@CitrusArmsToshi looked at the source of the comment, mortified. Letting the shivering Skip go - no damage had been done, fortunately - Toshi turned around and gave a sad laugh.
"Uh... you saw that? Wow, that's embarrassing," Toshi admitted, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips.
"But yes, she does like disobeying my commands..." Toshi continued, shaking his head and looking back at the Mantine who was flapping in the fountain. Toshi sighed, picking the Dunsparce, Toto, up from the ground and walking over to the ranger.
"I've thought of using reverse psychology on her to get her to use the right moves, but I'm afraid she's too smart to fall for something like that," Toshi explained with a laughter.
"I'm Toshi. I'm on a vacation here to train for contests. This fella here is Toto - Who might you be?" Toshi introduced himself and the already sleeping shiny Dunsparce on his shoulder. Giving the snake pokemon a gentle pet on the head, Toshi turned to face the trainer who had happened to see his spectacular failure.
@SaleneaLorie, who was looking anywhere except at Sarah, involuntarily glanced back as soon as the woman reassured her about the pokedex issue. Staying quiet and nodding, Lorie didn't know what to say. Would thank you be acceptable? She didn't really do thank you's.
"Cool," the girl mustered in return, tone awkward but sincere.
Lorie really didn't need a travelling companion, though. She had Sneasel and Scolipede - the trio had managed quite fine on their own for years on end. They were close, they were familiar and safe. No reason tagging along with a stranger.
Sneasel seemed to sense what Lorie was thinking, as it nuzzled its head against Lorie's leg forcefully, catching her attention. The Sneasel's red, cat-like eyes were narrow with judgement. It knew what was going through Lorie's mind, and it was calling foul with just one sharp glance.
Lorie exhaled, feeling like a deflated drifbloom. Sneasel was right, they really only barely managed by themselves. That's why Lorie and Sneasel had to steal and thief around to keep fed. And in addition this woman knew where the lab was, so really, she was Lorie's best bet at getting one step closer to feeling like a real human being.
After this intense silence, Lorie only nodded, as if that would be enough of an answer. She'd tag along, sure.
"Sneasel Sneee," the Sneasel confirmed turning to Sarah and the Bulbasaur. It was odd seeing the ice/dark type pokemon so social, usually they stayed away from people and trusted no one. It seemed like Sneasel was either plotting something, or it genuinely saw something in this trainer and her pokemon.
