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"Let's grab a drink."[break][break]

A surprising request from Gunner Graves, considering how icy the two brothers had been toward one another the past few weeks. [break][break]

But he'd shown genuine concern for Gideon's burned arm in the Ultra Crater, and now here in a Slateport Clinic, where the professor was given the 'all clear' by medical professionals to head home. His injuries were minimal, thanks to angelo vestri's quick thinking.[break][break]

"Sure." He assented, knowing of a public house just down the block. They walked there in relative silence, sat at the end of the bar, and ordered their drinks with as few words as possible.[break][break]

Minutes passed. Ice clinked in glasses, murmuring from other patrons filled the space around them.[break][break]

Gideon was the one to break the silence first.[break][break]

"... Why'd you ask me here, Gunner?"

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"It's worth a shot." Though Gideon was heavily skeptical that anything would come of it. While the moon may have appeared large, it must have been an extreme distance away from their location. How would angelo vestri even begin to get close?[break][break]

Still. If GIDEON GRAVES had learned anything while traveling through these various rifts, it was that the laws of their world did not always apply.[break][break]

"I'll see if I can spot anything from the ground." He suggested, pulling his binoculars from his pack. Maybe there was something worth seeing on the surface of the moon that magnification could help illuminate.

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The light takes them.[break][break]

A sooty, ash-filled sky greets Gideon as he rematerializes into a skewed resemblance of Circhester. He recognizes the basic framework of the city - its ruined buildings and landmarks - but the townspeople strike him as... incredibly odd. In rags not befitting the much more modern setting.[break][break]

For as long as you live. It was all extremely troubling. Thoughts of never escaping clawed at the edges of Gideon's resolve, clutched at his chest until it ached. Thankfully, he wasn't alone, and that helped ease some of the uncertainty.[break][break]

skyler dross and angelo vestri were here, along with others they apparently recognized as friendly like Raziel Beckett and Rowan Wrynn.[break][break]

But there was no time to linger. Both of his companions issued a quick farewell before departing, with Gideon replying, "Be safe. I'll see if I can help elsewhere."[break][break]

What to do now? The professor's eyes followed Rowan Wrynn as the other made his way to the town's famous historical structure. The Hero's Bath was not as Gideon remembered it when he'd visited years ago, however. It's pristine marble and comforting waters were ruined by the toxins blighting the rest of Circhester.[break][break]

Gideon took a step forward to join Rowan at the bath, but a familiar voice stopped him short. A masked figure approached, all too recognizable by this point. Gunner Graves, though Gideon wouldn't call his brother by name in case his hidden identity was a matter of safety.[break][break]

"...It's a long story." One that they would both need to tell later. Now wasn't the time. "The bath needs to be cleared for the hero — probably? It's worth trying, anyway. I'll start my efforts there."[break][break]

Except fate decided otherwise. GIDEON GRAVES allowed his brother to walk away and work elsewhere, thinking they would catch up later once everyone had gotten their bearings — except everyone apparently included the likes of parker jones.[break][break]

Freezing in place, Gideon watched with a throbbing shoulder as his former assailant traveled up the same cobblestone street as his brother. Toward the city's central stadium, most likely, judging by the eerie purplish-pink light emanating up into the sky from within the domed structure.[break][break]

Gideon followed, releasing his SLOWKING in case a brawl broke out. How could he not? A reunion between parker jones and Gunner Graves did not bode well. He arrived just in time to witness inane posturing from Parker, Gunner curling his fist. There were others, too, some he recognized (Summer Atreides? Why was she here?) and some he didn't (Aidan Hereford and a masked Naomi Sato).[break][break]

The elder Graves brother placed a placating hand on the younger's shoulder, tightening his grip in warning.[break][break]

"Now is not the time for infighting. We have much more pressing issues, wouldn't you agree?" Gideon glared at parker jones, his low voice sharp and cutting despite the suggestion of a truce. As if to emphasize their working together, the professor gestured for his SLOWKING to aid in clearing the well with its PSYCHIC powers.[break][break]

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[break]
• circhester gang[break]
• alexa pls play "we're all in this together"[break]
• main action: unclog the power spot

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Looking over his shoulder, one hand still held by skyler dross's URSHIFU, GIDEON GRAVES noticed athena oswald's approach and subsequent attempt at 'helping' them escape. [break][break]

"No, wait—!" The professor tried to warn her against any rash action, but the damage was already done. Within seconds a thick geyser of dark liquid erupted from the ground, threatening to drench them in debilitating poison.[break][break]

His ROTOM managed to neutralize some, while Johnny moved quickly to thrust them out of harm's way.[break][break]

Two months was enough time to regain function, but not enough time to heal completely. While Gideon was grateful to be pushed out of the way of the oncoming poison, his bad shoulder was what slammed into the concrete wall – causing him to groan in pain and clutch at his upper arm. Frail, indeed. Thanks, unnamed ROCKET madwoman (Elisabeth Fiorelli).[break][break]

"Let's..." Grimacing, Gideon fixed athena oswald with a stern look. "...Temper our actions for now. We don't know the peculiarities of this world just yet."[break][break]

Almost as soon as the words left his lips, a fanciful creature on a dark horse appeared. Quite the peculiarity, especially when it began to weave its tale to those gathered. As the pain in Gideon's shoulder subsided, his curiosity grew. [break][break]

Patting Johnny's arm in thanks, the professor moved a few steps closer off the wall to get a better look at what was happening by the statue.[break][break]

[break]

Odd. Gideon's brows furrowed at this statement. If he remembered the legend from his years spent studying in Galar, the Pokémon before them was the King of Bountiful Harvests, known for its ability to cause verdant grasses and blooms to spring from nothing. What a contradictory thing to say...[break][break]

Then the talk of restoring a hero from somewhere within Galar. That also had an air of familiarity to it. But the hero's revival was pitched as a way to return home from this 'reminiscence' – a memory?[break][break]

"What 'ruined' your kingdom?" Silently, Gideon wondered if what happened here was an omen of things to come in Hoenn.[break][break]

Turning back to skyler dross and angelo vestri, he nodded his head in confirmation. If they were to go anywhere in this ruined world, a place steeped in history seemed as good as any to try and revive a fallen hero.[break][break]

"Circhester? Alright. I hope you two brought coats."[break] [break]

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[break]
• hurts his shoulder on the wall[break]
• pats urshifu in thanks[break]
• question: "what 'ruined' your kingdom?"[break]
• choosing circhester[break]
• x2 salac berries

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GIDEON GRAVES did indeed come, though it hadn’t been an easy decision to agree to the councilwoman’s meeting. [break][break]

Hesitance bit at the professor’s resolve as he waited to be guided to the LEAGUE’s official laboratories. Lingering feelings of uncertainty clung to him as he was called back, reluctance slowing his step as he crossed the threshold into the lab.[break][break]

“Councilwoman,” Dr. Graves greeted as he entered, his voice as low and devoid of inflection as usual. No hint of the doubt beneath the surface.[break][break]

“A pleasure to see you again.” A statement that was only partially true. When she’d contacted him, Penelope had hinted at her reasons for wanting to convene, and even those vague notions had been unsettling to the professor. It made him not want to linger on pleasantries.[break][break]

“I appreciate your thinking of me for this… collaboration.”

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Gunner Graves? Busy? Doing reckless work for the HBIC, probably...[break][break]

Gideon frowned slightly at Summer’s offhanded comment, but didn’t remark on it or ask her to elaborate. Their relationship was their business, after all, and not something he wanted to stick his nose into if he could help it. He’d much rather continue to eat his chicken wrap and let Summer Atreides gush about her new business ventures.[break][break]

“How exciting for you, Summer. It’s a wonderful feeling when your passions and career meet.” He congratulated, inflecting his voice with the appropriate amount of tempered enthusiasm.[break][break]

“What’s the name of the business? And have you already opened a storefront?”

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Dessert?[break][break]

Now, GIDEON GRAVES was no tepid virgin, nor a young man awaiting some fairytale soulmate. He was very much a pragmatist – one with physical needs that hadn’t been met in quite a long time. So, Elisabeth Fiorelli’s temptations were not something he could logically refuse. Not that he wanted to, anyway.[break][break]

She’d been on his mind for quite awhile now. Especially after playing her Rondez-view of Luv 18+ DLC route (a gag gift from his brother Gunner Graves). At the time Gideon couldn’t believe he’d stoop as low as playing a game with her likeness, but now the idea of her in his bed was a thought he couldn’t shake.[break][break]

There was no need to rush, of course, but no need to hold back either. [break][break]

“Dessert sounds delicious…” Gideon agreed, his low timbre brushing against her ear in kind. “How about I give you a ride home? We can pick something up on the way.”

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There were perks to working for a large institution like the National Museum of Natural History – its coffers were kept full by regular donations from wealthy patrons and grants written by dutiful academics. They had access to the latest tools and systems, too, as well as some of the best connections in the field. Which was what had brought GIDEON GRAVES and Remiel Calcifet here today.[break][break]

“Glad to be of service,” There was a proud thrum to the director’s voice. [break][break]

“Now, as far as what can be discovered here…” Besides the usual sorts of geological artifacts. “I believe this cave is known for its dense assortment of mineral veins.”[break][break]

Gideon pitched a brow Remiel’s way.[break][break]

“Do you have any experience digging those out?”

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Etiquette had been ingrained in the Graves boys since a young age. Although Gunner Graves was wont to forget his manners, Gideon rarely did. [break][break]

After waiting the appropriate amount of time, he dug into his meal as soon as she’d taken the first bite of hers, the professor’s aching hunger finally assuaged after a hectic morning of poster judging and academic presentations.[break][break]

“I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the masquerade, and I’d love to have you back in the future. If you’re able to schedule a time in advance, let me know, and I can arrange tickets and a guided tour.” A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “If you’d like, of course. Gunner is more than welcome to come as well.”[break][break]

With his invitation extended, Gideon focused in on her contribution to the conversation. [break][break]

“A new type of business, you say? And what sort is that?”

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“Considering your love of myths...” Gideon began to explain, a dull twinkle in his eye.[break][break]

“...I felt the best appointment for you would be in the historical documents section.” This was a unique area of the Collections that was cordoned off from the rest of the spacious cabinet-filled floor. The documents within were climate-controlled in their own specialized racks to maintain their integrity long-term. memphis evren would learn the procedures for handling such fragile artifacts, as well as their context within history and how to label them as such.[break][break]

“Here we are.” The director stopped before the double doors leading into Dr. Dumas’ domain. He was the head of this particular archival department and already expecting them to arrive around this time.

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