[attr="class","icon"]

"so...many...rats..."[break][break]

his jaw drops in awe as he watches them swarm him. he falls to his knees, prying open the can as he does before pouring some onto his palm.[break][break]

"come to me...my little minions..."[break][break]

his little rat army.[break][break]

he laughs.

[attr="class","bottom"]emerson whitlock[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

and so, they begin their expedition, james' xurkitree leading the charge with its cable-like limbs. it's tall enough that james can walk underneath it just fine.[break][break]

it's safer there, anyway. should anything zap at them, the xurkitree would draw the attack away from him. that's how it works, right?[break][break]

this time, he has with him a notebook as well as a gopro that's strapped to his chest. they have to record so they can look back and review later, which is something he learned during his time with Eva Morales and illeana reyes.[break][break]

eventually, they come to what appears to be a spacecraft. it looks vacant.[break][break]

he looks to Rory Faust almost excitedly.[break][break]

"want to see if you can try and power that up, rory?"[break][break]

32 attempt to repair a smaller megalopolan spacecraft. doing so successfully, will allow you to launch briefly; however, the frequent lightning storms will prevent you from flying for too long.[break][break]

🗺️ JAMES BAKER's experience as a lab tech must be advantageous in some way for AEOS.

[attr="class","bottom"]FERNANDO SILPH wolfgang volkov Rory Faust[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

to be honest, he doesn't mind anything. he's quite a passive person in that regard. he just wants to do something as long as she's there with him, so.[break][break]

"magikarp scooping it is."[break][break]

he's about to turn and walk away before he notices something. he can't help but tease her about it.[break][break]

"are you blushing?"

[attr="class","bottom"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

"this hasn't really been done before, at least not officially. so i'm not too sure."[break][break]

he offers shalin his thoughts before turning to look at the approaching minun.[break][break]

it runs straight into his arms only to NUZZLE into him. he's used to the static from emerson whitlock's rats so this is nothing.[break][break]

"if i had to guess...yes, i think the cost is always this great."

[attr="class","bottom"]Shalin Nariya[break]
elec/steel[break]
catching minun![break]

he snaps his fingers, quick to come up with an idea.[break][break]

"we should start a food podcast! or something like that. but that would be really fun. we can call it... late night snacks."[break][break]

not the best name, admittedly, but he's on the spot.[break][break]

"late night meals? late night...something. we can talk about your famous gnocchi."

[attr="class","ooc"]emerson whitlock[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-elgyem color-shiny"]

[attr="class","icon"]

"shake. the. can. got it."[break][break]

a man on a mission, he darts over to find the treat tin, holding it in his hands like it were some ancient item that possesses powers beyond his understanding.[break][break]

he raises it high up into the air.[break][break]

then shakes.[break][break]

"rats!!!!"

[attr="class","bottom"]emerson whitlock[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

"i think it's because we're both cute. that must definitely be it."[break][break]

he says it jokingly, not really thinking that of himself. he's not vain enough to be like that.[break][break]

after glancing around, he's not sure where else to go in the festival, so he decides to ask.[break][break]

"do you want to go sit somewhere and just...talk?"

[attr="class","bottom"]Rory Faust[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

james is completely unaware of anything rory may be feeling as a result of their close proximity. to him, he's just here to help her prepare.[break][break]

but he's not completely oblivious. he knows that this privacy they're in allows for a more intimate setting. maybe he feels nervous because of that as well.[break][break]

"alright."[break][break]

he swallows, then starts.[break][break]

"rory faust...can you tell me a little about yourself?"

[attr="class","bottom"]Rory Faust[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

to not have Katherine Fairburne with them this time is tragic but it only means that james will have to utilize what he has learned so far and step up to also help keep them safe.[break][break]

he has no idea what wolfgang volkov's battling prowess is like, but they will soon find out.[break][break]

"it's nice to finally see you in person."[break][break]

the reason he hadn't made an effort earlier was that he felt like it would be awkward to, considering his recent dating history.[break][break]

still choosing to stay close to Rory Faust, james steps up to offer wolfgang volkov a handshake. he gestures up to his towering xurkitree after.[break][break]

"we'll act as our guide today."[break][break]

35 allow a stakataka or xurkitree that you own to guide you safely through the realm, or have them encounter previous members of their kind that believe it to have betrayed them.

[attr="class","bottom"]FERNANDO SILPH wolfgang volkov Rory Faust[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

laughter bubbling down, he turns to look at the buizel, peering down at it to observe for any defects. he is unable to find any.[break][break]

"i think it's adorable. very fitting for you."[break][break]

then, he stops, frozen under her gaze as the plushie is held up next to him.[break][break]

"you think so? is it because of the teeth?"

[attr="class","bottom"]Rory Faust[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

"oh sick you have your own mini fridge."[break][break]

not sure why that appeals to him so much but it does. he accepts the bottle of water with a smile, nodding his gratitude before taking a long swig.[break][break]

seeing how she bought his favorite chips has him smiling in a way he hasn't for a while now. at least not since their trip to the festival.[break][break]

he slips into her bed as well after dropping his bag onto the floor.[break][break]

"um, well i was thinking maybe we could just do a mock interview? i'll ask you a couple of questions and see where we go from there?"

[attr="class","bottom"]Rory Faust[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

"yeah!"[break][break]

the hug is unexpected, though not unwelcome. he returns it for the brief moment it lasts, finding himself wanting more even after she pulls away.[break][break]

huh.[break][break]

the stall worker is quick to reach for the buizel plushie, placing it down on the counter in front of them in hopes that they would leave.[break][break]

james takes the hint and loops his arm around rory's before tugging her away.[break][break]

"let's go let's go let's go!"

[attr="class","bottom"]Rory Faust[break]