[attr="class","icon"]

The redhead nodded along with his words. She certainly knew that no two Pokemon were the same, and she understood the importance of persistence. But it also seemed underhanded to force the antisocial into close quarters. “I—I can get why they would think less of me.” Her posture and general demeanor oozed nervousness. “I am pretty sure an ill-tempered Ducklett could be my undoing.” Then again, they could summon tsunamis.[break][break]

Aubre hesitates a moment after Alexei takes off. She takes a deep breath to ground herself, attempting to ground her anxiety in reality. The fatality rate on this rate was non-existent. “You can do this.” There were multiple Pokemon here to catch her if something went awry. Quit being scared. You used to live in the saddle, A hand lifts to squeeze the Dragonite’s shoulder. With a snort, Marcus invites her abroad. Her feet slide into the stirrups as the second Dragonite rockets after the first.[break][break]

At the talk of justification, the redhead is quick to nod. Now that her stomach has come back down, there’s a surprising sense of calm. Sure, this course would feel like an eternity, but she knew it’d be over in minutes. Maybe she’d count if it got to be too much. “I see.” As he spoke, the redhead took a moment to ponder the course before her. “It makes sense. And it seems to fit you, somehow.” Her hands circled her pommel as they came to the front line. Though the doctor speaks to him, her next words brim with self-admonishment. “Probably because you designed it.” [break][break]

She’d watched countless videos of this course—all the public ones she’d found. Aubre had spent time digesting what she found and playing with her strategies. Ways she could dodge these bullet seeds. Options that’d let her play around the rules. But, as Alexei took off, all she knew was her mouth was dry. Let’s do this.

“Marcus!” The reins gave a timid smack as the Dragonite joined the gym leader in the warzone.

_T1RHToa

[attr="class","bottom"]
Alexei Ivanov[break]

[attr="class","credit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cloud-moon"]

[attr="class","icon"]

The redhead’s cheeks pinkened. Sure, it was just turning her own words back on her, but it felt special somehow. It’d been a while since someone—outside of family—smiled when she walked in. “Well, not too soon I hope.” Realizing that might be misinterpreted, she lifted a hand in pause. The gesture itself was awkward. “I mean—not because I do not want to see you, of course. I’m a doctor, so if you see me, well…” People rarely took their Pokemon to a center for fun.
[break][break]

His explanation earned a nod. It was a sound plan—one she felt stupid for overlooking. “Go ahead.” Though no order came, Serena moved to stand next to the Grimmsnarl again. Aubre steps forward. Her hand hovers just behind them, as if a gesture can help. “Just be careful, all right? That thing could tear your fingers off.” With a nod, the Swampert began to pull. Inch by inch, the door cranked forward. The now frozen gears—shrunk—skipped past one another. “Pert!” A final heave set the door into their alcove. A webbed hand ushered the two inside.
[break][break]

At the noises, Aubre turned to face the street. Her heart pounded in her chest, almost drowning out Dylan’s words. “You want to stay out—no.” The redhead protested. “There’s no reason to—” Alastor grabbed her hand. Scaly fingers squeezed it. “Lilisk.” This soft, sad statement needed no translation. That was what he called Michaela. “No, I have to—!-”
[break][break]

The Skeledirge burst into being. Its shadowy, billowing body seemed more smoke than fire. Its eyes—so dark—made her shudder. The doctor retreated. Though, this was due more to the flaming crocodile than any desire to run. “Just—I can help. Please.”
[break][break]
She wanted to help. You’re no help to anyone. Aubre shook her head. I can’t just let him do this. A spark from Alastor sent her reeling back behind the door. A shared glance between Alastor and the Swampert followed. A broad arm shoved her trainer inside as the Grimmsnarl followed. The door closed. Inside, a dimly lit light flared to life. The door reeled shut again.
[break][break]

At the room’s center, something drew breath. Something blue, red, and broken. Tears sprang to her eyes as she approached the automaton. “Arceus…”

[attr="class","bottom"]
dylan sayer[break]

[attr="class","credit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cloud-moon"]

[attr="class","icon"]

As Aubre fell backward, she cast a panicked glance at Noah. The man’s words seemed premature—like calling a tied race before the finish line. His almost running her over doesn’t help. Can you not jinx it?!. Those green eyes said. But she didn’t have long to focus on that. Her Kabutop’s clanging scythes drew her eyes to the kaiju. [break][break]

The Nidoran chirped, “Ran!” Aubre’s nervous lips curve upward into a smile. As it returned to its parents, she shouted, “You’re welcome!” Then, a pause followed. What if it gets infected?! Don’t just leave it at that! Fieldwork made it really hard to follow up. So, she had to get it all out now. “Try to keep it clean, all right?” The Nidoking grumbled. She hoped it was agreement. It was hard to tell sometimes.[break][break]


Judging by Roman’s relaxation, it certainly wasn’t a threat.[break][break]

“!?” Aubre jumped at the sudden intrusion into her personal space. Part of it was all the thoughts of being eaten. The rest stemmed from the sensitivity of her back. Sure, it always hurt, but drawing attention to it made it hard to ignore. Quit acting like a buffoon. He’s just being kind. Tearing her eyes away from her patient, the doctor turned toward him. “I wouldn’t go that far.” She’d just tried to empathize a little bit. It was of the few things her twitchy, paranoid arse was capable of.
[break][break]

A hand reached up to tuck an errant curl away. “And, I could not have done it without your help.” Not with all her limbs anyway. “Thank you.”

[attr="class","icon"]

Though a daddy’s girl at heart, winter was mother’s time. A ski and skating lover, Brenna McKenna had taught her daughter the wonders of ice from a young age. While nothing beat the sky for her, Aubre’s time on the ice was freeing. Which is why it was so tortuous to see the ice rink being built outside her office. [break][break]

For a week, it tempted her. But—between all the frostbite and Kyogre’s rampage—there wasn’t any time to lollygag outside. Even working through her lunch period didn’t do much to catch them up. Then, on the eighth day, one of her favorite patients passed away in her arms. The ancient Corviknight had lost his wing in an accident almost two years prior. He’d been used by the clinic’s outreach to teach kids about bird Pokemon. Today, the assistant found him frozen forever like a gargoyle. [break][break]

But, he looked at peace. That was all she could really ask for. The steel bird had lived a long life. And, after years of staring yearningly at the sky, he could fly again. It was beautiful when you thought about it. Or, at least, that’s what she tried to tell herself.
[break][break]
Doctor McKenna’s ugly sobs were muffled behind a hand. After a few attempts at doing paperwork, ended as tears blurred the text. A gentle claw squeezed her shoulder as Alastor leaned across to his sister. “Yeah, I know—it’s just hard.” The sound of laughter drew her eyes toward the ice rink. A somber smile appeared as she pulled a pair of worn skates from her bottom drawer. “Come on, let’s go.” The Heliolisk nodded. “For Maury.” [break][break]

Nerves overtook her as she approached the little gate. Her white coat was still visible beneath her army green designer coat. Tears froze on her lashes as she squeezed the wall. A heavy exhale aimed to send her nerves flying, but only intensified them instead. Will I even remember how? Do you know how dangerous this stuff is? With a kick, she flew onto the ice.
[break][break]
Before long, the doctor was smiling through those tears.

[attr="class","bottom"]
@open[break]

[attr="class","credit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cloud-moon"]