There was only one real option for the grunt, as groups were paired off and locations for conflict were decided amongst themselves. As he entered his own small rag-tag group, he was the first to speak his mind for what they should do. The other grunts saw him slightly raise a hand and gave him looks of respect or annoyance.

"I vote we hit Mossdeep," Grigori said. It was simple: he now lived in Mauville. Knew too many people in Mauville. It was mighty undesirable to be caught by one of them and punch a hole into his existence. He wasn't ready for it. "They contain numerous resources and can provide a strategic advantage over Mauville."

Not a lie. However, there was one vaguely familiar face amongst the rest of them that gave him pause. This was... a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend? Howard mentioned Naomi Sato from time to time, and he knew that Nomi had a partner. A rather rambunctious, jump the gun, 'pick your nose in public' partner.

"Ms. Parker," he nodded to her, "what do you think?"

Nepotism was a hell of a thing, and it would likely be her call that lead them wherever she wanted to go between the options.

---

parker jones

Mossdeep

Maybe he’d been wrong about the nose thing. An incorrect and vaguely rude assumption. Nonetheless, he nodded along and started to walk the way of Mossdeep. They had a deep sea means of travel, right? Hopefully the path didn’t become flooded with water. He couldn’t save everyone from drowning.

“Then it sounds like Mossdeep is in our future.”

--

Grigori’s fisherman hat felt ironically out of place as they emerged from the trail. Somehow, he was the only one to actually get wet. Everyone else looked perfectly fine. He twisted the fabric carefully to get out as much water as possible. Something told him he’d have to suffer with the wet clothes. At least it was warm outside.

“Excellent work, if I say so myself,” he slapped the hat back atop his disguised head, and the shiny lures jangled around in the summer sun. “Does anyone know the best way forward? I can’t recall if they had any orders for us after this…”

He knew about the press conference. june sleigh had mentioned it in passing, a week or so ago. She had sounded rather pissed to be going, but it’d be the perfect place to get convenient intel if the League slipped. But they wouldn’t– it was for the public, after all. They’d be lucky to hear a vague idea of plans.

“Has anyone ever been to the Observatory?” He turned back to his companions. However, his eyes fell back onto Parker. “I hear the star is beautiful at this time of day. Takes up your entire view.”

It’d be nice to salvage any inkling of a social reputation.

---

parker jones

“I’ve been once or twice, a while ago,” Grigori visibly deflated underneath the hot sun. Looked like he’d not only be wet, but the laughingstock of his peers. Like a fish out of water– no pun intended. Was his joke too obvious, or the person he sought a chuckle from too… oblivious?

He’d never know. To ask as much would be to look like a bully at best. At worst, a fight would start and they'd both receive a stern warning from their bosses. Instead, he settled for the awkward play into her seriousness and pushed on through the sand. It clung to his boots and left wet clumps in his path.

“When the stars are out, it rivals the beauty of the earth we inhabit,” Grigori said. The stars resembled flowers, and space an infinitely long and deep bed for them to flourish. Other planets were visible as well, hints of what could be within their reach if they so desired.

If they didn’t fight a war for table scraps.

“And if I’m not mistaken… Naomi Sato ? Would likely agree.”

They wouldn’t burn it down. But it would very much be left in a worse state than the found it in. That was for certain. Grigori led the way.

---

parker jones

It was just as beautiful as thought of.

Not the stars, but the inside. Everything was kept neat and orderly, and not a spec of dust in sight. That, or Grigori’s vision was growing weaker in old age. Note to self, make an appointment with a Sootopolis eye doctor. For now, though, he followed behind Parker into the side door. Her methods were certainly unique.

“You would know better than I,” Grigori raised an eyebrow. Steel-toed shoes? What a silly choice. Sure, they did not know they were sneaking beforehand, but it was always in the cards. Normal boots were better because they offered durable protection with none of the noise risk, avoided the slight risk of a steel toe decapitation, and just looked bet–

BWUOOOOOOMP!

Oh. Right. Fish bobbers on his hat. Ugh.

He followed in hot pursuit of their little group, and looked upon the table with which Parker grabbed stuff willy-nilly. One article caught his eye, with a peculiar name at the top. illeana reyes . Wasn’t that the one he attacked at the blasted prison? All to defend Shred – who fought for some form of peace.

The grunt snatched the document and turned heel. “Quickly, before the police arrive!”

But it wouldn’t be the police they had to fear.

---

parker jones
STEALING IS COOL

Before Grigori could recognize what was going on, the target of his stealing attempt was stolen straight from his fingertips. Pink portals threatened to decimate their small rag tag group. The grunt also reached for his belt for Pumpkin, who’d easily let them make a dent before they died. It was certain; one did not simply survive an encounter with an Avatar.

Except they had their own on their side. Living letters materialize from thin air, much like the infinity energy that desired their demise. Their surroundings quickly changed. Once the Observatory, now they resided squarely back in Rocket’s land.

Grigori fell to a knee. His stomach churned. Interdimensional travel felt atrocious, even if it was quick. Was this how Naomi felt most of the time?

“Lucky indeed,” Grigori muttered. As he tried to stand, Parker put him on the spot. All he could show the scientists was his empty palms, slick with sweat and a sigh. “We had a run in with Ms. illeana reyes. Apologies for not being quicker.”

“Now, if you will excuse me…” he trailed off as his suddenly weak limbs carried him away from the pair. He needed to make friends with a trash can for potential janitorial reasons.

---

parker jones