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I stumble many times,
[break]I might just get hurt,

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Roze had found herself visiting the very same memorial, an event that had come to pass before she'd even been in the region, yet, one of the very events that had paved Roze's path and choice, after all, the damage done to Dewford was devastating, and the conservationist had yearned to try to be a part of the people who helped restore the island to its former beauty. Yet Roze had never really approached this memorial til now, she'd had just as much passion for people as she did pokémon, yet, she'd always found interacting with pokémon a far easier task than doing so with people. Bearing flowers for names she hadn't recognised.[break][break]

Since the passing of the events that had transpired in Petalburg, a lot had changed for Roze, her arm had healed yet, she now had to deal with recuperating from the toxins that had entered her body as she'd made her escape with Hideo Kino, another thing that would ideally pass with time, yet for now she'd felt rather sluggish and tired, relying on her pokémon's aid for even the more menial things like travelling. Her Altaria had insisted on refusing to stay in her ball, accompanying the Trainer at all times, if only to support her, helping her walk, assuring she doesn't trip or collapse, and offering her own downy fluff to help Roze rest.[break][break]

Another important change for Roze had been her decision to push forward past her weakness. Her battle against the Lost and Registeel, followed by her battle against Fox and his frozen titan... and finding out yet another one of these mysterious titans had wrought destruction upon Petalburg—now the den of the terrorists that had slaughtered so many innocents within its ground? Every single time, she'd been powerless, every single time she was either a burden or a casualty who couldn't keep up.[break][break]

There was so much Roze would need to learn and do, and she couldn't take her time anymore, she'd felt. As gentle a soul as the flower-adorned young woman was, it was that very gentleness, her kindness that spurred her to get stronger now, such that she can protect those she wishes to, such that anyone she does recognise doesn't end up a part of the cold list before her. She'd paused for a moment, was this why? She just couldn't understand something, why one man would go to such devastating lengths, to tear himself apart over and over again, what goal could possibly be enough of a reason to hurt himself over and over again? Was she really any different to howard slayte? Was this how he'd felt in the infancy of his madness and hubris? She'd hoped not. If it were, she'd prayed she could learn from the archaeologist's mistakes.[break][break]

She'd prayed further that there was still a friend she could save.[break][break]

As she'd stepped closer, a slight brush against a stranger had caused her to take a step back, an awkward yet jovial chuckle escaping her as she'd followed suit, "I beg your pardon, I was in your way, really," she'd commented, yet... "I do apologise but, do I know... you?" she'd asked, something had felt familiar about the man. She'd looked at the man with eyes that showed her curiosity mixed with tired hope. It seemed the last few months had had quite a toll on Roze's strength.

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But I keep on running.

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I stumble many times,
[break]I might just get hurt,

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Whilst she still couldn't quite put her finger on it, something about this stranger seemed familiar, or at least, the look in his eye. There was melancholy about the man, he seemed... weary, wearier than Roze herself had felt despite the physical nature of the toxins running their course through her own body, as if he'd bore witness to a lifetime of suffering already.[break][break]

She'd reached out to the man, long before she herself had realised it, a slight pinch against his clothes, a faint tug, a connection that'd break with the slightest resistance, "actually, if you wouldn't mind it," she'd pushed a smile. Her initial feeling had been some sort of pity for the man, mistaking his recognition for her as him simply being sick, tired, weakening, yet the moment she'd had a slight grip on the man's sleeve, she'd... felt alone.[break][break]

It was on odd feeling, a sudden realisation. Beyond her pokémon, bless them for staying by her, Roze had nobody. Her family back in Galar, she didn't have anyone she could rely on by herself. She'd almost choked on her words, heat welling up in the back of her throat, drying it such that the words themselves had been strangled. She'd coughed to clear her throat, "apologies, ahaha," she'd added further, "If you wouldn't mind, I'd... like to know a little more about what happened, maybe over a cup of coffee?" she'd offered with a smile, "Roze Falkner, I'd be happy to be your acquaintance," she'd greeted, finally letting go of the man's sleeve after realising how rude she might have seemed, an awkward chuckle escaping her.[break][break]

She didn't know the man, not his circumstances, nor his life, yet... beyond a handful of acquaintances, she had nothing here in Hoenn, no knowledge, yet she'd so proudly and impulsively believed she could make a difference. She'd wanted a new step, a step in the right direction, she wasn't doing this all by herself. Knowing of the lives affected would be her first step forward.

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But I keep on running.

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I stumble many times,
[break]I might just get hurt,

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She'd blinked a couple times upon being called strange, it was rather clear she hadn't expected it, she'd cocked her head slightly, thinking about it, furrowing her brow as she'd mulled it over, only for enlightenment to be rather clear on her face; "Huh, that is rather strange, isn't it?" she'd chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand. She'd noticed that the man hadn't introduced himself, though hadn't quite minded it, she was a strange stranger after all.[break][break]

"Is it really that small a place?" she'd taken a glance of their surroundings, the town was certainly smaller than her hometown in Galar, yet, she still hadn't quite explored the island town yet, "I'm sure there's plenty to discover and explore in such a beautiful town like this," Roze had beamed.[break][break]

She'd let the stranger lead the way, unaware of the man's past, unaware of who he really was, unaware of the hope she'd had for him. Yet, she'd hoped to learn more of this town, and of the pain that seemed to mar the stranger's visage, the sadness that seemed to have encompassed him before. The sadness that he seemed to be trying to hide. Roze'd felt she'd messed up her first friendship since she'd moved here, there'd still been hope in her heart, this very same hope that had made her wonder if she could have done something else—something more—to help her first friend in Hoenn.[break][break]

She'd had to forget about that for now, she wanted to focus on learning things, improving herself, and if she could perhaps make the stranger in front of her have a brighter day, that felt like an accomplishment she could manage this time around.

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But I keep on running.