In one fell swoop she's set back on her feet and is forced to focus on not turning into the jello she had mentioned earlier. It was actually frustrating how weak in the knees she seemed to be for the man - out of the blue, even. Stormy's confidence in her own flirtation was weak, like damaged goods. What had happened to her?

But Abner is already more focused on beating the shit out of random wild Pokemon, so she opts to help. She brings out something a hell of a lot bigger than a tiny Abra. The ground practically shakes when the Steelix is cast from his pokeball.

And, upon entry into the real world, he SCREECHES, sending a great many Pokemon running for the woodworks. Maybe that'll help Abner TAUNT something worth his while?

A flock of Oricorio take to the sky, leaving feathers and fear behind.

"That may have been too much attention."

Abner Armstrong

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"The 'bitches'... right.."

She shakes her head at his bluntness, still floored by the mans mannerisms. He's strange, that's for sure.

Steelix rumbles nearby, though it's hard to tell if he's aware of Abner's admiration for his strength - or he's just restless and eager to break stuff. Regardless, the Steelix takes off after the Oricorio who shit on his shiny metal coat, and runs off into the route alone to exact his revenge and his RAGE.

Stormy is quickly taken by surprise when a Banette wraps its arms around her in a surprisingly warm hug. Were Banette usually warm? She can't say she'd ever hugged one before.

"O-oh! Hello there."

But Abner is quick to redirect the Pokemon's attention elsewhere, and she doesn't miss his irritated tone.

"It was just saying hello, being friendly. Are you jealous?"

Abner Armstrong

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Not jealous.. hmm.

Stormy glances away at his laugh, more focused on the fact that her Steelix was almost certainly getting into more trouble than necessary. The last thing she needed was for him to level a mountain or cause damages or whatever might happen.

"Not satisfied with your Banette?"

She regards him carefully, asking questions that definitely allude to more personal matters. Was he the type to never be satisfied? Almost certainly.

Another Pokemon falls to the Banette's attacks, and she chuckles as the Pokemon bounces back to Abner - seeking praise.

Abner Armstrong

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"No?"

What would she be fishing for? What did that even mean?

Stormy glances away, breaking eye contact and collapsing the spell that's placed on her every time she meets his gaze.

With a sharp whistle she recalls the Steelix, who seems grouchy, touchy, and ready for a nap.

She complies and sends out her Rhyhorn instead. The Pokemon stamps his feet and grunts, waiting for something new to pop out of the brush.

"What do you need poison types for?"

Abner Armstrong

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An acceptable answer - she's just never met someone who preferred poison or dark types. They tended to be more sinister and unpredictable Pokemon. She'd encountered many uncouth sorts harboring aggressive dark-type Pokemon during Ranger missions.

"Yeah. I do like them. Steel types are pretty cool too."

She notes that his smile is gone and she loses her sense of chatty confidence. The last thing she'd intended was to kill their vibe.

Instead, she opts for silence while the Banette offers her Rhyhorn a treat. The Pokemon is curious, snuffling the Banette's hands before greedily crunching whatever it was he'd been given.

Abner Armstrong

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Rhyhorn is thrilled to be hand-fed. He's since lost track of any motivation to look for trouble elsewhere, more than happy to be doted on and appreciated by this adorable Banette.

Stormy glances at Abner when he speaks up.

"Sure, yeah. I'll text you the details."

She offers a small smile.

"But this isn't a date. I told you, don't get any ideas."

Abner Armstrong

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His response is firm, far more serious and aggressive than she had anticipated. It stirs something in her belly that makes her uncomfortable but at the same time excited. Or something akin to excitement. It made her skin crawl in a good way.

"Well. I guess it's a date then, Abner."

She smiles, shaking her head in amusement, but ultimately giving in.

When he returns his Pokemon she follows along, beaming Rhyhorn back into its Pokeball. But she's holding another one, rolling it in her palm as she studies his face.

"You're right."

But clearly there was a reason she was holding back, a self-defense mechanism, walls built up to protect herself. What was she protecting herself from, though? She couldn't even really remember.

Abner Armstrong

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