Make me.

I'll do my best, you just hold on tight Fordie.

Ahahahahahshshshahhah

You know what I suddenly see what @megaheracross.bsky.social is saying about having a PR person to not let me post dumb shit.

Uwu bottom energy ⬇️

I'm pretty sure she saw me as the third wheel too, based on how... close the two of them have been lately. But like, I totally get that and I still got a good experience and a friend out of it!

I learned a lot about terrain, actually, that was the coolest thing battle-wise.

We're friends now, but at the time I think we uh. Felt a bit awkward towards each other. Roxanne was always professional about it and made space for both of us, but I definitely felt like a 3rd wheel sometimes. The both felt less, loose whenever I would join them. But it was great learning.

Hectic! We traveled a lot, because Roxanne was also 'mentoring' Lisia for her takeover of Sootopolis before taking me on. Her training was done through a lot of global dragon hunts (since Lisia was also building a team) that would then get tied into lessons about the league or leadership somehow.

Sure I suppose. I dunno I'd rather not self analyze much longer, I might spiral.

Hmmm. Maybe. I believe in my calves. And besides, the worst that can happen is we plummet several stories, which is no big deal, based on my latest gym puzzle tests! So sure, let's get you to the top of that tower. This way!

I used to explore it all the time with my brother. It's not that safe, the floors collapse regularly. We would just bike fast enough to outrun the collapsing floors.

Oh uh. See in the distance there, past where I'm pointing, there's like, a sandstone tower? That appears out of the ground every 3-4 days in a different place in the desert, then sinks back into the sand the night after it appears. It sometimes drags fossils and relics up with it.

That'll happen out here.

Isn't it? Ooh. It looks like mirage tower is even out today.

🙄

Don't think just because you're so far behind me I can't hear you cheating back there!!

Well I'll see you at the sand line, Torkoal!!

So you're saying you're gonna eat my dust?

Oh uh, thanks. I mostly think Roxanne picked me because of my community outreach interests and my uh... well I guess that is an example of what she called 'ability to persevere in a system designed against your success' but I think she was talking about the patriarchy and bureaucracy not battles.

Sturdy? I'm not sure how to take that Ford.

Oh I usually bike until I hit the sand. Do you have a Mach Bike?

I will also say that I'm so glad Lisia got rid of that stupid ice puzzle in the Sootopolis Gym. No offense,(maybe a little offense) that puzzle does not make any logical sense unless you have a vertical view of the whole puzzle. I'm not a short person but I could not tell what I was supposed to see.

You sound like me talking about Roxanne. I challenged her when she first went to Gym spot 5, and man. That was brutal. And no offense to Wallace but I had a team of ancient mons, so mostly rock, and I swept the water master.

Okay good because I'm fine sharing a tent but I'm very possessive about my bedroll.

Yeah. Cute.

You look cute!

But uhm. Did you bring a pack?

I think I finally feel like I'm settled in. It finally feels... real. Like I'm actually the Gym Leader, I'm actually in charge, it's not a dream or a temp gig or a trial run. I'm not overwhelmed by any of the new paperwork and placements or the gym redesigns or the league meetings. I'm here. 💪🏽

Whitney is an icon and I'm so glad I finally met her at this year's Cross-League Mixer. She's such a natural, and with such an underrated type focus. I wish I had that raw talent.

@ford.pokenavs.net you ready for our trip?

I mean I'm down for as long as you want it to be? There's a lot to see.

Sure. How much gear should I pack, how long of an expedition are you planning?

That seems like exactly the recipe for insanely competitive behavior actually.

Well okay its surprisingly common for people to attempt both. But also you know Roxanne and Wally both have Regis, right?