route_1065 | Down on the Farm... er, Ranch.

Who: Ash, Konata, Smoker, Kazooie, Kairi, Vash and OPEN (Also Open to Backlogging)
Where: Pokemon Ranch (Violet City-Route 31)
When: Midday, June 16th (Or other time, since I've been gone, if you want to backlog, just let me know we can do it here. That's anyone who wants to battle, talk, or get a Pokemon Egg.)
Summary: Ash is putting up Konata in the Barn, Vash is starting his new career, and Smoker is ready for a Magikarp battle. Later, Kairi joins in to train in prep for the Violet Gym battle. (And other stuff if someone wants to join in.)
Rating: PG-13

The sun gleams off the snow-white metal roof of the Pokemon Ranch's barn. It sits against a small lake, and the doors face an open field of green and tan-colored grass. Several clouds drift lazily off overhead, a pleasant sight after the recent storms. A few berry plants can be seen to the edge of the field, near a small patch of forested area, where several bird Pokemon can be seen flying about from it into the blue sky.

The wide, red barn door opens on the right side, Ash coming into the sun as he walks with the door. A bright-yellow Mareep trots out happily, finding it's way into the field to nip at grass for the remainder of the day. Ash stands and looks out over the Ranch, a smile crossing his face at the result of his hard work. He wipes his sweat-beaded brow with his sleeve and moves off to the side where there is a large trough, and flicks a switch, which fills it with water. He kneels to wash his face in the fresh water, taking care to view his reflection for dirt and grime from the day's work. After cleaning, he turns and stands, looking out to see if anyone is nearing the gate, about 40 yards away.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ash lightly squeezed her hand happily, but subconsciously.

"I hope you'll stay here with me for a while, Nel. I enjoy spending time with you."

The 'Brave' in him was showing. He had become comfortable with her, so he wasn't as sheepish to speak his mind.

The hand squeeze caught her a bit by surprise, though she hid it rather well.

"If you would not mind me staying... then I would be glad to."

Basically Nel-speak for 'really?'. She doesn't know why, but his comment made her blush a bit. It would show, but the fact that she's got a pink stripe on her face probably hides it.

"Not at all! Even your Pokemon will enjoy their stay here!"

Ash was relived to hear her accept. His concern for Spinarak's behavior was paled in the face of Nel herself being on the Ranch. The fact that she was a breeder only made him smile brighter, knowing how much time he'll get so spend with her.

"Would you like to start your given class and help me as a Breeder while you are here?"

Spinarak would probably throw a hissy fit, but that's unavoidable. Hopefully the inevitable outburst wouldn't be as bad as it could be.

"Sure." She nodded. So mayybeee she'd already read her Breeder's handbook several times, but that was simply because she had nothing else too read. "It is only fair that I help out, since you are letting me stay."

"Glad to hear it! We'll start tomorrow. I can't wait to show you around!"

Ash just had a thought. Where was she going to sleep? She couldn't stay in the barn with everyone else... That would be rude, for the circumstance he was in...

"Would you like to stay in the Cabin while you are here? You can sleep on the couch, if you like. I'm sorry I don't have more beds here, I'd offer you mine if Marona wasn't already sleeping there."

Marona and Ash slept in the bedroom adjacent, and Rise and Athrun were in the Barn already... So the couch was the best option until Athrun and Ash finish building the bunkhouse.

...Well, whoops. "It is fine. I did not mean to be a bother."

Considering Nel was honestly used to sleeping wherever she could, usually in a heap on a sand dune, a couch was pretty awesome.

"No, Nel! You aren't a bother at all! In fact, you will be a big asset to the Ranch!"

He rubbed his thumb over her fingers as he held her hand, and gave it another squeeze. Ash's way of flirting, but was not very impressive, but... Better than nothing. ^^;

"Are you tired, Nel? I'm sure you may be after walking all day..."

Aaand now she's blushing again. "Ah... just a bit. More chasing after Spinarak then anything."

Mentioning the spider makes Larvitar twitch in his sleep. He kinda... drifted off halfway through the whole swapping-stories thing.

"Speaking of which, should I bring her in, or is it okay if she spends the night outside tonight?"

Ash squeezes her hand once more, seeing her blush, and lets go, moving over to Larvitar and picking up his cup, before moving over to the kitchen and placing it in the sink. He waited for Nel's response before continuing the preparation for her to sleep.

"Well... she is still in her Pokeball at the moment."

And Nel wasn't entirely sure if Spinarak'd would freak out or not. If the arachnid did, she would prefer it to not be near Larvitar. The dino needed a break.

"But I should probably let her out outside. That way there is no freaking out." From either party, really. She's slowly learning that most people don't like giant green spiders.

Ash didn't even realize Spinarak was in her Pokeball... Then again, he was busy watching Murkrow and Larvitar at the time.

"Oh! Alright, then. I'm sure Spinarak will enjoy it!"

Ash made his way into his room, carefully opening the door and closing it behind him, returning in a few moments with a pillow and a few blankets. If Nel would investigate this later... the pillow and one blanket was off his bed. For now, Ash wanted her to be comfortable and clean, and these blankets were fresh. Nel would have time to let Spinarak out while he was gone, if she so chose.

"Here, Nel." His eyes relaxed and flashed her a smile as he offered her the pillow from the bundle of blankets in his arms.

Sure enough, Nel was putting Spinarak's currently empty Pokeball back in her bag as Ash walked back in. She'd decided letting her out was the best option, since if the spider woke up at an ungodly hour as she liked to do and freaked out, there would hopefully be less people disturbed.

She smiled back and took the offered pillow. "Thank you."

"Mhmm!" He motions for Nel to hold onto the little dino while he spreads the sheet across the couch, tucking it in around the cushions, then spreading the next two blankets down in a similar fashion. He places the pillow against one of the arms, then steps away from his make-shift creation.

"I hope this will be okay, Nel."

Nel picked up her starter as carefully as she could so she wouldn't wake him. Larvitar sleeps like a rock anyway, so its unknown why she bothered.

"It is fine." Another smile. "Thank you for letting me stay, Ash."

Ash rubs the back of his head, a little unsure of how to milk his time with her any longer.

"You can knock on my door if you need anything. You can have anything in the fridge too..."

He smiles at her as his tired eyes relax. She sure was easy on the eyes.

"Good night, Nel. Pleasant dreams."

Down on the Farm... er, Ranch.

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