It was an odd sight, indeed: a long-haired young woman, wearing a yellow Ranger Captain's uniform, cuddling with one of the most vicious insectile predators in Hoenn. The Shiny Beedrill embraced Shalin, carefully wrapping her pointy arms around her trainer before crawling back to her legs and letting her aboard.

Once she was sitting in the insect's saddle, Shalin caught a glimpse of a young man, also in vibrant yellows, staring at her with a dumbfounded look. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't even notice you were there! Is there anything I can help you with?" she asked, reaching for a pair of earplugs to stick in her ears.

Oliver tries to speak, but all he gets out is a raspy mutter. He awkwardly clears his throat before continuing. “Excuse me. It’s been a while since I spoke last.” He rises to his feet, takes off his hat and places it over his chest as he continues with a swift smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I am fine, truly.” Oliver’s eyes start to drift past the adventurous looking lady and land on her mount. After a moment he focuses on Shalin again.

“My name is Oliver and this here is Aly.” Oliver bends through his knees a bit to pet the dewpider hiding behind his leg. He gently pushes his finger through the bubble in order to scratch Aly’s soft little head. She calms down a bit and Oliver stands again.

“That is quite the impressive beedrill you have there! Her colouration seems unique, but healthy nonetheless. Seeing as she allows you to mount her, you two must have quite the trusting bond!” Oliver breaks eye contact as he realises that his phrasing came out a bit weird. He continues his ramble whilst staring at the ground. “I mean, beedrill tend to be aggressive, so letting you get so close already says a lot about how much she trusts you…”

Oliver looks up at Shalin again. “And the other way too! I have never seen anyone fly on a bug pokemon before, let alone a beedrill!” Realising he is rambling he grows timid again and clears his throat.

“So yeah… I never quite got your name.”

---

Shalin Nariya

NAME   SPECIES      STATUS
Aly    Dewpider     Shy

That Oliver didn't immediately turn tail upon seeing the giant, Shiny insectile predator attracted her interest. Though Queen Zing was the nicest Beedrill Shalin had ever seen, it was still a terrifying Pokémon species: an apex predator of the forest. One sting from her could hospitalize an adult.

"Great to meet you, Oliver and Aly!" Shalin waved from her Beedrill's back, the bug-type lifting one of her foreleg stings and likewise waving it much like a human would one of their hands in greeting. "She was once the queen of her hive!" Oliver seemed far too interested in the unusual Pokémon the Captain was astride; was this courage or foolhardiness? Either way, she had increasing respect for the traveler.

"Captain Shalin Nariya of Rustboro," she introduced herself, "and this is Queen Zing," she gently pat her insectile ride's exoskeleton. "She isn't the only bug Pokémon I can fly on, either! Anyhow, what brings you out here?"