"Of course," Ameena acknowledged. "My dream data has already been collected, so all we have to do is run the simulation." She tapped away at the computer. "I have not actually been through a dual session with Lulu Flint 's machine just yet. But I suspect we will have good results. The Darkrai components should prevent the simulation from being boring, at least." Nightmares gave her a dark amusement, though the dream collected had started off pleasant. [break][break]

The machine beeped positive. "Okay, we can get locked in now." Much like the RKS simulation, they could 'plug in.' [break][break]

Once under, reality would melt into a flurry of abstract colors and reform into a Galarian battlefield. The battle in question was actually historical and far before Ameena's time; soldiers on both sides had muskets, and the combat was disorganized where pokemon were involved because such fighting had not yet been refined. Ameena's face split into a grin as she examined the ancient gun in her hand. This was the good part of the dream, far before Darkrai's influence twisted it. "Are you familiar with muskets?"

TAGS – Zev Harcourt [break]
NOTES –

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The mask is off. She wishes she could keep it for study. The other masks they end up seeing are having tera crystals added. It's... what could be the purpose? She's not sure she can even throw a hypothesis together. She gets close to Diana Cavendish and luka chêne to see if they have more knowledge, as she's barely scratched the surface of the crystals since Area Zero. [break][break]

"What effects can a tera crystal impart when worn? I was under the impression they only impacted pokemon." The masks are suddenly daunting. If one could throw her into a deep illusion, what could these ones do. "Do you think they are for the deities? To make them stronger?" [break][break]

They are ushered back to the cells. Ameena accepts the mochi. As she chews, she can't help but doubt more - that her prior theory about this being a dream was far off the mark. The mochi was too new and too real an experience, and the masks? More than that, the powerful, unusual pokemon running the prison reminded her of her time in the RKS where she saw the strange masked green pokemon. The RKS did not seem to lie. [break][break]

Her sleep is fitful. Megalopolis spreads out before her. "What is this trubbish...?"

The dream within a dream is ripped from her without ceremony as she no longer dons the mask. Words fail her. She needs to wake up.

TAGS – Diana Cavendish luka chêne [break]
NOTES – asks cellies about teras/masks, eats mochi, dreams into megalopolis

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The tone shift from congratulating himself on bed notches to such earnest emotional bids threatened whiplash, but she hung onto every word with as much even-mindedness as she could muster. She similarly grew up with excessive titles, but that was the life of a military prodigy. Everyone was to be addressed with their earned rank. She had developed opposite of him; she always kept titles close to mind, as it reminded her of who was in a position of power over her and who was beneath and desperate for her own power. [break][break]

Perhaps, she would share this with him sometime. "Ah, so I should not take it personal?" She tucked her hair back as she considered how Dr. Abadi sounded from him. "Ameena will work just fine." [break][break]

Righting his wrongs, was he? "I take offense in your lack of quality tea. Really, to keep a Galarian from something rich and herbal is a crime. Perhaps, you can find room for some in your lab. And your personal spaces, should you seek to keep inviting me." Her tone was smoky, but not unbecoming of the professional demeanor she defaulted to. She was curious to what he would keep; she liked a simple, bitter tea like an Earl Grey, but she had a collection of sweet, floral ones that were more palatable to the average non-tea drinker. [break][break]

"It is not without reciprocity. If you need anything, I will easily stock my office and lab with it."

TAGS – Amor Rose [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The implications were dizzying. Was there a spirit or energy residue from the dead that contained their desire? It could be something only the divine can access, though she rarely used energy detecting technology beyond that relating strictly to her field. [break][break]

The mist had a hundred things nearly tumbling off Ameena's tongue, though they primarily revolved around accessing that multiverse, pulling herself into the dream realm and finding herself in her mum's arms again. She also wanted to complete that list of Galarian officials who had contributed to her demise, and she had only knocked off one with the help of Zev Harcourt . There were countless others to finish. She had to see the fallout of that event, still, but she was letting her arm heal further, first. [break][break]

She has to bite her tongue to keep the thoughts back. She swallows thickly by the time Elisabeth finishes. "Tapu Fini is collecting people of a similar mind to create a community?" Community was key in Alola, even with the odd divisions between islands. Ultimately, Alolans protected Alolans because of their collective special care and faith in the land itself. It would make sense for Fini to desire it. Still, as to who was being attracted - "What does Tapu Fini want? Is it clear, if it also meshes with Wo-Chien?" [break][break]

Her digging at this point is shameless. Despite herself, there are so many details unveiling that could be potential leads. Additionally, the use of 'possessive' piqued her interest. "If Fini is possessive but sharing you... are you alright? It sounds like a recipe for a tug-a-war that would erode you over time." Clearly, the relationship was stable enough for her to function, but if Elisabeth felt trapped, Ameena had strong feelings about a woman's autonomy, and damn if she would let a man, god, or other steal it from anyone.

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

What tender sentiment.[break][break]

"Starting at the beginning," she repeated softly, thinking it was the dialogue for a cheerful toast. "I have been growing my team, but I will need to expand my horizons beyond the psychic realm for better diversity for what we will face." The offer to take on Erebus was generous. She would need to thoroughly consider her team. It might even be worth it to try her hand at the gym scene, though it would take some work to justify her civilian persona as a CEO being interested in such a thing. Perhaps for PR...[break][break]

She rubbed the side of her Rotom phone as he insisted he was just a call away. "Indeed. I will call when I need to stress test." She looked down at the phone in her hand, considering. "But I may not answer unless my name is Doctor Abadi, in that phone of yours."[break][break]

Not that she really needed such formality between them at this point; after all, this was more a social call than anything for business. But she would be remiss to continue letting the honorific slight continue without acknowledgement if they had progressed this far past acquaintances. Her current temp secretary had her in the phone as BOSS, and the one prior had just put a business personal emoji with no text.

TAGS – Amor Rose [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

She rolled her eyes at his comment about entering his mind. "I find that hard to believe. Hearing what comes out of your mouth is the equivalent of prey pokemon with coloring to appear toxic to predators." Most of the response she got when she dropped his name was concern. He had a reputation, it seemed, that lined up with her assessment of his sometimes questionable sanity. [break][break]

More seriously, she explained: "What sits in your subconscious will be interesting because of the prophecy and what you have witnessed. To enter any kind of separate reality means you have experienced what those in this reality cannot. I am curious what your mind chews on, behind the scenes." It was the honest truth. She didn't think he would have any dire secrets that would be revealed, nor was she interested in them. He tended to share information that was valuable. People needed to have secrets for their own sake. [break][break]

"Nightmare, singular?" It was clearly an impactful event. She was impressed he had trusted such a thing to Lulu; it was clearly an intimate moment of vulnerability. She had been unsure how to parse his relationship with Lulu, but it seemed to involve more trust than she had initially suspected. "Depending on when it happened, it could be valuable to tracing subconscious data that is otherworldly in origin." She would not outright ask for it. She didn't want to owe him when she was just learning the unusual scopes of his studies. Their relationship needed to be mutually beneficially in an immediate way, until she was sure he wasn't habitually getting into reckless situations.

TAGS – Amor Rose [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

She shook her head to the question about the border. "I have only been to the Ultra Deep Sea with Amor Rose and one trip to the Ultra Plant. Another is pending. I saw a Xurkitree resurrect a clearly dead pokemon with its spark. It appears death is more temporary than initially thought." Par for the course, in this region. [break][break]

She considered Elisabeth's confession. It was more likely a blessing than a curse that she could not summon the dead. As much as Ameena wanted to see her own mum again, that approach would surely be distasteful in every manner. She could not help but wonder why Tapu Fini still possessed the power outside of Her island of guardianship; the prowess of the Tapus must be fully internal, but given how much of their purpose and even special z-move revolved around Alola, she had been sure that location was key. [break][break]

At least that meant she would hardly need another trip to Alola for her Tapu research. Ameena tried to read between the lines of what Elisabeth said. She didn't need to take things too far, didn't need to push for knowledge that was undoubtedly intimate between an Avatar and her deity - deities, in this case - but curiosity was winning over. How much of a Tapus power required their consent and will? How much was inevitable, an inseparable piece of their being, a consequence of their divinity? [break][break]

"Do you believe Tapu Fini is intentionally bringing them to you?"

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Leilani's net gun work was impeccable. Ameena released Corviknight to host the netted Yamask while Kirlia lifted them onto the large bird. Her Espathra continued to assault the one in her beak, using lumina crash to render it unconscious on the ground. She placed it on Corviknight, also. Ameena still flinched. The noise of such an attack risked raising civilian attention.[break][break]

"Edith, return," she said in a raised voice, getting the bird's attention. She returned it to her pokeball once it got close enough, though it had moved reluctantly. "I love Edith, but her tendency for violence can hinder just as much as it helps. People can be more reasonable than pokemon, at times." Leilani's stealthier approach was superior. [break][break]

Ameena rose as about a dozen Yamask rested on Corviknight's back. "It is a good haul. I think we can go ahead and leave unless you want to shoot a few more just to keep."

TAGS – Leilani Kalawai'a Montgomery James [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Musharna and Gishath had cleared the room easily, but Ameena had maintained no peace of mind after seeing the research notes from the Megalopolans. She considered Gwen's theory of flying pokemon. "With the dangerous electrical environment, few flying types would be tough enough for travel. It could be that the area has gotten much worse since the Megalopolans were here, but there has always been odd electrical activity in this area."[break][break]

Indeed, considering flight made it clear that that method could not be reliable enough. Traveling by foot would be slow and also hazardous. So, that left...[break][break]

Ameena released Kirlia. "See if you can find space beneath us." The instruction was vague to anyone else, but Kirlia understood via their shared telepathy. The Kirlia disappeared. Turning to Gwen, Ameena pocketed the papers. "I think you have helped us realize that the only truly reliable method of travel must be... yes, underground." [break][break]

Kirlia had telepathically confirmed her suspicions as she spoke. "Look at this." She went to the back wall of the station and opened a windowless door that appeared to be a closet. Except it revealed a staircase that led underground and turned into a dirt tunnel. [break][break]

"I hope you are not claustrophobic," she said as she descended.

TAGS – Gwendolyn Conway [break]
NOTES – 21 discover and/or explore a subterranean level of the world through a power station or the natural landscape. this dangerous level is reminiscent of a vast board of circuitry.[break][break]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Ah. She had not expected to receive much answer about the dreams from Elisabeth anyways, but it was foolish to limit herself based on a negative hypothesis. Still, an offer for a sleep study sat on her tongue, though she knew she had not proven herself to be trustworthy to the underboss specifically, and this negative hypothesis bore more risk than reward if she offended Elisabeth by asking to be defenseless for the study of her subconscious mind.[break][break]

The negative relationship between two deities would put a strain on any study. Perhaps, it would be impossible to perform a reliable sleep study since there was no way to control the variables. [break][break]

"If Lulu and I put our heads together, we may be able to create a more controlled dream environment that could enable you a discussion with both deities or even a finite environment for only one at a time. It is hard to understand the subconscious minds of the divine, but I would be willing to focus on this area if it were of any interest to you." It was clearly not a selfless offer, but Ameena would even lend the actual study to Lulu who was more established. Ameena only wanted the information the deities had, the power over dreams they might wield even unknowingly... [break][break]

Tapu Fini's relationship to the dead pointed to an interesting combination of powers Elisabeth must possess. "Do you believe this power is in a hallucinatory sense?" If yes, that could yield results. Yet, she suspected that was not at all the case, that Elisabeth was sharing something far more terrifying. Ameena suspected she was overstaying her welcome, so she needed to get the last tendrils of knowledge to set her in the right direction. Her tone was more somber as she said, "Does Tapu Fini show you apparitions?"

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

She filed the information for later use. She suspected she would get the same information from Tapu Koko's avatar about the relationship between Tapus. Animosity and suspicion was the opposite relationship she suspected them to have based on her research. They protected their respective islands fiercely, but ultimately cared about nature in general, and held back their own z-move strength for this goal. A little rivalry and show of strength was one thing, but animosity and suspicion...[break][break]

Were the Tapus all of the same original universe? Could a space distortion have separated any or all of them? [break][break]

She needed to research John Sullivan immediately. He had valuable information, and she would interrogate him to get it. She wondered what connections should could draw between her company and his own interests. [break][break]

She supposed the dream connection was a bit of a stretch, evidenced also by her empty-handed return to Hoenn from Alola. "Tapu Lele's psychic prowess and strong connection to nature connects the dream realm and material world within one deity. It gains strength from the scent of flowers, and Payapa berries - which impact psychic move strength - grow on Akala island. I spent months talking to civilians there about their faith and history with the deity. Some report close contact with Her scales resulted in odd, feverish dreams. Some claim these dreams to be visions.[break][break]

"Tapu Lele is the only deity to generate a psychic-enhancing environment on Her appearance. I believe Her strong relationship between nature and the mind is like a bonding between heaven and earth. All Tapus are similarly originated and functioning within their own realms, so there may be a similar impact from Tapu Fini." Her rapid speech comes to a sudden stop as she realizes she sounds slightly feverish. She takes a breath. Not so much dismissively, but certainly as a mediating remark, she finishes with: "It is only a theory."

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

[attr="class","pkmn"]