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Orion opens his mouth to ask if Caleb wants to talk about it, then closes it again as it becomes clear that Caleb's already trying and failing to find the words. His own social anxiety lends well to an understanding of that phenomenon, even if he's not sure what his friend is struggling with, so he only offers a half-smile as if to say take your time, I'm listening.

That smile fades abruptly as implications sink in.

See, most people who brought up Kanto did so in only a few contexts: family, war, or Rocket.

Orion doesn't stop himself from jumping to conclusions. He takes a running leap into assuming the worst, his open expression shuttering to something guarded and cold.

"What do you mean, 'forced'?"

"It is," Orion agrees. "Nice."

Honestly, if not for the Bug-types and the risk of strangers stumbling across his campsite, Orion thinks he'd quite like to live outdoors. He does set up his tent in the backyard sometimes to sleep beneath the stars, but that feels too silly to admit to Tam.

Tam seems to have no such reservations about silliness, and Orion stifles a giggle as he starts to call for the Skitty.

The sound makes the skittish feline hiss and leap onto the wooden fence, though it thankfully doesn't dive over the other side.

"Sorry," Orion whispers, his soft voice tight with suppressed laughter. "It just looks so funny when you do it."

Because Tam is so serious, so stoic, that seeing him pspsps a cat was hysterical. Orion's also just in a great mood, tonight. Can't possibly imagine why that would be.

The Skitty does, at least, seem intrigued by the noises Tam's making.

Orion's nerves thrum like live wires, alight with energy.

Team Rocket.

Titanium fingers flex into a fist at his side as he listens to the Commissioner's instructions over comms. It's only Tam's stern warning against recklessness that keeps him from dashing headlong into the fray. His lips purse.

He knows it's primarily directed at him; not without reason.

"I'll try not to get shot," he drawls.

But he does keep pace with his Captain rather than dashing off into danger. A pokeball is tossed over the Theatre when they draw closer, an ILLUMINA DECIDUEYE with dark wings patterned like stars taking shape above the building. The constellation spread across their span vanishes when she lands to nock an arrow, the glow of its tip visible even in the midday sun.

Her SPIRIT SHACKLE is aimed toward the main entrance.

Orion raises his voice. "Try to enter that theatre unannounced and she will take that shot!"

4wmeKlpM

— Starting off with Slateport Squad (Tam Fawley, Noah Camus, Hailee Jacobs)
— Orion advances toward the LITTLEROOT THEATRE with Tam Fawley (aiming for C-11)
— ILLUMINA DECIDUEYE is sent out onto the Theatre's roof. She 'holds' a SPIRIT SHACKLE with the intent (via Orion's call) to shoot anyone that attempts to enter unannounced.
— Orion will not discriminate between Rocket or League with this; the arrow can always miss if you don't want to engage! Absolutely up to discuss stuff OOC.

Orion has always preferred the night shift. It's quieter at night, both in Slateport and at HQ. The moon blooms high overhead, the brightest of stars piercing the veil of light pollution to paint the canvas of night.

He's been slowly filling out his reports, sat by the window for a view of those stars. He looks up at the sound of footsteps, green eyes settling on the silhouette of Caleb Harcourt. There's something off about him that Orion can't quite place.

"You OK?"

Orion closes his laptop and shifts his chair back from the desk, turning in his seat to properly face his friend. It's as much an invitation as any for the other Ranger to join him.

"Yeah!" He's pleased that Tam knows; even if it's not the most uncommon knowledge, it's the engagement that counts. "You can see them a little better if you use a telescope but even then..."

Nothing beat the countryside.

He's daydreaming about space, only half paying attention as the teenager who answers the door to Tam gives them their first real lead. He almost reflexively starts moving toward the next house before it registers, and he laughs softly at his own mistake before reaching around to unlatch the small gate that led into the backyard.

"I've always liked camping. Been years since I did it for fun and not for a job, though."

In the backyard, a Skitty's eyes gleam in the dusk.

Pressurized water slams into his abdomen and causes him to stagger back from the force.

No. No, he cannot do that.

It seems as if his masked opponent is enjoying this, finding room to jest during their bout and clearly not taking Orion seriously. It wounds his pride and infuriates him at the same time. Who did this asshole think he was?

Clenching his jaw, Orion throws a brutal SUCKER PUNCH with the aid of his Rotom.

Absol leaps clear of the thrown Silvally, who crashes into the concrete with a pained snarl. Yet the chimera is on its feet in moments, bred for battle, firing off another GHOST-TYPE MULTI-ATTACK. This time it targets the stranger's arm, sensing the threat of the Rotom housed within. Absol keeps its focus on the Melmetal, lunging with a swipe of SHADOWY CLAWS.

In the middle of the broad pasture serving his Verdanturf Ranch is an old, gnarled tree. Roots stretch like grasping fingers, autumn foliage gathers in pockets of vibrant leaves, and a dark knot at the base houses a particularly skittish Pokémon.

Orion smiles as he brushes aside dried leaves to sit in the grass, setting a basket down next to him.

"Looks like nobody's home today, Altair." His Absol looks indifferent to the antics as Orion deliberately lifts his voice to be heard. "I guess that means I don't have to share my Pecha berries after all."

Altair didn't like sweet berries much, but a certain Phantump did...

"There she is." He laughs, soft, as wide eyes shine in the gloom. "Come on out, I picked enough for both of us."

As the Glameow succumbs to his Gengar's HYPNOSIS, Orion opens the cage and gently brushes his hand along its Crystabloom-patterned fur. It's matted and filthy, but it soothes him to know they'll take good care of the Pokémon from here on out.

Tam's suggestion that they speed things up is met with a stiff nod, and he retracts his hand to retrieve another empty pokeball.

Feeling eyes on him, still, he glances at Tam and swallows nervously, smiling.

"Thanks for letting me."

It's shy but sincere; it meant a lot to him, to be back on the job. He'd prove that it wasn't a mistake.

mission: doesn't take a rocket scientist