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she comes for a gym challenge. [break][break]

.. not that she's done one before. marisol has heard about them, and has thought about approaching one, but she never quite knew where to start. supposedly, there was an order to things in other regions - and yet in hoenn, she's found that most people don't find a specific place to start at. granted, these are considered educational facilities, so it shouldn't surprise her as much as it does. [break][break]

marisol never had the time to participate in these, between work and studies, pokemon battling was never her strong suit - so why does she come today? in preparation? to learn something, more like, about battling. [break][break]

she had no pokemon who could hold their own in a race, so instead she enters the gym, small and slightly meek. [break][break]

"excuse me?" she chirps up, fingers tented together with her wrists against her stomach "i'm here for a gym challenge."

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honestly, he says. [break][break]

yes, honesty is what makes things worlds easier. it makes conversation easier, makes gleaning people easier, and it makes understanding less of a hassle. if inigo is looking for an honest person, however, marisol will think he's looking in the wrong place. "it's a bit of a mixed bag if you look for it in a blind date."[break][break]

she didn't know what to expect when she went out on a blind date, but surely, they don't usually go this smoothly, did they? she was half expecting to eat in awkward silence, if not by her own reluctance to be here, then by the other person finding her difficult to talk to. [break][break]

it's refreshing. [break][break]

"i can agree," she starts, reaching for a glass that's left on the table for the patrons during their wait "i can't help but be a tiny suspicious when someone's too honest, though~"

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rustboro soothes her. [break][break]

funny, when talking about the industrial powerhouse of hoenn. yet with all of its technology, it's much more peaceful than slateport will ever be. this is enough to give her a breath of fresh air, and a rest from the never ending bustling that comes with being a nurse. her lips curl into a smile as she leans back into her chair at a desk, eyes glancing up at the clock. it was about time for her to get off her break. [break][break]

not like she was doing much during the break. [break][break]

few patients came into the rustboro hospital and, by extension, she rarely had to take care of patients for too long. dual-toned eyes glance down at the clipboard of patients, her brows furrowing as she reviews the next patient's summary. [break][break]

a man in his late twenties who.. came into the hospital for wounds on his body. stab wounds, with some shallow cuts and slashes. her eyes squint slightly when she walks down white halls, only lifting her eyes to smile at passing patients. marisol has to wonder what could have caused those wounds, but with the sudden distortions showing no sign of stopping, she can only assume so much. [break][break]

he's put in the ICU, for good reason. it looked like immediate care was already administered, and now was an introduction or check in. part of her prays that the patient isn't awake when she opens the door. [break][break]

"good evening," she starts, a small smile on her face as she lets herself in. he's awake, wonderful. [break][break]

"my name is marisol. i'll be your nurse for your stay."

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she's back. [break][break]

and.. needed some fresh air. diving was a lot of work, surprisingly enough, and she only found a.. disc? a sort of CD on her way down? she doesn't know how it survived under the water, nevermind lodged between some rocks, but she won't complain when she realizes that it's actually a little valuable. [break][break]

so she holds the mask back over her face, and takes a deep breath anyways, diving into the sea in search for.. something that might be valuable. fingers crossed.

[break]

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she pauses in her account, processing his next question. [break][break]

they weren't covered?[break][break]

but why? they were the main threat at the moment, so she imagines that they should have been the first things reported. neverminding rocket, the beasts were the ones that were pushing the dogs back, and were the ones that chipped black fragments off brilliant, golden manes and steel. marisol couldn't hide the slight surprise even if she tried. [break][break]

after collecting herself, her expression shifts back into a relaxed neutral. "it was long." she recounts, bringing the image and memory of the feline pokemon back into her mind. [break][break]

"long, white, with diamond-like ridges along its fur and body. the most notable thing was its fangs. they looked like.. the ends of swords." in a way, it was kind of cute. in a way, it was also terrifying. "it was hostile, and was intent on entering the ruins. it brought snow, and winds, and ice." a chill runs over her flesh from the memory of the biting cold. [break][break]

"but it was nothing like kyurem's ice." she'll clarify, because the last thing any of them need is another case of meltless ice "it was a normal avalanche." [break][break]

"and there's one more thing,"[break][break]

the most important thing, she wants to tack on. she doesn't. [break][break]

"the air was filled with hatred."

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the heavens cry,[break]
but she ignores their wails. [break][break]

where she'll find fear, she finds exhilaration. when was the last time she's felt so excited to discover something new, and so excited to venture into the swirling darkness that rolls, soon to loom above them? if she weren't so used to hiding her expression, surely, she wouldn't be able to suppress the grin that threatens her lips. [break][break]

the distortion twists their surroundings, an almost dome-like shape encapsulating the two of them - and yet she can't make out just how far away the edge may be. many people caught in the crossfires will find themselves scrambling as lightning crackles and strikes the meadows, but curiosity will be what kills the cat. [break][break]

she glances back to illeana, heeding the words that are barely carried by the breeze and blocked by the roars. they have to run to the edge - but not to escape. [break][break]

so the nurse picks up the pace, legs taking her at a steady pace. even if this distortion is stuck with them, they need to take care for the beasts of another time suddenly appearing at a thunder's clap. [break][break]

"it shouldn't be too far, right?!" an occasional gaze up at the dome gives her answers, but it seems endless when another clap and another pokemon's cry echoes down the route. [break][break]

still, in this situation, she can't help but to chuckle briefly. it's the adrenaline running high.

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he hungers for a gentle touch. [break][break]

the soft touch against her fingers reminds her of simpler times, even if those simple times were littered in crimson stains on her cheeks and smiling lips when she wiped a smear on a young man's face. the memory was always so blurry when she thinks too hard, but the stench of blood and the satisfaction that came after a hard day's work sends a shudder up her spine. [break][break]

topher remembers wendy - ruthless and sadistic. marisol remembers wendy - soft spoken and terrified of whose blood she'll find herself drenched in next. his only saving grace is marisol knowing that he was a source of comfort, and humour, in those darker and dreary days. [break][break]

work interrupts their moment, and she lowers her hand in response whilst watching with a slightly curious gleam. sometimes, she'll find herself trying to remind herself that he has his work, too. that despite his demeanour and flighty smiles, he's just as sullied, and dirtied, and they're both in this hell. [break][break]

only she's tried to drag herself out of it.[break][break]

she snaps back to reality, a small (a practiced) smile on her lips when she nods her head. "for work?" she asks with the tilt of her head, gaze softening. "if you're looking for someone for work, i might not be able to help.." her lips curl in thought, with her tongue in cheek. [break][break]

"but.. if there's anything you need, i could probably help you." she finishes instead, fingers lowering and pressing against each other on the table "i said that i'm studying, but i think my father taught me everything when i was younger." she would have scoffed in the past. now, she chuckles. [break][break]

wryly.

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she isn't sulking. [break][break]

not at all. not pouting because she was sent to the back of the line, and not upset at all that she couldn't end the legacy of someone (again). it's only a shame that you can't win them all, and so she laments. she laments in her lack of skill. [break][break]

it's unfortunate that this man sitting on the water throne will be the target of her grievances. "it's nothing personal" she speaks, a soft pout to her lips as she grips the pokeball, and lobs it at the target. [break][break]

a shame, she gets to lament more.

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She's back.[break][break]

And drenched, still. She was so, so close to dunking someone and yet, here she is. She sighs, softly, with the pokeball in hand and prepared to throw it once again. By now, her falling into the tank has become personal.

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it's being recorded. [break][break]

but of course it is - he needs something to listen back to, or to bring back as an account to be investigated. marisol was prepared for this, but it doesn't make his shift in demeanour any less jarring. thankfully, she isn't as frantic or despondent as some of her fellow victims. [break][break]

an idle gaze falls on the recorders as he speaks his piece, up until the proverbial microphone is handed to her. it's a simple enough task, and a simple enough question - if she can remember the events before the foggy memories disappear. there's no place better to start than the beginning, if she is going to recount everything from that day. [break][break]

take a deep breath, marisol. [break][break]

she fills her lungs, and a sigh escapes to soothe any sudden nerves. "we all arrived at the site, at sunset." she starts, maintaining an attentive gaze on the older man "there were two beasts combating the two dog pokemon. everyone who was there was given the order to protect the dogs from the beasts, and team rocket." she vividly remembers the order given by dahlia goode , shortly before she had arrived at the ancient tomb. [break][break]

"there was.. a large leopard-like pokemon." marisol raises her hand, gently rubbing a few digits against her forehead "it was attacking the shield pokemon, there was a huge battle that took place, and--" she squints, trying to remember through the rubble and the smoke. [break][break]

"... and there was a weird.. magenta looking stone in the ruins." there's a bout of frustration, and her lips curl into a small frown. "there was a lot happening, between the battles and.. groudon's avatar being there."

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she didn't understand. [break][break]

since awakening, many things stopped making sense. many people were frantic when waking up. many people rushed to their loved ones, and many rushed home in light of returning to their normal times. it's no wonder calix comments on her demeanour despite it all - surely he's heard of the report of mass hysteria. [break][break]

she gives a quick "thank you" to the feline pokemon as they move into the kitchen. her smile is softer compared to what she was used to, but she's trying to suppress herself. so, it shrinks, but not entirely. not too long ago she could keep a neutral expression. [break][break]

"it's okay." she tilts her head, tenting her fingers in her lap and resting palms against her knees. "i've had plenty of time to reflect and gather my thoughts" she reassures him with an attempted flat tone. [break][break]

"so don't worry."

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"at least six reports." accounting for those who see the distortion from the outside, and those who live to tell the tale. this unnatural phenomenon is vexing for the ordinary citizen, and it'd be nice if they could stop it. maybe then, she wouldn't have to work overtime. [break][break]

thunder booms and lightning crackles - it's similar to when she watched her zorua turn so feral after the shifting skies faded so many months ago. [break][break]

eyes of violet and sapphire narrow towards the sky, idly, before a small smile comes to her lips. a reciprocated spark of excitement lights in her, with this new flame and hunger ignited. [break][break]

"absolutely." [break][break]

is what she can say, before the breeze of calm can hit her. the storm arrives and soon, and they will be in the center of it.

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would you look at that, someone she doesn't know. [break][break]

marisol, still drenched from the last time she threw that accursed ball, is fuming, really. internally. she didn't expect to sit on that throne twice, only for it to be snatched away from her nearly immediately. she doesn't know if this is good luck, or very, very unfortunate luck. [break][break]

either way, she prays when she lobs the pokeball at the target. is she praying that she won't sit on the throne again? is she praying that the gods will be able to bless her enough to be able to sit on it for more than one throw? the answer is yes. it's always yes.

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