Hm? No, no, it's alright. They'll be fine without me for a moment or two.
[This seems a bit serious, given Ash's expression, so Newt is more than happy to take a break.
He's quiet as Ash explains the situation, familiar enough with the abuse Team Rocket inflicts on Pokemon to understand both sides of the situation. Montague wasn't quite that bad when he ended up with the little guy but he had been rather unsociable and afraid of everything that moved practically. Newt could definitely understand Ash's worries and he also understood how much the other wanted to help.
It's the exact same thing Newt would do.]
It might be wise to take it slow. If you're in the same room with him, sit down on the floor and talk quietly to him. Make sure any of your Pokemon that are more energetic and overly friendly even aren't in the room. Give him space to settle in and allow him to realize that it's safe. Anything you want to give him, medicine, food, anything of the sort, make sure you explain it as you present it to him. Allow him to make the decision if he wants to take it at that moment or perhaps take it later. It's not going to be easy and it could take quite a bit of time but it's all about building trust with him.
[Ingno greets his daughter with nuzzles and licks. Her siblings follow in suit, sniffing and yipping as they familiarize themselves with their family member. One is a boy from the same litter as Roxy, once bigger than her as a puppy, now still a Rockruff while she has evolved. Her older sister Riley was here too, ironically also smaller than her again due to being a Rockruff.]
How do you even clean a place like this?
[She looks meaningfully at all the Pokemon. Lana starts moving forward with Diana and the rest of The Pack follow after her.]
Yeah, I don't usually worry too much about getting lost with this many noses around.
[The younger pups of The Pack don't seem fazed by the snow, especially when Lady's litter mates hear her, pushing their way forward like mini snowplows, leaving little trenches to reach the cottage. They ambush the porch, wet noses sniffing at and little paws swatting at Lady and probably Poly in the crossfire.
As Lady's mother, Fluke the Herdier, comes over to see also, something is spooked and a green shape skulks quickly over to Lana. The small Electrike hides between Lana's legs, keeping close the ground and avoiding eye contact with everyone.]
[ Ash nodded, clearly listening and taking in Newt's wisdom. He was walking outside as Newt talked, heading towards the shores of Olivine. ] I admit I ain't...I'm a bit of the energetic type myself. But I'll give him space. Should I like, make a room in the house that's like a 'ex-rocket' club only kind of space? I've got a lot of Pokemon so I can't like, constantly try to herd them out of a room if he walks in. Or maybe just a space for the quieter ones to go in.
[ He mussed up his hair. Scuabtuinne had been so different. And speaking of her... ] Talking of that, there's another ex-rocket I need some advice with. I got her a while ago; she was really shy and had her problems but she's never been violent. But, we've hit a slight snag. She's a Lapras and we'd love to go surfing together. She'll tolerate me being behind her but if I touch her back, she loses it. Hold up, let me call her. Scuabtuinne! Can I borrow ya a moment?
[ From the water came Scuabtuinne, with a curious call. She swam to the beach, leaning down and peering at Ash and the Gear. ] This is Newt, I was just talking to him about surfing.
[Roxy was momentarily a puppy again as she greeted her father, nuzzling up under his chin and letting out happy yips. And then she was turning the attention on her siblings bumping heads with some of the older ones before dropping down to the ground so she could love on all the others, especially the boy from her litter. Guess who's bigger now!]
Very, very carefully.
[He grins briefly before it melts into a smile as all the puppies come barreling forward, unable to help but chuckle as Lady practically vibrates off the porch now.
Poly, however, is not amused and yips in displeasure at the pups, moving away from the edge of the porch.
Newt's attention is drawn to the skulking green shape, a curious look there as he starts to ask but Diana says that name and it makes sense.]
Hello Toni. [It's said without hesitation, Newt speaking directly to the Elecktrike in a friendly manner. Poly looks momentarily put off that Newt is addressing someone else but the wizard rests a hand on her head as if knowing what she was thinking. She looks up and Newt smiles at her, motioning towards the cottage.] Will you please help Queenie get things ready? [The Sylveon fluffs up in happiness at being given a job and nods with a happy purr, shooting a sharp look at the puppies before prancing off back into the house.]
My apologies for her. She's become even more demanding since evolving. Now, shall we move inside? Though anyone who'd like to stay outside is welcome to.
That isn't a bad idea at all, honestly. It doesn't have to be an entire room but even just a quiet corner of your housing. A spot with areas to hide in and curl up, places to feel safe. [A pause.] Actually an open space may be the best choice just so they don't feel enclosed or captured again, so to speak.
[You just have all sorts of ex-rocket Pokemon don't you, Ash?
Hearing that it was a Lapras made Newt...it made him mad, honestly and it probably showed momentarily on his face. It was bad enough that Team Rocket captured and harmed Pokemon but ones that were already endangered?? That was just--how could anyone..
Newt closes his eyes a moment to collect himself just before Scuabtuinne appears and, when she does, he gives her a warm smile.]
Hello, my dear. Aren't you gorgeous? [Because she was. She was absolutely beautiful.] If she's alright with you being behind her, perhaps it might be worth trying having her tow you while she surfs? If you were to ride a board and devise a way to have her pull you along--a tow rope, in a sense. Then you could surf together without upsetting her.
That's...kind of the thing. She's okay with me behind her but she doesn't like me approaching her from behind so, I dunno if towing would work... [ Scuabtuinne lowered her eyes, ashamed of her difficulty in this. Ash pet her neck. ] Newt's here to help us with this. Dya mind if we show him where you were hurt? So he gets why it's difficult? [ She hesitated, looking between Ash and Newt, before nodding. ]
[ She turned to the side and there was the problem; her cut and cracked shell. ] When I first got her, she couldn't stand anyone being behind her at all. Like, I mentioned her being okay with me there because it was progress. But I'm pretty sure, she wants me to ride on her back. [ Scuabtuinne turned around and nodded again. She did want to surf with Ash on her back. She just...she lowered her head and ducked a little behind Ash. ]
[Okay. Newt absolutely needs to find a way to help them because this was just unacceptable. This lovely girl clearly wanted to bond more with her trainer but it was understandable that she would hesitate.]
Give me just a moment.
[Newt disappears from view then and Ash and Scuabtuinne would hear the sounds of shuffling and pages turning as the wizard started looking through some of the books he'd borrowed from Ecruteak.
While he's busy, Malie scoots over to peer at the pair and her ears fall back as she waves at the Lapras.]
It'll be okay! Mr. Newt is pretty rad!
Ah! Here we are--
[The Pikachu scoots to the side as Newt returns, looking at the book he has curiously.]
There may be a way to help repair her shell. There is an epoxy that can be used to repair damaged shells of any Pokemon that have them. It would be a good start at the very least, as long as Scuabtinne would allow it.
[ Scuabtuinne smiled shyly to the Pikachu. Ash had lots of...eccentric Pikachus, but Malie seemed quite normal and not too hyper. When Newt suggests healing the shell, Ash's eyes widened and Scuabtuinne also looked surprised. ]
It...wait, that's, possible? I always thought it was like a scar, or like, it was something that had to be done immediately after the injury.
Would that help your confidence, dya think? If we could fix up your shell a little? [ He turned and looked up to his Lapras. She gave an uncertain sound. This wasn't something either of them had ever considered as an option. ]
In which I do research on turtle shells to try and use here
Since it is an older injury, there would be no way to really fuse the shell back together--that would have required immediate attention. But in this case, using epoxy would help seal the crack and basically create a sort of fake portion of the shell that will set and become apart of what's already there.
[It wasn't a perfect fix but it would definitely help--and could even be painted to match!]
Worst case is that it may take a few coats to help it match evenly so it's flush with her shell but I'm rather confident it would be easy enough to do!
It wouldn't hurt, right? [ He doesn't know anything about this, he just doesn't want to hurt his massive Loch Ness baby. Scuabtuinne peered from behind Ash, clearly considering it. ]
Ur...how much would...that kind of thing cost though? I've taken her to the Pokemon Centre several times, including right after I got her, and they never mentioned this.
It wouldn't cause her any sort of pain. It would all superficial; merely rebuilding the gap between the cracked portions of her shell.
[Oh he's invested in this now because this is the sort of thing he did back home with a lot of his rescued creatures.]
Really the only cost would be the epoxy. I..have no idea how much that sort of thing costs but we could certainly look into it and I would be more than willing to help.
[ Ash ducked his head a little. Old shame burned at him and he folded his arms. ] I'd get it done. I'd just need to know the cost so I could get the money.
Would you want it done? [ He glanced to Scuabtuinne. She hummed softly, still unsure. Before giving a small, shy nod. It sounded like a good idea. ]
[Newt tilted his head, watching Ash thoughtfully before making a decision.]
If you give me a day, I can figure out the best procedure and then I can come pay you both a visit to see about fixing that crack. I can pick up the supplies here in Azalea and we can worry about the price of things once I'm there.
Yeah, at home I'm a School Idol. Which is basically a song and dance group that goes all over the place and competes. My eight other friends and I head one called Aqours.
We've won awards and even raised money for our school. I never really wanted to be an Idol, but I had so much fun with it that I find it hard to think of myself NOT doing it elsewhere.
[All the Rockruff climb about on Roxy, nipping playfully and licking at her as they ask her questions.
Toni presses herself more to the ground when Newt speaks to her, letting out a small whine.]
Yeh, she's like that with everyone. There's a good amount of times I can't even get closer.
[Poly's look and action's catch the Lillipup's attention and make them release the door flap, immediately rushing forward to sniff at it and try to push themselves through. Fluke, who's been nuzzling the top of Lady's head affectionately gives a bark of dismay and tries pulling them out by their tails.
Once the Rockruff are done greeting Roxy, they barrel into the territory, sniffing at everything and everyone while Ingno chases them, trying to keep them under control. Prompting the rest of The Pack to step forward and begin exploring.]
Honestly? Lana's been doing all the work. I asked her to look after Toni for me and now...
[She indicates towards the sandy coloured hound who leans down and gives the Electrike a reassuring lick on the head before lifting her own and letting out a low growl.
Diana pulls a confused face and looks about.]
Ah... Whoops. Sorry, Newt.
[The puppies are continuing to explore with little regard to property and personal space, their curiosity infectious as the more excitable members like Joy and the older Rockruff join in. Fluke still trying to prevent her pups from entering Newt's house while Ingno lets out a small whine, exhausted from attempt to supervise these youngsters.
Lana tenses her body and stands tall, hackles bristling as she gives a loud, harsh, singular bark.
The Pack freeze as one.
All puppies, Rockruff or not, immediately returning to huddle around Ingno. The older dogs gather into a more tight formation at the side of the house to sniff politely at the grass, sit or lay down.
Lana snorts and shakes herself as Diana gives Newt an apologetic shrug.]
[Seriously. Despite the way Toni is acting it's clear she trusts Lana which is a big step.
Newt looks to Diana, confusion all over his face, before he's turning to look at what's going on..and really he doesn't seem all that bothered. He almost laughs but restrains himself, lifting a hand to cover his mouth as Lana handles the situation quick and efficiently.
And oh does Roxy hero worship her mom even more now!]
It's alright, really. It's no worse than how things usually are. I have a few of my own that are quite good at handling rambunctious youths.
[As if on cue, from around the side of the house where the older dogs have started to gather, comes Albus the Drampa who gives a low rumble of greeting to all the Pokemon he can smell. A gaggle of young Pokemon are climbing all over the old dragon and he shuffles over towards Ingno and the pups with him.
Uric the Azurill rolls right off the Drampa's back and plops into the snow, squeaking and chirping in greeting to all the pups as he attempts to roll closer to investigate. Quong Po the Salandit is dozing on the dragon's head using Cyprian the Solosis as a pillow while Edgar the Amaura sits in the dip of the old dragon's back.
Hi puppies!
Newt smiles fondly as Lady gives a happy bark, sticking close to her mom now that Fluke is close by.]
[Lana looks at Newt and bows her head a little in thanks, clearly not one who got over enthused by praise. It's not until Diana pets the wolfish creature on the head that her tail wags heartily.]
Well, alright then.
[The pups look up to Ingno for permission this time before bounding forward to climb all over Albus and yip at the other youngsters.]
Sure.
[Diana nods and motions to follow Newt. Lana moves without a word, Toni still stuck under her belly. Fluke picks Lady up by the scruff like a newborn and enters the house through the flap, Lady's brother Duke following after her. Lana permits this.
Once they're inside, Diana places Petey down, figuring it's fine if he wants to explore. Isla immediately wraps a ribbon around his hand like a protective older sister, ready to follow him and keep him out of trouble.
The Electrike hesitates at the door but caught between being outside surrounded by strangers or being inside with Lana she has little choice. She can't help making little soft whines though, trying to keep close to Lana. For the brief time she was out from under the Lycanroc's legs it was clear to see the scarring across her body, a particularly viscous one across her snout. And her tail would be firmly between her legs, were it not missing half of itself, giving her the look of being docked.]
Oh, right. I think she's claustrophobic? The one were they don't like being in stuff? I think it's because of the cages.
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