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[attr="class","stone i"]oh, passho berries! alexander remembers planting one in his garden a while ago. his gardener most likley harvested it and now it's somewhere in his house—he'll have to go find it later.

"i have been known to share a lot."

they soon find themselves in one of the best seafood restaurants sootopolis has to offer. alexander sips on his water as they wait for their food to arrive, and knowing kyle, they've probably ordered quite a bit.

"so, what would you like to know, kyle?"

kyle lopez

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[attr="class","stone i"]"not as crazy for me, i'm afraid."

the couple at a table not too far away from them receive their dishes and the delicious aroma carries all the way over. alexander can't help but peer over at the food for a moment.

"i helped relocate my family to sinnoh, which didn't take that long, but i got caught up in the region's affairs."

the answer is vague but it's simply because alexander is not able to share more, bound by secrecies out of his control. he reaches for the water, before taking a sip.

"i suppose a part of me was afraid to return as well. i just left, you know? i broke my promise to the region. i can only hope to make up for it now."

kyle lopez

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[attr="class","stone i"]"there were, are, complications with me taking the champion spot again, so this seemed like the better option, at least for now."

alexander was ready to jump right back into the thick of things, to fully commit to the league and the region again. but easing back into it had been more of a blessing than he originally thought. to be able to slow down, to familiarize himself with the new ebb and flow of the region, has been immensely helpful.

the tease earns a genuine chuckle and a nod. "how many meals will it take?" jokes and laughter always come easier with kyle, who just brings it out of alexander, perhaps their friendship more valued than he realizes.

"those responsibilities may fall to you eventually, kyle. is that something you would want?" he sets the glass of water back down. "champion kyle lopez has a nice ring to it."

kyle lopez

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[attr="class","stone i"]"champion kyle," he corrects, but he understands kyle's reservations. not with his name, but with how he doesn't want attention on him. he's always been that way, alexander supposes.

maybe that's why he's a little surprised by kyle's response, even if it is a jest. but the subject shifts before alexander has a chance to comment on it.

"i like sootopolis! very lovely city." but it's not the answer kyle's looking for. he chuckles, continuing. "rustboro is in good hands with noah, and i figured i can get more done here."

the waiter finally returns with their food and lays various plates of seafood in front of them. alexander gestures for them to start while he speaks.

"olivia needed the help as well. as do the people." he pauses. "it also helped with getting elected to the council." the news is still fresh, and kyle is the second to hear about it.

kyle lopez

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[attr="class","stone i"]the pungent smell of seafood is distracting and alexander is mid-bite when kyle finally asks his question. he freezes, squid dangling off the ends of his fork before he lowers it.

"i never really thought about it like that..." he takes a moment to think about it now. he eventually chuckles, breaking the silence. "i suppose i am the replacement. that sounds much less impressive than it did before."

finally, he eats the squid. it's chewy in his mouth, but seafood is a delicacy he has come to love. he needed to adapt to the local cuisine, after all.

"i heard one of the elite four stepped away." another squid is soon devoured. "any ideas who you would want as a replacement?"

kyle lopez

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[attr="class","stone i"]kyle's words, as surprising they may be coming from him, serve as a reminder for alexander that his actions moving forward are what matters the most. he dips his head in agreement, grateful for the reminder.

the lobster tail baked with garlic lemon butter is next to be eaten. he cuts a good chunk of it off, moving it onto his own plate as he listens to kyle's answer.

"it might be worth exploring finding someone that doesn't fit the mold. a mold breaker, perhaps."

but alexander ultimately agrees. their choices are limited and as scary as it is, there is a strong possibility that the elite four will be the elite three for a while.

taking a bite of the lobster, alexander asks: "what do you think of noah?"

kyle lopez