[attr="class","icon"]

the uptick in mood is welcome. it helps him forget even if only for the night.[break][break]

"nah, i can be better! i'll be better, i promise."[break][break]

he's a decent friend but he wouldn't call himself good just yet. he still has a ways to go.[break][break]

"i gotta stop spending so much time at work."[break][break]

groaning, he leans into em.[break][break]

"can you drag me out sometimes? like, just drag me out of the office?"

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

[attr="class","icon"]

as usual, Katherine Fairburne and FERNANDO SILPH have the right idea, and it's only when the councilman calls out to them does james snap a response back:[break][break]

"sir yes sir!"[break][break]

he fumbles into his backpack, quick to deploy any empty pokeballs he has on him. they tumble along the ground, rolling behind them only for one to pop open to suck in a XURKITREE.[break][break]

"it worked!"[break][break]

but one out of a dozen isn't going to do them any good. he continues running, looking back to see the zygarde swooping up the pokeball.[break][break]

it covers their retreat with LAND'S WRATH.[break][break]

🗺️ SPECIAL HUNT: Katherine Fairburne, FERNANDO SILPH and JAMES BAKER will be able to encounter and catch a STAKATAKA or XURKITREE (one or the other); capturing these ultra beasts can influence the severity of the world's hostile environment by diminishing power, current connection, security, etc.

[break][break]

5GrqQlEm

[break][break]

[attr="class","bottom"]FERNANDO SILPH Katherine Fairburne Rory Faust[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

"i think so...?"[break][break]

he laughs, looking over to meet em's gaze before shifting back to the drink in his hand.[break][break]

"these drinks are stronger than i remembered."[break][break]

an admittance to how much of a lightweight he has become. with a defeated sigh, he looks back over, words slipping out easier than they would have before.[break][break]

"you're a good friend, em."

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

"great! thanks so much, man."[break][break]

even if james has yet to say it, he truly appreciates it. he likes receiving all kinds of feedback and he's sure em's will prove important in shaping his paper into the best version possible.[break][break]

enough time has passed for him to start fishing the gyoza out of the boiling water. he turns off the stove before reaching for a pair of chopsticks to do just that.[break][break]

soon enough, he's plating them together in a bowl, doing so delicately as one would at a finer restaurant. he looks up eventually.[break][break]

"oh! do you have dipping sauce? it's just soy sauce and vinegar so i can quickly make it if you have those."

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

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

[attr="class","icon"]

her nosy roommates can be nosy all they want. he doesn't really mind.[break][break]

"chips are always good! salt and vinegar are my favorite but i'll eat anything you throw at me."[break][break]

the sight of the pawmo reminds him of emerson whitlock. he smiles fondly, watching the interaction only to somehow completely miss the towering copperajah. maybe it's just that sneaky.[break][break]

"i'll bring over some food, too. any requests?"

[attr="class","bottom"]Rory Faust[break]
elec/steel[break]
skipping![break]

[attr="class","icon"]

the warmth of her presence is noted but he's not so sure if he should act upon it. the last thing he wants is for her to feel like the rebound especially since he had only recently broken up with his ex.[break][break]

"we could just keep coming back over and over again."[break][break]

that would be nice.[break][break]

"but we gotta check out the rest of the festival and visit the stalls. i wanna win you something."

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

[attr="class","icon"]

up ahead lays the source of all of it. yellow sparks, dancing across coils of metal accompanied by several ultra beast.[break][break]

"i believe so."[break][break]

what would have been a beautiful sight to some does not stay peaceful for long. it seems their presence even from afar has disturbed them.[break][break]

several ultra beast turn toward them, coils whipping as they start their rush. only when they do does the power source reveal itself to be...[break][break]

REGIELEKI. except it's MASSIVE.[break][break]

"shit—run!"

[attr="class","bottom"]FERNANDO SILPH Katherine Fairburne Rory Faust[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

james is glad that she's entering the event into her calendar (and hopefully inviting him) because he would likely forget otherwise. nothing against her, of course, but it's just the way he is as a person.[break][break]

"hmm let's go to yours! that way we won't disturb others."[break][break]

his answer is as innocent as it gets. almost as innocent as the emolga that lands on his shoulder.[break][break]

"oh! hey, buddy."

[attr="class","bottom"]Rory Faust[break]
elec/steel[break]
catching emolga![break]

[attr="class","icon"]

"alright, give it here."[break][break]

he's talking about em's social media profiles, of course, as he holds his phone out to his friend. it's currently on the instagram app.[break][break]

with a new round of drinks served, he reaches for his and is quick to drink it. it's clear by the way he's leaning against the counter that he's already tipsy.

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

"it's good? i'm glad you think so!"[break][break]

to be honest, he's somewhat relieved to hear. he'd been hoping em would like it even if they only just properly met.[break][break]

"i'd appreciate your help with paldean variations, actually. i've not had much opportunity to look into them."[break][break]

he'd greatly appreciate it.[break][break]

"i'll send you the finished paper if that's cool with you?"

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

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

[attr="class","icon"]

"alright! the ferris wheel it is."[break][break]

with a smile, he leads them along toward it and they soon find themselves in one of the capsules climbing higher and higher. this is the type of ferris wheel that eventually stops at the top to give them some time to properly enjoy the view.[break][break]

"check out the view!"[break][break]

he leans his shoulder into hers as he points out toward the cityscape of rustboro.

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