El can't help a gentle chuckle and nod as Julia confirmed that it sounded like Blackjack. Though, the bittersweet smile had them blink - briefly studying her expression, as if hoping to see what the bitter part of the bittersweet was coming from. Was everything alright?

She'd continue speaking before they had a chance to ask about it, though - and the musings over Blackjack and him leaving Rocket had El thinking, too. "Yeah - he... He seems like he cares a lot about people, even if he doesn't like everything going on." They spoke in agreement, their expression thoughtful as they gazed on ahead.

Which, it didn't take long for them to express those thoughts in the form of a question. "... Do you... Know why he stays?" They asked - glancing to Julia once more. "I've... I know that Rocket doesn't exactly like it when people leave," Understatement of the century, not that they wanted to say 'yeah they try to kill traitors', "But... He's strong - stronger than I am - and he seems like the sort of person that could find friends among us, right?"

He had pokemon who could back him up, he seemed a lot more 'in-the-know' than they were, and he cared about others enough that there were probably people who could lend a hand back to him. Surely, there were other reasons besides just fear of retribution, right?

Julia Davis

Much like Julia took time to mull over the question that El had posed, they in turn would take some time to mull over the answer given.

As the entrance to Granite Cave came along though, Akero would change formation - following behind Chester, rather than alongside him, so that they both had room to maneuver as necessary. To fly through a tunnel like this was a bit tricky - and to someone less experienced, probably would look daunting. But practice, as well as a bit of trial-by-fire in situations such as the Silph Cup from awhile back, helped the Togekiss in avoiding clipping against the walls or ceiling.

Meanwhile though, El would soon find the words that they wanted to speak - posing another question to Julia in the process. "I... don't like usually getting into pokemon battles or fights. I don't want anyone to get hurt - but... I - uhm - don't want to just sit by doing nothing, if someone needs help, either." They spoke, glancing to Julia and the path ahead. "But I also don't feel like I'll... Get any better - I suppose - if I don't battle, though."

"Do you... Think that I could still be strong, like Blackjack is?" They asked. "It sounds like he- he does a lot, and..." For a moment, their thoughts drifted to that of Isaac Merlo - their childhood, spent always looking up to and admiring him. Of course, admiring a Rocket member probably wasn't the best idea nine times out of ten, but... Blackjack felt different. He was different.

Julia Davis

Julia's words are met with a surprised little blink - but after a moment, El can't help a soft, gentle smile as they glance down at their own hands, gripping Akero's reins. "... Yeah, I guess you're right." They speak - their voice as soft as their smile, but nonetheless thankful. "I suppose... I just kind of want to be someone who others can feel safe around. Someone who can be looked up to, like..."

They pause for a second - as if considering their words - before concluding "... Like how I look up to my brother, maybe."

Isaac Merlo had always been so free, so confident, so cool... They had always felt that he was the stronger one, in will and body alike - he was always there to stand up for them and protect them. Perhaps, if he had been better accepted by Dad, then he would've been able to succeed in where they failed - and everyone would've been all the happier for it. He liked things like pokemon battles more than they ever would, after all.

The duo were flagged down by a couple of officials - although the stop didn't last long, before they were off again. At Julia's call, El nodded back - gently nudging Akero back into motion, to which the togekiss made an eager whistle!

Julia Davis

Perhaps they should've expected the question about what their brother was like, though it still took them off guard for a brief moment. For few long moments, El fell silent as they mulled over an answer - mouth opening and closing a couple of times - until...

"He... His name's Isaac," They finally spoke - unable to help but feel a little sheepish, for their mind wanting to beat around the bush so badly. "He's my older brother - and uhm... He's always been great, y'know?" There's a hue of melancholic longing, but they're quick to cover it up with a smile as they continue "He's always looked out for me when we were little - always stood up for me, encouraged me... And it was always fun, just sneaking out of the house with him so that the three of us - me, him, and his buddy Watson - could go on little adventures around or near town."

"Isaac likes to say I'm smart - but I think he's clever. He'd always have crazy ideas that just sort of, worked out in his favor. And he's always - uhm - been a little more confident than I am, I think." Briefly, they fidget with the reins. "Definitely stronger, too - I could run and climb a bunch, before I hurt my leg - but he'd always win whenever we tried to arm wrestle over the silliest things."


"When I was pretty little, I uh... I liked playing videogames a ton even then, but there was one game I got stuck on, cause the boss kinda spooked me." Their cheeks flushed a bit with this, but they still smiled at Julia as they continued "I don't even really remember why it scared me as a little kid. But Isaac, he sat down next to me while I played, and just... Cheered me on, and encouraged me, until I beat it..."

So many fond memories, it felt nostalgic in a way that just left them with a sense of longing... Where was Isaac, in the great blue expanse that Hoenn was, they wondered...?

"He is," El agreed with a soft laugh, even if it too was tinged with that melancholy they tried (and failed) to hide.

The probing question, though, would visibly catch El off guard - the grip on Akero's reins tightening. And picking up on the sudden shift in emotions, the togekiss would make a gentle coo in their direction, trilling melodically - as if trying to make a little tune, to cheer them up.

They tried to avoid remaining quiet for long, however - and forcing a smile to their face, they'd respond "I'm, uhm, sure he's probably winding down after adventuring around, y'know?" It's pretty clear to see that El is bullshitting - they are a terrible liar. But then again, well, it was starting to get late, so the explanation they gave wasn't completely implausible, either.

But the truth was, who knew? All they knew was that Isaac was out here in Hoenn somewhere, after all - that he had won a race, the year before, and that he's friends with Josh - but not much else beyond that.

In the silence that rolled in, El couldn't help but fall silent as well. The lack of a response didn't ease them - rather, it almost did the opposite, leaving them wondering if they said something wrong or if she didn't believe them. The only thing they could take comfort in was the feeling of Akero's feathers beneath their fingers - his gentle coos and whistles, as he allowed himself to rock side-to-side to try and help soothe El.

It didn't take long at all though, for them to reach the outpost. Whilst Julia handled the talking though, El would unstrap themself to get down from Akero's back - "You did great, get some rest." - and recall the togekiss.

And with everything handled, El followed Julia in wading through the people - moving at a careful pace, trying to avoid bumping into anyone.

It was a hustle and bustle that they were unused to, though - made especially awkward by their usual gait with their cane. When they found that they were falling behind from Julia's more practiced navigation, they'd reach out a hand towards her. "W-wait," They half-called half-murmured, attempting to grasp for her wrist. "It's-..." They trailed off for a second, taking in a breath. "S-sorry, it's... Kinda hard, shuffling past everyone like this..."

Bibidi - having taken to floating above the duo - would reach down to pat El on the head, in a reassuring gesture. She wouldn't have let them lose Julia in the crowd - though perhaps the talk of Isaac had made them a little nervous.

El smiled gratefully up to Julia, at the reassurance. "It's okay - this is just.. Different, from what I'm used to." They responded - letting go of her wrist, to instead scratch at their cheek somewhat sheepishly. It was different from say, Lavaridge or Fortree, in terms of how many people tended to fill the streets.

But this time around, Julia was far more mindful of their speed - allowing for the duo to stick together as they both wound between the crowds. It didn't take long to reach a set of privacy curtains, and El quietly watched the flow of the people moving in and out. It seemed like the two of them would need to wait for an opening, before they'd be able to step in...

... Which, led to more chitchat. Namely, in Julia asking about the adventures that Isaac Merlo went on. At this, El blinked a bit - glancing to Julia with surprise, before their gaze dropped down towards their sneakers. "Well, uhm..." The hand gripping their cane began to fidget, tapping along the handle.

What do they answer with that? It wasn't like they could just pull an answer out of nowhere - but they weren't wholly sure what sort of stuff he was doing, besides... "Oh, uhm-! He does racing, on an occasion." They spoke, the response coming as suddenly as the thought prompting it that had occurred to them. That was right - he had won the Silph Cup the year before the most recent one. So, it probably stood to reason that he did some racing from time to time, right?

"He had won a really big one - it was pretty cool, seeing that in sports magazines!" They'd add, smiling mostly-genuinely. "It's... kinda why I wanted to try racing, too, during this year." But of course, Isaac didn't show up then, as far as they could tell...

Eager to change the subject though, they'd add "I've - uh - been thinking about actually challenging Josh Devlin's gym, by the way. I don't really like traditional pokemon battles, but... A lot of the gyms like his offer other challenges, so maybe I could see how many badges I can get that way?" Glancing over to Julia, they'd ask "What do you think?"