[attr="class","text"]
The second her hand hit the glass, her entire being shuddered.
[break][break]

To turn to violence--even for the right reasons—was so against everything she believed in. Immediately, those gentle green eyes swim with tears. “Leon, I—” She expected hurt. Maybe anger. But she didn’t expect that. Freckled cheeks turned a startling crimson as her jaw dropped. Did he just—?! Arceus! Not in front of—what if—oh no!! Suspicious eyes drop to his shorts, seeking out straining fabric. But before she reaches the, she spots blood.
[break][break]


The monkey’s laughter is like nails on the chalkboard. Her face crumples with shame as she whips off the extra shirt and rushes toward him. She dabs it in the ichor, trying her best to stop the flow. Tears mix into it, turning crimson into red sea. “I’m such an idiot.” All she’d seen was that dead man and something short-circuited. “I didn’t want them to—I thought I could—can you breathe all right?”

[break][break]

The monkey’s laughter is like nails on the chalkboard. She pauses to throw the beast a glare. A hiss from a Megalopan guard sent her to work. The cuts in her hands felt like karmic retribution for the terrible, monstrous thing she’d just done. Though she tried to come up with a better apology, her mind kept circling to one word: mammina.
[break][break]

At some point, he tells her their daughter’s fate. She had preferred to travel with her grandparents. So, it seemed, she was safe. Any sense of relief, however, would be short-lived.


Then, the work came to an end. With a groan, she forced herself to her feet. Her feet retreated to the edges of the cell, the prison somehow her den in this mess. As the thieves were hefted, the doctor’s blood ran cold. “No!” Suddenly, she’s grateful for the terror that had stopped her plan. “How can you punish them for rules they don’t know!” The rest of her words are muffled in her husband’s blood-streaked chest. Even the six-pack couldn’t muffle the noise of bodies hitting the ground.
[break][break]


Over.[break]
And over.[break]
And over.
[break][break]


Through the edges of his arms, she can see glimpses of the screen. Her hands clawed at Leon’s arms. But she wasn’t sure if it was to hold them there or push them away. The screams of her fellow inmates make it obvious what’s happening. Just who was innocent here. Just what those noises signify. Why aren’t the balls letting them out? What kind of sick monsters would do something like this? But, then, she remembers the spaceships. The locks used on mercurial, dangerous Pokemon like Cassieopa.
[break][break]


Stella.[break]
Eimyrja.

[break][break]

Her words spill out in an endless stream, as repetitive as the show above. “No! No! Let go of me! I can’t—they need—let me help!” The tears are fiery. Out of sight, those scarred fingers curl into fists. “They’re monsters!” Then, the warmth is gone and she’s left to face the room and their trap. She knows this game.
[break][break]


Her eyes sweep across the assembled. In them is a bottomless empathy. “I’m—I’m sorry.” Even if these monsters were to blame, she’d do the apologizing for them. The spineless asses weren’t about to do it themselves. She hopes those two words might soothe those with a perceived loss.
[break][break]


Aubre’s eyes lock with DESIREE BLOOMS for a moment. Then, her gaze slides angrily to the cowardly ones like Andrew Fisher. As Leon speaks, some part of her wants to be angry. To yell at him for not joining hands with the trust circle. But she also knows that isn’t fair. Leon and her aren’t the same person; they’re compliments. And, loathe as she is to admit it, he’s right.
[break][break]


This is a game of poker, not just a philosophy puzzle.

[break][break]

When she speaks, the redhead stands straighter. Her words are a hint of what might have been. What was in another world. She digs deep to understand people who turn their back on the other ward. To respond to cruelty with more of, well, that just made it worse. “Striking back at the other ward won’t make up for what these monsters did. Save that anger for them.” Aubre can only imagine what they’re feeling. “But I know my Pokemon would want me to do the right thing, even if this game might be rigged.” Green eyes slide to the drooling Megalopans and the psychic type. “Especially if it’s rigged.”
[break][break]


She swallows. It’s funny how nervous she is about this decision. As if there was even a smote’s chance she’d choose anything else. She’d married the man who went to jail for the worst day of her life. “I’m trusting them.” The words are surprisingly calming. “And, if I pay for it, I’m—I’m fine with that.”
[break][break]


Because the guilt of any other outcome is far worse than what these aliens could do.

NOTES

✦Feels extremely guilty about hitting Leon[break]
✦Wants to sentence her hubby to the horny ward[break]
✦Manages to avoid the visuals[break]
✦Has a speech and expresses condolences to those who "lost" friends[break]
✦Obviously the distrusting, paranoid softie votes trust[break]

[attr="class","text"]
Much like her husband, Aubre listened to what happened next with trepidation. Her shaking hands are soon still as she focuses on what she sensed.
[break][break]

She wanted to understand better what was going on. The redhead concluded that there were at least three floors, which allowed her to calculate a few numbers: 15, 60, and 3. Her teeth pulled thoughtfully at her lower lips. Those odds would not be so bad if we worked together. Right now, however, they are all tethered like forgotten Bolthund.

[break][break]

The redhead takes a moment to observe the two wardens. The bird is a predator, its hooked beaks and talons are deadly. While the monkey seems less dangerous, there’s a simian slyness in its eyes. Unable to meet them for long, she focuses briefly on the ends of her sleeves. Then, the bird is gone and their guards begin to speak. But something about it feels off. Like they were just as trapped as she was. Another set of prisoners in someone else's machinations. The depths of her empathy are so grand, that she cannot help but feel her heart twist.
[break][break]

She notes the use of the term 'never-rot,' but it's one set of words that stuns her. The dummy ward?
[break][break]


Aubre’s thoughtful silence turns to embarrassment. Though a doctor, she cannot help but feel stupid. Like this designation is a badge she'd always worn. It doesn’t help that the evidence for why is on full display on alabaster skin. That emblem she kissed so many times—emblazoned with paired Dragonair—was stained with blood. It’d been polished with ill-gotten gains. And, somehow, she’d been too blind to see it.
[break][break]


A clatter from a nearby cell draws her attention. She gasps as the monkey’s expression changes. Surprised by her volume, she shouts at the psychic type's back: “Wait Let me--!!” Aubre can’t look away as he is levitated. But, then she doesn’t have to. Her husband has turned her to bring him firmly against his chest. She pushes against him at first. “We can’t just let it—!” Then, the screaming starts. A squelch is audible as the entire ward sinks into an oppressive, stunned silence. Though she cannot see it, her mind fills in the gaps. And it fills them with red. She fights back hot, impotent tears.
[break][break]


When he smiles at her, the gesture is returned. She knows he is trying to comfort her. To soothe her and keep the beasts away. His choice of words, however, makes her want to laugh. Safe!? What makes you think this place is safe? The eyes that stare back at him are not simply scared. They’re furious. Her hands curl up at her side as she stares at the corpse. The way it’s just left there is somehow more disturbing than what came prior.
[break][break]


Green eyes stare at the tray as Leon brings it over. Her mouth presses into a thin line. A hand picks up a block to examine it, rolling a piece between her fingers. “I've seen these before.” It’s the same gel seen across a hundred patients’ muzzles. As he eats it, Aubre reaches toward him. But, then, the crisis is averted as he spits it out. She nods. “It's dangerous." Across the way, she watches as Ettie and Andrew Fisher take their first bites.
[break][break]

Suddenly, the cell feels claustrophobic. The mask is just a smaller cage in a Russian nesting doll of confinement. His next words draw out a bitter, indulgent laugh. “Do as I'm told?” Did he really know that little about her? Sure, she was a worthless coward, but she did have some pride. Somewhere.[break][break]

But, he was right. If she wanted to live to see her daughter, it was best to play along. Still, she couldn't resist a sigh. “You act like that will change anything.” The cells next to them open as Pamplemousse and company stroll out. She stares at the chunk he spat out. Her bitten nails curl into her palms. [break][break]

You can't do anything stuck in this cell.Before he can stop her, she scoops up another chunk of the purple goo and swallows it. “Mm?” It tastes like pecha berry. It makes her entire body thrum. That feeling unnerves her.
[break][break]


From her neck, the Toxic Chain extends until it reaches the ceiling. Though tight, this sacrifice gives them the room to get out. After a deep breath, she moves from the cell into the main area. A nod is offered to jack wainwright and Andrea Vaneau. Eva Morales, meanwhile, earns a soft, shy smile. After the nearest guard passes, she drops to her knees among the rock. Her eyes catch on a mercurial shard. Then, a black one. An idea starts to form.
[break][break]

It takes her a moment to realize she’s alone.

[break][break]
Around her, the sound of sorting continues. But her eyes lift as she sees her husband staring down Munkidori. Her legs turn to jelly as she raises to her feet. Dummy ward, indeed! She shakes as she steps toward them. If he’d been doing this for a good reason, she might have empathized. Maybe even joined him. But she recognizes it for what it is: pride. He was taunting a homicidal ape because he was scared of getting his hands dirty.
[break][break]
She stares into the corpse's cell. A lake of red has grown beneath it.
[break][break]
Could she talk her way out of this? No chance! You can't sell water to a Starmie![break][break]
The idea that the monkey will just let it go seems just as far-fetched. What can I do?[break][break]

Aubre plants herself between the pair. Her tongue feels like ash. She lifts her hands toward Munkidori in a placating gesture. “I'm sorry. D-dummies, right?” Sure, she didn't want to do this. But what would yelling insults do? Their daughter needed him as much as she needed her. [break][break]

So, Aubre decided to be kind. Or, at least, kinder than that thing. It went against everything she believed, but it was the only thing she could think of. [break][break]

With a surprising amount of strength, she turns and punches Leon in his visor. All those self-defense lessons with her brother-in-law seemed to pay off. Her wedding ring clinks off the glass. She hopes it staves off the worst of the blow. The tears punctuating her next words are heated.
[break][break]


“Do what you're told.” Please.[break][break]

NOTES

✦Watches in horror and tries to stop the munki[break]
✦Eats a small chunk of mochi to buy them some wiggle room[break]
✦Briefly acknowledges her neighbors[break]
✦Punches her stupid husband in the face[break]

[attr="class","text"]
“Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed. “I did not mean to imply that you would leave me. No good person would do so on purpose.” The redhead punctuated this sentence with a nod. It’s not you guys leaving me I’m worried about. It was all the things this world threw in her way. First, there’d been the giant mechanical bird. Then, the axe-wielding Thievul figurines chased her and Dylan to that damnable trap. Now, some green thing was trying to lead them to certain death.
[break][break]

The talk of alternate dimensions made her shiver. For some reason, Shaln’s words took her back to Daddy’s greenhouse. The way he’d tut over spotted leaves as sickness spread. Those worn green eyes always looked sad as he trashed the affected plants. A hand rose to itch at an invisible rash. “It sounds like we’re the vector.” If all universes were intertwined—and if what was being said was true—it seemed like they were the contagion. [break][break]



Perpetual motion? A hand dropped to the strange device thrumming in her bag.
[break][break]

The redhead’s eyes jerked up as the guards ahead activated. At first, she wanted to run. To dash toward the gate that had opened in front of them. She could see it slowly rolling backward, the gate lowering with it. But she was tired of being a rat in some madman’s maze. It’s time to show what you’re made of. Her hand balled into a shaking fist as she turned to the Rangers.
[break][break]
Taking a deep breath, she turned to her Swampert and Heliolisk. “Serena!” She could see these things were mechanical. Their eyes were soulless. “Hydro Pump!” With a nod, the Swampert unleashed a torrent of water on the guards. This didn’t seem to do much, only dampen the rust spots on their armor. It also bought them a few precious feet as the force pushed the glorified tin cans back. But she wasn’t done yet.
[break][break]

The redhead slid back onto the pressure plate. The gate went back up.
[break][break]

Her next words were barely above a whisper. An apology to creatures that likely did not comprehend it. “Sorry.” She threw an arm across her face as she nodded at Alastor. With a snarl, he unleashed a Thunder on the drenched machines. Electricity arced between them and the floor as the air sizzled with ozone. Only when he could no longer breathe did the electric type stop his attack.
[break][break]

Aubre’s heart jumped in her throat as the swarm took a shaky step forward. Then, like dominoes, they began to fall. CLINK!

[break][break]

Shalin Nariya Lutgarde Dijkstra

NOTES

✦ Let's see how her hope goes

[attr="class","text"]

“No—no, ma’am. These are not ear drops.” She insisted for what felt like the hundredth time. “They have to be given orally for them to work.” Again, there was a slight look of befuddlement as the woman took back the prescription. Her Whismur just continued to quiver. A gentle hand lifted to the elderly lady’s elbow as Aubre gently tried to coax her outside. “You know you can always call me. I’ll answer—” What a silly promise to make.
[break][break]


Normally the pinnacle of patience, Aubre was surprised by her urge to go home. But her parents arrived tomorrow. And she hadn’t hugged her dad or mom in almost two years. The last thing she wanted was to screw things yp.
[break][break]
But the questions continued. The automated light in the other examination room clicked off behind her. “Wait, are you sure it’s just an earache?—” The client continued in a whine. Of course I am not 100% sure something else is going on. You asked about her ears. But it’s so—the likelihood it’s anything else is so low it’s almost negligible.. And, yet, Aubre looked the Whismur over again.
[break][break]


Finally, she guided the fretful trainer out the backdoor. She traded the white jacket for a much more ambiguous hoody. Her hands underwent scrub-up for what felt like the hundredth time. As she exited the staff area, she was surprised to find she wasn’t alone. Not because Alastor was there of course. He was always here. Right now, he was tapping out a message to the other person.
[break][break]


Aubre’s eyes widened as she caught the screen. “!?” The Heliolisk and her locked eyes for a moment. You better not send that. The normally doleful gaze said. Blue eyes rolled as the lizard hit backspace a few times. His sour expression received a huff from his trainer. Locking up was his job. He'd probably been watching blind box videos again.
[break][break]


Turning to the other person, Aubre put on her best customer service smile. Which, in all honesty, wasn’t too good. She was a terrible liar. “Can I help you?”

OPEN

NOTES

✦The good doctor wants her day off

[attr="class","text"]
The screams of others fade into the background. If she’d been cognizant of what was going on, she might have wondered if they were on the menu at all. There were so few Megaopans left. Her conscious mind would have questioned just how much food the aliens could need. But, right now, her mind was stuck repeating one word: Michaela.
[break][break]

In a different setting, DESIREE BLOOMS’s nicknames would have drawn out a warm, eager laugh. Just the word Pamplemousse was worth that much. But this isn’t that place.

[break][break]

Her entire world shrinks to the rusty edge of the desk and the toxic thing in her hand. It feels strangely warm, reminiscent of an Eelektross’s skin. The more she pulls on it, the tighter it becomes. But the wheezing and quiet sobs start long before that. “Please….come on, just—just—” It feels like she’s Sisyphus. Every time she thinks she has purchase, the thing slips from her grasp.
[break][break]

There’s a gasp of surprise as her husband’s arms wrap around her. She feels the fabric of his shirt falls on her, the sleeves falling across her back. His skin is warm against the thin fabric. His initial words wash over her like the babbling of a brook. “Bene!?” That draws out a bitter laugh.
[break][break]


That was the lie you would tell a child. Things wouldn’t just magically be okay.
[break][break]


His shirt smells of him and home. Though she pulls it tighter, she turns to cast a look his way. “It’s freezing—” Her voice is half apology and half protest. “I don’t need—” As she slides her hand downward, she notices why he’d given it to her. Some measure of clarity returns. No one wants to see that.

[break][break]

The rest of his words make her frown. "Leon, don't do anything--" Stupid? Like you just did?


What would have happened if she’d been caught? Who would have taken care of Michaela then?

[break][break]

After a moment, she nods. Though she wasn’t sure she meant it. Though she doesn’t approach the bars at the chime, she doesn’t move back either. Instead, Aubre lowers her shaking self onto the stool. Notably, there's no push for her daughter's whereabouts. Some part of her doesn't want to know. Not yet.
[break][break]


At his promise, she forces a smile—useless in the dark. “I know.” She really was the worst liar.

NOTES

✦Stops trying to saw off the toxic chain[break]
✦Drapes her husband's shirt across her chest[break]
✦Backs away from the cell's door at the chime[break]

[attr="class","text"]

The redhead waited for a gasp or look of disgust. Or, worse yet, the questions. However, she did so like a child playing hide-and-seek, hiding her interest behind half-closed eyes. You’ve done this this before. Just try and relax. The time of his examination seemed to stretch into eternity.
[break][break]

One made longer by her desperation. If this didn’t work, hope would return to its cell to wait for the next charlatan or experimental treatment.
[break][break]


Then, John spoke. The redhead blinked a few times. “Petalburg General?” She parroted back at him in a stilted fashion. Like the aforementioned bird, it was obvious she didn’t comprehend what she was saying. It wasn’t one of the responses she’d prepared for. CHINK! The waiter’s return breaks the spell.[break][break]


“Thank you.” She murmurs to the server as he moves on to his next table. A hand lifts to wipe a tear from her eyes. A tiny claw lays over her hands as Alastor gives her another squeeze.[break][break]



She waits for an answer. A curse like this is tough to break. She’s fully prepared for a no. So much so, in fact, that his response leaves her stunned. “You are?” Her throat’s suddenly dry. “Really?”


The idea of someone else digging at her back is excruciating. It was like being on display at a freak show. But if he thought he could help, it might be worth it. Unless it didn’t work. Then she—she’d, well, there are only so many times you can get your hopes up. Desperate to ground herself, she takes a sip from her drink.
[break][break]


The tears this time taste almost sweet.
[break][break]


Alastor, meanwhile, hops from his chair and runs to the other side of the table. As he does, his pen flies at a million miles an hour. He didn’t trust this weirdo. There was no medical degree that he knew of. For all he knew, this guy could be trying to sell Aub’s kidneys.

[break][break]

Tugging on the weirdo’s sleeve, he turns the paper to John: 'Hi. Alastor.' He taps the next line. ‘You better not be lying.' Then, his ivory claws shift down. ‘I’ll feed you an umbrella.’

NOTES

✦ Let's see how her hope goes

[attr="class","text"]
The redhead stared at the Type: Null for a moment. She swallowed but did not back up. “Hey there. I’m sorry if I scared you.” A hand extended toward the chimera, her head turned away to prevent what could be seen as aggressive eye contact. She listened to Shalin speak as her fingers hung in the open air.
[break][break]
So much for them being here for you. Way to be full of yourself, Aubre. Who would even notice you were gone? This bitter thought circles until the conversation returns to her.
[break][break]

“Well, that’s a relief.” Suddenly, her throat felt dry. The exhaustion in her legs was now hard to ignore. Every muscle ached. Through fresh eyes, she saw how she looked. Clothes are torn by rusty gears and mechanical beasts. Dried blood on her sleeves and jeans. That same outfit had been on for seven days. “I wouldn’t wish this place on my worst enemy.” The constant ticking was enough to drive her mad—well, madder.
[break][break]

Her eyes roved the nearby area. Something about it felt familiar, but everything here looked the same. “It would fascinate me if I wasn’t stuck here.” Though, hopefully, the rangers signified that fate was at an end. She doubted the League would send their people into a rift without a predictable way to retrieve them. Not only would it be a PR nightmare, but it would strain an already frayed system.
[break][break]

The introduction receives a nod. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Aubre.” Her cheeks flushed. She felt bad that she didn't say that sooner.
[break][break]

At talks of alternate universes, Aubre’s mind wanders back to a certain night. One that began with a strange man at the foot of her bed. The way his coin caught the light is forever imprinted in her memory. She remembered the way that her talked. Could I do that? Ruin that her life? She shook her head. Realizing that it was to a question no one asked, she moved to bridge the gap. “The world’s have coexisted for this long. There’s no reason to think that has to stop.” They just had to accept one another. Which, on second thought, was really hard for humanity to do.
[break][break]

She remembers the gentle rumble of the Heatran’s voice. A hand drops to the bag at her side. She can feel the warmth of the heart through the canvas. “I wouldn’t say lifeless.” Maybe artificial is a better word.
[break][break]

Her Pokemon notices the Zygarde cell as well. Al’s frill sparks as he reveals bare teeth. The Ranger Captain races after the flash of green. Aubre hesitates for a moment. But, suddenly, the church seems to swell. Her own worth seems to shrink as the sounds around her grow almost deafening. “Wait—!” Clutching the strap of her bag more tightly, she forces herself to stumble after the ride fanatic.

Shalin Nariya Lutgarde Dijkstra

NOTES

✦ Let's see how her hope goes

[attr="class","text"]
“AWOOOOOOO!” [break][break]A howl stirs the doctor from her fitful slumber. Heart pounding and breathing erratically, she sits bolt upright on the couch. “!?” Unlike many others, her first reaction isn’t to scream. It’s to throw furtive glances across the way like a child hiding from a monster beneath the bed. She notices the bars. So obsessed is she with finding the cause of the howl that she doesn’t immediately notice the mask.
[break][break]

Concentrate. A scratchy blanket beneath her hands. Unfamiliar fabric on her trembling knees. Thirty bars across the front of the cell.Take deep breaths. These attempts to ground herself take her panic from a ten to an eight.[break][break]

She is able to identify Ettie as the source of the noise. This doesn't comfort her. What's a child doing here?
[break][break]

After a moment, her lips purse with confusion. Fear gives way to cautious curiosity. Then, the sound of dozens of panicked voices floods in. An attempt to turn her head meets resistance. What’s going on? A hand lifts to her face to feel the mask, slipping down to the fleshy thing that wraps around her neck. She pulls at it in a panic. No, no, no! She remembers blood under her fingernails.
[break][break]

She almost stumbles over her cellmate in the dark. For a moment, there is fear. But then she sees the outline of a tattoo on his arm. A hint of silver hair beneath his mask There is a way he holds his hands. A certain smell that goes beyond cologne. For a moment, she wonders if this is his fault.

It's a better alternative to the idea that's beginning to form. A frightened hand reaches for his shoulder. It pauses. The sound of heels in the hallway makes her turn. A guard goes by. Her green eyes fixate on the line of blue flesh visible above his gloves.
[break][break]

For an instant, their eyes meet. He flashes shark-like teeth at her. 'Heh...heh.' He licks his lips. A hand lifts to the scar on her shoulder. It's shaped like teeth marks. Any thoughts of peaceful negotiation fade.
[break][break]

Images of disembodied limbs surge to the forefront. The acrid smell of smoke in a cave. A human wrist picked clean by figurative vultures. The odor of roasting meat. Evil cack The way this chain feels around her neck is hauntingly familiar. “The Megalopans?” Then, her earlier revelation crawls back. Her eyes sweep through the other cells. There are plenty of other young faces out there. Her heart sinks.
[break][break]


Her memory is fuzzy. A client had called her in for an emergency appointment. She planned to meet Leon and her parents after. Wasn't Michaela supposed to be with him? "Mikky?" A hand tugs violently at the chain around her neck as she moves to the bars. There's no familiar toddler out there. "Where's--where's Michaela?" This statement is whispered to herself. A paranoid statement that bubbles through. They probably already ate her. Some mother you are.
[break][break]
Her tears now fog the inside of the visor. They represent a dozen things: panic, fear, frustration, and despair. The thing around her neck seems suddenly oppressive.
[break][break]
Breathe.[break]
She can't.[break]
Focus on the here and now.[break]
She can't.[break]
Don't think about your daughter.[break]
She CAN'T.[break]
[break][break]

With a panicked expression, she races to the desk. In its gleam, she hopes to find something sharp. Anything that might help get out of this cell. A way to free her from this parasite. Anything to avoid sitting there and thinking about what could be happening to her daughter or her Pokemon. She’d tear this chain out with her teeth if she had to. Her hands shake too much to apply real pressure. [break][break]
But she keeps trying anyway.
Panicked eyes slide to her husband, though they aren't visible beneath the mask. They plead. They beg. Make this okay. Wake me up.[break][break]

She lets out a noise somewhere between a sob and a laugh.

NOTES

✦ Wakes up to Ettie's howling[break]
✦ Takes a moment to survey the room[break]
✦Initially blames Leon Settentrioné before noticing a Megalopan[break]
✦Panics that they have her daughter[break]
✦Starts trying to saw the chain off with the desk[break]

[attr="class","text"]
A friend at the conservatory called. “They really need help down there, and I know you’re good for it.” There was hope in the other woman’s voice and a hint of desperation. Well, Aubre couldn’t exactly say no. She was pretty sure she was allergic. That and every good deed helped offset whatever sin had uprooted her life.
[break][break]

It helped that it was her day off at the clinic and her parents’ time with Michaela. The place wasn’t too far for a Dragonite to reach in under half an hour. A glance at the sun confirmed she had plenty of time. A scarred hand gently rubbed peace skin, pausing to scratch at a spot beneath his chin. “Thank you, Marcus.” A scaly cheek rubbed hers as the chubby wyrm returned himself to his ball. Sure, he’d grown up around the water, but the build he had these days wasn’t made for swimming.
[break][break]

With her Swampert and Kabutops in tow, the doctor made her way to the rendezvous point. The current observing physician talks with Aubre for a few moments. They discuss things like oxygen levels and estimated food supplies. When done, they take a moment to select the proper gear. She tests the mask at least a dozen times. The other doctor pauses, a hand between them. It’s obvious they’re reluctant to leave, and probably have a possessive streak. Aubre tries her best to soothe their nerves (an ironic task considering her own). “Get some rest, all right?” The ginger forces herself to smile.
[break][break]

As she approaches the boat, movement catches her eyes. Lips pressing into a thin line, the doctor makes her way to the launch area. As far as she knew, everyone from the last shift was supposed to be going home. Hopefully, she didn’t need to scare off another workaholic. “Pardon me, sirs.” Her initial call is quiet, not at all accusatory. Her Kabutops, meanwhile glowers. “Are you here for the Luvdisc?”
[break][break]

A bag of food hangs heavy at her sides. “Nettie told me everyone else went home.”

NOTES

✦ Let's see how her hope goes