[attr="class","rowwtw"]"dorian westcliff?" Rowan was aware of the man, the former Beast having preceded his own tenure in the role. "I know him." He took a few steps forward, eyes scanning the drawing for a moment. There was something wrong with the depiction, and it took a second for him to recognize the reason.[break][break]

"You're missing his scar." A finger reached out, tracing along the face where he remembered the aged wound to be. "He has a healed burn, around this area." Perhaps this was useful information, but Rowan couldn't help but ponder the obvious question at hand.[break][break]

"Why are you looking for him?" He asked.

[attr="class","rowwttag"]DEREK HOFFMAN

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]

[attr="class","rowwtw"]The hand that held the machete lowered, but Rowan's grip on the weapon remained firm. As much as he wanted to believe this was his sister, the former Beast was more than well aware of the tricks that declan walsh was able to perform with his powers. "Tempest blamed your death on me. My leaving." These words were spoken quiet, the torture of having that knowledge hanging over his head evident. [break][break]

"Yeah. Between my own brother putting a hit out on me and what happened in that alternate Galar...I needed to get away." Rowan looked tired, exhausted both mentally and physically. The toll of these last few months had been heavy upon him, to the point where he questioned if he'd even made the right choice in the first place.[break][break]

"I'm sorry I left, Lulu. I couldn't pretend to be what they wanted me to be anymore. I'm not a senseless killer, I'm not cruel enough to believe that 'all Pokémon exist for the glory of Team Rocket'." A soft sigh escaped his lips, eyes drifting towards the ground. "I just wish it hadn't cost me the only real family I've ever known."

[attr="class","rowwttag"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]

[attr="class","rowwtw"]Mistral released Melody and let out a happy trill, eliciting a small smile from Rowan. "I thought he ate a lot before, but now it's ridiculous." The Empoleon had evolved larger than the average of their kind, no doubt because of their extended period of evolution prior.[break][break]

"No, I had no idea, actually." Rowan gestured for Mitral to rejoin him at his side, to which the Pokémon complied. "I've been away for a few months, laying low from Team Rocket." There was a wild look in Rowan's eyes now, where innocence had once sat before. His sojourn had hardened his body, and Galar had fractured his mind.[break][break]

"Guess you're doing pretty well for yourself, since you bought an island." He chuckled, crossing both arms over his chest. "What are you planning on doing with it?"

[attr="class","rowwttag"]Melody Miro

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]

[attr="class","rowwtw"]A sharp gasp for air alleviated with burning in Rowan's lungs as he dragged himself onto the shore at the other end of the path, attempting to push himself into a sitting position despite the near-death experience. "Fucking hell..." The first form his eyes searched for was that of his Ludicolo, looking drained and injured from the encounter as they sashayed into the campfire light. [break][break]

"You did good, mate." The Ranger assured them, reaching towards the inert Pokéball on his belt, returning the Pokémon to safety. In a flash of light, their replacement appeared. "Hey, Mistral." Rowan groaned as the Empoleon helped him to his feet, gently ruffling the feathers on his companion's belly in the process.[break][break]

"Aidan, you okay?" Rowan called out as he glanced around the area, the Rocket being dragged underneath as well the last thing he'd seen before his own encounter with the depths. Now, he turned his attention to the captives, locked in odd cages of unknown make and origin. "Interesting." He muttered to himself, gesturing Mistral alongside him.[break][break]

Considering the presence of Megalopolans, he was hesitant to release the prisoners, knowing the extradimensional beings had a penchant for glamour. "How'd you all end up down here?" Rowan asked as he approached, eyeing SPENCER MODELL in particular. Regardless if these captives were compromised, there was little risk to releasing a single one of them. Right?[break][break]

"Take a few steps back, Mr. Modell." He warned, moving aside himself as Mistral swiped a powerful METAL CLAW towards the entrance of the cage, hoping to shred the locking mechanism and free the man inside. "Any idea what the hell is going on?" Rowan asked the man, moving backwards to keep a healthy distance in case this was some sort of rude.[break][break]

A glance was shot towards Tempest Quinn, making them aware of his wariness of the situation. But, why? A strange feeling had overcome him since he'd pulled himself from the waters. A desire to make amends with the Rocket who'd gladly seen him killed in any other situation. What was this longing for FORGIVENESS that made his naturally steady hand shake, his stomach churn?[break][break]

---

[attr="class","rowwttag"]@bloodmud&iron [break][break]

• Returned LUDICOLO brought out EMPOLEON.
• Check on Aidan Hereford.
• EMPOLEON used METAL CLAW on SPENCER MODELL'S CAGE in an attempt to free him.
• Is a lil sus of the situation, conveys this to Tempest Quinn wordlessly. (FORGIVENESS)
• MORE SALACS AHHHHH

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]

[attr="class","rowwtw"]Rowan was sure that this wouldn't lead to anything particularly useful, but it'd be a waste of time if he were to quit searching the toolbox now. "Give me a few of them, I'll skim." [break][break]

Unfolding the letters, Rowan did his best to gleam information from the words as quickly as possible. The contents were as expected, romance put to paper. While not entirely exciting, perhaps there was something here between the lines.

[attr="class","rowwttag"]@maplemanor [break][break]

- Do the tools seem off to you? 4/4

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]

[attr="class","rowwtw"] Amber eyes didn't dare look into the darkened waters below as he waded through, fixed on the form of Tempest Quinn in case their truce was nothing more than a ruse. Rowan wouldn't be caught off guard, not if he could help it. Ludicolo saunted though next to him, remaining alert as though the Pokèmon could sense the tension between them in the air.[break][break]

Silence lingered between them. After all, what was there to say? Tempest and himself were far beyond pleasantries and small talk, and as much as Rowan wanted to enquire about Cillian Quinn's wellbeing, he couldn't bring himself to form the words. At least Lulu Flint was here, a reminder that there was some family that still cared for him, and wouldn't abandon him because of the choices he made. [Break][break]

It was Aidan Hereford's voice that roused him from contemplation, glancing towards the man. "Nowhere to go but forward." Rowan responded, unaware of the dangers that lurked nearby. [break][break]

As the Dhelmise revealed themselves, Rowan cursed underneath his breath. The seaweed wrapped around his ankles and before he could act, the Ranger was dragged underneath the water. A stream of bubbles escaped his mouth as he attempted to shout a command to his Pokèmon, one that went unheard. [Break][break]

Still, that didn't stop the Ludicolo from acting. Verdant energy gathered around the anchor-like Pokèmon as Bolero began to drain their essence in return, utilizing GIGA DRAIN in an attempt to balance the scales in their favor.[break][break]

[break][break]

---

[attr="class","rowwttag"]@bloodmudiron[break][break]

- Rowan is pulled under by the Dhelmise.[break]
- Ludicolo uses Giga Drain on the attacking Dhelmise.

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]

[attr="class","rowwtw"]"Interesting." Rowan scratched his chin softly as Gwyar and his investigation produced a toolbox. Not exactly an extraordinary item to find in a greenhouse, but he had a feeling that nothing in this place could be taken at face value. [break][break]

"After you, mate." He gestured to the toolbox. After all, it wasn't something that two sets of hands could dig their way into.[break][break]

Still, Rowan watched from over Gwyar Wledig's shoulder, keeping his keen eyes fixed on the contents hoping between the two of them that they'd be able to dredge some sort of clue up.

[attr="class","rowwttag"]@maplemanor [break][break]

INVESTIGATING:[break]
- Do the tools seem off to you? 2/4

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]

[attr="class","rowwtw"]A sigh of relief escaped Rowan's mouth as the violence came to an end, seemingly with everyone relatively unscathed. "You okay, Eris?" He called out to Eris Halla, eyes searching for the others he'd been worried about. Lulu Flint was in good company with the young historian, offering his sister a small nod and smile to ensure her that he wouldn't have let anything serious happen to her, factions or disguises be damned. [break][break]

"How about you, Aidan?" His gaze rested upon the other Rocket that didn't want him dead, offering a small smirk towards Aidan Hereford "Who's the mud boy now?" Rowan winked.[break][break]

Any sense of joviality drained from Rowan the moment he saw Tempest Quinn approach, instinctively resting a hand on the short-sword at his hip. His training with the blade was fledgling, but Tempest didn't know that. "Tempest." He responded, actively attempting not to dead-name them out of spite in order to keep the air between them amicable.[break][break]

What came next, Rowan didn't expect. An eyebrow rose at the proposition, eyes slowly turning downwards toward their extended hand. For a brief moment, he saw the old Temp. The man that made him laugh in that cargo container, the one he knew would make his brother happy, Cillian Quinn's true love. Perhaps it was this sentimental memory, or possibly the rapid maturing he'd done the last few months, but Rowan took their hand in his own with a firm grip. [break][break]

"Don't make me regret this." A warning, but perhaps something else. An extension of his trust, a chance at forgiveness? Rowan didn't know for sure, but the mixed emotions of the moment made his stomach churn with unease. Instinctively, eyes flicked to Lulu Flint for reaction.[break][break]

As the Ludicolo trotted back to Rowan's side, the trainer turned towards the area behind them, at Tempest Quinn's request. "Bolero, can you help?" A verdant aura pulled in energy from their surroundings as the Ludicolo shook and shimmied with a soft dance. After a few moments, they unleashed the energy in the form of NATURE POWER, looking to create an eruption of EARTH POWER in an attempt to collapse the path behind them and delay reinforcements.[break][break]

"Shall we?" He asked Tempest Quinn.[break][break]

---

[attr="class","rowwttag"]@bloodmud&iron[break][break]

• Checked on Eris, Aidan and Lulu.
• Approached by Temp, accepted temporary truce.
• LUCICOLO used NATURE POWER as EARTH POWER attempting to collapse the path behind them, slowing reinforcements.
• Going down PATH ONE.

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]

[attr="class","rowwtw"]A megalopolan? Rowan's eyes immediately shot to Eris Halla with a look of concern. He'd not experienced the cannibalistic invaders personally, but he knew enough about them to be reasonably cautious at the presence of even one of their corpses among the muck. "Well fu-..."[break][break]

The curse was cut short as corpses rose, dragging those around him into the murky depths of the swamp. The immediate concern was for the child that had gotten taken, worried that Eris Halla wouldn't be able to stay above the water due to her height. "Does anyone see Eris?!" He called out to anyone nearby, getting the attention of his Decidueye in the process.[break][break]

Apollo swooped down, drawing Rowan's eyes to see Aidan Hereford taken as well. "Aidan! Shit!" A hand fumbled to the inert Pokéball on his belt, returning the Decidueye to it's capsule in a beam of crimson light. In it's place, a Ludicolo appeared in a flash of brilliant illumination. Where had Lulu Flint gone? Was she taken too? The heat of frustration grew over him, knowing he couldn't even call his sister's name without breaking his cover. Time was of the essence.[break][break]

"Bolero, let's go!" The two followed after the Ursaluna, keeping in mind that he owes the Pokémon an apology for attempting to ensnare them with his Decidueye. It wasn't until they reached the cavern that Rowan was able to understand the full scope of the situation, the metric ton of shit that they'd all gotten themselves into. "Never a dull moment..."[break][break]

With eyes on Eris Halla, Lulu Flint and Aidan Hereford, Rowan could relax ever so slightly, knowing that they were still able to be saved. "I'm coming, guys!" A sharp whistle escapes his lips, directing his Pokémon to act. The Ludicolo shuffled with a small bit of glee, dancing towards the crowd of enemy combatants with confusing yet beguiling motion. Before long, the full effect of TEETER DANCE sets in, looking to hopefully claim as many of the zombies and Ultra Beasts as possible in it's wake.[break][break]

[attr="class","rowwttag"]@bloodmud&iron [break][break]

• Rowan panics, all his friends (and sister) are gone.
• Returns Decidueye, brings out Ludicolo.
• Follows the Ursaluna to the cavern.
• relief.png at seeing Eris, Lulu and Aidan alive.
• Ludicolo uses Teeter Dance on as many enemies as possible.
• MORE SALACS WHAT ARE MY ROLLS MAN!

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]

[attr="class","rowwtw"]The presence of declan walsh was disconcerting, but there was something off about the man. Where he'd only known the cruel and calculating underboss prior, a new persona stood before them. Was this even the same man? Surely he'd be dead by now, otherwise. [break][break]

"Going to be hard to investigate while I'm busy growing eyes in the back of my head." The blond muttered to himself as he stepped through the kitchen, headed toward the GREENHOUSE, offering a small wave to both Eris Halla and Isaac Merlo as he passed by.[break][break]

"Looks like you all could use a hand." A friendly smile crossed Rowan's lips as he addressed robin coello and Gwyar Wledig. "Kitchen was about to burst with 'investigators', surprised none spilled over into here." The woman seemed to have a grasp on whatever she was looking at concerning the door, while his fellow Galarian seemed to be needing some assistance scouring the dense greenery for clues.

"I'll look too, mate."

[attr="class","rowwttag"]@maplemanor [break][break]

Investigating: Maybe some personal effects of Walter's are in here. 2/2

[attr="class","rowwtpokes"][break]