what had originally been feigned in her mysterious train of thought, was, often times not always the case. it was a habit for her to imagine the world just a bit more in-depth than it needed to be. encountering arian again was a good example. there was something obscured by the friendly persona of the blonde. although it was not always a necessity in gym leaders the reputation never hurt.

or maybe it was just curiosity.

"of course!" that much was certain in the lingering umbreon. compared to the rest that either dwelled back in fallarbor or were concealed by their red capsules. this one was always present. she regards her friend with an equally bright smile, "thank you for inviting us out here. i hope this time is just as great as the last!" there was nothing ill-minded about expanding the team. all pokemon were equally valuable. friend or family. she accepted all for who they were. even the foretold omen of the dark.

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there was nothing wrong with the precaution. the wild was still wild after all and its daunting influence could strike at any moment. trailing close behind the moving pair is umbreon; in order to watch what they could not. the shadowy fold of greenery is interloped by a strange warmness.

as if a globe has been wrapped around the outermost of their surroundings. no ounce of wind creeps through the gaps within the foliage.

everything is so very quiet.

it is the slightest unsettling yet she eases into the voice of arian. some sounds were better than none. "you think so?" she says, having trouble pondering while her eyes wandered elsewhere,

"umbreon may look pretty docile right now but...when he's fighting he becomes quite the nightmare." eventually she turns to make sure her companion is still following. the smile approaches those pale features. misplacing what was so close by.

with every length they take. venturing further and further into the forest. something makes pace. umbreon notices the change in moving shrubbery and pauses every now and then to make certain. despite not being able to see what it was; the consistency has it unable to fester such patience.

the low growl starts and immediately warns delphi of any incoming dangers. in the distant bush a few feet ahead stood out a pair of ears. whatever had been "hiding" thought it had not been seen. "umbra," she calls, a strict tone that signified it no longer needed to act so hostile,

"hold on a second." as always there is a stash of berries meant for this occasion. as long as gemi did not discover them; they could last quite awhile. she takes out a handful and starts to approach the obscured creature.

just one is tossed closest to the veil. she watches crouched and waiting as a muzzle akin to the shade of ash eventually prodded out. eventually the head also followed suite. startled by the girl though not enough to run opposite, it is interlocked by her red eyes. once it has fully retreated she can see the steady beat of its tail swinging left then right.

thankfully it neither seemed angry or frightened.

"were you following us?" fingers affectionately stroke the fluffy mane of the mutt. umbreon regards the unfamiliar pokemon with a slight frown but it is of closeness in its usually bored expression.

"you can keep following us then." she says, finding the happy nature of something so dark to be rather adorable. moving to walk alongside arian once more the mightyena does so with her companion. eyeing it with an almost childlike curiosity.

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the word gym leader is previous thought. back then when the league truly needed it. when her home truly needed it; she thought it would have been the perfect opportunity. unforunately many had already beaten her to the punch and left her wondering if that was truly what she needed.

hoenn may have been unaware of the history surrounding her origin...but maybe someday...something greater would occur.

"i admit i did think about it for awhile...eventually it had me wondering if there was something more than that." she smiles, hands enfolded to the center of her back, "i wanted hoenn to notice me as a worthy trainer. although i'm more than happy just being a ranger...if the opportunity ever came by i'd fight for it with everything i've got!" perhaps it was just what she needed. both in sight of what her eyes constantly sought and the home she hoped to restore. challenging the gyms was just the beginning.

"y-you think so?" those same words were often heard in her fathers voice and the rest of the neighboring folk. it was a small yet closely brought community. "sometimes i love them so much i forget that they're capable of seriously hurting me!" many scars were a reminder of that. it had also reminded her that through the years, she would still reach forth courageously. no matter how terrifying.

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the bright red blinks owlishly towards arian. her expression softening in a rather humble approach to such enthusiastic words. complimentary is always appreciated in her mind. at the same time she struggles to find a way to reply and instead forces a strained laugh. some things just aren't worth saving. luckily the subject is diverted.

"your gym? as a trainer?" the pair hadn't the opportunity to fight and she wondered if their expertise of battle was completely different. "at least let me try and get your badge first!" she grinned. if not slightly making a promise. the roles that they fulfilled were given to them for a reason. losing so easily would've been a shame but in the end it would've also proven their capability.

her smile remains. restless for a future battle till the mightyena behind them lets out a heavy growl. delphi turns back to observe the situation only to find they are looking where she had originally faced.

on the peak of a large clutter there stands a prominent white. it gazes down upon the group in a tense waver. no movement or sign of hostility. perhaps they've been left astonished by the beauty of the mysterious creature.

the dark maw parts to let out a hoarse call and the mutt is silenced by the words.

"is it trying to warn us?" she says, mostly speaking to arian, "absol! come here!" calling out to the dark pokemon it bounds towards the earth in graceful movements. umbreon creeps forward; surprisingly not finding the other as aggravating as it had with the curious mightyena. with the berries still wielded close by she holds one out to the beast.

"come, have one," a twitching nose signifies it is gathering the scent of the object within her outstretched hand. eventually it has taken a mouthful. "good right?" she says, smiling at the rather docile nature. although absol were usually skittish creatures, it was for good reason.

her ancestors long before thought it had brought nothing but disaster. "is everything alright?" pools of ruby which nearly match her own blink up at her tiredly. when it is done chewing a small noise of response reverberates from its throat. "hmm...i don't see anything though...maybe it ran off." she takes a careful glance around just to be sure.

"would you mind escorting is through? you seem to have a better sense for danger than we do!" in spite of her friendly plea. the absol has already made up its mind. further past the boundary of the gloomy woods; it would join her and her pokemon.

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the creatures of the wild flocked towards them like a moth to a flame. both different stories. both different people. delphi admires the affection between the pair with a smile, glancing towards the gradual enlargement of their once small group.

mightyena admiring umbreon, umbreon admiring absol. there was a clear cycle bound to happen. "really?" this is the last place she'd expect him to train in. then again, maybe the darker environment proved just right.

"i guess i'm not the only one with a talent for making friends!" thankfully they were making some progress in the depth of the forest. the figure engulfed willingly by the light is a clear sign of that. delphi follows alongside arian as always.

her ruby eyes watching him curiously as he spoke. "don't worry!" she protested immediately with a bright grin, "whatever it is, i'm sure we can handle it!" like the ferocious dragons or the stubborn "evil", she would always find a way to turn foe into friend.

even if the bite was worse than she thought.

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