keep in rollin' [ dmitri ]

It became quite clear to Dmitri early on that Broski was beginning to grow fat. He hadn't objected to this at first, it made him the perfect pillow, but as a trainer he felt responsible for Swinub's well being. So he made it a point to venture deep into Route 101 early in the morning while the sun was still yet to rise. Such a pleasant landscape.

After hours of grueling wild encounters, it was high time to return to Littleroot and rejuvenate Broski, who by now was trembling out of exhaustion. But soon as he arrived Dmitri set back out for Route 101, coming across a trainer and her... Sandile? It was quite a surprise to find so many fresh pokemon in Hoenn region so soon.

"Cute Pokemon, but his burp is probably worse than his bite. My pinky is bigger than his jaw; I'll prove it." He held up his pinky and wiggled it at the stranger, forgetting his manners to exchange names. Dmitri expected it would be yet another foreign name he couldn't comprehend and typically deigned from greetings in favor of battling.

To him it was as good a hello as any, but perhaps this wasn't quite that ordinary at all. He certainly wasn't ordinary by any means.

I hope that thing isn't going to burn Broski to a crisp. Dmitri had overlooked the pokemon's typing since he was too busy tossing Swinub straight towards the scaled beast he would soon learn to respect.

Dmitri challenges Stranger [Andrea Warren]!
Dmitri sends out Broski [Swinub Lvl 5]!

"Broski, do a barrel roll! Followed it up with Freeze-Dry!" Swinub would carefully avoid the incoming Sandile's aggressively clamping jaws with a narrow breadth betwixt the pokemon. This was followed shortly by a quick snort of harrowing wind which seemed to glaze over the Sandile from his perspective. Did Broski land that? It should've hurt.

"Sandile seems pretty fiesty for little guy!" It troubled him that Sandile knew Leer and had executed it perfectly, but Broski had a typing advantage. For now he felt confident it could win, yet something within him suggested this trainer knew plenty more than he did. Hang in there, Broski. His right hand clenched into a fist out of anxiety and stress. What a rush! This is the best.

Broski's Attack was lowered!
Broski's Defense was lowered!
Broski evaded Bite!
Broski used Freeze-Dry!

"Broski, tank it like a champ!" Despite expending the use of leer twice, Dmitri felt reassured that Broski had the defensive attributes to withstand it and remain healthy. He watched the bite clamp down on Swinub's exposed flank as it tried to make a getaway in anticipation of a dodge command.

We goofed up. The lack of synchronization cost Swinub nearly a third of his entire vitality. He seemed to squirm for a moment in pain, and Dmitri felt he was to blame. Dammit, this isn't good...

"Just keep using Freeze-Dry! Don't give in!" Dmitri had a gut feeling this was already the determining factor; so easily had he recklessly allowed Broski to get himself injured. Despite this the Swinub volleyed Freeze-Dry at the Sandile twice consecutively, hoping to land some effective hits to even out the score for Broski's sake.

Broski was effected by Leer!
Broski's was hit by Bite!
Broski used Freeze-Dry!
Broski used Freeze-Dry!

"Intercept Bite with Tackle!" Sandile was being worn out, the chill of ice claiming any torpidity left inside. Soon Dmitri expected it would faint, though it rushed swiftly to answer its trainer's call. Wait a second... the Leer-!

Swinub was wedged into the Sandile's mouth, having likely discomforted the crocodile but it made Broski prey to the jaw's massive pressure. Broski may have landed the hit, but at a cost. Swin-nu!~ Shrieking in agony, Broski tried to lay still to avoid the pain of the bite. Yet Sandile crunched down harder again and Swinub let out an exhausted whimper before fainiting. ... He did well. I am proud of you, Broski. A pokeball withdrew Broski from the jaws of defeat as the Sandile stood there triumphantly.

"I must say, I thought my type would make it too easy. Good to see maybe trainers here are not pushovers; it was a good challenge!" Dmitri Khvostov paced over towards the trainer with a hand held behind his head scratching at the nape of his neck. His left extended out in greetings, and he made ammends for his earliest remarks.

"Just wanted a good battle, I hope you can forgive the manners. Sandile is okay pokemon, will have to watch out for them in future. The name's Dmitri, by the way. To who do I owe the pleasure of having been defeated?" Dmitri eyed her patiently, curious to find out the name of the first trainer to have ever defeated him.

Broski used Tackle!
Broski was hit by Bite!
Broski was hit by Bite!
Broski has fainted!
Broski has leveled up to Lvl 6!

"Broski too will be Piloswine one day, I hope it is something to remember. Have you made it to the first gym yet, by chance? I've been meaning to make my way there soon once I catch another Pokemon." Clasping his hand with hers they shook, his hands brushing her skin. Soft, maybe she's not as experienced as a trainer as I thought. She distinguished herself as a coordinator, which seemed to make sense.

"Have you met many trainers here in Hoenn? I've been wondering just how many there will be for me to battle. I'm going to try and take on the Pokemon Gym challenge, one stepping stone at a time." He poked a finger towards Sandile's mouth playfully, and wouldn't be surprised if it snapped at him so he kept a safe distance. Broski needs time to train on wild pokemon before I throw him into the grinder against other trainers. He remembered the pokeball at his side suddenly, then realized the need to find a pokecenter.

"I've got to find a PokeCenter...; you care to tag along? Sandile might need a look-over, too." Andrea seemed like a girl who was as down to earth as the ground she walked on. Dmitri thought her company would be enjoyable, expecting all sorts of outbursts of her previous adventures if she had any. At the very least, she can probably spin a tale or two. He held no doubt she would spicen things up along the trip to Oldale Town.

"I'm from a far away foreign region, you've probably never heard of it." Though there was little interesting in the way of pokemon along their way to the pokecenter, Dmitri made an effort to keep them both pacified.

"Thanks for the compliment. I was told by my parents Broski would never become that strong" It took him a moment to gain his composure before elaborating on a boring story about how Broski would never meet the pinnacle of his strength.

"They say a Mamoswine's attack is undeniable, and this is true. But many Ice-type moves are special, and don't take advantage of his raw muscle. There are moves they're known to learn, but it requires specific breeding for them to know the move early on. Broski hasn't been bred so specially, he may never learn to use his full power." He became discomforted by the tone he'd set for the conversation, and tried to wrap it up quickly.

"I wanted my Swinub to become my strongest pokemon, but I'm honestly not sure how to take this news. It doesn't seem fair for Broski to be down and out before he's even started. But my family's breeders were some of the best back home, so I don't doubt their knowledge." Dmitri felt petty for bringing it up, but perhaps this was his ego trying to sooth itself. Man, I what's with me all of a sudden? He heard a pokemon cry out in the distance and turned his attention to it. Eh, Sandile can probably manage another battle or two before he's beat. We'll be fine.

Oldale Town was still not quite in sight.

"A dozen?! Nice work." He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, feeling pressured to start catching pokemon left and right. Perhaps Dmitri would do well to start by catching a few pokemon useful for upcoming gym challenges. I haven't thought about it much, actually... Answering the question seemed more important for himself than Andrea's inquiry. He thought on the matter delicately.

"Maybe a Fighting-type, or something really challenging. I've always wanted a Dragon-type, but those are said to be rare and tough as nails. Catching a Dragon-type has been an ambition of mine since I was a kid; it's part of the reason I chose Broski outright." And he makes a great pillow. He got all fuzzy inside just thinking about all the times Broski and him spent outside back home, taking in the aurora borealis in awe and sleeping in a herd of Piloswine.

Those were the days, eh, buddy? He rubbed Broski's pokeball sentimentally.

"Maybe once I get some more pokemon and raise them to be strong, we could have another battle?! I need someone to keep me striving for new heights if I want to become better!" Dmitri rummaged in his backpack for a notebook and turned to a blank page. Scribbling some roughly hewn data on a strip of paper he tore it from the notebook and forced it towards Andrea.

By now they were swiftly approaching Oldale Town.