His eyes rolled, expression falling into a faux-pout, “I don’t want them to think i’m cute! I want them to take me seriously!” Any sulking fell the wayside, though, as lips pressed against his cheek. His nose wrinkled, and a swarm of butterflies kicked up in his stomach.[break][break]

That wasn’t about to fade anytime soon, huh? Not that Wren minded.[break][break]

The sound of laughter caused him to look up with wonderment in his eyes. Sure, Levy laughed around him, but it was usually such a quiet, soft thing. The louder sound made his face redden, and his mouth worked soundlessly for a moment. “D– don’t laugh at me! I don’t know!” Laughter fell from his own throat though as his smile stretched wide.[break][break]

“But yeah, I guess so. It’s settled then.” His fingers wove through Levy’s again, his steps catching a bounce. “Special roommates.” Wren stuck his tongue out at him then.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"]

Levy Alinsky     [break]
poison/bug/grass // skipping!

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

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He fell silent as Derek relayed what he knew. The impact the emergence of the regis caused, and the detriment they might bring on the environment if they were to emerge again.[break][break]

“Right..” Wren hummed quietly in thought as the matter of stance fell to him. Brows furrowed, his head tilted side to side before shifting into a more decisive nod. “I agree with you. If it’s as destructive and detrimental as you say, then it bears consideration and forward action.”[break][break]

Wren leaned back in his seat, the tips of his fingers still pressed to the edge of his desk. “Nothing is really black and white to me. This might be a monumental pokemon, or important. But if it’s causing harm, then we’re failing in our due diligence as rangers.” In his more private opinion, time and resources were wasted more on factional disputes than more pressing threats. Their job was to protect the region from any threat, no matter what side that threat fell on.[break][break]

“If you find out more in future discussions, I’d be glad to review any reports provided.” It felt like a calculated risk to make. And so early into his position as captain, it felt riskier than it might have if he were more seasoned. Turning newly forged connections sour made his stomach flip over itself. That was the last thing he wanted, and he knew he looked like a pushover, but he felt his convictions with a steel-like fortitude.[break][break]

“How confident are you in your ability to change his mind? I wouldn’t say I know him quite as well, so I’m not sure how much weight I’ll pull.”[break][break]

He chewed on his lip for a moment. “There’s a meeting coming up. If you voice your concerns on the subject, I’ll back you.” Finally, he managed to smile again, earnestly so. “I trust your experience.”

[attr="class","bottom"]DEREK HOFFMAN [break]

[attr="class","icon"]

Admittedly, he’s very quickly lost about the whole thing. But he does his best to listen—because it’s important to him that those he oversees feel as if they won’t immediately be shut down by him in some form or another.[break][break]

A small crease pinches between his brows, though—a sure sign of his mind trying to keep up and attempting to fill in details he’s unsure of.[break][break]

“What was the justification for not doing anything? Oh—in his justification, I mean.” His fingers lace together as they settle on the desk, and Wren leans forward, attentive in his listening. “I can’t say I disagree with that line of thought, though. It does seem strange.”[break][break]

But without context, how can he be certain? However…[break][break]

“Do you mind telling me more about what happened? The event itself? I’m…new, and so catching up on everything in such a narrow timeframe has been a bit, well, all-consuming, to say the least.”[break][break]

It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, so the words slip out reluctantly as his glance deviates from the other man. But his attention is quick to return as he adds an additional thought.[break][break]

“Either way, if what happened with registeel was a matter that causes disruption or harm to the area around it, it feels like it should be an important issue to address.” Whether it’s pokemon or people causing an issue in the environment around them, handling those problems is the whole point of what they do, after all. Isn’t it?

[attr="class","bottom"]DEREK HOFFMAN [break]

[attr="class","icon"]

Wren’s attention splits, or at least it sort of does because he’s not too good at it, between the matters of the meeting and the sparse socializing that circles between the three of them. When another person sidles up alongside them, he’s quick to flash her a friendly smile—just the same has he had for @leyeon moments before. A “Hey! Nice to meet you!” is chirped quietly at Elise Calcifet when Ollie introduces him. “Ollie’s super great, I’m sure you’ll enjoy training with him!”[break][break]

A silent nod is returned to ollie morales as their glances connect—somehow, he manages to understand his mentor’s silent request. Maybe because she seems so nervous to be there. And royal balls?? He can’t claim to understand…but surely this is a step down from all…that. “Nothing wrong with settling in! Just take your time—I remember my first meeting like this was pretty overwhelming too.” Another smile is offered to Elise. And she isn’t even at risk to get smacked with a pie—or at least he sure hopes not.[break][break]

His attention is pulled further still as the familiar face of Shalin Nariya approaches their corner of the table. “Hey, Shalin!” He waves her closer with a grin. “Sure, sure! Feel free!” When boruta maher mentions Rustboro’s assistance, he’s quick to chime in as well. “We’ve definitely been appreciative of the extra hands in dealing with the rift situation,” he says with a nod of thanks toward the elder captain. Especially given how tentative his new footing in the position feels—not that he adds this thought aloud.

[break][break]

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tldr; tries to dispel some of Elise Calcifet’s worries[break]greets Shalin Nariya as she sits with them[break]big ty for the help, Rustboro!![break]

[attr="class","bottom"]rangers rising #2 [break]

“Huh?” Wren’s head tilted, watching Levy with confusion. “Well, yeah. It’s definitely what I want.” He shook his head rapidly, cheeks flaring with trouble. “You don’t have to, that’s not why I decided to..” Well, sort of. It had been in mind, but only as a benefit. “I’m selfish too, yannow!” He huffed quietly, hands settling on his hips in his determination to prove himself.[break][break]

Juno continued to sniff out pokemon for him–leveling a lazy servine with a QUICK ATTACK. Though this eventually turned into play as the lizard sprang back up, apparently taking the initiative.[break][break]

But Wren’s attention remained on Levy. He didn’t mind the time it had taken, even if he was treading a bit carefully now in how he worded everything. And he definitely didn’t consider himself Levy’s keeper–or else he would’ve been nagging about the other’s affiliations or something.[break][break]

His eyes went wide, flustered panic filtering into his expression. He waved both hands back and forth frantically, “What? No! Of course not! I mean, I just didn’t want to…I dunno, assume anything like…serious about it.” A goofy little laugh followed. “Probably dumb of me, huh?”


[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"]

Levy Alinsky     [break]
poison/bug/grass // catching servine!

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

[attr="class","icon"]

Levy was tugging on his hand, and the group was splintering a bit into protests and conflict over what to do next. Luka was still insistent on following the song, and Wren found himself immediately grateful to have snapped out of its effects sooner.[break][break]

His hand squeezed Levy’s glancing up at him. “He’s right. Sticking together is better, even if-“ It’s complicated. Another wary glance is cast over to Luka, but the crack of gunfire seems to pull her from her trance, and the need to follow it. “Agreed.”[break][break]

Wren paused, though, frowning with a glance back over his shoulder. “Still, retreating uncovered is no good.” Despite the prior protests, he urged the crystallized Psyduck to help out—an azure TERA BLAST was leveled at the oncoming automatons. Just to set their pursuers back long enough to allow them to retreat as quickly as possible. Then, he scooped the sparkly lil guy up and booked it along with the rest.

[break][break]

C0Qn_y3q

[break][break]

tldr; utilize terastallization[break]

[attr="class","bottom"]Levy Alinsky luka chêne paxton concordas [break]

[attr="class","icon"]

Not exactly being on top of the fine tunings of the gym circuit, Wren was only somewhat familiar with the name Derek Hoffman. He knew enough to put the name and face to the title, coupled with the fact that they shared Petalburg as home base.[break][break]

And also there was now his reinstatement with the rangers to take into account as well.[break][break]

Wren, admittedly, felt a bit over his head stepping into the role of captain, though he handled those stressors to the best of his ability. Switching from the one receiving jobs to the one overseeing them has been an adjustment and the learning curve more than a little steep.[break][break]

So even if the paperwork had been sent, there was every likelihood that he would still be sifting through it, making extra sure he was doing everything right. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, right?[break][break]

When Derek strolls into Wren’s office it’s to accidentally catch him in an attempt to shovel his lunch while still working on a spreadsheet to get some his mental infrastructure ordered. Mouth full of sandwich, he swallows and is quick to replace any surprise with a bright smile.[break][break]

“Sorry ‘bout that—Ranger Hoffman! Hey, I was hoping I’d have the chance to meet with you soon.” He doesn’t have time to say much else as Derek jumps right in—not that Wren minds. Though he quickly feels unhelpful.[break][break]

His brows knit together in thought before he shakes his head, “I apologize, but I’m only vaguely aware. Was there something about this that you wanted to discuss?”

[attr="class","bottom"]DEREK HOFFMAN [break]

[attr="class","icon"]

The thumbs up sent by ollie morales as he drifts away to start things up with Raziel Beckett is returned by Wren. In fact, he sends his former captain a double thumbs up for good measure. He’s actively trying not to think about the fact that this is his first meeting as part of the captains, because it’ll only open a whole can of nerves. But of course it happens anyway, mixing with the slush of stress from trying to keep everything in order back in Petalburg.[break][break]

But this is fine! He’s fine. All that matters today is focusing on the meeting and taking the time to see how things are going at the other bases. Several little mental notes are made as the room falls quiet for opening remarks—more notably to touch base with annalise henderson and see how she’s faring, as well as to formally congratulate Razz on his promotion, as well as officially introduce himself for the first time. Idly, he snacks on the makeshift plate he gathered moments before. But sudden movement to his right distracts him.[break][break]

An unfamiliar face sneaks up alongside him, probably looking to just blend in while the group claps to congratulate the new head ranger. Unfortunately for any effort to be discreet, Wren clocks him immediately, and fixes leyon cœur with a kilowatt-bright smile. In the lull between points of discussion, his head tilts sideways toward the newcomer. Similarly, his hand makes a sideways reach in offering. “Hey, haven’t seen you around before! Wren, Petalburg City captain. Nice t’meetcha!”[break][break]

[break][break]

---

tldr; notices leyon cœur scoot in near him so he says HEY[break]Claps along with the rest, will personally congratulate Razz soon c:[break]Feel free to talk to him!![break]

[attr="class","bottom"]rangers rising #2 [break]

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Much like his very first day showing up at Ever Grande HQ for orientation training, Wren is scrambling. One would think that working here for the bulk of his beginner stages as a ranger would’ve made him more prepped in navigating the tall buildings of the city, but apparently not. Only pausing to catch his breath just outside the doors, he breezes in with moments to spare—a casserole dish of mac b’ cheese in his hands and his psyduck waddling behind him in a tizzy.[break][break]

Once he’s plunked the dish down among the rest of the provisions, he doubles back around to greet ollie morales at the entrance, eager to catch up with his mentor. Not before he spies the bright blonde hair of annalise henderson and the familiar face of Josh Devlin along the way. “Hey Anna!” he greets, hand lifting in the air, “Hey Josh! How goes?”[break][break]

Chipper as ever, what he doesn’t mention is his hope that this meeting goes a bit more smoothly than the last. Privately, he recalls the fact that apple pie no longer tastes quite the same now that he’s been unexpectedly smacked in the face with one. But per usual, Wren’s more inclined toward optimism, so thumbs up! This’ll be fine![break][break]

---

tldr; wren shows up with his Psyduck :’3 and also a big ol’ baked Mac n cheese.[break]Hangs by ollie morales for a bit and says heyheyyy to annalise henderson and Josh Devlin .[break]Feel free to talk to him!![break]

[attr="class","bottom"]rangers rising #2 [break]