Pokemon Sandbox The Ranch

[Philemonite]

As you look at the ranch you can see it was deserted for a while. However, this doesn't stop your enthusiasm, since you are determined to make this ranch shine. With two pokemon of your own and two eggs that are about to hatch you are ready for this adventure.

[Elbeyon]

Feel free to interrupt at any point. Just getting some busy work out of the way instead of doing it in 4 or 5 posts :P

The noisy, annoying beeping of an alarm came from nearby her bed. The day hadn't even broke yet and her long day had already started. Filled with anticipation she awoke with clarity. She felt around for the off button and softly pressed it down. Rang and Pion were ready, one climbing up into the bed to press against her flesh the other flying around the room crying out with excitement. Gathering both she gave them a loving hug and parted with a few warm words about the special event. Letting the moment soak in she finished off the hug with a tight squeeze and asked them to help her get ready. Most of her things were prepacked so it wasn't much of an ordeal. She prepared for her day as usual, getting dressed, combing her hair, general hygiene stuff. Normally she'd eat with her family, but it was too early for that plus they were still sleeping. With everything packed, her friends ready, and the list checked twice she just had one last thing to do. She sat down at the living room table and wrote out a simple note. Wishing her family well and reminding them that the three of them would visit often. They each signed off, some with letters the others with a stamped claw. Together they excited their home for the last ten years, about a month for Pion, and took one final glance before they started their long walk. The ranch was a half hour walk away, and the sun wasn't shining all that bright.

Arriving a bit tired, the trio took a rest near the trainer's trail and decided to break bread there. For the longest time now Linda hadn't really done much physical labor so the trip was more taxing than it should have been. A simple meal consisting of packed food and pokeblock. The meal was noisy as the two Pokémon happily played together with Linda participating and encouraging them along the way. The meal ended with a teasing Rangy playing with Pion's food. The chase didn't last long before Gligar got it back and the three were ready to continue forward. Standing before the unreadable worn sign of the ranch, a sense of purpose and passion drove the three forward.

With wet grass underfoot Linda waded through the overgrown weeds. Struggling along the way as they presented more of a challenge than one would think. As she stepped on the porch, she truly wondered if the inspection was correct. They had promised that the building was safe and sturdy after all these years of abandonment, but the building certainly didn't look it. Approaching the window she pressed against it to view into her new, well, old, home. After her eyes adjusted, she was met with about she would expect. A dusty window, much like the house within though it was hard to make out. Her Pokémon joined her in the attempt as they pressed their faces against the glass alongside her. "Come on guys. Let's check it out before we get started with the cleaning." They nodded along.

Linda slid a key out of her pocket and held it as if it was precious, gripping firmly she pushed it through the lock and slowly turned the knob. The door creaked open and dust filled the air as a cool morning breeze entered their home. As they shuffled inward Linda submitted to a quick cough as the dust clung to her. "It's a little dustier than I remember." She Joked. Most of the furniture was pawned off so the house was mostly empty. A few end tables stood tall amongst the dusty unoccupied floor room. In front of her just beyond the front doors stood the stairs to the second floor. On either side a series of archways to the bottom rooms. She took her time walking through each room in the house recalling pleasant, fuzzy memories of her childhood. The power was already on, and the water ran clear and fine. It was a bit sparse, unlike the room she had chosen for her bedroom. Her room was clean and arranged with about as much furniture as you'd expect for a new home. Her bed was on the far side of the room, alongside an end table, and her dresser was alongside the wall next to the window overlooking the property. She put her bags to the side of the room, each packed with what she'd be living with for the next short while. Mostly cloths, food, and basic necessities. "Let's unpack after it starts to get dark. We've got a lot of work to do."

Walking through the overgrown grass they soon found the old Pokemon fences. Though most of the poles were still in decent condition she noted a few that would need replaced. Still nothing she wasn't prepared for. She tapped the end of a pole calling for attention, "Alright, let's get started. First, let's cut all this grass! It's not safe to have it this tall. We wouldn't want any surprises now would we." From her backpack she pulls out a large, long pair of something similar to scissors. "With your guy's help it shouldn't take us all that long." Shears in hand she gives the order to start, "Rangy use Scratch! Pion use Cut!" Certainly the slowest amongst them, Linda quickly falls behind the two as they speed their way through the grass. Only driving Linda to pour effort into her scissoring. Only after just beginning sweat starts to drip from her forehead. Just after thirty minutes of working she's whipped, and thumps to the ground on her bum, "This is a lot harder than I thought." Her Pokemon approached her worried, but she affirms she's alright and asks to take a break. A slow process with more water breaks than working starts to take place.

Tough physical labor counts as training right? :smallbiggrin: Thirty minutes of training for 1/8 hp damage and then an hours break to regain that much hp. At least starting off. Depending on how long it's taking they might start taking less breaks.

[Elbeyon]

Feel free to interuipt this post at any time. :smallsmile:

Just past afternoon, Linda pauses pulling herself upright away from the grass. Breathing heavy she gazes out towards their work so far. The majority of the cutting is done. Large stacks of cut grass sit in various spots, mostly towards the front of the ranch. She takes a deep breath and slowly walks into the shade of a large tree. The group had long since been storing a cooler of various drinks and normal berries for breaks. Still hard at work her two Pokémon are whacking away at the grass. "Rangy, Pion! Let's take a break!" calling out and motioning them towards her. As they make their way over she pours them some iced water. "Let's call it there for now. I'm getting a bit hungry. What about you guys?" A cheer comes from the Gliger while Rangy mimics his owner and leans against the tree giving a sigh of relief. Pion is quick to join the two, and soon all three are drinking, looking over the progress they've made.

With the afternoon sun overhead lowering, Rangy gets up and starts to tug on Linda, grunting with each pull. "Hm? Is the break over already?" Pion shakes his head, while Rangy raises his arms repeatedly, cheering. Still seated Linda rest her hand on Rangys head and gentle rubs it, "Alright, Let's get going. Pion feel free to keep taking a break alright? We'll start on lunch and we'll call you if you're still not inside by then." Nodding Pion closes his eyes. Still sore from the workout, a sensation of fatigue and dulled senses are there to greet the raising trainer. With a deep breath and a long exhale Linda double-checks that she's retrieved her equipment, including the egg warmer. Hand in hand, the two begin their walk towards the house.

Making her way into the kitchen Linda moves over to the fridge and starts pulling out some fresh produce. Lettuce, tomato, nuts, olives, etc etc... All the workings of a salad. She grabs a knife from the drawer and lays a cutting board next to the sink. Rangy at the time is mostly playing around, running around the kitchen using his fur to dust anything that still looks dirty. Spying the event, “If you want to dust there is a duster in our bags. It’s in the long bag.” Quick on the uptake the fellow runs up the stairs while Linda finishes. With Pion still outside and rangy up stairs she gets an idea. Exciting the house she makes her way over to the black bell in front of the house. It’s a good foot taller than her and a stringy rope hangs off to the side of it. Giving it a good pull it lets out a solid ring that surely covers a good portion of the ranch. Soon after, she spots Pion flying overhead straight for her face. During lunch the excited trainer shares stories about all the adventures she used to have as a kid. Telling them tell after tell about the time she got lost in the nearby forest for half a morning.

After Lunch, they work on cutting grass for a couple more hours before their done for the day. Returning home half dead, they take the time to get the day's filth off them. Running a warm shower Linda takes the time to scrub down her two Pokémon, especially Rangy. Dirt and dust turn to mud and grim as they wash away. She lathers up a brush and scrubs away at both of them. Large piles of suds grow on each one and before long the three are playing away with the destructible spheres. Rinsing down the tub she starts up a warm bubble bath while the two continue their playing outside the bathroom. Soaking and letting her tired muscle recover some of their stamina. Supper goes much like lunch with tells of wonder. The meal ends long before the conversation dies down, and the three soon trudge to bed.

This really was the hardest she's ever worked. More tired than she's experienced she walks in front of her bed, her two Pokémon climbing in first, and she lazily falls in between her friends. Laying face down, she mumbles something into her pillows which her Pokémon reply in turn by poking her. With effort she flips over and grabs both of them, one in each arm. "I can't believe it." She says. Her eyes being to wail up with tears. "After all these years I'm finally here again." She moves her hand to wipe her eyes, "Sorry, I'm just really happy." She squeezes them tightly and gives them a kiss on the forehead. Which with rangy means she's soon spitting out hair, "I love you guys." And, they soon drift to sleep.

Waking up late, a few hours after sunrise, Linda makes her way outside into the fresh morning air. With a stretch, a few thoughts cross her mind. If all goes well she'll be able to complete everything she needs too and she'll be able to open today. And, the fact that she was so busy yesterday she must have been too focused to spot any Pokémon. Finishing her stretch she's in a hopefully and jolly mood today. "Pion!, Rangy!" The ranch actually looks like it might be inhabited for once. From afar everything appears to be in working order, but that'd fade if people looked closer. Something she plans to fix today.

[Elbeyon]

Sorry about the delay. Feel free to interrupt this post at any time. This should be the last long post since the ranch is up. Now posts can move back and forth if your good with that. :smallsmile: Which is good because I'm getting pretty bored of just typing to myself.


Thumps and bumps echo down the stairway as the two rush down with morning energy. With an hour for breakfast the group sits on the front porch munching away on fruits while Linda goes over the plans and tasks of the day. With just a wee bit of luck they should be ready to open by the end of the day.

The grass and woodwork will have to wait while the morning dew is out. After cleaning up breakfast Linda moves through the house, gently pushing a door they’ve barely opened, a mixture of dust and air giving proof to that. Pitch black, the young trainer waves her hand near the wall searching for a switch, but long before she gets close her friendly Rangy lights up the room. The trio begins their search through the sorted tools of the shack. An odd mixture of worn and new tools amongst themselves as some are nearly twenty years old while others were brought here with Linda just the other day. Posthole digger, hammer, etc etc. One by one the tools they need are moved outside. Today's first order of business being fixing the Pokémon fence.

With some effort, somewhat worn by yesterday's exhaustion, Linda starts to carry some of the larger tools over near the fence while the others carry the small bits and bobs. Stationed and comfortable with the arrangement the real work begins. With a grunt she pops one end of the log over her shoulder. The other end resting on the ground until the swift Rangy does the same though the difference in height is staggering as the beam lies at near a forty five degree angle. They begin their slow walk over as Pion is hard at work. With a claw faster than any tool he swiftly begins to shift the dirt around a rotted post to all sides of it, nearly digging it up before the two are there. As a team the two Pokémon hold on to the rotted post as Linda pulls the nails out, when that's done all three work at tugging the rotted post out and replacing it with anew, then finally with the two Pokémon at the base of the new post Linda hammers the fence to the secured post. The process repeats itself a couple of times as they repair the fence into something adequate and safe.

In only a matter of hours they are done and since the weather is in an agreeable mood it lifts the dew as normal for such a sunny day. Rangy is already at work giving the grass the One. Two. One. Two. As he scratches through it, each stroke of the claws clearing away noticeable patches. Meanwhile, "Sand Attack!", was blasting the old ranch sign. Each attack pealing off the old paint flakes while Linda was on hand ready to apply the sealer to the exposed wood. It'd take about twenty four hours to dry, but after that it'd be ready for the next step. Together they finished off the rest of the grass, leaving piles of it every which way.

Past noon they moved inside. With duster and cloth they slowly moved through each room, wiping away dust. Pulling and tossing cobwebs as they went. Sweeping dirt along the old floor boards and tossing it outside. Hours and hours of cleaning as everything was wiped down top to bottom and placed in its proper spot. By the end, it looks like the house is actually lived in, a bit old, but definitely lived in. They’d finished a bit early, a few hours before sunset. Spending the rest of the day training and lounging around, relaxing after the last two days, a spur of physical labor that none were use too.

Awaking on time, daybreak, they went to the outside shed door and opened her up. They took a clothed, large objected from it and begin to haul it towards the ranch entrance each with cheer and a long smile on their face all along the way. They grabbed the cloth and yanked her off, revealing the Little Steps sign. Nerves on end, and with excited accuracy they wiggled the small chains through the ranch entrance and hosted up the sign. With the wood protected, and the sign swinging in the early morning air they let out a cheerful scream, “We did it! Little Steps is open!” Arms in the air Linda kept cheering as her Pokemon played showing a deftness their trainer never could.

[Elbeyon]

"Phew, that was a lot of work. Hardest I've ever worked. Are you guys hungry? Let's go have breakfast. Then, maybe a nap, ok?" Giving a chuckle at her joke, "I think this is the first time since we've got here that' we've had a bit of free time." Looking down at the two, they seemed pleased at the very least. "Come on, up you go." Lowering her hand down to Rangy's level he grabs a hold and climbs up into her other arm. "You too Pion." Rangy in her arms, and Pion on her back she passes through the front yard, taking in the view of the mountains in the background, the Pokémon thick forest, and the sweeping plains in between them and her Ranch. "I wonder what we're going to do today."

After breakfast the trio found themselves on the front porch, lying on their backs lazily kicking their feet off the side. Dreaming of what's to come while giving the entrance an intent glance once in a while. Rangy rolls over and picks himself up, pulling on Linda's arm soon after. "What's wrong?" she asks. He gives a couple Pokémon shouts, pointing to where they trained the other day. "Do you want to do some training?" Tugging on her arm, he gives a couple of excited shouts to show she'd guessed correctly. Pushing up off the clean porch her mind on training she gets a thought. "Ah! Pion help me out with something!" They make their way over to the fences and she moves over to one of the rotted logs. "We can use these as training dummies, at least for a little while." They give a cheer, and in about half a hour they've got their rotted logs rooted behind the house. Wiping her hands clean of some of the grimly slim, "This should work. You guys ready to begin?"

Rangy practices giving the dummies the old stare down, using leer, they seem unaffected, but Linda tries her best to guide her Pokémon. Pion has no such troubles; with a suite of moves he’s at no disadvantage on the variety he can produce compared to Rangy. “Nice job, Pion!” Alternating between his moves, Rangy, starts to rough up his dummies giving it some gashes near the bottom as he unleashes a flurry of stretches on it. “Good, keep it up Rangy.” The morning drains away as the three put in the hours, though at times Linda starts to get the impression that there might be a couple hard feelings between the two, she doesn’t want to say anything quite yet. Since she’s unsure what’s going on.

Nearly noon, everyone's getting tired and a bit sloppy with their moves. Linda takes a breath, her voicing near straining, and thumps down on the grass, "Let's stop for now, OK?" With pride Pion gives one last sand attack, and then says something to Rangy. The two start discussing back and forth and it starts to get heated as their shout become sharper and a bit louder. As if to display his prowess Pion uses a move on one of the logs nearly cutting it in half. Landing atop it, once again he starts to boast. Rangy lets out a couple shouts then uses his move on the same log. It doesn't cut nearly as deep and the situation worsens. Stamping his feet, Rangy lets out one more shout, his mouth alights with flame, and his spit replaced with ember as it flies out toward the log. Linda off her feet since the fight happened, and already on her way, gasps at the flames. "Oh, no!" Running over, the logs mostly smoldering, but it's a bit aflame. The three work together to smother it before it gets out of hand. She gives them both a scowl, "No more fighting." Softening her voices and tone, she tries to smooth things over, "You guys are friends. You shouldn't fight unless there is a really good reason. Now let's make up." She gets the two to give a slight hug then picks them up and starts to carry them away.

“That was really neat Rangy, I guess you learned a new move didn’t you.” His mood improving he nestles against his trainer some. "I didn't know that you liked training so much. I'm sorry we've never really practiced. But, from now on we'll train as much as you want! ...Well, maybe not that much. You've got a lot more energy than me. But, we'll start training from now on, OK?." Turning her head, she sticks her tongue out at Pion, "And, you too."

Back out front there is still no sign of a customer. “Well, I guess we’ve only been open a couple hours. We shouldn’t expect too much, huh.” She gives her Pokémon a look. “Let's go to town! We can try to find some trainers there!” Linda puts an "out to town" sign on the entrance, leaving her number on it just in case someone needs to call her then the three set out on the route.

[Philemonite]

As Linda exits the ranch she almost bumps into a man. As she takes a closer look she notices that he seems nervous, as if he is unsure of what he wants.
"Are you the lady that is running this ranch. If yes, I have a proposition for you. Nothing illegal, I assure you." He says with a nervous tone in his voice.

[Elbeyon]

Gripping Rangy in her arms and Pion on her back she inhales a deep breath and departs from the ranch. Realizing this is the first time that she's left since she got here.

Avoiding the near miss. "Oh! I'm sorry I didn't see you there. I wasn't expecting..." As he mentions the Ranch she gives a wide grin, "Good afternoon, I'm Linda and yes sir I'm running Little Steps." Her voice changing to meet the happy nature of her smile, "We just opened this morning."

"What type of business did you have in mind? If it's lengthy we could move porch side; I could offer you a drink."

Pion seems nervous, giving a worried tug on Linda's shoulder.

[Philemonite]

"No, I really don't have much time, so I should get to the point. My name is Eliot and I have a chain of stores throughout the entire region. We have a very strict, no discount policy. However, some of our items are not selling as well as we would like. I was wondering if you would be interested in selling our leftover items at half price? I can not do it myself, and I think this ranch has potential to become a busy trade center." He flashed a nervous smile, hoping that she will except his offer.

[Elbeyon]

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. It's nice to meet you though, Eliot. I'm not really sure. I just started so I'm not that busy, but eventually I'll have my hands full. I don't think I'll have time eventually." Trying to not to dash all his hopes, "Hm. What type of items? If they're Pokemon related then the ranch itself might be able to use them eventually. And, I'm sure trainers would enjoy the discounts. Hm, how about, if they are Pokemon items we give it a try, but soon as it starts interfering with my Little Steps duties I'll have to cancel."

"Since you're in a hurry why don't you give me your number. That way I'll be able to contact you for the details and if the situation changes." Linda pulls her Pokedex from her back pocket, ready to type in the nervous fellow's number.

[Philemonite]

"We mostly sell trainer equipment, TMs, special pokeballs, stuff like that. We might even have a few pokemon you can use for trade. We can send you our first batch tomorrow, if you want." Eliot checks his watch nervously. "I am sorry, I am already late, so I have to go. Here is my number, I will await your answer. Goodbye." Without giving her a chance to respond he runs of to his next errand.

[Elbeyon]

“Bye”, Linda gives an exaggerated wave seeing him off with some vigor. Looking down at Rangy then up at Pion, “That was fun. What good luck. I’m glad we opened when we did or we would have missed him.”

“What do you guys think, should we sell goods for the guy?” Pion is really the only one that answers, shaking his head. “Ah, maybe…”

Setting off one last time, they start making their way across the forest echoing with the songs of flying mons as the sparse trees let glimmers of light shine through. The dirt path underneath her foot was a welcoming and familiar feeling. She lit up with excitement as she crested the top of a small hill and looked at the wonder that was her hometown, Mauville City. Nearby there was a hidden stream with waters clear as the sky and its beauty comparable to paradise, or that’s what the locals would say anyway, if you asked them. As it became better known and common knowledge, picnics started to become a common sight amongst the shore as weary travelers stopped by. Their stomachs let out a growl.

“Heh, heh”, her face slightly blushed in embarrassment, “We haven’t eaten since the morning have we. Let’s eat at our favorite spot Ok rangy? You’ll love it too Pion.” Picking up her pace, Linda held her Pokémon in her arms and started a fast walk toward town.

They made their way into the café, the smell of sweets already having filled their noses from a block away. Heading over to the counter, “Hello. I’ll have three Parfaits, please. Strawberry!”, Topping her sentence with a smile. Just ordering Linda walked out to one of tables out front and took a rest in the sun while they waited for their order. “Don’t worry Pion it’ll be delicious. Right, Rangy?” He gives a little mini-cheer. Gligar flew atop his trainer's head, and eagerly awaiting the new mystery food. The order was soon filled as a waiter came out placing the three Parfaits on the small table. Taking the long spoon she slide it under some of the cold wet texture and offered it up to her new ‘hat’. The food didn’t last long as it was chomped down by the purple fellow. Having a good time the three enjoyed sharing Pion’s first treat with him and their laughs were precious memories.

After lunch, they stepped out of the café patio and revisited the town they hadn't left all that long ago. Window shopping all throughout the business district they took in the sites with new eyes as if they never saw the place. Trainers walking around just as normally as she was with her Pokemon. Through the day she had seen several Pokemon battles and by late afternoon it gave her an idea. If more people knew about her ranch then she'd see more people. A simple idea, but it had its value.

She walked into a store, met with one of the capable employees and drew up what she was asking for. A simple flyer with her logo and some facts on it. With pride and a well of energy she stepped outside and started spreading the good word about Little Steps. It was nice to take claim of something and look after it, in a way it was like she was raising the ranch as if it was a Pokemon. She walked up to trainers, offering them friendly conversation and a flyer or two for themselves and their friends. She scouted for empty spots on telephone polls, placing a flyer where there was space. She even made her way into a couple businesses and with a bit of charm convinced them to put a poster up on their window. Late evening, she was exhausted walking back to Little Steps, "Uhh. I'm so tired." Letting out a yawn, "I had fun today. I'm sure you guys did too." Nuzzling her Pokemon they kept her warm as the chilly night air started to creep in. With fatigued they ended their day with a lazy flop into bed.

Early morning she sat at the dinner table drinking some sugarless tea. Not sure what to do ... She pulled out her Pokedex and looked over the number on the pages in front of her. Comparing the page and the numbers she pressed, eventually she hit the call button. "Um, Hello. This is Linda from Little Steps calling. I'm calling to confirm that I'd like the first batch of discounted pokemon gear. mhm. mhm..." Ending the call she patted a resting Gligar, "I'm sure it'll be fine."

As they waited, Linda kept yesterdays promise and continued with the daily training. This time with a bit more fire, literally, as Rangy practiced his blazing attacks. Already the logs were beginning to wear after such consent assault.


Spent http://oi45.tinypic.com/2uh02nc.jpg500 on advertising.

New day! Let's throw some dice.
Today's Event: [roll0]
Today's Business: [roll1]

Looks like a boring day today. P: I'm sure Linda will make something happen though.