Normally, this sort of training arrangement would not make Fern nervous. Today, as they follow jayden cross through the narrow halls, they decide there’s an exception to the rule.[break][break]

“Only in passing,” they admit. Why does that carry a degree of embarrassment? Maybe it looks as if they’ve not been trying all that hard to accomplish much in the few short months since he’s joined the ranks.[break][break]

That means it’ll be that much more important they prove their merit then, yes?[break][break]

“If you say so~”They toss him a wink as they flip fingers through their hair and move past him to the opposing end of the arena.[break][break]

Think.[break][break]

Their trevenant joins the party, immediately moving into defensive measure as Fern claps their hands together— the lift of pale aura that twists from the trevenant’s branches in misty, weaving tendrils as it aims to forge a DESTINY BOND with the sandygast.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross  [break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trevenant"]

[attr="class","jaytop"]

[attr="class","littlejay"]

they haven't talked about it yet, but jayden has never been good at talking about things.

[break][break] "you should utilize our facilities where available," he says, mouth pitched into a frown. he feels odd about instructing the other — and he wonders about the nervousness that flutters like a thrush in his chest at the thought. normally, he has no issues dictating others - especially grunts.

[break][break] half in thought, he nearly misses the wink that's sent his way. nearly. he opens his mouth — and then closes it.

[break][break] he clears his throat, deciding instead to pivot topics.

[break][break] "good choice," he remarks. "but destiny knot is only effective if you can ensure your victory."

[break][break] "attack!"

[break][break] a sandstorm whips around them with sudden fierceness, and seconds later, a shadow ball explodes forth.

[attr="class","ooc"] fern delaney [break]
MAGMA | MENTOR II

☉

Everything that’s passed between them recently sits heavy like a weighted quilt on his shoulders. Frankly, it chafes at Fern in an unsettling way—never one to leave matters unresolved.[break][break]

They clear their throat awkwardly and ignore the mild sting that follows the correction. It wouldn’t bother them if this was another superior saying as much. Ergo it should not bother them when jayden cross does as well. But Fern likes being a disappointment to him even less.[break][break]

“Okay,” he relents with little pushback. Then he shrugs a bit, “Suppose I’m just not used to having those amenities accessible to me.”[break][break]

Their head tilts, not missing the deliberate shift in topic.[break][break]

“I know that.” A little audacious? Absolutely. “Extra insurance, yannow? dodge.” the command comes a hair too delayed as sand kicks up around them and the blast of the shadow ball clips the side of the trevenant’s trunk.[break][break]

“Leech it back!” With a shrill cry, it barrels forward, branch horns pointed forward to nail the opponent with horn leech to both knock the sandygast off-balance and regain some lost energy.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross  [break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trevenant"]

[attr="class","jaytop"]

[attr="class","littlejay"]

typically, jayden wouldn't have even noticed.

[break][break] even to mint frost, who he often said these things to, he would not have seen any issue in the way that he spoke. after all, it was the truth. why have facilities if not to use them?

[break][break] yet quiet way that fern delaney respond to him - no quip, no joke, no wink - speaks volumes.

[break][break] his gaze softens. "i can give you a tour later," he offers, because that is the least he can do. sometimes he forgets that he is working with new era grunts, not ones that have had their lifetimes swallowed up with the syndicate's livelihood.

[break][break] the battle commences, and jayden's gaze shifts from something soft to metallic steel. not all that unlike that of officer katz in the center of a jailed cell. "endure it," he directs.

[break][break] his sandyghast needs no further instruction. the horn-leech lashes out against him, making small cuts in it's sandy exterior. dunai is quick to stand it's ground however, leeching it's body into the stone plating beneath him. a HYPNOSIS burst from the pokemon in the midst of the assault, rings floating slowly - nearly sleepily - towards its victim.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] fern delaney [break]
MAGMA | MENTOR II

☉

Fern isn’t looking to manipulate him with their sensitivity, not really. They’re not trying to bitter him up, because for all intents and purposes, this is still a training session. But they can’t deny that it doesn’t soothe the sting just a little when jayden cross’s expression softens for a moment.[break][break]

“That would be nice,” they reply, a half-smile pulling one side of their mouth up briefly. “Just used to working on my own, that’s all.” That’s always been the way of it. Working in a syndicate is new, and Fern has never been the most proficient at openly asking for guidance.[break][break]

Their own focus sharpens on the match, though they’re still a bit soft in comparison to the other man’s steeliness. They’re used to doting on their companions, which is likely why their defensive measures are stronger than the offensive.[break][break]

Still, they feel a bit triumphant as the hit lands, and Poplar shifts back as dark, aural energy begins to gather and hum around it in preparation of using shadow claw. It is, however, not out of range of the drowsy waves of energy, and Fern realizes this too late.[break][break]

Before their trevenant can get a big, umbral clawed swipe in, it sways with sudden dreariness, movements slow and drifting toward slumber. If this had been a multi-Pokémon match, he would temporarily recall it so that its natural cure could do its work, but…well.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross  [break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trevenant"]

[attr="class","jaytop"]

[attr="class","littlejay"]

"ironic," jayden says, with a twist of his lips. "i am just learning the opposite."

[break][break] his lifetime in rocket had made it so that he was always surrounded by family — whether it be his own or others. while there was a lot of that came with such a lifestyle, not of all which were good, jayden had always had faith in that rocket would be there for him. and in turn, he was there for rocket.

[break][break] the idea of not having that.. it was rather a lonely thought, indeed.

[break][break] their opposing trevenant slumps as it's hit with hypnosis, and jayden knows when to close in an opportunity when it presents itself. "bulldoze it down!" his voice calls sharp through the air, cutting through clean like a blade.

[break][break] the bulldoze tears through the ground with terrifying ferocity, stones and steel pulling the ground beneath them taut. like pulling a rug from beneath their feet. jayden throws an arm before his face, as the sandstorm continues to roar.

[attr="class","ooc"] fern delaney [break]
MAGMA | MENTOR II

☉

Their brow lifts just so, “How’s that?”[break][break]

It’s not that Fern feels their life has been lacking or anything. Their upbringing, while difficult in a lot of ways, was not in short supply of care. Their da had simply been enough, and they’d learned to operate as a single entity. That said, though, it was nice to become a part of something bigger than themself. Even if they weren’t adept at navigating the benefits that came along with it.[break][break]

He’s built to be with people, in all truth. He wasn’t aware of his own loneliness away from Galar until it was dropped in his lap after a particular trip to the grocers.[break][break]

Fern’s face twists in displeasure as their trevenant is rendered prone. It’s not a dissatisfaction aimed at the pokemon, but rather at themself at the miscalculation. It feels like too much to hope that it will wake from a call, but it doesn’t stop them. “poplar! Pep up!”[break][break]

Of course it’s to no avail. Of course. The ground uproots around poplar and it topples easily, taking the damage without even stirring. Fern squint against the sandy grit in the air. Per usual, this is the downfall of their hubris.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross  [break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trevenant"]

[attr="class","jaytop"]

[attr="class","littlejay"]

they haven't really discussed it, have they?

[break][break] "i've spent my lifetime among us," he says. "i was part of the kanto branch."

[break][break] it's obvious to those who know him, and even obvious to those who don't. like many other kanto rockets, such a thing is nearly painfully obvious when looking at all the accolades that jayden has gathered. but not everyone is as interested in rocket's history as he, so it is not surprising that fern delaney would not know.

[break][break] in a matter of moments, the battle draws to a close. jayden returns his own pokemon to it's pokeball, and the sandstorm ceases.

[break][break] "you did a fine job," he says. "but i do have some notes — would you like to get lunch? we can discuss it."

[attr="class","ooc"] fern delaney [break]
MAGMA | MENTOR II

☉

It’s still a new thing–learning about the bits and pieces of Jayden’s past that they can cobble together. He hasn’t offered much thus far, but it’s not like they’ve been too forthcoming either.[break][break]

They would like to be, though.[break][break]

“Ah, that makes sense,” they reply with an appraising nod. “You must have a vault’s worth of interesting stories, then. And then some.” As if their falter never occurred, they wink again.[break][break]

It really only takes that one misstep to bring his trevenant down, much to his displeasure.[break][break]

Fern sighs lightly, shoulders drooping as they recall poplar back to its pokeball. “Thanks,” they answer with a quick glance across the space. There’s a small smile that’s returned to their lips. They make a mental note to work a bit more with the trevenant on their own. Alternate defensive measure with offensive a bit more.[break][break]

They brighten quickly at the offer presented to them. Disappointment over the loss fading like morning fog. “I would!” Fern chirps, perking up considerably as they wander back toward the pull of jayden cross ’s gravity. "I expect a full, detailed report over aperitifs." Their nose wrinkles with the joke.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross  [break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trevenant"]