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The silence threatens to shatter something in the young student's courage, perhaps wondering whether or not she should beg for her life in front of someone who is most certainly more prepared to face this curious place than she is, but ... fortunately, the other - Rosemary - must have decided her not to be a threat before she needed to go to such lengths. "Oh-" escapes her first before Vespa's heartbeat calms down and she is able to muster up a smile, hands waving, "ah, it's fine - sorry for scaring you. And - thanks, y'know, for not shooting." As much as she tends to urge her best friend Cassandra Kubrick to stage a fake death, as far as her fascination for Ghost types and the Border go ... she does not actually intend to die so soon. There is so much more to be done in this world, and she wouldn't be able to do that - well - unalive.[break]
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"Mh? Me? Uh - I saw rumours about this online, so I thought to look for myself ... how about you? Wanna team up? If you are headed for the innermost room, I mean." The Misdreavus, in the meanwhile, comes forth from lurking more in Vespa's shadow, two widened eyes looking at the stranger with curiosity, though no malice. "Oh - also, that's my partner, Quinn Crisp. She's playing mighty, but is actually pretty harmless," Vespa introduces the ghost with a grin as she notices how she floats forth, giving her a light punch that goes through most of the Pokémon anyway - as if affected by the impact, however, the ghost still floats away, a snickering wail escaping from her.

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U-F-O.[break]
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It's only a shame Vespa has never done research into this kinda thing, or she might have had some (bad) (probably wrong) (very likely made-up) facts about it to offer as they are pulled towards the sky, onto something that she can only identify as a bad dream, for they are neither high nor drunk. Thankfully, they do not find themselves bound and tied up, but there is still some forlorn feeling about this whole thing ... brr.[break]
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And, she can't see a fucking thing.[break]
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"Cass? Yo - Cass, you here?" she whisper-shouts, arms and hands reaching out helplessly in the dark as she tries to get a hold of her best friend. What the heck, even? "Not harmed, but can't see-" Is something on her eyes? Is she stuck somewhere? Oh, Arceus ...

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For once, Vespa is setting out with both her trusted partner-in-fluff, Sun the Grookey, and her trusted-with-an-asterisk partner-in-crime, Quinn Crisp the Misdreavus, to investigate a strange occurrence that has making its round on social media. And although she does not fully indulge in such things like some of her peers do, she does visit a couple accounts and pages that talk specifically about the paranormal, for very normal interests. Such as, filling a Friday afternoon with something else to do than homework or whatever it is that people her age are doing. Maybe she could make a powerpoint presentation about it? For which subject, she'd have to see later.[break]
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Now, it's - ghost time! Something like this.[break]
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Armed with a backpack that sports various Ghost-themed button badges and a Misdreavus plushie as keychain, she passes the crossed-out sign - soaking in the atmosphere, her eyes soon spot a stranger however, commenting on the scenery. With one monkey on one shoulder, and one ghost following her, Vespa decides she might as well join the stranger in his assessment, nodding, "yea - well, more like abandoned, I'd say. But then again, Ghosts tend to haunt houses over barren landscapes, I think?"

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She flinches at the gnarly smile that erupts - well, probably not fitting of a verb, it was really more of an eerie crawl or something, but it came as unexpected as the agreement for a photo. Or even the - is that even a smidge of curiosity that she could perceive from this strange creature? Hah ... surely not. Surely there is something more sinister at hand. There must be. Something like - like ...[break]
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... like vanity?[break]
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Huh-hoh. She's really losing her mind. But upon the agreement and the condition, she does manage to muster up a smile, "you got it!" At least curiosity is winning over her forlorn feeling of dread and she is able to lift her phone, setting up everything to capture this real-life, actually-existing eldritch horror in a picture. Which, now that she is watching the other through a lens, might not be as terrifying.[break]
[break]
For a moment, Vespa does not come over immediately, rather holding the picture next to the shadows from afar to gauge whether or not it'd be a picture worth showing. But ... considering she does not think she can manage any better with the - uh - given circumstances, she carefully approaches, turning the screen towards the other. "So ... hmm ... how'd you like that? I tried to capture you in full ... but - err - hey, not invisible! At least." Which only increases her urge to ask for a selfie, but - but ... ack, whatever. When does she even get the chance for something like this? Right? Right. "Uh, so ... if that's not - like - a hassle, or something, would ... would you mind a selfie with me? Just - y'know." She gestures inexplicably, and does not, in fact, elaborate on the y'know because she for sure does not know.

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Perhaps, she shouldn't have taking 'running from your homework' all too literally - perhaps, she shouldn't have sought some solitary place all on her own, just to scream something into the void, about how useless homework and education and all seems to be when the world is burning and she is just that, a measly teenager caught in the shenanigans of scheming adults, or this, or whatever, and why this or that and- Vespa does not expect anything when she yells nonsense into the dark night sky, and neither for the void to reply back in turn.[break]
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By pulling her away from everything she's thought to have known about reality.[break]
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It's strange, really, because she already went to the afterlife-of-sorts and returned, but this ... this is pretty whack, if she could say so herself. Closing her eyes and crouching down, she does not dare to see what distortions occur that deform the world around her, filling the darkness with muddy colours that can only be described as surreal nightmares. "Is ... anyone here?" she tries nonetheless. Maybe someone heard her yelling the alphabet just moments ago? For once, she would rather not be as alone, but ...

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Eventually, they do reach the shore and Vespa gives out a hum as she leaves the boat, noticing the look of mirth - misplaced pride on the Gimmighoul's face, but she thinks nothing much of it as she only waves it goodbye, seeing how it already makes its way down the river once again. Only then does she notice a Litwick that is having some fun by wanting to climb onto one of the Falinks' many members. Carefully, Vespa pries the Litwick off, shaking her head in a no kinda gesture. "We'll find you a better place to be, deal?" she promises the Pokémon as it also tries to get on top of her head, ghostly wax dripping all over her fingers, but she still manages to find one of her Pokéballs to catch the strange being.[break]
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Only then does she notice ... huh.[break]
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She stares blankly at Fenelle. And says nothing.

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Vespa nods, part in awe and part in surprise, wondering if she would ever even have the chance to encounter someone of the mentioned's standing - if her memory of Hoenn's list of currently famous people is correct, anyway. But she figures if ever there is such a thing, she has one more question up her sleeve to ask, and she is nothing if not full of questions for the what, if, and how of life. Or the why. Or the why isn't it like this, though? Questions that invite too many answers when that might not even be what she is seeking for. What else, then? Huh ... if she would only ever know. "Guess I'll have to get my research goggles on, then," she remarks with a grin - a mischievous glint in her eyes still, even though 'research' is hardly ever serious in her world. Maybe, one day, she would cram hard facts, but until then ...[break]
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She does not know who this 'Skylord' is that Josh mentions, though she does notice an almost familiar presence as she notices the unconscious Mismagius coming into appearance - and before she can fully realise, she's thrown a Pokéball already, catching the Ghost type before turning her head to the other again. "Ah - sorry, I just ... it felt familiar, sort of?" She scratches the back of her head, unbelieving of how lame that sounded, but ... huh. Before she can try and say more, however, she is overcome with a sense of nausea, a dizziness that surges forth as she has to admit defeat in such heights.[break]
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Supported by the Roaring Moon, she has to hold her head with the other hand, squinting and frowning a little, "urgh ... I think that's a bit too much right now. The - height, I mean. Sorry. Could we maybe ascend, soon? But ... uh, sorry, we didn't even find a Dragonair for you ..."

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It seems that she hits a dead-end with her questions - nothing that truly sets the young student off, considering how that is a near-daily occurrence, given both the scope and absurdity of her questions at times. Moreso, she offers Shalin a determined smile, humming as she beckons the Grookey to come closer - close enough that she can pick him up to place him on her shoulder, "guess there is only one way to find out then! Thanks for showing me, for sure."[break]
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The journey has only begun, after all.

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The young teenager gives the other a playfully scrutinising look as they wait in line before breaking out in a more leisurely grin, humming, "yeah! I mean, I guess it checks out just fine. That sword is sick by the way." Maybe she should get some sort of magic wand later, too? She could probably also just ask her father to grow one for her if she really wanted to ... heh. But for now, she will make-do with the makeshift costume that she feels fairly comfortable in, the Misdreavus in tow. So, a witch and an envoy, huh? Also a combo she couldn't have fancied, though she does wonder what her friends might have come as.[break]
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Soon, they are next in line and registration is over before they know it after giving fake names for the sake of the competition (Vespa opted to go with just The Witch before proceeding to add of the Hollow Estuary) - and are shoved right into the challenge area where they can finally get their hands on what Vespa seeks the most: Candy. As much of it as she can get for free, for sure. It seems to be a simple 'seek the needle in the haystack' kind of formula, with them standing in front of a huge pool of transparent plastic balls - not quite as hollow as she remembers from her childhood, but filled with spooky decorations and such-like and ... candy! "So we only have to find the balls with the candy? Pfff, easy," she grins, looking over to Josh to see how he is feeling about the task at hand. They seem to be given a time limit, and fortunately, it only allows for one team to enter at a time.

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Keeping her eyes close, she hears a myriad of things - of nothing, and everything, sort of all mingling together in a heap of discord and dissonance - of harmony, and some secret other thing that she cannot identify. She does not notice approaching Pokémon of the wild as much as her team does, falling into a for-once quiet trance alongside of their trainer as the air is permeated with a singular thought,[break]
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think, think, think, ...

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Still discussing the size of the Pumpkaboo with her dearly beloved-beloathed-tolerated-adored little gremlin partner (though actually, she isn't quite so sure - maybe Quinn is also describing the oddly-shaped trees here and now, who knows), Vespa and Quinn are making their way through the Safari Zone with one safari ball left ... who should be their final attempt, she wonders?[break]
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The question seems to be answered imminently as a bone is flung at the Misdreavus and an angry-faced Cubone is staring right at them, extending the bone she holds in her hands. "Is this your version of the duel glove?" the young student wonders out loud, shaking her head, then grinning, "nevermind that. Let's take you on! Shadow Ball!"[break]
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It takes a while of back and forth, but eventually, Vespa finds an opening to throw a safari ball while looking at the clock of her phone, "phew ... we'll be back just in time for dinner. Good job - let's wrap this battle up another time, though!"

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Fear is such a fascinating, intriguing, necessary and disposable emotion to have, Vespa would say. There is nothing rational about what she sees, therefore, it seems only logical that the emotion she is feeling upon facing such a thing should be equally as irrational - being, courage. Some misplaced bravery. A surge of idiocy in its finest form as she witnesses not only the glaring light of brilliance, but also the resilience of her partners in crime and battle - the Falinks welcoming the Skarmory's Spotlight all the same, each preparing meticulously to form as much of an impenetrable shield as they can. The Misdreavus mirrors what else there is with courage - the underlying fear, but there is trust, too, and she hasn't felt quite this way in her whole life.[break]
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And most of all, she isn't doing this alone, either.[break]
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"So there is a story with you and Gyarados-?" she finds herself asking before being able to think about whether or not it's wise to ask in this situation when strange Pokémon, emerging from the sea like a warning, a drowned beacon resurfacing, are attacking them and any bystanders, but ... uh ... well. Curiosity kills the Delcatty, huh?[break]
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Nonetheless, there is actually an awkward silence when he inquires about ... pretty much all the types she does not have in this moment. Sure, in a last-ditch effort, she would consider having Dorothy the Ditto transform into something useful, but she also really is still trying to get it stay in its form, too ... And stubbornness wins once more. "Uh ... at home," the young student has to admit, hoping this won't make Navy consider sending her back to safety or so. First, is truly anywhere in Hoenn 'safe' right now, she wonders ... "But I can still fight! We will Not Retreat!" Determination is the most she can offer, but there is plenty to go with right now as the Falinks gear up for the next waves of luminous attacks, while the Misdreavus is throwing another Shadow Ball at the figures.

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As the duo wanders forth, Quinn begins a meaningless debate over something that Vespa can't quite grasp herself, making faces back and forth as they are incapable of communicating through words that the young student would normally use for an entirely nonsensical debate, too. In that regard, probably, this wordless banter probably holds no less meaning than the debates she'd carry out with words, a realisation that makes Vespa grin, but leaving it at that as they approach a Pumpkaboo. Right ... she hasn't had much luck in guessing Pumpkaboo sizes before, but now ...[break]
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"That's - uh - definitely a large one, right?" she says out loud, looking sceptical over her own words, scrunching her nose as she does so, "or ... maybe ... it's ... on the smaller side, actually?" The muttering continues on for a while, apparently delighting the Pokémon to no end, floating happily and making it even more difficult for her to determine much anything about him. Eventually, Vespa sighs and caves, pulling out another safari ball that she offers to the other, "hey, wanna come with me? I'll definitely find out what size you are!" Maybe. Maybe in another life.

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