Gotta Catch Em' All: Platinum Version (Open!)

[Lychee]

Trainer Palila Rae
Location: Orebough mines (Does anyone else update these as we are going?)
Team: Dartrix (17/17) Staravia (14/14) Prinlup (16/16) Wingull (20/20)
Partner Pokemon: --
Items: 3x Pokeballs, Pokedex, ID Card from Roark, Journal, Sketchpad, Poketch Plus
Points: 29 (+1 from posting, -47 for evolving, +58 levelup points back) = 41 Posts: 18

Palila accepted the ID card from Amy at the Pokecentre, inspecting it to see if it had any useful information on it. Not really knowing what it meant, she pocketed it after Neith had used it too. Since her own ID didn't work, at least having someones ID would mean she had a place to sleep at night.

As the three of them (or maybe more!) ran up to the entrance to the mines, Palila let out her Starly. It had been beaten very quickly during the gym battle, and she was a little worried that she had picked up a dud pokemon. She dropped back slightly.
"Starly, you OK? You got thrashed back there." She asked it, hands on hips.
The little bird seemed upset and looked down at the ground, tweeting sheepishly. Palila frowned and let out her other birds, who were all looking a little upset about being knocked out. Team morale was low.
"Aw hey, chin up! Get back on the board and try again! You gotta prove to me you are worth working with!" In a strange way, it was a pep talk for the smallest member of the team. Palila stuck out her forearms in a dance-like motion and then pretended to flap wings in a long smooth movement.
"You can probably do some epic stuff! Like this, right?"
Starly and Rowlet hopped up from their sitting position into the air, seeming to feel the energy Palila gave to them, and taking flight far up into the air. Piplup scooted over the ground, wiggling its wings. Their bodies glowed as they flew up and swooped around- almost copying their trainer with her silly wing movements.

Pokémon You're Evolving: Starly
Pokémon it Evolves Into: Staravia
Evolution Point Requirement: 14
Points On-Hand: 29
Points After Evolution: 15

Character: Palila Rae
Pokemon: Staravia
Level Ups purchased: 5->13 (16 points)
Links to Level Up Posts: Starly from level 5 to level 13
Link to stats: In header

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Pokémon You're Evolving: Piplup
Pokémon it Evolves Into: Prinplup
Evolution Point Requirement: 16
Points On-Hand: 31
Points After Evolution: 15

Character: Palila Rae
Pokemon: Prinplup
Level Ups purchased: 5->15 (20 points)
Links to Level Up Posts: Piplup from level 5 to level 15
Link to stats: In header

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Pokémon You're Evolving: Rowlet
Pokémon it Evolves Into: Dartrix
Evolution Point Requirement: 17
Points On-Hand: 35
Points After Evolution: 18

Character: Palila Rae
Pokemon: Dartrix
Level Ups purchased: 5->16 (22 points)
Links to Level Up Posts: Rowlett from level 5 to level 16
Link to stats: In header

-------

As everyone in the team apart from the wingull (who wasn't knocked out during the gym battle anyway, so it wasn't really in need o a morale boost) evolved, Palila gradually stopped her silly dancing.
"Woah, cool!" She told them all in earnest, and then they all ran to catch up with the rest of the group.


Everyone seemed to be standing around talking- no goons in sight. They had probably run off before she even arrived.
Sophie was shaking hands with some new guy who introduced himself as Cody, and Amy was standing there crossing her eyes and looking him up and down.
Palila chuckled to herself, memorizing how silly Amy looking for an artwork later on.
"Hey, Coh-deee, you wanna take Sophies place as leader of the team?" She snarkily called out "You made it out here on your own and probably won't lead us in the wrong direction like she did~"
As Matthias arrived at the group Palila gave him a wide smile, enjoying his battle comments.
"Oh no, we couldn't possibly take him on! He just beat two random untrained people in a pokemon battle where he had the advantage!" She was clearly enjoying herself, on a sassy high from the gym battle and her team evolving.

[Lychee]

Trainer Palila Rae
Location: Orebough mines entrance (Or, perhaps route 203? Who knows!)
Team: Dartrix (17/17) Staravia (14/14) Prinlup (16/16) Wingull (20/20)
Partner Pokemon: --
Items: 3x Pokeballs, Pokedex, Journal, Sketchpad, Poketch Plus
Points: 41 (+1 from posting) Posts: 19

"Ha! Fashion advice coming from someone who dresses like a lumberjack?"
Palila shrugged and took out Roarks ID card from her pocket as he walked over to her.
"Thanks for letting us use your card!" She stepped in close to hand it back over, making eye contact, her face and tone suddenly serious.
"Roark. You know how things work around here- please help me. I was arrived here yesterday and don't have an ID card of my own. The leader of this trainer group doesn't care- I nearly had to sleep on the street last night. If it wasn't for someone else sneaking me in to their room, I would be homeless. You're important. I need your help. I need an ID card of my own."

Not being able to go back to her family home and being in an unfamiliar land was an ongoing stress, and while battling and sniping at the other kids had helped relieve it, she knew she needed some help from a trustworthy adult. She needed a bed. She needed an ID card of her own. She completely ignored the camaraderie and conversations about food, knowing that this could be her one chance to talk to an adult and get serious assistance.
Still holding onto the gym leaders ID card, she was clearly waiting until he agreed to help before she passed it back to him.

[Lychee]

Trainer Palila Rae
Location: Orebough mines entrance (Or, perhaps route 203? Who knows!)
Team: Dartrix (17/17) Staravia (14/14) Prinlup (16/16) Wingull (20/20)
Partner Pokemon: --
Items: 3x Pokeballs, Pokedex, Journal, Sketchpad, Poketch Plus
Points: 41 (+1 from posting) Posts: 19

Palila handed over the card, brow furrowed.
"But..." She stepped away from him slightly, knowing that the conversation was probably over. At this stage she was processing and talking mostly to herself.
"... I don't have any of those." She finished, in a small voice.
The horrible realization that this world was probably going to brand her as a runaway and deny her shelter crashed down on her. She stood silent, eyes glazed. Fear crept up into her stomach and ate the last of her battle-high. She imagined sleeping in a tent every night, never feeling the comfort of her warm bed. Never feeling the warmth of returning home, or seeing the smiling faces of her family. She may have considered herself a big grown up girl compared to her brothers, but when it came down to it she wasn't ready for this kind of isolation.
"I...I don't..." Her voice cracked a little, and she couldn't remember what she was going to say.
Palila looked like she was about to cry.

And then she did.

[Lychee]

Trainer Palila Rae
Location: Orebough mines entrance (Or, perhaps route 203? Who knows!)
Team: Dartrix (17/17) Staravia (14/14) Prinlup (16/16) Wingull (20/20)
Partner Pokemon: --
Items: 3x Pokeballs, Pokedex, Journal, Sketchpad, Poketch Plus
Points: 43 (+1 from posting) Posts: 21

Palila was pulled aside slightly by Kinnie, but it didn't stop other people in the group noticing her little breakdown. Tears leaked down her face, and she made a few pathetic hiccup-sob noises, eyes reddening. Kinnie offering her what was basically a tissue made Palila realize that she should feel ashamed to be crying in public, so she took the tissue and nodded when Kinnie told her they needed to talk. Talking things through could only help, right?

Well, maybe that was wrong.

As Matthias marched towards Roark and backed her up, Palila tried to pull herself together. If she was going to try to make a case, it was worth being able to form sentences instead of just choking out sobs. As Roark gave the same dismissive response, her tears were almost under control.
It hurt, hearing it a second time, but somehow she'd gone a little numb- It was like everything was blurrily going wrong scene by scene, and she had just become an observer.

When Matthias turned towards Sophie, Palila held her breath. It felt like someone cared about her plight- or like someone understood- which was bizzare because logically they all should have. This wasn't just a snide remark- Matthias seemed serious about putting the pressure on their leader to take action.

It did not go well.

Sophie pushed herself right up into Matthias's face, calling him a thief and talking about things Palila didn't understand.
Was any of that even relevant? Something about a coat and Matthias deserving to get beaten to a pulp? Palila was baffled and a little scared at the amount of venom Sophie showed- she hadn't noticed those two interact much at all before this point, and it began to make sense as to why.
When Sophie's gaze shifted back over to Palila, she took an involuntary step backwards, her face still wet with tears.

There was no way in hell she was going to room with that girl.
"I- no." She squeaked out, finding her voice as Sophie rounded on Matthias again. "I don't- I. don't. want to bunk with you, Sophie Reed."
That was probably the first time so far Palila had used someones full name since introductions the day before, and it put a strange weight at the end of her sentence.

"Can one of you just... help me call the professor and sort it out?"

[Lychee]

Trainer Palila Rae
Location: Orebough City restaurant
Team: Dartrix (17/17) Staravia (14/14) Prinlup (16/16) Wingull (20/20)
Partner Pokemon: --
Items: 3x Pokeballs, Pokedex, Journal, Sketchpad, Poketch Plus
Points: 44 (+1 from posting) Posts: 22

Palila sniffled when Kinnie dabbed her cheek and told her no, again. Somehow, this time, it was reassuring to be told no, so she didn't fight back. She sighed, and let Kinnie dab at her face. Being told she would have a bed was helpful, and yet somehow she still felt sad. It wasn't her /own/ bed, at home.

When Drake piped up (a little too late) she eyed him off. Being given his trainer card wouldn't be appropriate- she was pretty sure the bathrooms and dorms were gender separated for all trainers under 18, and there was no way the staff would believe her if she pretended to be Drake when they caught her with his card. He did look like the only person in the group with camping supplies, though.

There was nothing else that desperately needed to be said and Palila felt as if her plea had been heard, so she quietly followed the group to a fine dining restaurant.

----------

Palila felt entirely out of place. Having a single parent and a couple of siblings had meant that going out for Masala at the local fast food place had been the most 'fine dining' she had experienced in her life. Gloomily thinking about how far away home was, and how much she would love some alolan food, she tried to sit near the even-tempered Neith and Kinnie- away from Amy, Sophie or Drake. It also looked like Renny was there, by pure coincidence? He made idle chit-chat, and Palila didn't bother introducing herself.

"I'll just have whatever she's having." Palila mumbled her order, not recognizing much on the menu. She let out her Dartrix, whose dapper look meant he fit into the fine dining atmosphere much better than she did, and she placed her hand on his feathery back to feel comforted. He gave a low hoot, looking solemn.

It was going to be a rather awkward and quiet meal.

"Do you think our parents know we're missing, by now?" She asked those sitting nearest to her, quietly, when Sophie went off to make the phone call. One hand was picking at her meal, and the other idly preening Dartrix.

As Sophie got back, she gave a weak smile and nodded. "Thanks for trying."

Drake making a toast made her feel a little bit sick. This didn't feel like the time to toast. She glared at him.
"Dude! What the psyduck! We aren't here to have a fruitful journey! We are here because we are lost and wanna go home! Right??" She looked directly over at Sophie, expecting to be backed up.

[Lychee]

Trainer Palila Rae
Location: Orebough City restaurant
Team: Dartrix (17/17) Staravia (14/14) Prinlup (16/16) Wingull (20/20)
Partner Pokemon: --
Items: 3x Pokeballs, Pokedex, Journal, Sketchpad, Poketch Plus
Points: 45 (+1 from posting) Posts: 23

Palila raised an eyebrow as Renny shot her comment down- she couldn't take him seriously anyway. Some underdeveloped 18 year old creep with a teddy bear pokemon? How embarrassing.
She felt a little bit bad about asking Neith how her family was, since it seemed to make her sad. However, it did make the multicoloured girl feel extremely validated in her outburst earlier. Between giving Palila a bed last night, having realistically upset feelings about their situation, and defending her against Renny, Palila was beginning to really trust Neith.

As the TV blared with interview material, Palila watched it all unfold, finding her appetite return. She gave Kinnie a grin when she was mentioned as being brave in the interview.
"Hey, nice! Maybe we should call you Braviary from now on."
She chuckled as Renny mentioned being rescued, yet still called his rescuer something less than kind.
"Aw, Matthias, how unfair! Such a Shiftry on TV, hah!"
As the interview ended and Sophie and Kinnie seemed to freak out, Palila shrugged.

"You know, the interview clearly stated that you are IN Jubilife city. If you head back there straight away, you'll all be exactly where the news broadcast you as being." She went to continue eating, then frowned as Sophie stood up, looking like she was about to run. Her gaze switched to Amy, who was always Sophies first follower. Maybe if she could convince her, it would convince Sophie too.
"Okay sure, lots of people and shops sounds good, but isn't this a little hasty? You already beat up some goons- even this one teen-angst-hero here-" She pointed to Cody "- beat up two of them on his own today. They're clearly not a huge threat out here at Orebough."
She looked around at the group, trying to run over the interview in her mind.
"Also- while Neith, Tony, Kinnie and Renny were mentioned by name, Sophie wasn't, Amy wasn't, and we have..." She looked around and counted on her fingers "..Me, Drake the friendly dragon, and Teenscene Cody, who weren't part of this at all. So thats 4 known, 2 partially known, and 3 unknown. Do we ALL really need to run? There's nine of us, for granbulls sake!"

When Amy mentioned to Drake that Allison Parks was a playboy model, Palila pulled a disgusted face, looking over at the 6'2" tall, skinny, glasses-wearing Renny and then at the 5'5" slim blonde Sophie.
Okay, so Renny is definitely some 19 year old pedo creep if he thinks Soph looks like someone from playboy. Shes like, freakin', 14! Grosssssssgrosssgrosss. She made an internal note to try to not let him be alone with anyone.

Despite her protests, it did seem like the group was going to move. If Kinnie, Neith and Matthias were going to leave, she would go too, despite thinking it was a poor decision.
"I mean, I'll go if you all do- it doesn't matter to me, /I'm/ not on the news, and team galactic seems kinda dumb."

[Lychee]

Trainer Palila Rae
Location: Orebough City restaurant
Team: Dartrix (17/17) Staravia (14/14) Prinlup (16/16) Wingull (20/20)
Partner Pokemon: --
Items: 3x Pokeballs, Pokedex, Journal, Sketchpad, Poketch Plus
Points: 46 (+1 from posting) Posts: 24

Palila shifted to the side so that Neith could get out of her seat, wondering why she shouted at Renny for doing the interview. She watched with confusion as the girl was overcome with terror and collapsed on the floor near the entrance, and Amy rushed to her.

Renny was right- if this was Alola, it would be a little pathetic to have so much fear over a group like team skull. Team Galactic so far had hardly been a threat- Plus, the interview now meant people of the public and law enforcement might know about their wormhole-homeless status and be more sympathetic and helpful. At least that's what she expected. She kept her mouth shut though, since everyone seemed out to shout at the creep and she wasn't sure if he was worth being associated with yet. Sophie asked if she was coming with the group, and left her to think about it. She looked down at Dartrix, who tilted its head slightly.
"Alright buddy, you better catch me if I stack it." She mumbled to her pokemon.

As people nearby took out their mobiles or various poke-devices to capture the scene the group was making, Palila stood up. Amy and Neith clearly didn't like being on camera, but she would be happy to be!
"Oy dudes, don't film her! Turn those cameras this way, folks!" She felt a grin coming onto her face, and stood loudly up onto the table, forcing most people in the room to look over her way instead. Dartrix stood behind her, spreading his wings wide so it looked like she had a cape.
"Are you ready? This restaurant has me head over heels! So, check out this sweet move!" She turned around and stood at the edge of the table with her back to the crowd, heels pressing right up against the rim. A slight bounce, to check how easy it would be to push off from, and then a great PUSH up into the air.

Surely a backflip in a fancy restaurant was worth some social media attention.

She tucked her body tight, feeling the momentum roll up through her legs and flip her upside down in the air. Trying to be careful not to overspin, she brought her legs back down just in time to catch herself on the ground. Well, nearly. She skidded backwards a little as she landed on the ground, having overshot it a little.
Palila caught herself on the edge of the table, now facing the crowd again, and noticing that the restaurant staff looked apalled. The group of trainers, however, seemed to have all been coralled outside by Sophie.
"Okaythanksbye!"

With a squeak of sneakers, Palila and Dartrix high-tailed it out of there, busting through the exit doors with gusto.
"Yeah lets go! Kick up your heels, kiddos! Wooo!" She couldn't help but let out a hoot of joy, running ahead of the group and catching up with Matthias, who was somehow far out in front.
"Yo, Shiftry boy! Don't tell me you're having a breakdown too?" She jabbed at him, noticing he didn't exactly look pumped.