[center][color=turquoise][h2]Mililani Kekoa[/h2][h3]May 17th, mid afternoon, Greater Cairo, Egypt[/h3][/color][/center]

Ever since she'd caught the Jigglypuff in France, guilt had worn at Mililani about leaving Pokemon in the headquarters after promising to care for them. They'd be alright, given how Pokeballs worked, but she didn't want to leave them to find several months had passed without their knowledge. It was bad enough that her Pokemon back in Alola would go through that. Were they even still in the PC, or had they ended up elsewhere too?

Now, as she brought the Pokeball with the Spritzee inside it to Professor Birch's office, she acknowledged the reasons for her reluctance to switch out. One, it would bring back memories of those awful two months she'd spent separated from her Pokemon. The second was the thought of leaving any of her current team with people whose motives she questioned made her uneasy - but they were already a part of this anyway. There was no avoiding the fact.

[color=turquoise]"Aouli, I'll get you back out soon,"[/color] she whispered to a Pokeball she took from her belt, even though it was like talking to someone in a deep sleep. [color=turquoise]"When the world's more used to Pokemon."[/color] Taking her Drampa out flying always attracted attention here, excessive fascination in some cases, fear in others. [color=turquoise]"And Keahi, hopefully it won't be long until people start to calm down."[/color] Alolan variants really had proven popular with Earth people, who would fuss over them even if they didn't want to be fussed over.

Her hands felt oddly heavy as she held out the capsules. [color=turquoise]"Professor. I have two Pokemon here to be kept [i]safely[/i] in storage,"[/color] she said, looking up at him with her sharp, wary gaze. [color=turquoise]"As for this Spritzee, and the Jigglypuff... I can't just catch Pokemon and not spend time with them."[/color] From what she'd heard, the storage system was advanced enough to easily transport Pokemon between headquarters. She just hoped Mahina wouldn't be too bewildered at yet another unfamiliar place.

[hider=Mililani][b]Pokemon Team:[/b]
[list][*]Primarina ♀ (Naia), lv34
[*]Comfey ♂ (Liko), lv34
[*]Lucario ♀ (Ohanna), lv34
[*]Oricorio ♀ (Palila), lv34
[*]Drampa ♂ (Aouli), lv34
[*]Alolan Marowak ♂ (Keahi), lv34[/list]
[b]Pokemon Reserves:[/b]
[list][*]Jigglypuff ♀ (Mahina), lv9
[*]Spritzee ♀ (currently unnamed), lv18[/list]
[b]Items:[/b]
[list][*]Pokeball x1[/list][/hider]
[hr]
[center][color=forestgreen][h2]Ryan Harrell[/h2][h3]May 17th, mid afternoon, Greater Cairo, Egypt[/h3][/color][/center]

Ryan watched the ball give one, two, three shakes on the ground. His luck seemed to be holding out... Until the capsule broke open, releasing the Eevee.

[color=forestgreen]"Ehh, you're still hungry, aren't you?"[/color] Ryan said as the fox picked up the berry and started to withdraw into a corner. He wondered if it would run away, but instead, it dropped the fruit and resumed eating. Its wary glances became less frequent. He must have been a little too hasty there, Ryan thought, waiting for the Eevee to finish. Maybe Corentin's boundless energy was rubbing off on him.

Once it had eaten the last of the berry, the Eevee raised its head and slowly drew closer. Ryan picked up the Pokeball again, watching for the Pokemon's reaction. [color=forestgreen]"Are you ready?"[/color] he softly asked. As much as he'd love to get an Eevee, if it really didn't want to be caught, he'd respect that.

The evolution Pokemon took a step forward, then another. It hesitated, tilting its head, then gave Ryan's hand a gentle nuzzle. "Vee!" it yapped.

On the second throw, the Pokeball only shook once before settling still on the ground. The Eevee had made its choice.

...

The first thing Ryan did when he reached the headquarters was place the newly occupied Pokeball in the machine. Thankful for the much more bearable temperature, he leaned against the wall as he waited. His skin felt sore and dry, most likely from sunburn, but it had been worth it.

At the sound of a "ping", he retrieved the Pokeball and let out his third team member. "Ee?" the fox squeaked, staring around the room like a puppy introduced into a new home. She looked down at herself, stretching out her limbs, which no longer bore any wounds. 

[color=forestgreen]"You see? I told you,"[/color] Ryan said, crouching and slowly holding out a hand. The Eevee inched forward, sniffing, then let him stroke her.

Corentin, squealing with delight at the new addition to the team, barrelled forward to join in the befriending. "Cast?" He tilted his head in confusion when the Eevee bolted, peering out at him from under a chair, her fur fluffed up.

[color=forestgreen]"Please, Corentin, give her some space,"[/color] Ryan urged. [color=forestgreen]"Alexandria needs time to settle in."[/color] He approached the Eevee, trying to coax her out. [color=forestgreen]"Alexandria. That's what I'll call you. I mean we're nowhere actually near the city, but how's that as a name?"[/color]

Alexandria shuffled from her hiding place, allowing her trainer to pet her once again. She hunched a little as Corentin floated over, but this time he made no sudden movements.

[color=forestgreen]"Gilkey, meet Alexandria."[/color] Trusting the Foongus to keep her cool, Ryan let her out. [color=forestgreen]"Xandri, Gilkey."[/color] The Foongus stayed in place for a moment, then hopped closer with a gentle "Foo?" At ease from the much more subdued reaction, Alexandria padded over and squeaked in response.

Half a team already, Ryan thought as he watched his three Pokemon. This was going even better than he'd expected.

[center][color=forestgreen][h3]May 18th, morning, Greater Cairo, Egypt[/h3][/color][/center]

Ryan headed down to the breakfast hall, Alexandria in his arms. Even if Pokemon didn't look quite like they did in the games, he was sure an Eevee wasn't supposed to be this skinny. [color=forestgreen]"Let's get you another good meal,"[/color] he said, cradling her in one arm and tickling her behind the ears.

The fox tensed, ears pricking up at shouts and mewling noises from a nearby room. Tightening his grip, Ryan turned to the open door of the battle room, where two trainers had found a way to fully wake themselves and their Pokemon up for the day ahead. Alexandria squealed, claws digging into her trainer's skin as a Litten pounced at a Glameow. Both cats rolled across the floor.

[color=forestgreen]"Ow! Uh... Let's move along."[/color] Remembering the thieving cat from yesterday, Ryan stepped away. To his puzzlement, Alexandria kept her eyes on the doorway, watching the Glameow jump back up and giggle. The elation was just as clear on the Pokemon's faces as on those of the trainers. Craning her neck, the Eevee began to relax as the battle unfolded - a friendly competition, which she seemed able to tell apart from a fight with more vicious intentions.

[color=forestgreen]"Hm? Xandri?"[/color] Ryan ruffled Alexandria's fur to make sure she'd be comfortable. [color=forestgreen]"You're ok watching this?"[/color] As the Eevee took in the scene, Corentin bobbed in the air, babbling something to her. Gilkey, meanwhile, stood by her trainer's feet, silently observing as usual.

Once the victorious Litten had held its head high and both Pokemon had been returned, Ryan continued on his way to the hall. [color=forestgreen]"So... You'd be alright doing that?"[/color] he asked Alexandria, gesturing towards her, then towards the training room to ensure she'd know what he was talking about. The Eevee glanced back at the doorway, then nodded.

[i]Maybe she wants to get stronger, after having been picked on,[/i] Ryan thought. [color=forestgreen]"Alright, let's see if we can find someone to challenge later on. But first, breakfast - Hey, wait, Corentin!"[/color]

He didn't know if it was because of the battle or the promise of food, but once again Corentin was zooming ahead of him. He sprinted after the little weather Pokemon, Alexandria leaping from his arms and scampering beside him, Gilkey hopping along as fast as her stalk would carry her.

Well, at least this meant they'd all get their own morning workout.

[hider=Ryan][b]Pokemon Team:[/b]
[list][*]Foongus ♀ (Gilkey), lv10 (0.5 xp)
[*]Castform ♂ (Corentin), lv8
[*]Eevee ♀ (Alexandria), lv9[/list]
[b]Items:[/b]
[list][*]Pokeball x2[/list][/hider]