HAIDILAO

A BROTH THAT BURNS FROM THE HEART

CONVERSATION FESTERS. None of it pleasant. But it is a necessary grievance from those who witnessed firsthand. So, Fernando says nothing. Actions, not words, will have to suffice as a greeting to both DEREK HOFFMAN and Greyson Connors.

“We guestimate that there’s a little under a dozen human casualties,” Fernando states rather plainly. “Hard to tell with the current situation. Pokemon-wise, I wouldn’t be surprised if it sat closer to twenty.”

A shake of his head dismisses Razz’s assumption.

“Oh, no, Miss Fairburne was making small talk while we waited for everyone.”

He serves another bowl for himself before gesturing at DEREK HOFFMAN and Greyson Connors across the room.

“All of us, in one capacity or another, has fought long and hard to protect this region. I thought a nice break to intermingle and recuperate would do us well.”

An extended hand sits at DEREK HOFFMAN first.

“Hoffman was a Gym Leader previously. He and…”

The name sits on his tongue. He’s seen it once before. Where was it? The Hoenn Star Tournament rankings?

“…Mister Connor? Or Connors?— provided great assistance in calming down Groudon and protecting Lavaridge from being terraformed.”

Katherine Fairburne cait alfric Razz Kingsman John Sullivan DEREK HOFFMAN Greyson Connors

The invitation is sudden and unexpected. The recent events have left her restless, buried in work with little respite. Therefore, she arrives immediately after a day at the labs. Eva had the foresight to at least change her clothes, trading the scrubs and lab coat for something more appropriate.

Unsurprisingly, she’s a little late. Or at least, she thinks she is considering there are several people already sitting at the table. Eva enters with a characteristic bright smile, pausing momentarily to quickly glance over the faces already seated. She recognizes the majority of them but there is one (DEREK HOFFMAN ) she is unfamiliar with, “Sorry I’m late,” an apologetic smile to flashed towards FERNANDO SILPH . The others she regards with individual greetings, speaking their names in turn as she rounds the table towards the far end of it. It’s intentional. She honestly has no idea if MATIAS SILPH is coming or not but she saves him a seat beside her anyway by slipping the laptop case off her shoulder and placing it in the seat beside her.

Although she has plenty to do, curiosity about Sootopolis got the best of her. Perhaps that’s why she’s here. Her gaze lingers a bit longer on the ones she knew were fighting in the city, and guilt strikes her for not being there, “It’s good to see everyone . . . I’m Eva, by the way,” she introduces herself to those she hasn’t had the chance to meet yet with a friendly smile, this includes @jess , DEREK HOFFMAN , and Razz Kingsman .

@haidilao

Having no qualms with the individual wishing to be seated there, Derek had gestured with his hand to indicate the seat was free for the taking. "Go ahead." None of this was his to deny anyone of, after all.

It was the following attention FERNANDO SILPH gave that was unwanted, namely for the prior gym leader. It wasn't that it didn't stroke his ego, but the mere mention of the times brought upon notions of how Derek failed Hoenn by leaving when he did.

"What is the significance of Sootopolis to Rocket anyway?" Likely an ignorant question, and redundant to many. But Derek wasn't paying attention to recent developments, if there were any before the incident. After Mt. Chimney he immediately started his ranger training. And since trainees weren't allowed on dangerous missions, there was no reason for the others to go into detail about it with him.

---

@haidilao

"Evening, Councilman Cole-essam."

The arrival of kim cole-essam brings with it a welcome, necessary distraction from the dreary atmosphere, but Doug ain't done being depressed just yet.

"They've learned a thin' or two." Doug answered DEREK HOFFMAN's question, lip curling. "Or maybe SILAS BLACKWELL' really was just holding his own cronies back."

If he hadn't been thinking about it, then he wouldn't have been doing his literal job.

"As an invading force, goin' for Verdanturf while havin' control of Slateport was a military blunder." He placed the cup onto the table, brow furrowing.

Them actually learning some tactics wasn't too good.

"With the island cities of Hoenn under their thumb, they'll have a firm foundation from which to launch a proper offensive on the mainland." He said in his most militarily precise, practiced tone. Then he sneered, a graceless snort leaving his throat. "All this bloody water's gonna drown us if they keep winning."

His chest rumbled as he rubbed his temples stressfully, before unceremoniously dropping besides cait alfric.

"I forgot FERNANDO SILPH was covering the tab for a second there..." He said in a low mutter, grasping a menu and scrolling to the more expensive parts of it. Surely something here could soothe his stress.

[attr="class","matias"]sootopolis, much like this dinner, could've been avoided. so something akin to annoyance wears across his features as he steps into the restaurant, arriving late.

it soon fades, however, in favor of a smile at those that might meet his gaze as he approaches the table.

thankfully, Eva Morales's saved a seat for him. he settles into it, leaning close to her only to whisper a quick "thank you," before reaching for a serving from the hotpot.

he pays little mind to the conversation.

[attr="class","noodles"]

Left without her trusty Ekans (she'd been told to return any Pokemon when entering, and the serpent had been distant ever since she returned him during the battle), Kaida had lingered for much too long outside the restaurant...she felt naked, even dressed as a full Ranger.

Nonetheless, she made her way in, instantly making a beeline for the familiar Laurence Anderson and frowning suspiciously at any strangers present. Most of them were no Ranger, nor had she seen them fighting, like John Sullivan . Even still, it was clear the woman didn't trust most humans, most of them were not family, unlike the Rangers...nor the fact she was invited to such an establishment, something that had never happened. Moreover, there was FERNANDO SILPH , though she did her best to ignore the man. If she got to eat enough, this might be a pleasant dinner.

She showed her teeth, well aware she wasn't smiling. Gods above, she had no idea what she was doing here!

@everyone here