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[attr="class","stone i"]by pure coincidence, alexander is outside his gym and catches sight of alexei approaching. despite having never met the man in person, his reputation for the work he does in fortree is more than enough for him to be a familiar figure. alexander gives the fortree gym leader a friendly wave and a smile.

"to what do i owe the pleasure, mister ivanov?"

Alexei Ivanov

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[attr="class","stone i"]ah. he should have figured as much. "she had to step away for the time being." but her silver spire tower can still be seen from where they are. it sticks out in the sky, after all.

alexei's demeanor is curious. "of course." alexander leads them indoors, to one of the challenger waiting rooms in the gym. it's a small room with a sofa, some tables and chairs, and refreshments in a fridge. though not the most glamorous, it certainly is the most private room in the gym.

"what is it that you need to show me, mister ivanov?"

Alexei Ivanov

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[attr="class","stone i"]alexander takes a seat on the sofa as well, attention on alexei as he starts to explain. a mirror is revealed, its surface mostly broken, along with a feather of purple and green. he peers at them curiously, unsure of what they are or what they mean.

"i do not. but i need a little more context here." his eyes fall on the feather. "what happens when the feather is raised above your head?"

Alexei Ivanov

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[attr="class","stone i"]a feather of mythical power with the ability to conjure up a powerful gale. his gaze falls to his arm momentarily, remembering another incident not too long ago. alexander has his suspicions but he decides to keep them to himself for now.

pointing to his right, alexander responds: "there is a pc in the room next to this."

Alexei Ivanov

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[attr="class","stone i"]five minutes pass by a little too quick and alexei soon returns to the room with a dive ball in hand. it pops open to reveal a pokemon of aqua and cyan, and it's one alexander has never seen before, which is unfortunate for the both of them.

but before he has a chance to ask and pry, the pokemon zips forward and wraps itself around his face. he gasps, hands immediately reaching up to pry it off his face. his legs move on instinct, heel tapping against the pokeball around his ankle. the sudden flash is all too familiar.

"wait, galahad."

whether he manages to pull it off his face or if it decides to let go on its own is irrelevant. the moment he's free, alexander shoves the chair backward and rises to his feet. he looks to alexei with a guarded expression.

"are you in control of it?"

Alexei Ivanov

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[attr="class","stone i"]it takes everything in galahad not to react to the pokes the phione gives him. he listens to his trainer and holds his ground, ready to attack though not quite willing to until he is given the order. for now, galahad settles on keeping a close eye on the phione.

"it's fine."

exhaling, alexander takes a moment to calm the sudden rush of emotions he feels. fear subsides but just enough lingers for him to remain cautious of the phione. it isn't anything he's ever seen before and that can only mean one thing.

"that makes sense. it sounds like she's still a baby, after all." to alexei's question, alexander shakes his head. "i would check with olivia but it is hard to reach her at the moment." to disappear at such a vital time...

"has it shown signs of any special abilities?" pausing, alexander considers his next question very carefully. "have you?"

Alexei Ivanov

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[attr="class","stone i"]it becomes very quickly clear that the phione is not a threat. tensions dissolve in the room; galahad steps out of his stance. alexander watches it curiously as alexei speaks.

"have you heard of avatars, alexei?"

Alexei Ivanov