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IT WAS THANKS TO the pair's late hour arrival that they hadn't been able to claim a room at the inn the previous night, the upcoming masquerade in the next town over no doubt luring a massive influx of trainers to the area. The two had had to settle for camping just outside of the busy town and, while it wasn't an issue for the scientist, it had left her Meowth in an absolute terrible mood.

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Kitten stood at his usual perch, the tiny bare shoulder of his swim-ready trainer, elbow set atop her dark green hair as his half-lidded eyes stared out in challenge. His tail was stiff, curled tip bouncing with each lazy step the trainer took as he waited impatiently to arrive at their next destination, a quick detour to see the waters of Tohjo Falls. His keen ears had detected the Mankey's rampage the second they'd entered the city, and he was dead set on ignoring it.

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Noelani, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to the commotion, calm and relaxed as she continued on her set course through the town. It didn't take long to wander far enough into town for the excitement to reach her ears as well, though by her languid pace one could easily mistake her for not having heard it at all. Her chosen path lead her right to the inn being slowly butchered from the inside, the crash and shattering of the ape pokémon's rebellion sharp against her ears. Green eyes easily made out the shape of three figures standing just outside the chaos as she drew nearer, and her leisurely steps led her right to them.

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Slipping a ring of pineapple between her lips, the woman snapped off a bite of the soft-fleshed fruit as she slowed to a stop a few yards away from the event, her drowsy stare picking between the trio standing awkwardly outside of the very inn she had stopped by the previous night. Kitten's tail gave a single, warning twitch.

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It was only after a moment of watching on in curiosity that she started forward again, apparently unconcerned by the dangerous array of kitchenware hurling its way out the door. Easy steps brought her to stand casually at Chancelor's side, calm eyes aiming to get a better look inside.

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❝ What's this? ❞ she asked as she drew her ring of pineapple back toward her mouth, her opposite hand cradling the remaining slices in its palm. Kitten's deadpan stare fixed itself on the entrance as well, far less curious of what events might have lead to such insanity.

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NOELANI ONLY BLINKED at the stranger's reply, staring in through the doorway to catch brief glimpses of the round-bodied mess of fur sprinting back and forth inside. The Meowth at her shoulder turned his face away, low-lidded stare setting blankly toward the road. The cat's tail bobbed low to one side at the trainer's observation, a black-rimmed ear turning carefully to monitor the conversation as his trainer turned her bright green eyes to rest on the trainer just beside her.

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Her gaze passed briefly over his expression before settling on his eyes, the soft line of her lips matching the man's brilliant smile with a lazy one of her own. The woman's shoulders pulled drew up to fall in a careless shrug as a soft chuckle escaped the meek upturn of her lips, fingers moving to push the last of her pineapple slice into her mouth.

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The woman bowed forward slightly as the man turned his attention away, smile falling to an even line as she peeked by his figure to glance over the stiff-smiled innkeepers. A tightening of claws at her scalp signaled that if she leaned any further her companion may come tumbling down.

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The bright flash of an opened pokéball from nearby was enough to turn her attention from the awkward couple, the light clearing to reveal a mildly confused rock-skinned pokémon. With the focus of her attention shifted the woman rose slowly to straighten out her posture, hand reaching blindly to claim another slice of bright yellow fruit from its partner.

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Eyes followed as the small creature flipped around to watch its trainer, gaze drifting over the pokémon's form in thoughtful examination before the movement caught at the corner of her eye directed her attention to Chancelor. She turned her head slowly as her gaze followed along the length of his outstretched arm, drifting languidly from the point of his finger to the angered Mankey now a rampart in the doorway.

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Her eyes dropped toward Larvitar as it waddled forward to carry out its master's order, noting the brief flash of white fur from the doorway as the Mankey sped off to return to its slaughter of curtains and pillows.

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She was silent as her gaze fixed itself on the entryway, a curious ear granted the stranger's words. Bright green eyes turned sidelong to watch the man as his forced laughter shook the air, the gentle line of her lips unmoving. The bright smile caught from the corner of her vision only directed her attention forward again, the tilt of her head causing dark locks of hair to roll down over her shoulder. Kitten shifted his position.

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As obvious as the answer was, her quiet voice rang out in question. ❝ Mankey is yours? ❞

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Apparently the scientist had no intention of humoring his question.

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DESPITE THE TENSION in the man's smile Noelani appreciated his attempt, warm eyes softening as her brows eased over her eyes in quiet sympathy, the corners of her lips peeking in a faint effort to offer some measure of comfort. The brief glance cast toward the trainer was interrupted as a pained squeal broke the cacophony rattling the inn's walls, drowsy eyes pulling back toward the humble building as the Larvitar's roar incited a hush from the early birds that had been trilling on the boughs of trees nearby. The silence to follow only piqued the woman's interest, an absent-minded hand moving slowly to bring a pineapple ring to her lips.

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She looked to the trainer from the corner of her eyes before turning her head to meet his gaze fully as he spoke, lips pursing with confusion as the stranger's mouth settled into a frown. Her gaze drifted over the other's expression as he assured to repay her, lips parting too slowly in her reply for him to notice before he quickly turned around, whipping out a card for the couple.

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Her eyes turned to peek curiously toward the Meowth on her shoulder, watching as he inspected the sharp points of his claws in admiration.

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She'd have turned to wander off if not for the card offered to her, her attention falling to look at the stiff paper held between the man's index and middle digit. Setting the untouched piece of pineapple to rest with the others she wiped her fingers gracelessly down the side of her belly, drying her fingers against her skin.

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The researcher's eyes drifted up from the card to fix themselves on the the well-built stranger as she reached to retrieve it from him, her languid movement further slowed by her own uncertainty. The pearly grin of the apparent businessman quickly won her over, hesitation melting away as her mouth turned in a cheerful smile of its own. She accepted the card from his hand with ease, her face turning downward to pore over it studiously.

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❝ Ooooh, a dojo? ❞ came the second question with a painfully obvious answer, her hand moving to flip it over so she may grant the same careful examination to its back.

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❝ Do you train people? — ❞ she questioned, airy voice trailing off a bit as she looked up to search shamelessly over the sculpted muscles of the stranger's figure.

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❝ Or pokémon? ❞ she finished after a brief pause, bright green eyes finally turning to face his golden ones.

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THE MENTIONS OF anger and rage seemed to float right over the Alolan trainer's head, dazed stare passing back and forth between the man's eyes in curiosity as he went on in his explanation. The conviction with which the trainer spoke brought strength to the aspiring professor's sleepy smile.[break][break]

A dainty giggle escaped the girl's lips at the young man's cheery laughter, her eyes falling to glance toward the card held delicately in her grip as she considered the invitation.[break][break]

❝ So, ❞ she mused aloud, her attention rolling back up toward Chancelor slowly. ❝ Your family has been here for a long time, ❞ she observed, a hint of joy coloring her breezy tone. Noelani turned fully toward the charming trainer, a hand rising in offer of a friendly shake.[break][break]

❝ I'm Professor Palm, ❞ she introduced with a gentle chirp, the cat at her shoulder giving a dramatic roll of his eyes as he kept his attention elsewhere. [break][break]

❝ I wonder? — ❞ she began, though she seemed linger on the thought before continuing in her words. She brought the card to press its side against her lips in a pensive gesture. ❝ If you or 'Pops' know about the recent influx of pokémon to the area? ❞ Another careless giggle sounded, the breadth of her smile pulling to pinch the corners of her eyes.[break][break]

❝ That's what I want to learn. ❞

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THE WOMAN NODDED her head in affirmation as the man repeated her self-imposed title back to her, wholly convinced of the honesty of her words despite her lack of any manner of degree. Upon seeing his excitement she found her meek giggling gaining in strength, fingers turning the card in her grip to hide her growing smile as her soft laughter rang through the air. She didn't draw back at the roughness of his calloused hand, pleased to give it a confident, firm grip one might not expect from an apparently lazy student.[break][break]

Retrieving her hand, Noelani nodded again at the flash of his shining white teeth,drawing back shyly into her shoulders at his compliment. Kitten's gaze dragged toward his trainer as she shifted under his feet, looking her over with little amusement before fixing Chance with a stare of disapproval. The cat leaned further atop the head of his trainer, shifting to rest his elbow against the top of her head as he supported his chin with his paw.[break][break]

❝ Pops sounds nice, ❞ she observed, canting her head as she regained herself a bit. Her shoulders loosed, card falling from her lips as her timid smile relaxed. She fully expected Pops to have such a forcedly deep tone after Chance's performance.[break][break]

❝ Just... Chance? ❞ The girl piped up thoughtfully, her hand turning the card in her grasp over slowly as she tested the name on her lips. ❝ Okay. I can do that. ❞[break][break]

❝ It's true, ❞ Noelani lightly confirmed in answer to his question, gaze drifting over Chance in curiosity over the reason for his asking. She wasn't able to put together the request.[break][break]

Kitten, however, knew immediately what the young man was after, and his lips fell into a crooked frown as his curled tail drooped low behind him. He clicked his claws to mimic the sound of fingersnaps in hopes of drawing the eager teen's attention before wagging a reprimanding digit toward him, refusing him the Pokédex on his trainer's behalf. Noelani didn't seem to notice.[break][break]

❝ Do you have one? ❞

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KITTEN'S PAW RETURNED to his hip as the trainer's sigh hit his ears, the disapproving curve of his lips unwavering as he straightened his posture. Heavy-lidded eyes watched the man with guarded suspicion as he stood a vigilant, furry gargoyle atop the woman's shoulder.[break][break]

❝ You and your pokémon, — ❞ she began, oblivious to the cool stare the companion using her head as an armrest was giving to their current person of interest. ❝ seem to work well as a team, ❞ she offered warmly, sincerity in her gentle tone as she searched the other trainer's eyes, confident in her assessment. ❝ If you're not there yet. I'm sure. You'll get there, ❞ she encouraged slowly, flashing a toothy smile of her own as her shoulders peaked in her enthusiasm.[break][break]

❝ I'm going to put in a good word for you, ❞ she assured as her shoulders dropped, having finally picked up on what the young man had been driving at. She failed to note the fact that the positive words of a lowly student would likely have little weight with a local professor she had yet to so much as introduced herself to. The thought, at least, was a nice one.[break][break]

There was a moment of hesitation as she glanced about her person, searching out a place for her newly acquired business card. Noting no obvious pockets on her scant swimwear, her green eyes fell to search over her bright red dufflebag, staring at it a moment before reaching to hook a finger in the zipper and ease it open a bit. The card was dropped inside, and a phone was drawn out into her grip.[break][break]

A single finger pressed at the bottom of the gadget's face and, with a quiet rumble, its screen flickered to life. Noelani drew the machine in toward her side, her attention effectively glued to the device as she tapped at a rapidfire pace against the screen, finding her desired app and flicking through the information with expert skill.[break][break]

The sharp movements came to an abrupt halt as her eyes drifted back up toward Chance, their slow, lazy movement a stark contrast to the lightning that fueled the tapping of her digits just an instant ago.[break][break]

❝ It's a ninety-six point four percent increase in a span of time comparable to the blink of an eye, ❞ she stated, though the lethargic blink of her thick green lashes may have lengthened the time one might usually think of when referring to the analogy. ❝ Experts suspect more pokémon incoming, which could result in further increase as high as one hundred twenty-four percent. Highest estimates place the combined growth in alien pokémon to swallow the region's natural residents at two hundred nineteen point four percent. ❞[break][break]

Her gaze drifted back to the face of her screen as her finger moved gently against its surface, scrolling through the data. ❝ I'm curious what's inspiring such a massive migration, ❞ she says, eyes moving calmly across the lists of numbers easing across her screen.[break][break]

❝ Um... ❞ she sounds, her eyes peeking up toward the man as her face remains toward her phone. ❝ It could mean a lot of different things, for the region. And for the pokémon themselves, too. ❞ she mused aloud, a hint of uncertainty to her voice.

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THE TRAINER'S SHEEPISH gesture was met with a smile of assurance. Noelani shook her head softly as he was quick to dismiss his own theory, eyes wandering off to the side to gaze over the macabre scene of the gutted inn just beside them.[break][break]

❝ It's a plausible theory, ❞ she granted softly, her hand moving to hold her cell phone toward Kitten as her gaze lingered toward the sorry structure. It lingered there a moment as Kitten finally withdrew his eyes from Chance to look toward the phone, a furry brow quirking over his bored stare as he directed his gaze to his master. It turned into a waiting game as the woman stared toward the inn, her hand hovering in the air as she waited for her pokémon to relieve her of the machine and, in time, he did resign to her wishes.[break][break]

❝ Some are theorizing it may mark the coming of a legendary pokémon, or hint at a great natural disaster, ❞ she continued as Kitten's paw reached to retrieve her phone. He held it at his side as her now freed hand moved to take a slice of pineapple from her grip, lifting it slowly to her mouth.[break][break]

❝ There has been much research done to search out the mysterious powers of such legendary creatures. Additionally, humans have managed to create new pokémon through usage of data alone. ❞ Her eyes turned toward Chance as she further supported his theory, pineapple ring working its way ever so slowly to her lips.[break][break]

❝ If one could replicate the call of a legendary pokémon. Yes. It could be a man made device that has spurred it, ❞ she spoke cheerfully, biting down on her slice of fruit immediately after. The bite was pushed to her cheek by her tongue as she found more words for the man.[break][break]

❝ You're very clever! ❞ she commended, her hand reaching up to offer the remainder of the slice to the patient feline at her shoulder. A greedy paw swept down to accept the pineapple as soon as it rose within his reach, drawing it in toward his face for a small, prudish bite.[break][break]

She couldn't help but giggle at the thought of a hostile takeover. ❝ There are very few pokémon that engage in any type of warfare. Either way, I don't believe there's any reason to worry, for now, ❞ she spoke in a soothing tone. ❝ Pokémon are driven by an instinct beyond human thinking. ❞ Or so the scientist believed.