"nor I you."

she hugs the Corsola closer to her body, feeling flustered by his presence here. she did not stare long at him, clad in his swim trunks as he was. though she did notice the scars and found she cared little about their appearance.

it came with the job.

"she's just" Siobhan glances down at the Pokémon "uncertain" the Corsola nods, trilling in Poke-speech "stung by a Tentacruel. I suspect she's scared of the water right now."

she paused at Remiel's offer to help, blathering on uselessly.

taking a few steps toward the pool's edge, she'd head for the stairs and stop. the Corsola clung tighter now. "if you have ideas...?" she sighed, brushing aside ego in favor of the Pokémon's health.

Remiel Calcifet 2/5

"it would be easier to borrow a Tentacool" Siobhan hopes Remiel sees the logic in this "facing one's fears on a smaller scale would be beneficial instead of a surprise shock next time she swims" and yet they lacked the smaller evolution so she would press no further on it "but you are right; exposure is the next best thing."

the woman moves closer, walking to the pool again and stepping into the room temperature water. though not chilly or overly warm, it was acceptable. she makes sure to lift the Corsola up as she goes, exposing her chest and stomach. the one-piece black bathing suit was suitable for activity in the pool. it shed water easier than a bikini.

gently, so slowly, she would lower the now-crying Corsola into the water. as soon as the liquid touched it, the poor thing jumped in her arms. it began to bawl more loudly, but Siobhan would place a gentle kiss upon its brow. "there, there" she soothes quietly "we're both here for you." she glances up at Remiel, as if asking him to reassure the Pokémon too.

3/5

unaware his eyes lingered, she was too focused on the Pokémon. perhaps if she had noticed, she would have splashed him. or hit him. or did something other than blush like a fool. Remiel seems to hesitate, shocked by her gentle prodding. but he eventually moved, patting one of the branches. she gives him a nod - touched he would even try despite his hesitance.

the Corsola would purr slightly at the attention, joyfully bouncing in her arms. she kept a firm hold on the circular Pokémon as she tries to steady it, lowering it down into the water. now that it was properly distracted, the Corsola only let out a soft gasp at the touch. but - it did not cry. waving its front branches a bit, it began to paddle on the spot.

"good job" she says - to both of them.

Remiel Calcifet 4/5

"you need to work on those puns."

Siobhan could not help but snort softly, ducking her head to the water. averting his eyes. a slow smile crossed her lips, somewhat amused by the awful joke he made. Remiel's next quip was less of one and more a compliment.

"Pokémon are honest" she says as the Corsola greets the Buizel. perhaps all the fear was forgotten about when she spots the other playful Pokemon. Siobhan still has her hands under the water-type, just in case.

the woman smiles thinly. "they wear their heart on their sleeve" at least, she found that "there's always a reason for doing something with them. they don't slaughter needlessly. they don't destroy without purpose."

she lifts her eyes to Remiel, frowning at his scars. "they defend" Siobhan says quietly "their own beliefs to the death if need be." and in that simplicity, it was honest and innocent.

Remiel Calcifet 5/5

"no."

she bites back a sigh. there was always a clog working beneath the human mind. some sort of plan, some sort of obtainability. there was always something a human being could do differently, and they didn't. they always seemed to disappoint her. "not yet, anyway."

there had to be some one or some people out there that did. but she didn't have hope for it. watching as the Buizel coaxes the Corsola, she is quick to walk toward the flailing water-type again. moving her hands once more under it.

the Corsola calms down after the Buizel had pulled her away, trilling once more happily. Siobhan doubts she'd find such people in Rocket but resists pointing it out. "your scars" she begins again, glancing away -

hypersensitive to Remiel's slight reluctance at her casual look -

"they suit you."

though she was sorry he was ever hurt that badly, there was a saying. wear your scars honorably. wear them well and remember your past deeds and mistakes. those cuts that would never heal properly were badges of honor. of a fight that was not yet done.

before she could elaborate, he had thanked her and turned. and before she could protest, he was already gone. Siobhan bit her lip, wondering if she really managed to insult him this time. it wasn't like she was even trying - the remark had been a compliment. in the end, she sighs slightly, focusing on the Corsola as it plays in the water.

Remiel would reappear after he was done whatever he wanted to do. changing the subject, he asks if the Corsola was ready to be submerged. Siobhan wanted to say her piece now but resisted. giving a little shrug, she'd begin to submerge her own body. the locks of blue hair around her face floated effortless on the water's surface before they too went under.

the Corsola would look around, spotting Siobhan under the water. not willing to give her new friend up, she'd follow. a happy few bubbles escaped from the water-type's mouth as it floated around the human woman. it felt strange to be in an indoor swimming pool in summer. perhaps it was time to head to the beach after all? after a minute -

the pair would remerge. Siobhan didn't bother shaking her hair free of water, nor her face. water dripped leisurely in her sight. the only thing she did do was make a face before blowing her lips, accidentally tasting the chlorine of the pool. yuck. underneath her, the Corsola would happily swim around the two humans.

"who knows?" the blue-haired woman breathes idly, shrugging "maybe next time I'm in a bathing suit, I'll have a few scars as well." she smirks a bit before turning away, not really bothered if the cuts caress her skin. she is not very vain in that regard.