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She had grown so quickly.[break][break]

Desmond Kelley greeted Esser Blackwell with a smile, wondering where the time had gone. The lines that marred his face crinkled at their edges, pushed by his smile. There was no facade. There was no need to put on airs. “Good morning,” and he passed her one of the paper cups. Standing in the outskirts of Slateport had been the safest option, but not the option he preferred–he missed the security of Kanto, where they could enjoy their walks without the concern.[break][break]

“Are you well?” His hand reached up to brush away her bangs as if he were a doting father. He had already been told the news of the botched robbery, but he would let her voice it for herself. Poor Esser was rarely given that privilege. It was the price of her position.[break][break]

Pokemon crept from the trash-littered alleyways. The sound of human voices had attracted them. Desmond does not care. As a shadow crossed the street from overhead, the wild pokemon would what the Scientist had done. Remus swept down and shredded into the closest target; the nuzleaf. The cries of the pokemon were halted as the Honchkrow beat it into submission, talons gripping so tight into the poor grass-type that blood was drawn.[break][break]

Desmond ignored it. His Honchkrow had already been fed. The wild pokemon would be sparred.[break][break]
tags ESSER BLACKWELL

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“You will not let it happen again.” His stern voice was offset by the gift.[break][break]

Desmond set the pokeball into her open hands, gently folding her fingers around its polished surface; Esser's punishment had already been dealt. Now, it was his time to offer the support. A pokemon will not teach her the lessons that needed to be learned, but it would interrupt her growing roster of Eevees. “Failure should not suit you,” even if it seemed to clutch to her shoulders with every decision that she made.[break][break]

She was not allowed the room to mistakes. It was an unrealistic expectation–he knew it. “Learn from this,” he sighed as he brushed her hair back behind her ear like he had done when she was a child. He could be a cruel man. These impulses could be tempered when faced with someone that looked at him with admiration.[break][break]

In the background, two slime-like pokemon would find themselves assaulted by–not one–but two Honchkrows. The brothers did not relent. They descended as a group–a murder. "I have been well," and he spared the details of his exploits. Hoenn had been a vacation. A chance to test whatever he pleased. His muse had been rekindled, knowing that there was a new region to exploit. "But, I fear I may find myself occupied in the coming weeks." Work demanded it. The break would have to end--and he looked forward to it.[break][break]

tags ESSER BLACKWELL

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Everyone had an end; the final curtain call that would signal the conclusion to their story.[break][break]

Some ends came sooner than others. “Stay out of trouble,” and he smiled with a warmth that was rarely seen. Esser was right. They never spent much time with one another. There were reasons for it–he would not disclose what they were. They were best left unsaid.[break][break]

Desmond would take them to the grave, if he were able.[break][break]

Another pokemon was added to her collection. They would be fodder for when the time came. He wished to spare her from utilizing her pets. Those Eevee were harmless, stupid creatures. “You can always call,” but a voice was not always enough. He knows this.[break][break]

As the murder found new pokemon to harass, as the street they walked grew to its end, he took the opportunity to claim the Ivysaur as his own. The whelp could be fashioned into something respectable. There was still time. It was still young. “I suppose the other one can suit your needs,” though he chuckled at the Gloom and its inability to defend itself. “Don't grow fond of them.” They were disposable.[break][break]

Little did he know that he had already made that mistake.[break][break]

tags ESSER BLACKWELL // captured the ivysaur