[attr="class","alex"]"there are a lot of those," he pauses, "pranksters i mean." the mirage of a half—smile tugs at the corner of his lips. dozens of theories encircled what were upon dozens more riddles. it was an endless endeavour but alex didn't delve too deeply on the matter. the fact that it never seemed to end was what made it so fun.

alex looks up at sam. "it's a reference towards primals. part of it anyway." he adds, his eyes flickering back towards the words. "the fact that the grave doesn't have a name is what makes this even more of a mystery." alex says, digits pushing aside the slight weight of the pages. "—and the empty pedestal suggests something was once there." the humour in his tone doesn't match the misfortune in the remark. the endless tampering of an association derived from controlling absolutely everything.

!mission! ( samuel carter )

☉

[attr="class","alex"]the lush layer of earth had been peeled asunder. ore of value peered throught the makeshift cavern and flickered a thousand brilliant shades in the light that dangled off a seemingly endless wire. rather than being accompanied by dilligant workers the underground venture remained only mitigated in this silence by the motion of pokémon within.

— and one curious individual.

alex was no stranger to the dim—lit surroundings of stone walls and the discreet gazes of distant beings. he'd been picking away at the loose dazzling fragments with gentle ease amidst all alarm unearthing this place had caused. for once the aggression had since seemed long abided in the time that had passed — though — he doubted it would last. incoherent chatter that didn't derive from his kind suggested that some sort of action was bound to take place but the guard derived itself non—existent.

!mission! ( samuel carter )

☉

[attr="class","alex"]obviously what alex needed was a bit more self—awareness. the pair had already regarded a steady familiar approach and as such didn't perk up with as much readiness as the would—be phantoms. with no warning — his heart leapt momentarily into his throat. "s—sam?" alex says promptly.

the notion of surprise a contribution.

writing — mostly incoherent — is messily scribbled aside various sketches. organization wasn't exactly a key layer to the array that barely held itself together but alex let sam take a look anyway. "one of many." he adds, one steady breath dragging itself through his lungs. "what brings you here?"

!mission! ( samuel carter )

☉

[attr="class","alex"]the ruffled half—hearted laugh is alex's attempt at keeping another sudden entrance as nothing more than normal. which in this case — for them — it is. "my starter?" he says, mirroring the query with a curious look. the foliage around them dances with a gentle current. provoking chatter in the obscured treetops and whistling tunes within the tall grass. for once the natural occurrences seem to be at blame.

"an arcanine." alex says after a long moment, "don't remember much about her though." he can feel his smile lessening but it doesn't fade into the absence. if he'd never held onto a few stray belongings perhaps he would've mentioned the hovering companion that idled at his side. "even though there is some technicality for a first pokémon— i'd say we're already way beyond that." the joke conjured a flash of teeth and alex faced the treaded earth with an occupied mind.

passing! ( samuel carter )

☉

[attr="class","alex"]alex had the deep—seated tendency of a curious desire even despite his half—attempt at looming over a section of graves. the smooth stone walls of granite cave and the tales that were carved into its depth had become a target for folly. for a moment — he'd felt his features scrunched in slight indignation over the unpredictable nature of people and pokémon.

despite all tragedy it seemed inescapable.

the visage of two beasts whose hue in their fur remained an obvious difference lounged aside the sprawl of graves. an opening had punctured the once steady surface above. as such — light peered steadily into the darkness. it was the perfect source of visibility for alex as he jotted down notes. glancing in—between a well—worn layer of paper and the murals settled before them.

!mission! ( samuel carter )

☉

[attr="class","alex"]the flash of daggers firmly retained within the mouth of the lycanroc were gradually concealed. lessening in an almost begrudgingly ease. alex lowered the flashlight close behind this notion and his spare hand lingered over his chest.

"arceus," he said, heavily — a sigh forming the pause, "you scared me." a smile ghosted over his lips and his gaze retained some of its former warmth. he moved closer to the trio — digits settling into the fluffy fur that sprawled in—between a pair of ears. sol seemed more appeased by the touch than the entrance of new company and he wagged his tail in response.

the soft — friendly — quirk directed itself to the other pokémon. he'd recognized the thwackey but not the smaller one of the group and his head tilted with a curious look. "yeah." he'd answered after a long pause, his lingering gaze eventually shifting towards the man, "i could've sworn this was meant to be a harmless endeavor." alex joked, his smile growing, "i'm alex and this good boy is sol. he's a little bit riled up after our last few battles... but he means well." another brief pat and a gruff though content bark seems to agree with the remark.

!mission! ( boruta maher )

☉

[attr="class","alex"]alex was beginning to understand the minute encroachment of doubt that loomed over them like a corviknight's wing strewn across the sky. nighttime seemed to give birth to the hidden twisted beings that would not dare creep into the spotlight.

in this particular case — hungry aggressive pokémon.

sol was no stranger to the dangers as was his trainer. they'd ventured enough unscathed grounds to know what it meant in the end and as such they'd continued further into the canopy of the jungle. however — it wasn't as if the unstable earth provided much support.

the pair in their dispute against sudden attacks had left them a disheveled mess. worried stiff over the lycanroc realizing his brilliant mane was littered with twigs and dirt rather than the potential that squandered away deep in a bed of foliage — the sudden growl caused him to jump.

motion meant something was surely stepping into the limelight of a flickering flashlight and sol bared his fangs.

!mission! ( boruta maher )

☉

[attr="class","alex"]the unlikely festering eevee had managed to swarm the beast. overwhelming her in a series of gibberish — admiration — which caused her to blink.

unable to fathom an appropriate reaction.

"cute— aren't they?" alex questioned from the sidelines. he'd wielded a pokeball in his hands, fumbling with the object. it seemed to him this specific pokemon was constantly changing. formations that once didn't exist unraveling before the public eye as quick as a jolteon erupting into the clash.

a smile graced his lips.

with a decision made — the ball was thrown.

09zs54hQ

☉