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By the question, Orion assumes that he's gained the upper hand in their dispute. It's hard to tell with punks like Jet.[break][break]
Either way, Orion's real interests lie with the wild Pokemon and the protection of the dig site, and so he silently follows Jet deeper into the cave. Someone appears from the darkness ahead, a stranger to Orion, and the ranger scowls at the question. As if he'd ever be caught dead with someone like this guy![break][break]

He keeps that biting comment to himself.

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Orion's phone vibrates against his thigh, and it takes a great deal of effort to finagle it from his pocket while also clutching onto his Arcanine for dear life. This isn't the sort of multi-tasking he'd expected to be performing.[break][break]

The text is from Kyle, which is normal enough, but the words serve only to confuse him. He might've thought the Elite had texted the wrong number if they hadn't been embroiled in an illegal race at that very moment, and so instead he takes it to be some form of strange code.[break][break]

By 'boss room', was Kyle referring to the finish line, or the 'boss' being the man on the Rapidash?[break][break]

Fuck, Orion sucked at codes.[break][break]

Either way, he had to win this race.[break][break]

It takes a great deal of exertion on his Arcanine's part, multiple bursts of extremespeed in combination with the invigorating morning sun, but eventually they're neck and neck with their opponent and Orion orders Arcanine to retaliate the earlier attack, knocking the rider from his Pokemon's back and into the dirt. Though his altruistic nature would normally make him feel bad, or worried that the racer had broken something, he knows this man to be a ruthless individual who does all the same and worse.[break][break]

As it turns out, nothing's broken, and Orion smirks at the man on his approach.[break][break]

"Better luck next time."[break][break]

Though he certainly seemed annoyed, there was also a begrudging respect in the racer's expression. As he wanders off to reconvene with his own partner, Orion goes to meet up with Kyle.[break][break]

"What's up?"

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Orion's laughter is dry, though there's a genuine amusement at the mention of Olivia. "Maybe I'm not in my right fucking mind, then," he concedes, shrugging, "but it's equally insane to let someone go charging off into the unknown without any support whatsoever."[break][break]

Balder reminds the councilman that they've never actually been introduced; Orion knew of Balder, especially after the disaster of a Council meeting, but the other man knew very little about him. His first impressions are of an idiot willing to charge headfirst into danger. Lovely.[break][break]

"Orion Lykos," he supplies. "And I'm not only a councilman: I'm a ranger, too. Dealing with dangerous threats is in my job description, and the more back-up you have going in there, the better chance everyone has in getting home safe."[break][break]

A flash of light reveals his Type: Null, a horrific chimera that may prove to be their greatest asset.[break][break]

"Maybe you saw one of these during Slateport? It was one of the only things that came close to truly countering the Beasts. This one's mine, and I'll bring it with me."

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Orion arrives via air-Noivern, the scarred wings of the dragon bat catching the light as it descends. Slowly but surely, the two have been working on their bond, and Camazotz even rewards the ranger with a friendly headbutt when Orion dismounts.[break][break]

He was responding to reports of a bug infestation in the Night Market. Having been told to proceed with caution due to the intense hostility of the wild creatures, he comes equipped with a full arsenal of Pokemon. It's his Volcarona that he releases first, given that the fiery moth had proven invaluable in the last swarm-related mission he'd accepted.[break][break]

They're approaching the construction sight when Orion catches sight of a somewhat-familiar individual. The suit's not right, but...[break][break]

"Pokkenger?" he asks, surprised and curious.

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"Y'know, there was a time when I'd have said 'I don't know what I prefer', but..." His expression scrunches up as he thinks of the frigid December they'd had, the avalanche that had buried the resort in snow. "I think I prefer the tropical climate, too."[break][break]

Josh informs him that RaiCorp had a Slateport location, and the ranger makes a mental note to check it out the next time he's there. He's not the most technologically-adept individual, but anything that could help his day-to-day was worth considering.[break][break]

"You know, from Galar?"[break][break]

He tilts his head. Surely Josh had heard of the region? Remembering that the embargo had only recently been lifted, he elaborates, "They made some kind of a deal with Hoenn to introduce some of their native species here. I think I recognize that one from a pamphlet or an ad or something."

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Orion's quietly relieved as Annie makes what he believes to be a good case for herself; it wrenches in his gut when she mentions not wanting to lose Hoenn, for he hadn't forgotten what she'd told him on the rooftop.[break][break]

He's surprised to glean something into Lars' past, though he conceals that shock through a prolonged sip of his soda. The carbonation makes his eyes water. He doesn't usually drink soda, and it hits him like a punch in the throat. He shakes his head when Laurence addresses him.[break][break]

"No... honestly, might've joined sooner if I had..."[break][break]

He lapses into deep thought as he thinks back to his troubled teenage years. The knowledge that he could join the rangers as soon as he turned eighteen and got out from under his parents' control had been the only thing keeping him going. How different would he have turned out if he'd been able to escape their clutches sooner, before the worst of the psychological damage was done?[break][break]

It's way too deep a rabbit hole to be delving into in his bosses living room.[break][break]

His lip twitches, almost hopeful. "Is that a 'yes'?"

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The newest member of the council remains silent for a great deal of the back-and-forth between more seasoned members, dark eyes darting between each of them as they made their points. In spite of his best attempts to remain civil, however, he clenches his jaw at Olivia's continued coldness toward Lars. Though he makes no comment, he does cast a sympathetic glance toward the Head Ranger — and finds appreciation with Fernando's chastisement of Olivia's attitude.[break][break]

Of course, the bickering doesn't stop there.[break][break]

He thinks that Olivia's solution to the issue of funding is a fair one, and one that'll spare budget cuts, but is surprised when Fernando counters with a firm refusal. He's the head of logistics, and Orion assumes the man knows what he's talking about, thus keeping his own opinions to himself for the time being. He doesn't want to look foolish in front of the others and end up discrediting himself in their eyes.[break][break]

It's not until Olivia shows footage of a seemingly mutated Galarian specimen that he speaks up.[break][break]

"I've battled something like that myself," he says, when she pauses for breath. "I assume you're all familiar with the troubles Oldale had with dragon sightings during the new year? There was a Duraludon of rather unusual size rampaging about the town when I investigated one such report. I, unfortunately, did not capture it, but as far as I know, it's in the possession of PIERCE WILDE. If we wish to learn more of the phenomenon, I wouldn't be opposed to reaching out to him on the Council's behalf."[break][break]

The conversation continues, and Orion once again falls quiet. Fernando and Kim voice many of his own sentiments, albeit with less censoring and careful wording than Orion might've used. It's not until Olivia freaks out about inequality that he loses some of his carefully built-up patience. Thankfully, the two other councilmen are quicker on the draw and he's content to nod along with their arguments.[break][break]

He adds, "If you're concerned about equality, Olivia, maybe you shouldn't be so quick to jump down Anderson's throat when he voices his opinions."[break][break]

They're interrupted by a phone call, and Orion takes a breather to recollect himself. He doesn't want to fight anyone. Arceus. He just wants to sort things out for Hoenn's sake. So when Kim hangs up and Fernando mentions a pressing issue, he turns his attention to Silph, quietly intrigued.[break][break]

Would it be about Rocket, perhaps? Olivia's mention — and Dahlia's quick dismissal — of them has not left his mind.

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Much as her appearance rings of familiarity, Annie seems different. Off. Unsettled, perhaps. Orion can hardly blame her, and he makes no comment as he invites her inside and nods in response to the question.[break][break]

"Go ahead, just... be careful."[break][break]

The chimera has never attacked him outright, but it's shown tendencies toward aggression under certain circumstances. Orion stands to the side and watches anxiously as Annie approaches, summoning his Absol closer with a gesture of his hand in case they need to intervene. Katas was one of the few Pokemon in Orion's collection of misfits that the Null didn't seem to mind.[break][break]

It watches Annie like a hawk as she approaches, dead silent apart from its steady breathing. It doesn't move, not even as she gets within striking distance, and simply stares impassively at her when she offers a hand. At least, Orion thinks the creature is impassive. He's really not sure what to make of it, sometimes, except that he'd seen clear signs that it was struggling.[break][break]

"Percy's usually like this... real quiet, y'know? Is yours...?"[break][break]

Though it doesn't seem to react to the pat on its helmet, it does turn its head at the sound of the 'name'. Whether it's recognition or just acknowledgement of being spoken about, Orion can't say.[break][break]

They're joined shortly by the others, an unlikely group of individuals all guilty of a shared crime. Not for the first time, Orion wonders if this is something he's going to regret.[break][break]

"That's all of us," he says, once Stormy's taken her seat. Orion's Type: Null has taken to staring at each guest in turn, silently analyzing. The Absol has taken up a position at his side, close enough that their fur is touching. A comfort. "Everyone I know of, anyway. The way things went with Cotillard... I doubt we're the only ones." He sighs, then laughs, a strained sound absent of actual humour. "Listen: I know this is probably weird for everyone. It's weird for me. But I really want to understand these... uh... Pokemon?" It comes out as a question. "Help them, even. I don't know if you guys have noticed, but mine's a little, uh... he gets distressed, sometimes. I think it's the helmet."

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"Do we want to meet an alien civilization?" Orion's laughter is strained, more of a nervous tic than an indication of amusement. "I mean, you were at Slateport. I don't know if I want to know who else lives here..."[break][break]

Of course, he'd signed up for this mission and he'd be damned if he chickened out now. In spite of the lump in his throat and the flutter of his heartbeat, he doesn't protest when the general consensus leads them toward the city.[break][break]

But when they traverse yet another tunnel of light and emerge on the other side, the 'city' is eerily devoid of life. Where Orion had expected to see some kind of life-form traversing the streets of such an advanced-looking civilization, his anxious gaze settles upon a single source of movement: too quick to identify, but more than enough to raise the hair on the back of his neck.[break][break]

"Yeah, that light looks like bad news," he agrees, and gestures to where he'd spotted the movement. "Saw something move over that way, though. Your call on whether or not we want to go that way."[break][break]

Releasing his Alakazam, he instructs her to use her powers of future sight in an attempt to glean some insight into what the sweeping beams might do. Should the group decide on a direction to move, Alakazam would teleport after them.

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Orion feels a little guilty as he approaches the garden; he's been neglecting it more often than not, lately, juggling two jobs and a disaster of a sleep schedule. The berry trees strangely still appear perfectly healthy from afar — perhaps confirming an earlier suspicion that he was no longer than sole caretaker of the little patch of land.[break][break]

A steady thumping sound draws his attention quick, and it's not long before he spots the culprit: a Skiddo![break][break]

"Hey!" His sharp tone seems to startle the goat, who offers a disgruntled bleat as if to reprimand the ranger for the jump scare. Orion isn't sympathetic; he knows that Skiddo don't need to eat the berries, so what did this little shit think it was doing? "Those aren't for you! Go on, shoo!"[break][break]

He flaps his hands at the Skiddo, but it seems utterly unimpressed until Orion begins to close the distance with a menacing gait. He wouldn't have actually harmed the wild creature, but it didn't need to know that.[break][break]

Checking on the trees, he finds them healthy and sits down beneath one to keep guard in case the little shit came back.

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Good, he's talkative. Under most circumstances, Orion would hate that, but in this situation it allows him to mostly listen.[break][break]

Until Rex, quite forwardly, asks if he's got a chance.[break][break]

Clearly caught off guard by the deerling-in-headlights expression, Orion takes a sip of his coffee in order to give himself a moment to formulate a coherent response. (Of course, it barely helps.)[break][break]

"Uh, yes," he replies, and then quickly corrects, "I-I mean, y-yes I've met people, but I'm not like, seeing anyone? To be honest I'm not sure if he was serious or just being nice..." He trails off, getting into his own head for a moment, before he remembers he's supposed to be socializing and turns redder still. "Anyways... does that answer your question or did I just make it more confusing?"[break][break]

He laughs uncomfortably, his smile apologetic.

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Rex carries himself with a cool confidence that Orion quietly envies. It only serves to make the councilman all the more nervous, fiddling self-consciously with his hands as the other man sits across the table.[break][break]

"Haha, yeah," he agrees with an awkward laugh. He's quick to latch onto the first available topic of conversation, anything to avoid uncomfortable silence. "Your Cranidos is really cool, too, though. Did you get it from a fossil or was it in the wild?"

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