January 28th, Year Unknown
The two strangers stumbled through the valley and over the rocky hills, both silent with glassy eyes reflecting pale sunlight. The gray sky roiled as snow howled across the hills and from the top of the valley peak, the older woman swore could hear something crawling around under the deep snow. She was ushered on through the fog by a firm hand on her back.
Jakucho shivered, her breath billowing out in a cloud before her as her teeth chattered noisily. Every second here was painful. Her clothes, tattered and thin, were nothing like the thick cushy garments that the so-called "natives" wore and so the cold settled in like needle-sharp fingers along her exposed skin.
The other girl behind her was no better, wearing nothing but a thin white shirt and a pair of shorts. She was curled in upon herself, garments flapping in the wind as gust whipped up a spray of snow. The skin of her face and fingers were a dangerous shade of purple.
The two strangers locked eyes for a moment and a message of fear was shared between them. They hadn't really considered what they were getting themselves into, but now…
Soon, they came to a stop atop a hill overlooking a wide snowy valley. There was no birdsong. There was no sound of cascading water from the river. There was no sunshine on the snow or ice and she could hear nothing but the wind in her ears. It would've been beautiful if it wasn't for the nature of the task set before them. A firm hand on her shoulder stopped her from continuing her mindless march forwards. Jakucho did not try to pull away.
"Here we are," spoke the guardsman. He adjusted his fur-lined tunic and stood hands behind his back as he surveyed the valley. His stoic gray eyes roamed over Akari first, and then herself, cold carelessness glittering in his eyes. "You two outsiders have already been briefed with your respective missions: you are to catch three pokémon each and present them to myself and Professor Laventon." He first turned his attention to Akari. "You are to catch a Bidoof, a Starly, and a Wurmple." He then turned to Jakucho - "and you are to catch a Shinx, a Ponyta, and a Buizel."
