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[b][color=azure][h2]Hail Archer[/h2][/color][/b]
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Hail shifted uncomfortably in his chair, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. A slender, forked tail brushed the side of his face and he sighed.

He raised a fair hand to caress his Espeon's chin delicately.

[color=lightcyan]"What do you think, Sai? Am I being paranoid?"[/color]

[color=thistle]"Espeon...."[/color]

[color=lightcyan]"I guess you're right,"[/color] Hail mutterd, letting his eyes flutter shut as his thoughts wandered.

The SS Lugia was just as amazing as he'd heard, if not more so. The cutting-edge technology, the familiar natural harmony of Pokemon; all of it was absolutely mesmerizing. It truly was a vessel worthy of being named after the legendary Lugia. Hail was fresh from spectating the first round of the Contest, and he had to admit that so far, it had been quite a spectacle to behold. After all, vacation or not, he was still a researcher at heart, and seeing all those Pokémon performing was always cause for admiration.

And yet, something still troubled him.

The atmosphere aboard the ship was stuffy, and noisy too. Hail didn't think he could ever get used to being around so many rich people and celebrities all at once. It didn't help, of course, that he was only passingly familiar with a few of the passengers, at best. Certainly not well enough to know how to start a conversation with any of them.

That had never stopped him before, but he was oddly somewhat anxious this time around. He couldn't bring himself to be at ease, no matter how hard he tried, and he did try. His table was half-filled with empty glasses and he was barely even buzzed, much less relaxed. There was something keeping him from enjoying himself to the fullest and he didn't know what it was.

All he knew was that he had an ominous feeling that he just couldn't shake. His instincts wouldn't allow him to.

However, as time passed by and nothing happened, Hail could almost start to relax. Almost.

.... Sigh. He was probably just being–

His musings were interrupted as the ship jerked violently.

The only reason he didn't fall to the ground was because he was leaning on a table.

Hail was almost relieved when he felt the ship shake; the metal vessel groaning with strain. He felt bad about that, considering the mess it no doubt made for the crew, but regret wouldn't do any good now. Action would, though.

[color=lightcyan]"Ghast. Have a look, won't you?"[/color]

Hail spoke the command quietly, and a ghostly green dragon appeared for a brief moment before disappearing like a mirage.

The Dragapult made its way outside the room, unseen and unheard, where it soon came across a man and his Pokémon.

[color=teal]"Drag...."[/color]