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Honestly, she was simultaneously surprised and unsurprised to hear from Alex. He had requested her help in training young dragon-type Pokemon in Sootopolis and she had agreed. [break][break]

Her fingers tighten on the handles of her saddle-sort of contraption, leather squeaking from the effort. She settles into position, detaching one hand from her iron grip to stroke the warm neck of her Charizard. [break][break]

It doesn't take her long to reach the beautiful city, only a while to muster the courage to land. Wadjet lands slowly, wings pushing wind underneath her as they lower. Her claws scrape the ground as she lowers into position, allowing the woman to slide off her back. [break][break]

Alexander offers a greeting and Stormy busies herself with removing the saddle.[break][break]

"Of course."[break][break]

When she turns, she finds Alex and a young Gible, the small Pokemon hides behind his leg. She smiles a little at the sight.

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Stormy's fingernails catch on Wadjet's rough scales, tracing old scars, soothing and relaxing the beast as she slides the saddle off and sets it aside. Wadjet shakes from side to side, relieved to no longer be tethered. Her cheek pushes against Stormy's shoulder as the woman turns around to observe Alex dote on the young Pokemon. She's pushed forward as Alex approaches her, Gible nestled in his arms.[break][break]

Her gaze shifts to the baby as a soft smile spreads across her face. The woman reaches out to brush the rough skin of the child, her voice emitting a soft coo.[break][break]

"You could take her, I'm sure. One day, I bet."[break][break]

With a chuckle, she glances over her shoulder at the disgruntled Charizard who clearly was not overly thrilled at being belittled in front of an infant. Stormy retains her smile, quieting her giggles and removing her hand from the Gible to listen as Alex explains their situation.[break][break]

"Sure. I'd be happy to help, how could I say no to a face as cute as this?"[break][break]

She taps the Gible on its nose, encouraging it to sneeze or chomp the air. Alex gestures out toward the garden and she follows it, breathing a soft sigh at the beauty of it. Several more dragon Pokemon run amok in the gardens, tearing up flowers and rolling in dirt. They seem to be having quite a time.[break][break]

"He sounds like a keeper."[break][break]

Stormy winks to the Gible before standing up a little straighter and taking a deep breath.[break][break]

"Well.. what would you have me do first?"

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She glances up at him as he speaks, managing to pull her attention away from the docile baby in his arms. The Gible reminds her immensely of her own, though he has since grown and evolved.[break][break]

Alexander explains the situation and she chuckles, shaking her head. Younglings did tend to be too quick for their own good. As he gestures to the shed, Stormy glances over her shoulder to Wadjet.[break][break]

"Think we can handle a bunch of babes, Wad? We do alright with ours at home, right?"[break][break]

The woman smirks as she makes her way past the black dragon. Wadjet puffs smoke and grunts, perhaps unconvinced. The Charizard does, however, follow behind her.[break][break]

Of course, as soon as they approach, the babies scatter. The Swablu dip and dive over the water, taunting the pair to brave the cold. Dratini disappears into the fountain in the centre of the pond, virtually disappearing as the water splashes against the surface.[break][break]

Stormy pauses, considering her choices. It was clear they weren't hungry enough to be coaxed by lunchtime - which, while odd, wasn't that out of the ordinary.[break][break]

It looks like it would be a game of chase until she wore them out enough that they felt their hunger pangs. Stormy sighs, but chooses to release a few of her more mature Pokemon for fear more younglings might add fuel to the fire.[break][break]

A golden Arcanine and two identical Baille-Oricorio appear by her side. The Oricorio gives chase to the Swablu, eventually mesmerizing them with their strange aerial dancing. Arcanine, along with Stormy and Wadjet, initiate themselves into a game of tag. [break][break]

Eventually even the Dratini comes out to play, shaking off water in order to not be left out. [break][break]

By the end of it, everyone's worked up a sweat and several different volumes of tummy grumbles reverberate.[break][break]

"Now are you pranksters hungry? C'mon, little ducklings, follow me."[break][break]

She sighs heavily from the effort as she pushes herself off of Arcanine's shoulder. There are Swablu cotton balls in her hair and fur on her clothes, but she otherwise appears okay as she makes her way to the shed.

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Stormy is oblivious to the fact Alexander had been watching her play tag with the dragons. When the game ends and they begin their journey to food and a long nap, Stormy notices the man lean against the doorway. She runs her fingers through her hair awkwardly, suddenly feeling quite on the spot. But he says nothing other than praise and makes his way inside so she leaves it at that.[break][break]

"Thank you."[break][break]

The coolness of the shed is immediately relieving and she finds a spot to sit and lean. Her skin is still flushed with warmth and exercise, but she tilts her head to listen to Alex. Eventually, however, her smile fades and she channels concern.[break][break]

"Where is she, do you know? Her absence seems unlike her."

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Stormy averts her gaze, detecting the sudden change in mood. It sobers her and she focuses on the feel of cold wood beneath her fingers. She absently traces a knot in the wood, picking at it gently while he speaks.[break][break]

He chuckles at the munching and cooing outside the window and she smiles a bit if only to lighten the mood. But she soon finds her throat dry as Alexander veers away from Freya and instead confesses his own insecurities. She watches him carefully, expression soft, worried.[break][break]

The slight squeak of the feeding tray against the counter is deafening in the magnitude of their conversation. Even still, Stormy remains quiet as he finishes. [break][break]

He meets her gaze and she holds it for once. She doesn't move from her seated position.[break][break]

"I'm sorry, Alex. For a lot of things."[break][break]

She looks away, resting her head against the back of the wall, hair bunching against the surface as she becomes lost in thought. She hadn't helped relieve that immense weight on his shoulders - she had almost certainly been part of it. [break][break]

"You did the best you could, though, and that's more than a lot of people can say."

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It isn't okay. It never was.[break][break]

But Stormy doesn't breath a word because apologies don't come easily - and she isn't about to ruin the moment. She's ruined too many in the past.[break][break]

Instead, the woman dips her head at his whispered reply and instead averts her gaze while he continues. All of a sudden, the mood had become quite intense and somber compared to the lighthearted play. The sweat on her brow had cooled and her accelerated heartbeat from her game of tag had finally slowed.[break][break]

"You were good - but you don't need me to tell you that."[break][break]

Stormy smiles a little bit, a forced attempt to make light of the situation. She knows the feeling of being tired all too well, she was just too stubborn to hold back. [break][break]

"Just do whatever you need to, Alex. Put yourself first."

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He thanks her and in return she offers him a small smile. In one fluid motion, she moves to slide off her perch on the table. Her feet hit the ground just as he gestures to the feeding trays. [break][break]

Realization dawns on her and she steps forward, suddenly awkward.[break][break]

"Oh, sure. Yeah."[break][break]

But she hovers, anxious to give the man space and retrieve the platters after he's already moved out of the way. She slides her hands under the trays to place them on her forearms, balancing them hopefully without incident.[break][break]

"Let's hope I have all ten fingers in a second."[break][break]

She chuckles.

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