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Their landing is rocky, but it seems that everyone on their ship has made it out relatively unscathed, thanks in no small part to kim cole-essam and his quick thinking. Luka breathes a sigh of relief as she stumbles onto the meteor, her Pokemon all safely recalled into their balls for the time being.[break][break]

For a moment she stares out at the vast expanse of earth and ocean below them. From this distance, Hoenn looks so small— an uncut emerald swimming in seas of sparkling blue. It's hard not to marvel, so tempting to get lost in stargazing, but their mission takes priority.[break][break]

"Are you okay?" she asks SHEBA INOUE, giving the woman a cursory once over. But there's hardly time to fuss or fret, because the longer they take to recover from the landing, the more time Rocket has to carry out whatever nefarious deeds they have planned.[break][break]

This whole thing is ridiculous, really. To try and profit off of a disaster like this is the height of human greed and selfishness. The saddest thing in the world, she thinks, is that Rocket could have helped them. So many brilliant minds working together might have found a better solution to the meteor. Instead they're so singularly focused on their own goals that nothing helpful will ever get done.[break][break]

Luka stares down at the Rockets gathered around the mineral, lips pressed in a hard line. She'd rather Lulu Flint not know she's here, but to sit around and do nothing is unacceptable. But she doesn't launch an immediate attack, not really. As always her methods are more defensive.[break][break]

Her Musharna is re-released, billowing clouds of dream mist around herself and those in the vicinity. Combined with SHEBA INOUE's safeguard, it makes for a rather decent cover. "Ume," Luka says quietly, her eyes still fixed on the mineral, "Frenzy plant again, please. Don't make it too easy for them."[break][break]

The ground beneath the mineral deposit begins to quake. From it, vines sprout around the base of the otherwordly stone, an overgrown tangle of foliage with sharp thorns and thick, woody stems. They wind up and around the mineral, forming a thick barrier between the gleaming stone and anyone who might try to harvest it, no matter what their affiliation. Some of the vines even reach out, snakelike, intending to entwine and ensnare anyone who's too close.[break][break]

A moment later, over the comms, she hears noah faber and Elaine Highland discussing the appearance of an Unown. Unease rises in her stomach, a slow churn that has the hair on the back of her neck standing up. She'd like to share in noah faber's optimism, but after everything she's seen, it's hard to believe that this could be a coincidence.[break][break]

"K-keep an eye on the Unown," she whispers to Elaine Highland in her comms. "I think...I mean, those weird assassin guys tend to show up whenever they're around." Or it could be Martín del Mar...but he'd be fighting alongside the league, right? There's no reason for him to hide in the shadows. "So be careful! A-and watch out for those guys!"

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- musharna uses frenzy plant on the mineral deposit[break]
- intends to enshroud it in vines making it difficult to mine[break]
- some vines trying to nab rockets right around the mineral. targeting Lulu Flint Violet Fairbanks and Naomi Sato. Killian Decker is in the AOE though is camouflaged[break]
- talkin to Elaine Highland and noah faber in the comms about unown[break]
- spacesuit[break]

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Today, Luka is gardening.[break][break]

It's nice. It's just her, her pokemon, and an expanse of dirt and budding blossoms.[break][break]

With everything going on, sometimes it's nice to let everything go for an afternoon. Hands sink into cool soil and she can feel life underneath it, roots and insects and flowing water. Everything connected.[break][break]

It's the little moments like these that make her remember what's at stake, and what she's fighting for. A small plot of earth, a moment of peace. That's all one really needs, isn't it? These are the moments that need protecting more than anything else.[break][break]

Luka basks for a moment under the late afternoon sun, surrounded by her cute grass Pokemon and budding seedlings, the promise of new life. She wants to cherish it all properly, and sometimes that just requires a moment of contemplation and appreciation.[break][break]

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"Okay, yay! That sounds perfect. See, this is why I adore you!"[break][break]

But it's not his money or the opportunities he provides, not really. Mars is just her friend above all else. Though perhaps his confidence is part of the reason Luka enjoys spending time with him. She doesn't find his self-assuredness annoying— in fact, it's anything but. She admires it and, secretly, envies it a little.[break][break]

It's sad how someone so good and kind can still hate themselves. Insecurities spider-step their way up her back, whisper cruel things into her ears. At least Luka does her best not to show it, shrouding herself in rose petals so the thorns underneath are overlooked.[break][break]

Being around Mars is both fun and self indulgent. When they're together she can play-act the part of a confident woman, try his self-esteem on like a child playing with her mother's high heels. She has a feeling he wouldn't begrudge her such, but it's still not something she could ever actually bring up.[break][break]

Regardless, they pair of them get together to take their selfies. And they look adorable, of course! Luka even does her best to convince Mars to strike the stereotypical nya~ pose, paws and all. Those pics are getting saved right to her phone, thank you very much![break][break]

And then, all on schedule, they go to dinner. Luka's exhausted after a day of shooting, but she's not going to give up precious time with a friend just because she's a little sleepy! After all, Mars is on a schedule. And Luka, determined to stay relevant to such a busy man, is going to shove herself into whatever time slots he has available.


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They do manage to get the kids to bed eventually.[break][break]

It takes a bit more finagling, and several minutes to get the little boy into his pajamas. In the end, it's a combination of bedtime stories about princesses and legendaries and ultra beasts, and pokemon companions that help the children go to sleep. After all, who can resist dozing off when surrounded by a half dozen cute, cuddly Togepi?[break][break]

Luka smiles at their sleeping forms when she finally tiptoes out of the room. Her Togepi need to be collected later...but not until she's certain the kids are well and truly asleep. For now, she fights the urge to doze off herself as she joins Percival over on the sofa to wait for the parents to return, passing away the night with pleasant chatter and even more pleasant company.

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Oh, thank goodness![break][break]
Luka's heart lurches with relief as soon as she sees that Audric and all the Zigzagoon have made it out of the forest in one piece. She quickly recalls Helios, and as soon as he's transferred back to his luxury ball the burning tree falls with a loud thud and a shower of sparks.[break][break]

"Oh gosh...well, it's the least I can do!" Luka calls back. "And I think so too! You did amazing down there!"[break][break]

Her Altaria certainly appreciates being out of the fire, though her feathers are still stained with soot. Luka offers the bird a few reassuring pats on the neck, while also trying not to giggle at the sight of Audric's Zigzagoon. It's undeniably cute...but this is a time to be serious, darn it![break][break]

"Come on! Most of the fire is taken care of, but I'm sure there's more stragglers! Let's head back in and then look for some more!"[break][break]

The Pelliper crew manage to quell most of the fire, though there are more Pokemon trapped by flame and smoke in the forest. By the end of the day Luka is sooty and exhausted and her adorable skirt is ruined. But together, she and Audric had rescued a few terrified, chittering Aipom, an injured Minccino, and some Budew that were nearly charred to ash. It's hard work, but when she looks at the faces of the pokemon they'd helped, it's all made worth it.[break][break]

"There's going to be a lot of clean up," Luka announces unnecessarily, surveying the damage with her hands on her hips. "I'm going to stay and help out...and then nap for a week," she adds with a laugh. "Wanna give me a hand? It's like you said...we make a pretty good team!"

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This moment is perfect.[break][break]

She's wrapped up in warmth, adoring affection, the sweetness of early morning kisses. Luka wishes she could bottle up everything she's feeling now and leave it on a shelf, perfect for a rainy day.[break][break]

But for now, she's happy to bask in what feels like mutual adoration. And perhaps she will ask Remiel to stay with her today. Maybe, for once, she'll allow herself to be a little greedy. When it comes to the prince, she simply can't help herself.[break][break]

"Well, if you insist," she teases, the words sinking into his skin with every kiss she plants on his cheeks, his nose, his lips. But unable to be coy for long, she once again shifts into saccharine sincerity. "Then I accept! And I'll make you happy, I promise."[break][break]

She seals that vow with another kiss and the twining of pinkies. Pinkie promises are unbreakable, after all. Luka's heart swells, and her eyes shine as bright as crystalbloom blossoms as she gazes happily up at her prince.[break][break]

Hers, for as long as he'll allow her to be. Luka hopes that that will be a very, very long time.

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The fight seems over before it's really begun.[break][break]

Luka should be grateful, as conflict avoidant as she is. Still, it's a shame some of the bandits got away. "Eh? No...I barely did anything," she replies, brushing off Audric's compliment with an embarrassed flush. "You and your Cufant were way cooler!"[break][break]

Jam seems to agree. Or at least, the ultra beast throws a plate against the wall and giggles happily. That feels like agreement. Luka flushes deeper and quickly recalls her little beast before they can do any more damage.[break][break]

While she fusses, she almost misses Audric and Flowers talking. But she catches the important bits, and her heart breaks a little.[break][break]

"That's...so sad." Feelings of animosity change to pity on a dime. Luka purses her lips as she stares down at some of the incapacitated bandits, then glances back up at Ranger Flowers.[break][break]

"I think...this is the kind of problem you have to cut out right at the source. And, um...w-well, battling isn't really my thing. But, um! Actually, I'm trying to focus on working PR for the rangers. So I might have a little bit of pull...ah, I mean! W-what I'm saying is, um..." Nervous laughter floats into the rafter beams, and she pauses a moment to breathe.[break][break]

"What if we tried to start an outreach program in the area to help them? I know Rangers are here to help pokemon, but if we don't help people too then they'll turn to Rocket instead. We can still help you protect the shrine in the meantime, but in the long run I think it could help. And then you can focus on making that leg feel better!"[break][break]

She smiles, feeling a bit more sure of herself. "What do you think?"

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