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If it is going to show up, there is no indication of the other tapu koko’s presence. The one tied to Fern, however, presents its typical curiosity—flitting in and around the ground level ruins of sky pillar as Fern follows after. They remain drawn to this place and the ancient power it boasts. Though the dracovish is not the typical draconid they’d willingly choose to encounter here. “Practice dummy?” they ask the island deity.[break][break]

They expect refusal to cooperate, but unexpectedly it stops its tittering. Instead, watching Fern with expectant eyes. “Send it packing, then!” they huff, waving a hand as if they are annoyed that it asked for further direction, but the small smile on Fern’s face says otherwise.[break][break]

Tapu Koko zigzags toward the mish mash creature, and does indeed send it away with zap of arcing DISCHARGE.

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Fern pauses, collecting the pokeballs that now drift on the shore, treasures contained with it. They skirt a pinchurin that watches warily, ready to poke them if they make an attempt to get too close for comfort. But Fern has little interest in doing so. Instead, they continue to walk the shoreline, Lir drifting parallel to them from the water.
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Exhaustion clings to every corner and edge of their posture. The weight of twenty years rests on a body that is suddenly twenty years younger again. Traveling away from route 120 back to Sootopolis felt like a dazey haze. Much of it is stark in their mind—but even then, there are some things they feel as though they are forgetting.[break][break]

Their hand twists anxiously at the empty space on a finger where a ring would normally rest. A compulsive habit built from years of practice and years of innate worry when they look at jayden cross for too long. That is one that Fern does remember, but they don’t speak of it as they find themselves in the haven of their home, Jayden close to their side as he ever is.[break][break]

Neither of them say much of anything at all, really. But it makes sense—how do you start to deconstruct the meaning and intent behind a life that was only a dream?[break][break]

It’s not until they shuck their clothes for a shower that Fern uncovers the rings looped on an old-looking chain that hangs about their neck. Two rings kept safe, kept together, in case battle pulled them apart. It makes their heart ache with something bittersweet as they slip it over their head and let it rest on their bedside table.[break][break]

Cecilia is sprawled by her beloved heater in the living room. One of their polteageist puffs an aromatic mist that clings to the warm condensation of the shower that heats Fern and cooks under their tired skin and into their tired bones. Lavender and earl grey to lull them into the comfort of rest once they finally plummet into their side of the bed with still-damp hair.[break][break]

What they’ve been through temporarily put on hold in favor of their exhaustion. They wait for him to join them, tired eyes following him. Faithfully tracking his movements with a coaxing little murmured “Mischa.”
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jayden cross // m: post-goodbye galar // set immediately after

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"Well, Pigeon," Fern hums, eyes following Tapu Koko as it buzzes around them, "here we are again." The rift high above sky pillar looks like an ugly tear in the sky. It still glows with some ominous foreboding against the weather-dark sky. But Fern doesn't intend to go up into the abandoned city today. "Are you as connected to sky pillar as you are the megalopolis?" They ask their patron, only to receive no answer. Of course. Typical.[break][break]

But why here?[break][break]

"Does the other tapu koko know you're here now?" Maybe it'll show up.

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The commotion of catching the cramorant draws the attention of a hungry growlithe. It lingers on the edge of the water, hoping to sneak in and snag away the water fowl that they're in the process of catching. "Sorry, puppy," Fern trills as their kingdra turns on the canine. "No can do." A pulse of BRINE subdues the fire-type as Fern throws a ball at it as well.
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Eventually they come across a cramorant in the shallows—looking much more at home in the damp weather than the little cherubi had. Though, granted, its orange feathers stick out like a sore thumb. Lir lifts up out the water, stunning it with a cloud of DRAGON BREATH so that Fern can catch it. It’s not really his speed, but you never know what might come in handy later.
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A rogue puddle of water causes his foot to skid, and before he even gets out to the float where the other contestants wait for the show to begin, Fern swiftly eats shit on the dock. That's some kinda omen for how this will go, isn't it?[break][break]

...nah![break][break]

Fern has enough self-inflated confidence to shake off the clumsiness. He's pulled through the last two rounds far better than he had thought, so he'll take that as his sign of favor for the upcoming match. Lir swims after him as he makes his way over, the large kingdra vigilant and fretful over any injuries that Fern might've incurred from the fall he'd just taken.[break][break]

But if there were any, he made no show of it.[break][break]

"Ladies," he trilled with a wave of his hand in greeting. "Fine day to be out here duking it out."

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The cherubi that eventually skittered out looked far too bright and sunny for the poor weather that permeated the area. Stooping, Fern peered down at it. "Aw, well aren't you a cute lil thing?" His hand stretched toward it, tentatively attempting to give it a little pat before tapping it with a safari ball.
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“Okay, fair enough,” he replied dryly, a snort of laughter following his words as he looked over at the violet-haired woman. This was practically a walk in the park compared to what they wever temporarily stepping away from. Fern hummed, adjusting the straps of his bag. “And what exactly are you looking to learn here, Kelpie dear?”[break][break]

Tapu Koko continued to dart around them. Perhaps it was securing their position, ensuring that there were no immediate threats. He couldn’t be sure. It wasn’t as if the pigeon actually went out of its way to speak to him. “Maybe. It certainly seemed keen to leave with us last time.” Hadn’t even faltered. That seemed like bad news, right?[break][break]

“How ‘bout it?” he asked of the Tapu Koko in reference to Calpurnia’s suggestion. One brow rose softly, “You got any of those?” The deity only tilted his head, unblinking as it hovered there, watching both Fern and Calpurnia intently. He sighed, head drooping. “So no. But where should we go?”

At that, Tapu Koko seemed to react. Twisting in the air, it began to drift to the west–indeed away from the old, abandoned police station. Fern shrugged, glancing over at his companion, “Well, I guess that answers that.”[break][break]

Maybe it would take them to some sort of nest? Where it had been roosting during its time there? The city rose up around them, but the further they moved, the more decrepit it became. Abandoned cars and buildings that had long begun to crumble cluttered up the streets with debris. “Well, this sector has definitely seen better days.”[break][break]

But Tapu Koko did not pause, did not waver from the path it set once they were on it.

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