Sasha smiled at Keiko's offer, knowing that the change of a tour with her was next to none. Still, Sasha cherished the stranger's kindness as one of the day's small gifts. [break][break]

"That sounds ambitious," she said, genuinely amazed by Keiko's spunk. Sasha herself preferred to stay out of the spotlight—though she didn't know if that was a personality trait or something ingrained into her from childhood. "Good luck with it all." [break][break]

When Keiko volleyed back her own question, Sasha gazed out over the water. For a long moment, she said nothing, forming an answer that was both adequate and conveyed nothing at all. [break][break]

"I worked hard to establish my life here," she replied at length. "Having to do it all over again somewhere else, at my age, feels like more trouble than it's worth."

TAGS – keiko mori[break]
NOTES – duo wild (water/fairy) | skipping

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The topic of history, and especially historians, brought Sasha away from Slateport Beach. Though she walked along the boardwalk with Keiko, her thoughts traveled thousands of miles away and twenty years into the past. [break][break]

They brushed against memories long-buried: a warm smile, the smell of well-loved books, fingertips stained with writing ink. Old maps, crinkled with age and use. A man's laughter and the way his hand ruffled her hair. [break][break]

"That's what I like the most about Hoenn," Sasha said, burying her ghosts again. "The opportunity to be defined by what you do, not what you are." [break][break]

She turned a smile to her companion, revealing nothing. [break][break]

"Sinnoh sounds like an interesting place, though. Maybe I'll visit one day, when I have the money to spare." The blonde tilted her head, curious. "What brought you here to Hoenn?"

TAGS – keiko mori[break]
NOTES – duo wild (water/fairy) | skipping

[attr="class","pkmn"]

As she stood up, Sasha curled her mouth into an amused smile. "Unagi musubi sounds really good, too. I've been living here for so long but I don't think I've ever had it. I'll have to keep my eye out." [break][break]

She gave an absent nod at the mention of so many Fairy-type Pokémon. As a fellow enthusiast, she appreciated the diversity of wildlife within Hoenn. Kanto didn't have nearly the same variety. [break][break]

At Keiko's question, Sasha shook her head. "No, never. What is it like?" she asked.

TAGS – keiko mori[break]
NOTES – duo wild (water/fairy) | skipping

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"Oh, a crab boil? That sounds fun, actually. Maybe I should go with you," Sasha mused, though in truth, she was feeling half-hearted. The high population of beachgoers was already causing her stress, though she tried her best to keep it from showing on her face or in her body language. [break][break]

It was important to practice navigating such scenarios, after all. [break][break]

Sliding her purse back into her bag, Sasha stepped aside so Keiko could pay for her new pretzel, enjoying the warmth and saltiness of the first bite. As she waited, movement near the ground caught her eye. She tensed, for it moved against the general flow of the crowd. [break][break]

But it was only a Togepi, overwhelmed and confused by the noisy throng. [break][break]

A soft smile tugged at Sasha's lips. Crouching, she broke off a piece of her pretzel and offered it to the lost Pokémon. "Here, you can stay with me," she said in a calm, encouraging voice. The Togepi shuffled forward, enticed by the prospect of food. [break][break]

With her other hand, Sasha removed an empty Pokéball from her purse.

TAGS – keiko mori[break]
NOTES – duo wild (water/fairy) | catching Togepi

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"I've thought about it," Sasha said, weaving her way through the throng of people. Despite the density of the crowd, she slipped with ease between people, envisioning the quickest path back to the pretzel stand in her mind's eye. [break][break]

"I'm not sure, though. I like to swim, but it all seems like a lot of work for few real prizes. What about you? Have you tried it?" [break][break]

She picked out another salted soft pretzel, then paused, her hand on her purse. [break][break]

"Would you like one, too, Keiko?"

TAGS – keiko mori[break]
NOTES – duo wild (water/fairy) | skipping

[attr="class","pkmn"]

How awkward, to admit to another trainer that their Pokémon had stolen from you. But Sasha nodded. Pokémon were sentient creatures, with their own agency; being owned by a trainer did not absolve them of their crimes. [break][break]

"I'd appreciate that," she said, trying not to sound accusatory. The other woman's kind offer put a smile on Sasha's face, making the effort less difficult. [break][break]

She released her Chikorita, who circled her on the sand while keeping a wary eye on the Pelipper overhead. Ignoring her Pokémon's behavior—because it was truly wise to be cautious—Sasha started back toward the boardwalk, leading the way to the pretzel stall. [break][break]

"That's all right. It's not like Pelipper did any lasting harm. I'm Sasha, by the way." [break][break]

A wild Piplup crossed their path, drawing Chikorita's attention. With no other outlet for his frustration, the Grass-type lashed out with MAGICAL LEAF at the small penguin. Before a true scuffle could break out, Sasha lobbed a Pokéball to snatch the Piplup out of harm's way.

TAGS – keiko mori[break]
NOTES – duo wild (water/fairy) | catch Piplup

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Hot on the trail of her Chikorita, Sasha witnessed the Slowking's HEADBUTT knock her soft pretzel clear from the Pelipper's mouth. It landed in the sand, fated to be ruined by inedible grittiness. [break][break]

Heaving a sigh, she turned her attention to the young woman wrestling with the devious bird. [break][break]

"Is that your Pokémon?" Sasha asked the stranger, scooping up her Chikorita before the Grass-type could exact righteous revenge.

TAGS – keiko mori[break]
NOTES – duo wild (water/fairy)

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Unfortunately, Sasha was the victim of the rogue Pelipper's hunger. She cried out, alarmed, as the bird swooped down and snatched the salted soft pretzel from her hands. [break][break]

"Hey! Give that back!" [break][break]

At her side, Chikorita shouted what she could only assume were obscenities in his language. The Grass-type chased after the bird, uncaring for the people in his way. Sasha followed more carefully, muttering apologies to those she bumped with her elbows or squeezed past. [break][break]

"Chikorita, come back here! Just let it have it!"

TAGS – keiko mori[break]
NOTES – duo wild (water/fairy)

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Though Sasha's expression did not change, she processed his words, picking them apart to find meaning. Certainly, there was no dissuading the weather; all humans and Pokémon could do was seek either shelter or relief. Who, then, was the councilman seeking to dissuade? [break][break]

"Why?" she asked, maintaining her ignorance. "Has the Weather Institute forecasted a summer storm?" [break][break]

The clouds that day did not look threatening. In fact, they seemed like a Wooloo's soft fleece, stretched thin and scattered across the sky by a whimsical hand. [break][break]

A fleeting illusion, she knew. A decade of living on Hoenn's soil meant she was familiar with the cost it extracted from its residents.

TAGS – FERNANDO SILPH[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Of all the people to meet on Lilycove Beach that day, Councilman Silph was the last person Sasha had expected. But she'd arrived for an afternoon of quiet painting and saw he was overseeing the Rangers' efforts there. Instead of feeling intimidated and returning home, however, she decided to stay. [break][break]

She wasn't in the way, nor would she be cowed. Working for Colin Roche meant she was used to the attitudes and personalities of ruthless CEOs. She imagined that politicians were no different behind closed doors. [break][break]

When Mr. Silph commented on her painting—when exactly had he meandered over?—she actually laughed. [break][break]

"As it's meant to be," she said, returning the sketchbook to her lap. Instead of picking up her paintbrush again, however, she gazed out at the Rangers hard at work. In another life, perhaps she would have joined them. But in this life, she did not trust herself. [break][break]

Not after what she'd done. [break][break]

"Will all that really help?" Sasha asked, referring to the rearranged barricades. The slightest doubt colored her words.

TAGS – FERNANDO SILPH[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

With careful movements, Sasha drew the tip of her paintbrush across the thick watercolor paper of her travel sketchbook. Different shades and hues of blue wove together to form the cloud-speckled sky and vast ocean beneath it. [break][break]

A bead of sweat trickled down her temple. Setting down her brush and mixing palette, she wiped at her brow with the back of her hand, then picked up her drink. Refreshingly cold mango passionfruit boba tea washed across her tongue, a couple tapioca pearls popping into her mouth as an extra treat. [break][break]

"Dedenne! Come here and drink some water!" Sasha called out to the mouse Pokémon playing on the beach nearby. Upon hearing her trainer's voice, Dedenne looked up. A quick shake of her tiny body sent sand flying, then she was bounding up to the boardwalk where Sasha sat. [break][break]

As the rodent lapped up cool water from a small bowl, the woman showed off her in-progress painting of Lilycove Beach. "Well? What do you think?"

TAGS – FERNANDO SILPH[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

As Sasha took in Benji's reaction, the softness of her smile deepened. "You seem like a really kind and wholesome man, Ben," she declared, her tone gentle, her admiration genuine. [break][break]

How rare. Though he'd surprised her at first with his clumsiness, she was coming around to the idea that perhaps he was not the sort of person who meant any harm. Too many did, and she was conditioned to expect it. [break][break]

Dedenne bounded over and hopped onto Sasha's lap, squeaking in a demanding way. Laughing, she asked, "What is it? Are you hungry?" [break][break]

The rodent nodded, so she gathered Dedenne up in her arms and stood. [break][break]

"I should look for something to eat for this little one," she said apologetically to Benji. "It was nice meeting you, Ben. Enjoy the rest of the fair."

TAGS – benji sawyer[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]