Tohsaka Rin

[eighth jewel] [video/action for Goldenrod still...]

zelretch — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 22:49:40 GMT

[If you are in the Goldenrod Inn this morning, you may find there is a PokeGear floating conspicuously down the hallway, as though zeroing in on a certain target. There is a conspiracy going on here, clearly -- a certain Mismagius is piloting it invisibly, while a certain Porygon2 is manning the camera. It twists and turns around corners, opening doors quietly with ghost-hands until it finds a bathroom.

If you follow it, you'll find there's someone in the shower, and though all the... important bits are obscured by frosted glass and steam, she's resting a Feebas-shaped thing on her chest and looking down at it. At first, she doesn't even notice, but the blinking red light out of the corner of her eye and the fact that there is a presence there causes her to freeze instantly.

And then you can practically hear the simmering tsundere rage.]

--Ohhhhhhh, youuuuuu...

[Her expression twists gradually, and the camera thankfully starts to turn away in a getaway attempt when Rin reaches out of the shower and grabs a towel. The Feebas is stuffed helplessly between the towel and her chest as she marches in pursuit of her Pokemon.]

What do you think you're doing, Rubin?! And don't think I don't see you there with her, Kunststoff--

You know what?

[That line appears in text on the PokeGear screen in the middle of the frame. Rin bristles, catching up to the flying gear and looming above it.]

...What.

Evolve her, she will be very pretty!|

[She just... stares, before taking Wunderschuppe the Feebas out of the towel and chucking the poor fish at the camera haphazardly.]

Don't tell me what to do!! Especially not after you pull that--

[Worth noting that the door to her room is open, the video is still recording, and she appears to be arguing with no one in particular, except a floating PokeGear. Have fun dealing with a crazy tsundere.]

[seventh jewel] [video, open to action for Goldenrodders]

zelretch — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 06:04:29 GMT

Saber isn't answering her gear.

[That one initial statement is full of all the frustration and RAGE Rin can muster. She heaves a bit while slamming almost angrily down onto a seat in the Pokemon Center in Goldenrod, clearly having tried calling more times than necessary to confirm that something's not right here. Luckily, four of her six Pokemon on hand have at least one super-effective move against Bug/Ghost types, and she's been using Rubin as her second pair of eyes after going through the network and putting two and two together.

It's goddamn Blood Fort Andromeda all over again.

She tries to collect herself, visibly.]

Emiya-kun. We're taking Saber with us before going to Ecruteak when it's safer to leave, soul or not. This is beyond ridiculous, and I'm getting pissed off now.

[Pause, and then a more reluctant statement.]

...Lancer, don't think I'm letting you and Connla get off that easy, either. I don't care if his soul is where it belongs right now or not.

For those of you who are still at a loss about this, let me put it this way. Don't sneak up on them from behind or try to test your luck like you've all been doing. Especially you, Shirou. Use your Pokemon as your eyes if you need to; they'll pick up on the presence of a ghost a lot sooner than you will, so don't risk it.

[All of a sudden, Rubin makes a screeching-cackle sound, and a Shedinja phases through the wall of the Pokemon Center. Rin just eyes the thing nastily without a word, sitting up straighter as it floats slowly closer, daring it to do anything...

--And conveniently, the feed clicks off before anything awesome happens. Doesn't it always seem to happen that way, after all?]

[sixth jewel][video, backdated to... Sunday-ish]

zelretch — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:11:53 GMT

[It is gym battle time, because ha ha, ~~Rin's mun~~ Rin completely forgot to do it when she had the chance. Quick last-minute battle is go!

Whitney is on her last Pokemon, and it seems Rin has saved her supposed trump card for last -- after her Noctowl finally goes down, she sends out Rubin, her Mismagius. All according to plan so far, right? The first thing Whitney does is order Miltank to open with Stomp. Rin doesn't instruct a dodge, thinking it's a misstep on Whitney's part, just orders a Psybeam to start out with.

--Then Rubin and Rin both are equally surprised when the Stomp actually makes contact -- and HURTS, for that matter. The Miltank follows up with Body Slam while Rubin is flinching, and Rin is absolutely dumbfounded.]

What-- why is it hitting?!

[Needless to say, no one told Rin about Scrappy.

In the end, she'll win the battle, though probably at the cost of Rubin, despite a few well-placed Pain Splits and a Grudge to top it off with. But regardless, she learned about that unfortunate ability the hard way. Feel free to inform her of her oversight, or conversely, laugh at her for her oversight.]

[later, screened to Saber]

[Some time after the gym battle, Rin sends out a message from the Goldenrod Pokemon Center.]

Saber, Emiya-kun and I are headed to Violet soon. You're still there, aren't you?

...Well, hopefully you are. I have a few things I need to ask you. There's something that's been bothering me for a while that I still haven't really gotten a clear answer about.

[fifth jewel] [video/action for Goldenrod]

zelretch — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:33:07 GMT

[Rin does not seem to be aware the video is recording currently, since she is turned mostly away from it. It's filming from a place on the ground in the middle of the street in Goldenrod, occasionally moving and flickering as though something is watching from within it as opposed to manning it. Schaffell the Ampharos is out Power Gemming the bugs, and Pụ̈nktlichkeit the Noctowl is assisting with Air Slash.

There's an especially persistent group of Yanma trying to get past Schaffell and Pụ̈nktlichkeit, and since those are fast little suckers, Pụ̈nktlichkeit can't keep a horde of them at bay for too long. One slips past him...

...Only to get a Super Repel straight to the face before it can do anything to Rin.]

Hmph. Might as well be bug spray, anyway.

[It lands on the ground, disoriented from the chemicals, and she takes the opportunity to chuck a Poke Ball at it. If worse comes to worse, she'll figure out something to do with it later, she thinks.

And then there's a text message to accompany the video, from an especially mischievous Porygon.]

Mama Mistress is cool.|

[The Yanma don't relent so easily, though, so Rin sprays a large mist of Repel in front of her to hopefully give them the idea to back off. She takes a few steps back and scoops up the gear, taking a quick glance at the screen and giving it a distateful look.]

...Kunststoff, I'll deal with you later.

[Problem is, she's guarding her front side a lot more than the area at her back, even though she seems to be planning to make a run for it in a few moments...]

[fourth jewel] [video/action for Goldenrod]

zelretch — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:39:56 GMT

[The beginning of this feed focuses on yet another fish.

It's a Feebas for a change, and it appears to be trying to right itself onto its stomach with its stubby fins in the middle of the Goldenrod Pokemon Center. Repeatedly, after losing its balance and falling over.]

...I still can't believe everyone else got something really cool, and I got a Magikarp two-point-oh.

[An unamused sigh. Suddenly, the fish seems to magically drift upright -- and then starts floating around in the air, jounced about like a leaf caught by a coquettish breeze, flapping its fins cheerfully. She swings and twirls, waltzing with some unseen partner.]

At least someone is getting along well with her.

[Rubin, finally a Mismagius now, utters a laugh that is more of a creepy cackle, and materializes, holding the Feebas with a pair of invisible hands. The ghost hands put Wunderschuppe the Feebas back on the ground, much to her dismay, and Rubin disappears again. Suddenly, Rin turns the camera, and various strands of her hair are going in every direction.]

--Get your tentacles out of my hair, Rubin.

["Tentacle" is a word for space aliens in bad science fiction flicks and really bizarre hentai. Instantly, Rin regrets it, because Rubin releases her hair from her power with an air of almost offense, and soon all goes quiet. Rin springs up out of her seat and starts shouting to thin air.]

Hey! That doesn't mean "go bother everyone else", you know!

[A pause as her expression withers slowly, and she eases back into the seat.]

...Fine, do what you want then. Not like I care who you pester.

((OOC: Meaning, if you are in the Goldenrod Pokemon Center, expect a ghost with an invisibility cloak to do various deeds of mischief to you, up to and including watching you from the shadows and giving you the creeps, pulling your hair, screeching in your ear, causing personal belongings and/or Poke Balls to go dancing around in the air, and generally causing trouble. Or you can catch her just as Rubin vanishes and give her weird looks for talking to seemingly-unoccupied space.))

[third jewel] [video/action]

zelretch — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 04:41:28 GMT

[Rin looks really, really out of place in the middle of a blocky, selectively-colored digital environment that is supposed to be Violet City at night. She hasn't left yet due to the ominous weather.]

So if anyone had any doubts that this was some kind of video game, I really hope for your sake you're not still in denial about it after this.

[She grimaces, looking back disappointedly at Rubin, who is equally as blocky and not doing anything, not even making a sound, just hovering there. Taking her pixel-Poke Ball in her hand -- HOW DOES THAT EVEN WORK, real people touching pixels -- she recalls the Misdreavus.]

As though the music wasn't bad enough on a regular basis...

So then, any ideas about what caused this place to... go back in time, if you want to put it that way?

[There is a thing that appears to be a big, skeletony Aerodactyl lurking in the background, occasionally distorting the region of space it comes into contact with. Rin, however, is not stupid. It flickers as she whirls around and looks it up and down, then reaches for the Poke Ball she just put away.]

...This is ridiculous. Which one of you messed up the programming?! That's the only way this could've happened is if something went wrong in the game!

[second jewel] [video/action]

zelretch — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:19:59 GMT

--That's not how you use Confusion! You're supposed to be confusing the enemy, not yourself!!

[That would be the frustrated cry of one Tohsaka Rin as she attempts to train her Psyduck, being recorded by an unseen cameraman (or camera Pokemon -- probably Rubin, since Rin doesn't seem to notice the camera is even on at all). She's been training quite a bit, at least once a day whenever possible. Especially Entenküken, considering she's about 99% certain he'll be more competent if and when he evolves. She's also made a surprising amount of progress with him, but there's still work to be done.

Said duckling falls flat on his duck-ass, though, and whines when he's hit with a Vine Whip from a wild Bellsprout. They appear to be just outside Violet at the moment. Rin's eye ticks a bit with a sour expression, and then she sighs and quickly digs in the bag hanging off her shoulder for a Potion. As she administers it hastily, she mumbles something in Entenküken's... well, hearing range, in a very "it can't be helped" tone. It's also picked up by the PokeGear, unbeknownst to her.]

...You're just lucky you're helpless enough that I'm willing to use this on you...

[Entenküken lifts himself off the ground vigorously, feeling renewed both by the Potion and his trainer's unusual show of affection... then falls back on his ass again when another Vine Whip strikes as he fumbles with his powers.]

Come on, duck! You know, even I could use my magic if I had a constant headache! You just need to-- to extend yourself beyond your limits! Even Emiya-kun is capable of that, so you must be too, somehow!!

[Then as another vine approaches, without warning, this time it's the Bellsprout on the ground from a bout with psychokinesis, and with Entenküken at what looks like about half health. Rin, who had flinched under the assumption that it was going to render her helpless duck pitifully unusable for the moment, opens her eyes and sees something... not yellow, but blue?]

Ah... ha... Looks like you extended yourself, all right.

[But she barely has time to register that she now has a Golduck instead of a Psyduck, as there is some violent rustling in the bushes. Apparently the Bellsprout in this area are indeed extremely vengeful, for about twenty of them emerge and start snaking their way over to Rin. She tenses, takes a step back, and then looks at Entenküken dubiously, if a little guiltily.]

...Listen, we'll talk about this later. If we don't even the odds now, we're both toast.

[It's time for another episode of When Bellsprout Hordes Attack! Action if you're out at the north end of Route 32.]

[first jewel] [video]

zelretch — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:54:35 GMT

Right, so this works like this... got it!

[Rin smiles, setting up the PokeGear on the beach at Cherrygrove during late afternoon on the 12th, with Rubin the Misdreavus floating around a bit nervously near the edge of the frame. Her trainer moves in front of it, looking fairly proud of herself.]

So, Shirou and I are at Cherrygrove City now, and we landed a week-long job here, at my insistence. Apparently you get paid quite a bit for one, and a little money never hurt to carry along with you on a journey.

...About this whole traveling business, though. Not so sure I like the idea still... three days' of a walk is enough for people who don't regularly walk those kinds of distances, but a week after that? Plus the fact that I'm still getting used to "training" with Pokemon, and not my usual routine...

Well... I guess I'll deal with it. If a bird made of steel can fly somehow, then I suppose I can rough it for another week.

I've been reading up on that trainer handbook, too, on things like type alignments, and also been trying to study Rubin herself. To get to know her better, among other things.

[At that, she tries to coax the Misdreavus onto the screen with her, who seems a little camera-shy.] Come on, don't worry, the camera won't bite you! She's a Ghost-type, and yet she knows a Psychic-type attack to start out with. It seems kind of odd, but it works, because most of the Pokemon out here are Normal-types, and a Ghost and a Normal with only those attacks would just be a complete stalemate, according to the book. So a lot of the time, the attacks against her just phase right through her.

It feels like this really is a video game with all the specific mechanics of it. And the eight-bit music; that doesn't help much. But I guess I can sort of make up for never having had the chance to play it now, huh...?

[Her smile turns a little more nostalgic as she looks at Rubin, just for a moment, and then back to being smug.]

It's... even a little fun to learn about.

Current Roster

zelretch — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 05:44:16 GMT

Updated September 20th, 2011

ITEMS

P10700
3 Potions
1 Repel
1 Max Repel
1 Escape Rope
1 Poke Ball
OUTDATED BECAUSE LOL WHAT IS KEEPING TRACK OF ANYTHING

Zephyr Badge
Hive Badge
Plain Badge

PARTY

Rubin
Mismagius ♀
Level 89
Modest nature
Ghost type
Ability: Levitate

Psywave
Growl
Spite
Astonish
Confuse Ray
Mean Look
Psybeam
Pain Split
Payback
Shadow Ball
Perish Song
Grudge
Power Gem

---

Libelle
Yanmega ♀
Level 56
Timid nature
Bug/Flying type
Ability: Speed Boost / Tinted Lens

Tackle
Foresight
Quick Attack
Double Team
Sonicboom
Detect
Supersonic
Uproar
Pursuit
Ancientpower
Slash
Screech
U-Turn
Air Slash
Bug Buzz

---

Schaffell
Ampharos ♀
Level 83
Naughty nature
Electric type
Ability: Static

Tackle
Growl
Thundershock
Thunder Wave
Cotton Spore
Charge
Thunderpunch
Discharge
Signal Beam
Light Screen
Power Gem
Thunder

---

Wunderschuppe
Milotic ♀
Level 33
Modest nature
Water type
Ability: Swift Swim

Splash
Tackle
Recover
Captivate
Aqua Tail
Rain Dance

---

Kunststoff
Porygon2
Level 52
Rash nature
Normal type
Ability: Trace / Download

Conversion 2
Tackle
Conversion
Sharpen
Psybeam
Agility
Recover
Magnet Rise
Signal Beam
Recycle
Discharge
Lock-On
Tri Attack

---

Füchsin
Vulpix ♀
Level 47
Sassy nature
Fire type
Ability: Flash Fire

Ember
Tail Whip
Roar
Quick Attack
Will-o-Wisp
Confuse Ray
Imprison
Flamethrower
Safeguard
Payback
Fire Spin
Captivate
Grudge
Extrasensory
Fire Blast

---

BOX

---

Entenküken
Golduck ♂
Level 54
Serious nature
Water type
Ability: Damp / Cloud Nine

Water Sport
Scratch
Tail Whip
Water Gun
Disable
Confusion
Water Pulse
Fury Swipes
Screech
Psych Up
Zen Headbutt
Amnesia

---

Pụ̈nktlichkeit
Noctowl ♂
Level 76
Lax nature
Normal/Flying type
Ability: Insomnia / Keen Eye

Tackle
Growl
Foresight
Hypnosis
Peck
Reflect
Confusion
Take Down
Air Slash
Zen Headbutt
Extrasensory
Psycho Shift
Roost
Dream Eater

---

Blütenmeer
Victreebel ♀
Level 72
Mild nature
Grass/Poison type
Ability: Chlorophyll

Vine Whip
Growth
Wrap
Sleep Powder
Poisonpowder
Stun Spore
Acid
Knock Off
Sweet Scent
Gastro Acid
Razor Leaf
Slam
Wring Out

HMD/Contact

zelretch — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 05:39:43 GMT

You guys know how it works. The crit post for Rin at route_29 lives here. I can also be contacted via LJ PM or HighinQusitor on AIM if you'd rather have a more private conversation.

Anonymous is on, IP logging is off, comment screening is on.

Application

zelretch — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:02:23 GMT

Mun
Name: Qu-ko
Livejournal Username: aphotic
E-mail: aura[at]smallmagic.net
AIM/MSN: HighinQusitor
Timezone: EST -5
Current Characters in Route: Juudai Yuuki (vagabondfool), Vivi Orunitia (existentiality)

Character
Name: Rin Tohsaka
Series: Fate/Stay Night
Timeline: Unlimited Blade Works, post-True End
Canon Resource Links: Rin's article and the Fate/Stay Night article

Affiliation: Trainer

Personality: Famous for being a tsundere sort of character and a determined individual as a whole, Rin is outwardly sassy and forthright, bold and resolute. If she has an opinion on something, she does not hesitate to say it, sometimes in a vicious, unyielding way -- even so, though, she isn't the type to act rashly without thinking, as she is very clever as well, and knows her limits. While she can be contentious and is known for her competitive nature and clear ambition, she seems to always keep herself within the line. She takes offense easily, but relaxes again just as easily. Admired by many of the students in her school for her good grades and diligent personality, she takes pride in showing off at times, as well; keen and perceptive, her intelligence shines most brilliantly in how resourceful she is in difficult situations, particularly during the canon timeline.

However, there's more to Rin than just being a model student with an opinionated streak. Beneath the irreverant attitude, she is rather bitter about all the sacrifices that were necessary to make in order to follow tradition, as well as dissatisfaction and lack of a sense of fulfillment with her current life. This seems to be the root of the eagerness to prove herself in the Holy Grail wars, to compete with others and win, becoming a great sorcerer despite lacking any formal magic education, and to be good at everything else she does alongside that. She seems to spend a lot of time maintaining the illusion of the smart-alecky attitude, trying to appear catty and belligerent to others, but she wasn't really meant to be a mean person, in truth. In fact, she seems to come across as more vain at times, as she is secretly very stingy and does not like to do hard work, although is able to force herself to do it if she truly wants to, as is the case with her schoolwork and grades (she uses them as a sort of distraction for others from her personal life). The bottom line is that she is (grudgingly) kind-hearted and cannot change her core, inherently caring personality, so instead tries to cover it up with a sort of on-again off-again attitude. She's just a girl of her own age on the inside, but tries to be stronger than she is by nature, killing her true self slowly by trying to be a better magus.

Strengths/Weaknesses:

Strengths:

- Sharp, quick-witted and able to make split-second decisions, Rin is extremely, extremely intelligent on all fronts.

- She is able to adapt appropriate strategies to most situations that require it, and quickly at that.

- She's a strong person with a strong personality, a very confident individual, and is willing to tackle any problems thrown at her with a great deal of tenacity to accomplish her goals.

- A powerful magus even without formal training, though it's hard to really apply such a thing in a setting where powers get muted.

- She is ambitious and competitive, wanting to be the best at everything she does -- and she usually is or comes quite close to it, at that.

Weaknesses:

- She's not particularly fond of her truthfully kind heart and tries to mask it as best she can; it creates a glaring flaw in her personality, in that she wants to be someone she's not.

- As mentioned in the personality section, she comes across as vain sometimes, as she can be lazy and will secretly try to do the least amount of work necessary, if possible. Not to say she won't do more if she has to, but would prefer not to.

- If something strikes her as worth arguing about, you can bet your ass she'll argue it. She's not exactly the type who takes stupidity in stride, which can be both a strength and a weakness, I suppose...

- She's extremely bitter about having to sacrifice so much for becoming who she is today, and therefore has mixed feelings on this whole "Pokemon" thing in a world in which sorcery does not seem to exist.

Pokemon
Starter: Misdreavus

Password: Salmon riceballs

Samples
(Please note that both samples must take place in Route_29’s setting.)

First Person Sample:

[The video turns on, panning over a Misdreavus that is staring, silently and attentively, at her trainer. The other Pokemon lined up beside her include Noctowl, Kadabra, Flaaffy, Weepinbell, and a Psyduck that seems to be paying less attention than it should be for its own well-being. They appear to be in front of the Goldenrod Gym, while Rin drills them one final time.]

Alright, strategy time. You all remember what I told you before, don't you? We are going up against Whitney, who uses Normal-types! I've also gathered that she uses the move Attract against male Pokemon, so you two-- [pointing individually to Noctowl and Psyduck] had better be especially careful.

[The Psyduck jumps to attention, and then tilts its head at her, narrowing its eyes in a peculiar expression. Rin sighs.]

...But I think I'm less worried about Entenküken here than I am about Pụ̈nktlichkeit. You wouldn't know attraction if it hit you in the back of the head. But it probably will soon enough, if I'm right about this.

[Entenküken the Psyduck barely reacts to the insult. Not that he doesn't comprehend, he simply has other things he's thinking about right now. And considering how small his brain capacity is, at least to Rin, that probably excludes all possibility of allowing more than one thought to enter his mind at any given time.]

So! Rubin, Normal-type attacks are ineffective against you. The only problem is, so are Ghost-type attacks against Normal-types. You'll have to stick to Psychic attacks, in that case, got it? Make sure to lower her chances of hitting you with Confuse Ray, and if you start to feel weak, don't hesitate to use Pain Split to even the odds.

[Rubin the Misdreavus nods affirmatively. Next, she moves on to Schaffell the Flaaffy.]

You have the power to cripple her, so I'll probably send you out first. Make sure you use Cotton Spore and Thunder Wave, and keep going as long as you can. I expect that you may not be able to handle the whole battle, but you can take one for the team, can't you?

[Rin smiles sweetly for a moment, with a hint of "do this or you'll regret it", though Schaffell doesn't seem to object all that much, as mild of a creature as she is.]

Next, Pụ̈nktlichkeit. You may get wooed by her charms, which is why I'll be keeping you as a backup instead this time around. If I do have to call on you to fight, use Reflect, and then Confusion. She'll probably be weakened by the time you're up, so just strike hard and fast and you may not even have to deal with Attract.

Zauberhaft! I probably won't need to use you this battle, if things go according to plan, but just in case: Disable and Confusion. Use them. Again, she'll probably be weak by the time I do need to rely on you, so concentrate on whittling her down in that case, and not giving her a chance to get a hit in.

[Zauberhaft the Kadabra nods in comprehension as well. Finally, Blütenmeer the Weepinbell looks at her trainer expectantly, awaiting instructions, and Rin delivers.]

Blütenmeer, Stun Spore and Sleep Powder if for some reason she's not already crippled by them, and then Vine Whip and Acid away. You'll probably be priority over Pụ̈nktlichkeit and Zauberhaft, but after Rubin and Schaffell. Be ready, expect to be called out.

[Rin's gaze keeps wandering over to Entenküken, however, and eventually she turns to him -- not with disdain, but with a dangerous smirk on her face this time.]

...And you. Watch and learn the second we step into the gym. I'll make you useful if it kills me to do it!

[He stares with half-lidded eyes for a while longer. Rin groans irritably.]

...It better not kill me, but at this rate, it just might.

Third Person Sample: Rin was, if nothing else, very conscientious about her affairs. Almost like a replacement for charging her jewels daily, she had instead taken to diligently training her team of almost-but-not-quite-familiars-called-Pokemon nearly every day. Despite the fact that it forced her to go out into the wilderness and fight other creatures, she did it routinely. It tired her and her Pokemon out thoroughly, but each and every battle made them stronger and helped her learn more about this place and the creatures she was taming.

For example, type alignments; occasionally she had to learn the hard way what didn't work against what, but some were common sense, and for the ones that weren't, she read the manual that had been provided to her by that delusional woman claiming to be her mother like her new bible (despite the fact that she had never been particularly religious, but it was an appropriate comparison in her experience). In spite of the confusion that had been caused by that lady, the things she'd been given at the outset turned out to be quite useful.

Strategies involving debilitating her opponents and working with or around weaknesses came naturally to her, and it reminded her somewhat of the strategizing for the Holy Grail War that had gone on at the time. Particularly the part about covering her weaknesses and flaws; that was something she was very familiar with. After all, whenever Rin Tohsaka tried something new, she was going to become skilled at it in very little time. A proven fact, if she did say so herself.

She'd thought it all ridiculous at first, but it didn't seem so hard sometimes. Even with the eight-bit video game music that she'd been forced to grow accustomed to and block out of her own accord, the lack of magic and her inability to practice (and her resulting secret fear of growing rusty), and the odd technological development of the world, she felt she was doing fine.

...The only problem with that was, "good enough" was never actually good enough.

"Alright, Rubin, that's good for today," Rin called to her Misdreavus, sounding slightly worn. "We'll head back now."

Rubin whirled around and smiled, floating up to her. For a moment, she seemed distracted, and so the ghost drifted up to her face and stared intently into her eyes.

"Hmm? Rubin?" she asked, unsure what it was that was tipping the Pokemon off to something bothering her, as it seemed to be. Rubin suddenly buried her face in Rin's chest with a surprising amount of force, causing her to have to take a step back to maintain her balance. If anyone else had done something like that -- Shirou probably included -- she'd have had to chew them out or worse, but with Rubin... it was hard to be picky about where she nuzzled her, considering she didn't have hands.

"...If you're wondering, I'm just worried," she explained flatly. "About getting out-of-practice with magecraft, among other things." Sighing, she added, "But I suppose that's the least of my worries. Just finding a way to go home is top priority."

Her expression, previously distant, softened a bit. "...But what about you guys? I don't suppose there'd be a way to take you with us as real familiars? Or..." She sighed, cutting off her thoughts forcibly. "Oh, forget it. I'm thinking too much about this. Come on, back to the Pokemon Center with you."

Using her hand to direct Rubin's movements, she guided her out of her chest, then looked down at her.

"Besides, I promised I'd take care of him anyway, no matter what. So I'm not about to break that promise, whether I have to do everything with magic or with Pokemon. That's why I'm keeping you just as well-trained as I would keep myself back home." Rin kept her eyes focused on her partner, trying to cover up the fondness in her expression while keeping her tone businesslike, though it wasn't entirely successful. "So that's why I'm counting on you to help me out."

Having to rely on others for protection was not something she enjoyed doing, but if she was with the ones she cared about the most, always... then maybe it wouldn't be that bad.