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Her fingers tighten the ribbon that keeps her hair out of her face, a soothingly familiar gesture.
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It was comforting, particularly in a place like this where she was almost out of place. Almost, if only because the street racers did tend to gather in forgotten corners like this. She was slowly becoming used to traversing areas that many others would hesitate, or call dangerous - if only because they were slowly becoming very familiar. The people here knew her. Someone that had a need for speed, that had a thirst to see just how fast she could go. But also someone with a strong sense of justice, and of helping others. Someone, in the words of others, naive and easily taken advantage of.
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After all, who bothers to help people in the forgotten corners, other then matyrs, saints and the naive?
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Letting out a soft sigh, she found herself straightening the red jacket she wore, feeling slightly impatient. She was waiting for a message, often checking her PokéNav. This message was the one that would indicate where the second race of today would be held. She had been looking forward to today for quite some time now, and here she was, waiting. But she knew they needed time to set it up, which is why often times it was only two, maybe three races maximum. Still didn't mean she couldn't feel irritation at it taking so long. If she was any less patient, she'd go out for a spin right now!
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But patience is a virtue, and she often reminds herself of such. Still, she wanted anything to distract her from the wait. So when she saw someone that looked very out of place enter the area - even more so then her, and that was saying something - she felt her eyes narrow. She didn't like it, so she took it upon herself to help. Sure, nobody asked her to help, but the blonde couldn't care less about that. This person clearly would need - or already needed if they wandered here willingly - help, and she was going to offer it.
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Easily, she pushed herself off the wall and judged about where she would have to be. With an ease that bespoke practice, she fell in step with the tourist, face tilted slightly towards them. ''Hi there! You do seem a little lost - or are you on a brisk walk that took a wrong turn? I hope I'm not bothering you, but you really do stick out... so I was wondering if you didn't mean to be here at all.'' she said. Of course, she wasn't socially inept, just very driven - that often override whatever politeness instinct she normally had. And in this case, she wanted to help and she would do so, even if it might seem strange or weird how easily she fell into step, or how she was pretty blunt about it.
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Well, as long as the end result was helping someone, being rude or weird didn't matter much did it?

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The answer was sharp when it came - but she didn't let that phase her.
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The smile however, stuttered. It didn't fade, but it had lost a bit of it's bright sheen. But again, she waited to see if he was going to say anything else. She wasn't sure why, but he reminded her a bit of this other guy she used to talk to a lot a while ago. She knew better then to judge this stranger on said interactions, but he gave off a lot of the same feelings. So she would wait to see if he was going to continue - which he did rather easily. In fact, it seemed to have changed a little, and Cordelia felt her smile start to lighten up again.
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Conversation was a good thing.
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She laughed at his question - but not in a mocking manner. No, it was quite obvious she found the question funny. ''Well, first thank you for not being offended! Second, I'm quite aware I'm pretty out of place - I'm just here for the races you see.'' she said. Even if he was part of the police force, the races weren't illegal. They had some questionable practices, sure, but they were not illegal. ''I'm just waiting for the message about the second race of the day when well, I saw you.'' she added. Honest, and open. She wasn't one for subterfuge, and she knew it.
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But her instinct screamed danger, the same moment she heard a low growl.
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''But first, we seem to have attracted some wild pokemon... feel up to taking them on with me?'' she said, beaming the male a smile even as her hand withdrew a pokeball. She wouldn't hesitate, even as she called out Laus from his chamber. The Scizor settled easily beside her, even as the girl threw one last grin at the male. And without hesitation, she threw herself into the fight, going for the Liepard that she had first heard.
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If he didn't help and just left, that was also fine. At least, she would have the satisfaction of helping someone fight off some wild pokemon.

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she can't help but smile.
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the rush of racing is similar to that of battle. of course, in a fight it's more of a deadly dance then going as fast as possible without losing control. and with laus, it's easy. a rhythm that they have, so familiar, so unique to the pair. she has no interest in either of the first offerings, but she knows one thing - their battle has drawn more. and that just makes her a little more excited then she was moments ago. what a fine way to pass the time! although, she shouldn't get too focused that she forgets the fact that there was another person.
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actually she couldn't quite forget about them. peeking at the male and his sceptile from the corner of her eye, she hears his compliment. with a motion familiar ( although, one would think that said motion being familiar is a sign of callousness, but perhaps it's just a morbid practice - and yet it is the reality of a trainer ) the bug easily dragged the unconscious pokemon off to the side. ''Thanks! We've trained together for quite sometime." she answered him. But she couldn't just leave it at that either - the conversation door was open, even as she saw more coming towards them.
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''How about you? It seems the pair of you have been together for a while! After all, I'm pretty sure you're really strong, just from seeing you two fight.'' she said. But half of her attention returned to the pokemon in front of her. Red. The color she sought. quick attack to close in - a barrage of false swipe to get it weakened. a tactic that serves her extremely well usually. and perhaps this time it would prove no different - the second she sees a good opportunity, she quickly throws a pokeball at the red pokemon.
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''This is kinda fun actually.'' she said, mostly to herself, but knowing he could hear it. It didn't matter if he did, it was just a door for interaction if he wanted it.
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But she was starting to get a better sense of this guy, and it was niggling at her brain.

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there was just something about it all that excited her.
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and by this point her beloved laus was on automatic. with a snap, he quickly caught the flying moth before it could get to them, and put it out of commission, once more putting it out of the way once done. cordelia wasn't killing any of her opponents; merely knocking them out since they did not interest her in the least. what actually interested her more, was the conversation that was developing between her and this stranger.
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because despite how off and cold he seemed, there was just something interesting there.
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and cordelia was a rather curious girl.
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''casual huh? is there such a thing as casual trainer?'' she wondered aloud, her green gaze seeking his own eyes. she liked to look people in the eye - even if they were taller or shorter then her. it was a sign of trust and of honesty ( and of unyielding defiance, but few would catch that hint of steel in her friendly demeanor ) and she had been taught to always look at someone when speaking to them. ''but I don't think I'm distinguished. I've competed a little here and there - did some traveling in other regions for a bit. but I think I have more to learn, despite how good I've been doing.'' she says. self-exposition wasn't really her deal, but if it got the conversation flowing? that was good enough.
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reticent people were a little hard to deal with, since they didn't give up much, but asked for a lot.
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''can I ask why you've wandered over here then? since you've quite refused my help, suggesting that you aren't lost but here on purpose. if you'd rather not say, that's fine.'' she said next. she had remembered that he hadn't told her a reason, apart from shooting her own down. she had been wondering how to bring it up, and this was a as good time as any. laus knew what to do without her direction - she raised her pokemon to be independent, to have thoughts and wills of their own, so she didn't need to babysit them or control them every step of the way - and she could now focus on the other trainer.
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and if something about this man bothered her, she squashed it without a second thought.

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a delicate dance in between knife's edges, that cordelia didn't even know she was doing.
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no, she was oblivious, and only making it out by the sheer fact she was a kind soul. she wasn't one that could see the lies or balant manipulation - or the details that don't quite sync up. she takes it at face value, and just softly laughs. ''still, any bond with pokemon... that takes time anyways. no matter how busy one gets. but I guess I can get behind it.'' she said, shrugging. unsure of where to think after that line, but honestly? she's never had an idea of the darkness in the world.
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even though she was standing somewhere where it would devour the innocent like sacrificial lambs.
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but even she had the sense that something was... off. there was just something that didn't quite match up.
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not that she knew, but it was the eyes. too sharp.
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''well, it's no imposing on me! I like to help anyways, so just lemme know where you wanna go and I can probably guide you to a good place! plus, I'm glad I met you, meeting new people is always fun~!'' she said, the smile gracing her face genuine. she wouldn't know how to lie if it bit her in the face. she was one of those earnest, honest, bright people. someone that seemed to always stand up against darkness, and yet someone so easily twisted and manipulated. because everyone likes to break those that seem to have no troubles - they were weak and easily exploitable.
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( and yet, and yet, those who do so are appropriately weary because they can tell that something is wrong. how is a well traveled trainer still that innocent? or were they just ignorant? no, it must be a sign that something else is hiding. lurking. )
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her eyes flick over, even as her beloved laus returns with a struggling mushroom. curiously, the girl leans her face closer to it, and then with a soft smile, taps it with a pokeball. it looks like one on the cap, and well, she was a sucker for red. the fact that it was very well beat up, and the struggles were so very weak did make her heart hurt a bit. ah, the side effect of fighting - things get hurt. but she got used to it, despite how she didn't want to in some aspects.
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but that done, she turns her gaze back to the male, waiting a respons eto her statement.

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