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The announcement rings in her ears. Genny is on her feet, and following the way for Sector 2. This was her first real Gym experience, so as her and Uzi made their way through the facility, following the very useful signage, now appearing at the sector, or in other words, the DRIFT HIGHWAY. It looked interesting. Josh was always a rider-type of person, and this was his bread and butter.[break][break]

Seeing all the Gym Trainers, with a wave, the usual correspondence to their greetings, she finally gets a moment to respond to Josh. "It has, Josh!" Big smile as it always was, she introduces her new friend. "This is Jacuzzi. He'll be helping me today!" With the mow, now meant to be a call towards Kairi, the Vaporeon looked ready to go![break][break]

With that, the explanation came. Genny made sure to listen to Josh closely.[break][break]

The arch was the starting line, with the monitor giving a four count. On the fourth, they run. Three laps. No usage of speed-based moves on the first lap. Beat Josh, or come first or second. Sounds easy enough, save for the competition. A Barraskewda, a Sharpedo, and a Kingdra to match the dual Vaporeon. Definitely some heavy contenders here.[break][break]

Genny's prepared though, as she, herself, gets in the water. "Understood! I think we can manage under those rules!" she remarks, a flex of her arm to reveal a tiny bit of muscle beneath the wetsuit. She's confident in her capability to win here.[break][break]

Uzi mews and hops in the water herself, the duo together, as Genny hangs off a safety harness. In the water, Uzi wasn't particularly fast, but with a lot of dorsel fin control, she could show that her lack of speed meant little.[break][break]

The turns on this course seem generous enough. A long drift in the water isn't possible so much, but vertical movement may prove handy.[break][break]

Her mind is already ablaze with strategy. She was a natural, without the defensive know-how. But today, she would forge herself through the torrent. She'll make Melody Miro proud. First win, she'd call the Elite Four member happily.[break][break]

Fire burns in her eyes, as she approaches the starting line, now holding onto Jacuzzi's sides with her two hands. "You got this, Uzi. I believe in you." The Vaporeon's confident smile shines back.[break][break]

She'll get that phone call, so help her.

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Thomas' arrival spooks Genny, causing her a small jump, before settling back down to earth below. And with it, positivity, troubled as it was, pushes through with a little more upturn to her smile. It was nice to meet new people(ish), even if they had been acquainted recently under... less than positive means.[break][break]

"Oh right, you're... Thomas, right?"[break][break]

It takes a moment to remember that incident, but at least they met under better circumstance. "I'm-" Troubled? She can't really say that, nor does she want to. But she doesn't want to lie either. "Busy as always! You?" A little shaky after the case of the whole alien cryptid thing... and the war on Route 105.[break][break]

She still is trying to push through that.[break][break]

Time to flex a little of the dossier of what they knew. "Not so much blind, as unprepared. There's reason to believe a species of Electric types have nested somewhere nearby, causing an electrical disturbance. While there's no one on duty that went to go scope it out, my money is on a nest of Joltik. They have a tendency to hang near power supplies like wall outlets." It's not too far-fetched to consider that, in Genny's mind, and being so tiny they would be hard to see without a swarm. It was also the most likely culprit.[break][break]

Most of the generators that would be out of the way were easy to swarm like that, though Genny felt uncertain if that would be the end result. Perhaps there was a more human element?[break][break]

Better not to think about that now...

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With the confirmation of the handshake, and excited even more, despite the embarrassment of the whole swamp happening, it let her forget that. Upon mention of Desiree and Thomas, Genny's eyes widen. "Oh! Right, I remember! Desi spoke with you a lot!" Drat! She should have not been kidnapped and taken by that weird toxic chain![break][break]

With a sheepish, exasperated sigh, her other hand rubs her neck. While she'd only met Thomas recently... "Seems like every time Desi and I run into each other, something is always going down..." And to be fair, that's not untrue. The war made things really difficult a lot of the time.[break][break]

But onto happier notes.[break][break]

"Likewise though!" she accepts the smile, and offers it back, putting that weird cryptid stuff to bed, at least for now. "Are you enjoying the faire? It's my first one, admittedly!" inquires the Ranger, an lent ear for woes if not, and excitement if so. Seeing all the people around, dressed and enjoying themselves, it did seem like a success for the faire itself.[break][break]

Individually, she wondered.

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The cold wind whips through the gym as the door opens. Navy, his massive ice horse Glastrier (of which pulls at a heartstring in her for some reason), and a blade at their side. Genny is up now, tracing over the Pokemon in her presence now, with the Lycanroc towering behind her. Wander was a guard dog, through and through, and to Navy's compliment, her tongue lazily sticks out her mouth, as she gives a pleased growl. "Good afternoon, Sheriff." Her sunshine is back, though hidden beneath it an edge of something new stirring within, a fraction of a moment before Navy's entrance in.[break][break]

"Her name is Wander. She was with me for a mission to save the dogs. She was smaller back then though." She ruffles the Lycanroc, and despite their size, Wander was still just an overgrown puppy. A golden retriever in the form of a bipedal monstrous wolf.[break][break]

Complete with leg scratching herself at the ruffle.[break][break]

Genny was here for another reason though. When Navy reveals Dragonslayer, her eyes focus on them a spell, a moment to push ahead and extend a hand, but chooses to retract it for a bow. She'd heard about the scarves of Honedge and their line; the unique ability that draining property has.[break][break]

Which is why, when the next Honedge comes close to her, hazel eyes meet the standard blue scarf.[break][break]

Not only had this been out of her wheelhouse, it wasn't even in the ballpark. She could handle Ghost types, though not as easily as she liked. But it was Steel and Ghost typed, wasn't it? A deadly combination. And...[break][break]

A challenge. "I look forward to our partnership then... once I get a name for you, that is." There's an exuberance to her spirit. Even if she wasn't good at it, Navy did say to put herself out of her comfort zone.[break][break]

That's exactly what she'll do.[break][break]

Reaching into her own bag for a little egg warmer, she places it down on the chair before her, Wander immediately staring at it, and sniffing it. "You just said you had a Lycanroc... I know you said Rock Types are some of your favorite. Wander's a mom now too, so... would you look after them?" She holds the egg warmer out, a smile on her face. Navy was the best choice for this decision, after all. And-[break][break]

The guilt of letting so many Pokemon die had her think the better option for a baby was the trained professional to nurture their growth.

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With that response, the vibrance cycles from her and back to Genny, and it has the fiery redhead's grin widening even more now. Yeah, she knew it! Hisui! She didn't know much about it, being born in Galar, brought up in Alola, and living in Hoenn, but she'd heard of it. Certain ancient species of Pokemon, or evolutions lost to time were appearing left and right![break][break]

Seeing the much brighter woman before her only has Genny happier that she was able to at least have her get excited. Though when the question came out about the Fortree Swamps... her hand moves to her face. "Eheh... yup. Captured, found out about the ship, and-" Blue can see the uncomfortable facial expression on Genny, the little Mudkip rubbing her cheek on Genny's to make her feel better.[break][break]

An embarrassing day of weakness she did not wish to go over again. The distraction, appreciated.[break][break]

An outstretched hand to change subjects. "Genevieve Cromwell. Senior... no, Elite Ranger of Lilycove. Call me Genny! It's a pleasure to meet you!" She's back to being sunshine and gumdrops. No need to feel awful about something in the past like that. No siree. This was a place of fun!

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Holidays are a helluva time of year. While her recent promotion to Elite Ranger has come with its own perks, this isn't exactly what she had in mind for her work. In such a higher position now, Genny finds paperwork to constantly flood her desk. She's getting higher pay, and that part is nice. Enough disposable income to buy holiday gifts for friends.[break][break]

Only one issue. Guess what it is? Yeah. Despite being on vacay, she's called to active duty. Head to the outskirts of Slateport and figure out what is going on with the generators that help provide power around.[break][break]

She had been looking for the perfect presents. That has to wait now. She really has grown jaded and cynical as of late.[break][break]

Still. This doesn't have to be a bad thing. Another person was going to join her, figuring out the whereabouts of the Slateport power outage. It'd be a little troubling to do it on her own, but at least with two, this can be done in half the time.[break][break]

Scrolling through her phone, she mentions. "Let's see... Desi, Yuina, Momo, Julie, Ollie, Melody... Josh, Izzy, Lammy, Ikarus, Navy, Paxton, Shion..." she's reciting names of people she's getting gifts for. A super stacked holiday season. She's not even one gift in. Deflating quietly, and eyeing the snowfall from above, all she can do is grab at the bridge of her nose.[break][break]

"What am I going to do...?"

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They always do say the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Ready or not, that led Genny here. Walking with one of her newer friends, Jacuzzi. Uzi, for short. The duo had done their morning routine, and things had changed so much in these few months. Genny's body felt more lean. That's what swimming in a Lilycove pool does to the body, and Jacuzzi showed expert mobility in the waves.[break][break]

And here, upon an invite, Genny would be seated down, Uzi placing his head and napping on her legs. Genny, in a wetsuit uncharacteristic to her, but one more meant for the winter. It was getting colder, and a swimsuit was nice but... she'd get a cold.[break][break]

The first step always was the hardest. But Genny would show how far she had come.

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Circhester, Galar - December

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Circhester was every bit as beautiful as it was always meant to be. Homecoming to this place after a long vacation, Genevieve had her hazel eyes take it all in. All the snow that fills the pavement, the ice, the chill and cold... it felt like home. The real home, not just a memory by that interdream mist.[break][break]

Hotel Ionia was nice enough to lend two rooms thanks to her Ranger trip, and Genny would find herself gazing out at the city more times than not when they weren't doing anything...[break][break]

Right. They.[break][break]

With her, Isaac Merlo and her had made the promise to come see this place one day. And that day was now. Here, at the edge of it all, Genny felt herself lackadaisically relax. Because ever since a talk with Navy at Route 105, she's been off her feet more.[break][break]

December isn't a depressing month to Genny. She doesn't get that seasonal depression, but a lot of thoughts swirl her mind. Some good, some bad. She tries her best to push them off to the side. A warm meal her, a ski slash snowboard day there through the ice and snow. Ignoring the issue only made it follow. Looking the other way just had it creep to her vision.[break][break]

Still, she puts on a brave face. A smile for Izzy. But one filled with questions, uncertainty, anxiety. At least Isaac always seemed to have it together...[break][break]

Until.[break][break][break][break]

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Until the snow piled on.[break][break]

That morning, there was a power outage. Apparently, there was a massive snowstorm that hit Circhester. No power. The generators cut on for the hotel, but a passerby lets them know; minimal power usage for now till their technicians can get it fixed.[break][break]

Laying in bed on the second day... Genny has her phone to her face, covers pulled up at the text message she had.[break][break]

G: It's really cold! -shivering Charmander emoji-

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Dewford Town, Hoenn - December

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It's been awhile since those battles at Route 105. Long time, really. So much blood, needlessly slaughtered and thrown about. So many graves to be dug for the fallen. So few victories afforded to the weak. The ocean is peaceful today, with an afternoon sun that tries to light the canvas of the island town.[break][break]

Genny liked this town. Always had. Reminded her the closest of home. A little smaller than Hau-oli, but this wasn't Alola anymore.[break][break]

Today, she's meeting with Navy again. Walking into the Gym, this nice-sized blue building, Genny can see the interior walls looking of a child's drawings of dragons and beasts. Something that the redhead remarks as some of the most precious she had seen. The memory of herself when she was a kid, drawing Pokemon too.[break][break]

Outstretched towards that waiting room wall, she traces fingers over a stray Tyranitar, a smile combing her lips upwards... that memory resurfacing in her mind's eye. Mom! Look, I made a Lars-va-tar! she would tell her mother, so young and full of innocence. Captivated by the wave of emotion that innocence had given.[break][break]

Finding herself in a singular seat, Genny pats down her pants, dying up the hair she had into her ponytail. What a pleasant place... popping from her Pokeball, a massive red wolf hulks onto the floor. Red eyes peer at everyone nearby, shoulders sag lazily with a yawn. One of Genny's oldest companions, and most exhausted. Wander.[break][break]

She could sense some tears, and came to check on Genny, who just shoots her a smile. The loyal guard dog seats herself down best she can sit, not intending to leave Genny to her lonesome.[break][break]

Cold loneliness doesn't suit the sunshine.

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The local renaissance faire! It's not so local, being far as Fortree City and all, but it's not like it's as far as it would be if she still lived in Slateport. And boy, Genny was excited! She'd never really been! Between Alolan festivals, or the few events here in Hoenn she did go to, it was a breath of fresh air![break][break]

She definitely turned a few heads, between the striking black feathery cowl, or the starry underside, she definitely caught attention. It's a costume she's renting, but how could she resist?[break][break]

Lot of long flowy dresses, or fancy coats, very accustomed to the fair. Genny didn't want to be one in the crowd, and a little spice never hurt anyone. But... she did feel out of place. Just a smidge. Walking with her Mudkip on her shoulder, little Blue would meep out herself at it...[break][break]

No. Wait. She was pointing someone out?[break][break]

Having walked the grounds, and eventually seeing a familiar sight, Genny sees a very historically accurate interpretation of the faire-goers. "That's..." Isn't that Sinnoh-attire? No wait, it wasn't named Sinnoh before, right? It was... oh what was it? It's on the tip of her tongue.[break][break]

Now standing in front of her, her fist bops into an open palm, the lightbulb finally shining and blinking. "Hisui!" She says so openly towards the other... not realizing she says it out loud... attracting attention to herself and the brunette here.[break][break]

And Genny doesn't back down at all. No embarrassment. She's just smiling towards the brunette before her.

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