"i did not!"[break][break]

but not to worry. james is known for his quick thinking.[break][break]

he points down the hall.[break][break]

"it must've gone outside! come on, we can still catch it!"[break][break]

he takes off after it, fully expecting emerson to follow.

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

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

[attr="class","icon"]

his work with aeos has brought him to a place so unfamiliar and dangerous that it almost makes him second-guess everything. but in the end, his desire for knowledge and discovery overpowers all else even if it means putting his life on the line.[break][break]

he should be okay, though, considering how he's surrounded by some of the league's finest.[break][break]

"i, um—"[break][break]

—am way out of my element.[break][break]

he takes a moment to catch his breath, recalling how not too long ago he had been telling Katherine Fairburne how he'd love to do something like this.[break][break]

his nerves settle enough.[break][break]

"looks like the closest power station is that way."

[attr="class","bottom"]annalise henderson Katherine Fairburne FERNANDO SILPH[break]

"oh shoot. yep! i got it."[break][break]

circling back around to her, he takes the wheel, then shifts the gear down to lower their speed to allow for a much smoother approach.[break][break]

the boat drifts to a stop eventually with the help of james mooring it to the dock.[break][break]

"i can't believe we made it in one piece."

[attr="class","ooc"]iseult babineaux[break]

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

no, she really isn't. but that's half the fun of this interview slash conversation.[break][break]

"you say that like traveling universes is just a normal thing you do."[break][break]

he's engrossed in the conversation, smiling even when he poses a thought.[break][break]

"i wonder what interacted with the relic that caused it to disappear. hm."[break][break]

"what's it like, by the way? traveling universes. i've always wanted to."

[attr="class","ooc"]Katherine Fairburne[break]

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

"i see."[break][break]

his thoughts drift then, wondering why exactly did tapu lele decide not to return to her? why John Sullivan? and why wait that long or why do it in such a public fashion as opposed to the privacy of the flower field?[break][break]

some thoughts to consider for later. for now, he returns his attention to her.[break][break]

"i'm curious to know what your thoughts are in general on avatars."

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

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

"yes, ma'am. on it."[break][break]

he is quick with his work, both meticulous and careful in the way he moves around, navigating the space of the lab as though this is where he belongs.[break][break]

understanding that they have a brief window, he does exactly what's needed, and only when the vial is in the analysis machine does he take a breath.[break][break]

"okay. nice. how'd i do?"

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

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

"a big job! hell yeah, big congrats to you!"[break][break]

this isn't like when someone says something nice just for the sake of it. james genuinely means it and it shows in the way his face lights up in a smile.[break][break]

a smile that quickly thins when a blur rushes past them.[break][break]

"your gyoza..."[break][break]

he looks around, then behind him.[break][break]

"...where did it go?"

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

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

"i gotta check my schedule but yes! i will!"[break][break]

this is perhaps the only way to really know whether he's fit for battling or not. after training with a capable person like iseult, if he sucks, he sucks, and there's no changing that.[break][break]

at least his pokemon will get a good workout in. onigiri would appreciate that.[break][break]

"i'll make sure to bring my a-game."[break][break]

ahead of them, mossdeep comes into sight, signaling the near end of their egg delivery.

[attr="class","ooc"]iseult babineaux[break]

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

"it's not for him?"[break][break]

james doesn't mind the small talk, really! in fact, he practically invites it with how much he engages, and this time's no different.[break][break]

"i'm good! just out running orders, nothing new. helps clear my head, you know? and yeah, it's freezing out here."[break][break]

accepting the money, he hands the bag of food over before peering down at the crumpled bills. even without needing to unfold them to count, he knows it's more than the usual amount.[break][break]

"are you celebrating something? can't help but notice the tip along with, like, double your usual order."

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

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

"oh. well, i hope they aren't true as well."[break][break]

he comments.[break][break]

"maldacena, but yes he was."[break][break]

the song dips into a bit of a lull, allowing them some brevity in their dance.[break][break]

"i wanted to talk to you, actually, as i know you've been involved in quite a few of these events. not now, of course, but maybe we can find some time later?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Melody Miro[break]

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

james isn't much of a dancer so she's right. he's thankful that she leads otherwise he would've looked real silly trying.[break][break]

"they were okay with it, i think. eva more so because it's all professional with her. but i think they're both happy that i'll be doing my own thing."[break][break]

he nods his head.[break][break]

"so aeos looks into anomalies which are events or things that deviate from the path our universe is on."[break][break]

a quick pause as he thinks.[break][break]

"you were in the cloud, right?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Melody Miro[break]

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

there's a small part of him that's surprised she remembers him and an even bigger part that's relieved that they won't have to do the usual dance around small talk.[break][break]

"i've been good! really good, actually. i got a new job and all."[break][break]

he explains.[break][break]

"i'm working for something called the aeos division now. it's a part of silph co. but, like, i have my own lab now and everything."[break][break]

it's a shared lab but still! his own office.

[attr="class","ooc"]Melody Miro[break]

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

he dips his head in response to the meowscarada, offering it a silent apology for stealing its dance partner away albeit temporarily.[break][break]

"no, no, i totally get it. my zorua's the same way."[break][break]

it's why the dark-type is in its pokeball and not out and about.[break][break]

"how have you been, melody? it's been a while since we last met."[break][break]

realizing she might not recognize him, he adds:[break][break]

"oh! it's james, by the way. from the lab."

[attr="class","ooc"]Melody Miro[break]

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