"sir?"[break][break]

danny glances off to the side, to one of the glass frames of the exhibits, and peers at his own reflection, briefly studying the changes he's still coming to terms with.[break][break]

"i don't look that old, do i?"[break][break]

he even does a little twirl, similar to a pirouette, to show off his backside that's naturally gotten bigger from all the training he's done since joining rocket.[break][break]

"man, it's me, danny boy."

[attr="class","ooc"]nagi miwa[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-dedenne"]

shit.[break][break]

danny stares at himself in the mirror for the longest time, taking in all the small details that have changed since the distortion. not much as changed, to be fair, but definitely enough to make a difference.[break][break]

would nagi think he's being catfished? [break][break]

shit.[break][break]

either way, his anxieties fade into the background the moment he sees the person sitting on the bench with the familiar pair of specs he's only ever seen through his screen.[break][break]

"nagi?"

[attr="class","ooc"]nagi miwa[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-dedenne"]

"what do you possibly mean, grey boy?"

a brief lull is followed by another shot. already three shots in, it's not looking good for the lad.

but he understands greyson's reservations. where danny might be able to ignore all that's happened, he knows greyson can't.

the slice of lime falls from his mouth.

"i dunno, man. i'm just so fucking tired of fighting."

Greyson Connors
mission!

☉

this ain't good![break][break]

"what's going on?!"[break][break]

rushing back to his post, danny is met with the sound of alarms ringing, so the natural thing for him to do is to rush off to try and find the cause of it.[break][break]

it doesn't take him long until he's met with a figure in the hallway.[break][break]

"i don't think i recognize you!"

[attr="class","ooc"]@izaak[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vikavolt"]

"don't let her get away!"[break][break]

but that has always been the plan, hasn't it?[break][break]

"stop!"[break][break]

the HAMMER ARM collides, smacking against vikavolt to send the bug-type soaring backwards. it quickly regains its balance, however, and in a fit of anger releases a DISCHARGE that sweeps across the field, stunning all, and ultimately, allowing illeana to escape.

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vikavolt"]

"just like old times."

shot.

tequila is nasty, that much hasn't changed. danny quickly reaches for the lime, sucking on it after to dull the overwhelming burn in his mouth.

"FUCK that was strong."

he immediately reaches for another glass, licks salt off his palm, then downs another shot.

Greyson Connors
mission!

☉

after the chaos comes quiet, a temporary lull in the moment as HAIL and dust and dirt clear. when it finally settles, danny turns, pushing off the ground before holding up the precious gem in his hand.

"got it!"

his clobbopus comes sliding back towards him, soon latching on in some show of affection.

"we got it."

Cillian Quinn
mission

☉

"it's lovely to meet you, gabby."

danny nods in agreement, then points over to the left.

"yep! i think over that way buggy noticed something odd in the grass. like it kinda stopped growing, or something."

he turns back, eager to get going.

"wanna go check it out?"

gabrielle black

☉

the thought that she may be genuinely concerned for his wellbeing is nice but he chooses not to focus on that. not again will he allow himself to be vulnerable, at least not this quickly.[break][break]

but he's already promised to possibly jeopardize his position in rocket. so much for not being vulnerable.[break][break]

"yeah... sorry about this."[break][break]

he taps his foot against the ground, signaling for his vikavolt to attack.

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vikavolt"]

danny has to take a quick moment to carefully process her words, but in the end his optimism wins out.

"i'll take that as a compliment."

as for any other tricks, he shakes his head, but he does circle back around to her to offer his hand.

"nope. but i know how to dance on ice."

Katherine Fairburne
mission

☉

"nope. but i'll be sure to check it out."

drinks are free because of the invite, surely. or at least that's what danny assumes. reality may be bitter or it may be sweet; only time will tell.

"that's nice. i think buggy found something, too."

the heracross lifts up a bright stone, dusting dirt off it.

"dawn stone?"

virgil roach
mission!

☉

it had been a simple mission. one with no complications, no setbacks, nothing. that is, against danny's better judgment, they decided to take the route through rusturf tunnel.[break][break]

all five rocket operatives turn. naturally, the four grunts reach for pokeballs on their belts, but danny's quick to signal them off.[break][break]

"it's okay! it's okay. we don't have to fight here."[break][break]

his own vikavolt buzzes to life behind him.[break][break]

"we're just passing through, friend. don't mind us."

[attr="class","ooc"]@onyx[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vikavolt"]

her confusion is seen, clear as day, but he does nothing to placate that. he simply offers her a smile before echoing her own words back to her.[break][break]

"so you can potentially unearth something incredible."[break][break]

behind him, voices call out, signaling the arrival of backup.[break][break]

"now attack me and leave before they get here."

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vikavolt"]