RMDC gritted his teeth in frustration. Caia’s Ivysaur held Legato aloft, tangled in vines, unable to aim its Confusion attack. The Ralts was already weak, having won its contest with the Koffing, but not without cost. Now the Ivysaur was playing it safe, trying to wear down Legato’s energy slowly, keeping on the defensive. When Legato went limp in the Ivysaur’s grip, RMDC resigned himself to a forfeit. Nettle was in good condition, but there was no way she could get through her evolved counterpart’s superior bulk. He reached for his belt and prepared to recall Legato. But as he looked up at his Ralts, he saw that Legato’s eyes were open beneath his bowl cut. Hope flared anew. The Ivysaur relaxed its grip and began bringing Legato down to the ground, secure in its victory, and Legato sprang his trap. The Ralts twisted and flashed a Confusion at the Ivysaur at near point-blank range, full power, before it could react. The force of the attack blew the Ivysaur back. Its vines stiffened in a brief convulsion, whipping Legato into a tight spin. Before Legato hit the ground, RMDC recalled him. He held Nettle’s ball in hand, ready to send her out to finish the job - surely the Ivysaur’s resistance had been lowered by that blast - but held back, keeping his eyes on Caia. The Poison gym leader came in a few steps and dropped to one knee near her ace. Satisfied that it was out but not seriously damaged, she recalled it and waved RMDC toward her. He tucked both balls away and jogged across the challenge pitch. “Congratulations,†Caia said, clapping RMDC on the shoulder. “I thought I had you with my bait and switch, but you pulled it out in the end.†RMDC allowed himself to smile. “Barely,†he said, and he realized he was out of breath, as if he had been the one entangled by the Ivysaur. “Barely,†Caia echoed, grinning. She turned and walked, keeping her hand on RMDC’s shoulder, propelling him alongside her. The gym crew fell in behind them, talking and laughing. “I think this is what you came here for?†She held out her other hand. The Smog Badge glinted in her hand, smoked glass in striated grey and purple framed in silver. RMDC took it and pinned it to his belt in the empty slot next to Beacon’s ball. Caia smirked. “You’re gonna need a better way to store those if you’re planning on collecting the full set,†she said. “My backpack is in a rented locker. I’m not crazy enough to walk around with my valuables on my back in this town,†RMDC replied. Caia laughed and shook his shoulder. With the battle over, the groups rotated. Caia and those who had observed the battle took on cleanup duties. RMDC joined in. “There’s a game at Mankey Stadium tomorrow,†Caia said as she dumped a handful of bottles into the recyclables bag RMDC held open. “A few of us are going. You wanna come with?†He shook his head. “I’ve got a train to Albany in the morning. These badges aren’t going to collect themselves.†Caia put on an exaggerated pout. “You’re leaving so soon? You can’t just overnight the city. You’ll miss out on all the culture!†“Yeah. Culture,†RMDC deadpanned, nudging his bag full of clanking beer cans. “I’m not a city kinda guy. But I wouldn’t mind keeping in touch. Your Ivysaur is something else. I’d like to hear about how you’re raising her, from one Bulbasuar-line trainer to another.†They exchanged numbers on the return trip on the ferry. RMDC shook hands with the whole gym crowd before heading to the Pokemon Center at Grand Central Terminal. His accommodations amounted to a sleeping tube with a locking door, but it would be enough for one night. Running ball pun count: 2 641 words, and I'm planning on writing more later, both PKMN and "real" writing. Should have had that scene wrapped up days ago. Gym 1 wound up cutting into my Gym 2 time. I've really felt like I was in a sleeping tube the past couple of nights. I'm happy to be hanging out with my family, but the convertible futon couch is kinda hard on the back. I'll be glad to have a place of my own with an actual bed. I'm still looking for work in three different places: upstate New York, northern Virginia (particularly the Front Royal / Winchester region), and the Richmond, VA area. So far I still haven't gotten any bites. Part of the trouble I've had, I think, is that I don't have recent work experience because I've been a stay-at-home dad for seven years. I'd like to volunteer somewhere to build up references and at least have some kind of experience on my resume, but it's hard when I'm having to split my time between New York and Virginia. I can't commit to a regular schedule when I could be summoned away without warning. :/ Meditation was good today. I'm going to do my best to get in walking as well.
