[attr="class","body"]

despite being timid and cautious in nature, haunted sightings are one of the few things that alina possess little fear for. statistically speaking, stories of such are more often built out of careless whispers and imaginations, and she sees little point in pouring precious time in baseless rumors. if anything, the true ghosts are the ones from your past, and she was too occupied escaping her own than meddling with other people's. [break][break]

she wasn't in oldale town tonight because of the potential monster-kidnapping case, however. she was here on a job, assigned for the night to keep aggressive creatures away from town. wild pokemon, one of the many unfortunate spirits that are actively haunted by the never-ending war, were getting increasingly more violent, especially towards humans. rightfully so, alina thinks glumly, but it is still her duty to calm their tempers or chase them out. she'd love to avoid any physical conflict if she could, but knows it's not likely. [break][break]

"hey. are you heading out?" alina says to the light-haired woman passing by, frowning slightly. she was just circling back from her hourly patrol, her ampharos' soft glow an effective light source in the pitch dark. 

while she had braced herself for some unwelcoming attempts to slip in town, she didn't expect to be stopping anyone from slipping away. most residents knew by now that it was safer to stay in-town at night - this person must be passing by, then, to wander out without seemingly a second thought. [break][break]

the ranger tilts her head. "it's pretty dangerous at this time of night, with a lot of wild pokemon acting out and everything. i would stay in town if i were you."[break][break]

[attr="class","credit"]

[attr="class","body"]


Morrighan hasn't expected to be stopped, though she wouldn't say that she is entirely surprised about it, either - after all, valid concerns are to be made about the current situations of things, though there is still a contemplative look on her face as she musters the young ranger, accompanied by her Ampharos. By her own side, the Chatot is sitting on her shoulder, mirroring her own look as she ponders. However ... soon, her face morphs into a gentle smile, too, as she nods towards the other in greeting. "Greetings," the story collector begins, "that is my intention indeed. I'm - aware of the dangers there may be, however ... I promised a child to bring back the plushie he displaced. I won't be long."[break]
[break]
Or, that's what she is aiming to do, anyway - she would definitely not place herself into the face of lethal danger for another, but she does have a soft spot for children, for their imagination and creativity, and for the infinite universes inside of their heads. It's no comparison to the dull minds of many adults, working away, having lost all the spark in their life.[break]
[break]
She is just to be on her way, but something invites her to linger - perhaps wonder, even, if this stranger would aid her in this quest, as she hums, "say, have you ever heard of the 'Thousand-Eyed Witch'?"

[attr="class","credit"]

[attr="class","body"]

a plushie? [break][break]

alina stares blankly at the girl in front of her, unsure how to proceed. what kind of plushie can't wait until daylight? [break][break]

she could sympathize with the stranger's sentiment, however, with two younger siblings herself. it was hard to deny her soft spot for them, and alina was willing to do anything that would lift their spirits. anything safe, mind you. [break][break]

the ranger tilts her head. ah. this was over one of those silly myths? [break][break]

"no, i have not." alina says quietly. a part of her is tempted to step back and let them on their way - her duty, after all, was keeping creatures out of town. nothing in her mission tonight said anything about stopping people from leaving. despite this technicality, however, there was an undeniable sense of responsibility that nagged at her, and she fought off a sigh. [break][break]

it looks like she was going to have to entertain this ghost story after all.[break][break]

"and you can't wait until morning to bring back this toy?" she asked after another heartbeat. her ampharos watched the strangers curiously, tail flicking back and forth peacefully.[break][break]

[attr="class","credit"]