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[attr="class","kthread"][attr="class","orion"]

Still giddy from making the acquaintance of the shining purple fox, Orion's expression sobers somewhat as he listens to Josh's reply.[break][break]

"Oh, wow. You've moved around a lot, then." He can't imagine how stressful it must be to pack up and move away from everything you'd ever known, let alone doing it multiple times. But, then, that was likely his anxiety talking. To Orion, Hoenn is home. It's familiar and it's safe, and he has no desire to leave. So he shakes his head when the question is returned. "I've never left Hoenn, actually. Lived here my whole life."[break][break]

His family, too, though he deliberately does not mention them as Josh had his own.[break][break]

The HoloWatch catches his attention; hadn't he seen an ad for something like that? Had it been in the paper, or something? Curious, he gestures to it.[break][break]

"That's a neat bit of tech. What is it?"[break][break]

Unbeknownst to Orion, an Ariados had taken advantage of their distraction in the hopes of turning his Rockruff into its next meal. Nyx's pitiful yelp draws Orion's attention just as it transitions into a guttural snarl that echoes through the Path. Rather than the excitable pup, the spider finds itself facing off against the wrath of a newly-evolved Lycanroc, her red eyes glowing with fury.[break][break]

"Easy there, Nyx," Orion soothes, whistling to call her off. "I think you've given it enough of a fright."[break][break]

The Ariados scurries behind Orion as if to put something solid between itself and the furious canine; he pulls out a pokeball and tosses it.

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[attr="class","kthread"][attr="class","orion"]

As a cynic, Orion can appreciate Kaida's dry attempts to console him. He chuckles, corners of his mouth pulling into the beginnings of a smile. "Hoenn always bounces back. I will, too."[break][break]

For now, however, they had a job to do. Orion's cautious as he follows his partner into the home's interior; the droning hum of what he'd thought to be bug wings dies immediately. The sudden absence of noise sends a chill down his spine, shortly before Kaida is possessed by some unnatural force to venture further into the home.[break][break]

Orbeetle. Psychic-types, so he'd heard of the Galarian species. They were said to be highly intelligent, and it clicks — the droning and buzzing had been an attempt to deter anyone from entering this building they'd claimed as their lair. Now, they hover on silent wings.[break][break]

Kaida's Croconaw breaks their hold over her, but Orion still places a hand on her arm. His brow is furrowed with concern. "Are you OK? What happened?"[break][break]

Receiving no specific direction from her trainer, the Volcarona flaps her vibrant wings and sends a silvery wind toward the offending creatures.

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[attr="class","kthread"][attr="class","orion"]

Orion's stomach has no time to settle from his first encounter before he's on his way to the next table, battling his ever-mounting anxiety. He's a little relieved to see a woman at the indicated table; having signed up for both platonic or romantic encounters, and having listed his preference in men, the pressure is off to try and score a date.[break][break]

He hopes she's not disappointed.[break][break]

It's only when he sits down across from her that the councilman's brow furrows, and he tilts his head. "H-Hi, sorry," he greets, realising his stare might be uncomfortable, "but have we met?" Just in case they haven't, and perhaps to refresh her memory if they had, he offers his hand and a name, "Orion."

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It seemed there was a bit of a misunderstanding between them. Orion shakes his head, already thinking of how to rephrase.

"No. I mean, yes, it's a Pokemon," he rubs subconsciously at the back of his neck, "but no, I didn't mean to imply it couldn't be caught. Just... clarifying that's what you meant by 'catch it'."

After all, they could 'catch it' in the act of its abductions and chase it off. He's not sure how he feels about a journalist owning a Pokemon that has potential memory-erasing capabilities, but he keeps such thoughts to himself. The last thing he wanted to do was implant nefarious ideas.

"A pokeball should work." He'd never heard of Beheeyem resisting them. Even the massive Duraludon he'd fought alongside PIERCE WILDE had succumbed to captivity. It was only the so-called 'Ultra Beasts' who seemed immune. "I'm guessing you want it?"

He's got a bit of expertise in psychic-types, and doesn't own a member of the Elgyem line, but Selena seems positively ecstatic at the thought of capturing their troublemaker. His desire to avoid making waves clashes with a ranger's heart: what if the Pokemon didn't want to be caught, by either of them? What if it would be unhappy with a trainer?

"Psychic-types are usually rather intelligent," he says, pointedly shelving his other thoughts for now. "If the trap seems too... obvious, it might not come out. Del levitating the Miltank might seem suspicious."

The rest of the plan seems solid enough, so he focuses on his main issue.

Orion, not used to being recognized by anyone, had accessorized with a pair of sunglasses and a visor, equally as interested in fending off the sunlight as he was in remaining discreet. So far, so good.

"Definitely counts," he agrees. "For what it's worth, I've never done this either. Legal or otherwise."

Not that he'd admit to it if he had done any illegal racing, he supposed. He was a councilman now, that stuff was even more scandalous than it had been before he had a public reputation to uphold.

Kyle's question makes him laugh.

"Office work is always boring." He certainly hadn't gotten into politics for the paperwork. Along with the visor and shades, Orion had acquired a near-permanent accessory in the form of the bags beneath his eyes. Working for the council whilst also trying to keep up with the rangers was exhausting. "Honestly, this just sounded fun. You get the thrill of doing illegal shit while also being sanctioned by the league. Plus, it's a good way to work off some of his energy." He gestures to the Arcanine, currently chasing its tale like a puppy. When it notices Orion watching, the Arcanine offers him a huffing bark and wags his tail. "Our friend's on the move, by the way. Looks like he's going to meet up with his partner."

She was riding a Galarian Rapidash, its colorful mane streaming line a banner in the wind.

"Imagine how cool it'd be if we win this."

"Hm?"

Orion, having been deep in thought as he allowed Selena to take the lead toward the ranch, is pulled from his thought process by her question. Had he looked unwell? Tired, perhaps? He was tired more often than not, lately. It would hardly be a surprise. She mentions the darkness, and the councilman chuckles softly.

"Oh, I'm fine," he assures her. "I work nights pretty often. Or, I guess I should say I'm out at night pretty often."

He didn't exactly have a set schedule for his job, merely accepting whatever missions were important, close by, or in this case, simply interested him on a personal level. Darkness was like an old friend by now, and his eyes adjusted well to its embrace.

Selena insists on a plan, and it seems she has something in mind, so Orion is content to listen.

"Ah, an Umbreon. Excellent choice." Orion's Espeon, Delphi, flicks her forked tail at the dark-furred creature. Selena scratches plans in the dirt, and the ranger watches. "You're looking to catch the Beheeyem, you said?" Well, obviously they wanted to catch it, but... "Like, with a pokeball?"

She's aware of who he is, and Orion's never sure whether to be relieved or daunted by the knowledge that his face is a recognizable one. It strips the discomfort out of making introductions, but it adds new layers to worry about: how much did they know? What was expected of him?

Selena seems friendly and eager, at least, taking his hand in both of her own.

She introduces herself as a journalist, which causes an instant spike in his anxiety. He's had about enough of the press after the New Years incident. There were always questions: Why had Dahlia fused with the beast? What had happened to Mateo? What were the creatures attacking Slateport? What are your thoughts, Councilman Lykos?

It was enough to give anyone a headache.

Still, she comes across as eager to help this Marcel fellow, so he offers her the benefit of the doubt.

"I wouldn't say they were common," he amends, scratching at his jaw. "More like the incidents are weird enough to attract attention, so you hear about them when you otherwise wouldn't." Livestock were preyed upon by wild Mightyena from time to time, or the newly introduced Thievul, but that didn't make headlines quite so much as an alien creature abducting cattle. "Though it's rumoured they can mess with your memory, so who knows? Could be happening every night and we don't know about it..."

He trails off, then realises something. "Ah. Bit morbid, isn't it? Sorry."

Psychic-types fascinate him: he can't help but to be intrigued by the rumours, whatever their validity.

"I've never actually seen one in person, just done my research. Apparently they communicate with the little lights on their fingers, so maybe don't look at them if you can help it. Just in case."

He follows her out of the Center and toward Marcel's shack, his Espeon keeping pace in silence.

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Orion grimaces at the thought, watching silhouettes bump against the windows in tune with the buzzing. The four-legged shadow of an Adriados scuttles past.[break][break]

He's not used to people taking notice of his sleep-deprived state, even less used to them acknowledging it and expressing concern, so he blinks at Kaida a few times as he processes it.[break][break]

"Woke up from a nap with the alert, s'fine." The mere thought of crawling back into the comfort of his bed makes him yawn again, eyes watering with the force of it. "Just got a lot to do lately, that's all."[break][break]

That was an understatement.[break][break]

"My Pokemon are well-rested, though," he assures her, not wanting Kaida to think he subjected his partners to the same sleepless hell the councilman himself was learning to endure. He had a wide range of Pokemon to call upon for aid and swapped between them frequently. "Besides, I recognized the name. Figured you'd appreciate a friendly face."[break][break]

He hadn't forgotten their last mission, how disappointed she'd sounded in herself for wanting to give up. He could relate to that, wanted to be a positive source of encouragement.[break][break]

Volcarona emerges from her pokeball, shaking out her broad, colorful wings. A soft glow announces the effects of her quivering dance.[break][break]

"Lead the way," he allows.

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[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

Orion arrives in the city of Petalburg with an Espeon in tow, flashing an awkward and apologetic smile to a stranger who nearly bumps into him on his way into the Pokemon Center. He steps out of the way to let them pass, feeling his cheeks flush with residual embarrassment. He's getting better at handling social situations, but it's the little things that still find a way to trip him up.

Once inside, the councilman steps clear of the doors and scans the interior, worrying at his bottom lip.

Is that her?

"Excuse me?" Should Selena glance over, she'd notice Orion lift his hand in acknowledgement before dropping it back to his side, then second-guessing himself and offering it out. "Are you Selena Desmarais?"

He'd not been given a description, but most others in the Pokemon Center had looked to be busy with using the various services or deep in conversation. The young woman whom Orion had approached had merely been gazing out the window, almost as if expecting something. Someone?

Should she shake his hand, she'd find his grip gentle.

"Orion Lykos. I'm with the Rangers. I got a call saying there was some trouble with the Beheeyem again?" It wasn't the first time, as a ranger, he was hearing about these livestock abductions. It was, however, the first time someone had contacted him specifically. He supposed his knowledge of psychic-types was becoming more well-known. "Have you encountered the Pokemon personally?"