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The salty sea breeze plucked at Nomi's long pink hair beneath the knit hat she wore as the young woman breathed in deep, feeling contented by the rhythmic crashing of the waves against the shore. Had it really been three months since she'd last visited Slateport Beach? During that time, she had been standing under the blinding heat of a summer sun, wearing a bathing suit, and enjoying the Splashfest antics. Now, she stood by the ocean beneath glittering stars, the winter air frigid, the atmosphere lonelier.[break][break]
Except she wasn't alone - Valerian was with her, of course. Together, the two of them languidly traversed the sandy expanse before them, in pursuit of a Minior. Nomi had heard rumors that they were falling from the sky lately, more frequently than ever before - a strange side-effect of the approaching meteor, perhaps? Regardless of the reason, it was a wonderful opportunity to gather a rare and fascinating astral specimen for her current experiments. Learning as much as possible about space from such creatures, as well as gathering materials from them (their shells could survive atmospheric exit and entry!) could be incredibly useful in aiding Rocket's upcoming trip to said meteor, a trip that Nomi and Lulu Flint and others were currently preparing for.[break][break]
A streak of light caught Nomi's eye, and she followed its path to the ground with her gaze, squinting through the darkness. She beckoned for Val to follow her, then jogged off in the direction she had seen the trail of light. When they arrived at the crater, Nomi was surprised to see someone already there, a Froslass by her side. The woman was taller than Nomi, a stately figure, and she seemed to be staring at the glowing center of the crater as her Pokemon sent out a blast of icy air. Steam hissed as cold met hot. Val sniffed expectantly, the Sylveon's expression a mix of curiosity and wariness.[break][break]
Not wanting to startle the woman, Nomi said gently, "I can help, if you'd like." She didn't know exactly what the woman intended to do, but if there was any chance she could salvage the Minior - or part of it - she would certainly offer her aid. And in any case, who was this woman? Was she another scientist? Nomi had never seen her around Slateport University or the Rocket sub before.[break][break]
Nomi couldn't help but feel intrigued.

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MADE BY MIZO

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The Minior was, indeed, struggling. Nomi looked to Val, and the Sylveon cocked his head as if in thought. Then he padded up to the edge of the crater, right next to the strange woman, demeanor determined. His eyes began to glow a soft red, and after a moment, several glittering stars shot out towards the Minior - an appropriately astral aid effort. The SWIFT was finessed so that each star hit the shell's cracks, encouraging them to widen and provide the Pokémon inside with an easier escape route. When he'd finished, the Minior had a lot more room to wiggle free - which it did so with haste.[break][break]
"Well done, Val," Nomi praised him with a smile. Then she took the initiative to slid down the side of the crater, shoes scraping against hot sand, until she was right next to the newly freed Minior.[break][break]
"Hello there," she greeted it. She picked it gently up, intending to help bring it up to the surface where Valerian and the other woman waited. The little star-shaped creature was a vibrant violet, and it glowed softly as if lit from the inside. Nomi looked up at the woman who had originally found it, expression excited. "It's beautiful, don't you think?"

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MADE BY MIZO

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"It's my first time meeting one, as well," Nomi replied pleasantly as the other woman bent over to gently pet the Minior. Her touch was tentative, as if expecting the Minior to still be hot. It was warm, certainly, but comfortable enough to be cradled in Nomi's arms. In fact, as time went on, it seemed to be cooling off significantly.[break][break]
As fingertips met illuminated flesh, the Minior squirmed. Its inner glow pulsed softly, like a miniature beacon. It gazed up at Nomi and the other woman with curious swirl-shaped eyes.[break][break]
"My name is Naomi Sato, by the way," Nomi said to her newfound companion. "I'm a student at Slateport University."[break][break]
Uncertain what else the woman might want to know, Nomi grew quiet. Taking in the woman's appearance, Nomi could see that she was definitely older than Nomi - maybe middle-aged? She had long, wild hair and keen eyes that crinkled at the corners. Her demeanor was inquisitive yet stately. Nomi couldn't help but wonder if she was a scientist too.

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Nomi did not recognize the woman's name. If she was a fellow scientist, Nomi had not come across her research yet.[break][break]
"I'm studying bioengineering," Nomi answered proudly. "I'm quite interested in both human and Pokémon physiology. I'm interested in developing new therapies and technologies for enhancing the human body in ways that potentially mimic Pokémon abilities." She'd started to get curious about the bond of avatarship, specifically, and how that affected the human body, but that work was primarily for Rocket...[break][break]
"What about you? Are you...also a scientist?" Nomi asked, tone polite though laced with intrigue. "And if so, what are you currently studying?"[break][break]
By the looks of it, the Minior had begun to cool off significantly. Nomi and Val watched with curious expressions. Would it tolerate their continued study or would it try and escape?

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A Pokémon behavioral specialist? That was certainly intriguing.[break][break]
Someone like that could be useful. Nomi fished around in her backpack, pulling out a small field notebook and a pen. She scribbled some information on a piece of paper then tore it out and held it out to Altagracia.[break][break]
"Here's my university email address and my cell phone number. I'd be interested in visiting your lab - or office, wherever you work - sometime, if you'd allow it. Likewise, you are always welcome at the Slateport University labs. I'd be happy to show you some of my current experiments."[break][break]
Nomi glanced at the Minior; it had not attempted an escape. If anything, it was looking more and more relaxed - comfortable, even - as the minutes passed.[break][break]
"Yes, I'd heard that too," she remarked, on the subject of the Minior descending at an increased rate. "I also came out here tonight to find one to study." She smiled a little. "That one seems fond of you, so I'll keep looking...I was hoping to take one back to the University, but if those rumors are indeed true, there will be more."[break][break]
Valerian yawned. It was getting late. Nomi ought to record her observations of the Minior she'd helped Altagracia recover, then head back to her apartment. She could always continue her search tomorrow.[break][break]
"It was a pleasure running into you," the young scientist said, flashing the older woman a polite smile. "Take good care of that little guy."

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