Samantha smiled, trying to contain her amusement at the uncomfortable looking expression that crossed Miranda's face as she came back out into the hall. The loose fitting, floor-length garment had once belonged to one of Erika's aunts who had lived in Lavender for sometime and had had it made in the town's colours. The courier, however, filled it out quite nicely, even though her stormy gray eyes mirrored her discomfort at having to wear such a garment. "Back we go," the apprentice commented, taking the lead, as not to upset Miranda with the amused grin she couldn't hide. 'Ah, tomboys,' she sighed inwardly as the courier shuffled uncomfortably along behind her, 'we don't get many of those here... Still, it should be interesting to see what Erika thinks of her.' The two re-entered the common room just as a small quiet figure approached them from the opposite direction. "M'Lady," replied Samantha, giving Erika respectful bow as the Gym Leader glided around the corner, the distant look in her eyes making the woman seem to almost be unaware of their presence, "This is this courier I mentioned. Miss...?" "Just Miranda, thanks," the courier corrected, stammering a little as she smiled nervously at her hostess and held out her hand, "My Mom's got the monopoly on titles. They're really not me..." Without uttering a word, Erika raised her index finger, signaling that she needed a moment. Her guest cut off her suddenly uncontrollably babbling and nodded, trying to discern what thought had so consumed the diminutive Gym Leader. 'Still waters run deep,' Miranda reminded herself as Erika thoughtfully tapped her lips with her finger before a look of joyous enlightenment crossed her pretty face. "Oh, sorry about that," Erika apologized, finally looking up at Miranda with a warm smile and a gleam in her deep emerald eyes, "Some times the ethereal gets the better of me." "That's alright," assured Miranda, a feeling of panic creeping up her spine as she suddenly recalled the water resistant clip board and small heavy package she'd left in the common room along with her backpack, "But if you don't mind, miss, I seem to have left your package in the other room." Erika shrugged, closing her eyes for a moment as if savoring some private thought. "Concern yourself not," the woman assured with a fluid wave of her small hand, "My girls are all quite trustworthy, and none of them will have disturbed your or my belongings without permission. In the mean time I shall wait here for you to retrieve them." Miranda nodded, nearly falling over as she tried to turn too quickly in the dark kimono that seemed intent on entangling her legs before scurrying off into the common room once more. "She's not used to feminine attire," commented Samantha with a weary sigh, watching through the doorway as Miranda hurriedly collected her belongings and downed the rest of the tea she'd been given. "I noticed," replied Erika, her smile having faded as she stared off thoughtfully once again, "I also saw that that girl is quite troubled." Samantha blinked, glancing from Miranda to Erika as she tried to see that which only Erika seemed capable of perceiving. "I don't know," she offered, "she's a bit awkward, and probably rather annoyed at herself for being caught out in the rain. Not to mention being nervous about being in a new place-" Erika silenced her apprentice with a raised index finger and a sad smile. "There are subtleties of human expression that you have yet to master, dearest," the woman explained, lowering her voice as Miranda returned, "but we shall see if my intuition is correct." Samantha nodded, accepting Erika's appraisal as she always did, understanding that the woman had wisdom far beyond her years. "So?" she inquired perkily as Miranda returned with a nervous smile upon her lips, "To the garden then?" Erika smiled, keeping her excitement contained within her calm, almost passive demeanor. "Indeed," Gym Leader said cryptically, giving Miranda an amused glance as the courier flipped through several of the pages attached to her clipboard, "If you would, miss?" Miranda nodded, her teeth chewing the end of the pen she held in her mouth as her eyes narrowed, the new forms the company was using sparking the courier's annoyance. "Righ' 'ind 'ou," she replied, shuffling in comparison to her usual stride as not to simple wander past her almost gliding hostess as they took a short trip down the circling hallway. The woman glanced at her apprentice a short time later and smiled subtly as the doors to the arboretum swished open, the sweat scent of a hundred mingled flower varieties wafting out from within. "I hope you don't mind my enthusiasm in regards to the item you've brought me," she said to Miranda as the girl shook her head in mild amazement. "Not a problem," the courier responded, her gaze casting about the room in awe of the size of the garden and smiling as she remembered the greenhouse her paternal grandFather had once built. 'You could probably fit about thirty or forty of them in here,' she pondered, finding the pages she needed as Erika sat down on a bench near a bed of large orange petaled flowers with dark centers. "Have you found the places your company wishes me to sigh, miss?" Erika inquired politely, motioning for the others to sit as well. Miranda nodded, flipping over several pages before turning the clipboard around and handing it and a pen to the Gym Leader. "If you don't mind me asking," she said conversationally as she turned around and tried to figure out how she was going to sit down on the wooden bench in the outfit they'd given her to wear, "What pokemon are you using the stone on?" Erika signed her name in three places and handed the clipboard back with a small shake of her head. "Oh, it's alright," she assured, producing a pokeball from somewhere within the folds of her silken kimono, "I'm using it on my weepinbel Triffid. If I'm going to be a challenge for you young trainers it's best if I take the time to upgrade her." Miranda nodded thoughtfully, her stormy gray eyes full of reminiscence for a moment before she smiled and shook her head. "Oh, I'm just a courier really, so I'm afraid you won't get a challenge out of me," she explained with a shrug, "Although my Father had a plant-type like that when I was younger. My mentor Joshua got him the stone to evolve Treeant for my Father's birthday one year..." Erika caught the sadness in Miranda's tone and sent Samantha a nearly imperceptible glance. "Well," she said carefully, expanding the pokeball from storage mode, "Being a courier must have its risks. Surely your Father wouldn't send you traveling alone-" "My Father's dead," Miranda said simply, her tone cold as her distant gaze made the girl seemingly disconnected from reality in the uncomfortable silence that followed. "I'm sorry," came Erika's whispered reply, but Miranda barely noticed. "You're right, though," the courier said at last, closing her eyes and channeling her Mother's strength to hold back the tears of the memory that refused to fade, "I don't travel alone. He gave me a dratini to raise when I was a child and my Aunt gave me a rattata shortly before I left home." "You must be from Lavender, then," Erika inferred, watching Miranda's reactions carefully, and taking note of the subtle changes in the girl's expression, "The Professor there gives rattatas, bellsprouts and pidgey to those who leave home for the first time as I recall." "My Aunt's Professor Laurna," Miranda explained, glancing sideways at Erika whose expression betrayed only sympathy, but whose mind was quickly processing information. "You didn't mention your last name was Lilcamp," Erika said simply, her tone neither surprised nor concerned. "I didn't think it was important," said Miranda with a shrug, "I'm really just another courier when it comes right down to it. Of course, some people seem to think otherwise." Erika moved a little closer, placing her hand carefully next to Miranda's. "Is there something you'd like to talk about?" she inquired, catching the agitation in the courier's tone. Miranda shook her head slowly, her gaze fixed upon the neatly trimmed lawn at her feet, barely noticing the warmth of Erika's hand as it slid over her own. "Sometimes, it's better not to hold these things in," the woman persisted gently, her tone soft and thoughtful. The courier closed her eyes, inhaling slowly as she gratefully squeezed the fingers that linked through her own, surprised to find herself thankful for the simple gesture. "My... My reasons for becoming a courier probably aren't the ones that you think they are," Miranda explained pensively, shaking a little as she blinked away the sudden irritation she felt. "So, the need to travel the world, and 'find yourself' without parental influence had nothing to do with it?" inquired Erika, tilting her head curiously as Miranda turned to her with a small smile and a quite chuckle. "No," the girl replied softly, shaking her head, causing a few loose strands of Miranda's dark bangs fell across her face, obscuring her eyes, "I can't deny that. But... It was more like an escape for me." "You didn't like the ghosts in Lavender?" came Erika's innocent sounding response, the fact that Miranda could sense that the woman was just being silly making the girl snicker, somehow forcing down the dark mood that Miranda felt brewing within herself. "As if!" the courier laughed, shuffling a bit to face her hostess with a weak smile, "I get along great with the one's my Aunt has. But, to be honest, it was more of a human problem." "The death of your Father?" the Gym Leader inferred carefully. Miranda shrugged, her smile fading as her gaze moved down to where their hands joined. "That too," she confessed, closing her eyes and taking a deep, stabilizing breath, "But there was also Derrick." Erika nodded sagely, the amusement leaving her eyes and tone as she became suddenly far more serious and concerned. "He didn't hurt you did he?" the woman inquired, the question hanging in the air for a moment like dark, brooding cloud. The courier's stormy gray eyes seemed thoughtful as a small smirk crossed her face. "No," the girl said quietly, shaking her head and meeting Erika's gaze, "if that were so, he'd still be impaled to a tree somewhere out in the Haunted Woods after my mom was finished with him. No, Derrick was somewhat more Machiavellian and had other things on his mind." Erika nodded, a small wave of relief spreading through her, alleviating the sudden burning tension in he bones. "He actually treated my better than I could have hoped, to be honest," continued Miranda, absently biting her lower lip as she sifted through her muddled thoughts, "the thing is, is that it was all just an act. One big ploy." "He wanted something," said Erika as more of a statement than a question, causing her guest to nod slowly. "Yes," explained Miranda, her voice quavering a little as she spoke, "My Father met his Father on a business trip a while back, and happened to mention me." Erika smiled, inferring more that seemed possible. "He was proud of you, how could he not be?" The courier blushed a little and went on. "Well, as it turned out, this guy had a son, so last year they came to Lavender on the pretence of expanding their business. In reality, they were so deeply in dept by that point that Derrick's Father decided his son should just marry into money and thus solve all their problems." Miranda took another deep breath, exhaling slowly as Erika sat quietly, the woman's patience seeming infinite as her fingers gently held Miranda's, giving them a reassuring squeeze now and then. "So, anyway," said Miranda, at last composing herself enough to go on, "Derrick quickly insinuated himself into my life, and silly me, I fell for him. I dunno, I suppose it was because he almost reminded me of my Father. They both always just seemed to know the right things to say. Except, that with my Father, it was honest. But with Derrick, it was just one big lie. He didn't want me in his life, he just wanted the money he 'thought' my family had." "The Lilcamp Trading Company does a lot of charitable things to help this be a better place for everyone," Erika agreed, "I've read the article on it, and from the sounds of things, most of the credits your family brings in go right back into the company. Your family isn't greedy or selfish, they keep their prices low, and are sure to keep both their employees and customers happy." "And above all we're honest," said Miranda with a wary shake of her head, "It's a Lavender thing, I guess. We're really big on it in Lavender. It's almost a tradition that borders on psychosis!" Erika smiled at the feverance in the courier's tone. "That's a little melodramatic, don't you think?" she inquired with a small, bemused smile. Miranda chuckled, the woman's smile seeming infectious. "Well, you know how in most places, say like Neon Town," she explained, shuddering as the courier all but spat out the name of the small, but densely populated city, "people will use 'How you doing' as a greeting? And you're more or less obligated to say 'Fine' or whatever? Well, in Lavender Town, if someone asks you, they actually want to know! They're not expecting you to lie to them. If I say to someone 'How are you doing?' you're perfectly within their rights to say 'Oh, I sprained my ankle and it really hurts', or 'oh, I got food poisoning at the Yin Tze again', or whatever, and no one will be offended. Everywhere else I've been, though, it's like you've just slapped them in the face if you tell them honestly how you're doing!" Erika waited patiently for the courier to finish her little rant before speaking in a quiet tone that was in contrast to the way the girl had begun to raise her voice. "So, Miranda," she inquired softly, her emerald eyes seeming all knowing as the girl stared back at the Gym Leader in sudden surprise, "How are you doing?" "I- I," Miranda stammered, her voice breaking as hot tears spilled from her eyes. "It hurts," she confessed, leaning closer as Erika released the courier's hand and opened her arms invitingly. "I know," the woman whispered, her arms going about Miranda as the girl leaned against her, "Sometimes fate can be cruel, but you can't allow sadness and pain to rule your life." "Why not?" Miranda inquired sardonically, holding Erika tightly and crying into the silk that covered the woman's shoulder as she felt Erika's fingers run through the dark tangles of her hair, "My Father was killed along with all his dreams, my Mother's remarried to some guy from Maiden's Peak she barely knows, and the man I loved dumped me when he found out my family wasn't wealthy! Misery's already forced me to leave the place I grew up in and leave behind almost everything I've ever loved... Why stop now?" Erika held the girl a little tighter as Miranda shook in her arms, simply letting the courier cry for a time as the Gym Leader pondered the problem. "Because, dear, your life doesn't always be this way," she explained in a quiet, nonjudgmental tone, "Fate is just a guide line, but every person that lives and breaths has freedom of choice. And if you choose to try to and get through this, then you can alter your destiny. You don't have to harbor this bitterness if all it does is cause you pain." "But I chose to be with Derrick," Miranda countered, her fingers clenching and bunching up twin handfuls of Erika's kimono, "I chose to- to..." "Shhh," Erika whispered softly, ignoring the fact that her fingers had become hopelessly entangled in the girl's hair, "I know, dear. When we're in love, we do things we might not normally do, and sometimes we make mistakes. But it's better to learn from them that dwell upon them." "I just can't believe anyone could be that deceitful," Miranda muttered through clenched teeth, lifting her head to face Erika, "I mean, what sort of monster tells a girl he loves her when in reality the only thing he loves is money?" Erika wiped away the courier's tears, her concerned expression deepening at the sight of Miranda's red-rimmed eyes. "Not all monsters are the slavering beasts that stalk the night," she quoted, "some dwell in the light, and other walk the earth in human guise." Miranda sighed heavily, shaking her head in dismay. "There is no real answer, is there?" "As much as I pride myself as being a student of human nature," confessed Erika sadly, "I'm afraid that not even I have puzzled out how it is that greed can drive us to use love as a weapon. I'm sorry, deary, but sometimes you just have to accept and move on. For if you dwell upon this for too long, then he'll have won." "Forgive and forget then?" Miranda inquired with a bitter smirk and a slight annoyance to her tone. "No," Erika replied in a seriously, shaking her head slowly as she spoke, "Forgiveness can only be given to those who sincerely seek it. I simply believe that there's no reason to allow his callousness to cause you any more problems than it already has." Miranda smiled weakly. "You're more than just a para-horticulturalist, aren't you?" she inquired with a hint of amusement. "I'm not psychic if that is what you imply, miss," said Erika mysteriously, her smile all knowingly enigmatic, "I am simply a student of human nature. A trait I try to pass on to all whom I teach here." "And this is more than just a Gym, isn't it?" the courier inquired rhetorically, her arms slipping away as for the first time she noticed the intense softness of the garment Erika wore. "Indeed," the woman agreed with a nod and a small smile as she closed her eyes thoughtfully, "I follow in the footsteps of my grandMother who felt that the world had grown cold, dark and alone. She felt that people were loosing their compassionate natures and were beginning to see nature as a tool. One that needed to be controlled as opposed to worked with. So, when she founded her Gym my grandMother also decided to teach her philosophy to any whom would listen. Although many came to her for horticultural advice, many left with a deeper understanding of the world around them. It's my grandMother, actually, who is responsible for Celadon being what it is today. A beautiful garden where humans exist in harmony with nature, as opposed to say Saffron..." Miranda smiled, catching the hint of bitterness in Erika's tone. "Or Gringy," she added lightly, causing the woman to shuddered visibly. "A necessary evil, though, I suppose," the Gym Leader explained carefully, "In some ways, it's almost better to keep all of our major manufacturing and chemical producing facilities in one place. And being so isolated high in the mountains like that its environmental impact isn't as great." "And don't forget," the courier added, her mood shifting for the better as the subject changed, "that with things like grimers popping up now and then to feed off the waste Gringy City produces the pollution problem's mostly cleared up, right?" Erika made a face that was part smile, part grimace. "Nature in its infinite wisdom may have created creatures to deal with our messes," she agreed with a slight shudder, "but I fear that I still find toxic pokemon quite repulsive." Miranda smiled, glancing about the arboretum curiously. "I have noticed that you prefer to surround yourself with beauty," she replied wistfully. "I must confess to having an eye for the aesthetic," Erika agreed, retrieving a pokeball from a hidden pocket within the folds of her kimono, "That's part of the reason I've been looking forward to evolving Triffid." "I have to admit that weepinbels do look a little silly," Miranda chuckled quietly, reaching into her backpack to retrieve the small rectangular and rather heavy package she had come to deliver, "No offence." "Oh, I didn't think so," assured Erika with a warm smile as she aimed the orb away from herself and very carefully pressed the activation button, "You're not the type to insult someone for no reason." As the crimson glow materialized into a large, well cared for creature that resembled a pitcher plant, Miranda handed its owner the small package. "I've never been big on insults," she confessed, "I tend to leave the taunting to Nezumi." Erika laughed as the large sentient carnivorous plant bounded into her outstretched arms and wrapped four long green tendrils around the woman happily. "Well," came the Gym Leader's amused tone over the curious sounds of the happy plant, "since you're meeting my Triffid, perhaps I should meet this Nezumi of yours." "Um, are you, like... Okay with rodents?" the courier inquired carefully, digging through her backpack and quickly finding the two pokeballs she carried. "I've done my time in laboratories," the woman chuckled, her smile fading slightly as she glanced at Miranda thoughtfully, "And I also raise several carnivorous plants. I hope that doesn't bother you." Miranda shook her head as she aimed white and purple ball into her waiting left hand. "I've long since dealt with the fact that rattatas are food to a lot of predators," she assured, "But just because I wouldn't eat one doesn't mean I'm going to go around stopping their natural predators from keeping their numbers down. After all, they breed like crazy!" With that, the courier hit the activation switch and the ball clicked open, expelling its small cargo into Miranda's waiting hand. A moment later, the small purple and white rodent that materialized there looked up at the girl with a look of sudden alarm. But as he sniffed the air between them, Nezumi's expression slowly became one of amusement. "What is it?" Miranda inquired as a wide grin spread across the rattata's face, and a small chuckling sound from deep in his throat slowly grew into laughter. "Something wrong?" Erika inquired, carefully unwrapping the package as Triffid leaned against her, the plant's tendrils continually poking curiously at the plain brown paper it was wrapped in. "I, um-" Miranda stammered as Nezumi's laughter became more hysterical, the small rodent now clutching his stomach before rolling off the courier's hand and landing in her lap before continuing down the ramp formed by her calves to the ground. "He must find your current appearance amusing for some reason," the woman inferred as Miranda glanced down at herself with a suddenly distressed expression and the weepinbell gave Nezumi a hungry look. "Oh, oh yeah. I forgot," Miranda replied as Erika gave the plant a warning glace to keep her from trying to eat the rattata. "Oh that's enough already!" the girl grumbled with a smirk, reaching down to grab up Nezumi as he held his stomach and gave short chuckles between gasps for air whenever he caught a glimpse of what Miranda was wearing. "He's not used to seeing you dressed this way," said Erika with an amused smile, the brown wrapper falling away from the thin layer of protective bubble wrap that held the heavy, specially carved stone. "No, not really," admitted Miranda in dismay as she held Nezumi close to her face and brushed her cheek against him affectionately, "To be honest, it was a fight just trying to get me into a dress when my Mother married Bob. I guess I'm just something of a tomboy." "I could tell," Erika replied with a happy smile, her emerald eyes glancing at the courier for a brief moment before her face literally lit up with the pale green glow that emanated from the flat stone she held. "They probably wouldn't be as expensive if the people down in Stone Town didn't feel the need to make them so ornate looking," Miranda commented, leaning in closer to view the delicately carved leaf pattern upon the flat, polished to smoothness surface of the rock. "I don't mind," assured Erika, standing up as Triffid's tendrils flailed happily, reaching for the object as the woman rose and stepped out a short distance, "It will however make a pleasant souvenir of this moment. Erika glanced over her shoulder, smiling down at the happily bouncing plant before stepping in a slow half circle and setting the stone down upon the grass. "And speaking of souvenirs," the woman added as Triffid stood her ground, making excited noises, desperate for the moment when her mistress would give permission to touch the stone, "Perhaps you'd like one of your visit to my Gym?" Miranda looked up from the weepinbell with a surprised expression that became an amused smile. "No, no," she assured, shaking her head dismissively, "As I've said. I'm just a courier. I'm not the type to challenge Gym Leaders." Erika tilted her head thoughtfully. "I'd be good for you, though, I think," she pondered as Nezumi glanced up at Miranda and nodded vigorously in agreement, "A little adrenaline to chase away your troubles, not to mention the exercise you'll be giving your pokemon, or the self-esteem you'd gain for defeated me." Miranda laughed at the thought. "As if!" she counted with amusement, "I really don't have much experience in these matters, so I'm afraid it'd be rather one sided." The woman shrugged. "Anything can happen, deary," she explained wistfully, holding Miranda's gaze for a long moment before continuing, "and besides, you may hide it admirably, but your sense of self-worth is dwindling. That's something I always try to fix with those who come to my Gym. I simply cannot stand to allow someone to go through life without realizing their own potential." The courier nodded, bowing her head warily and looking down at Nezumi. "So, how do you want to do this?" she inquired, smiling slightly at the excited gleam in Nezumi's eyes, the rodent's small body shaking with adrenaline at the thought of proving himself to her. "You said you have a dratini?" Erika inquired, yet her tone was more of a statement. "Her name's Umi," Miranda explained a little reminiscently. "Then perhaps a little two on two?" the Gym Leader suggested, producing a second ball and activating it beside Triffid. Miranda glanced up and tried to keep from chuckling at the small, dark creature that materialized a short distance away. She could almost make out the small, beady little protuberances that aloud the odd plant to interpret light patterns into a form of sight. And the way to wobbled on a pair of short, stubby objects that could almost be called legs caused the long, pointed leaves that sprouted from its top to sway continually, made the courier want to laugh. "Oddish?" the nearly uniformly black plant inquired curiously. "That's for sure," muttered Miranda under her breath, making Nezumi laugh as the girl reached into her backpack and retrieved a blue and white ball. "So, what's this one's name?" the courier inquired as Erika picked up the oddish in both hands, smiling happily as she held it close to her cheek affectionately. "Her name's Audrey," Erika said simply as the plant nuzzled against her happily, "A rather recent acquisition, I must admit." "It's um, cute," Miranda replied, giving the pair a disconcerting look as she activated the ball, causing Nezumi to leap down onto the lawn to greet his friend. "I'll admit that they're peculiar," the Gym Leader explained, smiling as the small, blue and white serpent appeared at Miranda's feet and yawned widely, showing off her rows of needle-like, razor sharp teeth before suddenly having a happy rattata leaping atop her head, causing the little dragon make a startled sound and bound into Miranda's lap, "but their pollen can be mixed with other secret ingredients to produce a very pleasant scent. Also, my grandMother had one, so I thought it would be appropriate." Miranda nodded, smiling as she gave Umi's eye ridges an affectionate scratch before setting both creatures down and walking toward Erika. "I guess we all have our own reasons for the bringing them into our lives," she remarked, indicating the small group of assembled pokemon, "but frankly, I just like their companionship. Unconditional love is hard to come by, and not something to be taken for granted." "Especially by those trainers who seem obsessed with collecting one each?" Erika inquired in a more serious tone, meeting the courier gaze before glancing down at the pensive Triffid. "No offence to any trainers you may have as friends," the girl explained as Erika nodded to the plant, "It's just that I just don't get the 'gotta catch 'em all' mentality. I mean, what would you do with that many pokemon?!" Erika shook her head in helpless dismay, her attention focused upon the suddenly ecstatic weepinbell that all but pounced on the evolution stone between them. With a high-pitched squealing sound, and the excited flailing of her tendrils, Triffid snatched up the object and held it close to her body. "Here we go," whispered Erika reverently, the sudden white glow from her pokemon casting odd shadows upon her delicately featured face as Audrey's form began to twist and reshape itself, growing larger and sprouting another pair of tendrils. As the plant upgraded, Miranda and both her pokemon tilted their heads to one side, trying for a moment to discern why the plant's mouth was moving from the bottom to the top of her body. "You sure you're ready for this?" the courier inquired, glancing at Nezumi as the light faded and the rattata grinned with a nod of reply. "All done," chimed in Erika happily, holding out her arms as the suddenly significantly larger and much more menacing looking Triffid moved to thank her, "Feel any different dear?" Triffid let out a shrill sound of confirmation and glanced back at Nezumi hungrily. "He ain't on the menu, lady," Miranda told the newly evolved victreebel, her eyes narrowing as the sharp thorns around the plant's maw bristled in anticipation. "You can eat afterwards," Erika told Triffid, taking the plant by one of her tendrils and leading her towards the center of the Gym, "but right now we have a Challenge to do." "You're sure about this, right?" inquired Miranda, scooping up both her pokemon and hurrying after her hostess. Nezumi nodded confidently, giving a dismissive wave of his paw as Umi wrapped herself about Miranda's shoulders. "Tatta, ra," he assured, making the courier smile slightly. "Just don't do anything silly like leap down her throat and try to tear out her tongue or anything," the girl cautioned with a smirk. Nezumi gave a short laugh, meeting Audrey's ravenous gaze with a confident grin as they approached. "Any time you're ready," called Erika from her place at the other end of the field, her voice calm, her eyes distant, calculating. Miranda nodded, stepping into the square at her end shaking her head warily. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered to herself as Nezumi leapt off her shoulder and reared up on his hind legs, chittering insults back at his opponent... *** "Hey yo, Greek Salad!" the rattata laughed shifting from foot to foot as he tried to remain standing in the unaccustomed position and patted his stomach, "I hope ya'all don't mind if I don't use any dressing when I eat ya. I'm on a diet, eh!" "Your taunts speak of the desperation of one whose many cousins have fallen victim to my hunger," the carnivorous plant hissed back as the battle began, "But we shall see if your bravado is justified!" Nezumi smirked as Miranda gave him the signal to attack, and all six of Audrey's tendrils reared up like the claws of a mantis in response to Nezumi's fangs suddenly glowing as the rattata charged forward... *** "Don't let him get in too close, dear," cautioned Erika, her tone calm, barely watching the battle as she carefully sat down up the grass and linked her fingers together thoughtfully, "Razor leaf should suffice." At the other end of the field, however, Miranda stood tensely with her fists clenched, her heart racing as Triffid's large, deep green leaves bristled in response to Nezumi's approach. "Be careful!" she called out, her voice catching in her throat as Umi's coiling body squeezed her chest just a little too tightly as the nervously watching dratini's eyes blazed with orange light. On the field, Nezumi merely snickered at Miranda's warning, easily leaping from side to side as a barrage of spinning green objects whizzed past him, some so close he could hear them cutting mercilessly through the air. "He makes for a small target at a distance," commented Erika, idly petting Audrey's leaves as they both watched Nezumi leap up over the last of the flying objects and sail towards Audrey's waiting tendrils, one of which stabbed menacing down towards him, "but up close he may be at a disadvantage." "Now Nezumi!" Miranda called out as the sharp end of the tendril came down, "Lock Jaw!" The rattata grinned broadly, twisting in the air as the tendril brushed past his fur before Nezumi's oddly glowing incisors bit down hard against Triffid's tendril even as she sent the others in to nab him. In response to the sudden pain, the plant shrieked, flailing her tendril in the air, spinning Nezumi and around several times before smashing him against the grassy field. "Nezumi! Hang on!" Miranda called out, struggling with shaking fingers to find Nezumi's pokeball as the dazed rattata let go and rolled away from the victreebel. "Is he okay to continue?" Erika inquired, tilting her head curiously to one side as Nezumi staggered to one side, his eyes crossed and unfocused as the rattata struggled just to stand. "No," said Miranda worriedly, aiming the beam of red light from the purple and white ball at Nezumi, "He's had enough." Erika nodded as Nezumi dematerialized and Umi slithered from Miranda's shoulders. "If it's any consolation," the Gym Leader offered as the little dragon hissed menacingly at the plant, "he shows a lot of promise." Miranda smiled, blushing a little at the compliment, yet still concerned about Nezumi. "Thanks," she replied as Umi raced off across the field without prompting, "but this isn't over yet!" A satisfied smile crossed Erika's lips as Umi reared up like an angry serpent and Triffid turned her attention to the dragon. "Good," the woman chuckled before lifting her index finger and pointing simply in Umi's direction, "Triffid, entangle!" The victreebel responded with a shrill sound, all six of her tendrils reaching out to wrap around Umi as the dratini inhaled deeply before spitting out a small ball of flame in Triffid's direction and quickly slithering off. As the sharply pointed tendrils arced through the air, converging in a tangled mess that hit nothing, the small ball of flame spiraled towards their source. "It would be best for you to evade, dear," commented Erika, her expression becoming concerned. The woman refused to raise her voice, however, even as Triffid shrieked, taking the blast of suddenly exploding flame right where her tendrils sprouted from. "Ouch," Miranda commented as they plant's limbs squirmed angrily, retracting as the dragon's flame caught, causing Triffid's body to smolder, "Um, anyway, Umi! Constrict and hold!" A heartbeat later, and Umi was upon Triffid. The dratini quickly wrapping her long, sleek body around the plant, barely reaching all the way around as she squeezed for all she was worth. For her part, the victreebel growled, unfettered by concerns like squished lungs as her now shortened tendrils sprouted long, sharp, dark thorns. "Crud!" Miranda cursed, recognizing the technique and jumping a little as she called out to Umi, "Blast the vines! Don't let her drain you!" Umi pried open one of her now glowing red multifaceted eyes and growled in frustration, still gritting her teeth as she strained to strangle the plant. As the half-dozen spines came racing towards her, a small smile crossed the dragon's lips, her eyes gleaming suddenly golden as the tendrils converged and stuck. Erika gave a small, quite exclamation of surprise, muffled by Miranda's suddenly laugh of joy as Umi simply let go, causing herself to be thrown off the victreebel as Triffid stabbed herself mostly harmlessly with her own thorns. "Now, Umi!" Miranda called out excitedly, "Take her down with another blast of flame!" The dratini grinned broadly as the inside of her mouth illuminated, and spit out another fist-sized ball of flame that exploded upon on impact against Triffid's side. As the plant yanked her tendrils free, she shrieked in surprise and tripped over herself as Umi's flames caught and refused to die. "I think that'll do for now," came Erika's calm yet concerned voice as the victreebel suddenly dematerialized and vanished in a fading beam of red light. "Oh, sorry about that," Miranda replied, feeling a little embarrassed as the oddish in Erika's lap leapt up and scurried forward to take Triffid's place. Erika chuckled, her smile amused as she shook her head slightly. "You're reactions are as I expected," the woman replied lightly, unconcerned now that her pokemon was out of danger, "And my dear Triffid will be just fine." The courier nodded, smirking and tilting her head curiously as Audrey waddled up to Umi who was also staring down at the oddish with mild amusement. "Besides," chuckled Erika with a strange gleam in her eye, "this isn't over yet. Triffid, be a dear show our guest what I mean." Umi glanced up at the woman and made a curious noise as the oddish made happy chuckling sounds, hopping happily over before waving her leaves under the dragon's nose. "What's she-?" Miranda began, realizing too late as Umi blinked loudly, her head swaying woozily as the dratini inhaled the oddish's pollen. "Oh..." the courier finished, her hands dropping to her sides as Umi slumped to the ground and began snoring loudly, "I didn't anticipate that." "It happens," said Erika with a shrug, rising to her feet as the strange little plant danced merrily around the slumbering dragon, "and you can't be expected to win the first time you go up against one of us." Miranda nodded, walking out towards Umi as Erika knelt before her and gently ran her hand over the length of the snoozing pokemon's body. "Strange," the woman commented contemplatively, smiling as Umi's upper half rose and fell in time with her breathing, "I'd have thought they were scaly. But I guess they aren't reptiles, are they?" "No," the courier said a little sadly, kneeling down before Erika and extending her hand to scratch Umi's eye ridges, and causing a pale, nearly imperceptible greenish glow to emit faintly from beneath her eyelids, "they're kinda in their own um... Order?" "Class, actually," chuckled Erika, looking up to meet Miranda's suddenly surprised glaze, smiling as the girl blushed and glanced away, "Sorry dear, I am a bit of a scientist after all." "I know," whispered Miranda quietly, tensing as she felt Erika's fingers touch her own, their warmth sliding past as the woman moved her fingertips along Umi's eye ridges. "Like this?" Erika inquired softly, causing Miranda to glance back, catching her smile. "Um, a bit more like this," the courier stammered watching as she slowly moved her fingertips along, "just brush her gently with your nails. It's a sensitive spot for dragons. It's like a canine with the base of their tails." Miranda met Erika's gaze again, smiling as the woman's fingers traced a line down Umi's slumbering form and scratched the base of her spine experimentally. "She's not a growlithe," the courier chuckled, looking into the seemingly endless depths of Erika's emerald eyes. "I know," she replied, drawing her hand away and rising to her feet as Miranda's heartbeat slowly returned to normal, "I was just being silly. Now then, if you'd like I could have a room prepared for you. The rain seems to have no intention of letting up, and its almost meal time." The courier glanced up at the huge dome above their heads, for the first time noticing the uniformly dark gray of the sky and the continuous splattering of the heavy raindrops, which quickly turned into rivulets of water as they spilt swiftly over the expanse of the glass dome. "Th-thanks," she replied, feeling a little overwhelmed and mildly confused. Erika's gentle laughter was reassuring as Miranda carefully scooped up Umi. "Don't worry, we have more than ample accommodations," the Gym Leader explained, and I could never forgive myself for sending you out in that storm again." Miranda shook her head in dismay, feeling no desire to argue as she followed her hostess back out of the arboretum, thankful, but half-wondering when she'd get her normal clothing back...
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