Gwen's sympathy and offer was well-intentioned and genuine. It took Ameena a moment to find her words. She wouldn't describe her Rocket counterparts, largely, to be heartless, but this was the kind of response that felt very emblematic of who Gwendolyn was - and it wasn't even something she would attribute purely to Rangers who dedicate their lives to public service. Many of them had grown jaded, particularly in the last few months with the rising conflict. [break][break]

But Gwen was not one of them. [break][break]

"Thank you," she said as she turned to look at her earnestly, "but the damage has been done. Further interference would only be painful for her, and she would be highly resistant because of her own psychic prowess." Her current Espathra was a good partner for violence, which Ameena found herself engaging in more and more often. Edith often taught her to be less reserved in battle. [break][break]

Ameena absent-mindedly tucked a loose strand of hair behind Gwen's ear. "I did not mean to burden you with that. You are very easy to talk to. I can see why you are well-liked." The Rotom behind her levitated closer to Gwen, newly interested in the trainer that could evoke such a response from Ameena. Ameena, however, became more grim as she considered Gwendolyn's future. "You may find similar situations to my Espathra in your service for pokemon rehabilitation at that Draciary. Are you willing to see such broken pokemon?"

TAGS – Gwendolyn Conway [break]

NOTES – [break][break]

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Fire erupted around them, but Gardevoir sent her a calming pulse through their telepathic connection, urging her to not stress. Ameena trusted her and settled in, and it immediately became clear that the fire was for combee, not for her. "It looks like we are going all-in on smoking them out," she said as she took a few steps back from the carnage. [break][break]

Gardevoir nodded and launched mystical fire to continue blasting the bug swarm. Ameena, for her part, kneeled with one knee on the ground to make herself a smaller and unlikely target for the combee. She had a minor allergy to their stings, but swelling up before she got her facial was less than ideal. Allergic reactions weren't a traditional component of her spa days after all... [break][break]

Then, she saw the Vespiqueen appear from high above, an unusual vantage point that her Gardevoir definitely wasn't watching, and the newcomer and her Ceruledge might not be, either. "Watch out from above!" She called, reaching for her belt instinctively only to recall that she had brought only a single pokemon with her.

TAGS – Rhea Armistead [break]

NOTES – BEES![break][break]

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What he had to say became muddled like TV static as she watched the Joltik leave his hair and descend to try the drink. Quietly, she asked incredulously, "the sensation of a Joltik does not bother you?" She was not huge on bug types, though she did not hate them. The Joltik in particular was an annoying pokemon because of how light and tiny it was; it was hard to notice, though she suspected she would be aware of its presence if it sat on her head. [break][break]

She turned to look at the child who grinned from ear to ear. She presented an Indeedee. There were a few of these in Galar, so she was no stranger, but she had never used one herself. Their sympathy ran too high, and she had little interest in dealing with the sensitivities of a pokemon that might fight back if Ameena was doing anything unethical. [break][break]

"Ah, well show us how it is done," Ameena said to Yuan. Was he familiar with Galarian species?

TAGS – Yuan Wright [break]

NOTES – [break][break]

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Ameena hung onto Lulu's every word, intrigued always by developments regarding the Megalopolans. To her, they were starting to look more and more like the key to understanding alternate realities with their proximity to ultra space and distortions. Upon learning how involved tera crystals were, especially with what Amor had shared with her, Ameena was become unreasonably optimistic about the breakthroughs to be had. [break][break]

And as Lulu explained the metal, Ameena couldn't help the way her eyes lit up. "We could build something capable of withstanding interdimensional travel?" She was breathless. This kind of development was better than she could have dreamed. [break][break]

"Who else knows about it?" And who needed to be involved? Aurelie Lefevre was a famed blacksmith, so her mineral and material knowledge could help with the understanding of what made it stable and with the literal construction with it. Amor had trusted Erebus in Makoto Kurumi 's capable hands, and their contribution might be necessary for the travel itself. "This is... this is huge."[break][break]

This was so unexpected but timely, and nearly on her birthday, too. She felt spoiled. "Where do we start?"

TAGS – Lulu Flint [break]

NOTES – [break][break]

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The mega evolved Gardevoir held her hands out to try and mitigate the damage of the head smash, getting pushed back several yards from the Arcanine's power. She opened her mouth to assault him with an alluring voice at their proximity. She wanted to watch the Arcanine take damage up close, wanted to feed into the sadistic urge to take him apart. [break][break]

Ameena shook her head. The kid just didn't get it. "I wanted that pup, but now I see that it is weak because of its codependence on you. Your weakness feeds into it. Your lack of conviction, of principle," she reached forward to tangle a hand in Yuina's hair, "It sickens me. You have tools of war and choose to plead for your safety instead. How pathetic."

TAGS – Yuina Higashi [break]

NOTES – make it double[break][break]

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His motivation demonstrated conviction, but his concluding philosophy was flawed. "What a waste of talent," she lamented. The things they could accomplish if he'd only loosen his newfound moral bondage.[break][break]

Restrictive laws and ethical codes had only ever hindered scientific developments. The greater sin, though, was that she knew too well that the law could prohibit justice. The memory of being told no one would be charged in relation to her mum's death left her with the beginnings of a snarl. "You would serve Hoenn greater as a vigilante. Those laws keep you with one hand tied behind your back when it comes to helping those that need it."[break][break]

She needed more information on him to better persuade him to her side. One could never have enough allies, and someone who might have League knowledge was valuable and worth Rocket protection. She could help him play hero in exchange for his loyalty. But that wouldn't happen tonight. [break][break]

"You will see what I see, sooner or later. Enforcing the law will inevitably require you to choose between goodness and lawfulness. I needed to see that the hard way. You do not have to." She gave the mental command to Gardevoir as she hooked a foot behind Montgomery's and pushed herself backwards to throw them both to the ground. Gardevoir released her imprison on Delphox, using psychic instead to push the Claydol away.

TAGS – Montgomery James [break]

NOTES – stealing steel[break][break]

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A poliwag lurched at them. Ameena and Gardevoir both dipped away from it, Gardvoir turning on it with psychic. The poliwag dodged and used hypnosis, but Gardevoir teleported behind the pokemon. It was feistier than the usual wildlife here. Ameena pulled a pokeball as Gardevoir shoved the poliwag into the ground with one hand. It was easy, then, to throw the capture capsule directly at it.

TAGS – [break]

NOTES – water/flying | catching[break][break]

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The seadra had killer aim. It nearly made it to Gardevoir, but the psychic used mystical fire to burn up the water jet. She wordlessly turned to the quick-moving creature and imprisoned it. Ameena and her shared a mental impulse. They were unimpressed. It wasn't the kind of teammate she needed right now.

TAGS – [break]

NOTES – water/flying | skip[break][break]

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Ameena's no stranger to manhandling, though her transition from military life to researching and even to Rocket membership involved little violence. She doesn't lean away from his touch, making it even easier for him to tug her close. His Claydol is dangerous close to Delphox, who saw the maneuver coming with her earlier use of future sight, but as she readies an attack, Gardevoir reacts based on what Ameena communicates via telepathy, imprisoning the snarling Delphox and prohibiting the fire witch from attacking Montgomery's partner. [break][break]

Slightly, she turns her head closer to him and his tempting offer in her ear. "I cannot say I mind the circumstances." She was no socialite, so they would have had few opportunities to meet outside of her Rocket activities. It was interesting that the only times she had been noticed by law enforcement so far had been at his hands. [break][break]

"How enjoyable can things really be, if that precious law of yours is always third-wheeling?" If she could entice him to relax the grip the law held on him, they could have a fruitful partnership. She could get him any number of wins, but as a Deputy, he was clearly doing fine for himself career-wise. If he could let go of the law entirely, well, she could afford a kept man.

TAGS – Montgomery James [break]

NOTES – stealing steel[break][break]

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