[attr="class","header"]EVERYDAY BY MYSELF I’M BREAKING DOWN

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The sewers. Why exactly had he been tasked with this? While not a neat freak, he was a bit big on cleanliness. So getting tasked with dealing with poison-type Pokémon running amok had come as a surprise. At least they were expected to deal with the problem peacefully.
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Coffee thermos in hand, he walked through the sewers until he found his way to the meeting spot. To his surprise, he wasn't the first to arrive. And that was saying something since he was the type to usually arrive early to something. Part of it being a general dislike of being tardy.
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Like the other ranger, he decided to work out of uniform. Mostly because he didn't see it as an official ranger mission. Instead, he had chosen to wear a pair of jeans and a button-up, not his usual choice of attire. Usually, he dressed quite nicely, often wearing slightly dressy clothes to seem more put together.
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"Hello, sorry if I kept you waiting. Anyway, my name's Ever," he said, his gaze flickering briefly to the oddly colored Sylveon. Hair dye, he assumed, considering shiny Sylveon were blue and white, not black and red.
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The Fairy type did make him think of his own Pokémon, especially his Galarian Rapidash, who now that he thought about it, might come in handy for this mission. But for now, Nyx, his Gliscor, was the one outside of her Poké Ball.[break] Lutgarde Dijkstra

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[attr="class","header"]EVERYDAY BY MYSELF I’M BREAKING DOWN

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"Something I can relate to, though it often gives the wrong impression to people that I'm excited about something. I just don't like being late," he commented as he shook the other's hand. "Anyway, it's nice to meet you, Lutgarde and Sylv."
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That being said, "And this is my partner for tonight, Nyx," he said, glancing briefly at his Gliscor before turning his attention back to Lutgarde.
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While the trainers were going through the introductions, the two Pokémon were doing their own thing. Nyx, being pretty laidback, would allow Sylv's ribbons to touch her.
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Upon hearing the question, he shook his head. "Aw, no. I usually don't like working in places where I'm not at risk of getting wet," he said at last, resisting the urge to tug at his shirt at the thought.
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"A map is good, it means we won't have to trek all over. As for anything weird, hmmm, no, but the clogging could be due to poison sludge," they said absently as they looked over the map that Lutgarde had brought, as well as the notes she had made.
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Her handwriting was a bit hard to read in some places and easy to read in others. Due to the multiple letters he had sent his grandparents before coming to live with him, he immediately identified the clear writing as calligraphy. His own choice of writing fell between calligraphy or cursive, depending on the mood he was in. That, in writing in such fashions, had set him even further apart from his father.
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As she mentioned the Pokémon, his expression became thoughtful. "Hmmm, that is strange. Could something be keeping them from wanting to head further in? I suppose the better question would be what made them wander down here in the first place."[break] Lutgarde Dijkstra

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[attr="class","header"]EVERYDAY BY MYSELF I’M BREAKING DOWN

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Excited about being in a sewer.
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Couldn't say he shared her sentiment.
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He liked being somewhere he could see the sun in the daytime. Or the moon and stars at nighttime.
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Down here in the sewer where he couldn't see the sky. Couldn't feel a fresh breeze on his face. He felt confined.
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"You must forgive me if I don't share your sentiment. I don't even like staying in my home for too long or I start feeling confined, though I have to admit since moving to Fortree I'm more comfortable being in my home."
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The plus side of living in a treehouse.
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At the mention of her taking the brute of it if they got wet, he inclined his head.
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"You have my gratitude, I've never enjoyed the feeling of wet clothes."
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Yeah, he didn't think any of his Pokémon were ones one would choose to declog pipes. Especially if it was due to poison sludge. Trying to get the aid of some of the wild Pokémon was probably their best bet.
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At the question, he shook his head. "No, it's unlike Pokémon to just linger in one place. Usually after a while, they move on. But these Pokémon."
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Was there something sinister going on here? He couldn't think of any other reason for Pokémon to linger around her. Perhaps if they found the cause, they could make them leave.
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Checking the pipes was a good idea, so he simply nodded, taking the handkerchief as he followed behind her.[break] Lutgarde Dijkstra

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[attr="class","header"]EVERYDAY BY MYSELF I’M BREAKING DOWN

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He supposed that was true. Still, he couldn't really see if he understood. Well, he supposed it wasn't all bad. He could be surrounded by people after all.
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"I guess so, it's better than being hemmed in by other people, I'll give it that," he said at last. It was clear to him that was the only upside to being in a sewer.
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At the mention of treehouses, he nodded. "Yeah, it's pretty great. The fact that it's quiet and the workout to get from the ground to the treehouse is a plus. A good way to stay fit."
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He said that, but it wasn't like he needed the excuse of living in a treehouse to stay fit. Even outside his ranger duties, he exercised. He usually spent a little time each day getting in a bit of exercise. He found it was something that kept him occupied.
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A quickly solved problem was preferred by him as well. Pokémon and people alike would soon be affected by whatever was going on here if they didn't hurry. From what he heard, Pokémon were already being affected in some way by what was going on here.
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Mentally shaking himself, he continued to follow them until they came across a cluster of Pokémon. As they spoke, his attention remained fixed on the Pokémon. "I'm sure you would all feel much better if you weren't all trapped here," he added, his voice surprisingly soothing.
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Once it was clear they wouldn't get attacked, he helped Lutgarde investigate. As expected, one of the tunnels leading further into the sewers was blocked. Frowning, he eyed the blockage before turning his attention to his partner.
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"No, it almost looks intentional," he agreed.
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Was someone blocking off the tunnels? Or was it some kind of Pokémon further into the sewer?
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He supposed unless they found a way to remove the blockage, they wouldn't receive any answers.
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However, trying to remove it themselves was out of the question. Not with poisonous sludge mixed into everything. He would much prefer not to get poisoned. That really only left one option though.
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"Do you think you could help us out? We would be really grateful if you did," he stated, turning his attention back to the cluster of Pokémon.[break] Lutgarde Dijkstra

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[attr="class","header"]EVERYDAY BY MYSELF I’M BREAKING DOWN

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If it weren’t for the life he had lived, he would be more inclined to believe her optimistic view of the way things were. However, he knew well enough that there wasn’t always an upside to every situation. There was no point in getting into a discussion about his pessimistic views on the way the world was.
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“I’m fond of riding my own Pokémon, but sometimes it’s good to just kind of take the scenic route.”
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Could choosing to walk as opposed to riding your Pokémon be considered taking the scenic route? He wasn’t really sure. Oh well, it wasn’t like it really mattered.
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Though she said she was spoiled by the use of elevators or her Togekiss, she did admit to exercising regularly. That was definitely something he could relate to, even without the obligation to exercise that came with living in a treehouse.
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“Keeping fit is good. I hear it improves health as well as sleep,” he said, a strange tone in his voice, like he didn’t quite believe that about keeping fit. Perhaps because of his own troubles when it came to sleeping.
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Soon enough, they would come across a blockage. With how it looked, there was no way it could’ve just happened. He would say as much when his partner brought it up, claiming it looked intentional. Now, why would someone do something like this? was the question.
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Simply nodding, he would try and request the aid of the Pokémon. They actually seemed pretty willing to help until they saw just what the blockage was made of. If the Pokémon weren’t even willing to go near the blockage, you knew it had to be bad.
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Before he could think too much about it, Lutgarde spoke up. He supposed that was the best plan they had, and it was better than nothing.
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Showing his consent to the plan, he simply nodded. “Nyx unfortunately doesn’t have any moves that would help in this situation. I do have a Yanmega that could probably use Bug Buzz to help with dislodging the blockage,” he explained as he eyed the blockage.[break] Lutgarde Dijkstra

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[attr="class","header"]EVERYDAY BY MYSELF I’M BREAKING DOWN

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He did the same. Though he also relied on coffee to help him feel more awake, probably more than he should since he was kind of addicted. But considering the fact that he drinks coffee to keep himself from falling asleep, it was to be expected.
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Not having much else to say on the matter, he simply nodded in agreement. Besides, there were more important things to worry about. Like the task that brought them down here.
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The blockage was definitely a problem. A problem that needed to be taken care of as soon as possible.
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“Yes, thankfully, they seem willing to help. In the mean time, we’ll tackle the blockage as much as we can,” he agreed, his gaze never leaving the blockage the whole time he spoke. The whole time he spoke, his gaze had assessed the blockage just to see how sturdy it was.
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The woman’s voice cut into his assessment, and he nodded, releasing his Yanmega from her pokeball. “Use Bug Buzz on the blockage,” he told the Yanmega once he was sure Lutgarde was ready.
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While he missed the mochi at first, he definitely noticed it when the blockage had been dislodged a bit. The mochi was only further proof that the blockage was intentional. Hopefully, whoever it was would be dealt with by the cops.[break] Lutgarde Dijkstra

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[attr="class","header"]EVERYDAY BY MYSELF I’M BREAKING DOWN

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Getting the blockade to fall away was hard work, but he was determined to make it happen. With the help of all the gathered Pokémon as well as their own Pokémon, they were getting the blockade to fall away bit by bit. As focused as he was on the task at hand, he barely acknowledged her thoughts, only looking away long enough to give a nod in return.
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Soon enough, the blockade would fully fall down, and he would resist the urge to let out a sigh of relief. “Finally,” he grunted, his gaze flickering briefly down to the scattered blockade. He supposed someone else would come down to clean up the rest of the blockade.
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“Let’s get what you grabbed back to headquarters so it can be tested.” Hopefully, after it was properly analyzed, they would find out how the blockade had been set up. He had his suspicions, and if he was right, he hoped people would be properly punished for what they had done.
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With that said, he turned and began to trek back the way they had come, closely followed by Sonic Boom, before pausing. “Perhaps I should say it was nice working with you. Hopefully next time we’ll be able to work in a place that is more in my element.”
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Having all that he wanted to say out there, he resumed walking, knowing that the sooner they got back to where they had met up, the sooner he could get out of the sewers.[break] Lutgarde Dijkstra

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