[attr="class","aurelie"]

[attr="class","aurelie_body"]Aurelie frowned faintly, more puzzled than annoyed when Zev swaggeringly explained to her that she liked making too many assumptions about him. She had made the comment in an attempt to get some kind of telling response from him one way or another, since he had a history of waving off or ignoring direct questions altogether. Unfortunately, his deflection told her very little.

Still, why else would he ask if Jack and I would cause trouble for Rocket, if he didn't still care about Rocket? she wondered. Surely, he's just deflecting again to avoid answering. I just wish I knew what Rocket offered him that was worth keeping after he reached his understanding with Necrozma.

Either way, Zev already thought she was an idiot, anyway. What did it matter if he also thought she was presumptuous? Or self-deluding?

To be fair, that last one was an assumption too, based mostly on his skeptical tone when he spoke of her and Jack's feelings. If I say so aloud, though, he'd probably just tell me I was making too many assumptions again, Aurelie guessed wryly. Unexpectedly, she smiled. I get the feeling we both think we're dealing with a child whenever we talk to each other.

What she did say aloud was simply, "Sure. That won't be a problem. Whatever I can learn from him, I'll tell you." She shrugged easily, unconcerned.

On one hand, the red-haired smith rather doubted Jack would spill important Ranger secrets during pillow talk. On the other hand, she was selfishly interested in learning more about the Rangers herself, after her run-ins with them on the resurfaced island in Route 105. Even if Zev had ulterior motives for his odd request, Aurelie had few qualms about fulfilling it nonetheless.

Standing up after Zev did, she inclined her head to him in farewell when he signaled that he was leaving. "Thanks for stopping by and updating me on your recent life changes. I appreciate knowing what happened and why.

"And..." The words fell reluctantly from her lips, spurred more by her frightful memories of Necrozma's power and appetite than by concern for Zev. "Good luck."

[attr="class","cred"]VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

[attr="class","wildtemp"]