Genesis gave a thankful glance in Skye’s direction. The umbreon was visibly relieved that he was free of being terrorized. At least for the moment. It wouldn’t last long so he seized the chance while it was available. The pokémon took the chance to gaze at the eevee. Ren grinned a little at his partner. Playing hard to get perhaps?
The blonde shot a playful look at Skye. “Just as I enjoy annoying the hell out of you.” He chimed in with a smirk. Since they had left Vermillion city, he had found himself loosening up around her. Ren wasn’t used to this, but he had to admit it felt awful good to be able to relax around another person. It was amazing how alone he had felt, and then she had popped up and filled a void that he hadn’t even known existed. The void that his father had created by leaving him. The trainer had to catch himself to prevent his eyes from welling up. “Thank you.” He muttered, barely loud enough for his traveling companion to hear.
“I know I can be hard to deal with.” He continued after pausing to think for a minute. “There’s a reason, but I would prefer to not talk about it.” As soon as he had felt the heartfelt moment, it was gone just as quickly. Ren gave a sigh of relief as he felt his passive shields slide back into place. This girl was some kind of magician; she knew just the right buttons to press to force his guard down. “I guess not all weaklings are bad.” He said with forced coldness. I have got to be more careful. Anymore slip ups like this, and she’ll think I’m a sissy. Not that he cared what she though, did he?
Uncertainty was alien to the platinum haired trainer. Usually he could look at something and know exactly how he felt about it. With her it was a constant struggle of keeping himself safe, while trying to not force her away. It didn’t help matters when she had complained about a bit of dirt clinging to his shirt. Ren felt his brain go a little fuzzy when her palm touched his chest. A warm feeling crept up into his cheeks and he pointedly stared at a place on the ground. For a moment, he had contemplated touching her hand with his. He had been on the verge of touching her hand with his, when just as suddenly she had retracted it. She sputtered something about finding the oddish.
Finally. Something that he knew for sure. “You’re right.” He agreed with a nod. Ren was amazed that his mind had strayed, but was quite glad that she had jogged his memory. As they approached the spring, he noticed a few of the target pokémon appear in around them. They were currently oblivious that the new arrivals were even there. Not just any oddish would do. He was looking for the strongest of the bunch. It would have to be to join his team. After a while of studying them, he realized that one seemed to be in charge. It was bigger than the rest, clearly the alpha of the horde.
“There.” He mentioned to Skye quietly, pointing at it with a look of decision. “That’s the one that I want. What do you think?” Ren inquired. Since she was so into breeding perhaps she could provide him with a second opinion. "Since you're the genius and all." He added with his trademark smirk.