Marilyn
After a long, arduous journey of navigating through the increasingly steep and dangerous cliff since before the sun even began to cast its rays onto the island, the brunette basked in its glory upon reaching her destination which overlooked the ocean. With light refracting from the surface of the water, and the high-tide waves crashing the gray rocks that served as the basis of the towering ground she stood on. Caves formed from storms and the like weren't in full view, yet the gorgeous backdrop this landscape provided was nothing short of breathtaking. Putting an arm above her head to shield her eyes for a moment, Irene settled down, soon thereafter crossing her legs as she took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp salt air. 

Why was she even there in the first place? Simple, she was looking for a reclusive spot to unwind, away from the bustling activities usually found in Sigville and further off being confined to her room in the mansion, some fresh air was in order! With the brunette's silky-smooth hair swaying elegantly wherever the gentle breeze decided to blow, it finally began to fully cascade onto her back as the passing wind came to a halt.

-

Setting her signature cap on her side, she slowly wore her headphones, making sure that it sat comfortably above her head before deciding to fiddle on her phone to pick a track. A few elapsing moments later, her phone found its way back into her pocket once again. Brushing her palms together, it was time for relaxation. Humming a rather upbeat melody, her body rocked back and forth as the lush instrumentations of the song she played fully held a vice grip on her hearing, her delicate fingers now drummed against her knees. Practically, she was in her own world until she felt something on her lap. Looking down, her playful gaze watched as a baby azurill let out a joyful cry! 

"𝅘𝅥𝅮 I saw many kinds of flowers lined up in front of the flower shop, everyone has their favorite kinds but they're all pretty. La la la~ 𝅘𝅥𝅮"
Christopher
Rika has enjoyed walks back in Paldea. Despite adorning her dress shirt and dress pants, clothing that are more fitted for the indoors, that wasn't any restriction to her who specializes ground types anyway. So. It wouldn't matter if some parts of her were sprinkled wet from the ocean's waters that crashed the cliff side. Even climbing its steep terrain, those waves reached high enough to soak the socks in her oxfords. Maybe she shouldn't have had a walk in the beach in such wear, but the sunny white sands weren't much different from Paldea—not that she frequent there either without something casual. Her head is probably still in that "Job-mode," Ready to go back to the elite four's building, snap on her glasses and get interviewing. Geeta does things to a person, lightheartedly thought by Rika herself.

It's dangerous. The rough waters constantly hitting this cliff, pretty much a rock jutting over the ocean, gave the impression it could break off just like that. Daring though, Rika made herself toward the edge. Ah. At first she thought it was a rock, the gleam from the sun blinding her so her hand hovers above her face, but it was a person over there. She wasn't alone. Well, it would be more surprising if she was. Considering this was a big island, every spot should be taken! As good a time as any, she came forward, humming, stomping her feet to make her presence known. Nothing too disturbing in case the other person are in their own little world. Or, to not cause such a surprise that *She'd* Slip from it.

*A gal.*

That brown hair whipping up and around her shoulders from the stranger made Rika want to act. One step forward—but then she stopped after hearing the lyrics that came from the female's voice. "Cute." She takes her place next to this brunette, squatting down before sitting completely. Rika hopes her sudden entrance wasn't too uncalled for. "Singing in a place like this, how can you hear yourself?" At first looking forward, toward the ocean, Rika's

Eyes then turn to meet the person's next to her. "Name's Rika." A smile spread her lips. "Need a hair tie? You wouldn't be able to keep singing if that hair of yours keeps getting in it." Assuming the baby Azurill is her's, the ground-type specialist waves at the small creature and offers her hand for a trust tap. It came out looking like a handshake!
Marilyn
Cognizant of her surroundings, Irene's sharp hearing had immediately picked up on the footsteps that trailed behind her. If they even thought about being sneaky then they were obviously doing a sloppy job at it. As she kept caressing the wild Azurill that had begun to lay comfortably on her lap, her eyes were fixated on the ground type specialist as she squatted down, taking a seat right by her side. All the while, her delicate index reached down towards the water-type's chin, stroking it until the baby Pokémon had begun to doze off, lulled at the tune of the song she quietly sang.

"𝆕 Everyone has their favorite kinds, but they are all pretty and mighty fine. Without competing, they were standing straight up, proudly inside their buckets. So why do we have to compare ourselves to one another? 𝅘𝅥𝅯 "

Save to say, the musician wasn't distracted by the elite four's presence, far from it. Rather, spending time with someone in such a pleasant morning could probably be described as euphoric. Holding a finger to her lips followed by a rather coy wink, she would purposefully leave the elite four member in suspense before pointing downwards towards the Azurill, who was almost fast asleep at this point, hoping they would catch the hint. Seeing as how they were courteous enough to introduce herself, Irene returned the favor in kind as soon as she felt the stillness of the blue mouse.

-


"It's for this little fella's sake, it seems as though they're lost." She succinctly explained in a quiet whisper, toying with a lock of her hair before tucking it behind her ear. After all, if Azurill was the only one listening to her, then she didn't see the need to hear her own voice being masked by the sounds of waves crashing and the like. With her eyes still in direct contact with the ground specialist's own. With the brunette's expression brightening up, she admired Rika's handsome complexions if only for a moment. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder what someone else was doing here, did they also feel entrapped back at the mansion? Perhaps the musician will know in due time.

"Irene, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance." Returning the favor with a warm smile of her own and jerking her thumb towards chest, the brunette introduced herself to the much taller trainer before chuckling under her own breath at their kind offer, giving a somewhat exaggerated dismissive wave of her hand.

"A hair tie is good and all, but a ponytail wouldn't look as good on me as it would on you, even if it's a little more practical." As she was about to reject Rika's kind offer in a rather bemused fashion, the water type's expression immediately filled up with glee at the sight of another human, nuzzling against Rika's hand as she offered her hand. It was no longer sleepy! Looking up once again at the blue sky above, she straightened her back.

-

"Out for a brisk walk I take it? Not many people would choose a cliff as their first destination, you know. I take it you're a hiker of some sort? Or maybe a wandering trainer seeking strong foes! Or maybe you're just like me." There was a form of harmless mockery in the tone she used to inquire before jerking her head once more in the direction of Rika, knowingly leaving that last part a mystery. Her eyes now falling towards the obsidian necktie the ground type specialist wore. Without so much as a word, Irene immediately moved her hands towards said necktie, tightening & fixing it in a moment's notice. Perhaps it was some sort of maternal instinct kicking in, or perhaps this was her way of being a bit tongue-in-cheek. Either way, the musician never cared for the repercussions of her own actions, and this was one such instance.

"Aaaaaaand done!"
Christopher
That gesture with the female, along with Rika's peripheral, she gives an inaudible "Ohh" At the realization that the blue round Pokémon Azurill have been lulled to sleep. It was a wonder that it could fall asleep in such an intense area, with the waves crashing on the cliffside which could be mistaken as earthquakes. On the other hand, there was something hypnotic about it. The constant repetition, despite its loud sound can get some to sleep. And possibly because of the brunette and her singing voice. At the mention of the Azurill, that's *Not* Her Pokémon then. Being a baby, you'd think it'll be more cautious and only trusting of its mother than another species, a trainer to be precise. Rika somehow had an eye for that. She can tell the potential bubbling in someone, beginner trainers usually. But this one, despite her young exterior, has gotten years of experience. The confidence she protrude and the skill she has with caring a Pokémon. Who is this woman? And why does she seem faintly familiar to Rika?

"Irene?" The word mixed around her mouth as if it's something foreign to say. She was trying to recall "Irene." While her head was almost in clouds herself, the attention from the Azurill brought her back to the present and the blue orb Pokémon cried out as Rika herself gave it head rubs in return. What's this? Irene seems like quite the flatterer. She'd have herself beat if this keeps up, although, that was thought in amusement! True, Irene's long hair gusted by the wind caught the sunlight good, reflecting them and making the strands almost a gold color. It's better they're fluttering free like that. Now for Rika's reason to be here... Was this really a particular reason that she needs to name it? All that the other have suggested could fit the bill. But while Rika loves battle, she doesn't actively look out for it unless suggested and provoked. She kept her battling usually in the elite four building, so as to hide her techniques. Usually, her wandering is

To scope out for potential trainers she'd run in for interview in the future. Maybe a little farcical teasing, but that's all. Before Rika could respond, the last option guessed made her raise a brow before chuckling from the mystery of it.

"Like you? In what sense? That I can perfectly sing despite the surrounding sounds?" She wasn't by all means a bad singer, but not good enough to keep calm and stay melodious. Usually people need to hear themselves to keep their tone in check but Irene—even if it's just for the Azurill's ears—managed to sing so beautifully. Before Rika can elaborate any further, the sudden fix of her tie surprised her more than it should. Her words crack in her throat, paused from the sudden action. When it was completed, Rika stayed silent for a moment before tipping her head, a smirk on her face. She messes with the bangs on her forward, a sign of her nervousness, and attempt at appearing the cool cat. "Why, thanks~" She said in fake grandiose but she genuinely meant the appreciation. The last time someone fixed her tie for her, it was her parents and now the ground-type specialist, as her first time in forever, felt self-conscious in case anything else was crooked and out of place. Wanting to get back to the topic at hand, she clears her throat and proceeds. "I find myself walking around... A lot. I do it back home too. Not that I *Can't* Sit still, but when your job requires you to sit down almost most of your day, you want to get some moving. This place-" And she looks out toward the ocean again. "-it looked like it had a nice breeze." It was a pretty simple answer. For someone who interviews other trainers, she didn't have much reasons herself. "And hey, I was bound to meet someone too." She winks. "That's also mainly part of my walks."

_ _
Satisfied enough with what she's given for now, she asks Irene in return. "What are you doing up here? I *Know* It's not 'cause you're self-conscious of your singing." Meanwhile, the Azurill was off Irene's lap, bouncing happily around as the two conversed, a little bit out of control with its small body adventuring near the edge...
Marilyn
On the verge of convulsing, the musician began heartily guffawing at the out of the blue smooth compliment to her quiet singing. Though, part of it was at Rika's expense because she didn't quite catch what she meant by being similar, not that the brunette would fault them though, they'd just met after all. "I meant adventurous with a pinch of whimsy." Pinching her thumb and forefinger against each other to emphasize her point, her laughter loosened up as she finally caught her breath, wiping the tears caused by her laughter from her eye. Iit was abundantly clear that she's having a swell time. Noticing how flustered they'd become after getting their necktie fixed, if only for a moment, Irene's musician lit up, keeping an inquisitive gaze on the elite four member as they expressed their gratitude and had begun explaining their reason for being there. Simply put, her curiosity was piqued!

-

"Think nothing of it!" Standing back up to her full height, the brunette picked up her signature hat, adorning it with as much grace and confidence as she always had on stage. Judging by what was said, Irene could only assume they were some sort of office worker, a bigwig as she used to call them. Yet, the presence the ground specialist had gave them an entirely different impression. The need to walk around out of force of habit was most certainly relatable, After all, the brunette does it herself to collect her thoughts more often than not, and that alone gave her some sort of impression of what kind of person the Paldean was. Stretching her arms outwards, then wide, the musician drew in a long, deep breath before exhaling. With one hand on her hip, Irene held a finger up with the other before beaming a smile towards the ground type specialist, her pearly teeth now on full display as her lips widened even further. The faint outline of wrinkles around the musician's eyes sparkling much like a star would!

"Oh shush, you're going to make me blush now!" It was a direct response to the meeting someone comment, obviously replying to it in pure jest judging by the grin she maintained. Rather than take the time to ponder upon an answer to the Paldean, she immediately ran her mouth with the truth.

-

"Well, whenever you go to some place new, you'd want to go and see everything with your own eyes, no?" Answering the question with another, her attention immediately diverted into the bouncing Azurill, hunching her back as she scooped them up near her modest chest, practically folding her arm to keep the blue mouse in place. Despite all of this, she was deceptively attentive, perceptive was the word? "I wanted my own, perfect little spot to stargaze come nightfall, that's the actual answer. And this place seems just right judging from the layout." Indeed, while the observatory is an option, nothing beats admiring the stars while in nature's warm embrace. As she was about to further explain however, the Azurill would let out yet another cheerful cry, prompting Irene to chuckle once again.

"Heh. Let's take this little fella back home first, if I had to make a wild guess they probably came from the beach! Care to keep me company?" With that, she ambled along with Azurill in hand past the elite four member before making a sudden stop, inviting Rika to tag along for the ride, the ball was on their court now.