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[attr="class","eris109"]"Think they'll feel the ground shame all the way in Mossdeep if it's a huge ass?"[break][break]

The world shattered by an unbelievably thicccc ass. Navy's call of their language earns him a cheeky raspberry blown right at him.[break][break]

"Isaac said it too!" She quips back, giving her brother that side-eye and an indignant scrunch of her nose. "C'mon, Kulve. We gotta show Navy how lame he is!"[break][break]

Though he rolls his eyes, the Torterra knows what she means. And he begins to sway with the crackling energy, launching Leech Seed after Leech Seed towards the Golurk.[break][break]

kMH7Vf1p

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]Nimble fingers will never be caught, and the girl ducks and weaves away from Genny's reach.[break][break]

"Sandwiches, chips, some juice packs. Brought a few cookies, some bacon and sausages, leftovers from dinner yesterday and a pack of Yeggo waffles." It's a whole mix, really. She hadn't been thinking too hard when she swept the counters looking for things to pack. "Ah, but the leftovers are mainly cos Reiner liked them,"[break][break]

An embarrassed grunt rings out as the Luxray butts his head against her shoulder.[break][break]

"-and the Yeggo waffles are... for a friend that's gonna swing by later."

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]Not one. Not like him. Never like them.[break][break]

The tension eases a little as the Hatterene leaves the room, even more when Mesprit sighs and turns away. She may have whatever she wants: Be it to nurse an empty void or cradle that sickness in her throat.[break][break]

"I-" She finally croaks out a word. To him, to her. Crouching down, the room feels so much smaller when she simply squats and curls into a ball. Even safer, as Reiner gently presses into her side, just to let her know he's there.[break][break]

"I don't know."

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]Everything requires just that bit of time to settle. The nerves of everyone present, the realisation that they all know each other. The indignant screeches of Azelf as Mesprit continues to smother them with their hug.[break][break]

"I'm not stuck." Her arms swing upwards as she tries to sit herself back up. Halfway... a little more... Drop. "I'm just -" Maybe this time? She's getting closer....[break][break]

"Hanging out." The task proves too difficult, several leaves drifting down and pinning themselves into her messy hair as the branch wriggles with laughter. "More blood to the brain. Gets you thinking, you know?"[break][break]

Thinking about how she's gotten into that mess, Reiner seems to say with his derisive snort.[break][break]

"So uhm... Yeah!" One hand sweeps against her forehead, scooping the hair from her eyes as she slowly works the rest of it into a ponytail. No, she does not want to perceive how Reiner has his paw covering his face.[break][break]

"I live around here. What 'bout you?"

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]"I didn't make the choice." Guilt fills her admission. "Pa and the League made it for me. And I resisted."[break][break]

All at once, the fear had hit. All at once, the pressure of making that leap without knowing whether Chu-e truly was alive, whether the league would be merciful or Rocket would let her slip under the radar.[break][break]

"I... think I tried to kill Miss Melody. Or at least hurt her, real bad. I don't know... it's all fuzzy." A deep breath. A dark confession. And she really shouldn't have said it. She realises that much as soon as those words leave her mouth.[break][break]

"I- Well -" Now this is a piece of work she's made for herself. The pieces don't quite fit and she's left scrambling to put it all back together. "I want to be better. I- I want to try, like how you are trying."[break][break]

But -[break][break]

"I just- ahhh fishcuits." A groan, her heel scuffing against the ground as she slowly presses her forehead against the door frame. "I don't want it to happen again. I- When I- When some Leaguers that approach me just- it- they remind me of... A- and I just... I don't know."[break][break]

Not a therapy session, she reminds herself. Just a plea, just a request.[break][break]

"I usually have Reiner with me when stuff happens but- Can I have Isaac or Navy with me the next time I have to talk to any Leaguers for official matters?"[break][break]

Her hands knit together. Her back presses into a familiar warmth, midnight fur tickling her skin as he rumbles with a growl.[break][break]

"Like interrogations. O- Or I don't know. I don't know how any of this works. I just... never want to be alone again with another League official that I don't know or trust."

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]How quickly her expressions change at those very words. Almost as if a switch has been flipped as she raises a brow at Genny.[break][break]

"Well, we're not gonna do anything too big today. No dangerous fights, or well, dangerous things in general." A finger reaching out, she pokes at the ranger's side as if attempting to determine whether she's ticklish. "Just a fun hike."[break][break]

That's all it is to her, a few steps placing her paces in front of Genny. As she leads the way forward, she tugs on her backpack, swaying and stumbling into Reiner's side with a giggle. He, of course, rolls his eyes, shifting himself to bump his rump against her back in revenge.[break][break]

"I even brought snacks and stuff! So we can have a kinda sorta picnic when we find a good spot!"

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]Bright, colourful. Like a little sparkler that burns on a lonely night on the beach. The glitter on her hands can't be wiped away against the rough fabric of her pants, only staining it the same iridescent shades.[break][break]

And somehow, as the puzzle continues to fracture and reshuffle, there comes a thought. The one who had hurt her, who had hurt Reiner, nearly killed him.[break][break]

Laying right here. Immbilised by pain? Unable to move. Swearing that he's not lying. Begging for her to help.[break][break]

"Why should I?"[break][break]

That breath that shivers as she takes a tiny step towards him. Then a bigger one as she realises that he really no longer can stand.[break][break]

"You're gonna hurt me again." Her left hand clenches into a fist, shaky fingers gently wrapped around the hilt of a blade.[break][break]

"If it weren't for them that day... if Isaac hadn't found us back then..."[break][break]

This is wrong.
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Reiner growls, his eyes narrowed to slits as he bares his fangs. And finally, she has enough courage to stand before him, kneeling down to get a closer look at his face. With all that hesitance, with a sickening sort of thrill.[break][break]

"If I help you, you're gonna hurt us again."

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]First off, who greets anyone with 'homie'? Or well, 'me homie' for that matter? Second off -[break][break]

"What are you -" One look at that Rotom phone, and a scowl mars her face as she turns her cheek. "Are you really here ghost hunting by yourself?"[break][break]

With how much of a walking whirlwind of chaos Bella is, Eris wonders what would have happened if she were to be left to her own devices. Reiner, on the other hand, merely raises a brow, her tail flicking from one side to another then back as he scrunches his nose. The ship reeks of more than just brine and barnacles. And at some point, he has to wonder if the rust he smells really is just that.[break][break]

"Reiner..."[break][break]

No matter, while Eris is busy being wrung out by the occult lady, he has time to survey their surroundings.[break][break]

"Reeeei-"[break][break]

He picks up bits and pieces of movement in the corner of his eyes.[break][break]

"NEEEER!"[break][break]

A tail hooks around Eris' waist, pulling her away from Bella's grasp. And Reiner finally turns his attention back to the woman, squinting with a no-nonsense look.

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]"Really?? Cool!" Her enthusiasm shines through, just as brightly as the day she'd brought her homemade miniature railgun (that was really only strong enough to shoot coins) to show-and-tell. "Sygna suits are like... well, it's just like it says. Sync stones? Sync? You and Daikenki would just kinda, get that vibe. Same wavelength! Or at least, that's how it goes with me and Reiner!"[break][break]

There were no need for whistles or clicks, much less words to get their thoughts across.[break][break]

"We've been together since we were babies! Sometimes, it feels like he's my cat twin and I'm his human twin!"[break][break]

Reiner may snort, but he also nods at the absurd description, for it's the closest thing he can describe their bond to be. Her finger brushes over the button on her pokeball, a shiny Doublade released from within. Purple and gold ribbons coil around her wrist, the ghost quietly latching to her soul but not quite feeding off her energy.[break][break]

"For now, you're dealing with me and Jack! And he's plenty strong, especially since Isaac trained him to be my knight!"

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[attr="class","eris109"]"I thought about it once. I think it'd be really cool to run a gym in a forest! Battles up in tall tree houses! And to even get to the tree house, they gotta battle through my mons that are ready to ambush 'em from anywhere!"[break][break]

A lie. She'd run that exact gym once. Though the pokemon were wild pokemon that were in cahoots with her.[break][break]

"I have quite a few badges! Got the Aurum badge from Mossdeep not too long ago!!" She nods, moving out of the way as Reiner helps to pat a wad of sand in. "Mr Gwyar's super strong. If Lyney didn't have all those extra years of training with my pa, we probably would've lost."

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]It's never a fair competition with Mesprit. Every branch gently caresses her weight, dipping towards the earth and weeping morning dew before rising anew as she pushes off and leaps for the next branch. On the other hand, the disguised pixie zips ahead without the slightest bit of hesitation, only ever making the motion of jumping off their last branch before flying two or three ahead of her to perch. Down below, the ground churns and breathes, spurred by the movement of a Luxray as he weaves and slides his way through the undergrowth, his claws always raking at her shadow.[break][break]

Everything is as it's always been. The forest is peaceful, recovering from blight. Diurnal pokemon shed the heavy blankets of slumber whilst their nocturnal counterparts dive into the covers of darkness they abandon. Soon enough, Mesprit might even disturb the Combee for freshly produced honey or wander off to play with the Teddiursa cubs. Or so she thinks, until she realises that she hears nothing.[break][break]

No squeal of excitement, no rustling of leaves, no mischievous laugh.[break][break]

When she looks back up, the pixie is nowhere to be found. Someone else is present, she needs to slow down -[break][break]

"Woah!"[break][break]

A misstep, a slip as gravity scoops her with open arms. Fear stabs her through the guts, a sharp pang that tears at every corner of her being. Her knees bend, hooks around the branch as the sudden impact leaves her thighs aching. But though her head drops towards the ground, it goes no further, hanging halfway as her messily tied hair begins to unfurl.[break][break]

For a moment, she is blind. Her hair blocks her vision like a heavy curtain, sunlight and bits of colour peeking through the tiny slits. Enough to make out a face...[break][break]

And the sight of a Pichu straight up barreling into the Ralts, ready to send them flying into tomorrow. Below her, Reiner stops, eyeing her as if readying to catch her should she fall.[break][break]

"Cass?"

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]He will always have her back, what dangers and perils may come. Through Reiner's efforts, the brunt of the attack has been dispersed. And yet, it leaves him weakened, shuddering and grunting as he tries to pull himself together.[break][break]

Her arms are wide open, embracing the Luxray as his limbs buckle beneath him.[break][break]

"I've got you."[break][break]

Static flicks at her skin, the remaining energy he has yet to divert rising and snapping in tiny arcs. His eyes flutter, a grimace drawing long as he struggles to push back onto his feet. But she rests a hand on his flank, prompting him to lay back down.[break][break]

"Rest. I'll handle this."[break][break]

Whatever he attempts to grunt at her, she hushes as she raises a hand. This time, it's nowhere near as tiring or terrifying as summoning a red chain. As he leans his head into her lap, her mind goes quiet, her focus turned to the imaginary flow of energy through her body.[break][break]

Another storm brews. One much gentler than the one that rages around them yet sharp enough to leave cuts that sting. Colourful as the flowers that bloom in her garden, closely trailing in Zacian's wake as she carves a path right towards the titan. It's nothing compared to the monstrous strength that the canid has, nor will the surging petals leave any cuts as deep as hers. The most this attack can do is shove Regieleki backwards, but felling the giant isn't her responsibility.[break][break]

"Now!"

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