MADE BY VEL OF GS + WW

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Remiel Calcifet @bean4

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Oh no. She's late, very very late.[break][break]

The woman is rushing as fast as she can, with rosy cheeks and labored breathing. Her legs aren't made for this, despite their length, and god, her thighs burn but she has to keep going. Really, of all the days to oversleep and her body manages to pick this one? They'll start without her, maybe even go as far as to write her off the expedition all together! Oh god, her career would be over! Scientists should always be on time, this is something her parents instilled in her brain and yet, she still managed to mess that up.[break][break]

She begins to slow as she sees the research tent coming into view, struggling to catch her breath. Honestly, whoever runs for fun deserves all the credit because that really sucked! No matter, she'll put on her brightest smile and offer as many apologies as needed, right? That'll surely make up for her being terrible with time... Hopefully.[break][break]

It seems they have already begun and Illeana attempts to fix her hair into a manageable ponytail, making quick work of the unruly dark mess. Running and her hair do not mix. Luckily, she still somewhat looks the part of her job and so, she lingers outside the tent for just another moment before gently brushing the flap aside and entering. "Hello?" She calls, meek and awkward. Eyes turn to her instantly and she has to swallow back a soft squeak, lips curling into a shy smile. "I'm terribly sorry I'm late!" That sounds sincere, right? God, they'll think she's faking it! Oh god.[break][break]

"I'm, uh," she flounders, fiddling with her fingers. "I'm Illeana Reyes." Illeana stands awkwardly in the middle of the tent, uncertain of where her place actually is. She's supposed to be with two others, right? You know, she should really consider reading up on those she's working with in order to be able to actually know who they are... "I believe I'm supposed to be assisting with a special research unit?" She sounds ridiculous, completely not the scientist her parents crafted her into. No, she sounds like a child, unsure of what she's even doing here... Glancing around, it seems as though everyone is already in their gear and ready to go and she just blows in on the breeze rambling about helping out? God, so embarrassing! And so, with awkward legs and fidgeting hands, she waits, completely out of her element and growing more timid by the minute. Team, please come collect your child!

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MADE BY VEL OF GS + WW

they both stare at her, as if she's possibly the weirdest thing to ever enter the tent and a soft squeak escapes as she fidgets. she knows it's probably nothing and probably in response to her lack of composure as she just flew in here but god, her mind is already reeling with thoughts of judgement. she feels small compared to them, a lost child crying for her mother. how is she supposed to be a great scientist when this happens? get a grip, illie. it's fine.

the woman beckons for the assistants around her to bring illeana closer and they obey, herding the dark haired girl toward najwa without hesitation. while they cross the short distance, illeana attempts to smooth her hair down, taming the wild ponytail into something more manageable with trembling fingers. she has to look presentable, even though she definitely just threw that option right out the window the second she stepped into the tent. still, appearances are everything, right? who would want to work with a scientist who looks like she currently does? no one, that's who.

a hand is extended to her once she gets close enough for introductions and she glances down at it before meekly extending her own to complete the handshake. relief washes over her as she woman confirms that she isn't, in fact, late and that they were just about to start. if she had been really late, would they have even let her in? oh boy... before her mind can run with that, the woman retracts her hand and illeana fidgets, newly idle hands moving to smooth over the fabric of her jeans. look casual, illie. you do this kind of thing, you're not an outsider it's okay! except, she definitely feels like an outsider and her mind is being mean.

"um," she squeaks, glancing down at her shoes as she talks. her cheeks are already heating up with hot embarrassment from just that one innocent question. "no, i haven't really done anything like this before." she could die of mortification now, right? to admit that piece of information to these two obviously qualified people just feels like social suicide. although, in her defense, she spends most of her time in a lab pouring herself into dna samples to really explore caves... still, she's embarrassed and the sudden urge to leave bubbles in her chest. the newly acquired kit jingles in her hands as her grip tightens, knuckles close to white. is this the time where she should give herself a pep talk?

the man steps forward, then, and voices his confirmation of his own training. the way he says it sounds as if it's normal to be trained in this endeavor, as if being asked such a question is demeaning. her cheeks flush further, the once rosy flesh becoming a hot red. is he going to make fun of her for not being trained? oh god, please no. she'll cry and then she'll have to leave.

his hand extends toward her as his attention shifts entirely to herself and she stares at his hand, timid and afraid for practically no reason. remiel, a nice name. should she compliment it? admire his status? what should she do? it takes a moment before the woman places her hand in his, giving a slight shake and forcing a shy smile to her lips. "illeana reyes, geneticist." that sounds scientific and correct, right? should she have said researcher instead? introductions are hard.

her hand releases his and falls back to her side for a moment before a carbink joins her, blinking up at her with curious eyes. it murmurs at her and the woman can't help but step toward it, dark eyes lighting up with admiration. "oh, hello there!" she coos, shifting her kit to one hand so her newly freed hand could rise to stroke the carbink's head. "you're adorable." it's probably not in her best interest to just ignore the people in front of her, however, and so she glances back toward the two as they begin to talk. remiel begins diving into the report and she stays silent, her hand absentmindedly stroking at the carbink's head further. this isn't her element, really, so she has no problem just listening for the moment. besides, remiel and najwa seem more than capable of completing this task without her... right? ugh, she really is in over her head. why did she think her area of expertise would be any sort of helpful in this situation?

Remiel Calcifet @bean4

MADE BY VEL OF GS + WW

she flushes as soon as najwa's words hit her ears, hands attempting to fiddle with her kit. it's bulky and heavy, probably more suited to be worn at the back but she's used to carrying things at her hips. it fastens around her waist with a click and she busies herself with checking it over once, twice, thrice. it settles against her usual belt with a clink, the tools hitting against her pokeballs with each movement. eh, it's fine, it'll all be fine. "thank you," she murmurs toward najwa, a small smile rising to her lips. "the honor is all mine!" most people can't say that a woman with such an impressive background has taught them. perhaps she's the first? oh god, she can't let her down if that's the case...

illeana misses their interest in her occupation, busying herself with petting remiel's carbink with one hand and continuing to fiddle with her kit with the other. her attention is divided evenly between the two tasks, with only the briefing filtering in through her ears. several layers of the earth have already been broken through, dissected and studied. now, they're sending the three of them in to study the cave? she probably should ask more questions but... being late forces her to stay quiet and simply try to grasp the situation from their words alone. her attention is snagged, however, by the appearance of najwa's kabutops. it's an impressive pokemon, one she hasn't actually had the chance to see face to face. sure, books and studies cover the basics but seeing one in person? that's so exciting. as if feeling pressured to release her own partner, she fumbles toward her belt and snags a pokeball. out comes her trusty ninetales, looking calm and collected with a swish of her tails. she had brought another pokemon to help but... with a glance down at her belt, she decides against the golurk for the time being. it doesn't dawn on her yet that flammae is probably a poor choice for a cave exploration but she'll catch on eventually. and so, with a simple nod to display her readiness, they begin.

she follows najwa's lead, hands now rising to settle against her chest. she's nervous, her body growing weary as they make their way toward the elevators. is this safe? what if the cave collapses? will they even find anything? her mind is racing with dozens of thoughts and she can't focus on anything other than getting her legs to move. najwa begins talking beside her, mentioning something about making a phone call and then the space is filled with her voice as she chats away with someone on the other line. it's cute, really, and illeana almost feels bad for witnessing such a personal moment. she averts her eyes toward her feet as they shuffle toward the elevator, with remiel already closing in on the elevator before the two women.

he opens the door without hesitation before gesturing toward them. ladies first, he says, and she flushes, uncertainty beginning to rise. "oh," she murmurs, voice soft. "okay." her steps are tentative, unsure, and she's a little too aware of how small the space is and it's overwhelming. flammae brushes against her legs in an attempt to comfort her trainer as the ninetales takes initiative and enters first. illeana follows, sliding in and placing herself in the furthest corner of the elevator. there, she'll gaze down at her feet again as she waits for the rest of the team to enter, one of her hands drifting down toward flammae's head to stroke at her fur.

Remiel Calcifet @bean4