The flight back to Verdanturf is done carefully. The Gym Leader not only prioritizes the safety of the Commissioner, but attempts not to arouse suspicion from anyone who would watch the skies. Even as the Commissioner's head rests on his back, his expression is a focused one. All he can think about is getting her to safety.

Finally, they reach the Ranch. Upon landing, Thomas swiftly dismounts the dragon, before offering a hand to help Dahlia off the back of his dragon. As he sees the black phlegm in her hand, Thomas' expression becomes one of concern. He quickly hands her a spare cloth. "That doesn't look good, at all. Let's get you checked out, yeah?", Thomas offers, before offering to lead her to shelter.

---

tags: dahlia goode
notes: Home sweet home

"Don't worry about it. Though if you don't mind me asking, can I keep it? I know someone who can take a look at it on the down low." he would request of her. If she were to allow him to do so, he would have an evidence bag handy to contain it. While it was strange for most trainers to carry vials and evidence bags on them, Thomas did so out of habit since his days in the International Police. He found that the practice had its uses in his travels, as he could collect samples that were either abnormal, or requested by someone.

"Not me, per say. But I do have a - team - of medics that can look into you.", he would tell her.

It was then that a group of six Audino, three of normal size, two being the size of a Pichu, and one in between, would rush to greet the trainer, happy to see that he was home, but wondering about the visitor with him. Accompanying the group was a single Blissey, who looked on with worry at the blonde in his company. She could immediately tell that there was something wrong. "It's so good to see you, little ones!", Thomas told them with a smile. "I need your help. My guest here seems to be sick with something. Could you look after her?", he would ask them.

The Audinos and Blissey would happily oblige their master's request, offering to escort the ailing Commissioner to a safe place, where they would begin their check up to find out what was wrong. "I'll be right with you, I'm just gonna grab some medicine.", he would tell her, heading into the house itself.

---

tags: dahlia goode
notes: And here come the cuties!

All Thomas could do was flash a somewhat awkward smile at the Commissioner's compliment. It was clear that the Kalosian wasn't very good with taking compliments. Focusing on the task at hand, Thomas hurries into the house, before rummaging through his medicine cabinet for something that could help Dahlia. Before that, Thomas would store the sample he had gotten from the Commissioner for safe keeping, at the ready when he could sit down and study it properly.

Meanwhile, the pack of healers would lead the Commissioner to the safety of the tunnels. She would find that the tunnels were well structured, and well lit, but not blindingly so. It was clear that Thomas had taken great care, and put much thought into the planning of his underground network. The medical team would lead her to a spacious room within the tunnels, one complete with a comfortable-looking chair, a bed, as well as other furnishings.

If given permission to do so, Bunni would begin to check up on the ailing Commissioner, using one of her stethoscope-like feelers to try to get a reading on the Commissioner's breathing, and general state. In any case, the group was at her beck and call, ready to help her, should she need it. Though it wouldn't take Thomas long at all to walk into the room, bringing with him some medicine, as well as some water to help her wash it down.

"Here you are, Commissioner, I hope this will help.", he told her, offering her the medication. For what she displayed so far, the medicine in question was appropriate, though Thomas had to question what other symptoms she was suffering from.

As soon as he was finished with the Commissioner, the healers would crowd around him. One by one, he would pick up the Audino, regardless of their size, and offer them big, affectionate hugs, as well as nuzzling them lovingly. Their reactions ranged from happy humming, to brief, happy squeals as they hugged and nuzzled their master eagerly. Finally, Thomas would crouch down to give the Blissey a big, loving hug, ruffling the top of her head and nuzzling her.

"Thank you all so much.", he told them.

---

tags: dahlia goode
notes: Back with medicine, and lots of hugs!

As Thomas and Bunni shared their hug, the Audino would gesture to Thomas to let her master know what she had found. Thomas nodded to the creature, giving her an affectionate nuzzle before her turn was finished. Internally, he had to wonder just what was going on that was causing this, and if the medicine he had on hand would truly help her. But whatever it was, he was going to get to the bottom of it.

Thomas turned to the Commissioner as she spoke. "I can't say it would be completely effective, but the flight back to Verdanturf wasn't a direct one. I made it a point to pull some counter-surveillance on the way back. As for the where we entered, I did choose it because it's at a place where one can't just peek over and see what's going on, giving us cover as we went into the tunnels.", he would tell her. "And don't worry about me, whether the League, or whatever enemies are responsible for this, find out what I did, I'll be ready. Whether it's to take responsibility for what I've done, or to defend myself, I know what I got myself into.", he would continue.

---

tags: dahlia goode
notes: -

Thomas knew that if they found out about this, he was in trouble. Regardless of his beliefs or intentions behind the act, he was still harboring a fugitive, rather than turning her in. If they found out he was doing this, then he could kiss his position, and his rank goodbye. Hell, it'd be a miracle if he didn't serve time for what he was doing. But at the end of the day, he knew why he was taking such a risk.

"We all make mistakes, Commissioner.", he'd start. "It's still no reason to abandon you in your time of need. Even when it would've been more convenient to formally disavow me after what happened, you still stood by me at my lowest point. Even if I have to be more secretive about it, it's only right I do the same for you. I don't care what it costs me, I'm gonna get to the bottom of all of this.", Thomas continued.

"As for my good standing, I'm not too worried about it. I'm not doing any of this for any sort of standing, I signed on with the League in order to achieve results. And if those results come at the cost of my name being dragged in the mud, of becoming a pariah, then so be it.", he would tell her.

"What do you mean that overconfidence caused you to fall in to Rocket's clutches?", he'd inquire.

---

tags: dahlia goode
notes: -

There was so much to take in from Dahlia's confession. So many layers to a reaction to what had happened. First off, questioning just what she was thinking, in allowing herself to be captured by a monster like Silas. No good was bound to come of it, something the former Agent could attest to. But then, she obviously realized what a mistake it was, that there was no point in berating her for it, especially not at this point.

"Why did you think you could reach out to Blackwell?", Thomas asked her. He would take a seat on the ground near the Commissioner. Even Thomas could see how nervous the Commissioner was in even talking about this sort of thing. But then, it was something he had to know. "Please, I only want to hear you out. There had to be some reason for you to make that decision, not just pure nativity.". he would continue.

---

tags: dahlia goode
notes: -

The revelation that Dahlia knew Silas when they were children took him by surprise. As she went on, things began to somewhat add up. The part about how he blamed her for not 'saving him' in particular was of interest to him. He knew that Silas' father was the previous boss of Team Rocket, at least until Silas himself had taken over in a coup. From what she inferred, the younger Silas was different to the man that had brought Kanto to its knees, and cast a shadow of terror over Hoenn until his end in Verdanturf.

"Commissioner.", Thomas utters solemnly.

He had so many more questions for Dahlia now. Even if the man was dead, he wanted to know what he was like as a child, and why she thought Silas ended up becoming the way he did. But for now, such questioning wasn't going to get anywhere, especially if Dahlia wasn't willing to entertain the conversation any further. He'd either have to find another time to talk to her, or find other avenues in order to conduct an investigation into Silas' past, even if it was just to paint a complete picture of who the man was.

"I suppose you need your rest. Unless you'd like me to stick around, is there anything I can get for you, before I leave you in peace?", he'd ask her.

---

tags: dahlia goode
notes: -