Area K!

She wasn't left alone long, before a familiar face came strolling from the elevator. Dirty blonde hair, and emerald green eyes, it was Hunter! He was still wearing knee length, sandy khakis, but had at least changed into a different shirt. It was still just a simple T-shirt, mostly white with a local logo printed on it. "Hey, you look great in that," he complimented, not in the least teasingly like Danny. "Well, let's get going!" He said, leading the way with his hands awkwardly dug deep into his pockets. He seemed rather nervous.

The two had made their way from the hotel, headed down to the pier. It was a glorious day, and now that the sun wasn't so high in the sky it was beginning to cool off a bit, which felt pretty nice paired with the breeze from the sea. The sky itself was filled to the brim with color. The sun slowly lowering casting vibrant hues of reds and purples through the clear sky. Hunter made small talk about random local lore and the like as they walked.

However, as the pier came into view, something untimely happened. A chiming Pokémon-like call began resonating from Alice's new PokéGear. Danny was calling! Oh what timing the Gym Leader had. Alice could ignore it, but that would be rude to Danny. However, answering it could be seen as equally rude to Hunter? Not to mention the awkwardness that might ensue after hearing the cooing.

"D'you need to get that?" Hunter asked, eyes glinting like fire in the cast lighting. "I can walk on ahead if you need some privacy. I'll wait over there," he pointed to a wooden railing. "Just come get me when you're done," he said with a smile, as he began to walk off to his new destination.

Hunter stopped when Alice insisted that she would ignore the call. "You sure? I mean, Danny is a pretty well renown guy," Hunter started, but smiled as Alice continued on her mini rant about manners and the like. "Alright then, if you insist," he shrugged jokingly. "Come on, it's just up ahead."

He led her down the boardwalk, the tide could be heard faintly crashing against the beach. It was much quieter out, as most of the tourists had resigned to their rooms for the night. Down the way was a small area with Italian inspired outdoor furniture. Small metal and glass tables, painted white with matching chairs. He pulled her seat out for her, before taking his own.

It wasn't but a few moments later that a male server approached with menus. They featured many pastas and other Italian inspired dishes. He then took their drink orders before heading back into the building. "So what do you think?" Hunter asked, smiling even in his eyes.

The server brought back their drinks, taking their orders. Hunter went with a shrimp scampi in a rich sauce. "Well I'm glad you like it. Oh, and about earlier, I really just kind of ended up here. I've just been wandering, and decided kind of last minute to take the Gym Challenge. After all, complimentary hotel rooms are hard to turn down," he went on, sipping at ice water with a wedge of lemon squeezed into it.

The waiter brought out a bread basket and silverware sets, setting them on the table as an appetizer while they waited. "My Pokémon are nothing too spectacular, though," Hunter admitted, once the waiter was out of sight again. "You must have something special about you for a rare specimen like her to just catch herself," he joked, although seemed to be steering the conversation slyly away from his own Pokémon. "So, you have Zubat, Slowpoke, and Deino. Any others?"

A short while later the food was brought out. The smell was amazing, which was to be expected from such a place. It wasn't large or overly fancy, but small family places like this were almost always the best. The food looked as spectacular as it smelled, though, and Hunter seemed to be eager to dig in.

"Heh, well I started with an Eevee," Hunter said, taking a bit of the bread himself. It was homemade, and that came through in the flavor. "But you say you hatched a Tyrunt? That's pretty amazing. Why would you send it away like that, though?" The boy asked, excited as his meal taunted him.

He took his fork, twirling some Alfredo noodles and twirling them around the prongs. He then stabbed a piece of shrimp, making sure to get the flavors together in one bite. "Yeah I love this place. Haven't been here in a couple years though. Hm? Oh, I started over in Kanto. But I try to make sure and vacation regularly," he laughed.

He took a couple more bites, sipping water in between. "Sounds like you're been making your way around the Orange Islands pretty well. Pinkan Island, huh? I thought that was off limits," Hunter commented, taking another sip. "You must have been traveling for a while to build up enough of a reputation to get there. Not to mention Danny's phone number," the young man prodded.

Hunter nodded, giving a little "Mhm," as he chewed, making sure to swallow before continuing. "Yeah, my Eevee evolved. He's an Umbreon now," he finally said after taking a sip of water to wash his food down. The clicking of silverware on plates could be heard as they ate. Other couples were sitting a ways away, enjoying their own meals in their own time.

As Alice explained what all had happened to her, and with Danny, he looked a bit nervous. "Hmm...I see..." He said, a slight frown on his face. He continued eating, somewhat more quiet than before. "So, that must be nice then, landing a Gym Leader," he finally said after several awkward moments. He motioned for the waiter as their dinner drew to a close. "Check, please," he said, looking to Alice to check if she needed a doggy-bag or anything of the sort.

"So when are you going to challenge Luana?" He asked, turning back to Alice as the waiter procured the check and any needed containers. As he set down the black leather fold, Hunter motioned to take it, placing a few bills in its pocket. "Keep the change," he noted, the man nodding and walking off.

Hunter shrugged when Alice insisting on splitting the bill. He had been willing to take care of it, but took his dues anyway. No sense in turning it down, when that could just cause a fight. He knew how some women could get, and didn't know Alice well enough to assume one thing or another.

They walked along chatting down the pier. The sun had more or less gone down, allowing the moon to shine in all its glory. It was almost a full moon, so there was still plenty of light as they made their way across the beach back to the hotel. "Tomorrow, huh? No wonder you got so far so fast. I like to take my time, my appointment isn't for another couple of days. I guess once you've been traveling as long as I have, you learn to stop and smell the roses..." He trailed off, looking to the sky.

There was something about him. He was so kind and polite, not to mention handsome. Yet, it seemed like he was reluctant to say much about his own life. Was he hiding something, or just shy when it came to talking about himself? Not that there was anything wrong with a little modesty, Danny could take a lesson.

The two approached the Hotel once more. Basking in the glow of the florescent lights, Hunter paused for a moment. "Well, maybe I'll see you tomorrow, then. I'll see if I can't drop by and watch your match even, if that's alright with you," he opened the manual glass doors, the automatic rotating one having been disabled for the night shift. He motioned for Alice to go in first, holding the door for her. "I'll see you tomorrow, Alice," he said with a smirk, heading off to the elevator that led to his floor.

While Alice began training, somebody was watching her from afar. Pachirisu began his warm ups, stretching and dashing about in circles for speed. Again, his static seemed to only be able to draw in cans and other metallic items. He looked a bit disappointed, especially as Clefairy began hopping, almost floating upward.

A chuckle came from a nearby bench, where an older man was sitting. He had on a trench coat over his day clothes, as well as a fedora like cap. He stood, the breeze blowing in off the waters, revealing his face. He was apparently in his mid to late forties, by guessing.

"You seem like a pretty smart trainer. Not many think to teach their Pokémon new moves on their own," he began, complimenting Alice as he approached. Though odd, he didn't seem to pose much of a threat. "Even so, sometimes a trainer's intuition just can't always get the job done on its own. Might I lend a hand?"

The old man chuckled a bit to himself, nodding. "Yes, i understand perfectly. Some moves are just easier to teach. On top of that, some moves are easier for certain people to teach. I happen to be a pretty good tutor, myself," the man bragged, only a bit though.

He walked over to Pachirisu, whispering something in his hear. The rodent nodded, seeming to understand whatever was said. "Just call me the Pokémon Whisperer," he teased with a wink. Pachirisu began sparking attracting all sorts of discard from the beach. With a nauseating belch, the Pokémon hurled sticky goo onto the trash, then threw the goop into a nearby waste bin.

The Pokémon jumped up and down, having done a much better job in this try. "Just keep trying, and you'll have that move down in no time!" The tutor said, turning back to Alice. "As for Bounce, it's an easy enough move to teach. Especially since your fairy can more or less float and land hard. For water pulse, I suggest starting with a faux water gun. Maybe have him start with mouthfuls of water."

After several more tries, a glimmer appeared with Pachirisu. Glancing over, it could be seen. As his static drew discard in, the trash combined, forming a large black trash bag. Pachirisu did it! He used Gunk Shot! The older man smiled, looking back to Alice. " Oh it's not a problem. The first one is on me," he said with a wink. Was he implying he would be back later, and expect payment? Hard to tell, really.

Clefairy got a hang on the feeling for water gun, using it several times. He tried a couple times to force out more power behind it. However, too often the water would just spray about. He looked pretty tired. "Just keep at trying to learn that move," the tutor said, turning back to Alice once more. "Not everything can be learned in one go. Good news is, he seems to have gotten the hang of Bounce at least!"

Alice was escorted into the Gym, which was far larger than the majority of those in the Orange League. In fact, only Pummelo Stadium was bigger! Standing across the way, a middle aged woman with short red hair stood. She looked somewhat sweet, and had a very maternal vibe about her. She gazed at Alice with her blue eyes, wearing a semi fashionable black top and capri pants with her yellow leader jacket over top.

"Welcome! You're Alice Hope, I take it, then. My two-o-clock, right?" She started. She sounded confident, but not mean in the least. With the Alakazam and Marowak standing behind her, it was not hard to tell where her confidence came from. Both looked to be very well trained. "I'm Luana, Kumquat Island's Gym Leader. For my challenge, we'll have a double battle. You cannot switch out your Pokémon during the battle, and the first one to knock out a Pokémon is the winner!" She smiled, showing off something in her hand.

The badge glistened between her thumb and forefinger. It seemed to be an off-white, almost grey spiral conch shell. In it was embedded a jade gem surrounded by a spiked star design. "This is the Jade Star Badge, and it's what you're competing for today. Do you understand all the rules?" She motioned, and her two Pokémon stepped forward, ready for battle.

Marowak, F - LV 43
Alakazam, M - LV 30

Alice's opponents seemed well trained, indeed. This gym challenge would test her skills as a trainer, as the leader had a clear advantage on the young woman. "Alright, sounds like you got it," Luana said, taking a battle stance. Alice was quick to start, giving her Pokémon orders immediately. However, Luana was no fresh trainer herself.

"Alakazam, use Kinesis, then Ally Switch! Marowak, Bonemerang, then Double Edge on Clefairy!" She called out the orders, hoping they could land something before the incapacitating moves struck. Alakazam managed to get off Kinesis before Slowpoke's trick room slowed him down, trying to lower the foes' accuracy. Likewise, Marowak hurled his bone club at Clefairy. If it struck, it would hit a second time on its return.

Alakazam felt the paralyzing waves roll through his body, partially incapacitating the Pokémon. Marowak managed to ignore the Sing attack this time, her thick outer skull distorting the music to less than a lullaby. She might not be as lucky a second time. However, he was quickly swapped across the field, Alakazam popping in to take the blow from Ice Beam with it being a prioritized move. Marowak then rushed in from the side with Double-Edge!

Luana frowned, the fairy narrowly dodging the thrown club. Slowpoke's swift movements disabled the Bonemerang almost instantly thereafter. Marowak had rushed in immediately after, the club returning and hitting her thick outer skull. It disoriented her just long enough for Clefairy to come crashing down from the bounce. She quickly got back to her feet, growling her name. What was going on? Usually trainers were so easy to beat when it came to team work!

She spun around, ready to attack Clefairy again, but...what was this? He was staring at her adoringly, Marowak's eyes softening at his sight. Marowak was in love! "Well played, Alice," Luana said, gritting her teeth nervously. She hated to see anything happen to her babies! "Alakazam, disable Slowpoke's Surf, and use your Hyper Beam!"

Alakazam nodded, glowing with psychic energy to disable Slowpoke's move. Naturally, that wouldn't stop him from using the move as was. "Brace yourselves, protect Marowak!" Luana ordered. Alakazam teleported in front of his partner as the giant wave was summoned. Opening his mouth, a white hot beam of energy shot forward and through it, most of the water rushing around them instead. They still took some damage, though not nearly as much. Marowak still looked a bit rough from the super effective hit, though.

"Marowak, use Endeavor on Slowpoke!" She knew Alakazam needed to rest for a moment before attacking again. Thanks to their lowered accuracy, the toxic sludge missed its target, and instead diluted in the standing water. Marowak went in for her attack, hoping to get it off before the confusing kiss could strike.