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[attr="class","textbox"] 'Zinnia?'

[break][break] "Your... family?" he said, brow furrowed as he turned to the other man. Briefly, his thoughts flickered to that of both freya morningstar and Roy Aker's names, wondering if Zinnia was a cousin, or a sister, or a family member. It didn't seem to fit either of their names. More than that, the way that Roy Aker spoke of him seemed almost... reverent.

[break][break] "Um, I see."

[break][break] Either way, out of his own paygrade. But maybe someone like Remiel Calcifet or paxton concordas might know the details. He ought to ask them, especially if it was something stowed in Hoenn tradition.

[break][break] But his thoughts drifted once more as the conversation shifted, and this time, this was one that Ollie could readily jump into.

[break][break] "I get that," he said, pushing himself to his feet. He grinned. "And I couldn't agree more. It's the Ranger's motto basically — to protect and preserve pokemon, but also humanity." A hand slapped it's way on the other man's back. "You're sounding like a Ranger already, Roy!"

[break][break] He chuckled.

[break][break] "You're a guy with big dreams, you know. You should talk to howard slayte — he'd love to hear it."

[break][break] "C'mon. We should head out. There's a lot of paperwork for you to fill out —"

[break][break] He whistled sharp, for Tofu to return to his shoulder, caught up on frolicking with the wild pokemon.

[break][break] "You eat burgers? I know a great place. I'm starving!"

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[attr="class","postbox"] 'Sorry.'

[break][break] His words were — as always — as soothing as honey upon a scalding wound.

[break][break] How many people in his life apologized? Not enough. Neither Caleb Harcourt or PENELOPE LIVY ever would.

[break][break] "What do you mean? You did a lot! You went and got help, just like I asked."

[break][break] More importantly, he wasn't there. Ollie had asked the professor to go for a reason, and it wasn't just because the other man was technically a civilian.

[break][break] Because could he have done what was needed to be done, if Gideon was there?

[break][break] Frustratingly cheerful as always, as if he had not experienced a near-death experience, a brow arched above his hairline at GIDEON GRAVES's suggestion.

[break][break] "Home? Well —"

[break][break] A flirtatious quip was on the tip of his tongue, but something stopped it. Somehow, the thought of burning amber eyes stopped him. Would PENELOPE LIVY be home? Had she called? His gaze drifted briefly to his thigh, where his phone sat, the glaringly empty missing phone calls on the screen proof enough.

[break][break] Emerald eyes darted back towards Gideon's liquid gold, as if such a transgression had never happened in the first place.

[break][break] "Actually, I think I'd like to go to yours, if that's okay." A pause, and his fingers tightened a little more around his wrist. Trembling slightly. "I don't think I want to be alone tonight."

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GIDEON GRAVES

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[attr="class","textbox"] "And then..."

[break][break] His voice teetered, as though on the edge of a precipice. Emerald eyes glimpsed sideways at ruby pearls as she took a sip of water.

[break][break] What did she want? What was he meant to say?

[break][break] He wasn't sure exactly how it became this way, or if it had always been this way. As if their hearts were tied together by an invisible string, as if his was always meant to seek to fulfill whatever it is that she wanted. However it was that she wanted it.

[break][break] "And then, I came home. I slipped off my shoes, and curled up on this bed, and I took a nap."

[break][break] "Cause, God, I was really in need of one."

[break][break] His hand closed around hers, squeezing gently.

[break][break] "How are you feeling now?"

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"Almost done!"

[break][break] It's been almost an hour, but Ollie was still diligently working in the kitchen. Unlike last time he brought a meal for her, there was no cake. Instead, the rich aroma of simmering beef broth, garlic and fresh herbs eventually fill the room, alongside the smell of freshly-made bread.

[break][break] And then, moment later, the brunette appears. He teeters into the room, feet sliding over soft carpet, as he balances a bowl of beef broth and garlic bread slices. He places it on the nearby coffee table, before standing up again, gently guiding her by the elbow.

[break][break] "Sorry it took so long," he says, grinning at her. "But I promise it'll be worth it."

[break][break] "C'mon! Have a taste."

[break][break] He picks up a spoon, gently blowing on the steaming soup, before carefully bringing it to her lips for a taste.

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He thinks nothing of the slobbering tongue lapping at his palm, taking as if it is natural as breathing; such is the way of a seasoned Ranger, after all.

[break][break] A hand stretches across the bed toward her, enveloping hers with ease.

[break][break] His emerald eyes glimmer with sympathy.

[break][break] There is no judgement in his gaze.

[break][break] "You don't hafta, you know," he says softly.

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"... If Rocket still has control of Sootopolis, that's not a win."

[break][break] Ollie winced.

[break][break] For once, he was glad that Hideo Kino couldn't see it. He understood the others resistance to declaring Sootopolis a win, as he was sure that many other people felt the same way. Especially after the deaths of DEREK HOFFMAN and RAZZ KINGSMAN ... Ollie shook his head. It wasn't helpful to think about.

[break][break] A hand placed gently against the other's scalp, brushing against brown bangs.

[break][break] "We'll get it back." We have to. "Don't worry."

[break][break] Ollie wasn't going to run away again and repeat his past mistakes. This wasn't going to be Kanto.

[break][break] However, at the mention of the CHAINED pokemon from space, the Head Ranger was unable to hide his surprise. For a brief moment, FEAR flickered within glades of evergreen.

[break][break] But he was a Morales. He couldn't fall into despair.

[break][break] "I... that's no good." It was actually horrible. "Have you told anyone else?"

[break][break] His hand slid into his pocket, thumbing over PENELOPE LIVY's number which was on speed dial.

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Of course he saw it. The lives of countless innocents, trapped admist scorching pools of endless magma, as he frantically struggled to steer them away from its ENVIOUS deluge. The terror reflected in that young Rocket's eyes (Fenelle Miller), or the tormented psyche of a Rocket Beast bound to the digital void. (mint frost)

[break][break] "And now you're suggesting we prioritize the safety of criminals over them?"

[break][break] "It's not prioritizing their needs — it doesn't have to be one over the other. Just like Freya said, there are plenty of ways to keep them from the frontlines — plenty of ways that they can help the League just as much as we can help them."

[break][break] He thinks about Isaac Merlo, at how boldly he spoke of his Rocket family while laying bare to the very system that had been designed to tear him and countless others apart. And he knew the heart of his Rangers; he knew exactly which ones bled for supposed "criminals", and which one wanted to condemn them to ash.

[break][break] The job of the Rangers weren't just to support environmentalism and conservation; it was to protect and defend the Hoenn people, which included even Rockets.

[break][break] Because there was no light without darkness, no good without evil.

[break][break] dahlia goode and FERNANDO SILPH both speak up, both in support of the program, though the latter's glare directed towards him — him? — confuses him for a moment. And then he remembers the sopping wet pastry that had been neglected moments ago, discarded in favor of more important topics.

[break][break] Ollie's stomach grumbled, he popped the remainder of the croissant into his mouth, relishing in it's leftover coffee taste. Something about it brought a renewed vigor to his eyes, even as freya morningstar stands up and bares her teeth at Remiel Calcifet.

[break][break] The Head Ranger had always been good at making the best of a bad situation. It was why that he and Eva Morales were the League's enduring lighthouses, guiding those even in the darkest of storms.

[break][break] "I couldn't agree more Councilman," he said with a nod. "It's exactly why there are so many volunteer hours required — as Remy said, it's a long process towards graduation, which is why I can be confident that those who are able to graduate can serve the League well." A pause of thought, his fingers brushing the edge of table, where crumbs fall onto the floor.

[break][break] "Well, at least, the Ranger program."

[break][break] He glanced briefly at freya morningstar, wondering if she was going to say more as it's director, only to hear a scratch across the floor as she suddenly stood to meet Remiel Calcifet's bared teeth. He blinks, eyes flickering between the both of them, mouth pressed into a frown as he considers them both.

[break][break] "Yeah," he says, agreeing with Eva Morales. "We would've all drowned without you, Freya."

[break][break] It was still unnerving, to think that Freya had gotten swallowed by a whale in the midst of all that chaos. And still somehow had come out better on the other side for it — they may not have gotten to get all of Sootopolis, but a win was still a win no matter else how you looked at it.

[break][break] Conversation shifts so swiftly that Ollie finds himself getting whiplash, but he quickly zones back in once he hears the recommendations that come out of Navy's mouth.

[break][break] "Well," he says, blinking when he sees Navy's gaze snapping towards him. "Genny's a good girl, and a great battler, but I just had to force her into time-off because she doesn't know when to stop." He sighed, shaking his head. "She's been through a lot, these last few months, and Pax even evaluated her last week."

[break][break] He glances at PENELOPE LIVY, offering his open palm to silently ask for the tablet in her hand. When given, he would pull up the report that paxton concordas provided to him: PTSD and refusal of mental health treatment, reckless and insubordinate behavior, and potential major depressive disorder, among other things.

[break][break] "He wanted me to fire her from the Rangers, but I wouldn't. After all, she got Tapu Bulu's blessing for a reason. But I gotta say - I'm pretty concerned since she won't listen to reason."

[break][break] "Josh is the same way. He's just getting out of rehab from his injuries in the prison, and while - sure - he's definitely a strong battler, he gets in his head too much. Kyle's death hit him really hard and he forced himself into the frontlines even though Anna said that he should take it easy. As far as I know, he's still mourning the loss of his Pyroar and Dragonair, which he lost to Rockets in Sootopolis."

[break][break] He still remembers the time that Josh Devlin took him to his Secret Base, and tormented himself over Eris Halla for what felt like months.

[break][break] "He's got a real punishing personality, and I dunno if that's going to change anytime soon — I've tried."

[break][break] Ollie crossed his arms, tilting his head in contemplation, frowning over the struggles of his Rangers. It was no secret that he cared deeply for them, taking their losses almost as hard as his own. At the mention of lam logan, however, his attention shifted.

[break][break] "I think saying that he was just 'there' when Kyle died is selling it short, Navy," he remarked. "Dunno if Pax and I could've survived those death spikes without his and Virizion's help."

[break][break] He blinked, glancing at Matias and coughed. "No offense."

[break][break] Continuing on, his face was bright as he spoke.

[break][break] "But yeah, Lam's a great pick! He's an excellent battler, a strong leader, and has got the supports of two legends." He nods both at freya morningstar and PENELOPE LIVY, who would've known as a part of PROJECT SAPPHIRE. "He fought alongside me and Melody in Sootopolis, and I saw the way he fought with Tornadus first-hand."

[break][break] "Des and Eddie are good too. Eddie, with his Terrakion, and Des with Diancie."

[break][break] He smirked.

[break][break] "Though, I'm sure Thomas Benoit could vouch for Des too. They're awfully close lately."

[break][break] Almost sickeningly affectionate, actually. They were quite public about it at the League Holiday Party, but that was nearly a year ago.

[break][break] "And Eddie's great! He was a huge help during Sea Mauville, and also during the excursions into Area Zero. He's got a strong head on his shoulders, and I think he's friends with you too, right Matias?"

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"you would think so, right?"

[break][break] ollie chuckled, shaking his head.

[break][break] there were always rumors that the rangers weren't paid enough, and perhaps that was due to the fact that some of the amnesty volunteers didn't get as much as they would if they were truly rangers. and while none of that was true, ollie often felt that some of his paycheck went missing whenever he went to go pay for his monthly bills.

[break][break] but maybe that had to do with the exorbitant amount of food that tofu - a small, seemingly lithe pikachu - could eat in one sitting.

[break][break] "oh? are you?" ollie turned, eyes widening in mock surprise. "but then what am i gonna do? we can't lose you, robin!"

[break][break] surely, that whole toxipex incident couldn't have been that traumatizing.

[break][break] "but yeah - " he said, shuffling through another doorway and then leading the way down a stairwell. "it's all very high priority, security, that kinda stuff." stuff that people like paxton concordas or Greyson Connors were better off explaining. "i didn't even know this place existed until dahlia offered me my seat."

[break][break] and still, every day, no matter how much time had passed, he often wondered what it was exactly that she saw in him.

[break][break] "you've met bulu?" he asks, head tilted. he'd read the report that Genevieve Cromwell had been granted it; not that he was surprised, if there was anyone who could be trusted with something as powerful as that, it would have been genny.

[break][break] "i used ta think so too, you know."

[break][break] he still remembered the first time that he saw a legendary up close, and it was basically his sister's own avatarship, which he'd had to have found out through a third party of all things.

[break][break] "but they're not so bad."

[break][break] "they're kinda cute, you know, once you get over the whole, slightly-terrifying, they-could-probably-kill-you if they wanted to factor."

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"Sorry?" Ollie blinked, then let out a laugh. "Don't be sorry! This is the fun part about my job."

[break][break] There was no doubting the pride that Ollie had for his Rangers.

[break][break] He hated the paperwork. He hated being stuck behind a desk.

[break][break] But the recent days and weeks had also taught him that there was a lot worse that could happen then a mountain of paperwork.

[break][break] Glancing at Tofu, who was having a mini-fight with Genny's Yamper, the Head Ranger reached over to pull them apart. "Hey, hey, no fighting!" He smiled at Lucky too, scratching the pokemon behind the ears.

[break][break] "So - how're you doing?"

[break][break] He frowned, looking down at her.

[break][break] "You took quite a beating, huh?"

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"thanks for comin' with me again! it'll be quick, i promise, then we can go grab some food after."

[break][break] click!

[break][break] the head ranger lead the way down the hallway of a secure part of the ever grande headquarters, the cool air from the AC humming softly through the vents. one by one, he unlocked doors, each requiring a higher level of security clearance than the one before.

[break][break] "here," he said, handing robin coello a medical kit that he'd brought along, courtesy of the SAPPHIRE budget. "hold this for a sec."

[break][break] briefly, ollie glanced at the door ahead, juggling the keycard in his hand.

[break][break] "alright, last time i used this, it got stuck, so fingers crossed," he said with a chuckle.

[break][break] in front of them laid a heavy metal door, alongside a simple security panel with an yellow glowing light at the top alongside the league emblem. ollie swiped the card and after a moment of silence, the light blinked blue, granting them access.

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