Following the events of the Clinic, Anabel goes home to rest a bit.
Submerged in soft cushions and the featherbed, Anabel wakes up, feeling a little overheated. She looked up and understood why, seeing the window only half-covered by the curtains. She sits on the bed and yawns, refreshed yet with a soft headache, feeling lost and looking for her phone to know what hour it was. Sixteen minutes past four, her pupils expanded by how much she had slept.
She notices a few messages from Looker and other people, with the former asking if she arrived safely. Her hands tap the screen keyboard and replies, saying sorry for how long it took to answer since she was asleep. After this, Anabel throws the phone over the bed and leans back once more.
Another yawn, with a dainty finger rubbing her eyes, thinking that a shower should be enough to wake up. She stands up from the bed and begins undressing, dropping her clothing on the floor and adding more to the mess. She had postponed cleaning her place a lot of times as her job has become more and more demanding, spending more time at the office than at her own home.
After she was done undressing, the woman reached the bathroom, looked for some towels and turned on the hot water and regulated the temperature, a mild one to cool off, then stepped inside the shower, the water traversing through her hair and skin felt wonderful, helping both mind and body to relax.
Yet, even at this moment of respite and peace, her thoughts drift away to the terrible moment of this morning, concerned with the health of her coworkers. She breathes deeply, forcing herself to be optimistic and believe everything would go alright. In her inner monologue, Anabel also thinks about what happened to Nicole, the officer missing in action in the mission, making her wonder if she managed to escape the Ultra Beasts, or perhaps the unthinkable, a much worse fate instead. Anabel shakes her head, knowing that assumptions wouldn't help at all.
The officer hears her phone ring from her bedroom, a short melody signaling new messages coming in.
"It must be Looker…" She whispers and closes her eyes in the process, to focus and improve her sight. Her innate psychic abilities allowed for wonders, but also was useful for menial things such as taking things out of her reach. Using telekinesis, Anabel brings the phone to the bathroom and lets it float outside the shower.
Lavender colored eyes opened once more to read the anticipated messages of Looker, who asked if she slept well.
"I had better." Anabel smiles gently and replies what she whispered, pressing the screen with her mind and asking what he was doing. Waiting for Looker to reply, her hands take some shampoo and apply it to her long hair.
Two minutes later, a new response from him, feeling content that she finally had some rest, followed by telling the situation of the injured officers. Her eyes widen in surprise as she reads that Sophia, one of the operatives in the incident, has woken up. However, she had to be sedated as she was groaning in agony and raving about many things.
"What did she say?" she types back, and almost instantly, Looker replies, explaining the situation with the scraps of information he could muster, as those who visited her had to leave. Sophia yelled for help and pleaded for mercy, telling that she did nothing wrong and more delusions.
Anabel thought it had to be the trauma of the encounter, but the pleas of mercy were too specific, as if Sophia was begging to someone who could understand her, or perhaps it was the hopeless situation causing her to plead. As far as the studies went, the few captured Ultra Beasts didn't behave normally compared to Pokemon, or behave at all. Most ignored all attempts to communicate, to eat or even try to escape their imprisonment. Were they part of a hivemind, or something else entirely?
"That sounds terrible." She speaks to herself once more, asking Looker if it was possible to visit her, which he replies with a quick "negative", followed by that the doctors didn't want to force the patient to talk, to avoid further complications.
Anabel curses, having no choice but to wait for tomorrow. She even considered using her special privileges as an officer of the Interpol, but relented in doing so. The integrity of her coworker was the highest priority of her, hoping that for the next day, Sophia would be in a better mental condition and the others would wake up.
Her lavender eyes shut and face raises to feel the stream of water and breathing profoundly to clear her mind, and after half a minute, her hand grabs the faucet and turns the water off, standing alone in silence barring a few droplets falling to the small pool of water underneath her.
Extending her arm, she grabs a hanging towel to dry her face and body, followed by surrounding her silhouette with it. She steps out of the shower and leaves towards her bedroom with her phone following her.
She sits over the bed and looks at the screen, navigating through her contacts until Looker's name finally showed up and called him. It didn't take him long to reply.
"Alright, I can properly speak now, I was taking a shower. How did your day go?" She says while drying her face.
"Boring," Anabel could hear the transit in the background and a radio playing music. "Those grunts of Team Skull were completely clueless, pretty much obeying orders blindly, either out of fear or respect for their superiors. I am surprised they have a hierarchy."
"More than a hierarchy it's out of fear, as you said." She hears a familiar voice, the raspy and tired voice of Nanu "Not even with threats of prison they talked. At first we thought they were trained and loyal, but then we realized they were fucking stupid."
She muffles her laughter with her hand, it seemed that Nanu was in a sour mood, well when he wasn't anyways?
"The investigations will continue, our superiors know they are involved in something." A small pause "Boss, will you do something later on?"
"Eh?" Anabel got caught off guard "Not really, I have only thought of eating something then cleaning my room." Her eyes wander across the place, seeing clothes all over the room, empty cups of coffee, her bed a complete mess, and that was only her bedroom, feeling disappointed with herself. "Why are you asking?"
"Nanu and I will discuss what we should do now after the incident. We believe there is something in the area to catch the attention of the Ultra beasts and dominate Pokemon's will if we trust in Sam's statements." She hears a car horn. "But if you feel exhausted then there's no issue, we will tell you later our ideas."
"I'll go," her fingers rub her eyes and forehead. "I guess the chores can wait one more day."
"Are you sure?" He sounds worried for her.
"Yes I am, also I think I will be able to do something before leaving… depending on which hour you want to meet.."
"Perhaps in three or four more hours at the Dancing Exeggutor"
"Really?" She says in disbelief and groans. "Do you want to talk about important matters in a bar?"
"Nanu's idea, not mine." Looker follows the same reaction of his superior.
"It's not like the first time we do. It's too late for coffee and I don't want to spend another second at the headquarters, Boss." The rough officer laughs. "Besides, a drink won't do bad to any of us, in fact, I think we deserve it after all of our efforts in keeping Alola and the world safe."
"Looker is a lightweight person, remember that." Anabel couldn't help but tease Looker, which he spontaneously coughs in shame and gives an excuse on why that occasion he couldn't drink more. "Just playing with you, Looker~" She giggles and also could hear Nanu laughing mockingly. "Well, I suppose I can have a few drinks."
"And about our discussion," Nanu continues. "I am bankrolling that place. I barely see any people there, especially on working days, and if they do, no one sane will try to listen to what a cop is saying."
"They only look once at us and they will run away scared." Her lips curl to a smile, wondering if Nanu caught the hint. Without knowledge of him, Anabel thought, just a mere gaze brought shivers on your whole body. "Okay, I will trust you. Anything else?"
"That is all." Looker coughs. "We will see you later then, Boss. Goodbye."
"Goodbye." She throws the phone away, her back now leaning against the soft bed, focused on her new plan for tonight and thinking that only Nanu could plan something so crucial in a bar. But the prospect of relieving some stress and drinking a little wasn't bad, as the officer himself said, they deserved it.
Cleaning the house would have to wait another day.
Hours have passed, and Anabel parked her car next to the Dancing Exegutor pub. As she stepped out of the vehicle, a warm breeze caressed her face and hair, an unwarranted one as the isles have been under a heatwave recently. She looked at the tavern, which was decorated in a common Alolan theme: very colorful and vibrant, with a great variety of lights, using plants to decorate the building. And inside, there she saw the two officers looking down at the table, perhaps brainstorming and planning already for the next mission.
Dressed in a casual attire of blue jeans, black heels, a long sleeve top and a purse hanging from her shoulder, she was tired of the monotony of her working suit, wearing black so often and in this terrible weather black wasn't attractive at all.
She walked towards the entrance and the table where they sat, it didn't take long for Nanu to notice, who waved his hand and soon Looker followed, flashing a smile towards her.
"Have you already started without me?" Anabel inquires, pretending to be insulted by them starting without her, placing her purse over the table. "I can only drink a glass or a beer since I am driving."
"How responsible." Looker says with a hint of sarcasm.
"We are supposed to lead by example, Nanu," she raises an eyebrow "even more considering you are our elder."
"He has drunk three whiskeys on the rocks already!" It was Looker's time to mock him. "Imagine the newspapers tomorrow saying 'drunk officer crashed into an Exeggutor', a terrible disappointment for the Alolan police department."
Nanu's eyes narrow, while the other two just muffle their laughter in unison.
"Hilarious." He said before taking another sip of his drink. "Anyways, since the Boss is here now, let me enlighten her about what will happen in a few days." As he mentioned this, the expression of the other two became serious. "The Interpol's directors believe there's something of interest in that forest, their argument being that a pair of… beasts," he whispers the last word. "isn't a common sight, and even more with mind controlled Pokemon. Point is, a second party will go in the upcoming days, and chances are we'll have to go too."
He stops briefly.
"We theorized there must be Ultra energy, given they are staunchly protecting that place, or perhaps something else. My main concern lies with Nicole, we must find her at all costs."
"Nicole. Her disappearance has kept me anxious all day." She stops briefly as a waiter arrives at their table, asking what she wants to drink and asking for a dark beer to drink. "I hope she managed to escape."
"I really hope so." Looker looks down at his drink "That is our priority. They also asked if we can capture Pheromosa and Buzzwole, but the probabilities are low, so instead, they asked for a Pokemon instead. They want to see if the Ultra energy changed their behavior or if the UB learned something new."
"I think it is the former," Anabel said and crossed her arms above the table. "I don't think those Beasts have psychic abilities. In my previous encounters, I didn't detect any psychic waves and could not fend against my attacks." A sigh escapes her lips. "I hope they haven't developed new psychic powers."
"Let's drink to it and hope they haven't." Nanu indulges in his beverage once more "Anyways, regardless of the issue, we must prepare ourselves and bring a group with us. I will be honest, we will do the brunt of the work, as always, while the rest will look for Nicole and investigate the surroundings."
"I like the confidence you have with our team." Looker looks at him, raising a brow.
Nanu was about to talk, but then refused in doing so, understanding that arguing about such a thing would be in vain and finished his drink. Just a few seconds later, the waiter brings Anabel her drink, a cold dark beer, which she tastes and her features show delight and happiness.
"It's wonderful." She says after drinking some more. "Sometimes I wish for this summer to end already." a brief pause from their main topic. "About picking the new group, I will do it tomorrow."
"I was thinking about something…" Looker interrupts, right hand grasping his jaw. "It will sound crazy, but what if we bring some… elite trainers with us. I heard some legends from other regions are already walking in the city, perhaps we can convince them to join us."
"Are you talking about the very same people you mentioned to me this morning, right?" She tilts her head to the left.
"Do you want to bring elite trainers with us?" Nanu raises both of his shoulders. "Well, it is not the craziest thing we have done, but is there any reason for them to help us? Or better yet, if our directors will approve this idea. Also who are these trainers you speak of."
The two of them stared at Looker, their eyes showing curiosity and waiting for him to speak.
"Since the Alolan League Federation wants to become a major league, the president decided to create a tournament with many stars of other regions but also give the possibility of local trainers to compete as well."
"Wait," Nanu scratches his head, then realizes what Looker is talking about, and suddenly, his features show embarrassment, groaning while eyes closing and skin shrivel up. "shit, I completely forgot about it. Since I am a Kahuna, I am expected to participate, but the Interpol and you know…" a sigh escapes his lips and moves closer to them. "I know who are invited so far: the champion of Sinnoh, Cynthia; two members of the Unova Elite Four, Caitlin and Grimsley; and the ex-champion of Kanto and Johto, Red. Those are the only ones I know, perhaps more will come."
He reclines back again, letting out a soft groan again and asking the barman for another whiskey, while Anabel and Looker look at each other, the former thinking that it wouldn't be a bad idea for them to help. These trainers have done great feats at stopping criminal organizations in their respective regions, but she also wondered, as Nanu stated, why would they want to help in this case, and if her superiors would allow it.
"I guess we lose nothing by asking." Anabel drinks a little more. "I have a feeling they will help us, but I trust Looker will be our best candidate in doing so." She winks at him, afterall, he was the best at convincing people. Him, on the other hand, couldn't help but blush a little.
"I will try my best." He rubs the back of his head and laughs. "But I will need to find them first."
"Sure you will, Looker." Nanu moves forwards and drags Looker's drink, which he has ignored since they arrived, indulging in it. "It would be a shame to let it go to waste."
"At least you could've asked."
"And who will drive me home then, hmm?" Nanu smirks. "Unless you want me to crash against an Exeggutor."
It was already eleven o' clock, and they decided to part ways and leave for their homes, with poor Looker taking the responsibility to bring Nanu to his. Their meeting ended with them sharing laughs more than planning their next mission, but there was little to do besides the foundations of it. Afterall, as Nanu said, it was a meeting they deserved long ago.
Her car stops, finally reaching her home, a tall apartment complex at the center of Hau'oli city. She walks towards the main entrance, greeting the doorman and reaching for the elevator. As the elevator went up, Anabel remained deep in thought, focused on the upcoming days and many worries such as picking a new team for this new mission, then the proposal of Looker of inviting those trainers. Their capabilities would be of great help, but would also risk them to the dangers of the Ultra Beasts.
On the other hand, this wasn't the first time had dealt with great danger. Anabel knew Cynthia was one of the people responsible for stopping Team Galaxy, and Red against Team Rocket on their peak. The other two could also help, considering Elite four members could become champions if they wished. Their help would be invaluable, a great assistance on stopping the Ultra Beasts, and perhaps, capturing more of them.
But that would be a problem for tomorrow, as the elevator's doors open and make her way towards her apartment, Anabel feels a burden upon her shoulders and eyes. She desired nothing but to sleep and forget today's grievances.