To say that El's current accommodations were them 'struggling by' wasn't entirely right. As a Ranger, even if they were still a rookie, they were compensated for their work - and they worked plenty hard to provide for themself and their pokemon. Certainly, they likely could've found accommodations of some form in Fortree proper if they really wanted to. But, with the weather warming back up, there was a clear alternative to be had.

Namely, to live out every child's dream of living out of a big ol' treehouse!

While it may be open air more-or-less, the roof and canopy above stretched out enough to protect one from any rainfall - and the railings had since been shored up just in case any strong winds knocked things around. (Though, it was more likely that the surrounding trees would help to keep any wind mild.) And being elevated meant that it was far less likely to get any uninvited guests - be it wild pokemon or people - unless they had something like wings to help them get up.

Which, that'd be the first obstacle that Isaac would have to deal with, to sneak in. Though an elevator platform was present - somewhat makeshift at first glance, but surprisingly sturdy on a closer look - it ran on a pulley system, that had to be operated by someone at the top. Which - given that El went just about everywhere with Bibidi, and had strong pokemon like Behemoth - wasn't normally a problem if they were expecting guests.

Isaac would have to figure out his own way up - though with someone as resourceful as himself, it likely wouldn't be a problem in the first place.

Once he was up, he'd be in the entrance room - one that had since been repurposed into a livingroom of sorts, with flag hunts having since died down. A number of cushions for pokemon and humans alike were set up for seating, a coffee table stood in the middle, and there was a little stand with an older looking TV set upon it. On one of the larger cushions, a Dracozolt could be seen curled up - snoring peacefully, only briefly stirring at the sound of one's footsteps.

But from here, there were two walkways leading to the other two platforms - one to the left, and one to the right. Would Isaac have figured out which one led to the bedroom ahead of time?

The left walkway would lead to a platform a bit smaller than the 'living room' - and it was quick to see that it wasn't a bedroom. Rather, it looked more like something between a hobby or game room and a kitchen. A couple of locked cupboards could be seen; and here, it came quickly plain to see that El was being thrifty in furnishing their secret base. Neither one seemed to be from the same set of furniture, and one showed a bit of wear and tear, implying that they may have been buying furniture used.

But nonetheless, there was a table with a few cushions for sitting at, a wardrobe filled with clothes and accessories of varying sizes (perhaps for cosplay, judging by a few of the articles?) as well as a full-length mirror, and a couple of dividers set up for changing. In one of the corners, a minifridge and microwave could be seen - hooked up to what looked to be the source of power in this base: a rechargeable battery/generator of sorts, made for use with electric-type pokemon.

Which made sense, given that this was still a treehouse; it would likely be tricky (and expensive) to get infrastructure here, otherwise.

But, ultimately, it seemed that El wasn't in this room, either. At best, a little Fuecoco - dressed up in mismatching accessories - would be found asleep next to the wardrobe, little twitches implying him to be deeply dreaming. Which left one last platform for Isaac to check...

At this point, there wasn't any doubt that the final room would be the bedroom. Much like the rest of the base, it was something simple, humble, yet cozy - and undeniably El's.

In one of the corners of the room, the rookie ranger could be seen bundled and curled up in an old fluffy blanket - something that one might find warm, if you were from anywhere but Lavaridge. Because of course, anything under 70 farenheit was bundle-up weather. In the crook of their bent legs, Yggy could be seen curled up - like a dog with their master - fast asleep as well.

Next to the bed was the nightstand - upon which sat a handheld lamp, a little analog clock, and a number of pokeballs. One pokeball looked as though it were chewed upon by a certain turtle when she was still a baby - having little scratches. Another two pokeballs had a couple of stickers plastered over them - stickers that Isaac might recognize, from past gifts. And another yet looked as though it had been painted with little handprints of different colors, from a certain crocodilian companion...

But, of course, that didn't account for every pokeball sat there. It seemed as though El left them in the open - perhaps for their own pokemon, when they were ready to head back in?

Another wardrobe was here - this time for El's ordinary outfits, including their ranger uniforms. A look at the Ranger armband that hung on one of the hooks inside the wardrobe would show the colors of a rookie - they had already made their first steps, in becoming a true Ranger. In here, a few flags for their base sat - no doubt for when the Secret Base craze had been in its heyday a few months back.

But speaking of flags - a number of trinkets could be seen here and there. Flags from other bases - such as Josh Devlin's or Julia Davis's - were hung on the upper parts of the railings, alongside a few keychains or phone charms - both ones El had picked up for themself, and ones that Isaac had sent home once upon a time. On a desk that sat next to the wardrobe, an emblem for El's placement in this year's Silph Cup and another for the qualifiers that came before it could be seen.

Though all in all... It'd be a simple endeavor to leave the gift on the nightstand, wouldn't it? With how deep a slumber El and Yggdrassil both appeared to be in, neither of them were likely to stir...

Save for the softest creaks of the floorboards - with all the stealth to make even Koga envious - the gentle breathing of those within the bedroom, and the distant rustles of leaves in the springtime breeze, all was quiet. Safe. There was nothing to worry about, in this little part of Hoenn - it was as if the world itself was blissfully asleep, the drama and danger beyond only a distant memory or bad dream.

Nothing was there to stand as an obstacle, as Isaac stepped closer to the nightstand - to El's bedside. He'd seemingly be free to do as he pleased, to leave the gift, and disappear before anyone was any the wiser...

... But the second that he began reaching towards the nightstand, one of the pokeballs that sat on it suddenly opened in a blinding flash of light. And even as the pokemon emerging from it was still forming, the shaft of a spear would swing for Isaac's gut with every intention of knocking him away from El's bedside.

Hit or miss, as the light faded, Isaac would be met with the sight of an Iron Valiant looming over him. The mechanical knight affixed him with a cold, unblinking stare - a spear formed of solidified energy in its hands, the blade pointed straight at him. It stood in clear defense of El - and was unlikely to budge without a fight...

... Though, perhaps it could be reasoned with. A psychic presence pressed against Isaac's mind - different from Bibidi's, far more precise and to the point, and yet it was both alien and not quite as gentle. All the same, with this presence came the sense of a demand. A wordless question. Both, all in one. Was it trying to ask who he was? Or why he was here?

Perhaps in general, it simply wanted an explanation.

It's hard to tell, just how much of one's words are getting through to the Iron Valiant. Their expression is - well - nonexistent; there is no visible change in their stance, no visible change in the piercing stare they pin Isaac with. The bright side though, is that even while the spear remains leveled at him, there isn't any sign of further aggression.

It's only when there's the sound of a hitched breath - of shifting and stirring - in the direction of the bed that the valiant seems to react, their attention shifting to El and Yggdrassil both. In eerie silence, the paradox watches as El rolls over to face the other direction - towards the wall - and as Yggy stretches herself out... Before the duo appear to return to a peaceful sleep, the turtwig in particular beginning to snore.

For a few seconds longer, the valiant continues to watch - as if double-checking to make sure that neither ranger nor turtle will wake up. But then the LED display of their eyes flicker as they glance to Isaac out of the corner of their eye. Without fully turning their head towards him, they look him up and down...

... Before finally pulling the spear away. Fully regarding Isaac once more, the valiant extends a hand in his direction - as if asking for something. Paired with this, is the press of the Iron Valiant's mind once more - expressing something that felt like a deep desire to protect - as if it were a duty - and an image of a wrapped gift, borrowed from one of El's own memories.

At Isaac's question, the Iron Valiant gave a single nod in response. Even if traditional security was lacking, the fact that the valiant came out when Isaac neared El probably went to show just how dedicated they were to protecting them.

But with that, gifts would be offered one by one - and one by one, they would be accepted. The mechanical knight briefly examined the gifts - as if curious - before carefully setting each one down on the nightstand, rearranging the pokeballs as need be. There was a certain gingerness that the paradox pokemon was treating the gifts with - as if recognizing the significance of them, and not wanting to so much as disturb the wrapping or bows on top.

The wrapped pokeball, however, evoked a somewhat different response. When it was offered, the valiant accepted it like the rest - but upon taking hold of it, the Iron Valiant paused. It gazed deeply at the ball in its hand - as if pondering it, perhaps wondering what was inside?

Though beyond what Isaac could likely tell just from his own senses, was the Valiant's mind reaching to the life within. A light, curious ping - one that, much to the knight's surprise, was returned with a ping of its own.

Call and response.

Another charge, for this knight to protect.

For a few moments longer, the valiant considered the pokeball - before they finally seemed to nod to themself. Even more carefully than with the other gifts, they'd set it down on the nightstand.

With the gifts accounted for though, the Iron Valiant turned their gaze onto Isaac's once more - watching, almost expectant, as if waiting to see what he would do or say next.

Expresionless, the valiant simply listened to Isaac's words - their gaze less oppressive, but still unblinking. But even if the knight gave no immediate visible reaction, it was otherwise safe to say that he had their full attention. Only when there was the softest hitch in El's breath, did the valiant glance away; though when there was no movement aside from the rise and fall of the younger sibling's breathing, the valiant gazed to Isaac once more.

But once he said his piece, it was then that the Iron Valiant reacted. They - somehow - straightened their already straight posture. They placed the blunt end of their spear against the floor. And they gave a nod - short and straight to the point. The message was clear: that El would be in good hands, that the ever-loyal Valiant would protect their trainer.

Though, perhaps it was time for Isaac to go. Distantly, in one of the other rooms, the sounds of one of the resident pokemon stirring could be heard - a wide yawn, the gentle click of claws against floorboards, and slowly-sleepily approaching footsteps...

The Valiant glanced in the direction of the sounds, then back to Isaac - once more watching, waiting to see what this trainer would do.