Frances
There was about 5 minutes of a peaceful morning nap before Altaria gently shook his trainer's head to wake her up. He felt nervous about Duraludon, looking like it was ready to crush it under it's metal. Regardless, Winona woke up with a frown, as her sleep was interrupted. "Something wrong, friend...?" Then, she rubbed her eyes, looking up to the tall, black male. Realising how rude she was being, she quickly got up. "A-Apologies... Seems like I dozed off here..." The woman was about 5' 8" With light violet hair and had her light blue outfit consisting of feathered gloves and shoes. Must be a flying type trainer...
Clementine
The altaria's wariness was no surprise - many dragons were easily cowed by Aalam's intimidating presence. He was a king, a regal monarch overlooking his empire wherever he went, second only to his partner: and even then the line of authority was so blurred between them that separating them into distinct categories cost more than it was worth. Raihan was as much an extension of his duraludon as his duraludon was an extension of him, and though other pokémon of his - namely his flygon - were more popular with the public, Aalam's place by Raihan's side was irrevocable. 

Still, the steel type was not violent without cause. Though he rumbled, a touch wary once attention was drawn to him, he quieted under Raihan's comforting palms, letting the tamer lean over his body and fold his arms over the flat surface of his head. ❛ No need to apologise! ❜ Raihan assured, voice rich and warm and surprisingly light, all things considered. ❛ I didn't think anyone else'd even be up here. Winona, right? ❜ Though they'd never officially met, hers was a face he knew - he took it upon himself to memorise key players in every region's league, keeping tabs on foreign officials out of both interest and partial obligation. ❛ I'm Raihan, ❜ he continued, though his wasn't a difficult persona to remember (tall, a tad inhuman - what with his too-bright eyes and too-sharp teeth - and *Talented*), ❛ and this - ❜ he moved one hand, thumb sliding along his duraludon's jaw just to make the creature purr - ❛ is Aalam. ❜

His smile shifted, softened into something more personable, and he cast an appraising gaze towards Winona's own partner. ❛ That's a healthy-looking altaria. ❜
Frances
The Altaria hid then looked Duraludon in the eyes, saying that it is not aftraid of it, if it meant protecting her trainer. But then, Winona put him back on her lap, as she sat down petting his head. God, he's such a mama's boy. Regardless, as the lady was petting her trusty partner, she looked at Raihan. "Oh! I heard of you... Sand master of Galar. Many people in Hoenn were inspired to try a weather based team after seeing your matches." Winona gave a warm smile, as she didn't want to make this conversation awkward. "Though, I am a former Gym Leader. I have been out of the League for a few years now, chasing my own dream. And I have my flying type partners to thank for it." Winona said, as she was carried away by her words. You could clearly tell she has a lot of passion for both Pokémon and her ambitions. But then, the trance snapped as Raihan mentioned her partner being in good shape. "Thank you... He is my first ever partner. I couldn't be where I am today without him." She said, as the Altaria happily chirped, enjoying the headpats.
Clementine
There was something endearing about the altaria's determined bravery, the way it readied itself to protect its trainer from a nonexistent threat. Though more accustomed to their flying affinity, altaria were dragons, past normal typing or no - there was a territorial streak that ran deep in their blood, tempered by their gentle natures as it was. Aalam was a dragon by birth, proud and brutal - but steel was a steady, stable type, and the duraludon was of good enough stock not to snap at the challenge presented to him. 

`❛ Oh! I heard of you . . . Sand master of Galar. Many people in Hoenn were inspired to try a weather based team after seeing your matches. ❜`

Flattering that it was so universal - Raihan's techniques were unorthodox by gym leader standards, but it in that unpredictability was where his greatest strength lay. ❛ Weather tactics are under-utilised, ❜ he acquiesced. If by televising his matches, he brought attention to such an interesting niche, then he was content. ❛ Chasing your own dream, huh? ❜ His life has revolved so long around battle and fashion and the media, the latter a cruel beast that punished him for the former and praised for the middle, that alternatives often felt out of reach. Not to say that he wasn't happy - he was - but leaving the League was something he hadn't ever even considered. 

❛ Aalam's not my first, but he *Is* My partner. I owe him more than I can really say. ❜ His life includes - though that was a messy slice of history, brutal and bloody and still raw enough for the scars to have not yet healed. Physically, he doubted they ever would. ❛ Were you invited here too, then? ❜
Frances
"Yeah, a dream I am happy to have accomplished. Now, I have to maintain it. I left my gym in Fortree in the hands of a good trainer. You might even meet him at the island." She saw her Altaria having a staredown with Duraludon, as she gently said: "Calm down, Asterix. It won't harm you." The Altaria, hearing his master's words, slowly backed off. The girl then answered. "Yes, I was invited here by a person named Amelia. But, as you could see, we flew all the way from Mossdeep to here, as it took as all night of flying. That's the reason you caught me sleeping on Altaria's wings..." She seemed a little embarassed by it, hoping he can forget it.
Clementine
❛ He was invited too, huh? ❜ Strong trainers in *General,* It seemed, indiscriminately littered the island - but Raihan was hardly complaining. The promise of powerful battle was one that set his veins alight with excitement: he'd been pegged as champion-level *Years* Ago, only ever failing because Leon was leagues beyond any other region's crowning glory, and he was eager to put that analysis to the test.

. . . And *Maybe* Exceed it. 

❛ Don't worry, ❜ he says to Asterix, a low, soothing rumble in his throat, utterly inhuman, and Aalam melted just a touch at the sound, ❛ Aalam won't hurt her - or you. He moves only when I tell him. ❜ It was a loyalty he'd fought to earn, tooth and nail and blood and sweat and *Tears* To convince such a noble beast to place its heart in Raihan's hands, but it gave him the confidence to speak with such certainty.

`❛ Yes, I was invited here by a person named Amelia. ❜`

As was Raihan. He gave a quiet *Ah,* Nodding his head.

`❛ But, as you could see, we flew all the way from Mossdeep to here, as it took all night of flying. That's the reason you caught me sleeping on altaria's wings . . . ❜`

Raihan's eyes squinted, an amused smile spreading across his features. ❛ 'Splains a lot, ❜ he acknowledged. ❛ I only got here recently, too - looks like we're both newcomers, hah! ❜
Frances
"Yes, Matthias was invited! I put a lot of faith into him all those years ago. He is the bug type master of the Hoenn region! Meanwhile, I went on to establish the Hoenn Delivery Service. By using the resident flying types, we can make communication and transportation between regions easier and cheaper!" Winona had her eyes light up, as she went on another tangent. Asterix just sighed, as he analyzed Raihan. He seemed *Really* Strong. Makes him wonder if he could beat Steven...? Regardless, Winona's bubble was bursted when she realised Raihan was assessing the situation. "Y-Yes, it appears we are..." Winona said, as she got back on her feet. "Maybe we should make our way to the mansion. People are probably awaiting for you." Winona realised that people probably welcome the best gym leaders of Galar rather than a retired gym leader of Hoenn.