“Welp, that was a mistake,” Eva laughs nervously, taking a step back as the drum of the Beedrill swarm grows more intense around her. The doctor and her own Beedrill got a tad too close to the queen . . . and Drone may have gotten a little too frisky despite her trying to call him back, “Run, Drone!” she encourages, spinning on her heels and high-tailing it out of the clearing that houses the Beedrill nest.

@onyx would hear the deep thrum of the Beedrills’ wings before he sees Eva tearing through the undergrowth of the forest at top speed with her own Beedrill humming beside her. She's frantically trying to find her pokeballs in the backpack slung to her front. A swarm of about 6 Beedrill are hot on her trail, “Do something, Drone!” the domestic Beedrill spins around to fly backwards and shoots a series of PIN MISSILES at the swarm to deter them but they are relentless in their pursuit.

@onyx

The duo tore through the underbrush faster than Eva ever imagined she could run, herself. Drone could definitely fly faster than her, but thankfully the Beedrill is a loyal companion, not consumed by the dominating swarm mentality his species is known for.

Thunderous footsteps of an angry bear accompany the numbing drone of the Beedrill. Eva spares a glance behind her to see the Pangoro slam a Beedrill into the ground with a fist. Huh? She falters, tripping over her own feet. A wild Beedrill lunges, but Drone, her own Beedrill pushes it away with a TWIN NEEDLE. Her head lifts out of the grass to scowl at the voice shouting at her, “Yeah, no fucking, duh,” it’s then she finds her pokeballs. A light bursts from one, revealing her trusted Gallade. A PROTECT stops two Beedrill in their tracks while two psychic scythes rise from his wrists and strike out with a PSYCHO CUT.

@onyx

There’s no fear when she sets her sights on the two Beedrill that threaten to impale them with their stingers. The doctor has complete faith in her trusted companion. With one foul motion, the bug-types fall limp thanks to the Blade’s psychic scythes. There is a sigh of relief that escapes her lips as she exhales. With the combination of the angry Pangoro and now Gallde, the remaining Beedrill are quick to spin around and buzz back to where they came from. A lone Beedrill remains, settling on the ground beside its trainer.

In the heat of the moment, she didn’t realize she sounded angry until the stranger mentioned it, “Oh, I’m sorry,” she smiles awkwardly, sitting up from beneath the tall grass.

Eva looks stunned when she comes face to face with the man. Onyx could probably see the gears grinding in her minds to put the familiar face together with a memory. She’s silent, confused, even as she silently nods, taking his hands he hop up onto her feet, “Onyx!” she suddenly gasps with no context, “@onyx, right?”

@onyx

He doesn’t recognize her. Eva isn’t offended, it’s been a long time. Plus, she was just another girl from Pallet Town and it had been years since they would have last seen each other. Still, she lets him think about it for a moment with a tight grin across her pink lips, emerald eyes watching, waiting.

“Yeah! That’s me!” she replies with a cheerful tone. So, he does remember her! There’s a subtle sense of pride in that, knowing that your “hometown hero” actually knows your name, “Yeah it’s been . . .” she shakes her head when she realizes exactly how long. It makes her feel old, “Too long,” she concludes with a smile.

A swift motion with her hand signals Blade to get to work. Behind her, the Gallade moves to HEAL PULSE some of the Beedrill and encourage them to fly away one at a time. It’s not their fault they were angry, after all. Eva’s the one that got too close, they were just protecting their nest, “Oh, I uh, live here,” it’s a long story, obviously. It’s not one that can be explained well standing in the middle of a field, “What’re you doing in Hoenn?”

@onyx

“Me all grown up?” she laughs in amusement, vaguely gesturing to the once lanky, timid boy of Pallet Town, “You’ve grown up,” Puberty did him some good, talk about a glow up. The only reasons she recognized him was from watching him take on the Kanto Gym Challenge from afar. He had certainly grown up then, but she hadn’t actually seen him since they were younger. Crazy how much people change.

Eva watches Blade heal the Beedrill while Onyx does the same. Her shoulders shrug lightly, “Someone’s gotta be,” she refuses to let the light be smothered by the darkness, no matter how overwhelming it may seem at times.

It’s not hard to recognize the darkness to his tone, she shared a similar one at times when the broached the subject of Team Rocket. The grin she flashes him is curious and expectant, “Good!” she reaches a hand out to firmly slap the side of his arm, “We need more people like you,” the touch is quick to retract, not lingering too long.

“Smores?!” this time there’s obviously excitement in her voice. Gosh, she can’t remember the last time she had a smore, “That sounds great! Lead the way, Onyx!” Regardless of whether Blade is finished or not doesn’t matter. He’d find them eventually.

@onyx

Eva can’t help but roll her eyes, obvious and playful, “Yeah suuuurrre, and I was once 6 foot,” she spins to follow up back towards camp. It takes several of her small step to keep up with one of his, but she does so, nonetheless. They arrive sooner than she expects. It a simple campsite but that’s what makes it charming, “Paradise, huh?” she spins to take it all in, “Yeah I can see that,” it’s quiet, secluded, beautiful. The only thing it would have been missing is good company.

“Your bag? Sure,” she moves towards the domed tent. A tug at the zipper opens the canvas and she pops her head inside. It takes a moment to adjust. She grabs the first bag she sees, assuming that is the only bag there. He didn’t give a great description. She sets it down just outside the tent, “Is this what you’re looking for?”

@onyx

By the time she turns around, the fire is already going. She looks on in a bit of surprise, “Wow, that was fast!” she doesn’t see a fire-type around to ignite it so quickly, “I’m impressed,” she admits, stepping aside so Onyx can get to the duffle bag.

Catch. “Oh!” it takes her by surprise. After a few fumbles she manages to get a hold of the marshmallows. She settles in the dirt near him with marshmallows in hand. The mention of her brothers makes her tense slightly, “Oh, um, they’re not in Hoenn,” as far as she knows, “But if I’m being honest, I haven’t spoken to them for a long time,” she regrets cutting herself off from her family, but it’s what was best for their safety, “So I’m not quite sure what they’re up to,” she would love to find out, though.

@onyx