"Old man?" Gideon echoed, mocking incredulity. "You say the word and we'll see who wins the race back to the car."

The professor's confidence wasn't a bluff. Despite his excessive time spent indoors, he was a broadly-framed and attractively-toned man. Routinely hiking up and down mountains on top of regular exercise guaranteed a certain level of fitness.

He was sure he could beat Gunner, who held an office job with minimal need for extended endurance. Little did Gideon know of his brother's actual career and it's strenuous physical requirements...

Gideon would probably be left in the dust if they did actually race.

"Yes, I'm glad to hear that the children were unharmed," He replied, his eyebrows knitting as he formulated his next question. "But do you think prison is where he needs to be? As you said, he's likely unwell. Is there an alternative for mentally ill perpetrators?"

A flash of lavender in his peripheral vision momentarily caught Gideon's attention.

"Gorgeous..." He lifted his camera to his eye.

Resting on the trunk of a nearby oak tree was a large, periwinkle lepidopteran. VENOMOTH were a nocturnal species and not usually found so exposed during the daytime. This was obviously a mature specimen - perhaps past it's prime? Which wasn't really saying much, as these insects were known to have short lifespans.

Still, it would be a beautiful addition to the Insectarium for as long as it continued to live. With it already being asleep, Gideon simply threw a Poké Ball without the need for his Pokémon's intervention.

catching VENOMOTH ♡
Gunner Graves
[poison/bug/grass]
outfit check

☉

In his periphery he saw the pen fly. Heard it land on his book with a soft, metallic click.

From Gideon's perspective, it all seemed rather purposeful. What were the odds that she'd lose control of her pen as soon as he sat down?

His umber eyes slid to the edge of his vision, but his head didn't immediately turn from the window. Instead he watched for a moment or two, his gaze traveling from the pen, up her outstretched arm, and landing on the woman's pleasant face.

In comparison, most would call his usual expression severe. Lacking in emotion, unsettlingly blank. Some would even go so far as to say he looked perpetually annoyed. A serious case of resting bitch face, to be sure. And yet with the slightest smirk his countenance changed entirely; it became clear that Gideon found humor in this little gesture of hers, not annoyance.

His face shifted forward, facing her now. A hand went toward his book as if he were about to open it, but instead picked up the pen she had volleyed over before she could do it herself.

Gideon then extended his own arm and offered it to her, their fingers lightly touching during the exchange.

Elisabeth Fiorelli
mission: PUTTING ON A FRONT

☉

It was late and, by all accounts, Gideon should have been one of the several patrons currently walking out the door. He'd had a long day in the lab and definitely could have used the few hours of extra sleep that would have come from going straight home.

And yet here he was, nursing a citrine-colored cocktail at one of his favorite public houses, The Barbary Pyroar.

There was just something about winding down with a good drink after a stressful day that was too enticing to pass up.

Not only that, but the prospect of good company too. Speaking of...

"John!" The weight of the man's arms fell onto Gideon's shoulders. He shifted around to look at his friend, a thin-lipped smile on his face.

"Ahh, caught red-handed." Gideon chuckled lowly, playing along.

His umber eyes followed John as he slid into the seat beside him.

"Since my scheming seems to have worked out, let's get you that drink," He called the bartender over with the slight wave of his hand. "I promise you'll love this one."

Did it look like John needed another drink? Absolutely not, he was obviously plastered.

Still, they'd done this enough times that Gideon knew he'd inevitably be taking the man home anyway. Might as well enjoy their time together and savor the night before it came to an close.

john nelson

☉

"Everything looks in order."

Spoken as he combed through an itemized inventory, Gideon didn't even look up from the sheet of paper in his hands. He instead focused his attention on the cargo crates that angelo vestri had just delivered. They contained artifacts that needed to be analyzed within the lab before being put on display. Some were even designated to be off-exhibit because of their scientific importance and need for further study.

It was an impressive feat to get all of it here, within Gideon's laboratory, unharmed and intact. Recognition that deserved to be given aloud.

"Thank you again for your excellent work, Mr. Vestri."

Here he raised his gaze to make contact with the pilot's own. Coupled with an outstretched palm meant to be given as an appreciative handshake, Gideon made sure his contentment with their business transaction was known. He'd definitely be contracting out Angelo's services again at a later date.

angelo vestri

☉

The sanctity of a library was one of Gideon's most favored domains. It lacked the rigid sterility of a lab, the pomp of a crowded museum. It was a cozy retreat for those in want of respite and the quiet acquisition of knowledge.

This library in particular - within his own university - had been his home for countless mornings, afternoons, and evenings. It was comfortable. Familiar. Every inch recognizable, unassuming, and predictable. He felt he could point and name any of the tomes on the 5th floor, where the shelves were lined with mostly STEM-focused works.

Today, however, an anomaly appeared.

The subtle fragrance was the first thing that caught the professor's attention. Amidst the huddle of sleep and shower-deprived students was a lingering, floral aroma. Not an artificial scent, as would be expected.

No, real roses. Adorned like a cascading crown on the head of a golden-haired woman.

His gaze lingered on her for longer than he would normally allow. After a moment too long, Gideon cleared his throat and turned away. She was here to work, after all, not to be ogled by the faculty.

He had work to do, too. A copy A History of Zoonoses and Sapronoses was soon located and plucked from the shelves. It was a hefty volume and annoyingly unwieldy to try and open and peruse standing up, so Gideon scanned the tables for an open spot to sit.

As fate would have it, there was only one open seat at the table across from the golden-haired woman.

On his way to claim the spot he passed by her, his umber eyes catching on some of the key words written in her notes. It peaked a fleeting moment of curiosity within him, but nothing more.

Gideon sat, but did not immediately move to open his book. Instead, his gaze shifted outward toward the window, where he appraised the university grounds and the sprawling city beyond.

Elisabeth Fiorelli
mission: PUTTING ON A FRONT

☉

Gunner's words evoked a long-forgotten moment in time from the depths of Gideon's subconscious. The memory drew a small smile onto his face.

"I do." He replied lowly, leaning back and balling his hands in his lap.

"Those were simpler times." Before he'd loved and then lost. Before the bitter divorce. Before the burden of responsibility weighed so heavy on his shoulders.

When he could just run free with his brother, causing juvenile mischief in the hills of Fallarbor.

"Grandma was quite the spitfire, wasn't she? I was always surprised she passed on before Grandad." When that happened it was as if the light had left the old man's world. He didn't linger much longer after his wife's death.

At the time, Gideon had been distraught to lose them both in such quick succession.

Now it just seemed merciful in a way.

Gunner Graves
mission: AUTUMN'S OMINOUS WIND

☉

As Gunner spoke, CRISPR fluttered onward and eventually ran into another Bug-type Pokémon. This particular WHIRLIPEDE, like most of it's species, was rather quiet and preferred being left alone. Unfortunately for her, Gideon's VIVILLON was an apparent chatterbox.

"That sounds quite enjoyable." Gideon threw his sibling a dubious look. "Very lowkey, actually. Are you starting to slow down in your old age?"

His mouth cracked into a thin-lipped smirk.

"And here I thought I was the elder brother."

He chuckled at his own joke.

A moment a levity that preceded a dimmer topic.

"Mm. That is," He paused, taking a moment to choose an apt descriptor. "Odd." What more could be said?

Gideon was more than familiar with the myriad genetic disorders that could cause someone to act so strangely. Perhaps the kidnapper was afflicted with Wilson's disease? Huntington's? Von Hippel-Lindau? The list could go on. There were so many conditions that could alter a person's temperament to be outside societal norms.

But he was not here to diagnose. Only to lend an ear.

"What ended up happening to the man?"

catching WHIRLIPEDE ♡
Gunner Graves
[poison/bug/grass]
outfit check

☉

Their appraisals went both ways, it seemed. While she formed her own opinions of him, the professor did the same of skyler dross. In their few hours together he'd already started a mental note on his thoughts concerning the seafaring captain. There he catalouged several decriptors:

Professional. Self-assured. In her element. As of now, Gideon was impressed with the service she had provided thus far.

Then again, they were just about to get to their main objective. Things could change.

"Yes," Gideon replied above the din of the ocean. "The excavation team will be on-site to help transfer the specimens to the ship."

He paused, adjusting his stance and folding his arms behind his back.

"These particular fossils have been reported to weigh several tons. I'm sure there will be Psychic-type Pokémon present to ease the burden of transport."

skyler dross

☉

Gideon sat beside his brother in an unassuming cemetery on the outskirts of Fallarbor Town.

His hair was uncharacteristically messy this evening. Not styled, billowing in the strong autumnal breeze. Contact lenses had been forwent for simple square-rimmed glasses. There was no need for pristine appearances here, after all.

Not at the resting place of their paternal grandparents.

"... How long has it been now?" He asked Gunner Graves, trying to think back to the last memory of them all together.

The granite bench upon which they sat, nestled beside their family's headstones, had long since lost its luster. Instead, lichen had largely overtaken the stony façade, obscuring the name chiseled across its front.

GRAVES.

Gunner Graves
mission: AUTUMN'S OMINOUS WIND

☉

Their first stop for observation was a nearby public park, managed by the city of Slateport. It was neither the largest nor the most pristine park within the city, but it was still considered "pretty" by most of the public. Gideon, however, didn't exactly view it that way.

Whichever city planner had taken on the job of designing the park apparently did not have a degree in science or engineering. There was a central pond as the main feature of the park where a concrete path had been constructed around it - unfortunately, in order for parkgoers to view the water, many of the plants and vegetation had been ripped from the water's edge.

This had lead to heavy erosion of the pond's banks. Already there were areas where the concrete path was in danger of falling into the water. It was a hazard that could have been avoided entirely if the area's natural plants had been left intact.

Still. The park did have it's merits. It provided habitat for some urban species that would otherwise not exist in the urban sprawl of Slateport City. One such species was KARRABLAST, a specimen of which hung around in the shallow waters in front of Gideon.

He gestured for his VIVILLON to use SLEEP POWDER on the insect before attempting to capture it. It would make a good candidate for the museum's Insectarium.

catching KARRABLAST ♡
[normal/bug/fairy]

☉

At his brother's request, Gideon didn't immediately respond and instead watched as the other's QUILAVA went to work. Once the excitement of the capture subsided, he then spoke up, sounding both a little tired and excited all at once.

"Everyday operations, of course. Long-term planning and fiscal health. Maintenance of and acquisition for the collections. I oversee any research that's conducted at the museum, too." When spoken aloud the list seemed incredibly long. And yet, it all came so easily for someone like GIDEON GRAVES. "Things like that."

Here he paused again. Apparently startled by the sounds of the TOXICROAK's capture, a MEGANIUM appeared from behind a swath of tree limbs, looking worried about the presence of the two humans. Again, Gideon nodded for his VIVILLON to float over and render the Pokémon unconscious before lofting a Poké Ball its way.

"What about you, Gunner? What have you been up to?"

catching MEGANIUM ♡
Gunner Graves
[poison/bug/grass]
outfit check

☉