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[ A: action -- library; Rangers offices ]

[ What Raine would give for a proper night's sleep. But her way of managing through the lack of it is keeping busy, which means taking on an early shift at the library, mostly making sure books are in their proper places (and that certain people aren't building forts with them, not on her watch), and taking mid afternoon trips over to the Ranger offices to deliver research notes and finally begin the task of looking into her tiny corner office and... acknowledging the fact that she has one of those.

And that this room needs to be cleaned and... refurnished and all that fun stuff. B a f f l i n g.

This was the true purpose of having coffee at the ready throughout the day. Her newly-evolved Espeon has been staying nearby, though ducking away when sounds became too loud. Has Raine even eaten, yet? Probably not. ]

[ B: action -- lake shrine ]

[ She doesn't really want to be out here, but someone high up insisted that she take a break, and it so happened that she's had a moody pokemon on hand that seemed to need a change of scenery anyway.

... And, by the size of the pokemon in question, a rather large purple lapras, shrouded in its own mist, the Lake Shrine seemed a suitable enough location to visit. It was peaceful and the shores didn't have as many waves as the ocean.

For her part, she was allowing the Lapras to explore on her own, and some of her other pokemon to wander around. A bulbasaur, happiny and togepi play nearby, watched over by a Petilil. It's a peaceful group. Almost too peaceful. And yet, from where she's situated herself, on a blanket, far enough from the lake and the shrine itself so as not to disturb it, Raine's got her books and paperwork with her even though she's probably supposed to be relaxing, or something. ]

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[Well, Yuuna at least is a little used to this sort of thing. Wandering up the small office where she could feel Raine at work, leaning on the doorframe and knocking loudly on the wall, she clucked her tongue.]

You're as bad as Waver, Raine.

--Hm? [She finally looks over from where she was re-positioning a file cabinet, glancing up at the tall woman with a slight shake of her head at the 'joke'.]

... Hello to you too, Yuuna. It's starting to come along, don't you think?

[... Not exactly, but it's clear she's been working hard trying to get a basic setup.]

[Yuuna steps into the room and walks over to the desk, running a hand along the surface while she thinks over what to say. It's...strange...seeing a grown woman who's obviously not slept much and keeps working. Waver was still a weird kid in her eyes, after all.]

Yes, but when was the last time you slept?

... Oh, is that what you meant? [She blinks, not having expected to be called out on that, having interpreted the comment as poking fun at the general disorganization still present.]

I've ... I've slept. [Perhaps not recently. Perhaps not for too long.] It's been a busy time.

Yes. That's exactly what I meant.

[Her fingers click on the desk, a sharp, staccato sound. She dislikes having to make people go to sleep, but she may just have to put a ban on coffee in the office.]

When, Raine? I heard you in here when I left last night, and I got here early.

I've had a nap between now and then. [She reaches down to to retrieve one of her coffee cups. The espeon sitting on the chair looks up at both of them with twitching ears.] ... It's all right, Yuuna. You don't have to worry about me; I'm quite used to this from my exam preparation days.

And you know, just like with Waver, I really must insist that you do actually sleep. There's nothing here that's that important.

[Yuuna is a field medic first and foremost, a captain second...]

It's for your health, you know.

... I understand your concern. If it was anyone else, I'd agree as well.

[She gestures toward the unclaimed chair for Yuuna to feel free to take a seat.] I don't intend to take risks that would impair the quality of my work. It's just that right now, being able to organize things like this has been more beneficial to me than sleeping these days.

[Yuuna does, eyeing Raine a little worriedly.]

Has something been bothering you? I admit, I'm a little concerned, hearing that.

[Lia leaps up onto her trainer's shoulder, nudging Raine to take her own chair as well.]

These last few months have been very hectic for everyone. For my part, I just want to make sure we're reasonably caught up before something else happens. The best way I can do that is to keep going.

[Which for her has been managing on meditation, infrequent naps, coffee and the occasional refresher spell.

There's more to it than what she says, an assortment of reasons and concerns. Back in Sanctuary, no one would have asked. Union is still a strange shift for her.]

[From behind them, a tall, lanky Greninja pads into the room, settling down on the floor and just staring at Raine, eyes focused on the woman. It's confusing for her, seeing a human like this...]

We'll be alright for you to take eight hours, Raine. In fact I may put you on medical leave just for that. [Leaning back, she reached a hand out and squeezed her Pokemon's arm.]

I'm still a medic, you know. I know what it's like when someone overworks themselves, and you're about to crash. And soon.

[She blinks at Yuuna, the expression not unlike someone who isn't certain that they've heard what was said correctly.]

A medical leave? You don't think that's a little extreme?

[She's not arguing it, exactly, not when Yuuna reiterates her credentials, though she can't help but be perplexed by the notion given her habits.]

No? Raine, I went through medical school. We did this, all the time. Our teachers would order us to take breaks. It's just something that happens. You're still human, after all.

[Her expression softens, sympathetic and friendly, but still touched with seriousness.]

I really don't want to have to order you to go to bed, though. Just...go, okay? Everything will be here when you wake up. And if something does happen, we'll be better served by someone who's well rested than someone who's tired.

[... Well. She can't deny the logic in that last statement, though her eyes glance at the work still left to do, and for the first time notices that Greninja staring at her. She gives the Pokemon a nod in greeting, before returning her gaze to Yuuna, just... processing, mostly. With her brother off to school and the pokemon who would protest her actions sent off to play elsewhere, these were words she had hardly expected to hear. Particularly from an employer.]

... Well, when you put it that way, I should at least make an attempt.

[But an expectancy of eight whole hours when she could barely manage two on a good night?]

You should.

[The Greninja doesn't really emote, she just watches Raine, eyes occasionally darting to Yuuna for one reason or another and wondering if they're finished. Yuuna isn't quite, though.]

And I've got some sleeping herbs in my office, I'll go get in a minute. Make yourself a tea out of them, when you get home. It'll help you fall asleep a little easier and keep you asleep. Trust me, okay?

[Oh she... hadn't expected that.]

Is that so? I haven't had to do something like that before, but I'll see if it helps...

Trust me, it's a godsend, Raine. You won't regret it.

[She pushes off the desk, turning towards the door.]

Back in a moment.

[A part of her is naturally suspicious, but... well, Yuuna is her boss now. And the only way to draw her own conclusions about it would be to try it.

So she nods, watching Yuuna leave, glancing to her empty coffee pot and back to the pair of pokemon in the room. Such quiet observers. Her Espeon, at least, makes a soft sound of approval, for all that she was intimidated by Yuuna's large size. At least one human around here had common sense.]

[A bit later Yuuna returns with a packet. And a teacup shaped like a Politoed.]

Here you are. And a cup, too. I had a few made and I've been giving them to co-workers. Just steep a pinch of the herbs in your tea about thirty minutes before bed and it'll put you right to sleep.

[Politoeds aren't usually what one would see on mugs, as she carefully turns it around in her hands to examine it.]

What a unique design... [She glances back up toward Yuuna, nodding slowly as she listens to the instructions.]

I see... this is all very, very thoughtful of you, Yuuna. Thank you.

[Even if it's something she's done for the other coworkers, it's still touching. Even though she'd need an extra nudge from the little watching Espeon once she actually got home to try it.]

[Raine isn't the only one who's come out to this place with her Pokemon. Elaine stopped by the lake to splash some cool water on her throat and let her Pokemon take a light dip after a long day of training. But while the others play in the lake, her Mienfoo and Kricketune are clustered close to Elaine.]

Hit me.

[And apparently she's giving them very strange instructions...to the Mienfoo in particular.]

Mieeeeeeeeen.

[The little feline Pokemon shakes her head vigorously. The Kricketune looks between the two of them, then starts a vigorous action movie theme.]

Ehron? Not helping. Come on, Suzie, I'm giving you full permission. You've got your Double Slap, and your moves are graceful. Now.

[Squatting on her heels, Elaine slaps her palms together.]

Go through your moves, reel back, and knock me on my seat.

Foo!

I told you, it's fine! Come on, right here.

[She points at her cheek and turns her head. But Chop Suzie looks back pointedly at Raine, either quietly pleading for help or trying to get Elaine to realize they're not really alone.]

[Raine tended to be a firm believer in minding her own business, though once that strange... music starts up, it does draw her attention to the trio.

Especially once that little pokemon continues to look over in her direction. Should she speak up? The poor thing did seem nervous...]

Are you working through some confidence training?

What's up?

[It's not like Chop Suzie to get distracted in the middle of training. Elaine follows the Mienfoo's gaze until she spots Raine, then she stands to her feet. Uh. How's she going to explain this...]

[Thankfully Raine seems perceptive enough to recognize it for what it is, and not some weird hobby where Elaine asks her Pokemon to beat her up.]

That's right. She's got talent out the ears, but always recoils when it comes to actually letting one of her blows land. I thought she might find it easier if she tried hitting a willing target, but no dice.

[Raine nods, taking in the explanation. It wasn't too difficult an inference to make, particularly from Suzie's body language.]

I see... has she been like that since you met her? It sounds like she's afraid to hurt anyone, so she could have had an experience that's affected her badly...

I think so. At first I thought she just didn't like to combat other Pokemon. But it's objects, too. And me. I don't know what to do to coax her out of it.

[She sighs, placing her hands on her hips.]

Maybe I should just leave her alone. If she doesn't want to use her moves, I don't want to force her.

Well... forcing her won't help either of you. Even if you do find a way to learn what it is that gave her that block in the first place, she still might not want to utilize those skills. Especially if she seems resistant to even breaking objects...

[She looks back to the pokemon in question.] She did trust you enough to allow her to bond with you in the first place, whatever those issues are. Respecting that is part of that bond, don't you think?

[Chop Suzie stares back. ... And strikes an elegant pose so she can show off her grace and strength. If it isn't obvious why Elaine chose her, that impeccable form should be more than adequate proof.]

I can't argue that. It seems she's still willing to try, but I don't know... Not all Pokemon need to have some sort of combat ability to travel with their trainers. I'm fine with it.

But I don't know if she's fine with that. The need to grow is definitely there.

[She nods, smiling at Suzy before returning her gaze to Elaine in some thought.]

It seems like you have to find out what she does want, and build from there. I don't know of anyone I can recommend directly... but Union does have a lot of people willing to assist others with issues like these. If you find someone who can talk to her and find out what she's thinking, that'll bring you a step closer to working out your problems.

Perhaps so.

[Elaine has to admit that it's not easy to seek other people out for help. She's spent so many years managing just fine on her own. But it's getting easier. So far the Unionites have proven to be kind and helpful. She's a little envious she didn't get to grow up there instead.]

I'm Elaine, by the way. Thanks.

In any case, that's the best I can suggest... what you both choose to do is up to you of course.

[She knows all too well how difficult it is to trust others for that sort of thing, but she's been in Union for less than a year, herself. Enough time to gain some perspective on that, at least, even if she was still hesitant in other ways.]

It's good to meet both of you. My name is Raine.

[Elaine holds out her hand in greeting.]

I'll have to keep thinking about it. Maybe she'll do better with stationary targets, like dummies and flower petals.

[Chop Suzie's ears prick at this, and she begins meowing frantically, tugging at the hem of Elaine's jacket.]

Hm? Oh...I'm not sure where we can find cherry blossoms this time of year. I suppose we could try to find some of those cherry Pokemon. Cherrim, right?

[She looks to Raine. She seems like she might know where to find cherry tree blossoms, if there are any this time of year to be found.]

[She shifts to take the offered hand to return the greeting with a small nod, and then takes her questions further into consideration. Being in Union for close to a year and associated with the library and now the Rangers had certainly given her a lot of information at her fingertips. Not bad for an outsider from Sanctuary...]

Hmm... well, for flowers in general, there's a small area to the north of the Verdant forest that they refer to as the flower grove, which has blooms all year round, so that might be what you're looking for. The Pokemon that you're thinking of, however, tend to gravitate to the plains areas northwest of Union, though that's closer to Gigan territory.

Noi noi noi.

[ Something is knocking on the window of the Ranger office. Hey! Open up in there! ]

[That's an unusual place for a knock, and Raine heads toward the window to investigate it. A noibat at this window? A quick enough glance could tell her that it wasn't Sophia's companion. She opens the window to take a better look at the wayward Pokemon and allow it inside.]

... Why hello. Are you lost?

Noi. [ The Noibat was carrying something! And it tosses this something through the window at Raine before flapping on in, entitled as you please.

The projectile turns out to be a file folder with a (thankfully bound) report inside. Something about cooperative endeavors between the Rangers and the Swords of the Savior. Don't ask Nemesis! She's just the messenger.

A messenger who is now checking out any and all bookshelves with interest. A messenger who is wearing a big bow atop her little head. Veronica never asks her to run errands. So there must be something around her worth her while. ]

... I see, thank you.

[ Ah. A purposeful delivery, though Raine gives the messenger Noibat a careful look over before examining the packet. Something clearly meant for Yuuna's attention on an initial glance, though the least she could do was send the Noibat back with a confirmation that the packet was received and pending official review from the department, unless she could run the pages by Yuuna sooner than that.]

I'll return with a response shortly.

[In the meanwhile, the shelves are stocked with various kinds of materials, informative bound journals about traveling, currently known pokemon and enlightened types in detail, basic magic instruction books imported from Sanctuary, among other folders. It's clear they're still being organized, as some of the larger texts don't fit in with the rest of the shelf proper.

The Espeon watches the Noibat from her perch on a cushion, ears twitching at the sudden movement of an unfamiliar pokemon and in interest of what it was looking for. Or at.]

Eon?

[ Magic books! There are actual, real books on magic here. Nemesis has one claw reached out as if she means to try to knock one off the bookshelf (and open) when she notices she has an audience.

Her head turns. What are you looking at? ] Noi?

Eon...

[As much as the Espeon doesn't care for her trusted companion's books and tendency to get lost in reading, she can't help but feel an innate sense over wanting to protect Raine's property, and that eartwitch turns a bit disapproving.

What do you want with those?]

Noooooi. [ Nemesis flaps in the general direction of the books on magecraft. Hey. As payment for carrying those reports, let her borrow one of these! Union bookstores only stock booooooring titles, but these sound fascinating. ]

[Any of the other books, Lia might not have cared too much to guard. There were just too many of them around! But she recognizes important books when she sees them and knows her trainer wouldn't be too happy if something like that disappeared without permission. So the Espeon hops up from her spot, shaking her head.]

Eon. Eooon. [Surely there was something else the noibat could prefer as payment. A nice snack maybe? Could spare plenty of those.]

[ Hmph! Nemesis turns her nose up at the thought that she's simple enough to be bribed with mere food. Where'd you get these books, anyway? If you won't let her leave with one, at least tell her where to get her own. ] Noi noi.

[There's only one place for books like that, though the Noibat would have a hard time getting a hold of any there, in Sanctuary where most mages know to keep their books hexed to prevent any sneaky borrowing.

There might be some ones like that at the library though. Lia wasn't too certain, though she remembered hearing Raine mentioning shipments of something or other. Does that help?]

Eon.

Noooooiiiii. [ Nemesis appears to be considering this. Giving it deep, if sardonic, thought. Sanctuary and the library, huh? Good to know.

Then a claw snaps out for good measure to try and knock one of those books off the shelf anyway. She's not going to stick around to read it, mind you - she's already on her way to the window again right afterwards. But. It's the principle of the thing. ] Noinoinoi.

[A book or two falls off the shelf, just as Raine reenters the room to well. Frown at that behavior.]

Eon!

[Lia gives the strange noibat a light scolding, though quiets once she realizes her trainer had arrived.]

... Oh, good, you're still here. I have a response for you.

[She's carrying an envelope, which she holds out to the attempting-to-flee noibat. More than just a simple 'we received it', Yuuna had actually taken the time to review it, her reply one of agreement to the exercises.]

[ More playing fetch? Nemesis turns. ] Noiii?

[ If she regrets manhandling books like that, she doesn't say anything about it. (Books are best used spread out on the floor, anyway. Easier to find what you're looking for!) She accepts the letter, though, holding it tight to be sure it doesn't slip from her tiny grip. That everything? ] Noi?

[Not quite. Raine also has a small box - a little wrapped poffin for the delivery pokemon. It was only right to give the messengers a little something as well.]

And this is for you. Thank you for your patience.

[The titles of the books on the floor don't escape her notice, though.] Though if it's books you like, come see me at the library. Maybe we can work out an arrangement there.

Noi! [ Nemesis is happy to accept that box. Poffins are good, too.

Books, though, are especially good. The library, she says? Nemesis just might have to take her up on that. With a human in tow to carry things. ] Noi noi noi.

[ Going to the Rangers' offices suddenly has stopped becoming such a chore. ]

[It's a peaceful enough place, and a nice enough day, to make for a nice change of pace from a gloomy workshop in a gloomier basement. Especially for somebody who's been locked up down in one for what's probably going on days now, pouring over power calculations and magical theory until he was pretty sure his eyes had started to cross. It was about when he'd started to see magical formulas on the backs of his eyelids that he'd decided he needed to get out of there for awhile.

Harry's arrival is heralded by an excited shout from a Totodile that suddenly bursts on the scene and charges across the shore to cannonball into the water, kicking up a surprising amount of water. His typical entourage follows shortly after, the larger-than-life Stoutland huffing with a shake of his head while Happy perches on his back, applauding the splash.]

Bruce, don't go--! Oh, forget it. [Harry sighs loudly, rubbing a hand over his face. The tall wizard comes wearing his coat, staff in one hand and a leather bag slung over one shoulder. Turning away from the water Pokemon's display, he catches sight of Raine sitting there amid stacks of books and paper and arches an eyebrow.] Hey. Don't look now, but I think your paperwork is following you.

[That entourage is a familiar one, all right, as the younger pokemon playing quietly look up at the interruption in excitement, while the larger Lapras moodily swims further away from the sudden increase in the noise levels.

Raine waves from where she is, though gives a slight shrug at Harry's words.]

It seemed as good a place as any to review.

[Let alone that's not really why she's supposed to be here.] I didn't expect to see you all out here.

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good lord I lost this notif i am sorry

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