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Grimmsnarl indeed tenses up at the insecurity, seemingly to add to his intimidation - but he doesn't move further. Bronzong and Bisharp have fully lost interest, as they've finally found something more interesting - a solid metal ball that they could do something with. Anything.

It seems like typing it might be- ... however, this is not the face of someone who's comfortable with phones, which Fenelle hasn't thought possible in this day and age. And also because for dem, a chronically online person, some views definitely are warped compared to "normies".

And then. He speaks again-?

Dee frowns as the person moves forward, but doesn't make any hostile moves - this situation is just so very strange to dem, so dee really doesn't know what to expect. And then, there's another moment of confusion. "What did you mean with 'Duck'?" dee asks via TTS, before nodding, "I think this should wo... ..." Dee stops typing.

"You can't read?"

Alphonse Zoram

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Ferrying over the eggs goes over pretty well, all things considered - except the bigger attack which has been swiftly solved. However, as dee moves over with the last eggs from the spot, dee looks around for a moment, then frowns slightly. Dee doesn't spot Josh anywhere - he didn't get lost or swallowed up by something, right? ... nah, that's extremely unlikely. So dee also gets to the shore again, but only found his two pokémon as well, apparently not knowing where he could be either.

It's a bit awkward while waiting, but dee nods at the Feraligatr and Primarina and gives them a thumbs-up with a cheerful smile, that then flattens out to a neutral expression once dee turns away. Actually not a sign of any dubious intent - just the way der facial muscles seem to work, hyper-engaged in conversation and not used at all outside of it. Then dee turns to Josh's pokémon again, signing, I'm quickly away - gotta give back the Lapras. Then, dee scrunches der face a bit, before using exclusively imagery - pointing at the Lapras, moving der hands from demself to the nearby rental station, just to signal that dee wouldn't just jump ship now.

(Even if dee doesn't have any commitment in emotions, dee's curious about the actual delivery, where the eggs might go to.)

After finishing up the rental Lapras business, Josh still hasn't returned. Fenelle's wondering what to do if the champ-ranked would actually not return, but he does then, with a grimm expression that Fenelle regards with a questioning frown, before reading the message and sighing, nodding.

I see. 😔😔
But we could secure the others at least!
Can I see the adresses? I can put up some routing maybe if you don't already got it.

Dee then pulls up der map app on der phone, which also features a routing option as well as other conveniences, and shows it to Josh for a second, before sending another text.

I do a lot of errands, so I know my way around town, too.

The joy of being a fully employed-actual intern.

Josh Devlin

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Tension builds up between the pokémon, quickly subsided as their respective trainers move to calm the situation down. (Or, in Fenelle's case, wait 'till they realise they're over-reacting.) Then, Grimmsnarl returns to a body-guard-ish position, while Bronzong and Bisharp hang back again, trying to occupy themselves while only the Hisuian Goodra doesn't pay the newcomer any mind.

Fenelle frowns at the spoken words, inaudible to dem, and reluctantly puts down the tools and machinery dee has been holding to get out der phone. "I'm deaf, so I didn't hear you. Can you type or write down what you want? I'm working on something," dee lets der text-to-speech, Rocket custom module, work its speech, while gesturing to the space in front of dem.

The scene: Fenelle sitting on the floor, cross-legged, with a bunch of small parts in front of dem, and many, many, many laser pointers, taken apart partially or completely.

Alphonse Zoram

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The training course of the day does not exactly look ... inviting. Dee looks at der partner for the day, bowing and waving at them before taking out der phone. "Hello! I'm Fenelle, and I believe we're supposed to do the course together?" dee lets der text-to-speech (the custom rocket module) speak words over the zipzap of the Voltorbs. "I'm deaf, so we can communicate by gestures, sign language, texts ..."

Dee fixes der gaze on the course, too, and its surroundings ... where could dee hack this to make it all over faster?

Calliope Alvara

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Fenelle is more used to the autism gang, which is more attuned to dem and knows how to busy themselves while Fen's hyperfocusing in a dimly lit space. Der current Rocket team, all trained intensely in the fight independence department, having learned quick decision making and constant alertness, are a bit more awkward when Fen's not given them anything to do. The only one who seems kind of happy is the now-Hisuian Goodra, having made himself comfortable close to Fen after a lot of being absent-mindedly shoved away.

With the general boredom however, it's no surprise that they're incredibly alerted as someone opens the door - all of them ready for an attack, until they remember. Hey. We're in HQ. There's no one attacking. (Probably.)

Fen squints as light comes in from the hallway, and looks up. What'cha want? dee signs.

Alphonse Zoram

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Fenelle can't quite hide the relief and feeling of success as the False Surrender hits, impaling the Dusknoir - but he'd be fine, as pokémon so often are by the most gruesome attacks. As Theo recalls Dusknoir, Fenelle also recalls Grimmsnarl - seeing his trembling arms, and the way his hair resembled depressed noodles now.

At Theo's words, Fenelle just looks for a moment at him- before bowing, and signing, I will.

(It feels like dee just passed a test, but dee could not figure out what it was about.)

THEO BECKETT

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Finally holding the food in der hands, Fenelle walks to the side to distribute the Takoyaki to der pokémon. That is, if a Ferroseed didn't just waltz all over it with her spikes all out, snatching the Takoyaki away.

Fenelle makes an indignant sound, but doesn't have to act - the autism gang's entire rage is quickly to focus on the steel type, and she's significantly weakened before dee can actually sign any command. It's ... hmm. Dee steps in before the gang could actually finish her off, signing reassuringly, I'll grab us more Takoyaki later. How about we add this one to our team for now ...

Dee throws a pokéball, with the Ferroseed disappearing inside with a red beam.

capture attempt for the ferroseed

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The competition is fierce in such a market, and truly the question is - where exactly should Fenelle and the gang get their Takoyaki from? It's a tough question, but the winner eventually is the booth where a Tinkatink is using Fairy Wind to enhance and direct the smell of frying dough balls in their direction.

Fenelle is always up for a bit of ingenuity and trickery, so dee quickly walks up to it, getting to order for der entire group.

skipping tinkatink

(Fenelle is slightly regretting der choice not to bring any pokémon whenever dee is being Xuanyi for a bit of a while - it would help immensely in this situation, but it seems to have, eventually, been the right shot. After all, it turned out, quite excitedly, that they haven't been entirely alone.)

Xuanyi's just making the call to give running away their best shot, as a shadow swoops in. They immediately back away more, not grasping the situation at first. Is this another hostile pokémon out for them-?! But then, they notice the rider, and see thin needles glinting in the light, directly aimed at the Corviknight. Their hands lift to cover their mouth in shock, before they realise with relief that the friendly pokémon doesn't seem harmed. Nonetheless, they use that moment of distraction to step away another step, being slightly (quite) intimidated by the black steel bird.

The pink-haired looks at their saviour with relief, however, even- I'm deaf, they sign, waving to maybe catch the other's attention - but she seems to be focused entirely on the Cacturne, which seems to be angry that its easy prey has been intercepted. There's a glint in its eye, and they are in shock once more, but also try to shout - it's a muted, odd sound, made by someone who hasn't ever heard anything before, but seems to know the workings in theory.

"!!"

It's moments before the Cacturne would leap forward with a Sucker Punch.

Mireille Wynter

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Fenelle spots the Pawmo, and frowns - oh, this could maybe be Thea's pokémon- and if that meant that she's around, maybe ... Dee comes to a quick halt, and then gestures for all of der pokémon to do a U-turn and then left to get some distance, just in case.

In hindsight, this Pawmo probably did not belong to Thea - but anyway, the introvert's currently not looking to meet anyone dee knows. We'll get Okonomiyaki later, don't worry. How about some Takoyaki and Slushie first? dee proposes to the confused and partially upset gang - gladly, they're really easy to win over. (Or maybe that's a bad thing, actually-?)

skipping pawmo

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Fenelle stays focused like dee rarely is on Amor as he signs his explanation of strength. There's almost no reaction from dem as dee processes the words, the sentences and their meanings, which almost never happens - as is usual in sign language, dee would normally feedback more to signal understanding (or lack thereof), but here, dee has every bit of der mind focused on the information conveyed.

It's true that a tool is only as strong as the one carrying it, and it's a thought dee has had. However, the idea of being utterly alone and carrying sole responsibility - frankly, dee has been spoiled since getting to know Sailor. Amor's words now forcefully bring dem back to a less comfortable time, back when dee truly just relied on der own with no notable friends nor even acquaintances to consider.

Dee spends a moment longer in this consideration. Then, dee bows, before standing upright again to be able to sign, Thank you very much, Mr Rose. I really appreciate your input and explanation - I will consider it carefully. It seems like there's some soul searching to be done for a person who barely ever thought about der feelings (or anyone else's, for that matter).

While pondering, Morgrem seems to have discovered a Zweilous, and waves at Fenelle, seemingly asking if he should go for it. After a quick consideration, dee signs the O.K. There's a nasty smile as Morgrem goes for it, but surprisingly, the Zweilous doesn't seem to be entirely unaware either - she fights back with everything she got, even if she, in the end, succumbs to Morgrem's False Surrender, allowing Fenelle to catch the pokémon with ease. Another good addition, I think, dee comments then to Amor, before blinking. Being so focused on the explanation itself, dee might have ... What did you catch? ... not realised there's been a whole other fight going on.

And, I wanted to add, I would be honoured to battle you one day if there's an opportunity ... I've read that you specialise in Energy and Avatars, as research fields? Dee is not stranger to the terms of Infinity Energy and everything - but no stranger only in the theoretical sense.

Amor Rose
capture attempt zweilous!

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Fenelle only hesitates for a moment before signing none of the given options - Family. Both in reference of der (adoptive) parents, but even moreso now with Sailor de Laurierwylle 's genuine belief that dee has come to share, even a little bit. And it's not like dee could've passed the recruitment just by being a nepo baby either. And I wanna see what comes out the other side. When Rocket's successful - beyond the war, maybe like Kanto? Or maybe entirely different, as the Hoennian stage is more complicated indeed ...

Grimmsnarl has fully fallen, his demeanour utterly pitiful and broken. Waiting for the last, final hit to end it properly ... Fenelle regards der pokémon, joining in his acting as dee huffs, and turns away in disappointment.

(Dee still glances - waiting for the Dusknoir to either catch onto them or approach, closer, closer ... if he'd come close enough, dee'd clap again for Grimmsnarl to finish his False Surrender - his hair suddenly emerging into spikes, piercing his opponent.)

THEO BECKETT