"They have their legends here, at least."

But that left a bitter taste in her mouth, too. Where were their gods when Kanto was falling? Why here? Were they not good enough to save?

On instinct, Ekans raised up and bared his own fangs, hissed loudly while rattling his tail. An Intimidation tactic to throw off the other pokemon, show he was a predator.

The bite did land, though, chomping into hard scales. Being more a close range fighter than longer range, he tried to Wrap around the Toxapex while he could.

Rowan Wrynn

An Octillery's arms slap wetly on damp rock, hosting the aquatic pokemon above the surf.

It's close, only separated by a few feet of water, but the pokemon does not seem wary. It raises a tentacle in a mockery of a wave, friendly, and Callie raises her own hand to wave back.

How many humans had it seen do just that? Cute.

But she leaves the pokemon to it's business.

PASSING

She pauses as a Wimpod breaks out from a hiding spot, disturbed by the women.

Callie watches it go until it's hidden away under a rock, terrified eyes peeking out.

They assess each other before she shakes her head, moves forward again.

The breeze ruffles her hair.

PASSING

Her eyes snap to Killian Decker, her moment ruined.

A beat, she almost forgets she needs to reply.

"Hard to find other early birds." Her lips twitch in the facsimile of a smile.

Pokemon still rustle in the grass, ignored.

PASSING

In the distance, A Toxapex harasses a Corsola. Calliope watches vaguely before the surf changes, an errant wave rising up. The two pokemon vanished from sight after, the victor of their struggle an unknown to the woman.

Leaning over, she gave a small pat to the Bulbasaur's head.

PASSING

"I've not been in Hoenn very long."

Most of her time had been spent familiarizing herself with the region and settling into her new home. It hadn't left her time for much else.

"What about you? Are you settled?"

There is only a mild flinch, the sudden movement making her react. Before Eva could react to that, though, she lifts her arms up and squeezes her back. It's firm but not as tight.

"Everyone did, I think." News of her sudden 'revival' had no spread far. It was hard to refute when they saw the death on television- even if it hadn't really been her.

Matias is not out of her range, good hand reaching out to try and grasp his arm. A soft squeeze before she brings it back to her chest.

"They're repeating our mistakes. You would think they learned from us and Johto."

A small sigh.

"You'll do what you can for them. That's what matters."

Callie was, for the moment, a little unsure how to proceed.

What John Sullivan was offering her was a great kindness. To have access to a place to settle down, without having to go through most troubles, would be wonderful. In her passing through it, she found she liked Mauville. Having grown up in Celadon the city had a similar atmosphere. It wasn't exactly the same, didn't have the small side streets and hole-in-the-wall places to grab food, but it would have to be good enough.

At the same time, she didn't want to infringe on Doug. There were a lot of very positive things she could already see about him and what kind of man he would be. Was he so generous with others? Would someone, eventually, take advantage of him? Would she be doing so if she accepted his offer.

"You're very kind."

Is what she finally answered. Another small pause and now a slightly wider smile spreads on her face, delicate like spun sugar.

"I'll... I'd be happy to look at them, if you're willing. I wouldn't feel right just... taking it, though."

"It's nice. I like Mauville." She had grown up in Celadon and Mauville had a similar vibe to it.

"What's it like here... other than sightseeing?" The political climate. The people. She hadn't really embraced it all yet, caught up.

A blink before her eye glances at the drink. She picks it up and takes a long sip.

"I'm just a little tired." Which is to say, she couldn't really taste it anymore.

"Have you been alright?"

"Thank you for inviting me out."

The cafe is small and the staff are friendly enough. Outside, under an umbrella, she sits with her good side facing the street. A simple fruit juice sits in front of her, glass sweating and barely touched.

Idly, her hands pet the sleeping Wooper in her lap.

Callie wonders if the awkwardness will melt away as fast as it did with Sebastian Pryde .

MATIAS SILPH