After Sootopolis' flooding ruined their apartment beyond repair, Makoto had been floundering a little, for a new place to call their own.

They were thankful then, that between ameena abadi 's tech company-slash-secret laboratory and a bit of advice from howard slayte , that they were not only able to get a new place to stay in Mauville, but also get something a little nicer than an apartment. It was still modest, a house just big enough for them and a few of their pokemon to run around in, but it was definitely more than an apartment.

It felt surreal, really, being here. But they did not question it- they were sure that some strings might've been pulled somewhere. But that was none of their business - they couldn't bring themself to care, when they instead found themself collapsing in their own bed the first chance they had gotten.

Awhile afterwards though, as they settled into their new routine, and got comfortable with the new surroundings... They'd begin to step outside from time to time, not as a Rocket member, but as a civilian.

Mauville was so different from Sootopolis; a lot less old-fashioned, really. And the open spaces that they saw here and there made them think of the resident Gym Leader, as they thought to themself about how much fun a pokemon might have, running about in such a dazzling city.

Tsukiko certainly seemed to be in a good mood, tails a-wagging as she followed Tsume and Makoto to a park, alongside a few more of Makoto's other vulpine friends. The weather was nice, even if chilly - why not let their pokemon out and about in someplace spacious, so that they could run around, too?

(And perhaps, just maybe... They could encourage a certain someone, to come out of its shell?)

Time would only tell, though. Kuro was such a timid soul, after all...

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