She’s been reminded of home a lot lately, but not in the good ways. It brings a pleasant smile to her face to see him standing there, “Matias Silph,” she greets in return, nostalgia laced in her tone. Eva stops beside him, examining the pillar, “Eva, for sure.”

Emerald eyes turn away from the pillar to study him, “What’re you doin in Hoenn?”

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]"i just moved here. have some unfinished business to tend to."

if anyone should understand, it's eva. he looks over and sees the same person who stood beside him years ago, and though the circumstances are vastly different, he cannot help but tense up, remembering.

"i hear you're head professor here. and a major?"

a pause.

"you deserve it."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

“Ahhh yes, me too,” she responds, letting the words trail off. He would understand. Eva didn’t come to Hoenn because of unfinished business, it just found her. War wasn’t something someone should want, especially not a healer, but damn did she crave justice.

Pink lips pull into a small smile, “Thanks,” She doesn’t think so but that’s just the imposter syndrome talking, “What’re you up to now-a-days? Guarding shrines?” she grins playfully.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]he chuckles, genuine.

"just paying my respects. i'm usually training our officers."

he's been allowed more leniency than others, perhaps given just from sheer experience. it's why he's away today — to learn.

"some of them lack a certain...vigor, you know?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

“Oh?” There is only a little surprise in her voice but a pleasant smile that accompanied it, “Good, I was about to raise hell if they weren’t puttin’ your talents to good use,” her petite shoulders shrug, “Unfortunately, I don’t know,” she laughs lightly, “The research has kept me real busy in the lab. I’ve barely had the chance to work with the officers,” The research is important but it lacked the same umph has field work and connecting with your fellow soldiers. She’d be a stranger.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]"by choice?"

he realizes he might have crossed a line he usually spends teetering on. the tone in his voice shifts to one more friendly.

"don't mean to pry. simply curious."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

She frowns, of course it’s by choice. She isn’t a prisoner. There are priorities, lives on the line. If Eva knows Rocket as well as she thinks she does, war is inevitable. They would make a move she just doesn’t know what that move will be. So really, preparation is a priority too, “If I could be in three places at once, I would, Matias” the statement ends with a sigh. Regret maybe? There’s too much she needs to do but not enough time.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]"of course."

he, too, had wished to be in more places than one. it might've made a difference. it might've turned failure into success.

he sighs, suppressing.

"i'll need your help soon, eva."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Eva can read him, it’s a similar feeling she shares. The lives she couldn’t save and the ones she won’t be able to already weigh heavy on her shoulders. A hand reaches out gently to rest on his arm as she smiles, “And I’ll be there,” It’s a promise.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]they've been through too much. he sees it in the way it weighs on her, too.

he glances down at her hand, appreciating the gesture.

"you can always expect the same from me."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

A more dramatic person might make some allegory to pheonixes. Calliope, before the war, had never liked dramatics. She was pragmatic and practical.

When she had caught wind of a memorial to the fallen in Likycove, she had politely asked if John Sullivan wanted to accompany her. She had never been allowed her own time to grieve and now seemed as good as any.

Yet, there are ghosts waiting in the wings in her mind- though to many she is the spectre of something lost.

"Eva?" A pause, steps faltering. "Matias?"

Ah. It hit her now, she didn't know who had lived.

When Calliope Marks had asked him if he wished to come, he had cleared his desk and alerted his soldiers of his leave.

It seemed quite more important than studies or paperwork; the concept of all nighters existed for a reason anyway.

"Major Eva Morales; Sergeant MATIAS SILPH." Doug addressed the two a moment after Calliope, side eyeing the woman curiously before bringing his gaze back to them. "I hope you left some work for me."

He smiled, the sponge-ful bucket in hand rattling as he walked past, making his way to the memorial.

It had been almost over a year since he had cleaned the memorial. Not only a victim of war but a soldier now, the act held a deeper meaning yet for the youth.

A familiar voice twists the doctor’s expression into confusion. She turns towards it and the hand that rests on Matias’s arm squeezes. Hard. Wide emerald eyes land on someone she thought she lost years ago. A swell of emotions keeps her speechless, except for the name of her lost friend muttered soft with a mix of joy, nostalgia, and mostly shock, “C – Callie?!”

MATIAS SILPH Calliope Marks John Sullivan