[X] My Assistant

[Dragonwish2]

Wingull and Pelipper glided gracefully above on the salty sea breeze. Horns blared from steam ships, harmonized with the whir of motors from their cousin motorboats. Crates and trunks lay in piles tied together with rope like presents at Christmas. The exotic food from carts and frying fish gave the air enticing smells. Bulky men carried loads, the joyful gift shops rang with boisterous laughter, and salesman called out to every passerby they could.

Rachel Lore strode through the western ports as she scanned the area. As a young teenager from Canalave City, she felt a wave of nostalgia at the sight of boats. She held her arm and stared at the small watch-like device strapped to her wrist. With a swift motion she tapped a button on its side. The screen lit up with life and displayed a small map of the city Noverus. Rachel zoomed in on the western half, taking note of the small arrow pointing to her current location. She glanced around warily before pulling a crumpled paper on her pocket. The letter designated a specific location for her to go to- Montague Point.

While thrilled at the idea of what might lay ahead, she was disappointed with the fact transportation was not, in fact, provided. This came as a slight shock to her, as during her two previous missions rides were arranged with ease. Rachel now realized bitterly how she took such things for granted among the Rebellion. She should have known such rides were not always guaranteed, nor should they have been expected. She stood on the other side of the river and gazed out at the grassy banks of the other side. The trip required things she did not have. Unless…

She squinted at the small motorboats lined up along the dock. Each was held by a locked chain to sturdy metal stocks. However, one rusty boat had idly been left with a mere rope around a wooden post on the dock. It was a bit old fashioned in comparison to the modern brand ships beside it. The engine sat at the stern, the model on which you merely had to yank a cord and steer. Rachel had ridden many whenever her father took her fishing at Lake Verity. She had even driven it once. Her father helped her hands, guiding her to steer with the wooden piece at the back.

Rachel stared at her hands, wiggling her fingers as though to test them. Would she still know how to control such a boat? Motorboats were easier, but she was desperate. The skill would have to come back to her through experience. She sighed and checked her watch again. She would strike in an hour or so, during lunch, when most sailors left their stations for a good meal and relaxation. The owner of this boat would never realize it was gone until it was too late. Rachel rubbed her hands and strode away inconspicuously, fading into the crowd as she waited for time to tick past.

[Kamaitachi]

With an offhanded wave, a dainty hand threw some breadcrumbs onto the dock. With only a moment's delay, a pair of Wingull swooped down and began squawking at one another over the piecemeal scraps. The hand drew back, coming to rest on the owner's face, with finger and thumb pressed lightly to the bridge of hre nose, pushing her glasses back slightly on her face.

"Share, or there won't be any more."

With such a matter-of-fact and quietly commanding voice ordering them, the two birds had little choice but to obey. Sheepishly, they gathered the crumbs in their beaks, nodded respectfully at one another, then swallowed. The duo looked up expectantly at the woman who'd offered them a piece of her meal.

Regan Chamuel sat on one of the benches, purposefully ignoring most of the hubbub around her. In her own little zone, she continued to idly feed the two birds perched at her feet. Taking a moment to brush some of the greying blond hair from her face, she peered over her glasses at the two pokemon beneath her, watching them in soft focus and not really paying attention to their presence at all. To any passer by, she would appear to be studying them intently, but in fact, she was moreso looking through them, gathering her thoughts.

She'd been sent to this unsavory place by the rebellion on another mission. Truthfully, she hadn't expected to be so active on the field, given her age and specific skill-set. However, the organization clearly lacked operatives, else she wouldn't be relegated to such menial missions most of the time. This time, as promised by her 'superiors' at the Sanctuary, would be more interesting and more action packed. While normally this was a spiel that would rile up the more excitable agents, Regan found herself dreading the idea. "More interesting" in her mind easily translated to "More dangerous" and "More Action Packed" translated to the image of her file with a big, red "KIA" stamped on it. Perhaps this was merely pessimism.

Now that it was nearing lunch-time, she figured she had to meet up with her fellow agent for the mission. Someone named "Rachel Lore", who was, for all intents and purposes, her superior officer in this mission. Considering last time she'd met a male "Alexis", she found herself half-prepared to meet a male "Rachel" today. That meant that anyone around her could potentially be her partner. With a sick smile, Regan remembered her first mission where she'd been called "Rachel" by her 'employer' for the duration of the mission, simply because the employer had thought "Regan" to be too masculine a name. She had a particular dislike for the name "Rachel" at the moment, but it was something that could easily be changed once she met this actual Rachel.

Not sure how else to pick out a complete stranger out of the crowd, Regan simply remained seated, brushing down the wrinkles on her pale green blouse before resting her hands neatly atop her long brown skirt. She'd opted to dress nicely, of course, knowing full well that the mission was at a place called "Montague Point." Not that she'd chosen the outfit for the cosmetic sake of it; underneath she wore more suitable clothes for hiking around, and the long brown skirt hid it rather nicely will still allowing her to look presentable.

Breaking from her reverie as she ran out of breadcrumbs, she shooed the Wingull off with a dismissive wave, sending them squawking back into the sky. Her eyes scanned the crowd, completely unsure of who she was looking for. Hopefully this Rachel would find her.

[Dragonwish2]

Sitting in a rundown diner with a sub in hand, Rachel glanced around the diner. She had planned to grab lunch ahead of the rush hour, in anticipation for her hijack plan. Her mind was wandering back constantly to her plan, and in particular, the flaws in it. It struck her as to how stealing the boat would be morally and legally wrong. Rachel considered how to take the boat in an acceptable manner. She gently pat her right pocket with her spare hand, taking a bite of her sandwhich as she did so. Though momentarily distracted by the sweet taste of turkey, she realized that her wallet had shrunken considerably over time. Rachel despaired at the thought of being unable to pay in cash for the motorized dingy. After another five minutes of silent concentration, chewing, and sips of water led her to a final decision; she would have to hope that she could somehow return the boat through the Rebellion.

Her Poketch beeped, startling her into waving her hand and knocking over her drink. A elderly waitress rushed to clean the spill. Rachel quickly picked up the plastic cup, taking napkins from the table and wiping up the puddle. She followed its trail down to the table's edge, leaning over to clean the floor. Her eyes met the waitress', and she gasped at the sight. Tired grey eyes weighed down with years hung like glowing spheres over wrinkled cheeks, a crooked nose, and cracked pale lips. The waitrress averted her eyes to the floor, but Rachel remained staring, speechless.

Before she knew it the woman had left and she was left sitting up in her chair, her empty plate taken and a black bill in its place. Rachel blinked in surprise as she numbly paid, not caring to search her wallet and placing double her meal's worth in the plastic slip, sliding the bill away. Her Poketch beeped again, and she momentarily turned her attention to it. A message glowed on the small screen.

Your mission has been adjusted.
You now will be working with a partner.
Agent Name: Dr. Regan Chamuel

The writing vanished and was replaced with a picture of middle-aged woman with brown hair tied back in a bun and deep grey eyes framed with bulky dark glasses. Her pursed lips and strict gaze gave her an appearance similar to a no-nonsense teacher. Rachel was momentarily baffled, wondering how an older woman could work actively in missions. She dismissed the appearance as a disguise the Rebel had currently taken upon for some unknown reason. Perhaps the elite agents of the Rebellion wanted to teach her how to disguise herself by pairing her with a pro? She noted the question, intent on asking her superiors at her next chance. Before she could reply with her question, another message flashed on the screen.

Part of your mission now includes finding your partner alone. She lies within a two mile range. Good luck.

She sighed in annoyance, though she felt pleasure that the writer of the message took care to wish her luck. Rachel stepped out of the diner, weaving through the crowd and watching every face. She looked into the eyes of everyone she passed in wait for those stormy eyes that seemed to hold so many secrets. They never appeared among those around her. She paused by a bench, resting on the dark wood as she continued to look around. A sense in the back of her mind told her she was not alone on the bench, as well as seeing a hand move to her left in the corner of her eye.

Taking a split second to glance at her companion's outfit and feet, she wheezed out a question. "Have you seen someone with really deep grey eyes and big black glasses? I'm looking for-" She turned her head to meet the face of the woman beside her and gasped, staring into the very gaze of Regan Chamuel. She released her breath and forced herself to relax her nerves. Hoping to sound inconspicious, she asked, "Would you happen to be Dr. Chamuel?" Her mind raced to think of the embarrassment if she was wrong. Her previous two missions had both ended rather poorly, and Rachel feared she would be unable to stand another mistake from herself.

Still, as she stared into the woman's eyes again, she had the sure feeling she was right, for once.

[Kamaitachi]

An eyebrow raised above the rim of the glasses resting on Regan's face. Not even bothering to look at the girl addressing her, the Doctor tossed the final crumbs at the two Wingull, who greedily gobbled them up before wheeling back into the air.

"Times have changed." She sighed offhandedly, dusting her hands off gently to remove any errant morsels. "'Doctor' is nothing more than an ornamental title." Slowly, she turned, her intense grey eyes fixing in on Rachel's more vibrant teal eyes. A look of disappointment instantly crossed Regan's face: She was working with yet another teenager.

Reaching up slowly, she used a single finger to push her glasses back up the brim of her nose, continuing to stare at Rachel. How on Earth was the Rebellion populated by teenagers? In the ongoing conflict within Noverus, how had so many children signed up as Agents and warriors? It didn't make much sense to Regan in the slightest.

"I am, in fact, Regan Chamuel. If you're seeking me out, then, unless I miss my guess, you must be Rachel Lore." Regan extanded a hand slowly, holding it towards Rachel in greeting

Regan found herself still musing over working with yet another young child. It really was the sad state of affairs for Noverus, that the youth had not only been conscripted into Magma, but had also willing joined up with the rival Team Aqua. The misplaced youth not in either camp had evidently signed up with the Rebellion, who due to a shortage of operatives had probably accepted them. Regan wasn't sure if she was okay with molding such a young mind to work in covert operations like this, but, reality reminded her that the ongoing fight with Magma was essentially a war. The whole city was being ruined by Magma occupation, and the Aqua liberators weren't doing as nicely themselves. The odds of Aqua merely usurping Magma and taking its seat of power seemed higher than the image of Aqua rescuing the city and leaving it to its autonomy. Such was war, which meant that Noverus and her population were nothing more than spoils.

Lengthy tangent aside, it explained fully why Rachel was in the rebellion, despite her age.

[Dragonwish2]

Hesitantly, Rachel extended her hand to Regan's and shook in greeting. Much to her surprise, the doctor's grip was firm and gentle.

"Um, yeah, I'm Rachel." She averted her gaze to her surroundings, trying to remember what she had been about to say. Regan's eyes seemed to gaze into her soul, making Rachel slightly uncomfortable with idle chatter. She now realized the woman was actually as old as she looked. It made her pause and think of the idea- no, the reality that the Rebellion was so eager to accomplish their goals, they would take anyone who was willing to fight for their cause. She began to question, now, why a grown man might be fine letting a young teenage girl become involved in a war so dangerous, with nothing more than a small team of Pokemon to aid her.

No wonder they make my partners adults so much older than me, she thought.

It annoyed her at first, to think that those above her did not trust her to survive. But the feeling soon faded to be replaced with a quavering fear; if they were worried she would be harmed, how horrible was the fight, really? She stared aimlessly around the docks as the question echoed in her mind.

Her thoughts traveled to a young man, just a year older than her at most, named Kishk. He had been assigned with another Rebel to teach Rachel, in what resulted to be her first mission. She thought back to what he had said to her, once, in reply to her innocent question of where he was from.

"Oh... I'm from here. Hoenn, I mean. Not Noverus. I'm originally from Mauville. My... umm... my parents were working for a company in Mauville, but they were relocated to Noverus. I was about 12 years old when... when the factory they worked at was attacked. Team Magma did it... th-they... they killed my parents."

Rachel was reminded the severity of what she was truly fighting against, and how devastating it could be for some. Death and destruction followed in the wake of Magma and Aqua. Noverus was a place of terror for most. Her own family was safe in Canalave City, but what would they do if she were not to return? She dreaded their involvement in Noverus. Rachel shuddered, silently vowing to call them at the next chance possible and assure them she was alright.

Her Poketch beeped loudly, and Rachel glanced at her wrist. Her noon timer was going off, signaling her to get to work. With a click the timer was silenced. She turned to Regan and stared again into her stormy eyes.

"You don't get sea sick, do you? Our ride's here."

She rose and scanned the port. It was now almost void of people, save the few stragglers left to watch the ships. The old boat she had selected was still tied to the port. Rachel strolled to the boat, smoothly untieing the rope as the knowledge came back to her. She calmly stepped into the boat while checking the motor and gas. She let her hands grip the rudder's handle, closing her eyes and imaging her father's hands behind hers. She smiled gently at the sheer content of the memory. It gave her hope and eased her previous nightmares.

Rachel opened her eyes and glanced at Regan. "All aboard!"

[Kamaitachi]

As Rachel confirmed her identity, Regan allowed herself a small shake of her head. From both the greeting and the confirmation, Regan was already reading her young partner for the mission. The girl's speech lacked confidence entirely, for one. At least it wasn't filled with false bravado, which was a nice thing.

Regan had not been on many missions in the least, as she was still a fairly new addition to the field agents. Before this, she'd spent most of her time in the clinic treating the various scrapes and injuries. Before that, she'd been in a Magma prison. Both situations combined into a serious lack of skills on Regan's end.

A rather loud beeper started making an ungodly noise, causing the older woman to wrinkle her nose in disdain. She peered at the little device Rachel possessed, before the younger girl announced that their ride had arrived.

Since the thought of getting to Montague Point had crossed her mind several times, Regan looked around for anyone approaching them. Perhaps another agent had been sent to procure a hovercraft or amphibian sort of transport. As Rachel stood, Regan rose, following just a pace behind her. To her surprise, and chagrin, Rachel had settled down into a little dinghy boat. What constituted 'dinghy' in technical terms eluded the Doctor, but the size and care for the boat certainly fit the adjective.

Fascinated, Regan watched as Ms. Lore set about her work, untying rope and checking this thing or that thing. Asking Regan to operate a boat seemed akin to asking Regan to pilot a Spaceship. Both vehicles were definitely beyond her skillset and know how. Luckily, her young partner seemed to know what she was doing, which set Regan's mind slightly at ease.

When Rachel called the stereotypical: "All aboard", Regan fought hard not to roll her eyes. She knew that the girl was trying to lighten the mood a bit with semi-nautical humour, but Regan, for whatever reason, took odd offense at being referred to as "All". Pulling a bit of a face, she gingerly stepped into the boat, immediately realizing how unaccustomed she was to the gentle rocking sensation. She selected a spot on what she could only imagine was most likely a seat, and hunkered down, trying hard to adjust to the slow pitch and yaw of the boat.

Best to pretend that this is perfectly legitimate, and that Rachel or I somehow own this boat. Regan told herself. Her blunt and straightforward nature made a poor actor out of her. Figuring it best to not consciously think about the boat's origins and its orientation on the water, Regan attempted to strike up a conversation.

"So. What's your story, Rachel?"

Of course, that was a rather broad question, so she chose to explicate. "Where did you come from, why are you here, and where are you going?" Regan asked in quick succession, once again turning her gaze to Rachel. Interacting and idle chit-chat weren't her fortes by any means, so at the very least, she'd try to learn something about her partner directly from her partner, rather than her own theories.

[Dragonwish2]

A roaring whir filled the air as the boat chugged from the port and out onto the open water. Rachel turned on the spot and sat beside the motor, her left hand on the rudder and her right on the starboard edge. She looked past Regan and along the water, searching for the shoreline. Trees faintly dotted the horizon to northwest according to her Poketch compass.

She tugged the motor string again and sent the boat gliding across the river. As the sound of the motor calmed to a gentle purr, she looked into Regan's eyes yet again. The older woman's questions held some irony for Rachel. It was almost as though she were psychic, reading Rachel's mind as she had reflected upon herself. It made it easier for her to answer after she had already mused over her answers without even realizing it.

"Those are all very good questions," she said. "I'm from Canalave City in western Sinnoh. I first came to Noverus hoping for adventure and knowledge about Pokemon. But then I joined the Rebellion, and now I'm not sure where I'll be in the next few years." She paused to consider what she might have done had the Rebellion not taken up so much of her life. Rachel finally concluded aloud, saying, "I guess I'll work to be a professor of Pokemon if I should feel the Rebellion doesn't need me." Her last words came out rather bitter for her taste, and unintentionally too, as she really hoped that the Rebellion's end would also mean the end of Magma and Aqua's reign in the city.

"For now, I'm just headed to the next shore. And what of you? I mean, where are you from? Where did you become a doctor? Are you married?" Rachel stopped herself before she could continue, feeling that her questions were becoming too personal. She held a great amount of curiosity in Regan, though, and decided that she would strive to learn more about the woman. She couldn't put her finger on it, but Regan gave off an aura of history and knowledge that gave Rachel goosebumps.

As she listened to the doctor's reply, a shadow in the water caught her eye. Rachel looked into the water, her imagination taking control and inventing horrible ideas of large sharks with menacing fangs strong enough to tear apart large steamboats. Her eldest brother, Marcus, had once told her stories of the terrifying Hoenn water Pokemon that were called the bane of the sea. For several years that idea kept her far away from the ocean.

From the water appeared a yellow fin, speeding towards the boat at incredible speed. Rachel held back a scream and reached for her belt as she prepared to release her Snivy to fight off the attacker. The shape grew closer, its color now visible in the water. She tensed as it came into view. The creature's small red body swam under the boat as though fleeing, disappearing as quickly as it had come. Rachel recognized the infamous Pokemon and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, it's just a Magikarp," she thought aloud. She chuckled as her body unwound, relaxing into her seat. Her hand returned to the rudder as she tilted it gently, steering the boat towards the oncoming shore.

She didn't notice the large serpentine figure approaching from below.

This post has been edited by Dragonwish2: Jul 21 2012, 01:21 PM

[Kamaitachi]

Of course they're good questions. Why would I waste my time with poor ones? Regan thought, feeling a bit condescended before realising that Rachel meant "good" in the sense that they were "difficult".

She thought, for a moment, that she detected a hint of bitterness in the line about the Rebellion not needing her. Regan wasn't a psychologist, though, it wasn't her place to infer, or by virtue of her own thoughts, project them onto this young girl.

"I'm from Noverus, originally. I graduated Medical School in Saffron City, far away in Kanto. I took my Hippocratic Oath there, and began my career there. I felt, though, that my home needed me, so I came back. Magma took over the city, and I protested. I spent time as a political prisoner, with all my Pokemon taken from me as punishment.

I was rescued by rebels. Not from the Rebellion Proper, of course, but dissenters like myself. They managed to help me regain two of my partners, but the rest are all somewhere in the ranks of Magma. I joined the Rebellion to rescue them, and to offer my medical skills. I didn't think to be a field agent, but I can only assume that our organization has fallen upon hard times."

She gazed out over the water, surprised at the ease in which she told her story. It was a painful ordeal, and she had spared Rachel the gruesome details by omitting the details in their totality.

"I'm no longer officially a Doctor, but everyone still calls me as such. Admittedly, it feels good, to know that the talents I spent years cultivating are doing some small good.

I never married. The saying that one is 'married to their job' applies entirely to me." She sighed for a moment, resting her chin on a frail-looking hand. "I do not regret this, of course. How can I?"

She found herself interrupted as a yellow fin rose over the crest of the water, heading towards the boat. Regan peered at it curiously, then at Rachel, noting the fear in her eyes.

What exactly does she think it is? Regan's eyes squinted, searching the girl for an answer. As Rachel exclaimed that it was just a Magikarp, the older woman did not budge in the slightest. She hadn't tensed up at the sight of the floppy fin.

Ah, she must've thought it to be a Sharpedo. Regan found herself shaking her head with the tiniest smile on her face. How excitable the youth were, especially those wrapped up in the horrific conflict all around them. A part of her envied that spirit. If she had to wager a guess, then it seemed perfectly reasonable as to why she was paired up with such a young partner. They both had things to share with one another, and they both had the potential to help the other grow. Now, the probability that her superiors had thought it through on such a level seemed low at best, but it was still comforting to know that Regan had a small something to gain from this mission.

[Dragonwish2]

For a moment, Rachel was speechless. She watched Regan closely, studying her. Rachel wondered, how could she feel no regret for leaving her practice? Was it age that gave you such appreciation of life and what you were given? Or was it that she felt unable to return to her old life? She pondered this for a moment, trying to imagine a younger version of Regan, in a lab coat with a stethoscope around her neck. The image made her smile.

Her hand fell to the red and white orbs on her hip. She considered what it might be like to have none of the people you cared for dearly. Prison alone sounded awful, but to have a hopelessness that everything you loved was gone, it broke her heart to think of it. Rachel chose a Pokeball from her belt, weighing it in her hand before clicking it open. On her lap landed Jaklyn, her independent Snivy. The Pokemon flicked her tail, jumping onto the edge of the boat for a greater view of the area. Rachel nodded to Jaklyn.

"Jaklyn, this is Regan," Rachel explained. Jaklyn nodded to the Doctor before returning to her lookout. Rachel continued, "Regan, this is my Snivy, Jaklyn. She was my first Pokemon, ever since Professor Rowan gave her to me." She smiled, and then almost laughed. It crossed her mind that, for one small boat ride, she was taking quite a stroll down memory lane. All she needed to complete the package was for her brothers presence, their voices, their warmth and care. It would quite a tale to tell them, her episodes in the Rebellion. Her current life was almost like a spy movie, where a dark shadowy agent fought the malicious villain with his sidekick Pokemon. If only, Rachel thought, she could defeat Magma so easily, and meet a cute guy as well.

Romance wasn't easy for normal teenagers, but it was even harder for Rachel, in her opinion. Working around adults constantly limited contact with any her age. Although, she had rather liked one boy, the very same who had taught her what the Rebellion fought for during her first mission.

Kishk.

She breathed the word, as though it were precious. A girls first love was important, even if fleeting. She still remembered their adventures on the beach, where she had fallen on him after being pelted by sand. And scuba diving into mysterious caves, then fleeing from a ferocious Pokemon. Jaklyn prodded Rachel with a vine suddenly, but Rachel brushed her off, too deep in thought to care. She stopped her train of thought, finding it odd she couldn't remember the Pokemon's name. Rachel pored over water Pokemon names. It was on the tip of her tongue, she just knew it.

Jaklyn flicked her, hard enough to leave a red mark on her arm. With a yelp, Rachel turned to the Snivy, following her vine to the water. A rounded orange fin

"Huntail!" She exclaimed. The revelation was bittersweet, for she had remembered the Pokemon, but she also had a predator following the boat. Rachel pulled the motor, spurring it to life again. "This is your captain speaking," she joked, "we're experiencing a slight delay. Hold onto your seat, and we'll be off momentarily." With a laugh she pulled the motor again, sending them flying away. The Huntail's speed increased to match the boat, its head now above water and its ravenous jaw exposed.

The Snivy slapped at it with her vines, barely keeping it at bay for more than a few seconds as it steadily closed in. It launched a water pulse attack, aiming for the motor. Jaklyn struck the sphere of water with her tail, sending it into the air, where it burst apart and showered down on the boat. Rachel wiped her eyes and checked her distance from shore. The trees now loomed, but the push of Jaklyn's defense had sent the dinghy off course, as it now aimed for a rockier coastline.

Rachel moved in precipitancy, hastily returning Jaklyn and revving the motor. The Huntail screeched, forcing Rachel to cover her ears in pain. She pushed the rudder with her foot, sending the boat veering left and narrowly avoiding the rocks, into which the Huntail nearly crashed in its attempt to follow the boat.

As the dirt coast drew near, Rachel looked to Regan. "On three, you need to jump. Got it?" Without bothering to see Regan's answer, Rachel turned to the Huntail again. While it was unable to move on land, its speed would propel it forward enough to hit the boat as soon as it slowed. Rachel gripped both sides of the boat, lifting herself cautiously. "Ready? One... two... THREE!"

Rachel sprung as the boat struck land, the propellor clogging with dirt and the rudder snapping. The prow pointed skyward as it flipped backwards, landing on an angry Huntail and spinning upside down into a tree, where the motor slowed and died, now caked in mud.

So much for returning it, Rachel thought as she spit dirt and wood chips from her mouth.

[Kamaitachi]

A smug looking grass snake appeared out of Rachel's pokeball. Regan hadn't seen such a pokemon before, but quickly surmised that it was from some faraway continent.

"Pleased to meet you, Jaklyn." Regan watched, fascinated, as the Pokemon took up a post on the prow of the boat

As Rachel fell into quiet introspection, leaving Regan to her own thoughts, the older woman chanced a gaze out over the water. Noverus was still looming behind them, but she'd never taken the time to notice just how beautiful a city it was. Taking up the length of an entire island, it seemed almost like a castle with a rather large moat. The grandeur of the city made it absolutely understandable why Magma had chosen to occupy it.

"Huntail!"

Regan snapped back to reality as Rachel announced the predatory creature's name. Looking back over her shoulder, she noted that a Huntail, indeed, had chosen to pursue their boat. Rachel's joke did not sit well with Regan, who occupied herself trying to find something to hold on to. As the boat rocketed off, Regan let out a tiny yelp as she clung to the sides of the boat.

Jaklyn engaged the terrifying water eel, but Regan was far too occupied clinging to the boat for dear life than to pop out a pokeball in turn. The boat picked up tremendous speed as it tore through the water. Rachel's sharp bank nearly caused Regan to release her lunch, though admittedly, the technique seemed to be effective in putting some distance between them and their predator.

"You haven't taken the time to think this through...surely-"

"Ready?"

"No, I'd rather we-"

"One"

"This is pointless-"

"Two"

"You'll get us ki-"

"THREE!"

Not willing to protest further, Regan simply did as she had been commanded. Her legs weren't as sprightly as her younger counterpart's, but she managed to pull off a rather desperate leap of faith. She hadn't quite been trained for the more physical aspects of mission, so she landed fairly unceremoniously on the dirt.

She lay there for a moment on the ground, stunned from the impact. Slowly, she gathered her breath back and moved into a sitting position. Once sufficiently recovered, she moved over to Rachel, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you injured? Let me have a look at you."

Regan immediately searched Rachel for any sign of bruising, contusions, cuts or scrapes. There appeared to be a few minor ones, and no real sign of injuries otherwise, so it appeared that at least Rachel knew how to jump from a boat. When Regan had pondered about the things they could learn from one another, this had certainly not been at the top of her list...or on her list at all for that matter.

"Now, Ms. Lore. With our means of conveyance ruined, how precisely do you plan to get back home after we've finished?"