It was a secluded place, a retreat hidden in the clouds. Misty fog from the sea rose and blanketed the cottage in the morning and retreated into the woods as the day progressed. Harsh winds made the small cottage dwelling shudder and moan like a harmonizing choir. The song was nearly consistent and had become peaceful white noise. Eva didn’t mind the wind. She was the wind.

No one could get here, save for the brilliant flier on the back of a dragon like freya morningstar. But even her dearest friend wasn’t privy to the cottage’s location - not yet. Freya had been close when they raced through the canyons and valleys that carved a road to the sea through the island.

When a knock interrupted the usual song, it took the professor by surprise. A sharp jolt of recognition hummed through the tether between her and her deity, and soon she wouldn’t be alone.

The Lycanroc at her feet growled, their hair standing on end in response to their trainer’s uneasiness, “It’s fine,” she cooed, calming the pokemon that rose to follow her to the door.

Anyone at this door wouldn’t lead to anything good.

Slowly, the door opened. When the wind caught it, it slammed the rest of the way like a bullet from a pistol, smacking violently against the wooden cabin’s side. Eva couldn’t believe what she was seeing. That disbelief showed on her face as she simply just stared at Nomi. She looked far too put together to have braved the flight up here.

Eva quickly glanced around, only her own equally surprised pokemon dotted the cliffside’s small, flat top, “How did you find me?” Eva could read people. And though she typically gave them the benefit of the doubt, she sensed no ill intentions from this stranger so Nomi would find no aggression from Eva - not yet.

The god that raced towards them from space may not be as welcoming.

---

Naomi Sato

The comparison of the kinship in the pursuit of knowledge made Eva wrinkle her nose. Not out of spite, she held her colleagues dear, but she didn’t buy that ‘research’ revealed the location of her very private home. It wasn’t listed anywhere, no one knew of it. It was impossible to get to without a strong flier. It was the ideal location for her to be at peace with ample room enough for her patron to roam. Rayquaza landing the streets of Ever Grande was a bit much, even for a region used to seeing the guardian flash across the skies now-a-days.

Speaking of which . . .

Eva lifted her gaze to the gray, clouded sky. A flash of brilliant green marred its lackluster appearance. The violent winds that tore across the small plateau ceased to exist in a moment.

Their arrival was abrupt, almost as if they had teleported themself. The sudden stop to their unmatched speed sent a tremor through the air that rattled bones. The serpent loomed above them, a watching golden eye fixed on the woman opposite Eva.

They sensed . . . something hidden.

Their claws flexed, pressing the strong feeling of both curiosity and caution on their chosen.

“The Unown,” Eva continued, settling the beast with her own pulse of calm through their tether, “I’ve heard of you,” her voice sounded whimsical and her mind trailed off to draw out a detail of a report tucked away in the recesses of her mind, “What do you want?”

---

Naomi Sato

Rayquaza regarded the ancient with an indifferent demeanor. Caution thrummed through their core, resonating in Eva as well. It didn’t make them unwelcome, just distant. For now.

Eva accepted Nomi’s offering of peace, silencing the winds so the roar of their power descended into a whisper. It made for more pleasant conversation. After a brief, shared glance between her and her deity, Eva stepped aside, welcoming Nomi into her humble home. She put the waiting Lycanroc at ease with a gentle pat on the head. It sniffed at Nomi warily, eventually letting its tail slowly swing in a welcoming wag.

“I understand the need for it,” finally admitted, flashbacks to the latest AQUA Assembly making her jaw clench in distaste. She was nearly crucified alive for suggesting a parlay with Team Rocket, “But that requires a level of trust neither side has,” Even Eva, a forgiving and selfless woman, has no trust for the organization, “How do you propose we tackle that hurdle?” she turned to face Nomi when they entered the little living room a few steps into the domicile, “I brought up the idea at the last AQUA Assembly and it was met with enthusiastic resistance.”

---

Naomi Sato

Eva couldn’t help but smile as she slowly walked through the small living space to the attached kitchen. A gentle curl of steam rose from the kettle placed on the burner of the stove. She had obviously been in the middle of making tea when Nomi arrived. The water was not yet hot, but one mug sat idly with a tea bag hanging off the side on the small kitchen table. Eva moved to retrieve another without asking if Nomi wanted any tea. She’d make her some anyway.

“You don’t have to preach to the choir. I agree with you 100%. But . . .” there was always a but, “I think you’re overestimating both Rocket and the League’s ability to see past their conflict and acknowledge the greater good: What is best for Hoenn, and not themselves individually,” at their roots, both organizations were selfish. The League was just better about marketing it. And they didn’t murder in the process . . . most of the time.

“Tell me, how long have you been affiliated with Team Rocket?” she set the second mug on the table, letting another teabag fall into it carelessly.

---

Naomi Sato

The water boiled while Nomi told her story. Eva listened intently, nodding every now and then with understanding. All roads lead back to Kanto it seemed. Despite being a woman of science, she was an emotional being. Although Nomi recited her loss with clinical precision, Eva couldn’t help but feel sympathy. She knew what it was like to loss everything.

“I’m sorry about your parents. Kanto wasn’t a kind place. Especially for those with ideas,” the ghost of a smile that lacked the reassurance she hoped creased over her face as she poured the hot water for the dark tea. Of course it was caffeinated. Eva and Nomi suffered similar side effects though for different reasons.

“You understand Rocket, then. Better than most being from . . . both sides,” the innocent and the guilty, “Then you know that’s a big ask. Blasphemous, even. They’ll call you a traitor. Maybe even lock you up for such radical ideas,” Eva pushed a steeping cup of tea across the table and sat down. She cradled hers between her palms, “To people like us, facts are easy to accept. We see the big picture, the future, look for answers to our questions steps ahead then where we are. To people like them, and even people within the League, their biases and polarity blind them to the truth, to seeing past limitations already in place. They fear change. I’ve preached until I’m blue in the face to avail. Even with a common enemy holding a knife at their throats, they deny the need for any sort of compromise. No, trying to move the unmovable mountain would be a waste of our precious time. For the only ones who can move mountains . . . are gods,” Like them. Her gaze slowly lifted from the white steam crawling out of her mug to meet Nomi’s, “I’m afraid we don’t have much time left.”

---

Naomi Sato