A Merry Arrival

[aMEWzing]

The Quaxly shuffled, adjusting their shoulder strap to keep their scabbard in place. The stick she picked up on the side of the road kept falling out, so she elected to hold it in her wing instead. Combat ready! She mused to herself, taking excited steps toward the town directly in front of them. Upon entering, the duckling's eyes wandered their surroundings, to the unmarked buildings and rustic looking road, to the dim lighting of an evening arrival. It all looked beautiful. Her chest feathers puffed with excitement as she realized: this is where her future would begin.

After that, Minty was not really sure where to go, so they kept walking ahead instead. Taking in the scenery, she had to force herself to remember why she came here. As beautiful as the world is, there's still evil out there that must be defeated, and the bird would do anything in her power to protect the weak and provide to the poor. Being treated unequally is never good for anyone, and the Pokemon that need help the most are the ones who deserve what they need. Instinctively, they sheathed their stick and ran toward the nearest building. Coming to an abrupt stop, they placed a wing on her chin as she tried to determine what the building was for. "Anybody around?" she asked into the darkness. It wasn't quite as bustling here as she originally imagined—then again, she did arrive basically in the middle of dinnertime. All the duck had to eat was an apple, and that's all they really needed. Why sit down to eat when you can grab a snack on the go?

"I'm looking for the guild, if anyone knows where that is!" she called out once again, relying entirely on whichever stranger decided to approach her in the dark street. Just like a hero, they knew they should have their guard up, despite fights never being picked in towns. She was ready for whoever—or whatever—could happen next.

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[Skylar]

Vivatune Airatanos

Primarina.png

Usually, the sunset was when things were winding down for most of the townsfolk. Others had their own things beginning at this time. For a certain Primarina, hers lay in the middle, the end of a day of work and the start of her time that she could spend on her own, wandering the town and searching for inspiration. She hummed quietly to herself, letting the songs flow through her mind as she wandered through the streets of the town and back to her home on the other side.

It wasn't long until she was interrupted, though. Hearing someone else's voice, she changed her path and went to find out who it was she heard. She found that someone wandering through the streets, and certainly not someone she recognized among the Pokémon she's seen throughout Celestic Town! Well, best to know who they are, right? She called out to them, giving a friendly wave of a flipper once they saw her, the red scarf she wore as part of her marking of a guild field medic flowing gently with the wind.

"Hiya! Don't think I've seen you around here before. If I may ask, who might you be?"

[aMEWzing]

As the voice called out, Minty whipped around to find the source. A wave from their, what looked to be a "walking wing," signified friendliness. The Pokemon was large, much larger than the Quaxly, but yet Minty was not at all intimidated. They weren't really ever intimidated anyway, but this Pokemon had a calm and refreshing demeaner, free of any enmity whatsoever. Looking at their long blue locks, she felt an immediate sort of kinship with the other water type. What a nice stranger! The duck immediately smiled and ran over excitedly.

"Hello! My name is Minty and I am an explorer!" She straightened her back and smiled proudly. "That's why I'm here! To join a guild and make discoveries! To help the world!" Instinctively, they reached for the makeshift sword in their scabbard, but reached to grab only air instead. Their empty hand outstretched to a heroic pose before she could even realize her stick was gone. Looking around their feet, they realized they must have dropped it long ago. Oh well. I'll have to find a new one. She thought, casually moving her wing to her hip and looked up eagerly to her senior guild member.

"So, did I do it? Am I a guild member now?" She asked impatiently and excitedly, unaware of the actual process of joining a guild. Surely this super strong Pokemon was an adventurer. The thought never once crossed this bird's mind that the Primarina might not even be associated with the guild; this Pokemon seemed more experienced than anymon back at home! Maybe, this aquatic mammal was even the leader of said guild? It only made sense, so Minty automatically assumed all of this upon seeing them for the first time.

[Skylar]

Vivatune Airatanos

The Primarina couldn't help but giggle a bit at the show of theatrics Minty put on. Though, as much as she would like to help with the process of accepting guild members, that was far beyond her jurisdiction. Instead, she shook her head, although there was still a smile on her face. It wasn't too often she touched upon a more... youthful side of her, at least these days, but it was a good reminder that part of her is always there. A youthful exuberance that radiates around others.

"Hehe, oh, I don't think that's in my ability to say that. That'd have to be discussed with the Guildmasters."

With her own flair of grace, she spun backward, a small trail of dust from the ground flying into the air. In that same motion, she blew a stream of bubbles into the air, as they quickly burst and the sound of a glissando from a piano filled the air between the two of them. She then motioned a flipper into a bow, a polite curtsy that she always gives to others. A flair given to her should be returned in kind!

"But, I'm more than happy to help out! I am indeed part of the Celestic Guild. My name is Vivatune, field medic on duty, and a musician in the downtime. Perhaps we should make our way over to the guild, then. We can talk while we make our way there."

[aMEWzing]

Minty was surprised when the large beauty began to chuckle. Wow, I must be really funny, she thought proudly. The following sentence revealed that the Quaxly's assumptions were wrong about this Primarina being a big boss mon at the famous guild. This shocked them more than the laugh from earlier.

"Wait, you mean you're not a guildmaster?" The duck's voice had a tone of genuine surprise, like the reality she invented had just shattered in an instant. "But you look so cool, and strong!" Despite being a young adult, Minty still thought in a manner similar to children. Her eyes were full of wonder when something excited her, and clouded with disappointment when she was let down. There was a glimmer of each as she realized the Primarina was not the Pokemon she was looking for.

The next set of movements from the majestic monster instantly put that despair to rest. Minty watched with awe as bubbles surrounded the two of them, sparkling and popping in the low evening light like tiny little fireworks, accompanied by only the most beautiful sound the duck had ever heard. Once done, her senior bowed gracefully. The sparkling eyes from the Quaxly were practically already clapping before she could even bring her wings together for one beat, followed by others in rapid succession. The display alone was enough to restore their faith in their goal, but another proposal by the Primarina set this comfort into reliable fins.

"Wow, music..." The Quaxly began, already beginning to amble alongside the beautiful water type. Does the music help you on your missions? Does the guild give you special music missions? Can I learn how to make beautiful bubbles too?" All the curiosity that had been holed up came pouring out like a waterfall, all genuine and interested in what the answers to their queries could possibly be. After all, Minty was not entirely sure what a guild does. All she knows is that she wants to explore, find treasure, and help others—But how exactly will she do that? The green duck had absolutely no idea what they would be asked to do after joining an association. Thankfully, she was in the presence of someone who held answers.

[Skylar]

Vivatune Airatanos

"I'm no guildmaster, just someone who likes to help out. I've merely been around town longer than others. Besides... I like to think I work better out and about, providing assistance beyond just where we are. Part of the enjoyment for my work comes from where we go."

As the pair of Water-types made their way across the town streets, the Primarina didn't really keep too quiet. Her movements, despite being more suited for an aquatic lifestyle, were still rhythmic and patterned, a steady beat that stuck with her. She quietly hummed along, a gentle melody escaping her. One that Minty could likely hear in between when she spoke. But that didn't mean she wasn't listening; her hearing was a lot sharper than one might realize! Once the Quaxly asked a question, she stopped her hums for a bit to answer them.

"Ah, I like to think my music helps me a bit, if only because it keeps me focused. Music has run through my family; I keep that tradition going my own way. Nothing I love more than sharing it with others. But, I don't get special treatment... there's no 'special music' mission for me. If I want to share it, I'll simply do it here, in Celestic Town."

The second part of the question gave her a bit more pause. It was a question she always seemed to get asked, and as much as she wanted to share her gift and knowledge of how to use Sparkling Aria, it's an art that runs in her family and others of her species. Was it worth telling that to Minty? Maybe it was best to leave it there... more than likely, she could answer other questions, after all. She didn't want to disappoint the younger Water-type too much, after all.

[aMEWzing]

The two unconsciously matched their walking speeds as Minty connected with Vivatune on a spiritual level. Instantly, the duck saw themself in this figure, knowing one day they too would grow up to be a caring and compassionate explorer. As they walked along, Minty began to bounce eagerly at the responses, awaiting her turn to speak. No special missions? What a shame. How exciting would it be to have a mission assigned that only you could do?

"Aww. Still, that's so cool that you fight differently from other Pokemon! I do that too! I like to use my swords to fend off foes and save the day!" The Quaxly beamed proudly. "You look like you use tools, too," they motioned at Vivatune's medical supply bag. "What do you carry in there?"
At first, she might have assumed there were weapons in there, too, but the bag was not the proper shape to carry swords or bows or anything else cool. Also, somehow the duck intuitively assumed this character only battled when necessary given her demeaner and calm and peaceful approach to things. In some ways, Minty longed to be like this, but she could never give up the thrill of battle. Nothing felt better than unleashing bubbles while parrying an enemy's attacks.

Caught up in the thought of battle, Minty sprayed a friendly stream of water; the super thin Water Gun arched over the ducks head and splashed down playfully on her messy coif. They briefly scrambled their head feathers, and dramatically turned to reveal their new look to Vivatune: their bangs were pulled to the top of their head in a single directional flow, the rest held by gravity and appearing like a bit of a mullet. Minty gestured proudly at her own head, then at Vivatune, tail wagging slightly as she attempted to mimic the Primarina. She hoped this would get another sparkling giggle out of the older Pokemon.

[Skylar]

Vivatune Airatanos

The Primarina didn't share Minty's same eagerness for battle. If anything, she would much prefer to avoid it and prevent conflicts from happening in the first place. But, that's why she keeps her field bag with her. It kept a mix of items in there that she knows she needs out in the field and in dungeons. In reality, there wasn't anything too fancy in there, as it was more for keeping supplies safe. Especially since her use of her Sparkling Aria tends to get a lot of things wet - she can't afford to get some items damp, as that'd ruin them! She tapped her bag with one flipper once she was asked about it.

"Oh, in here? Most of the things in there are for others. A mix of different kinds of berries and seeds to cure what ails others and give them extra energy. But... there is one thing in there that's more for myself."

She quickly flipped open her bag. It wasn't exactly big, yet the few berries and seeds that she had in there were quite organized. One item, however, stood out. It looked like a bottle of some kind with an attachment on it that looked like it could be sprayed onto something. She grabbed it out of the bag so Minty could see it better for a bit, before slipping it right back into its place.

"I keep this bottle of Throat Spray for when I do have to get my flippers dirty. It helps add a bit more vigor to my moves, but I prefer using mine to support others instead of attack. Still, it's nice to have, just in case. I'd rather keep it with me and not need it than be forced to fight and not have it."

Once it was safely back in her bag, she flipped it closed, just in time for her to see the Quaxly run some water through her hair to keep it nice and presentable. It served as a reminder that she needed to do such as well! As the two continued through town, Vivatune blew a couple of bubbles into the air, letting the burst just above her hair, letting the water douse it. Then, she ran a flipper through it, to maintain the clean ponytail that she likes to have. Seems like there was more in common between them than she thought! While it didn't elicit a giggle like Minty might hope for, she couldn't help but smile at the youger Water-type.

[aMEWzing]

Minty watched with intense curiosity as the Primarina's bag was nonchalantly opened and dug through for a specific item, like a secret treasure trove hiding its most important secret. When the spray bottle was revealed, the Quaxly tilted her head inquisitively. The bottle seemed semi-translucent and a pale liquid was visible inside. She had seen non-water types use those before, usually in the shape of watering cans designed to look like water Pokemon. The head tilt came from one obvious question burning in the front of her mind, Why would any water-type mon need something like that?

Her question was shortly answered, Vivatune revealing the purpose of the liquid inside in a vague yet enticing implication. So it was a battle item after all!
"Wow, that's so useful!" The young bird chirped. "How does it work?"

All of the items the duck has dealt with involved wearing the object in some way or another. Maybe you just spray yourself with this one? Or drink the liquid inside like a nice refreshing berry juice, she pondered. So invested in their own thoughts, Minty began to forget to listen to their companion. On the outside, it appeared she was thinking of something deeply grave and important, but on the inside she was thinking about different types of berry juices: a very important topic indeed. She couldn't help but smile back at the Primarina without having paid enough attention to know exactly why.

[Skylar]

Vivatune Airatanos

While she wasn't one to know the intricacies of how certain things work - she isn't a technician or herbalist, after all! - the Primarina had some ideas about how the bottle of Throat Spray worked, at least, in more detail than she initially gave to Minty. So it seemed like a good idea to perhaps give a bit of extra information, which should hopefully satisfy.

"While I'm not quite sure how it works, I do know when to use it. These were given to us back in school, by our music teacher to make it easier for us to use our sound-based moves with better ease and with more... well, let's call it power. After one such move, a quick spray from the bottle on the neck, and it's a refreshing breath of air! Though, there's no reason to use more than a little bit at a time. One quick use, then keep the rest for future endeavors."

As much as she might have wanted to do a quick demonstration, it'd be quite a waste doing it! So the two continued along, the Primarina humming a tune as she thought of something else to ask the Quaxly. Her thoughts drifted to a time before her arrival in Celestia... given that Minty had said they were pretty new around town, perhaps that'd be something to ask!

"Oh, I suppose I should ask, if you feel like answering... where'd you call home before? I've been here longer than others, but still like to think back to home..."