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The first text found Eddie about four or five minutes after it had been sent, because most of his concentration had been dedicated to painstakingly preparing and grilling his tosta mista breakfast to perfection. One half of the sandwich was well on its way to being devoured by the time the second notification pinged his phone, [break][break]

“Oh shit, that was today?!” [break][break]

Of course, how could Eddie have forgotten? He would have kicked himself were he not scrambling to make it to the door with the other half of his steaming hot sandwich in hand and a yapping, illuminated Growlithe at his heels. The soldier nearly slipped on the house's cheap laminate floors by the time he reached the entrance and swung the front door wide, [break][break]

“Gideon!” he exclaimed, delighted and flustered all at once, “Good mornin'! You ready ta get this show on the road?” [break][break]

Looking the professor up and down, it actually seemed like he was, much to Eddie's excitement. More ready than the soldier was in this moment, clad in an apron screen-printed with the classic “Kiss the Cook”, bright orange basketball shorts, and very little else. Eddie realized this discrepancy in preparedness almost immediately, and also realized that he had to rectify it just as quickly, [break][break]

“Here, yer gonna need some protein,” he said with haste. The other half of the foil-wrapped tosta mista was shoved into Gideon's hands, but thankfully it had cooled enough to not burn the other man, [break][break]

“Be back in two shakes!” [break][break]

Off he went back into his home in Dewford with his dog left standing to gape excitedly at her new friend, the door open wide enough to grant a clear view of the unsightly bachelor pad and the empty cases of beer contained therein, and wide enough to broadcast the sounds of frantic shuffling and drawer-opening from elsewhere. Though, true to his word, Eddie returned just a few hasty minutes later, this time more appropriately clad in dark green sweats and a gray tank top and sneakers that looked like they had been through a war zone, [break][break]

“Alright, ready!” [break][break]

He fiddled with a couple of Pokeballs clipped to his waist when he returned to the entryway, and paused again only to nudge a curious but sleepy Appletun back inside when it emerged from a small hill of unsorted laundry, [break][break]

“C'mon Lendall, back inside – I needja ta hold down the fort fer me while I'm gone, okay?” [break][break]

The Growlithe would join them, though, because Blanche needed a chance to stretch her legs. She hopped out just as Eddie closed and locked the door behind him, [break][break]

“He's a cute little guy!” Eddie called back from over his shoulder, [break][break]

“Yer Kubfu, I mean. I got a couple'a sparrin' partners that help put'em through his paces.”

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GIDEON GRAVES [break]

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In just a few short moments, Gideon managed to endear himself more to Eddie and Blanche than the soldier thought possible. Lil' Guy – how cute was that? [break][break]

“Hah, glad ya like it!” Eddie guffawed happily as he began to make his trek towards their destination. Blanche kept close to both sets of heels, occasionally glancing back up at the kind gentleman who had provided her with her own tasty morsel, [break][break]

“It's queijo flamengo! Kinda hard ta get out in these parts, but hey, sometimes ya gotta get a little taste'a home.” [break][break]

The walk would be a short one as Eddie lead Gideon and their Pokemon from the main thoroughfare and off to a little sidepath that wound its way towards the shoreline. The sun was already well on its way towards the apex of its ascent, its radiant warmth driving away the creeping chill of early morning, [break][break]

“So,” the soldier continued over the distant cry of Wingull. He could almost hear the sound of the rolling waves, now, [break][break]

“First things first; let's discuss some'a yer goals.” [break][break]

After all, it was important to know what they were working towards. It was kinda like working out – you needed to know what you were aiming for before you started adding weights to the rack, [break][break]

“What're you lookin' ta get outta this? You just lookin' ta get yer little buddy beefed up, or you got somethin' specific in mind? Tactics, self-defense, somethin' else?” [break][break]

Eddie was careful to keep his tone easy and conversational. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Gideon off by surprising him with some kind of pop quiz.

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GIDEON GRAVES [break]

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Eddie's eyes practically gleamed in the morning light. He glanced back and beamed, features bright and full of pride and cheer, [break][break]

“Yessir! Cascarrafa, born and raised! I actually worked construction outta there fer years, if you can believe it.” [break][break]

Though, with all that had happened since he had arrived in Hoenn nearly a year ago, Paldea felt like it was a lifetime away. Dewford reminded him of it though, in some ways; sea air, a bustling market, a fisherman's haul. Maybe it was more akin to Porto Marinada, technically, but it felt like home all the same. [break][break]

When they reached the shore, Eddie considered Gideon's answer thoughtfully, [break][break]

“'Troublesome' ain't the halfa it,” he admitted. He turned to face the professor fully, sneakers sliding through the sands that now surrounded them, [break][break]

“But! We'll get you an' the Lil' Guy ready ta tackle whatever Hoenn tries ta throw atcha!” [break][break]

And the soldier was the absolute picture of confidence in his assertion of that fact, chest puffed and waving casual finger-guns at the little cub behind Gideon's leg. But was it him, or did Gideon seem... troubled, somehow? Eddie glanced back over his shoulder at the gentle waves lapping at the beach, [break][break]

“Oh, uh, this is actually where I do a lotta my own trainin', when I got the time for it. Figure it'd be good ta kinda be out in the field.” [break][break]

For one thing, most battles in Hoenn weren't actually fought in pristine gyms or well-maintained arenas. War was often waged in the field, across sand and soot and dirt and ash, though if Eddie were being more honest with himself, he'd mostly chosen this spot because he liked to soak up the sun. Maybe Gideon burned easily, though, [break][break]

“I can snag us a different spot, if ya'd like!” the soldier hastily continued, “Maybe I can, uh, see if I can sneak us inta the gym – ”

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GIDEON GRAVES [break]