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The invitation came as a bit of a surprise. After his latest venture with ollie morales, there was a rift soon to be growing between them. Neither seemed willing to speak up about it, either. And now the ugly christmas turtleneck peaking out from beneath his blazer made Derek feel just a little more out of place...
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i guess it's not the worst thing.
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Rather than Jonesy like in the years past, a Beldum accompanies him. Sporting a mistletoe hanging from it's neck, it matches Derek's stride as he walks into the observatory. Before anything else, the ranger manages to order a drink and turn his back to the bar just in time to see everyone gathering around their hosts. At least until PENELOPE LIVY began distancing herself from the crowd Ollie seemed to be drawing in.
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Sipping at the drink as he moves to mirror them, while Derek might aspire to be inconspicuous, the santa's hat on his head is a dead giveaway. That, and the way he seems to be looking over towards them as she converses with paxton concordas and the others.
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The sentiment is shared, and deep-rooted within Ollie's underling. A smirk forms upon Derek's features, a gentle scoff escaping his lips.

"neither was i."

This was exactly why he wanted the head ranger there.

"well, i wouldn't say that you weren't there, but..."

As he trails off into something of a speech, Derek turns to begin their uphill voyage to the burial peaks at the top of the mountain.

"i wouldn't have asked if i didn't want you here."

Though they weren't exactly close, especially not as of late... Did Ollie really think he wanted them here for another reason other than that? "Jonesy wasn't very close to a lot of people."

Recalling memories of the little guy in Johto, long before he was forced to adopt the Sobble... He was always such a crybaby.

And though his boss couldn't see it, Derek was slowly breaking down into something of the same. Thankfully his back was to them as he continued speaking, slight pauses and stammers the only indication he was having some trouble with this part.

"but he liked you enough that i didn't have to be there."

As a "child" with attachment issues, it said a lot.

ollie morales

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"...yeah. me too."

Dark hues shift towards Ollie before drifting back towards the pokeball in-hand, pocketing it in favor of a flask tucked within his hoodie. "you're late by the way." Even with the late notice, it struck him as quite the curiousity.

"were you having any doubts about all this?"

Choosing to indulge in half of the contents, the ranger slips the container away. As if it could conceal much of the shame he felt for it, or for having allowed Jonesy to pass in the first place. "wouldn't surprise me if you did."

but it would upset him to hear it. just a little bit...

ollie morales

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A long pause follows Anna's words, though unlike her, he has nothing to cling to for comfort. It's the thing Derek dreaded most, having heard it in his head a hundred times before she finally had the opportunity to say it herself.

...I was right there, Anna.

He doesn't know her pain, her suffering.

Never could. Never would.

Didn't even wish to.

How the hell did she even expect him to speak to that?

It's as if she doesn't even believe that he tried...

"What is it you want me to say?" After everything they'd been through, it was a wonder she was so eager to fight.

annalise henderson

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Whilst the Rotom erupts in a shower of sparks and collapses, Derek's Kadabra also falls. The Slither Wing strikes a second time, agitated by the psychic's attempt to disarm it. Still unaware, Derek overhears the prince shortly before another voice comes over the comms.

Shit, that's my queue. It takes a moment, but the codesheet Remiel prepared serves it's purpose.

Valar dohaeris.

Before long, the rockets on the others side are seeking assignment. Clashes are taking place along several islands and fronts, the interdream's mists only fueling the turmoil felt by both sides. Instructingthat they needed reinforcements, just as he'd practiced moments ago, Derek ultimately succeeds in this regard.

When he goes outside to check on Remiel and their pokemon, the shock of seeing it's corpse is evident in his eyes. Though it doesn't last long, as it's far from the first time this has happened.

Derek just thought it was stronger than that. Guess not.

tl;dr
50 MP (Participation)
60 MP (6 Posts)
200 MP (Kadabra Death)

SECRET: DR

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The Kadabra has it's work cut out, attempting to DISABLE the mist or the thing that'd snatched Remiel's Smoochum. There's really no telling if it worked.

In the meantime, Derek prepares and finishes preparing his next message. Albeit rushed due to the yelling that came from outside. The ranger considered going out there, but knew it would cost them the mission. Had he known a pokemon just died...that might've changed things.

C'mon Devrim. We NEED this.

The connection proves spotty, indicating further that Remiel was not having the easiest time out there. Derek's patience begun to wear itself down as he continued his efforts to execute the command in time...

SECRET: DR (RESURFACED TREASURES: 120 MP will update actual MP values later)

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His gaze towards the finish line is interrupted by Genny's hand, which she shoves towards him in hopes of making good on a promise of continued companionship.

Derek stares at the glove for a moment, wondering if they actually would get the chance. One would like to hope so, but his optimism fell short. Even so, he took her hand in earnest.

"Yeah. Me too."

Though due in part to a recent bout in the mists alongside ollie morales, Derek worried that his time with the rangers was coming to a close. "Just do me a favor and take care of yourself. Not exactly a fan of bad news." From there it isn't long until they arrive, and their mission is complete.

Before leaving, he'd offer Genny a chance to train with him, confessing to his time as a gym leader and the six badges he had back home. He was curious as to whether she'd humble herself to the opportunity, or consider it lowly for someone with her vision. He'd wait and see...

END OF THREAD

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tl;dr
- 50 MP for PARTICIPATION
- 70 MP for POST (7)

SUPPLY: DG | Genevieve Cromwell

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...Why isn't he saying anything?

As Derek acknowledges the hurried manner in which the head ranger drags him along, their silence invites a sense of worry.

And why didn't the damn mist just spawn some paradox monster like every other time?

Derek didn't feel like being around them had brought up any hard feelings. At least, not anything strong enough to actually bother him. To provoke this kind of reaction.

Part of him wanted to speak. To lighten the mood. Perhaps even question what Ollie made of it. But it seemed, as they continued their mission, things were going to stay quiet.

Too quiet.

He's my boss. Derek considers how far along Ollie has come.

He definitely could tell that I wasn't surprised back there.

But until the head ranger was ready to punch in that ticket, Derek loyally followed like nothing was wrong...

END OF THREAD

SMOG (OD)

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Confidence is instilled by Remiel's hand, though just as quickly snuffed as he overhears that the mist is encroaching on their position.

...Just my damn luck.

An offhand quickly procures a device at his hip, allowing a Kadabra to stand before him. "Follow that man and keep him safe. It's important." The psychic's keen abilities allow it to assess the situation, marching out from the encampment to ensure Remiel could perform his task.

There was really no telling what would come with it, but Derek couldn't bother himself with the thought. He still had a job to do, which meant he needed to study more of Remiel's code. And quickly...

SECRET: DR (RESURFACED TREASURES: 110 MP will update actual MP values later)

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