Ray
Mathias sits on the beach, gazing out over the ocean. Why had he been invited to an event like this? Almost everybody thought he was violent and crazy. He earned his position as a Gym Leader through his sheer undeniable ability to train and battle, but many chose not to associate with him beyond battling.

The ocean here was as blue as it was back home in Hoenn. It reminded him of his brief training at the Safari Zone and the nearby water that surrounded Mt. Pyre. He didn't feel ready enough to enter the mansion and interact with the others, so he chose to do some swimming here instead to help clear his mind.
Thelma
*The finally docked, dropping off a single passenger. The woman slowly walked off, suitcase in hand, a case of Pokeballs in the other, she walked down the beach admiring the scenery. With a wide smile she pulled out a weight ball and tossed it into the air!*
"Steed! Come and see this!"
*A massive Copperajah appeared and trumpeted happily as it looked across the beachfront.*
Ray
*Mathias steps back onto the sand after swimming up and down the coast for a while. He picks up his backpack and begins to stroll down the waterfront. He sees the Copperajah and its trainer and approaches with caution.*
Thelma
*She turns when she notices the man.*
"Hello there! No need to be shy, Steed here's pretty friendly!"
Ray
"Hello..." *His voice is quiet at first, but he clears his throat before continuing.* "Were you invited here as well?" *Mathias's hand reaches for a Pokéball, just in case.*
Thelma
"I was! Name's Margaret, Margaret Acetone! I'm a Gym Leader!" *She smiled at him.*

"Galar to be exact! And you are...?" *She started walking towards him.*
Ray
*Mathias backs up, and tosses a Pokéball at his feet. From it, a Ninjask emerged and swiftly rose to his side.* "...Mathias. Bug expert. Hoenn."
Thelma
"Hello there! I must say, that's a lovely Ninjask!" *She waves at the bug-type.* "Bug-types are simply amazing..."

"If I didn't focus on steel-types, I would've gladly become a Bug-type leader!" *The Copperajah approaches the two of them. With a smile, Margaret tickles her underneath her trunk.*
Ray
*Mathias drops his guard briefly after hearing that comment. He eases his stance.* "They are every bit as amazing as any other Pokémon can be. I'm glad you understand that." *The Ninjask rests upon his outstretched arm.* "This... Is Revolver."
Thelma
"Hi Revolver..." *She whispered in a high-pitched voice.* "I've heard Hoenn is a beautiful region, I've always wanted to visit!"
Ray
*Revolver darts around Margaret and Copperajah, eyeing them up before deciding to rest on the Copperajah's head.* "It is a beautiful land. My gym is located in Fortree City, my home town. I spent many years traveling, and I still find myself mostly comfortable surrounded by those tall trees."
Thelma
*The Copperajah seemed to smile when it felt Revolver on it. It started walking more carefully now, wanting to keep it perched on its head.* "That sounds amazing..."
Ray
"You say you are from Galar, correct? Tell me about there."
Thelma
"Well... It's massive. It's a beautiful mix of both massive sprawling urban areas and small rural communities, but we still preserve the nature around us! There's the massive wild area full of Pokémon, it's a blessing for trainers looking to get stronger!"

"I'm from a city known as Circhester. It's known for scorching summers where rock-types thrive, and freezing winters where Ice-types come out to play. There's also a massive hot spring that you can use to both relax and heal up both you and your Pokémon! Legend has it a legendary warrior rested there after fighting a massive battle to save Galar!"

*She could go on for hours if you do not stop her. Arceus help us all she's still going. We are all doomed.*
Ray
"You... Seem to know a lot about your home. All I ever really cared about in Fortree is the trees. I don't really know anything about the history of the region." *He turns and looks out to the sea.* "The people and the towns are less important to me than the nature and the Pokémon."
Thelma
"I understand... At the end of the day... It doesn't matter where you come from, what connects us all is the nature and Pokémon that surround us."
Ray
"...Have you met others yet?" *Mathias is wary of meeting new people, but he knows he'll need to eventually.* "I am curious to know who else has been invited here."
Thelma
"I only know of two others, my fellow Gym Leader, Noelle, and my—" *She stopped herself for a moment, forgetting how Nichol felt about that particular word.* "My partner, Nichol."
Ray
*Mathias raised an eyebrow, but moved on regardless.* "My only partners are my Pokémon." *He brings out Revolver's Pokéball and returns him to it.* "You seem uncomfortable saying that word. 'Partner'. Perhaps you would do better staying away from others and relying solely on your Pokémon, like me. They do not betray your kindness the way a human can."
Thelma
"Oh no, that's not what I meant..." *Margaret chuckles.* "I meant partner in like... Marriage... But she doesn't like me calling her my 'wife'..."

"But I respect that, you seem like you really love your Pokémon!" *She smiled at him. She chooses not to press on that comment about betrayal.*
Ray
"Oh... I see. Sorry. I don't do well with subtlety. She must mean quite a lot to you if you consider her your partner."
Thelma
"It's no problem, everyone has their weaknesses, but a weakness can be a strength if used correctly! And yes... I love her... Very much." *Copperajah stopped for a moment, afraid that Revolver was about to fall off.*

*Margaret gasped.*
"I just remembered! The current Champion of Galar is here too!"
Ray
"I see. I will have to meet him too, then. I should try to clean myself off before meeting anyone else." *Mathias begins to walk off.* "It was... Nice to meet you. Margaret."
Thelma
"Goodbye Mathias! Let's meet up again sometime!" *She turned to her Copperajah.* "Let's head to the mansion now!" *The Copperajah nodded and stuck out its trunk, which Margaret use to climb up onto her back.*

*The two of them ten started traveling to the