Something almost like a smile tries to form on her face, lost and sad.

Timid, like a deer, she takes a step forward.

"I'm glad you're both okay." Is all she can say, for a time, as something like relief fills her chest. She can't bring herself closer, as if the two of them will vanish. Doug, for the moment, is forgotten as fond memories play behind her eye.

Her eye waters, too, but she reaches up to catch the tear on the back of her finger before it can fall.

Still in shock, Eva releases her grip on Matias and steps forward. Eva's never been good at hiding emotions, “Callie,” it's relief and joy she's feeling now. Like Calliope, tears threaten to pinch out of the corners of her eyes. She doesn't wipe them away. Instead she lunges forward, arms spread wide to wrap the woman in a tight hug, "I thought you were dead," she admits in a breathless whisper, squeezing tighter.

MATIAS SILPH Calliope Marks John Sullivan

[attr="class","matias"]matias remains rooted in place, stuck and unable to advance in the face of someone he thought to be dead. it's jarring, to say the least.

but he finds some ground at the sight of eva hugging her. it's enough to pull him forward, though not into the hug, but close enough to mean something.

he says nothing, unable to find the right words.

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales + Calliope Marks + John Sullivan

There is only a mild flinch, the sudden movement making her react. Before Eva could react to that, though, she lifts her arms up and squeezes her back. It's firm but not as tight.

"Everyone did, I think." News of her sudden 'revival' had no spread far. It was hard to refute when they saw the death on television- even if it hadn't really been her.

Matias is not out of her range, good hand reaching out to try and grasp his arm. A soft squeeze before she brings it back to her chest.

By now, Doug had moved on from merely staring at the monument, to the task of its upkeep, pressing the wet sponge against its weathered surface to cleanse.

He did his best to not listen too much into the conversation going on behind him. Seemed a tad personal and none of his business whatsoever.

---

tags: Eva Morales MATIAS SILPH

Eventually, Eva forces herself to let go and take a step back. There's a moment of silence while she looks Callie up and down, shaking her head in a combination of disbelief and disappointment in herself for not trying hard enough to look for her. She should have known, "Doug, how the heck did ya find her before me?!"
she partially turns towards the Captain. It's half joke, half serious question. She has a lot of questions running through her mind at the moment.

MATIAS SILPH Calliope Marks John Sullivan

[attr="class","matias"]it's a good question from Eva Morales, to be fair, because how did John Sullivan find callie before any of them did? matias searched for a while, hoping to find anything that'd prove them wrong.

he turns to his rival and friend.

"when did you get here?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales + Calliope Marks + John Sullivan

"I found him." A simple explanation as ever to Eva Morales's question. But, well, that wouldn't do to settle their racing minds, would it?

"Recently. I was in Johto for a few months before that, recovering." A small frown tugged at her face, knowing she was about to ruin the happy mood. Dreading it.

"Before that, I was captive in Kanto."

But, they could talk in detail about that later.

"When I came here, I heard that one of the Gym Leaders was from Kanto. I didn't know who was still around or where anyone was. It seemed like a good place to start." This was the most she had spoken in a long time. It left her feeling lightheaded.

MATIAS SILPH John Sullivan

Questions were thrown his way while he worked, but Calliope Marks decided to answer for him.

Still, he could surmise her words for the other two perfectly.

"Awesome attracts awesome. Be cooler."

Face straight as he finished dispensing his wisdom, he continued to polish the monument in silence.

---

tags: Eva Morales MATIAS SILPH

Eva cast Doug a rather side-eyed glance, "Easier said than done, Doug. Science isn't as sexy as bein' a gym leader, I guess," no one is putting her face on t-shirts. The gaze returns to Callie, a bit more playful, "Ya saw a Gym Leader from Kanto but not the name of the head professor?" she sighs, shaking her head, "Ya see, this is what I'm talkin about, no one pays attention to the science behind all this. Guess I gotta get back in the field," she smiles at Matias, expecting him to invite her along next time he goes out. If anything, for old-times' sake.

MATIAS SILPH Calliope Marks John Sullivan

[attr="class","matias"]at eva's words, he chuckles, flashing her a knowing look.

"i'll invite you on my next mission."

as for the others...

"i take it you're here to fight, callie?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales + Calliope Marks + John Sullivan

"It's easier to get a face-to-face with a Gym Leader." Eva Morales was right, though. They didn't put the faces of scientists on shirts, even if the woman deserved it. Actually, she wondered if Eva would think it was funny if Callie managed to find some bootleg T-Shirt of....

Later, later. This was a serious moment. Kind of.

"Of course." Was the answer to MATIAS SILPH' question. Hell, he should have known better to even ask. While she loved the idea of seeing her friends again, why else would she come here?

John Sullivan