Upon noticing the note, El would - of course - read it. The handwriting, the words - every little bit of this was so Isaac that they didn't even need the signature at the end to know it was him. With a heart filled with that distant longing, they'd read it over once, twice, even thrice, before they could bring themself to set it aside - to make way for the gifts. But even as the letter was put down, El was distinctly aware of the puzzle pieces clicking together in their head.

Cause this whole time, it'd been Isaac behind that black mask, wasn't it. It didn't even feel like a question anymore, with everything that had been dropped on their lap tonight - it settled it. And for a few long moments, they wondered if they should've said something, then. Called out to him, or even grabbed Akero and Bibidi to try and follow after him - maybe if they head out now, then they could catch up to him, right?

But - at the same time, they felt a little frozen on the spot. To know he had been so close, yet so far, filled their heart with a certain pang of melancholy.

It was when Yggdrassil nudged her head against their side - as if sensing her trainer's mood - that El snapped back to reality, lost in their thoughts as they had been. Glancing down to see the concerned hue in her eyes, they attempted a soft smile - reaching down to pet her. "It's okay, Yggy." They murmured softly. "Just... Doing a lot of thinking."

Those gifts weren't going to upwrap themselves, however. So, they started with the first gift on the stack - the one that had the note tucked with it. Peeling away the wrapping, to see the new game took El by surprise - as this was already quite the departure from the usual gifts Isaac sent home. There was no doubt that many a day would be spent here for a week or two (ranger tasks allowing,) now that they had something new to play.

But that wasn't the only gift, was it? No, there was a number of supplies for cosplays and props - paint, accessories, and plenty of crafting foam. El couldn't help a soft laugh at the sight, even as they felt their eyes getting dewy again. Not only that, but there was another box - contest highlights and a field guide to Hoenn contained within. It was as if Isaac really had been watching them all this time, wasn't it. He still knew them so well - and the thought put a reassured smile on their face.

Maybe... Now that they had money, and a place of their own, they could start looking to return the favor to Isaac, right? For all the birthdays of his that they weren't able to provide gifts for.

Before they let their thoughts drift off too far though, they'd notice that there was one gift left - a wrapped ball. The faint imprint of the button and rim through the wrapping left little to the imagination as what was inside - and the thought sparked a hue of curiosity. Another pokemon? What had Isaac gotten them, they wondered...?

Carefully, El peeled back the wrapping - not wanting to accidentally open the pokeball and make a mess from the paper bursting. The first thing they noted was that it was a shiny-polished premier ball - which, even if it hadn't been polished, it was something they found plenty neat. They were a bit fond of premier balls, but it was hard to find them sometimes!

The second thing that they noticed though, was that there was a sticker atop it - a round pink pearl. At first, they didn't think much of it - but the longer they stared at it, the more that something nagged at the back of their mind. The pearl - didn't it look an awful lot like...? No - he didn't... Did he? He must've, right?

Refusing to let themself be frozen up in their own head, El would tear off the rest of the wrapping a hair hastily - prompting a surprised blink from Yggy. Once the pokeball was fully unwrapped, they hesitated for a moment - simply holding it in their hand... Before - with a prompting from Baron - they let loose the pokemon inside.

And from it, came a Spoink. The little piggy would have to briefly steady herself on her spring tail - bouncing and swaying in place - but she would make a few soft curious oinks, as she glanced about. Once the little psychic-type's gaze fell onto El though, the spoink's eyes lit up - and with an eager squeal, she hopped up into the ranger's arms!

El - having been frozen up to now - yelped, falling back into the bed in the process of the spoink's leap! The porcine pokemon was happy to snuggle up to the ranger, though - making excited little oinks. She'd been waiting all this time to see them, after all! Isaac always had so much to say to her about El - and how much she'd like them - and here they were! In the flesh!

And as the shock faded, and El gazed to the spoink... A sudden surge of emotion rose up in their heart. Their breathing hitched, tears welling up in their eyes... Feeling overcome with complex feelings, all they could do was hug the Spoink close - as if she were a lifeline, or security blanket.

The bed creaked softly, as Baron sat down next to El. Against their side, Yggy curled up close - gazing up to them with worried eyes. And the Spoink - as if realizing the situation for it was... She curled up in El's arms, attempted to hug them back with her own stubby limbs, continuing to make soft little grunts in what must've been an attempt at verbal comfort.

"Isaac..." Their voice whispered, oh-so-softly, between soft hiccups. "Oh, Isaac..." He remembered the promises that they had made, once upon a time. Promises that even they had almost forgotten. Yet, the reminder and fulfillment was here in their arms all the same - a Spoink, much like the one that they chased after once upon a time.

Maybe, it could be one less thing for Isaac to hold against himself, now? They could only hope.

As that inital surge of tears passes though, El is able to suck in a breath enough to somewhat steady themself - to gaze again to the spoink, their eyes meeting with her own. The note made no mention of a name for this little fella, so... "... Artemis." They breathe softly, shakily. They slowly scritch just under the pearl on her head - careful to avoid dislodging it. "Do you... Do you think that sounds like a nice name?" When the spoink responded with an eager nod, El couldn't help a soft smile. "Artemis it is, then."

They wouldn't waste these gifts. Perhaps, when El and Isaac could finally properly meet... He'd even be able to see little Artemis here, growing big and strong.

The newest addition, to their ever-growing family...