Hideo knew coming to the Tree of Life was risky, considering how many patrols there seemed to be - Rocket patrols, as he’d been made aware. And he couldn’t rely on being wildly teleported away every time he was at risk of being spotted. If he was going to come here more often, he’d have to set up someplace he could go in an emergency.

And what better hiding place than one that defied the laws of physics? He knew Secret Power was capable of doing just that, and that Girafarig he caught at his camp - his first capture after running off - didn’t take long to learn it. So after making sure he found a spot that patrols rarely walked through, he let his Pokemon go to work.

Unbeknownst to him, his Girafarig had chosen this spot because he had noticed something was already present here, and it would take a lot less work to just enter a space than to make a new one.

Something Hideo only realized when he entered, and heard voices. It was easy to recognize them; Eris Halla and Andy Blackadder .

Well, only a matter of time until the two spotted him. Might as well make things less awkward and speak first. “Uh, hey guys,” he said, raising his hand, “Guess we all got the same idea again, huh?”  Wasn't the first time they all met here at the same time.

He half-expected John Sullivan to show up next. If he wasn't already here.

Eris Halla , Andy Blackadder

Well, Eris Halla sounded pretty surprised by his sudden arrival - Hideo hadn’t meant to scare her, but then again, he hadn’t intended to crash their meeting either. Andy Blackadder , sounded considerably less surprised, with Hideo raising his hand in response; perhaps Andy was used to him popping out of nowhere at this point.

Hideo really did seem to be making that a habit.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Hideo said, making his way into their little space, his Girafarig following behind. As far as he could tell, it was just Eris and Andy here, talking about a storm and...Azelf? Hideo could remember chryssa glasgow mentioning it at the Soiree, but outside of that, he hadn’t really looked into it.

But the conversation quickly shifted over to him, with Eris mentioning something she had. She didn’t outright tell Hideo to touch it, but he could get the implication.

And maybe there was a slight compulsion to do so.

“Well, I might not be able to see it,” Hideo said, approaching Eris, “but that sounds kinda like what happened to me. I didn’t realize it until after the Soiree, but I found something wrapped around my neck like a necklace.” He swung his backpack to the front, quickly retrieving his own amulet.

O

“Whenever I touch it, I hear the letter ‘O’. Which is weird ‘cause my Telepathic Pokemon don’t hear it. I haven’t shown it to anyone else yet, but maybe you guys can see something? Or hear it?”

He reached over, to touch Eris’s amulet to see if he’d get a similar response.

Eris Halla , Andy Blackadder

OMINOUS OMENS

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

THOSE PRESENT resonate with one another. This gathering has brought together the key pieces required to unlock a tightly guarded secret. As if undoing the spell cast upon the charm holders, they’re memories and ability to speak returns. They may discuss their encounter amongst each other.

However, should they depart, they will find their curse resurfacing. Any attempts to entrench this information into something more permanent may play out differently than they expect. For they know not the extent of the forces in play.

When the charms are exposed, they vibrate, pointing at each other with the definitiveness of a pinwheel compass.

In Hideo's mind, the UNUSUAL CHARM has a distinct symbol. However, to Eris and Andy, the charm is plain and unembellished. Only when it reacts do they see a letter start to form from calescent hues. Ultimately, all of them percieve something different.

The same applies to Eris's charm. To her, the MYSTERIOUS CHARM has always shown one letter. But Hideo will see a different formation flash inside his mind. Likewise, Andy will see the same symbol repeated on the other charm.

Coincidence? Who knows. Only time will tell.

OOC NOTE: THE SYMBOLS SEEN CANNOT BE USED FOR THE UNOWN REPORT.

Eris Halla Hideo Kino Andy Blackadder