VICTORY ROAD IC INBOX

[toothaches]

COOL INBOX STUFF WILL GO HERE

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[toothaches]

_{[Maurice is kind of disproportionately distressed about this but he tries to hold it together because he is PRETTY sure this isn't what Ash called him up to talk about.]}

Y-yeah! Yeah. Or maybe I'll find a completely different Pokemon--and even then, I'll ask Jovi if he actually wants to go flying with us. Who knows, he might even be scared of heights!

I gotta talk to 'em later and let him know I'm sorry for pushin' him.

[rambling_runner]

Give 'im a treat with the apology and I bet he'll be right as rain! [ But Ash could see Maurice was blue about this. ]

Hey man, chin up. You made a mistake, that's all. We're all learnin about how to handle these Pokemon, right? He might change his mind, he might not, but there's so many birds out there. Hell, I got two. Oh- [ You can see the lightbulb pop over his head ]

Hey! You wanna borrow one for a bit? Can you use Fly yet?

[toothaches]

_{[Maurice cracks a little, scrubbing at the back of his head with his claws.]}

It's--you're right. I was just thinkin' about my folks. They kinda did the same thing to me so I'm...dealing with that right now.

_{[He shakes himself and tries to buck up.]}

Aw man, Ash, that'd be great! I don't have the badge for Fly yet, but I'm gonna be tackling the gym pretty soon! My guys are finally ready and I'm ready to see a new town.

[rambling_runner]

Hey. You realised what you're doing though.

Here, you can pick! [ Ash pulled out two Pokeballs and let them open. On one side was Hitchcock the Staraptor, large enough to ride. It gave a proud cry, shaking out it's feathers. On the other was Fionn the Braviary. He also cried out, bearing a noticeable scar on his stomach. ]

You want Hitchcock or Fionn? Hitchcock likes kicking up shit to get a fight, not cos he actually dislikes people or anything. Fionn's more serious.

[toothaches]

_{[The smile finally returns to his face when the two birds appear. They're both such neat Pokemon!]}

Hmmm, I think I'd like to try Hitchcock. I think we might have a few things in common. I'll let you know as soon as I have the badge. Thanks again, dude. If you ever wanna borrow any of my guys I'll ask 'em if it's okay. Harley is fun as hell to ride over ledges.

[rambling_runner]

I'll remember that! When you get the badge, send me a message and then I'll send Hitchcock right over. You can borrow him for...I dunno, a month? He's just helped me get a gym badge too, so he's deserved some relaxing time.

[ Hitchcock crowed in victory, and immediately puffed out his chest and spread his wings at Fionn, clearly boasting about being picked. Fionn gave him an unimpressed, defiant look. Ash quickly put his hands on their chests to push them back - he did not want to be in the middle of a bird fight! ]

[toothaches]

_{[Maurice laughs as Ash becomes a bird sandwich.]}

Congratulations on the badge, Hitchcock!

_{[He adds more shyly:]}

Can't wait to hang out again...

[rambling_runner]

[ Now safe from BIRD WARS, Ash smiled warmly. ] Yeah. It just ain't the same over a phone, innit? And I found some shit I wanna show you here, there's a shop I know you're gonna be excited about.

[toothaches]

Yeah?

_{[There's that big jagged grin again.]}

What kinda shop is i--WAIT no! Don't tell me! I wanna be surprised.

[rambling_runner]

I was gonna say, you gotta get here to find out! I ain't gonna tell ya, so it means you gotta get here now. Especially if you wanna borrow Hitchcock. [ He pats hitchcock, who continues to preen himself up. ]