If there was one thing Eva had learned in her 30 years, it was that your gut instinct was rarely wrong. Something drew her to the beach tonight, and she listened to the call. The cool sand beneath her bare feet was quite the different feeling than the last time she was here. It seemed liked ages ago she was helping @simone clean it up. Ages ago and much simpler times where all she had to worry about was not making a fool of herself in front of a cute, kind boy and working for the Rangers.

Her life of peace didn’t last long. One press conference gone wrong, and Eva was catapulted back into a life that mirrored hers in Kanto. A part of her would have it no other way. Someone needed to defend the good left in this world and the doctor was happy to answer the call.

Honestly, Eva hadn’t really been paying attention as she walked. He eyes were fixed on the cool waves that came and went over her bare feet while she walked along the water’s edge.

“Oh! I’m sorry!” she gasped, nearly running right into @chloe but the doctor managed a spin move before they made contact, “I was just totally in my own little world there! Ha!” a bright laugh pierced the night air, “Oh!.... Chloe?” Eva’s eyes widened in surprised when she recognized the young woman from their recent excursion.

@chloe

It was Chloe, phew! That would have been embarrassing if it wasn’t! Or if she didn’t recognize her. Of course, it’s hard to forget the face of someone you almost died with.

“Oh! Just call me Eva,” she immediately encouraged as soon as Chloe uttered ‘Professor’. Eva wasn’t one for formalities, even when they were required.

“It’s good to see you too!” Eva shifted the sand beneath her feet, curling it between her toes, “I’ve been alright! Recovering. Preparing. Researching. It’s all kept me quite busy which is a good thing! How have you been?” she asked with genuine curiosity.

@chloe

Eva nodded in understanding. Lost in thought, she knew what that meant even if Chloe didn’t want to admit it to her. The doctor had seen too many young trainers after a traumatic battle to not recognize the side effects of such a dangerous and stressful event. Eva wasn’t immune to them either.

“I hope not too lost in them,” she frowned as she met Chloe’s gaze, taking a moment to study it before continuing, “Yes! I actually saw them the other day! Locke Jamison seems to be recovering well. Still a little shook up, but who wouldn’t be after something like that?” her shoulders shrugged and she looked down at her bare feet as a wave gently moved sand between her toes, “We actually babysat some of the orphaned Spinda from the route,” she laughed lightly, pulling out her phone to show Chloe a picture of three small Spinda in a playpen, “They’re adorable, ‘aint they?” being the doctor she was, Eva could help but ask, “How is your Drampa doing?” Eva watched the fainted pokemon rise under the influence of whatever dark energy the corrupted legendary possessed. Eva wondered if the pokemon even remembered fighting against its own trainer.

@chloe

Eva could sense the tension rise when she mentioned the Drampa. Oakley, was its name. Chloe seemed hesitant to discuss it which was understandable. A lot of traumatic things happened that day, “I’m glad to hear she’s ok,” and that’s all Eva would say on the subject, respecting the woman’s desire to change the topic.

Emerald eyes flashed from her gaze out on the ocean towards Chloe when she mentioned the Rocket. Her brows furrowed in irritation, not because of Chloe but because of the situation in general, “Unfortunately, no,” her voice was low, bitter, “I’ve been replaying it all in my head, trying to pick out something that could give me a lead but I just . . . can’t,” she sighs in defeat, “But I certainly won’t stop looking,” especially since he took the girl with him when they teleported out of there. Eva was very concerned for her well-being in the hands of someone like Cillian Quinn . Although she probably knew the answer, Eva asks anyway, “Do you have any leads or new information?”

@chloe

Eva could sense the fire rising in @chole. The passion for justice mirrored her own, especially when she was Chloe’s age back in Kanto. She reminded Eva of herself in a way and Eva certainly wasn’t going to try and smother that fire, only encourage it. The world needed more people like Chloe, “You’re absolutely right,” Eva said sternly in regards to Cillian Quinn and his army of beasts, “No one is untouchable, and we’ll be ready for next time,” she speaks firmly, resolute in her confidence to inspire the young girl. Eva may have failed against Rocket once, but she was eager to push the envelope on Hoenn. The more people that stood strong against their oppression, the harder the people would make it for Rocket to achieve submission. Kanto underestimated Rocket and Eva was too late to encourage the people to fight back. She wouldn’t make the same mistake here, “Prepare yourself, Chloe, because this isn’t over,” probably not what she wanted to hear, but Eva wouldn’t mask the truth.

@chloe

Eva was happy to see her mood brighten with a grin. She felt like she did what she had set out to do. It was inspiring to see Chloe inspired, “Well, if you’d ever like to train I can always make some room in my schedule for it,” she assured the young girl. Eva could use more training too. Now that she had somewhat of an idea of what they may be up against, their strategy would need refining and practice.

A skeptical look accompanied the presentation of fireworks. Eva wasn’t a huge fan of them for many reasons, like what happened at the Vital Spirit Festival being one of those. It seemed like there was not a lot of wildlife around and they could safely fire them over the water . . . with a sigh Eva shrugged her shoulders, “Sure, why not?” if it made Chloe feel better and acted as a distraction then she could accept that as a good reason to fire a few off. Eva took the fireworks presented by the Ranger. Eva didn’t have a lighter so she looked at Chloe expectantly.

@chloe