They had promised to come here when Elinor had arrived. That promise had been delayed, but no more.

In tow or like equals, that all depended on perspective, but be that as it may Elinor walked alongside her fellow Ranger bare feet on the stony pathway as she listened to Andrea’s musings.

“Yeah that was definitely something!” Elinor admitted. “Though I hope the rest of 2024 will be somewhat quieter.” She doubted it, but one could hope.

Either way Andrea was the first to lay herself bare before the bath, and in doing so Elinor saw the marks left behind by a battle she did not know (or remember) mild curiosity edged her to ask about it. But she refrained. T’is was better not to reopen old wounds.

At Andrea’s request Elinor allowed herself into the water, letting herself go all the way below the water's surface head and body before resurfacing and releasing a relaxed sigh. The warmth of the water almost instantly worked to relax every tension found within.

But Elinor was not alone. Like Andrea she had desired to bring Pokemon along with her. Unfortunately the Pokemon she wanted to bring had been quite large, and so she had limited it to only a single pokemon, one of two which had helped fight Kyurem.

Gron the Aggron who gently lowered himself into the water as well, though as he did the water levels rose a bit. The few battle scars and tensions that managed to become submerged felt relief immediately, even if the rest of his body didn’t quite manage to meet with the body.


MISSION: POST To Sow Dragon's Teeth
LOCATION: Lavaridge Hot Springs

A rather understandable question was posed by the PokéManiac. Though by the time the question was posed, the Aggron had leaned down into an almost lying down position to cover his body in as much water as it could. A pleased smile on his Aggron-face.

“He seems rather comfortable?” Elinor replied.

“Honestly, I have never had problems with any of my Rock-types and water.” Elinor spoke thoughtfully. “Of course, they can’t swim, so It might be more of a case of them trusting me to not throw them into the deep end.” Elinor suggested with a mischievous grin as she pondered this paradox. Of course her Rock-types couldn’t swim and they didn’t exactly go looking for bathing opportunities, but they didn’t complain either when it did happen.

“As for the heat. It probably would. But I am not stopping him from leaving the water if he finds it uncomfortable.” Elinor moved closer to the steel behemoth and gently began to pat its head. With its mouth submerged it replied with a bout of relaxed bubbles.


MISSION: POST To Sow Dragon's Teeth
LOCATION: Lavaridge Hot Springs

Elinor’s gentle padding came to an end as she instead began to lean relaxed up against the Aggron. It’s warm steel body hot against her skin, but she did not mind, much like the creature she could move away if it got uncomfortable.

“I honestly can’t even begin to imagine it. But still, I am not surprised. I am sure Meatloaf knew that you would never truly replace him.” She spoke with certainty. Much like she prayed, Gron knew that no other Aggron could replace him.

Still, she let her hand brush up against his body once more, just to assure him. But the Aggron was too far gone in his own relaxation to notice.


MISSION: POST To Sow Dragon's Teeth
LOCATION: Lavaridge Hot Springs

“I am sure your words reached him in some form.” Elinor reassured the young Dragon Enthusiast. Though admittedly, the confused expression she noticed from Meatloaf could suggest otherwise.

But Elinor decided not to question it further.

And so in the comfort of the hot waters Andrea decided to turn the conversation to darker subjects.

Now, had this been some B-list Anime the very question might have caused a stronger reaction, maybe even a flashback back to the times of trauma. But now, bathed in comfort and in the company of people she knew would never hurt her, she merely took a deep calming breath and said.

“Sure I can talk about it?” The tone in her voice making it quite clear that it definitely wasn’t a comfortable topic to even approach.



MISSION: POST To Sow Dragon's Teeth
LOCATION: Lavaridge Hot Springs

Andrea’s offer of a hug tempted her. It would be nice, not only to get the comfort but to unload her burdens on Andrea. Yet, she couldn’t. She wouldn’t put something like that on her friend. These were her burdens to carry.

A quiet, but certain nod revealed the answer before her words left her mouth. “They did hurt me.” The very thought of it spurred old memories to resurface. She felt the phantom itch of the clawed-scars she had inflicted on herself afterward, rearing its ugly head. But she let the warm water soothe the fading scars on her arms.

Eyes gazed on the water surface, resting in contemplation for a moment as she buried the unpleasantness again. “It was part of the reason. But not the entire reason -” She stopped, considering how much she wanted to say.

“ - I suppose my departure really boils down to finally realizing that even as a member of the council, I was simply a pawn for the League to discard when I had outlived my usefulness.” Elinor knew there had been reasons and justifications, wisely dolled out to any who thought her worth saving. But all of that did not matter to her as the Victim. The League had shown what they thought her worth.

But one creature that would never abandon her was the Aggron she had leaned up against. It's tail moved in the water, gently wrapping around its trainer protectively, as if to let her know that she was safe, always.

She paused. Then looked toward Andrea, wondering if these words would make the light-hearted Dragon Enthusiast see her in a different light.


MISSION: POST To Sow Dragon's Teeth
LOCATION: Lavaridge Hot Springs

Gron’s Tail was soon joined by the tail of Andrea’s Salamence. At first Elinor was surprised, then Andrea waded closer and grabbed her face. Elinor stiffened slightly, not sure of what was about to happen.

Then the Validation bombing began. The carpet bombing was powerful and undiscriminating. It caught her by surprise in a way she had never thought it would. She knew Andrea was right. She had people that cared about her and that made her important to them. But one thing is knowing the truth, another thing is hearing the words coming from someone else.

The words struck hard and fast, and without even realizing it she felt the salty sting of tears welling up in her eyes. She felt her throat tighten as she attempted to form words of appreciation. In the end all that she managed to get out was two words.

“Thank you.”


MISSION: POST To Sow Dragon's Teeth
LOCATION: Lavaridge Hot Springs

Elinor did not fight the hug, nor was she the one to break it. To feel this unconditional love was something she needed even if she wasn’t sure she deserved it. But deep down she knew that it didn’t matter, Andrea would give it regardless.

Alas the hug was broken when all parties had gotten their fill of closeness and the topic moved on. Elinor found herself with a newfound lightness as if burdens and tension had been released from her.

“I have.” Elinor spoke. “Didn’t do particularly well though. But that certainly won’t stop us from signing up for yours, right Gron?” Elinor smiled, giving a quick glance toward the Aggron in the water. It made some bubbly rumblings from just below the water surface in acknowledgement.

“Is there a specific theme we should prepare for?”


MISSION: POST To Sow Dragon's Teeth
LOCATION: Lavaridge Hot Springs