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Man, he really needed to get more hours outside the museum if he wasn't considered outdoorsy anymore. Gideon's college years out doing fieldwork every other day were apparently far behind him.[break][break]

"You just haven't seen me in my waders yet." The professor assured with a short laugh, good-humoredly nudging Eduardo Hisakawa in his own arm. [break][break]

Laugh lines eased back into a warm, buzzed smile as GIDEON GRAVES then listened to the other man explain his hobbies (or lack thereof). As he did, Gideon couldn't help but think how easygoing and personable Eddie was — and what a stark contrast this was to their initial meeting.[break][break]

He still remembered the fear and skepticism he'd felt when Eddie had first mentioned the DRK Triad. Now though? He was quite enjoying the soldier's company.[break][break]

But maybe that was just the whiskey talking.[break][break]

"It sounds like you deserve it. And everyone needs a break now and again," Said the workaholic hypocrite. "As for where...? Hmmmm..."[break][break]

After turning in his chair to retrieve his phone from his coat pocket, Gideon then leaned in so that Eddie could easily see the screen — close enough that that their shoulders touched. Unlocking the device opened it to the briefest glimpse of a text message from ollie morales, but the professor immediately clicked away from that to bring up a search engine. [break][break]

"There's a primitive campground I like to go to outside of Oldale Town. It's in a heavily forested area and pretty secluded for how close to town it is. Plus! There's a river nearby if you like to fish."[break][break]

A quick search brought the campground onto the screen, including images and reviews from past campers.

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Ringed in low, moody light and appearing only the slightest bit fuzzy in GIDEON GRAVES's vision, Eduardo Hisakawa was definitely making a better impression than he had at the museum. Just the fact that he was indulging Gideon's interest in cocktails earned him a few brownie points.[break][break]

"Two Sazeracs, please." [break][break]

Just a touch of sweetness, a slight herbal edge, a hint of spice. It was a very whiskey-forward drink while still being pleasant to sip.[break][break]

"This is one of the older Unovan cocktails, originally created by a Kalosian transplant who imported a brand of cognac named Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils." Gideon explained, his Kalosian accent not at all convincing.[break][break]

It was an offhanded history lesson, given just before the drinks hit the bar top. If Eddie hadn't already noticed by now, the professor was somewhat of a blabbermouth when he was drunk. His usual inhibitions were nowhere to be found.[break][break]

Perhaps that was why he was so open in answering the soldier's question.[break][break]

"On occasion, if the company is right," Gideon readjusted slightly in his seat as he said this, unconsciously leaning closer just as Eddie had. It was a necessary thing, anyway, as the background noise in the bar was starting to pick up.[break][break]

"But honestly, while I enjoy working in the lab and with the public, whenever I get a free moment I run straight for the middle of nowhere."[break][break]

Being cooped up for hours on end, while unavoidable at times, made the soul weary in his estimation. [break][break]

He took a big sip of his drink, as if thinking about all the work he had to do renewed his need for liquid refreshment.[break][break]

"There's just something about the outdoors that gives you that — release, you know? Your shoulders go slack, you let out a big breath you didn't know you were holding."[break][break]

The professor sounded almost wistful in his description. As he spoke, his eyes were level with Eddie's and his inflection was earnest in its sincerity.[break][break]

"And you? What do you do outside of sleuthing your way into museum basements?" Another teasing grin, another sip of his Sazerac.

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GIDEON GRAVES put on a dubious half-smile as their bartender slid a new glass in front of him. He initially eyed Eduardo Hisakawa with faux-skepticism, but after taking his first long sip, however, he immediately melted into obvious approval.[break][break]

His free hand rose to his temple, fingers bursting apart as he pantomimed his mind being blown.[break][break]

"Alright then, you weren't lying. This is pretty good, Eddie. Sweeter than I was expecting, but not in a bad way." The professor took another sip for good measure, emphasizing his pleasure. Everything about him pointed to that base emotion, in fact — dilated pupils, flushed neck, warmed words. [break][break]

The feeling was freeing, as it always was.[break][break]

"I have quite a few favorite labels, actually, depending on the liquor. Ballantine's for whiskey, by the way." He added quickly with a brief wink.[break][break]

"But I prefer mixed drinks, honestly," You could play with the flavors a little bit more. Enhance what was already there with a basic alcohol, elevate it to new heights.[break][break]

"Can I suggest a cocktail for our next one?" The professor asked, already mentally opening the extensive catalogue of cocktails he kept tucked away in its own personal nook in his memory.[break][break]

"Any liquor you want. I'm sure I've got something you'll like." [break][break]

In the meantime he'd continue to nurse his glass of Four Roses.

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GIDEON GRAVES's body stiffened upon hearing Tempest Quinn's booming voice. None too friendly, that much was obvious. Probably wasn't intending to lend a hand with the tire, either.[break][break]

Brave face. Even tone. Disarm, disengage.[break][break]

"I do, though it's not the best." Gideon admitted, pushing himself up from the ground and onto his feet. His SLOWKING did the same while watching the other man's chittering EEVEE with a suspicious eye. [break][break]

"The damage isn't too bad. A quick tire change and it'll be good as new. I even have a spare in the back," He hitched his thumb toward the trunk of the vehicle.[break][break]

"Shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes."

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GIDEON GRAVES's head snapped up in alarm as soon as he heard a voice from the gloom. When had this odd mist rolled in? [break][break]

"No." Was his immediate, icy response to the man who approached. [break][break]

Everything in his body told Gideon to run. That this was no innocent encounter. There was something off about this stranger, and the Pokémon by his side was even worse. What was that intense aura? [break][break]

"I'm simply conducting Pokémon surveys," Keep your cool, Gideon inwardly warned himself. "I was just finishing up, actually. I'll be on my way now..."[break][break]

As casual as he could be despite his nerves, the professor moved to leave.
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"Focus, Ollie." The professor chided, but it was a soft admonishment. He didn't even brush the petal from his hair.[break][break]

GIDEON GRAVES knew that his friend was a professional, no matter his carefree demeanor during these dark times. He was here, after all, helping with Gideon's studies and relief efforts.[break][break]

While the region and its inhabitants were living through a tumultuous time, Gideon also worried about how the wildlife was affected.[break][break]

How have the recent skirmishes displaced the local Pokémon? If Petalburg's near-destruction wasn't enough, now the surrounding areas were being affected by the conflict.[break][break]

"Nowhere is completely safe right now. We need to be careful."

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"Hm?" A familiar voice and a flash of orange drew Gideon's attention to the seat at his left. "Ah, hey there!"[break][break]

There was an inviting, whiskey-warmed thrum to his voice that was distinctly absent from their initial meeting. In fact, GIDEON GRAVES's entire countenance had eased into something more relaxed, more disarming.[break][break]

Okay, maybe he was already two Old Fashioneds into the night and feeling pretty good.[break][break]

"It's one of my favorites," Picking up the tumbler, Gideon rolled his wrist so that the small amount of amber liquid still left in the glass twinkled in the low light.[break][break]

"But I'm ready for it to be upstaged. You made big promises on this bourbon, after all." [break][break]

Was that a teasing lilt to the professor's tone? It had to be, because it matched perfectly with his wide grin.

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GIDEON GRAVES was no ranger like ollie morales. No soldier like Eduardo Hisakawa. [break][break]

But he still wanted to help, at least in some small way, like he had recently at the crisis surrounding Sea Mauville. Rendezvousing with Ollie and patrolling together seemed like a small baby step toward that goal. [break][break]

He was close to their agreed meeting spot... right?[break][break]

Pulling up his ROTOM tablet, the professor attempted to align his current coordinates with the location he was supposed to meet ollie morales.

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Unfortunate circumstances were abound as of late. In Hoenn, in GIDEON GRAVES's life.[break][break]

A flat tire saw him stranded on the side of a desolate road in the middle of Route 104. He'd been meaning to hurry through the area, knowing that the territory had been under dispute. Trying to go down alternate routes would have made his trip exorbitantly longer. Surely nothing would happen, right?[break][break]

"Proteus, why am I such an idiot sometimes?" He asked his SLOWKING after gently lobbing its DIVE BALL — a token of his days in Alola, where he'd captured the Pokémon as a juvenile SLOWPOKE — near the rear of the vehicle.[break][break]

"Help me get this changed? We need to be quick."[break][break]

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Eduardo Hisakawa's harrowing tale about a rogue DRK TRIAD member had made GIDEON GRAVES curious. Morbidly so, apparently. The RKS System had piqued his interest before, but never enough to venture in, even when it had been opened to lower levels of LEAGUE personnel. [break][break]

He knew he probably shouldn't dabble in such matters. To tempt fate again risked courting death — and he'd only narrowly escaped that outcome once already. [break][break]

Yet... Hoenn's woes weighed heavily on his mind as of late. The region was in turmoil. War, destruction, a fragmented populace. Things had changed so much over the past few years.[break][break]

How could he help? He wasn't strong like Gunner Graves. Not a charismatic leader like ollie morales. Not a visionary like Naomi Sato, who sacrificed herself for the betterment of the many.[break][break]

But he had his mind. He'd always had his mind. By being here, could he piece together information overlooked by others? Conjure some breakthrough that could aid against the likes of ROCKET and the DRK TRIAD?[break][break]

Was that her motivation for being here, too?[break][break]

"Naomi...?"

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