Chapter Text
Cool winds gently caressed Juliana’s exposed skin as she shuffled her way outside. With a yawn and a rub of her eyes, she reached down and undid the combination locks on her mailbox. The amount of security precautions champions had to put in place simply astounded her, but she’d rather go through the hassle than have something confidential get stolen and potentially leaked. Sloppily, she took the various pieces of mail and trudged her way back inside. It was far too early to be outside, but Kieran had done it the last time, so it was her turn.
“Anything excitin’?” Kieran asked as she re-entered their cozy little home, locking the door behind her and tossing anything addressed to Kieran on the table in front of him.
Juliana shuffled through the various letters that remiained: it mainly consisted of junk mail and scam letters charging for bills she’d already paid online. “Nope, not rea—” Just as she was about to finish her sentence, a letter caught her eye: To: Champion Juliana, from: Chairwoman Geeta of the Pokémon League. “I… spoke too soon,” she faltered.
Kieran stopped his rifling and cocked an eyebrow. “What is it?”
Juliana held up the letter to him. “It’s a letter from La Primera.”
Kieran’s brows furrowed now. “Ms. Geeta? What could she want that couldn’t just be texted?”
Juliana shrugged, tearing through the top of the letter with her fingernail. “I guess we’ll find out.” She released the contents from their prison, unfolded them, and began to read.
Champion Juliana,
I do hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you regarding a Pokémon you have uncovered and captured on your most recent expedition into the Great Crater: Terapagos. I have heard word that you were able to summon and meet with Professor Sada briefly, and even trade physical items with her at the Crystal Pool in the Land of Kitakami using its power. I would like to see an example of this phenomenon myself. I trust you will cooperate with this request. If you wish to grant me access to Terapagos and the privilege to test its limits, I will meet you in the Pokémon League building tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. Be sure to bring Terapagos. I do hope I will be seeing you. You may bring Champion Kieran as well, if you would like.
~ Chairwoman Geeta
“Well, I guess we’re visiting the Pokémon League tomorrow,” Juliana announced with fake cheerfulness.
Kieran rose to his feet cautiously. “Why, what’s up?”
“La Primera heard about my encounter with Professor Sada at the Crystal Pool… and now I guess she wants to experiment with Terapagos.”
“But doesn’t that kinda thing take a lot of energy out of the little guy?” Kieran worried. “We don’t want it spreadin’ itself too thin!”
“That’s true, but… trust me, I’ll make sure he’s got plenty of time to recover between tests.”
“I don’t know about this, Jules…” Kieran sighed. “Are you sure you wanna do it?”
Juliana shrugged. “It’s La Primera. I can’t exactly turn her down.”
“Of course you can! You’re a champion-ranked trainer, honey, you can do whatever you want! Besides, it’s not like you to go listenin’ to people blindly…”
“That’s true, I guess,” Juliana sighed. “I just… I can’t lie, I’m kinda curious myself.”
Kieran nodded tentatively. “Makes sense… So, are you goin’?”
“Yeah,” Juliana confirmed a little too quickly. “And she even said you could come along if you want.”
“Wowzers, really?” Kieran perked up at that.
“Yeah! So if you want to, let me know.” She paused for a moment, then grinned. “Funny how you were so hesitant about this, then the second I mention you can come, too, you’re all giddy,” she teased.
Kieran glared at her which forced a howling laugh to cascade out of her. The laughter ceased after a moment, followed by another deep yawn.
“Alright,” Juliana began to mutter, letting her thoughts spill freely through her mouth. “Pokémon Center for Terapagos, get an outfit ready, leave at 11:45 on Miraidon tomorrow to meet La Primera…”
“Easy, Julie,” Kieran teased, snapping her back to reality. “I know you’re a planner, but I’m sure it’s gonna be fine. You don’t gotta go stressin’ the fine details.”
Juliana sighed, locking eyes with Kieran, unable to stop a smile from forming. “Yeah, you’re right.”