Tempest Quinn 's retort would make El blink - a brief hue of surprise and bewilderment crossing their expression. On one hand, being called a 'shortcake' was certainly new - sure, they were small as a kid, but by now they had quickly filled out to a height that was actually above-average, at 5'9''! But on the other hand, the phrasing that Temp used - that Isaac was the one who 'broke his heart' - painted a very different picture than what he might have intended.

(Kouji Matsubara 's quip didn't exactly help in matters.)

And perhaps Isaac Merlo , too, would realize this - because as El glanced to him, it was clear to see that the gears in their head were turning, their expression one of sympathy. They had thought that - in leaving Rocket - Isaac had to break up with not one, but two people. (Which they had figured it to be a polyamorous relationship. Because if they recalled correctly, Temp had a husband.)

The little nod that Eris Halla gives as they speak to her is definitely a bit less shy than their prior interaction in Ultra Deep Sea - but she does still seem, well, shy.

The shiver from approaching the swamp, however, is a bit of a concern. "You alright?" El asks, trying to offer her a reassuring smile. "Chasing down a big wild pokemon can be scary - but you're not alone here." They didn't doubt her ability to look after herself, after the fight in Ultra Deep Sea and the fact that she's still kicking even now. But at the same time, they at least wanted her to know she had backup if things did go awry.

"Lemme know if you wanna hitch a ride with any of my pokemon." They'd pat their Torterra's shell, to indicate her. Trying to wade through the swamp on foot - even if doable - probably wouldn't be pleasant for someone so small.

But then came the sighting of a strange Ursaluna - one that was unearthing a corpse. But almost as soon as it notices the group, it runs off - deeper into the murk of the swamp. As Aurelie Lefevre wonders whether it's scared of them, El mentions "It's possible... We are, uhm, a lot of people, with a lot of pokemon."

Even if this Ursaluna had started looking at human beings as prey, that didn't mean it wouldn't consider risk and reward. Charging down a whole swarm of humans and pokemon could bring more trouble than it was worth.

But while there are people who stay behind to investigate the body, there are also those who charge on ahead - and El can't help but wonder whether that's a good idea. Shouldn't they stick together, at least a little bit? Glancing to Eris and Isaac Merlo , they'd call "I'm gonna go on ahead, and make sure noone gets hurt!" as they switch Yggdrasil out for Akero.

At the very least, they could trust that those focused on the body wouldn't be in danger from the Ursaluna.

But once settled in their Togekiss' saddle, they were off. "Extreme Speed, Akero - let's be everyones' eyes in the sky!" They had to be quick, if they wanted to be on the scene in time to provide support..!

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TLDR:
- El completely misunderstands Tempest Quinn 's words for implying that he and Isaac Merlo had had a nasty breakup during him leaving Rocket (which Kouji Matsubara does not help with.) Is now quietly sympathizing with Isaac.
- Checks on Eris Halla when she seems spooked by the swamp - offers her some reassurance/encouragement, and also that she's free to hitch a ride with them/their pokemon.
- Agrees with Aurelie Lefevre thinking the Ursaluna could be scared of them.
- When people begin running on ahead to chase it, switches Torterra out for Togekiss to chase after with Extreme Speed. Aiming to take the 'lead' and be everyones' eyes/support in the sky.

Ambrose eventually got himself out of the mud, thanks to some water-based intervention from a nearby volunteer. You won't see Ambrose showing thanks though, instead posturing as if he had pulled himself out all by himself. "Ha! Easy as pie!"

Ambrose wasted no time catching up to the others, reeling to a screeching halt as the creature revealed itself. Why, it was a giant bear--thing! Oh the horror, oh the humanity! The bear dived into some nearby water, revealing a big bulging bundle of dead bodies. Ambrose quickly took out his phone to snap a picture, this shall serve as good inspiration for a song some day he was sure of it.

Everyone decided to throw out all of their ideas at once, creating a chaotic scene as traps and attacks meshed with one another. Ambrose has few resources to contribute, so he decided to make a plan of his own. He opened a pokeball, summoning Osborne the zoroark. Before Osborne could react, Ambrose waltzed up and began whispering in his ear. Whatever Ambrose said must have been truly appalling, because the zoroark would vehemently shake his head.

Ambrose came around to Osborne's front, putting his hands on their shoulders. "Come on buddy, you can do it! If we get out of this I'll wine and dine ya, promise!" Osborne grimaced but eventually began creating an Illusion to enact his master's plan. Ambrose rubbed his hands together as he got out of the way, just in time for Osborne to complete his transformation.

It was a little dark, and thus hard to get a complete picture, but Osborne did his best to become a fake copy of the evil bear! He leapt forward into the water, standing up on his back legs and waving his paws. Ambrose shouted to his partner from the bank of the makeshift pond. "Be more seductive! Put some feeling into it!" Osborne rolled his eyes before letting out a wolf-loud whistle while shaking his hips and posterior.

Surely this shall not have any unintended consequences.

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tl;dr
--Ambrose joins his team at the site of the bear's emergence.
--Zoroark uses Illusion to become an imperfect copy of the bear, using its guile and body language in an attempt to seduce the creature closer to Ambrose.