The Dragons' Maw

[IFBench]

"I...m-maybe one can. I really h-hope so," Gen said, smiling at Steven. "And...thanks. I really appreciate that. M-maybe I could cook something for you!"

He finished the last bites of his burger, then said, "I'm r-ready to go back. ...thank you, Steven. I...I feel a lot better."

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

"I...m-maybe one can. I really h-hope so," Gen said, smiling at Steven. "And...thanks. I really appreciate that. M-maybe I could cook something for you!"

He finished the last bites of his burger, then said, "I'm r-ready to go back. ...thank you, Steven. I...I feel a lot better."

"I'm glad," said Steven. "And I'd be honored to try a dish from you."

Together they got up from the table and headed outside. Aggron leaned down and gently picked Gen up and placed him on his head.


"Hang on to my horns, little guy. You'll be back at the dorms in record time."

 

[IFBench]

"O-ok!" Gen said, grabbing onto Aggron's horns.

As the two left the restaurant, he waved to Steven. He hoped he'd see him again soon.

<><><><><>​

 

[MintyMimix]

After hearing out the testimony of Officer Jenny at the Dauntless Shield, Hazel's gaze steeled as her mind went into overdrive. Hypotheses swarmed in and out like the interviewers at a conference as possibilities and suspects formed spreadsheets in her head. This was supposed to be a celebration and learning experience, yet trouble still followed. It was her responsibility to protect her trainer, and she was going to do whatever it took to ensure Violet's safety.

That didn't mean she wasn't going to snuggle in Violet's arms and insist on still being held. For safety, of course.

Seeing that many of the others had already gone to interrogate potential suspects and the psychic energy, Hazel decided to try a different approach. Based on the scorch marks and transformation of the sand into glass, a high amount of heat was needed, and, upon closer inspection, signs that dragon fire was used. What better place to check out than the restaurant that paraded its dragon-focused dining? The expertise of the staff could be helpful in their investigation. She also could not completely discount the possibility that their equipment could have been used in some fashion.

There was a comforting familiarity in the discomfort Violet had felt upon entering the Dragons' Maw. After being exposed to the sterilized white walls of the laboratory and modern Pokémon facilities for a year, she had no desire to return to the old days of dull gray stone and slabs. Yet here it was, standing in the present — a relic now given new life in the form of a modern-style eatery known as a restaurant.

Despite how intimate she had been with the style of architecture, there were some notable differences: namely, in how cleanly it had all been structured. The masonry was too perfect; everything had been carefully placed and measured to where the human eye could not spot any smaller offsets. Cracks and crevices, if present, were intentional, and the decorations were all chosen with the idea of "grandiose" in mind: a sight that only royalty and upper nobility would be accustomed to. A former lower noble such as herself would have only a fraction of the artwork on display.

Not to mention the unusually modern decor mixed in and prominent statue front and center. Had Flygon really changed that much since her time?

After spending a bit to gawk at the themed scenery, the two began looking around to see if there were any staff or other patrons around. It didn't take long — one did not need Hazel's senses to notice the presence of the tall, gorgeous Milotic within the restaurant. Both of them stared for a moment, stunned by the grace and beauty they had been exuding.

Violet was the first to shake herself out of it, before walking over to Victoria. "Good day to you! First of all, might I commend you on the care you put into your scales? They're quite striking!" She complimented, before asking her question, "Do you mayhaps know of anyone around here that might work with dragons' fire?" She looked down at Hazel hoping she would translate any response.

Hazel had her own idea of getting information. "Hey, good afternoon. Sorry for the sudden question from my trainer... she's a bit odd sometimes." Hazel let out a light chuckle. "I'm Hazel, and this is Violet," she said, nodding her head up to the human. "Mind if I ask what you meant by Mythical mercenaries?"

 

[MintyMimix]

("Well, I had Twister in my moveslots at one point... not technically fire, though. I'm acquainted with a few dragons.")
("I've heard that there are Mythical Pokémon roaming the island, and if my suspicions are right, some of them... some of them might be worth finding.")

Hazel pulled out her phone from her lab coat and typed as quickly as her claws allowed her before holding the phone up to Violet's face.

With a nod of confirmation, the trainer then asked Victoria, "Really now? How splendid!" Her expression was unusually cheery given the grim circumstances — likely it was the sight she was beholding that had put her in good spirits, "Mayhaps then you could identify for us the type dragon fire that was used during the er, situation? Or at least point us in the right direction — we had actually visited this establishment to inquire more on that matter."

Hazel followed up, "Interesting hypothesis. What sorts of Mythical Pokémon do you think were invited? It might be equally worth treating them as possible witnesses."

[...Or suspects.] She added to her notes, but did not show the Milotic or Violet.

 

[MintyMimix]

("Well, let's see...")
("Let's start with Dragon Breath. You might think that only Dragon types can learn it, but that's not the case. Lapras is dragon-like but not Dragon type, and it learns Dragon Breath. Arcanine is neither dragon-like nor Dragon type, but it can also learn Dragon Breath. Perhaps it's the blessing of Rekkoúza extending beyond dragons...")

Hazel nodded in acknowledgment as she made note of Victoria's words, highlighting key words and phrases before halting. There was one thing she needed to absolutely confirm before the conversation continued. "...Which ship were you on when you arrived on the island, out of curiosity?"

("I've heard many a rumor as to which ones there might be, but I hope there might be Water types... I've heard there are Water type Mythicals. I don't know much about the classification, but I do know that there's overlap between Mythicals and the deities I look up to.")

"Oi, any reason you stopped all of the sudden, Hazel?" Violet asked, raising a brow as she looked down at the Weavile in her arms. With a wink, she added, "You know not to keep a beautiful maiden like Milotic waiting." It was a 50/50 shot, but she took it just for the tease.

With a flush of embarrassment spreading across her cheeks, she furiously typed and relayed Victoria's words back to Violet. Of course, she was unable to transliterate "Rekkoúza", only putting in [one unidentified deity of several] as a placeholder.

Violet nodded, satisfied. "Well now, that mayhaps be something that Hazel could search in that endless encyclopedia of a device that possesses, hmm?"

Hazel shook her head "no" in response. It was really wasn't that simple; there were hundreds of myths and legends out there depending on the region, and those may even have different interpretations depending on who you asked.

"Hmm, unfortunate," Violet shrugged, before asking a follow-up question, "Well, shall we search around for these 'mythical mercenaries' then?"

Hazel held up a digit of her claw to Violet, then looked to Victoria, gaze steeled. She needed to know the answer to her first question before they agreed to anything.

 

[MintyMimix]

("Hm... the last one, I think? From two days ago. The one where the twins were fighting.")

Hazel let out a sigh of relief as Victoria gave her response. That cleared her as being one of the suspects, at least. She gave a smile to the Milotic as she said, "Thanks for answering our questions. I know it's a lot."

She placed her claw under her chin as she hummed in thought, "Yeah, I heard about that actually... I'm glad Violet and I were far away from that excursion. And I'm glad you're safe as well."

Victoria blushed. ("Beautiful maiden? I'm flattered.")

Hazel's eyes continued to admire the serpent as she slowly blinked, before looking up and trying to hide away her own flushed cheeks. She ignored the hastening of her heartbeat as she cleared her throat and said, "S-so, shall we start looking around...?" She made a gesture to Violet indicating that she was ready to be escorted again.

Violet raised a brow before her smile began to resemble that of a Impidimp's. She gave a light nudge to the Weavile around her arms before looking at Victoria once more. "Well, if we are to investigate together, surely we should be acquainted with each others' titles, no? Mine name is Violet, and this is Hazel. A pleasure to meet you, Miss."

 

[MintyMimix]

("Ah, thank the Sky Dragon we were able to get off that boat alive! It's a miracle we're all okay...") Her face grew sorrowful for a second, though she quickly shook her feelings away.

"Sky Dragon..." Hazel murmured, before making note of that in her phone as well. She'd need to start making folders for everyone, otherwise it was going to get messy fast.

("Victoria.") Victoria bowed and held out her tail fin. As a child, Wallace had learned that bowing and shaking hands was polite, and so Victoria knew to do her best to mimic such behaviour.

"Victoria... that's a nice name," Hazel chirped as she typed it out for Violet to read. "Who's your trainer, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Victoria," Violet replied, dipping her head and bending forward slightly as well. "I'd return the polite gesture, but mine hands are full, as you can see." She tugged one of her arms more tightly, ensuring she was secure before releasing her grip with one of her hands to give Hazel a nice under-chin scratch. Hazel let out an involuntary purr in response as she clenched her claws inward in satisfaction.

"Hmm... I suppose your call for mythical mercenaries may have fallen upon deaf ears, if the others present were not Pokémon themselves. Mayhaps we may take a look around instead? Surely there ought to be a member of staff or a patron that we could speak with on the matter," Violet proposed.

 

[MintyMimix]

("Have you met Wallace yet? They're a very wonderful trainer. A tad eccentric, but they're a wise Trainer and beautiful Coordinator. Teal hair, Hinodejin-Sootopolitan, almost always wears their white beret.")

While the background had been unfamiliar to Hazel, the name and appearance had been. "You mean... one of strongest Hoenn's gym leaders?!" Hazel inquired as her eyes sparkled in admiration. The thumping rang in her ears, but she politely ignored it.

("Sounds like a plan! We could get food along the way—I have some money with me.")

"That sounds... ravishing!" Hazel replied; she couldn't help but use a word that had fit the one in front of her, in her eyes.

Violet merely got an abridged version, and shrugged as she said, "Splendid, shall we get going then?"

The trio began to look around for any notable staff or patrons — particularly ones that seem like they might know something about dragons' fire or the Mythical Pokémon on the island.
@Flyg0n

 

[Flyg0n]

While the background had been unfamiliar to Hazel, the name and appearance had been. "You mean... one of strongest Hoenn's gym leaders?!" Hazel inquired as her eyes sparkled in admiration. The thumping rang in her ears, but she politely ignored it.

"That sounds... ravishing!" Hazel replied; she couldn't help but use a word that had fit the one in front of her, in her eyes.

Violet merely got an abridged version, and shrugged as she said, "Splendid, shall we get going then?"

The trio began to look around for any notable staff or patrons — particularly ones that seem like they might know something about dragons' fire or the Mythical Pokémon on the island.
@Flyg0n

The restaurant was fairly quiet at the hour, with only a few staff members having a meal and a couple other trainers around. As casually dressed older gentlemen admires the statue of mega Flygon, and a few various Pokémon stride through the aisles to deliver food to guests and clear tables. At the rear of the restaurant was the boy with the Hydreigon, seemingly murmuring in hushed tones to the dragon as they ate.

 

[Hanafuda]

Once Jack landed at and entered the building, he looked around and admired all the decor. The elaborate murals reminded him of those hieroglyphics they presented on history documentaries on TV, and he was amazed at the lighting. It certainly felt like being inside the domain of a powerful Pokémon.

As he looked around, he noticed the familiar Pokémon having a conversation, so he waved at them. “Hello! Victoria, Miss Hazel! What a coincidence.” He put his wing on his hip and sling his leek over his shoulder. “I guess we can’t stop stumbling upon each other? Anything interesting that might’ve happened lately?”

 

[Flyg0n]

[[Foresight (is that the right move for people watching?]]

Victoria carefully examined the room, but not once did her line of hearing avert from the boy and the Hydreigon. She could look for anything else suspicious while preventing the two from growing suspicious of her.

@Flyg0n

Victoria listened closely!

There didn't appear to be anything unusual to be seen. The snatches of conversation between him and his Hydreigon can just barely be made out...

They seem to be discussing strategies....

"I'm thinking we can combine your Dragon Rush attack with Dark Pulse to make a new combination for our next contest. If we do it just right, we should be able to create a real cool shadow dragon effect."

Everything appears normal.

 

[MintyMimix]

Victoria carefully examined the room, but not once did her line of hearing avert from the boy and the Hydreigon. She could look for anything else suspicious while preventing the two from growing suspicious of her.

Hazel's eye had also caught the attention of the boy and the Hydreigon, however, just before she could ask Violet to take them to their table, a familiar figure had distracted her.

As he looked around, he noticed the familiar Pokémon having a conversation, so he waved at them. “Hello! Victoria, Miss Hazel! What a coincidence.” He put his wing on his hip and sling his leek over his shoulder. “I guess we can’t stop stumbling upon each other? Anything interesting that might’ve happened lately?”

Ah, the scientific impossibility again. Stop it, Hazel; it still may be possible by their laws. Clearing her throat, she greeted Jack back, "Hey, Jack. We were trying to look further into the incident by investigating the trace evidence left behind." Or lack thereof, to be more precise. "More specifically, we wished to seek an expert in dragon fire. They should be able to shed some light on the matter."

She tugged on Violet's shirt to get her attention. First, she pointed to Jack, and Violet gave a nod in acknowledgement, then she pointed to the table with the dragon trainer. Violet whispered to the Pokémon around her, "Notice anything? I can confer with them if you'd prefer."

 

[Hanafuda]

“Well, I was just gonna eat before continuing with the case,” Jack replied, “but I might be able to help.” He noticed the Hydreigon nearby, stepping back in surprise. “Woah, you’re massive.” He composed himself before addressing Hazel again. “You said a dragon fire expert? Maybe this dragon can give us an answer.”

 

[MintyMimix]

Everything appears normal.

“Well, I was just gonna eat before continuing with the case,” Jack replied, “but I might be able to help.” He noticed the Hydreigon nearby, stepping back in surprise. “Woah, you’re massive.” He composed himself before addressing Hazel again. “You said a dragon fire expert? Maybe this dragon can give us an answer.”

Victoria hadn't reacted all too much to the dragon's words or behaviors... perhaps it was safe to approach. Hazel relayed the message to Violet before saying, "Sounds like a plan."

As Violet approached the the boy and the Hydreigon, she could feel Hazel's claws clutch onto her arms as she eyed up the imposing Pokémon. Violet had to admit that she herself had a bead of sweat rolling down her cheek; these three-headed hydra-dragon were spoken of in tales of knights who could barely escape their terrifying wrath as they burned down villages and ate children around them. Of course, Violet knew these were simply myths, and received double confirmation when Hazel had taught her more about the Pokémon native their respective regions, but the story still lingered in the back of her head as the intimidating figure came ever closer.

"G-greetings," Violet stammered out, before clearing her throat and plastering her usual self-assured smirk as she addressed the boy. If the Pokémon belonged to the trainer before her, it was most certainly tamed. "Young sire, we could not help but... admire your Pokémon. Would it be alright if we asked a few questions to satiate our curiosities?"

Hazel couldn't look Hydreigon in any of their eyes, instead darting back and forth between them, Victoria, and Jack nearby. Despite the type advantage, her flight instincts had been flaring up; she wasn't the most adept battler, after all. We can take on the dragon together if they suddenly struck.... right? She barely managed to mutter out a meek, "H-hello..." to the Hydreigon, hoping that they were civil.

 

[Hanafuda]

“Contests, huh?” Jack tilted his head side-to-side in curiosity. “I never really considered those. I’m more of a fighter myself.” He brandished his leek with a bit of pride on his expression. “Still training, though, so I’m not too strong, but I’ll get there.”

 

[Flyg0n]

“Well, I was just gonna eat before continuing with the case,” Jack replied, “but I might be able to help.” He noticed the Hydreigon nearby, stepping back in surprise. “Woah, you’re massive.” He composed himself before addressing Hazel again. “You said a dragon fire expert? Maybe this dragon can give us an answer.”

"G-greetings," Violet stammered out, before clearing her throat and plastering her usual self-assured smirk as she addressed the boy. If the Pokémon belonged to the trainer before her, it was most certainly tamed. "Young sire, we could not help but... admire your Pokémon. Would it be alright if we asked a few questions to satiate our curiosities?"

Hazel couldn't look Hydreigon in any of their eyes, instead darting back and forth between them, Victoria, and Jack nearby. Despite the type advantage, her flight instincts had been flaring up; she wasn't the most adept battler, after all. We can take on the dragon together if they suddenly struck.... right? She barely managed to mutter out a meek, "H-hello..." to the Hydreigon, hoping that they were civil.

Victoria approached the two.

("That does sound cool! Have you two ever thought about doing Contests?")

"Oh hey..." Toby said, slightly taken aback at being approached by so many people at once. "Sure I guess! Not sure how much help I can be though."

"Hehehe hello there," rumbled the Hydreigon in a deep voice as the trainers and pokemon approached. She smiled, revealing rows of sharp teeth. She fixed the gaze of her center head on Hazel. "Greetings, small one. Don't worry, I don't bite." Her voice sounded quite frightening, despite the reassurance. She turned briefly to Victoria and chuckled. "And why of course! Toby and I have been doing contests together for some time now. We've won many ribbons," she said proudly.

 

[Hanafuda]

“I don’t really know,” Jack replied, moving a wing through his leek. “Usually I’d be at the audience seats, but would they like seeing my leek attacks? Seb always compared Pokémon battles to those cartoons on TV and the internet.”

The humanoid Farfetch’d moved his gaze up at the Hydreigon. “That wasn’t really what I wanted to talk about—I just wanted to ask you about what happened at the beach this morning. A Drampa and her human were there, and there was a scorch mark and glass on the shore, so we were wondering if the attack came from a dragon or a Fire-type.” He paused for a moment and cleared his throat. “Sorry if I’m talking too fast.”

 

[MintyMimix]

"Oh hey..." Toby said, slightly taken aback at being approached by so many people at once. "Sure I guess! Not sure how much help I can be though."

"...I suppose we are bit of a crowd," Violet remarked with a light chuckle, scanning the three Pokémon accompanying her. "Well, in case... mine inquiry... iiiiisss..." she dragged out her sentence, waiting for Hazel to translate before continuing her part of the conversation. "...Ahem, a moment, it appears Hazel wants some attention."

"Hehehe hello there," rumbled the Hydreigon in a deep voice as the trainers and pokemon approached. She smiled, revealing rows of sharp teeth. She fixed the gaze of her center head on Hazel. "Greetings, small one. Don't worry, I don't bite." Her voice sounded quite frightening, despite the reassurance. She turned briefly to Victoria and chuckled. "And why of course! Toby and I have been doing contests together for some time now. We've won many ribbons," she said proudly.

It sure seems like you do! Hazel thought to herself as she recoiled from the Hydreigon's response. Her eyes darted around and her mind was in a jumble, but a well-placed scratch underneath her chin from Violet eased her racing thoughts. Her shivering — a motion atypical of her typing — had lessened as nudged her head upward, graciously accepting the scritches.

Victoria gasped. ("Well, that's just wonderful! Have you ever been to Hoenn? I would love to go head-to-head with you in a Beauty Contest.") She glanced over at Hazel and smiled. ("Perhaps Hazel and Jack could join us.")

Now that she was more relaxed and paying less attention to the dragon, her glance turned to Victoria as her cheeks flushed. "O-oh, a Beauty Contest? I-I couldn't possibly..." She gave a meek wave of her claw, "I-I'm not all that, um... G-graceful..." Not as much as you, she wanted to add, but had slammed her eyes shut as she tried to shove away those thoughts. No! We just met! Give her space! She chastised to herself.

Wanting to distract herself from her mind going overboard, she instead focused on typing the gist of the conversation and relayed it to Violet.

She smiled, and turned back to Toby. "Apologies; she cannot get enough affection at times," she said, forcing out a light chuckle before asking a question that seemed innocent enough. "How do you integrate moves in contests? I have been fascinated by the allure of contests' spectacle, yet have not had the chance to look into the scene mineself."

She clicked her tongue, and hastily added, "...Your Pokémon struck me as the type to have poise behind that power, so I figured you must be a contest holder." It was a quick and dirty lie, but it would help to lessen the need to explain things. Start off light, then get down to business — that was her plan.

The humanoid Farfetch’d moved his gaze up at the Hydreigon. “That wasn’t really what I wanted to talk about—I just wanted to ask you about what happened at the beach this morning. A Drampa and her human were there, and there was a scorch mark and glass on the shore, so we were wondering if the attack came from a dragon or a Fire-type.” He paused for a moment and cleared his throat. “Sorry if I’m talking too fast.”

After hearing Jack's question, Hazel decided pull up a photo of the scene in question and show it to Hydreigon. She tried to angle it such that only the Pokémon would see rather than the trainer as well, but she wasn't certain if it was in his line of sight or not. Especially when she was trying her best not to look directly into the Hydreigon's eyes.

 

[MintyMimix]

("Oh come now, you're one of the most beautiful Weavile I've seen! Your headcrest, your claws, your coat... but most of all, your personality, your intelligence, your charm.")

Violet felt her stomach receive very light kicks — more like taps — as Victoria spoke in her strange, yet melodic cadence. When Violet looked down, she saw the Weavile covering her face in her claws as she eeked out a cross between a purr and a mewl. The Pokémon's legs had been swinging wildly, and Violet was certain that she would've collapsed on the ground had she not been held in mid-air. The Weavile was even a bit warmer in body heat.

Although the human did not understand Victoria's words, she could at least gather that Hazel had been complimented... or told something embarrassing. Either way, it was material ripe for a fun conversation that evening.

"You know, thinking it through, trying out a contest sounds quite fun..." Violet said aloud, looking up at the ceiling as though she had just come up with the idea herself, "Oh, but it's more of an art than a science, isn't it? Too bad..." She goaded, smirking as she did so. She took a moment to look down and gave Victoria a wink.

Making it appear as though it naturally flowed from her previous question, she cleared her throat and looked back at Toby, "...Though I suppose I have much to learn before then. Care to provide some pointers?"