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Big and bad looking typically countered big and bad easily enough, and Kaida was seeing their results. Behind her, a street of cowering humans and Pokemon took cover in the shade of her Pokemon. [break][break]

Her Pokemon had come pounding towards her as the swarm of Pangoro appeared. Even if it was the territory of another, they understood this was their home, and territory needed to be guarded. So what had been a group consisting of a small woman and her Bouncing Toxicroak had become a gator, dragon, and croc all tearing down any aggressive panda in sight. She smiled as she saw Munin Crunch and send a fellow dark-type flying, Vani's scales creating a triumphant rhythm as she pounded blow after blow, and Jotun letting out a cackling laugh as he twirled, Aqua Tail lashing. [break][break]

This was how she wanted in to be. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why is is called present. What? Even she could put together nice sounding words. This was how she always was, a quick glance behind, and never looking too far, only keeping her eyes on the prey before her. Just trying to stay alive. [break][break]

Maybe one of these Pangoro would sense their feelings in their defeat and come around to them. The pack was always open. [break][break]

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"It seemed very easy." Kaida repeated seriously, jaw clenched, "Multiple floors, few guards, and something loud happening on top...not a single person heard us or saw until the tree fell. I think it was too easy for anybody who wanted to." She let some of her opinions die in her throat. That the guards weren't competent, that the contest shouldn't have happened near the tree, all of those were opinions she hoped were common sense. [break][break]

She stopped slightly at Selena's next question, shaking her head, "I have no idea who the "who" was. Just that, before I even attempted to pass, there were already multiple people moving ahead of me, not any League I knew...I couldn't tell you who those people were." Her memories of the event were fresh, she doubted such a significant event in her life would ever fade in entirety, "But," Her eyes hardened, a steel raising in her voice, "There were many traps in our way, left by the ones that moved first. My Pokemon and I, we were very hurt." As if counting, she flicked up her fingers, "Cut, stuck, breathing in poisonous smoke, I didn't even get to the bottom of the tree...I don't doubt whoever was trying to stop everyone were the ones who destroyed the tree, because they got there first and, soon, there was an explosion." Why it was even a question, she had no idea, but the truth of a participant was out.

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Selfless? Kaida tried to not frown. Maybe from the outside, it seemed that way, but she had just said she only wanted to help Pokemon, correct? She held her tongue, though. Selena seemed relaxed, so it seemed to be going well. If being called all these kind things meant those watching thought she was credible, it was fine. [break][break]

"Yes, its where we met. I wasn't expecting a civilian to...help." It was a rather depressing memory, but she felt she and Selena had dome their best to help the Pokemon, "It was a little early in my duties, putting out a fire like that would be easier now...I'd be sure not to let them suffer." Even with better water-types, perhaps it was naive to think she'd save every little one, but she supposed she'd find out next time such a situation arose. [break][break]

And then there is was, the dreaded Littleroot incident. The fire was bad, but salvageable. This was a disaster. [break][break]

"I heard of the tree when it grew, I think everyone did." A marvel like that tree wasn't something that was just ignored. Now, a frown truly made itself known, an almost scowl, "Then they built a building for it and I felt I needed to protect it...even just a tree can be helpful to the environment." She suspected it wasn't just a tree, but that wasn't the point. Her fingers dug into the water bottle, this did not feel like talking to one person. "I had no tasks to fulfil, I just felt it was easy to harm by anyone who wanted to...I didn't think I would be so right." So right that they even failed.

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Kaida, trying very hard to not look towards the camera or Ormr, sat nearly stock-still, only rigidly taking the bottle of water into her hands. It was more to keep her hands busy, she didn't know if doing anything but talk was appropriate for the interview. [break][break]

She sat through the beginning spiel with patience, composing her face back into a neutral state, she believed looking a little intimidating was better than looking frightened in front of the invisible audience that would surely watch this on TV. She was sitting up, offering a courteous nod to Selena by the time that her introduction came around. She couldn't hear that well over Selena's voice, but she thought she heard a rattle from the "audience". Perhaps the Pokemon was proud his partner was being acknowledged, much like a brother. [break][break]

Having had time to look over some questions, Kaida didn't pause lomg before she answered. "Not immediately, but I saw there was no way for me to do what I wanted without joining...I think that's my motivation too." Her voice relaxed a little, clearly at ease talking about what she knew, "I just wanted to help Pokemon, nothing else, nobody in my way." Her stiff body moved slightly, a shrug to discerning eyes, "They're very important to me, I thought it natural to help them directly." Her eyes flickered to Selena's briefly. Is this good?

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Reflecting back on this, she would have never agreed to this had it not been Selena who had asked. A stranger putting her in a room with a bunch of bright lights for a interview to put as news? It would not have happened, especially after that article. She'd gladly take responsibility for the Sludge Wave...the explosion may have killed the tree anyways, but she wasn't stupid, she could have made it worse, and no stupidity on the part of others would make up for that. The article seemed intent on harming others as well, and she held no liking for Fernando nor did she see the point in trying to please those who seemed determined not to see, but even she felt offense at not one person being praised for an action...only one person truly died, after all. You think they'd be grateful, and wondering who was the enemy. [break][break]

Nonetheless, here she was, looking over questions with a curious eye. A quaint sight for her, to be sure. [break][break]

"I believe I am." Near the stage, Ormr hid outside of sight, emotional support, though distant. She sat up, appearing polite, and nodded, "Ok. Ready." Looking over the questions provided just a little bit of confidence, she could do this well enough. If Selena wanted to hear the truth, then she could give it, best as she remembered.

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Abruptly, a rare laugh escaped Kaida, "Not a monk! It's just easier out here, less loud than there, and my Pokemon get to live freely here even when I'm working. It's a good trade, and wild Pokemon avoid us, because they are rather strong." She didn't have enough to buy a home that could support everyone, and she wasnt going to stuff them into a machine. Even if it was pleasant, it wasnt a fate she wanted them to be in, simply waiting for her to choose them for the next battle or task. [break][break]

Kaida stepped away from the shrine as the strange one approached it, one swipe of her hands signaling her Pokemon to step away as well. The glittery terrain coming from the being was certainly one she never wanted to see again after Littleroot's incident, and she grimaced as she avoided it. "This...whatever it is...is all you came here for?" Would she really be so lucky, to see the man and have him walk away after this strange duty?

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Having resigned herself to this talk, Kaida didn't immediately recognize that while her recognition had already happened, he was still remembering her particular face...something she could relate to, in all honesty. Still, she had a habit of not lying, and rarely felt anything personal was something to avoid, so she answered easily, "No, you're not intruding...we just live near here, we thought it polite to clean it up." [break][break]

At the shrine, Munin the Krookodile looked up, allowing herself to break away from work to offer a greeting wave to the strange one following the man. For Pokemon that simply roamed free, there was a certain discipline to them. No uneccessary mischief, a connection that suggested they knew what each other were going to do, then acted accordingly. Even the two curious Pokemon, seeing Kaida tense and abruptly relax, made their way away. They would just be in the way, and Kaida already seemed to know what was going on. She had this. [break][break]

"I never knew what these shrines worshipped, but I never saw that Pokemon you have, I suppose strange Pokemon like that are worshipped...it seems very calm." It both calmed and unnerved her, but she supposed all otherworldly things would. "How did you know to come here? Rarely anyone does."

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Presented with the next challenge, Kaida suddenly stepped forward and released Hema, the off-color Seviper certainly not a thief of any kind, but Kaida was starting to understand. "Hema, take out its ability." Stealing three spoons was too easy under normal circumstances, and only three? What did the fourth person do? Easy, this. [break][break]

Hema coughed, bringing up an acid that was nowhere near dangerous to Pokemon, but had a special effect, and spat it over the psychic type. The Gastro Acid wouldn't harm it, but stung and got under its skin, eliminating its ability with the mysterious poison. [break][break]

"Ok. Steal now!"

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Humans rarely came around, and those that did were usually in the business of training Pokemon, so they didn't stray too close to Pokemon who a Pokeball wouldn't capture. So a man coming so close raised some attention. Still, curiosity was raised in the Seviper and Snazzle, who trailed after the man who looked familiar in the corner of their eyes. [break][break]

"Don't burn any of this." Kaida patted Muspel on the shoulder as she set off to dump the leaves someplace more rural, anywhere but here. She could hear footsteps, human, coming closer, and could identify it was a man at least. "Oh, hello sir, we didn't know people ca-" Her voice died, the woman blinking in a mixture of disbelief and sudden fear. [break][break]

She recognized not any face, but she had to recognize the Pokemon by the man's side. Something so unique, so dignified, who else could it be? This was Fernando, the man she was supposed to avoid. [break][break]

I'm sorry, I guess you will hear from me now, Lars. [break][break]

A long sigh escaped from her. Muspel was gone, she wasn't escaping this so easily this time, and she was never good with the type of cleverness she was sure this man possessed. So, she continued her work, turning to survey her own Pokemon. "What did you come here for, sir? Not much is important here." Including, hopefully, herself.

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