[IC] Pokemon: In The Shadow of a Rainbow

[Todd Howard]

As Jolteon chased the Smoochum into the room with the Purification Chamber, it watched as the small Pokemon jumped on top of a monitor and began taunting. Jolteon growled, preparing to fire off a Thunderbolt before Michael chipped in. "Jolteon! You can't use your electric type moves in here! Something could explode!" His words made the Jolteon stop, and simply stare at the opponent for a moment, as it continued taunting. Though just thinking about the situation wouldn't help, as Perdey was behind Michael, fully ready to take advantage of the machine he wasn't bothered destroying. "Use Blizzard!"

Smoochum fired out an icy wind from it's mouth on command, though Michael was quick to retaliate. "Jolteon! Dodge to the left!" Jolteon did as he was told, and quickly ran to the left, avoiding the blizzard that froze the ground he was once standing on. The Jolteon circled around the machines, it's fast speed allowing for it to go mostly undetected. The Smoochum glanced around, unsure of exactly where the opponent was, until it jumped onto a desk to the far left and leaped strait at it, effectively tackling them both down onto the ice. Jolteon had a hard time adapting, though the Smoochum stood rather easily. "The ice will prove to give Smoochum an advantage." Perdey said confidently, though Michael simply kept faith. "Just keep your balance, Jolteon! Get back on the offensive!"

Jolteon swiftly turned, raising a hindleg to attempt to kick the Smoochum, who ducked under it and took it's own swing at Jolteon, but didn't manage to reach far enough to connect. This continued, the two Pokemon constantly missing each other entirely, until Jolteon managed to spin back around and slide forwards, ramming the Smoochum with it's head. Smoochum was knocked off balance, simply sliding across the ice, giving Michael the advantage now. "Jolteon! Launch it up into the air, I think you'll like my idea!"

"Jolt!" His partner was getting excited now, sliding across the ice and lowering it's head. The Smoochum attempted to grab him, but with a quick flick of Jolteon's head it got launched up towards the ceiling. "Now, show it your own Shadow Ball!"

"Your Jolteon knows what?!" Perdey's jaw dropped, watching as Jolteon growled and began charging up it's attack. Firing it off, it hit Smoochum and slammed it against the ceiling during the Shadow Ball's explosion. Smoochum began to fall afterwards, and Michael was shoved out of the way as Perdey ran past him and onto the ice, slipping and falling, but still catching the little Pokemon before it hit the ground. "Smoochum, you aren't down and out this soon, are ya?" He asked, being rather sweet to the little Pokemon. "Smoo... Chum." His Pokemon responded, before fainting. The battle was certainly over, leaving Perdey defenseless against Michael and his Jolteon.

Michael crossed his arms, observing the scene in front of him. "You care for that Pokemon... Why would you be a part of Cipher?" He questioned, as Perdey stood up. Jolteon glared, but didn't move. "People do a lot of things for different reasons, 'Hero'. I don't have to explain myself to you." Perdey replied rather hatefully, before returning Smoochum to it's Pokeball. He stepped off the ice, and Jolteon was going to stop him, Until Michael raised a hand with a Pokeball in it. "You did a good job, Jolteon. Return." Jolteon wasn't too sure about it, but nodded and accepted whatever Michael was planning. "You do. I know Cipher... They don't care about anything, especially the Pokemon they carry."

"Because some people strive for power, blah, blah, blah..." Perdey walked past Michael, rolling his eyes. "The Boss wouldn't shut up about you, and now I see why. You might think you've beaten me-"

"But I'll be back." Michael finished it for him, and Perdey stared for a moment, before laughing. "You do have a sense of humor. Who would'a thought it."

"I'm not letting you leave because I have to." Michael said, sliding the Pokeball into his pocket. "It's because I can tell you aren't a bad person inside, you've just made some bad choices. Reconsider your line of work, you and your Smoochum are very strong, I'm sure you could get by without so much shady business."

"... Heh." Perdey shook his head. "You sound like you're trying to be my dad or somethin'. I'll live my life how I choose to, and if you try to stop Cipher... I'm sure we'll have a rematch." Silence filled the room as Perdey walked off, heading towards the front exit. Michael simply stared for a moment, blinking as Perdey stopped upon hearing something from the radio as his waist. He picked it up, irritated. "These Pokemon! T-They're more dangerous than we thought! Waahh!"

---

Outside and over the radio, a loud cry could be hear from beyond the trees. The three remaining goons ran out from the forested area, screaming as Skarmory flew out behind them. "Fall back! Fall back! It's out for blood!" One Peon yelled, terrified. The three completely ignored the battling going on, instead retreating around the building, heading for the trucks. The Skarmory landed forcefully on the ground, letting out another enraged cry as it stared at the battling going on in the area. Those suits thankfully made it easy for Skarmory to figure out who to rip to pieces, as it walked forward menacingly.

---

"Crap. The Boss is really going to get mad at me for this one..." Perdey grumbled, as he continued walking. Michael remembered the children he had sent to the back, and ran towards the exit. "That cry was Skarmory's... Always was good at scaring off anyone who was too troublesome." He said, as he exited the building and looked around, noticing the battling going on. "These kids..." He chuckled at the thought of them. "They seem to have the situation under control... Amazing. I can calm Skarmory down easier without distractions..."

Michael walked forwards, approaching his Skarmory. The steel bird stopped and stared, it's eyes locked onto the red haired man as he put a hand onto it's steel chest. "You did your job. I'm proud of you... Don't have to steal all the glory, alright?" Michael offered a small smile, turning to watch the battles. He could step in if anything went wrong, but he felt this was perhaps good for them.

[Pyromania99]

The grunt Marie was battle had gotten distracted by her fellow Peons running and took advantage, "Ralts! While they're distracted, finish the Oddish with a confusion!" Ralts followed the order with a hearty, "Rraa." The unsuspecting Oddish turned around as Ralts used the attack and, unprepared, took the full brunt of the attack. The grunt hadn't even paid attention. In fact, she didn't even care that the Oddish was knocked out, or that it was even still there. She was ready to leave. The Oddish couldn't take out the pokemon that fought it and it was useless to her for that fact.

"I'll get a better pokemon and I'll be back!" She said as she cowardly ran off, ignoring her fainted Oddish. The Peon numbers were dwindling now and Marie was angry now. Even if the pokemon lost, it did not deserve to be left as it was!

"This is no way to treat a pokemon!" Marie yelled at the grunt as she ran. "No, the pokemon is more important then that piece of trash." She then ran over to the pokemon. Other than a slight daze, it seemed fine which was relieving to Marie and in a string event, Ralts as well. Glad, Ralts tugged at Marie's leg and smiled. Marie smiled back and told it, "Good job, Ralts. Take a rest, I'll see to this Oddish's wellbeing. I'll bring you out when it's a little less hectic around here." And with a flash of light, Ralts disappeared into it's pokeball. With that she turned around to find Michael.

In just a little bit, Marie found Michael with Skarmory. "The enemy I fought abandoned this little guy!" She exclaimed, "I would've clocked her myself but I was more worried for this little guy. Can we help it here?"

[Bigg Slamm]

Napoleon sent the little magby flying into its master and with a hearty thud against a tree. The fire type was clearly fainted and unable to battle any longer. "A brat like you? How? Inconceivable!" Yelled the goon withdrawing his pokemon. "With friendship and trust that's how. Now scram before I call the Scarmory that has all your peon butt buddies scared stiff over here. It was then the goon Tyler had been battling noticed what was going on around him. He saw the Scarmory and stood up strait from the ground. "No need. No need. I'm gone." With that the Cipher goon left without a single look back. Tyler then approached the frightened Bulbasaur. It had receded into a bush away from the battle. "Its okay you can come out now." Said Tyler softly to the grass pokemon. Bulbasaur popped its head out of the brush and checked it's surroundings. Noticing it really was okay it stepped out. It seemed fine for a moment until it put what seemed like to much weight on an injured leg. Tyler saw it was burned and scooped it up quickly. Carefully yet swiftly Tyler made his way to Micheal where Marie had an injured pokemon too. "This Bulbasaur has a nasty burn on one leg."

[jagajac]

The Cipher grunt's head also bobbed as it attempted to keep track of the swirling Mareep. He began to get dizzy and stumbled backwards, hitting the tree trunk with an audible thunk. The Mankey above brought its paws together at its mouth and grunted happily, Mankeey, keey!, before jumping through a series of treetops to safety. The man narrowed his eyes at Jorie, who flashed a devious smile in his direction and barked a firm order to Maren. His gaze flew to his flustered Taillow, but he was unable to utter a counter-attack as the electric sheep hit its mark solidly in the small bird Pokemon's red chest. Jorie clenched her fist and pumped her elbow backwards at the success. Her golden bangs swept into her bright eyes as she assessed the scene in front of her.

"Forget it, girly. That pretty face of yours isn't gonna be smiling for long! Taillow, use peck!!"

Jorie's muscles tensed as she rapidly processed her and Maren's options. Her eyes lingered on the large oak tree behind the Cipher grunt. Jorie's brain suddenly sparked like the wool on Maren's back. She would have Maren use the leverage from the tree to gain a height advantage on the grunt's Taillow. She released her fists at her side and leaned her body forward in anticipation. Her lips parted, and the sound of her voice penetrated the screeching of the angered Taillow.

"Maren, quick, run up that tree trunk and pin him to the ground!"

The small electric Pokemon dodged a series of nasty pecks, but one struck his side painfully. Arrreeeep! Jorie winced as she heard him cry out, but kept her feet planted steadily, trusting her bold friend would carry out her orders. The Cipher grunt yelped and jumped sideways into a bush filled with a few hidden Combees. Their angry buzzing filled the air as Maren jolted up the tree and pushed himself hard backwards into the air. The ball of fluff weighed more than he looked and the Taillow came crashing to the ground underneath him. It scrambled and flailed its wings helplessly, only working up the static electricity between the two Pokemon, and received a painful, paralyzing shock before fainting pitifully beneath Jorie's Mareep. The Cipher grunt leaped from berry bush and waved his arms above his head frantically. The empowered Combees assaulted him at every opening. He grabbed a Pokeball from his waistline and the Taillow disappeared in a flash of retrieving light.

"Next time, I won't go so easy on you. Owch! Owch! Get away you stupid..."

Jorie didn't catch his last words as he trailed away with a few other retreating Cipher goons. She relaxed her posture, sighed with relief, and raced forward to Maren's side. Jorie slid down onto her knees, ignoring the grass stains, and hugged the Pokemon tightly to her chest. The proud little Pokemon snuggled contentedly into her chest and licked her cheek appreciatively.

"You were awesome, bud. Is your side okay?"

She pulled back the wool and could see a swollen lump of flesh that was prickling with tiny red blood dots. Jorie placed a palm to her face with worry and decided to conceal Maren within his Friend ball until she could get him into a Pokecenter. Jorie stood to her feet and looked around the HQ Garden. It was beginning to calm down, and she spotted Michael, Tyler, and Marie standing with a large Pokemon closer to the Lab. She jogged over to join them, stopping short at Marie's side, and took in the sights of the injured grass Pokemon. Poor things. She thought to herself and placed a delicate hand on her own Pokeball remembering her Mareep.

"Maren got a little roughed up too. Who was that man, Professor? What did he want with your Pokemon?"

[Todd Howard]

'They're better than I thought.' Michael thought, watching as the fighting came to a close for the three. Each had ensured the safety of the garden, and he couldn't have been more thankful for it. But he couldn't congratulate them just yet, there were more important matters to attend to. He eyed the poor Oddish that had been left behind, it was obviously saddened about being abandoned. Michael wasn't too surprised by this act, but understood how Marie felt. "Help it? In a way, yes. We can keep it safe, and healthy. But sadly we cannot do anything to fix how it is feeling right now." He reached a hand out to the Oddish, it simply looked up at him, both sad and confused. Michael simply smiled. "It'll take time, but I assure you that you'll come to like this place. We're here for you, alright?" He didn't get much of a response, but Michael believed things would work themselves out with time. It'd have plenty of companions in the garden.

"As for you, Bulbasaur." Michael glanced over to a Pokemon that knew him much better, and it stared up at him with it's big, red eyes as the Professor looked over the burn, concerned. "I'll need to tend to that burn. We usually don't need Kuo Berries, but I'm glad I have them, in case of this situation. They'll most certainly help with the burn. Skarmory, take him inside, would you?" Michael slowly removed the Bulbasaur from Tyler's grasp, the grass-type waving at him with it's uninjured foreleg. Michael placed the Bulbasaur onto Skarmory's back, the two seeming rather peaceful with each-other as Skarmory marched off towards the back entrance to the lab.

"Now then... I have to thank you three. Thanks to your judgement, and battling skills, these Pokemon are all safe. The few minor damages to the Lab's interior can be fixed, but losing a Pokemon would have been disastrous. Especially to them. Which leads me to answering your question, Jorie."

Just thinking about the situation was hard. Michael didn't want to believe this was happening, but knew that he had to do something. Of course, the lab wasn't safe being left by itself... There was too many places for him to be at once. He pondered on what to do, as he began to answer Jorie's question. "That man, and the people you fought, were part of the criminal organization, Cipher. They no doubt wanted the Pokemon from here to turn them into Shadow Pokemon. It's odd... As the Pokemon you fought against appeared normal, they didn't seem to be Shadow Pokemon, judging by their strength... Nevermind that, we have bigger things to concern ourselves with. Acting swiftly is a must, before another epidemic is on our hands." Michael pulled out his PDA in order to contact a trusted friend. One that was a huge help in Michael's projects.

Michael waited, until the man finally answered. Michael was met with those same swirly glasses, hiding an irritated expression. "Michael! You pick the absolute worst times! I'm in the middle of an experiment right now!" The voice of the man boomed, making Michael grin uncontrollably. "It's nice to see you too, Chobin." He replied, as a growl could be heard from the PDA. "You better have a good reason for contacting me and ruining everything I've planned in the last month!"

"I do have a good reason, Chobin." Michael said bluntly, becoming mildly more serious as Chobin only acted worse. "Spit it out, then!"

"I need you to get the Snag Machines ready, Chobin. Cipher just attempted an attack on the Lab-"

"Why didn't you say so earlier?! This is a serious situation!" Chobin scolded, and Michael rubbed the back of his head. "I tried."

"You didn't try hard enough! Dr. Kaminko would have considered that amount of effort unacceptable! I'll have them ready, but you'll have to come here to get them! I could probably have them prepared ten times before your arrival!"

"I know, I know. I'll be there, just have them ready." Michael dropped the call, rolling his eyes as he put away his PDA. He turned to the children, sighing. "Sorry... He can be over the top sometimes... He's got a good heart, though." That moment aside, Michael knew it was time to be serious. "Now. I have a bit of a problem that I feel you all might be able to help me with. I can't leave the Lab at the moment, but it's absolutely necessary to find out if Shadow Pokemon are being disputed to trainers. It isn't truly my place to ask you to do this, but I don't have many options. Inside of Agata Forest is a lone mansion, the man that lives there goes by the name of Chobin. He has what we need to detect Shadow Pokemon, and capture them. I need you to go and retrieve these items. The bus driver who brought you here can take you closer to the forest, the path to the mansion is on the side of the dirt road the bus takes through the forest. It might be a little difficult to spot, but once you find it, just follow the road. The mansion won't be too far."

He knew he was asking a lot of them, but he had to take care of things here. The scientists and breeders would be shaken up by this, and Michael had to get their assistance to assure the Purifier was up and running 100%. He also had to see to the repairs of the Lab's interior. Sometimes he wished he was still a kid that traveled about... But if he was, who would be in his place right now? Jovi?

'Jeez... That's kind of a scary thought...'

[Bigg Slamm]

As Jorie joined Tyler and Marie she mentioned her pokemon got roughed up too. He then realized he had yet to return Napoleon to his pokeball. "Come on bud. Time for a rest." Tyler said as his Furfrou faded away in a flash of red light. It was then Micheal took the Bulbasaur from Tyler's arms making note that he had the berries to remedy the burn. Tyler was relieved to hear the grass pokemon was going to be okay. He returned the little wave with a smile. Then his face stifled as Micheal made the PDA call to Chobin. The concerned face turned to a small chuckle at Micheal's expense getting scolded by Chobin. Tyler's emotions were running wild today with all the happenings. First the man battling Micheal, then the Cipher goons trying to steal the pokemon, and now Micheal was about to send him and the others off on their own after all that. He made mention of how he could not leave the lab at the moment and gave them directions to Chobin's mansion in Agata Forest. Tyler supposed it was alright that he wasn't going alone and that he was helping pokemonkind. Something though kind of had him wondering. Where had he heard of snag machines before? He would wait for the other reactions before he voiced his concerns.

[jagajac]

The young girl's heart swelled with pride as Michael complimented the group's amateur battling skills. She couldn't wait to tell Beckett! Jorie crossed her arms against her chest as the Professor explained the appearance of Cipher. She tried to remain calm, but her body trembled slightly at Michael's words. She had heard the stories, and Beckett had spent many a late night shift in pursuit of Cipher's criminal gang. Her eyes widened the more he spoke, and she hardly noticed as Michael's Skarmory headed back into the Headquarters with the burnt Bulbasaur on its back. His sullen speech was interrupted by the frantic beeping of his fingers against the buttons on his PokePager.

She couldn't help but lean in to listen closer to his conversation with Chobin. Jorie knew of the man, he was the eager assistant to Dr. Kaminko, but had never met him in person. The mansion was off-limits and quite secluded to the villagers of Agate village. Jorie had wandered down the hidden path with Maren on several occasions, enjoying the solitude with her faithful companion. They never stepped foot on the property though, unlike the hooligan Agata Village children. It was somewhat of a game among them to sneak out to the run-down mansion during the dark hours and see who could get the closest before totally flipping their wig.

Maren held the record, of course. The brave little Pokemon had even come in contact with the eccentric Dr. on one rare occasion. Jorie looked down to her Pokebelt happily as Professor Michael ended his phone call and began addressing the group once more. She stepped forward and nodded her head sharply before turning to face Tyler and Marie.

"I grew up in the Agata forest and have lived in the Village my whole life. I know the path well, but Professor..."

Her long golden ponytail whipped around as she turned back to Michael. Her eyebrow arched with doubt and her blue eyes were glazed over with concern.

"I'm not so sure Dr. Kaminko is going to believe you would send three 'children' to retrieve such a precious invention. He's very... Particular."

She emphasized the last word and slipped her hands into the pockets of her brown apron. Jorie was excited to be given such a task, especially by Michael, but couldn't help but question the older man's decision. Her eyes wandered to one of the elongated windows of the Headquarters. The workers inside we're scrambling about frantically with handfuls of papers and Pokemon. Jorie sighed deeply, her mind keeping her feet planted, but her heart longed to go inside and help them. Maybe this strange request is our chance to help?

[Pyromania99]

Marie was glad that Michael agreed to help the Oddish, "I understand there is no immediate cure for it's psychological state. However, there is a way to help it's physical state I'd like to imagine. I get too excited out there." She then looked at the Oddish and apologized, "I'm sorry about harming you as much as I did." Then the others arrived and had their own problems. Tyler, Marie believed to be his name, had an injured Bulbasaur. Marie assumed that it was the Lab's inhabitant. Then Jorie showed up and mentioned her Maren got a "little roughed up". Then, after a compliment that almost made Marie blush, Michael went into a thought process and then called a friend of his. Apparently, he was someone that helped in the past. Then Michael said something that made Marie think a bit. . .

Snag machine?, Marie thought to herself. I've never heard of that before. The conversation with this friend was. . . Apparently awkward to say the least. If nothing else he seemed to be ready to help out. With the Oddish being taken care of now, Marie was ready to get back into the action. Still, she had been in Orre for how long again? A while, and she still didn't really know her way around. If she was going to help the Professor be heavily dependent on those around her. Jorie and Tyler, as well as their Pokemon.

Back to what was happening, she listened to Jorie, "Regardless of whether or not he's willing to believe us, he's going to have to." She smiled though, happy to be part of a team. Cipher was back, sure, but it was a chance to do what she had wanted to do for a long time, serve justice where it was due. Cipher seemed like just the right target to her. "But, that's what we'll have to deal with there right?" After that Marie turned back to Michael, "So, we're to go to this lab and get assistance?"

[Todd Howard]

Michael stared off into space for a moment, thinking about Jorie's words. They reminded Michael of things that happened in the past that would prove her point. He was silent, as he recalled the situation.

---

"So this is Dr. Kaminko's Manor..." Michael stared up at the statue in front of the manor, it was of the Legendary Pokemon, Groudon. It was honestly kind of scary, with how large it was. He shuttered at the thought of it coming alive and perhaps eating him. He slowly walked around the statue, heading towards the door so he could get Jovi and leave. He wasn't sure he wanted to be here for too long. As he approached the door, he was taken by surprise as the door flew open and a short boy around his age charged out, wearing a white coat and some overly large and funny-looking glasses. "Who goes there?!"

"H-Hey! Don't just jump out like that!" Michael scolded, having actually been startled by the boy's sudden appearance.

"A burglar! You must be a burglar! I'll put you strait, don't you move!"

Michael's eyes widened at the sudden accusation. "What?! I'm not here to steal anything! Who're you to make that assumption?" Michael jumped to defend himself, though sadly it seemed that the boy in front of him wasn't having any part of it. "Chobin is the name! Number one assistant of Dr. Kaminko! Well... Only assistant of Dr. Kaminko! But that still means that Chobin is number one!"

"Uh... Huh." Michael tilted his head slightly. "Well, Chobin. I'm just looking for my sister, and was told she was here-"

"Chobin demands you be quiet! Chobin will not hear YOUR excuses, thief!" Chobin snapped, pointing a finger at Michael. "Chobin'll show Dr. Kaminko his dedication by personally beating you down, crook!" Chobin quickly pulled out a Pokeball, pointing it towards the ground in front of him. "Sunkern! Assist Chobin in teaching this thief a lesson!"

Michael watched as the Pokemon was released, and sighed. 'There isn't any way to talk him out of this. Maybe he'll listen after I win.' Michael grabbed his own Pokeball, tossing it up into the air. "Eevee! Come on out!"

---

Michael blinked, looking back at the group. "Y-You've got a point, Jorie." He admitted, crossing his arms in thought. He spent a moment in thought, before brightening up with an idea. "Sadly, Chobin usually assumes the worst when he notices people he hasn't seen before. I fear that even if I told him you were coming, he would probably have his Sunflora use Stun Spore." He kept a smile on his face, which might make it seem like he was joking. Sadly for them, he wasn't.

"But don't worry," Michael said, keeping positive. "I know of someone who is the exact opposite. My sister, Jovi, often visits the manor. And unlike Chobin, she is quite friendly, and willing to listen. She left for the manor shortly before you arrived. She usually stays for quite a long time, I'm not worried about her already being on the way back. She'll keep an eye out, and greet you." He figured the plan was solid enough. "Chobin won't bother a friend of her's, I assure you." He added, though he always wondered why. He figured there were two obvious reasons. One was that Jovi always got her way, or the begging started. Second, much to Michael's irritation, he probably liked her. He pushed that thought away, not wanting to think about it too much. He was protective of Jovi, but knew that nothing would stop Jovi from doing what she wanted to do. It was probably why their mother didn't seem overly bothered by Jovi running off to the manor when they were younger.

'Sigh...'

[jagajac]

Jorie's eyes narrowed skeptically as Michael reassured the group of their safety. She raised a golden eyebrow high into the slight wrinkles of her forehead and smiled narrowly. Jorie knew Michael had good intentions, and besides, what other choice did he have at the moment. She wondered how long it had taken the man to perfect the art of "thinking on his feet". Her mind wandered aimlessly to thoughts of his adventures, and she let out a small sigh before straightening up to full attention once more. Perhaps this was her chance to prove herself and her abilities in the field she so longed to be an integral part of...adventuring. Jorie's bright green eyes disappeared as a wide smile creased across her face.

"Well Professor, I think you've got yourself a delivery crew."

She motioned her head to each side, acknowledging Tyler and Marie, and placed her hands determinedly at her hips. The texture of Maren's Friend Ball lingered along her fingertips, and she looked down with concern clouding her vision. Maren had received a rather nasty peck wound during his earlier battle, and Jorie knew he wasn't prepared to win another skirmish should it arise in the near future. She unlatched the Pokeball from her waist and extended it out towards Michael. Her eyes met with his own, and her shoulders shrugged as she questioned the man.

"Could Maren have a quick visit to your Pokecenter before we head out? Always good to air on the side of caution. Speaking of, do you think we could borrow some supplies from your lab in case of emergency? I know the way very well, but the forest is always lurking with secrets..."

Jorie turned her eyes away from the Professor as her words trailed off. Her body erupted in chill bumps, and a shiver traveled down her spine. The stifled memory of Jorie's mother teased at the girl's consciousness. She bit the inside of her cheek and tried her best to contain the moisture welling up in her eyes. Dry it up, Jor. Beckett's firm, but gentle, encouragements rang clearly in Jorie's ears. She shook her head and blinked hard before looking back up with an irresistibly happy face. The lapse of emotional strength was undetectable, but she sniffed hard hoping to play it off as casually as possible.

"And how will we recognize your sister, Professor?"

Jorie kept her arm extended, tapping her fingers rhythmically against the Friend Ball, as she waited for a response.