[attr="class","beck"]"only three?"

hm.

the change in her expression, as subtle as it may be, is noticed, and for a moment he second-guesses himself. is he out of line?

no. it's his job to make sure rocket members are ready and capable to fight.

"from where?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

her face went sour. fernando had given her a similar reaction.

”the skyrider badge from ivanov, and the creativity/meadow badge from marsh.” she’d particularly liked that one. lulu liked bugs.

she sighed bitterly and took another bite, her appetite slowing down. maybe theo would get some toast after all.

”and the silph badge from fuckface.”

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]"hm."

whatever theo's true thoughts are of those particular gym leaders are kept to himself.

"impressive, but we should still schedule some time to work on your battling."

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

probably a good decision.

impressive. she didn’t believe it now, but it seeded a desire to make it true. a constant need to prove herself, and all—especially to him.

”…”

”how many badges do you have?”

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]her question is expected, and after a long pause, he finally answers.

"zero."

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

she eyed up at him narrowly, indignant.

”hm.”

then put down the plastic fork after only a few bites, feeling an odd pain in her stomach—but not to do with the food. more to do with unwanted memories, and never feeling quite good enough.

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]the plastic fork is set down, and silence washes over them once again; this time, however, it's uncomfortable, and so he does something he wouldn't normally.

"i didn't mean to discredit your abilities as a trainer."

he sighs.

"i simply meant there's always ways to improve, and i'd like to help you do just that."

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

did she look that affected? weak. there was self-disgust, and it spiraled. caught her off-guard.

”what? i know. it’s fine. i get it.”

so much to learn. her ears got warm of their own accord, and she averted her still narrowed eyes, willing it away. 

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]his gaze drifts away as well, down to the snorunt balancing on his foot. he purposefully tips it over to one side, watching it slide off his foot.

"i've been told i can be a bit harsh at times."

his foot flats against the floor.

"but i'm just trying to help you survive."

as he always has.

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

theo had two feet, so the snorunt tried out the other instead, clearly not offended or discouraged.

lulu looked up again, the slightest pink still leaving her face without her notice.

”well. i’m surviving.” clearing her throat, she then reiterated more firmly, ”it’s fine. you’re not too harsh.”

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]i'm surviving.

"good."

it's all he wants to hear, really.

his gaze returns when hers does, and he notices the slightest pink.

"but i could be less harsh."

snorunt drops to the floor yet again.

"would you like that?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

why would she want him to be less harsh? it was the harshness that she craved. the familiar. it was all impossible and conflictive.

her eyes softened for the smallest moment before her defenses took over her face again.

”no.” she responded. ”i don’t want you to be easier on me than anyone else.” why would he be, anyways?

the snorunt settled, still pushed up against the side of theo’s heel.

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]he shakes his head.

"i wouldn't say i'd be easier on you."

for someone who's spent years training people, it took him far too long to realize:

"i've come to learn that people learn in different ways. it's easier for me to compromise or to change my methods than it is for them to adapt to mine."

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint