After leaving the marketplace, both Yuri and Marie had eaten their fill. As for the two little gluttons who'd stuffed themselves silly, they now hung limply from the girls' shoulders, too full to even move.
"Do you think Sonia's still in Hulbury?"
"Probably not. We spent a few days getting here, and there aren't any historical ruins around this area."
Marie scratched the underside of Kosa's chin. Hulbury wasn't known for its history or ruins, so Sonia likely took one look around and left.
"Mmm... Yeah, that makes sense."
Hand in hand, the girls strolled leisurely back toward their inn. This time, to avoid the disaster of not finding a place to stay, they had booked a room online in advance.
And thanks to Yuri's relentless pleading, Marie hadn't had the heart to reserve two separate rooms. Inwardly, she justified the choice as a money-saving measure booking a double room was simply more economical.
"Ah! Look, the sea! I can see the sea!"
Yuri pointed excitedly toward a decent-sized port in the distance, where a few mid-sized boats were docked. It wasn't quite what Marie had pictured, but still charming in its own way.
"Wanna check it out?"
But the moment she asked, she realized it was a pointless question Yuri was already tugging her along, half-running in the direction of the port.
They went down a flight of stairs and reached the dock. Though small, it was still a novelty for someone who had never seen the ocean up close. From here, they could spot the large harbor and towering lighthouse near the Hulbury Stadium in the distance.
The only real shame was that Hulbury didn't have any sandy beaches along the coast. Otherwise, it would've drawn even more tourists.
Spikemuth did have a beach but it was so cold that only those daring enough for a freezing swim would even consider going.
As Yuri leaned forward, practically bouncing with excitement, Marie couldn't help but call out a warning.
"Calm down. Don't fall in."
"Aiya~ I know, I know! Like I'd actually fall!"
Marie just shook her head and made her way to a nearby bench to sit down. Farfetch'd, ever dependable, stuck close to Yuri to keep her from doing anything too reckless. It made Marie wonder about the Pokémon's temperament.
Were most Farfetch'd naturally this knightly, or was this one just especially attentive?
While she was resting, Marie's Rotom Phone suddenly floated out of her pocket. The screen flashed with an incoming call from Sonia.
"Huh? Sonia's calling?"
She tapped to accept and brought the phone to her ear. Sonia's cheerful voice came through at once.
"Hey hey~ Good afternoon, Marie! Are you girls in Hulbury yet?"
"Yeah, we got here not long ago. We're just hanging out by the docks."
"Hahaha~ You, relaxing by the sea? Didn't think you had it in you."
Marie gave a small smirk but didn't bother responding to the tease.
"So? Why the sudden call? Something up?"
"Oh, there's something alright. Tell me, Marie, are you interested in Alola?"
"Alola? Of course I am. I've actually been planning to travel to other regions after finishing the Gym Challenge."
Marie frowned, unsure where this was going. Even if Sonia was trying to joke around, this felt like a pretty random topic.
"Well, just checking. There's an opportunity for an all-expenses-paid trip to Alola. You in?"
"All-expenses-paid? Yeah right. You're not just asking me to run an errand for you?"
"Ouch. That hurts, Marie-chan! Don't you trust me at all~?"
Marie remained unmoved.
"Come on. It's an all-expenses-paid trip, and I doubt you're footing the bill out of your own pocket. Especially not now."
Despite her skepticism, Marie had to admit she was a little tempted. Cross-region travel wasn't cheap, especially without someone local to rely on.
She wasn't strapped for cash, but it wasn't like she came from a wealthy family either. Saving money where she could was just smart.
"Well... it's something I think you'd find interesting. You know Professor Kukui, right?"
"Kukui? I've heard of him. What about it?"
"Well, he's an old acquaintance of mine. He reached out recently asking about Dynamax moves. He wants help with some research, and in return, he's offering me a custom Rotom Dex."
"And where do I come in? You want me to fetch it for you or something?"
"Exactly. I want you to bring it back for me. That machine's processing capabilities are what I'm really after. It'd cost way too much to have one custom-made here."
"So it's just a delivery job?"
Marie lost some interest at that. She wasn't in it for the sights. What drew her to Alola were its unique Pokémon and Z-Moves, not playing courier.
"Well, maybe not just that. Rumor has it they're researching something called Ultra Wormholes over there. You might even encounter Pokémon from other worlds. Think your gift would work on them too?"
"You're not seriously asking me to go all the way there just to be someone's test subject... are you?"
"Bingo~"
"Knew it. So this 'free trip' comes with strings attached."
"Yup. But don't worry. For now, the data's still manageable. You'd have time to stay a while before coming back."
Sonia was shamelessly open about her motives, not even bothering to hide them.
"Hmm..."
Marie looked over at Yuri, who had somehow gotten hold of a fishing rod and was now trying her luck by the water. She wasn't sure if she should agree or not.
"If you're interested, I can even get you into the island trials."
That was the kicker.
The Island Challenge was one of the few ways to earn Z-Crystals, and it just so happened to be something Marie really wanted.
"...So when would I be going?"
"Knew you'd say yes~ But don't worry, it won't be for a while. The Rotom Dex is still being customized, so you've got at least a couple more weeks."
"It takes that long to make one?"
"No clue. I'm just going off what Kukui told me."
Just as the call was wrapping up, Yuri came running over, fishing rod in hand and a disappointed look on her face.
"Ah, Marie-chan, who were you talking to?"
"Sonia. Wanna say hi?"
"Eh~ I do, I do!"
Marie handed her the phone and casually took the fishing rod in exchange. With a barely audible sigh, she sat back down. Her heart felt strangely complicated.
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