was a bit of a stretch, wasn’t it? But, I mean, Meowths! Unfurtunatly, we didn’t have any of them in Hoenn…I mean, I’m sure some trainers came in with them, efurry so often, but not around where I lived," Wanting to bring some nice conversation to the table, she began to ramble on nervously.

[OLDROXY]

“Right behind you, girl!” Roxy was following Nepeta, her own cat Pokémon running along beside her. Damn, did she want a Meowth. That fish-bitch Meenah had one, and it wasn’t fair. Was there anyone more undeserving of an adorable kitty? The troll deserved a Magikarp for a starter. Blegh.

“Yeah, should be pretty fuckin’ sweet,” Nepeta’s cat puns were still really adorable. Roxy wanted to take her home. In the cutesy way, not the ‘I’d bang that’ kinda way, “Route Eight, huh? Wonder where those kitties are hiding? I’ve seen Meowths a whole bunch myself, but never been lucky enough to own one! Saw one this morning, as a matter of fact. Cute cat, shame about the trainer.”

She wondered how exactly to go about looking for wild Pokémon. The last ones she’d encountered at attacked her, she hadn’t exactly been looking for ‘em! So she resorted to the most obvious tactic: heading for the tall grass. “Heeeeeeeeeeere kitty kitty kitty! Hermione, get your attract on. Maybe you can lure the cuties out with your Skitty-charms.” Her Skitty complied, wagging its tail and putting on a cutesy act that wasn’t aimed at anyone in particular.

[Equius Zahhak]

"If you're boisterous, you might frighten them away." Following behind Nepeta and Roxy, Equius reluctantly joined them in their search for a Meowth. If it had been anyone else other than Nepeta, he would have declined, preferring his own company- but it was Nepeta, so it was worth it. However, Nepeta was currently prancing loudly ahead, Roxy not far in tow. Probably not the best way to seek out a wild Pokemon.

Equius was less familiar with catching Pokemon and more familiar with fighting and raising them. He also didn't quite see the appeal of a Meowth. Sure they were cute, but they exhibited no exceptionally STRONG qualities, nor were they any hue of a noble color. What could possibly be so special? Evolving one into a Persian, purrha- PERHAPS. Perhaps. The girls were all too excited about cat Pokemon.

"Why is it you require a feline companion, Ms. Lalonde?" Equius was well aware of Nepeta's opinions on cats, however not of Roxy's.

[Wild Pokemon]

A wild Pokémon watches...

♪ Melancholy

At the northwestern end of this particular route, a cliff stands, dirt and rock terrain separated from the grassy ground of the rest of the area.

That is where Absol stands, perched on the highest cliff edge. She senses something... Absol are known for their ability to sense disaster, but this feels...different. It is a disaster of some nature, yes, but it also has an element of...chaos? Absol tries to get a proper read from it, but her thoughts are interrupted when a small group of children run by in an excited uproar.

With a leap, the felid lands in front of the rushing juveniles. She stands squarely in their path on all fours, her red eyes giving them a serious gaze, as she makes a noise of warning.

Don't come this way. There is danger ahead.

This is what she means to communicate. But her serious stare, sudden appearance, and blocking of the path, could certainly be misunderstood for another meaning.

[Nepeta Leijon]

"If you're boisterous, you might frighten them away."

Nepeta couldn’t find words quickly enough and simply stuck her tongue out at her moirail. She knew he was right, but he didn’t have to announce it like that! She wasn’t stupid, after all.

Nepeta tried to focus on finding a Meowth somewhere instead (are they out in the open, or do they hide in the tall grasses?), but all of a sudden, an Absol jumped in the way. It was a Pokémon she had no trouble recognizing, as they were bountiful in Hoenn, especially by Fortree (at least, more common than other Pokémon, like Poochyena or something).
She noticed that it seemed to glare at them. Oh, geez, it’s hostile, isn’t it? Is it going to attack? Probably. Is that a Kanto Pokémon thing? She couldn’t remember anyone mentioning that.

“Shoot! Equius, Roxy, I think we need to fight it!”

She didn’t need to signal Pounce to fight, as Pounce could hear the alarm in her voice, and had already gotten off of Nepeta’s head, and begun fighting without command. Pounce released one of the fiercest Growls she could manage, and lowered the Absol’s defense.

[OLDROXY]

Roxy lagged back a little in order to answer Equius. "Why d'ya think??? Cos they're cuuuuuuuute! And that what Hermione would get another kitty companion. Masybe even MORE THAN A FRINED??? We could get her a catboyfriend. Omg." Roxy was pretty excited about this idea. Cats and romance. Awww yiss.

Clearly, this Equius dude did not understand the merits of cats! She was about to start explaining to him why they were undeniably the BEST, when something jumped in their path.

An Absol?

It wasn't quite what they'd been looking for, but she guess it was a cat or sorts? A big one. It was looking pretty confrontational, too! Nepeta was probably right. Okay, fightin'. She could do that.

"Hermione! Start the battle with the usual. Hit 'em with a fake out." Hermione jumped onto Roxy, before jumping straight at the Absol, getting ready to clap her paws together.

[Equius Zahhak]

[[You have my utmost apologies on lateness- college midterms + con prep. However, I am now on spring break and will be more expedient in responding]]

Roxy was undeniably infatuated with the very ideas of cats- similar to Nepeta. Equius decided his moirail had found herself a worthwhile companion.

He made a face in acceptance to her reasoning, but had no time to respond when a large, white animal of a Pokemon revealed itself to them- an Absol. Equius considered himself scholarly, and was well aware of the myths surrounding Absols. It probably meant little harm to any of them and instead stood as a warning. Until it attacked, he would not. Meaningless fighting was irrespons-

"Wait-"

And soon Roxy and Nepeta were right on it, sending their Pokemon into battle with the large cat. Cat? Was it a cat? A wolf? It was irrelevant.

"I do not think it's hostile- we should not initiate conflict." He spoke sternly to Roxy and Nepeta, who both seemed equaled enveloped in a new battle.

"Reckless."

[Wild Pokemon]

Absol looks down upon the smaller feline, the one of purple hue that had been so bold as to leap in front of her and utter a growl. Well, Absol is surprised at such a move, surprised enough to drop her defense somewhat. She wouldn't expect a smaller feline to jump up and growl at her, of all things.

Nor would she expect another one, almost as small as the last, to leap up and clap in her face. Absol half-stumbles, flinching and blinking from the stun.

Regaining composure swiftly, Absol bristles her fur, looking down at the two smaller felids and uttering a chastising feral noise, louder than both the growl and the clap.



She brings her head back up, hearing the words of someone with sense. With a leap, Absol hurls herself bodily over the two fellow Pokémon, landing in front of Equius abruptly.

Equius understands the situation, while the females do not. Though Absol's intent is to make eye contact with the male, and get the others to listen to him, her swift leaping approach looks at first glance like an intent to attack the blueblood.

[Nepeta Leijon]

The Absol releases a sort of roar or growl or something. Nepeta tries to decide what sort of noise it was, exactly, but can’t figure it out, and decides to think up more feral noises later.
Pounce basically pounces backwards in shock. Nepeta almost wants to admire the clever wordplay, but she notices that, if Pounce is too scared, she’ll be unable to battle, and Nepeta (along with Roxy and Equius, at least, if he’d actually fight) would have lost the fight.
But Pounce quickly gets back to her feet and ready to fight, and you recognize that she was simply startled.

Then, Nepeta sees it get close to Equius, and staring at him. Oh shit. She balls her fists and considers fighting it herself, but decides that she’d probably get arrested or something.

“Equius, come on, move! It’s gonna strike!”

Just moving out of the way probably won’t help. What if it strikes someone else? Or continues to go after Equius? She thinks.

“Pounce, claw it!”

Pounce immediately jumps into action. She leaps forward to scratch[/b] the Absol, however she was a little off aim and misses[/b].

[OLDROXY]

[[Yo, sorry for being such a slowpoke!]]

Roxy watched the Absol in alarm as it jumped towards Equius. Was her cute catgirl's muscly guyfriend in trouble? Nepeta definitely seemed to think so, sending Pounce back into battle immediately.

Roxy might have taken some time to consider Equius' words, but the Absol's sudden action combined with Nepeta's reaction had her convinced the 'mon was out to get him. She had to help!

"'Mione, listen up! I want you to use double-slap, got it?" The Skitty nodded bravely, but was slow to respond. After all, the Absol was so much bigger than her, and barely seemed affected by her previous attack. Nevertheless, it jumped after the wild Pokemon, aiming the double-slap it from behind.

[Equius Zahhak]

[[ I only now realized that Roxy replied I am really gomen ]]

Equius watched the large white Pokemon leap over the others. He admired how gracefully she moved- such magnificent fauna, Pokemon were. He couldn't help but appreciate each and every one. They were to be looked upon with adoration, surely.

He watched as she landed directly in front of him. He believed firmly that by nature, Pokemon were docile. Equius lowered his dark glasses to meet the gaze of the dark type, then pushed them back into place. If only he could pet it- he thought. However, even the strongest of pokemon could be hurt under his all too powerful touch. He'd even fumble with Pokeballs and the like, too often had they crumbled in his hands.
It really was a shame, Absol looked absolutely fluffy and soft.

"Is there something we can assist you with- you needn't worry about any of us. We are simply passing through. I apologize if we have treaded on your territory."

Immediately after speaking, he made a face. That was silly, Pokemon can't talk. Goshdarn it.

Equius had become so preoccupied in his one sided conversation with Absol that he'd forgotten about Nepeta and Roxy trying to initiate battle with it.
Why would they ever want to hurt something so majestic though? Majestic, and positively adorable.

[Wild Pokemon]

Irony comes in many forms. For some, it comes more often than others.

Though it is Roxy and Nepeta who declare themselves cat lovers, they were too caught up in their fear. It was only Equius who made his respect clear - and in return, he gains the Absol's respect back. She does not attack him as expected, but gives him a look of understanding. Her eyes meet his, behind those tinted spectacles, and she listens to his words - even if he thought them wasted on an animal, they are in fact quite understood.

There are still a few problems, however. As understanding as Equius is, he's a little mistaken. Absol couldn't care less about intrusion upon her territory, her reasons for stopping the children were more for their benefit than her own. But how would she communicate that...?

The second problem presents a firm reminder of itself in the form of...a firm slap, repeated twice, applied directly to her hindquarters. The sting of pain is almost ignoreable compared to the indecency of the smack to her behind. Absol's tail stiffens, her jaw sets, and she whips around to face the incredibly "fresh" Pokémon.

♫ Fate Updated

She had meant to stay calm to prove her point of being harmless, but the insult flares up her temper. Before she realizes what she's doing, dark blue claws have raked across the Skitty's face. Absol stands there, looking a little shocked she had lashed out like that, but rather justified in doing it given the circumstances, as she can still feel the humiliation's sting. Both metaphorical and literal.

[Nepeta Leijon]

Nepeta was taken a little aback when the Absol had struck out at Roxy's Skitty.
She took a quick, worried glance at Roxy. Her Skitty should be okay, right? I mean, it's just a Pokemon battle! Nepeta thought.

She crossed her arms as she looked at Equius. "See, it's hostile!" She hissed.

"Pounce, let's try that again, okay? Use Scratch!" She called out to her Pokemon.

Pounce had missed last time, but this time aimed straight at the Absol, swiping at it's side, striking the Absol with her scratch attack, and let out a loud, "Loin!" as she did so.

[OLDROXY]

"'Mioone, noooooooooo!" Roxy ran over to the cat-Pokemon and inspected her for damage. It looked like she'd been hit pretty hard! The Absol was probably a few levels above her starter. Hermione was still standing, but only just. 

"Watch out, Neps!" she called, attempting to warn her new friend of the danger, "that thing is tough as shit!!"

She couldn't help wondering if maybe Equius was right and they really were intruding on it's territory??? Maybe they ought to just run? But damn, that was such a lame way to go. If it was three against one, they really shouldn't have too much trouble! 

Whilst Nepeta was distracted the Absol, Roxy gave Hermione one of her hyper potions. It was a total fuckin' waste, in all likelihood, but she didn't wanna take any chances here.