mclaren mcflurry 

Ah. Well, there was a familiar face. 

Ethel had come to Shoal Cave to try and grant some of her ice-type Pokemon some time in a place that was well suited to their needs. At the same time, she supposed she would see the sights for herself. It would be a welcome distraction from the kind of work that she had been doing. While it made her happy to help Hoenn recover after the bloody and hard-fought war with the Megalopolans, it was taxing work, and she could use the respite.

Of course, it wouldn't be that easy this time. She sees the expression of her tour guide deflate as she catches sight of Ethel, and honestly? She doesn't blame her. Intentions notwithstanding, Ethel was probably a terribly unwelcome reminder of the chaos and death that they had seen on that day.

(McFlurry and her Steelix are not the only ones whose unwelcome memories are dredged up. Ethel remembers the terrifying feeling of dropping off the ship into the sea, with her Mr. Mime, Magic, beside her. She remembers her heart leaping into her throat when one of the Nihilego's tentacles reached for Stratus, barely missing. She remembers her mind struggling to wrap around the sight of the Stakataka coming down the mountain. She remembers Kyogre, writhing as it was consumed by the aliens' energy, wreaking havoc on the land and its residents alike.)

Magic puts a hand on her shoulder. He knows when she is getting lost in her thoughts, and lately, he has become extremely adept at pulling her out of them. With a silent squeeze of the psychic-type's hand, Ethel is grateful for the company.

Perhaps she can provide that same company to McFlurry. It was an optimistic thought, considering what she'd heard about... well, Rocket, and how rocky their only previous meeting was. But she had to try. Not only for the stranger's sake, but for her own as well.

She smiled, and it wasn't as forced as she thought it would be. "I'm glad to see that you're okay." However true that really was.

The smile was directed at the Steelix, as well. Ethel was grateful for her help and service to Hoenn during the battle, just as much as she was to her trainer.

She nodded at Shoal Cave, opening up before them. "Well, I am excited for the tour. It is my first visit, and I must say I don't know what to expect."

There would be plenty of ice in Shoal Cave, of course. Ethel thought that, and then immediately felt like a jerk. She was just trying to do her job!

"I can imagine the rest of Hoenn is too hot for them." She glanced at Magic, who was enjoying the cold and the atmosphere. "I figured that Magic would enjoy the atmosphere, you know?"

That was only partially true. While Magic seemed to be fine with the cold, he seemed to generally be okay with warm temperatures too. But still, this was probably good for him, and a few other of her ice-types who she wasn't willing to release just yet.

A Sandshrew interrupted her musings, rolling towards her at a breakneck pace. She yelped and leaped out of the way, and Magic was on the case. It only took a warning Freeze-dry in the general direction of the ground-type to send it fleeing.

"I do wonder why ground types live in a place known for ice-types and the cold," remarked Ethel as she watched the Sandshrew scurry back into a burrow. She nodded at McFlurry's concern.

Ethel still had no idea how to bring up the topic of Rocket. How would she say that in a way that wouldn't immediately drive this lady off? Was there any way at all?

She continued to think on that topic as they advanced further into the cave.

mclaren mcflurry