[Expedition] Ooh shit, HI peepaw [Grandpa & Lex ]

[Shaddaling]

Let's go! Expedition time!​

Players participating: Shaddaling & Andraia


Trainers participating: Ranveer Maan Lex Travae
Pokémon participating:

Ranveer	407 / Francisco	488 / Isha	572 / Paulie	456 / Arita	612 / Amir	#773
Lex	125 / Fat Kevin	198 / Nimbus	481 / Tempest	506 / Nilla	619 / Coon	732 / Poppy

Expedition area: Newbreeze Grassland

 

[Andraia]

Ranveer "Grandpa" Maan

Trainer Stats	1	2	2	5	-	2	2	1	1	5
​	STRENGTH​	VITALITY​	DEXTERITY​	INSIGHT​	SPECIAL​	TOUGH​	COOL​	BEAUTY​	CLEVER​	CUTE​
Francisco #407 - Beginner - Timid Fuecoco​	2 (4)​	2 (4)​	2 (3)​	2 (4)​	3 (4)​	2 (5)​	2 (5)​	2 (5)​	1 (5)​	2 (5)​
Isha #488 - Beginner - Relaxed Nidoran (F)​	3 (4)​	2 (4)​	2 (3)​	1 (3)​	1 (3)​	1 (5)​	1 (5)​	4 (5)​	2 (5)​	1 (5)​
Paulie #572 - Beginner - Hardy N. Poliwag​	1 (3)​	1 (3)​	3 (5)​	2 (3)​	2 (4)​	3 (5)​	2 (5)​	1 (5)​	1 (5)​	2 (5)​
Arita #456 - Beginner - Gentle Rattata​	3 (4)​	1 (3)​	3 (5)​	1 (3)​	1 (3)​	1 (5)​	1 (5)​	1 (5)​	1 (5)​	5 (5)​
Amir #612 - Beginner - Adamant Lefmew​	1 (3)​	1 (3)​	2 (4)​	4 (4)​	1 (3)​	2 (5)​	2 (5)​	1 (5)​	1 (5)​	1 (5)​
??? #773 - Starter - Calm N. Scatterbug​	1 (3)​	1 (3)​	1 (3)​	1 (3)​	1 (3)​	1 (5)​	2 (5)​	1 (5)​	1 (5)​	2 (5)​

 

[Shaddaling]

Lex breathed in deep, taking in the salty breeze coming up over the grasslands. "What do you think, Poppy? Does it smell good?" He asked the soft pink pokemon at his boots. She twitched a large fluffy ear, red eyes wide and gave a distress "CInnnnnn."

"The outdoors aren't going to hurt you. You are fine." Lex said, gently nudging her off his boot. "I been trying to fine a sentret. They keep escaping me."

"Mo?"

"Yup, maybe you can help?" He asked, kneeling down and grinned as she plopped a little pink paw on his knee, giving a wibbly "MO?"

"Now do you want to walk? Or do you want to ride on my shoulder? You got to behave though," he warned and chuckled as she tugged against his pant leg's wanting up. "Up we go. Now let's be off." He pointed out, starting off into the wildness.

He set off for the coast, stroking her soft fur to keep her calm as she gave small squeaky nervous noises near his ear.

 

[Andraia]

Ranveer has been having a lovely day so far.

He had had a bit of a lie-in that morning (slept until nearly 8am) until Zahir and Regina let him know that they were tired of waiting for breakfast. They had a lovely breakfast in the building communal kitchen (where they convinced a young resident who had been about to eat instant noodles for breakfast to join them) and then spent some time finalizing a couple of letters he wanted to send this week. After all that had been in order, he had decided to strike out into the wilderness again!

As it was such a fine day, he decided to take the beach route. The breeze communing off the water was a lovely counter to the warmth of the sun, and both he and Francisco (the fuecoco) were enjoying it immensely. When they reached a rocky area with some tide-pools, Grandpa decided it was a good opportunity for Paulie (the nauwillian poliwag) to stretch their legs. Fins.

He clicked the button to call out his pokemon, and deposited the creature into one of the nearest pools. Grandpa gave them a little skritch before standing back up (slowly – his knees were not what they used to be). “Why don’t you have a little play here? I’ll just be over there,” he said, gesturing to a conveniently placed and relatively comfortable looking rock that was perfectly situated under one of the sparse trees that dotted the grasslands.

Francisco stayed by the pool to play with his friend, and Grandpa made himself comfortable. (Or as comfortable as he was going to get sitting on a rock.) He was quite content to rest there, until he heard squeaking and looked over to see a well dressed young person approaching. Although Ranveer had never met him, that didn’t stop him from putting on a big smile and waving.

“Hello there! Taking advantage of the nice weather to do a bit of exploring as well?”

 

[Shaddaling]

"It is lovely out," Lex replied cheerfully, shifting to get a better look and gave a surprise noise. Oooh, Ooh, it was Nauwhil's new grandpa. Hi Grandpa. "But mostly I been working with Poppy." He lifted the small pokemon of his shoulder, setting her into the sand.

She sneezed, peering up with big red eyes at Ranveer before giving an unhappy little noise, scurrying behind him.

"She rather timid so we been working together to desensitize her to things." He walked over, offering a hand to Grandpa, giving a broad easy smile. "I'm Lex. I work with Fairlight, mostly doing social spotlights. And some explorations."

"Would you mind an interview? I'm sure everyone would love to know how you find the island and why you decided to travel here."

 

[Andraia]

“Oh! What a sweet little girl she is.” Grandpa cooed, smiling reassuringly at the nervous pokemon hiding behind her trainer. “There is nothing wrong with being a bit nervous. I’m sure with your help she’ll be comfortable and confident in no time!” He didn’t recognize her species – maybe she was one of the fusions he’d been hearing about? He knew there were more than just Oscar (the omaloom). Or maybe she was just a new species unique to the island! What a facinating place Nauwille was.

An interview? “Well,” Ranveer said thoughtfully, “I don’t know if I’ve been here long enough to have too much of interest to tell you, but if it would be helpful to you I certainly have no objections.”

The old man shuffled over on his wide-flat rock to make space for the other trainer. “You should have a seat though! Save your legs for exploring!”

As the pair talked, Francisco (the fuecoco) the left his companion in the tide pool in order to come over and investigate the new arrivals. He toddled up straight towards Lex and Poppy, but Grandpa quickly called him over before he could get close enough to upset the timid creature. The old man scooped the fuecoco up and settled him in his lap, giving him some scratches and headpats to keep him distracted. “This is Francisco. Very sweet little man. He reminded me of my great grandson, which is how he got his name. Can be a bit of a handful though!”

 

[Shaddaling]

"She's a Minccimola," Lex replied, still getting use to the species name. It was actually rather adorable. "So a Mincinno and a Alomomola fusion." He smiled brightly. "Ooh, I have no doubt you have a lot of fantastic insight to offer." He joined Ranveer on the rock, Poppy following behind him with little noises of upset that her shield had moved.

She bristled slightly at Franscisco, short soft fur fluffing up in a pink cloud in an attempt to make her look big and scary. She squeaked, scurring behind Lex, giving unhappy little chittering noises before falling silent as she was gently pet. Her red eyes shut as she was gently scratched under the chin.

"So noisy. It if fine sweet heart. It just a fuecoco. You are fine." He shrugged the bag from his shoulder, one handed pulling out a tape recorder, a notebook, and pen. "Do you mine if a record your answers?" He opened the recorder, checking the tape. Unused. Good. "And is there anything you absolutely don't want to talk about?"

 

[Andraia]

“Oh, I don’t think that should be a problem.” Ranveer said. Francisco (the fuecoco) started getting fussy again, wanting to investigate the minccimola again now that she was closer, but Grandpa put him back on the ground and directed him back towards Paulie (the nauwillian politoad) who was shooting up little jets of water to attract his play-pal back.

“If there are any questions I’m uncomfortable with I’ll let you know.” He assured the younger trainer. “I think I’m pretty open book though.”

 

[Shaddaling]

"Wonderful. Let's get started." Lex set up recording and pressed record. "Good Morning," he said. "Today is" he rattled of the date and time, "And we are in Nauwhil Newbreeze Grasslands. Our guess today is one of our oldest residents. Would you care to introduce yourself? Your name and a hobby would be sufficient, but feel free to add what ever you wish."

Poppy crawled towards the end of the bolder peering down at Francisco and Paulie in interest, but made no move to leave the rock. She flicked her tail back and forth, settling down flat against the bolder.

 

[Andraia]

Ranveer chuckled at the description. It certainly wasn’t inaccurate. “Good morning! My name is Ranveer Maan, and I am eighty-seven, which I suppose is a bit older than most of the people who have come here. Since I retired about… oh… almost twenty years ago now, I would say that I’ve been quite varied in my hobbies! My grandchildren are always telling me about new things, you know, and sometimes they get me involved. I quite enjoy getting to do things with them.”

“It’s also very important to keep your mind active as you age! I started taking correspondence courses with Viridian Academy – my niece is a professor there, you see, and she suggested it – and it was through one of their newsletters I heard about Nauwill. I never really did the whole Pokemon Adventure thing as a youngster and I thought, well, better late than never!”

Over by the tide pools, Francisco (the fuecoco) and Paulie (the nauwillian politoad) continue to splash around, quite happy in their own little world.

 

[Shaddaling]

"And what an adventure you are going on. Instead of following the well beaten path of trainers before you, you get to make your own," Lex snagged the pause in the conversation, filling it easily. "Has it been hard being away from you grandchildren? You seem to have a good rapport with them."

"And how did you find your classes though the Viridian Academy? They are one of our big three groups on the island, and I'm sure our audience would love to hear your take on them." He finished smoothly, rummaging in his pack before pulling out a container of berries catching Poppy sudden attention.

She eagerly scrambled into his lap, looking up with big hopeful eyes for a snack.

 

[Andraia]

“My children and grandchildren were already spread out pretty far. I traveled around a lot to see them, and between visits I would send letters. I know it is quite old fashioned to send paper mail, but I find it very satisfying and it means I can include little trinkets or photos I think they’ll find interestings.” Ranveer explained.

“The classes were quite interesting, and the material was very well organized. It was easy to follow, even for an old man like me.” Grandpa said with a laugh. “My sponsorship to come here is through them, in fact!”

 

[Shaddaling]

"I find it exciting to receive physical mail, there is just something satisfying about opening it and I have no doubt most of our listeners agree. Though I do tend to rely mostly on texting. It is just so convenient when trying to keep in touch." Lex said cheerily.

"Ah! That is wonderful, I took some classes in college where the material was a mess. It is always appreciated when there is care taken to make sure the information is easy to absorb and follow." Lex replied. "But lets get to the heart of the questions I know our listeners are waiting on."

"What pokemon was your starter on Nauwhil, and have you captured your first pokemon on the island and if so what was it?" Lex opened the container on his lap, holding out a berry to Ranveer. "Also, would you care to feed Poppy? And could I take a picture, possibly to be used in the spot light with your permission?"

 

[Andraia]

“My first pokemon on the island was little Francisco, the fuecoco, over there.” Grandpa said, gesturing to where his pokemon were playing. “Although my first pokemon ever was my arcanine – growlith at the time, of course – Zahir. Zahir is an old man now too, haha, so he chooses to stay behind in the apartment rather than much around in the woods with me.”

“The first pokemon I caught was little Arita. She’s a rattata.” He took a ball out of his bag to show Lex. “I got here just after the storm, you know, and she was shuffling about amongst the debris we were clearing off the beach.”

Grandpa took the berry happily and held it out in a flat palm, close to the rock to make it as easy and intimidating for the minccimola as possible. “Of course, I’d love give the pretty little girl a treat, and I don’t mind being in a photograph. Could I maybe get a copy of the picture? One of my granddaughters would love to see Poppy.

 

[Shaddaling]

"What wonderful names, is there a reason for your choices? Poppy is named for the flower, her eyes remind me of them. Tempest is actually named after the storm that blew though, since I found him in the same clean up." Lex pulled out his phone, zooming in. "Of course, you can have a copy."

Poppy gave a small displeased squeak as the berry was passed not to her, but to the stranger. Her nose flared, smelling the sweet fruit and she slowly and carefully approached, eyeing Grandpa warily. She wiggled, darting forward to shoved the fruit in her cheek pouches. Little cheeks rounding out, bulging with her treat before she scurried back, spitting it out to nibble in piece behind her trainer.

Lex snapped a number of pictures, scrolling though them to pic the best ones. "Poppy is a Minccimola. Is she the first fusion you have experience on the island?" He prompted.

 

[Andraia]

Grandpa chuckled quite heartily at the question about names, and got a slightly wistful look for a moment. “Well, I’ve never been very good at naming anyone. My wife and I had quite a few children you see, and after the first two she stopped even asking me for suggestions! So I’m afraid I haven’t been very creative with my names. In fact, all of the pokemon I’ve obtained since arriving I’ve named after various members of my family.”

He gestured back to his pokemon playing in the water. “Francisco, the fuecoco, there is named after my great-grandson. He is still just a little baby, and when I picked up that fuecoco for the first time he looked at me in just the same way! Paulie, the nauwillian poliwag, is named for nephew who was a competitive swimmer back when he was in school.”

“Poppy isn’t the first fusion I’ve met, as it happens. I actually have a little omaloom myself! I left them back at the apartment for this trip though, as they seem to prefer it. He’s named after one of my older grandsons, Oscar, who is a very easy-going young man.”

 

[Shaddaling]

"That is rather sweet." Lex said, somewhat between laughing and cooing. Poor Oscar, Omaloom was not a pretty fusion. "So how are you adjusting to the island life? Outside of your family, is there something you miss? A favorite fast food chain? A favorite store? Even something as simple as not having to sweat in our rather humid hot weather."

 

[Andraia]

“I’m finding Island life quite comfortable, actually. No complaints. It’s been very exciting living in a dorm and getting to know my neighbours. I’ve always been very flexible about things like good, and environment, so none of that has been off putting at all.”

He shifted on the rock. It was a nice spot, but it was still a rock and he had been sitting there for a while. “I think I’m going to need to get up and stretch my old legs soon. Would you mind if we took this interview on the road? Or even perhaps just down the tide pools and back?”

 

[Shaddaling]

"Not at all. It be good for Poppy to explore a bit instead of hiding behind me." Lex stood up, swinging his bag back on. "Lets rephrase that last question. What would you like to see on the island. Doveport is growing, slowly but surely. But what do you think would most improve the city?" He asked.

Poppy glanced at him, ears flickering before sliding down the boulder, scurrying after him.

 

[Andraia]

Grandpa got up from his perch (a bit slowly, he was nearly 90 after all) and started moving towards the shore where he could pick up his pokemon. “Did you two have fun? We’re going to go for a bit of a walk now. Why don’t you rest up in your ball Paulie? I don’t imagine you want to spend too much time walking around in the grass!” He pressed the button to recall the Paulie (the nauwillian poliwag) and reached down to give Francisco (the fuecoco) a couple headpats as compensation for breaking up their play.

“Why don’t we head this way?” Ranveer suggested to Lex, and started leading them deeper into the grasslands. Francisco (the fuecoco) scurried along happily at his side, although he kept looking over at Poppy. He seemed eager for a new playmate, but was also quiet timid around new people and new pokemon, so he kept close to Grandpa.

“Oh, well, if they were going to ask me what I thought they could use more of… I would like to see some more bakeries! There are some baked goods available of course, but not as wide a variety as I would like. Every region has their own signature baked goods, you know. I started doing a bit of baking myself to take some of the things I can’t get here, but I’m still a bit hopeless, I’ll admit.”

The old man fished around in his bag for a moment before pulling out a little plastic container with something orange inside. He opened it up and the air was immediately filled with a sweet scent. Inside were strings of deep fried dough, shaped in what were probably supposed to be spirals but looked more like knots. They were covered in a sticky looking glaze. “I tried making these jalebi last night! I haven’t quite got the hang of it yet, but they turned out better than my last batch.”