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Tapu Koko’s ELECTRO BALL meets its mark. The grumpig convulses in Fern’s grasp, but they themself are unbothered. The electricity that has found a home in them does no more than roll along their body. There is no pain to be felt–it is more akin to the tickle of a feather brushing against skin.[break][break]
Cerulean eyes do not fixate on the pained pokemon in their hands, however, but rather on the figure it draws out of hiding. There is a triumphant smile on their face as they step back to let her work.[break][break]
As best as she can, anyway.[break][break]
The hiss does well to ruffle Tapu Koko–its easy stirring toward offense causing its feathered fringe to ruffle atop its head. An aggrieved clacking of its pincers is the reply Tapu Lele receives in turn, little forks of an electricity snapping off of the orange and black deity’s body.[break][break]
It behaves much like an infuriated sibling might before they rush to tattle on the other. Something, they note, is unlike the guardian’s previous interactions with the Hoenn-native Tapu Koko and Fini. Perhaps it’s familiar in a way that they had not been anticipating. And all too quickly, they are struck with the thought that maybe they don’t know as much of their patron as they had thought they had.[break][break]
This, in and of itself, should be disconcerting. But Fern themself is not so easily ruffled. At least, not in this instance. They have invested too much of their interest to be swayed by whatever secrets Tapu Koko might bear.[break][break]
And they are certainly not going to be rattled by the other sprite’s hostile shrieks and hisses.[break][break]
As the others speak to her of the things she could have should she leave the realm she guards, Fern simply observes. Their head tilts, quiet as they ponder over whether or not a creature such as Lele will take their word for it (though they are very much correct. They have not been here long and this world seems like it might be no more than a wasteland all the way through.)[break][break]
Even if this is not true, and there is oasis beyond the dusty stretch of nothing, Hoenn is far richer. There is much more that could be fixed, they think.[break][break]
Idly, they reach up to tuck the strands of hair behind their good ear and the thought flits through their mind. They had something tangible to offer Tapu Koko. In theory, this is far different, and not the glimmering trinket that the primal shard has become, but even so…[break][break]
“What they say is all true,” Fern says as they cautiously edge a step toward Lele. Their hands raise, in effort to show they have no tricks up their sleeve. “And why stop at only Pokemon? Perhaps I can offer you the opportunity even now.” Their fingers reach back, pushing away dark hair from the mangled remains of their ear. Or what should have been an ear, had MATIAS SILPH not severed it from their head.[break][break]
They lean forward enough to allow Lele the opportunity to inspect the healed wound. To tamper with it, should she choose.[break][break]
Agitated by this choice, Tapu Koko darts behind Fern. Its reaction palpable in the air. Though this time they aren’t terribly certain if it is still irritated with Lele, or if its temper has shifted to them for offering a part of themself up so plainly. But the implication is evident: should she do anything aggressive, Koko will strike back.[break][break]
And maybe then they will resort to force.

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