Yᴀɴɢ xɪᴀo Loɴɢ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
yanginthere) wrote2016-02-06 05:02 pm
yanginthere) wrote2016-02-06 05:02 pm
Entry tags:
app for ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
route_29: VOLUME 3 SPOILERS ABOUND
Player
Name: Pip
Personal Journal:simplypip
E-mail:
AIM/Plurk/Etc.:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
simplypip
Timezone: CST
Current Characters in Route: none
Character
Name: Yang Xiao Long
Series: RWBY
Timeline: Volume 3, Chapter 6 "Fall" ; spoiler: (after winning the match against Mercury, but before kneecapping him)
Canon Resource Links: RWBY Wiki
Personality:
Blonde hair, a boisterous attitude, and a babe-like body. If one were to judge Yang on first impressions alone, one would be gravely mistaken as to the depth of her character. As an older sister, a loyal friend, and as a Huntress-in-training, she exemplifies more complex character traits than the "bimbo" image she projects. From her first arrival at Beacon Academy to begin her training alongside her younger sister Ruby, to the middle of her second semester at the school, Yang shown herself to be more than just a pretty face with a charming wink and a cheesy sense of humor.
From the get-go, it's obvious Yang is a social person. After her initial excitement of arriving at Beacon wore off, she seemingly abandoned her sister to instead spend time with the friends of hers that arrived in the same batch; presumably other students from Signal -- the combat school she previously attended -- though said friends are never given names, faces, or ever heard from or seen again. That does not mean that she isn't proud of her sister. No, Yang can acknowledge and praise her and others for their accomplishments easily, for it isn't a matter of pride to her that they each have achieved good things. Life isn't a contest to her by default, one has to really come to her with a challenge that's clearly established in order for her to go along with it. It isn't like her to snub how far someone else has come, and every victory deserves recognition in her eyes, no matter how small. Yang is almost the polar opposite of Ruby in that way, and it's why she tried so hard to get Ruby to make friends of her own... even if that method was a little like throwing someone who can't swim very well into a lake and watching them try to avoid drowning. In that way, she is said to be like their father.
Family is a sore subject with her, when it comes to her mother, Raven Branwen, and Ruby's mother, Summer Rose. They are only half-sisters, sharing the same quirky father (Taiyang Xiao Long), and one "functional" alcoholic uncle., Qrow. Their family is all comprised of those who were Huntsmen and Huntresses, with all the distance and dangers that profession carries with it. Yang's mother abandoned her with her father shortly after she was born, and though he eventually fell in love with Summer and they sought fit to raise both the toddle Yang and infant Ruby together, Summer was killed in action on a mission when they were both still very young. As Taiyang was said to "shut down" after Summer's passing, it was largely up to Yang to look after Ruby along with her uncle Qrow.
Qrow, for better or worse, acted as a surrogate uncle for Ruby and taught both her and Yang what it meant to be a Huntsmen. While heroic exploits recounted and magical fairy tales wove a tapestry of intrigue and heroism that drew her sister in, Yang's desire to become a Huntress likely stemmed from watching Qrow in action. In taking a stupid risk to both her and Ruby when they were young, in a futile quest to search for clues regarding Raven's disappearance, the siblings were nearly turned into Grimm-chow. If it wasn't for Qrow shadowing them and dispatching the threat, Yang's reckless action would have gotten them both killed. Training hard and absorbing all of Qrow's knowledge and wisdom set her on the path to having the power to follow-up on that research at a much steadier pace, without allowing her emotions to drive her to ruin as a result. It's a lesson she learned all too painfully and is one that she refuses to let anyone else close to her repeat.
That does not mean Yang has given up on her mother. On the contrary, she is more determined now than ever, with new clues coming to light, that Raven can be reached and, hopefully, reasoned with. Yang isn't keen on giving up on anyone, even if they themselves cannot see the help she is offering for what it is. It varies on whether or not Yang displays her compassion with a cool head or whether she employs "tough love", such as snapping Blake out of her self-destructive rut in tracking down Roman at the cost of her own health. Sometimes a push-pull approach is just necessary to make her message clear. Yang isn't coy when her feelings are on the line. If she truly cares for someone, they will know it, but just as easily if someone she cares for slaps her helping hand away she will put that hand right back out there until they see what she's trying to do. Yang was surprisingly calm leading up to that, though, which shows that her patience has firm boundaries that cannot be crossed.
Grave matters aside, Yang's enthusiasm for life knows no bounds. When pressed for her motivations in attending Beacon for training, Yang admitted that she was a thrill-seeker. That traveling around the world seeking out new exciting adventures was her ultimate goal, and that helping people along the way conveniently fell in line with that notion. If she were to draw it out, overlapping those two ideals, along with her desire to find her mother during her travels, in the center of that venn diagram would be one word: Huntress. It doesn't mean she half-asses it. Never is it implied that she isn't up on her studies, and her combat skill is easily proven in the way her team excels in field operations, as well as her successes during the Vytal Festival tournament. Additionally, she is not afraid to resort to using her sex appeal and intimidation when the situation calls for it, such as the way she shakes down Junior after raiding his nightclub in an attempt to get a lead on her missing mom and, later again, when it comes time to investigate Roman's activities in the area.
Yang would also be the first to proudly admit that she has a wicked sense of humor. Whether it's corny one-liners in combat, the odd pun here and there, or just a simple joke to bring levity to a tense situation, Yang can be counted on to (try to) bring the fun into everything she does. It's a lot harder to match her timing when it comes to delivering jokes, as Weiss discovered after trying her hand at a pun. That was ill-received only because the team had lost that particular encounter, and Yang did not appreciate Neo completely evading her finishing blow. There's a time and place for everything.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
+/- : Tough as nails. Yang's Semblance is fueled by the damage that is inflicted upon her. When dodging and weaving fails her, she instead chooses to take the hits head-on. It's a reckless manner of fighting.
+/- : Thrill-seeker. Going along with her high-risk, high-reward mentality, Yang will often try plans that are downright dangerous and anyone with common sense (and a solid sense of self-preservation) would avoid them.
+/- : Fierce defender. Another trait that leads her to put her life on the line is when those she is close to are in direct danger. Knowing she is tougher than average, she would much rather take the strike meant for another, such as her teammates, rather than have them deal with it. It saves them at a cost of her own condition.
+/- : Direct. Yang is not subtle. From her words to her actions, everything she does dives straight to the heart of the matter. It can lead to moments where she speaks thoughtlessly, adding humor or levity to a situation where it isn't necessary or appropriate, and her attacks have little variety or room for misdirection. The only times her strategies improve is when she--
+ : --combines her efforts with someone else's. Yang works well with a team, able to march to the beat of someone else's drum as well as her own.
- : Hot-headed. She is weak to taunting. When engaged, insults and negative comments on Yang's performance or her appearance can lead to her losing awareness of her surroundings.
- : Hair trigger. Literally. Do not damage her golden locks. SHE WILL END YOU, THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THIS. It's a good way to get her to go from zero-to-rage in 3 seconds flat. All bets are off at this point.
- : Tunnel vision. Yang adapts poorly in situations where she is thrown off balance or her usual technique fails her, such as when opponents manage to completely avoid her attacks.
Pokémon Information
Affiliation: Trainer
Starter: Growlithe
Password: Peppermint Bark (tasty!)
Samples
First Person Sample:
[ Most of Yang's posts via PGC have been simple snapshots attached to short messages or witty captions. She doesn't consider her pokémon her "team" but rather her "crew" (there is only room for one kind of Team in her life, and this place cannot change that). Images such as lazing about in the sun with a pair of Joltiks nestled in her crew: "nice day. just #yangingout with the crew ;)" or showing off her latest badge acquisition in a selfie with her starter Growlithe, Rowdy.
Today was different in that she was making a video broadcast, her Gear nestled in the pocket of her knapsack from a position on a nearby stump. It's a breezy day in this grassy clearing, and Yang looked to be in good spirits when she finally did step into the shot. ]
Hey guys! I was just thinking ... we're always training our pokémon and they pick up all kinds of sick moves to help out during a fight. But ... what about outside of battles? [ She tapped her chin. ] I mean, with as much care that goes into raising and traveling with them, I think of them more like my pets and not just my "crew", you know?
[ Yang put her hands together in front of her and bowed, laughing quietly. ] Haha, but of course they'd never replace Zwei's place in my heart. I love you, buddy, wherever you are right now!
[ That sappy shout-out done, Yang cleared her throat and stepped to the side. ] So! Who wants to tell me all about tricks they've taught their pokémon? Doesn't matter how basic, or if you think it's silly — don't be shy! Show me what you've got.
As a matter of fact, I'll go first. [ She turned to the side and made a beckoning motion. ] Hey Rowdy, c'mere! [ A Growlithe bounded over beside her, looking chipper. She grumbled softly as Yang reached down to stroke fingers through her rather well-kept mohawk. Go figure that Yang would ensure that her furry companions would receive the best grooming she could manage. ]
All right, let's show our friends what you can do. [ Yang took a rubber ball out of her pocket, immediately catching Rowdy's attention with it. ] You ready, girl? Up! [ Rowdy stood up on her hind legs, balancing as best she could with her nose pointed straight up and maw open. Yang gingerly placed the ball between the Growlithe's front fangs and then stepped back a few paces. ]
Okay, good! Now... c'mon over. Just like we rehearsed. [ It's with careful steps that the puppy pokémon slowly advanced toward Yang, but after a few shaky feet she couldn't keep it up anymore and ended up lowering herself to all fours. Rowdy whimpered. ] Awww, that's okay! You did your best, lil buddy. [ Yang knelt down with her hand extended. ] Here's a treat for trying.
[ With her companion's attention diverted, Yang turned her attention back to the camera. ] Oh well. Maybe she just got nervous 'cause you're all watching. I'll be sure to have something cool to show you all next time. Later! [ She jogged over to pick up the Gear and cut the feed, and also prepare herself to browse through replies. It would be good to see if others shared her same mindset; of treating the pokémon less like tools for breeding or fighting, and more like animal companions that deserved their care and compassion. ]
Third Person Sample:
It's been several weeks now, and Yang still can't believe this place is real. Putting the pieces of information together that she had learned from others, or from her own experiences wandering the Johto region. Even her innocent younger sister, Ruby, with her pure soul would find this pill hard to swallow; or so Yang thought. "You can't even hear about a place like this in fairy tales," she had said at one point. And she was right. The world of Remnant she hailed from was a cruel and unforgiving land, where the only hope for humankind lay in banding together within fortified cities or be in easy reach of (and have the money to pay for) the protection of Huntsmen. You didn't have wild beasts roaming the land that were afraid of attacking humans. The criminal elements at home didn't stop at assault and robbery, it was the baseline for the chaos they brought forth.
Yang had to break her current world view into bits and put the puzzle back together again. No matter how many times she turned everything she knew now on its head, it still came down to one thing: this place is quiet.
Too quiet, she thought to herself. Maybe I should have waited for someone to go with me. It was just going to be a leisurely trek through the Ilex Forest on her way to Azalea Town. She had heard of a park there with some interesting activities. A little excitement was exactly what Yang needed for herself because, as fun as training her pokémon and battling them could be, there was a deep desire to find new ways to get her blood pumping. She could only get so much out of sparring with the same people over and over again; working herself to the bone in the gym any time she wasn't preparing to face down the next Gym Leader.
The exit to the woods was almost in sight, but the sun was already hanging low in the sky above the treetops. Her pace had been a too leisurely, with frequent stops to admire the scenery and think of home. A rustle in the underbrush nearby had her spinning on a heel and assuming a defensive stance. Habit. She had no weapons, no powers, and though she was still keeping herself fit and in practice, she also knew that if a Grimm launched itself out from behind a tree at her right then she would be dead. Inevitability was staring her in the face. A quick glance behind her showed her that there was some kind of shack a short sprint away.
C'mon! Run!! her mind screamed for her to take flight. Cover was within reach — a shed she recalled a short sprint around the bend in the path — but her legs didn't budge.
C'mon, come at me! Yang's stance conflicted with her will to flee, the leather of her new gloves creaked as she balled her hands into tight fists.
The rustling intensified for a few moments before something small and brown rolled out from the cover of the bushes. At first Yang thought it was just an over-sized acorn, the kind she had spotted on numerous trees along this path, but then it came to a halt against a pebble and opened its eyes. Now she saw it for what it was; a new pokémon.
"Oh!" Yang blinked several times and dropped her stance. For several long moments there was nothing but silence as the two stared one another down. Yang let out a loud laugh. "Wow, that... you really gave me a start, you know? But you don't look so tough!"
The pokémon seemed to take offense to that, if its expression was anything to go by. Yang took a deep breath to center her mind, taking all of her hunting instincts and putting them aside. This wasn't home; there were no Grimm, no need to fight for survival to the same extent as she would have in this instance. There were others that fought for her, now, and as weird of a reversal as that was, there was some pride to be found in her new role. Her fear melted away, leaving her with the exhilaration of facing down a challenge. The not-an-acorn didn't look tough but she never knew what to expect with each new monster encountered. There's only one way to find out -- she had to capture it.
"All right, little fella. I think you know how this is going to go down!" With her mood improved, Yang announced her intent before launching her Poké Ball forward. Her Growlithe roared as she materialized on the path before the Seedot and the familiar sound brought a smile to Yang's face. "Rowdy, prepare yourself for battle!"
Maybe Yang would never get used to this place. It was kind of fun. She'll certainly never stop missing home. This place was too quiet, too peaceful, but that didn't mean Yang had to stop and accept that for what it was. She'll just do what she does best, in seeking out the next exciting adventure. It's about all she can do. She had to do her best to keep moving forward, both for friends and also her own sake.
Name: Pip
Personal Journal:
simplypipE-mail:
AIM/Plurk/Etc.:
Timezone: CST
Current Characters in Route: none
Character
Name: Yang Xiao Long
Series: RWBY
Timeline: Volume 3, Chapter 6 "Fall" ; spoiler: (after winning the match against Mercury, but before kneecapping him)
Canon Resource Links: RWBY Wiki
Personality:
Blonde hair, a boisterous attitude, and a babe-like body. If one were to judge Yang on first impressions alone, one would be gravely mistaken as to the depth of her character. As an older sister, a loyal friend, and as a Huntress-in-training, she exemplifies more complex character traits than the "bimbo" image she projects. From her first arrival at Beacon Academy to begin her training alongside her younger sister Ruby, to the middle of her second semester at the school, Yang shown herself to be more than just a pretty face with a charming wink and a cheesy sense of humor.
From the get-go, it's obvious Yang is a social person. After her initial excitement of arriving at Beacon wore off, she seemingly abandoned her sister to instead spend time with the friends of hers that arrived in the same batch; presumably other students from Signal -- the combat school she previously attended -- though said friends are never given names, faces, or ever heard from or seen again. That does not mean that she isn't proud of her sister. No, Yang can acknowledge and praise her and others for their accomplishments easily, for it isn't a matter of pride to her that they each have achieved good things. Life isn't a contest to her by default, one has to really come to her with a challenge that's clearly established in order for her to go along with it. It isn't like her to snub how far someone else has come, and every victory deserves recognition in her eyes, no matter how small. Yang is almost the polar opposite of Ruby in that way, and it's why she tried so hard to get Ruby to make friends of her own... even if that method was a little like throwing someone who can't swim very well into a lake and watching them try to avoid drowning. In that way, she is said to be like their father.
Family is a sore subject with her, when it comes to her mother, Raven Branwen, and Ruby's mother, Summer Rose. They are only half-sisters, sharing the same quirky father (Taiyang Xiao Long), and one "functional" alcoholic uncle., Qrow. Their family is all comprised of those who were Huntsmen and Huntresses, with all the distance and dangers that profession carries with it. Yang's mother abandoned her with her father shortly after she was born, and though he eventually fell in love with Summer and they sought fit to raise both the toddle Yang and infant Ruby together, Summer was killed in action on a mission when they were both still very young. As Taiyang was said to "shut down" after Summer's passing, it was largely up to Yang to look after Ruby along with her uncle Qrow.
Qrow, for better or worse, acted as a surrogate uncle for Ruby and taught both her and Yang what it meant to be a Huntsmen. While heroic exploits recounted and magical fairy tales wove a tapestry of intrigue and heroism that drew her sister in, Yang's desire to become a Huntress likely stemmed from watching Qrow in action. In taking a stupid risk to both her and Ruby when they were young, in a futile quest to search for clues regarding Raven's disappearance, the siblings were nearly turned into Grimm-chow. If it wasn't for Qrow shadowing them and dispatching the threat, Yang's reckless action would have gotten them both killed. Training hard and absorbing all of Qrow's knowledge and wisdom set her on the path to having the power to follow-up on that research at a much steadier pace, without allowing her emotions to drive her to ruin as a result. It's a lesson she learned all too painfully and is one that she refuses to let anyone else close to her repeat.
That does not mean Yang has given up on her mother. On the contrary, she is more determined now than ever, with new clues coming to light, that Raven can be reached and, hopefully, reasoned with. Yang isn't keen on giving up on anyone, even if they themselves cannot see the help she is offering for what it is. It varies on whether or not Yang displays her compassion with a cool head or whether she employs "tough love", such as snapping Blake out of her self-destructive rut in tracking down Roman at the cost of her own health. Sometimes a push-pull approach is just necessary to make her message clear. Yang isn't coy when her feelings are on the line. If she truly cares for someone, they will know it, but just as easily if someone she cares for slaps her helping hand away she will put that hand right back out there until they see what she's trying to do. Yang was surprisingly calm leading up to that, though, which shows that her patience has firm boundaries that cannot be crossed.
Grave matters aside, Yang's enthusiasm for life knows no bounds. When pressed for her motivations in attending Beacon for training, Yang admitted that she was a thrill-seeker. That traveling around the world seeking out new exciting adventures was her ultimate goal, and that helping people along the way conveniently fell in line with that notion. If she were to draw it out, overlapping those two ideals, along with her desire to find her mother during her travels, in the center of that venn diagram would be one word: Huntress. It doesn't mean she half-asses it. Never is it implied that she isn't up on her studies, and her combat skill is easily proven in the way her team excels in field operations, as well as her successes during the Vytal Festival tournament. Additionally, she is not afraid to resort to using her sex appeal and intimidation when the situation calls for it, such as the way she shakes down Junior after raiding his nightclub in an attempt to get a lead on her missing mom and, later again, when it comes time to investigate Roman's activities in the area.
Yang would also be the first to proudly admit that she has a wicked sense of humor. Whether it's corny one-liners in combat, the odd pun here and there, or just a simple joke to bring levity to a tense situation, Yang can be counted on to (try to) bring the fun into everything she does. It's a lot harder to match her timing when it comes to delivering jokes, as Weiss discovered after trying her hand at a pun. That was ill-received only because the team had lost that particular encounter, and Yang did not appreciate Neo completely evading her finishing blow. There's a time and place for everything.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
+/- : Tough as nails. Yang's Semblance is fueled by the damage that is inflicted upon her. When dodging and weaving fails her, she instead chooses to take the hits head-on. It's a reckless manner of fighting.
+/- : Thrill-seeker. Going along with her high-risk, high-reward mentality, Yang will often try plans that are downright dangerous and anyone with common sense (and a solid sense of self-preservation) would avoid them.
+/- : Fierce defender. Another trait that leads her to put her life on the line is when those she is close to are in direct danger. Knowing she is tougher than average, she would much rather take the strike meant for another, such as her teammates, rather than have them deal with it. It saves them at a cost of her own condition.
+/- : Direct. Yang is not subtle. From her words to her actions, everything she does dives straight to the heart of the matter. It can lead to moments where she speaks thoughtlessly, adding humor or levity to a situation where it isn't necessary or appropriate, and her attacks have little variety or room for misdirection. The only times her strategies improve is when she--
+ : --combines her efforts with someone else's. Yang works well with a team, able to march to the beat of someone else's drum as well as her own.
- : Hot-headed. She is weak to taunting. When engaged, insults and negative comments on Yang's performance or her appearance can lead to her losing awareness of her surroundings.
- : Hair trigger. Literally. Do not damage her golden locks. SHE WILL END YOU, THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THIS. It's a good way to get her to go from zero-to-rage in 3 seconds flat. All bets are off at this point.
- : Tunnel vision. Yang adapts poorly in situations where she is thrown off balance or her usual technique fails her, such as when opponents manage to completely avoid her attacks.
Pokémon Information
Affiliation: Trainer
Starter: Growlithe
Password: Peppermint Bark (tasty!)
Samples
First Person Sample:
[ Most of Yang's posts via PGC have been simple snapshots attached to short messages or witty captions. She doesn't consider her pokémon her "team" but rather her "crew" (there is only room for one kind of Team in her life, and this place cannot change that). Images such as lazing about in the sun with a pair of Joltiks nestled in her crew: "nice day. just #yangingout with the crew ;)" or showing off her latest badge acquisition in a selfie with her starter Growlithe, Rowdy.
Today was different in that she was making a video broadcast, her Gear nestled in the pocket of her knapsack from a position on a nearby stump. It's a breezy day in this grassy clearing, and Yang looked to be in good spirits when she finally did step into the shot. ]
Hey guys! I was just thinking ... we're always training our pokémon and they pick up all kinds of sick moves to help out during a fight. But ... what about outside of battles? [ She tapped her chin. ] I mean, with as much care that goes into raising and traveling with them, I think of them more like my pets and not just my "crew", you know?
[ Yang put her hands together in front of her and bowed, laughing quietly. ] Haha, but of course they'd never replace Zwei's place in my heart. I love you, buddy, wherever you are right now!
[ That sappy shout-out done, Yang cleared her throat and stepped to the side. ] So! Who wants to tell me all about tricks they've taught their pokémon? Doesn't matter how basic, or if you think it's silly — don't be shy! Show me what you've got.
As a matter of fact, I'll go first. [ She turned to the side and made a beckoning motion. ] Hey Rowdy, c'mere! [ A Growlithe bounded over beside her, looking chipper. She grumbled softly as Yang reached down to stroke fingers through her rather well-kept mohawk. Go figure that Yang would ensure that her furry companions would receive the best grooming she could manage. ]
All right, let's show our friends what you can do. [ Yang took a rubber ball out of her pocket, immediately catching Rowdy's attention with it. ] You ready, girl? Up! [ Rowdy stood up on her hind legs, balancing as best she could with her nose pointed straight up and maw open. Yang gingerly placed the ball between the Growlithe's front fangs and then stepped back a few paces. ]
Okay, good! Now... c'mon over. Just like we rehearsed. [ It's with careful steps that the puppy pokémon slowly advanced toward Yang, but after a few shaky feet she couldn't keep it up anymore and ended up lowering herself to all fours. Rowdy whimpered. ] Awww, that's okay! You did your best, lil buddy. [ Yang knelt down with her hand extended. ] Here's a treat for trying.
[ With her companion's attention diverted, Yang turned her attention back to the camera. ] Oh well. Maybe she just got nervous 'cause you're all watching. I'll be sure to have something cool to show you all next time. Later! [ She jogged over to pick up the Gear and cut the feed, and also prepare herself to browse through replies. It would be good to see if others shared her same mindset; of treating the pokémon less like tools for breeding or fighting, and more like animal companions that deserved their care and compassion. ]
Third Person Sample:
It's been several weeks now, and Yang still can't believe this place is real. Putting the pieces of information together that she had learned from others, or from her own experiences wandering the Johto region. Even her innocent younger sister, Ruby, with her pure soul would find this pill hard to swallow; or so Yang thought. "You can't even hear about a place like this in fairy tales," she had said at one point. And she was right. The world of Remnant she hailed from was a cruel and unforgiving land, where the only hope for humankind lay in banding together within fortified cities or be in easy reach of (and have the money to pay for) the protection of Huntsmen. You didn't have wild beasts roaming the land that were afraid of attacking humans. The criminal elements at home didn't stop at assault and robbery, it was the baseline for the chaos they brought forth.
Yang had to break her current world view into bits and put the puzzle back together again. No matter how many times she turned everything she knew now on its head, it still came down to one thing: this place is quiet.
Too quiet, she thought to herself. Maybe I should have waited for someone to go with me. It was just going to be a leisurely trek through the Ilex Forest on her way to Azalea Town. She had heard of a park there with some interesting activities. A little excitement was exactly what Yang needed for herself because, as fun as training her pokémon and battling them could be, there was a deep desire to find new ways to get her blood pumping. She could only get so much out of sparring with the same people over and over again; working herself to the bone in the gym any time she wasn't preparing to face down the next Gym Leader.
The exit to the woods was almost in sight, but the sun was already hanging low in the sky above the treetops. Her pace had been a too leisurely, with frequent stops to admire the scenery and think of home. A rustle in the underbrush nearby had her spinning on a heel and assuming a defensive stance. Habit. She had no weapons, no powers, and though she was still keeping herself fit and in practice, she also knew that if a Grimm launched itself out from behind a tree at her right then she would be dead. Inevitability was staring her in the face. A quick glance behind her showed her that there was some kind of shack a short sprint away.
C'mon! Run!! her mind screamed for her to take flight. Cover was within reach — a shed she recalled a short sprint around the bend in the path — but her legs didn't budge.
C'mon, come at me! Yang's stance conflicted with her will to flee, the leather of her new gloves creaked as she balled her hands into tight fists.
The rustling intensified for a few moments before something small and brown rolled out from the cover of the bushes. At first Yang thought it was just an over-sized acorn, the kind she had spotted on numerous trees along this path, but then it came to a halt against a pebble and opened its eyes. Now she saw it for what it was; a new pokémon.
"Oh!" Yang blinked several times and dropped her stance. For several long moments there was nothing but silence as the two stared one another down. Yang let out a loud laugh. "Wow, that... you really gave me a start, you know? But you don't look so tough!"
The pokémon seemed to take offense to that, if its expression was anything to go by. Yang took a deep breath to center her mind, taking all of her hunting instincts and putting them aside. This wasn't home; there were no Grimm, no need to fight for survival to the same extent as she would have in this instance. There were others that fought for her, now, and as weird of a reversal as that was, there was some pride to be found in her new role. Her fear melted away, leaving her with the exhilaration of facing down a challenge. The not-an-acorn didn't look tough but she never knew what to expect with each new monster encountered. There's only one way to find out -- she had to capture it.
"All right, little fella. I think you know how this is going to go down!" With her mood improved, Yang announced her intent before launching her Poké Ball forward. Her Growlithe roared as she materialized on the path before the Seedot and the familiar sound brought a smile to Yang's face. "Rowdy, prepare yourself for battle!"
Maybe Yang would never get used to this place. It was kind of fun. She'll certainly never stop missing home. This place was too quiet, too peaceful, but that didn't mean Yang had to stop and accept that for what it was. She'll just do what she does best, in seeking out the next exciting adventure. It's about all she can do. She had to do her best to keep moving forward, both for friends and also her own sake.