The Blind Lead the Blind [OPEN]

[ryu]

Her answer surprised him. She hadn't left to escape? Katrina... must be her friend's name. He frowned, so, she was traveling with a trainer? By the sound of it, two girls wandering around. Ryu let out a small sigh. It was good to travel in numbers, but just two girls? Even if one was a trainer, he had heard rumors of powerful pokemon wandering the area. A whole section of Sakura Forest had been destroyed in the fighting. It was said a Charizard and Empoleon had been the combatants. Despite being together, he knew they would be no match for either of the pokemon, no matter how strong Katrina was.

Ryu glanced down to the Vaporeon, having just noticed the low rumbling coming from the pokemon's throat, warning him he was stepping on a line. Looked like Mama was protecting her little cub again. "If you're not happy with my questions, you don't have to listen." He told it sternly, asserting authority over the pokemon despite it not being his. He wasn't one to allow a pokemon to dominate him, no matter the species, no matter the personality. Once a pokemon saw it had the upper hand, it was only a matter of time before it didn't listen at all, even clashing against a pokemon for control was better than laying down and letting it step all over you. He took a deep breath, calming himself down.

"That's why I left." He said after a time, "It was boring. I'll admit it. Since my sister left, there was nothing there for me to keep me home. My parents were never there, it's not like they allowed Pokemon on the premis aside from the snooty, pampered lot that were more trophies than breathing, living things." He explained. "Maybe I'm hypocritical. Anyway, I'm sorry... it wasn't right of me to get angry." His gaze trailed down for a moment, before shooting up to the trees. "I'm just... a little irritated with myself is all." He sighed, not really sure where to look but making an effort not to look in Dakota's direction. It was surprisingly difficult. "I'm not angry with you.... I just have a lot on my mind." A smirk came to his face and turned to look at her again. "But you aren't really helping the issue by being... you." He chuckled, knowing it wasn't her fault... entirely.

His smile fell as he recognized a word he'd totally missed before. "So... you said ever since the attack..." He frowned, looked back to Dakota, stopping in his tracks. "What happened?" The Drifloon noticed no one was following it anymore and floated down to Vaporeon, its heart shaped... hands? Whatever they were, they were lightly brushing her scales in facination, wondering what it felt like.

[ravensong]

Pamuya was taken aback by his assertion, and since most humans submitted to her authority, this made her a little confused. Gaging the situation, she decided it was better not to aggravate it. She swallowed her pride for once and walked along quietly. However, she wasn't going to be this way for long if he dared upset her master once more.

Dakota giggled at this. She couldn't help it, her Vaporeon seemed so bewildered by someone retorting her objections like that. The young breeder didn't mind this, really, despite Pamuya being her Pokémon. Though she'd never once commanded anything from her, nor had she ever been stern with her, the water Pokémon usually acted accordingly to any threat or problem. Few times had she ever done something outright brash, and usually every act was out of loyalty to 'Kota. All in all, despite her threatening demeanor, she was a pretty well-behaved Pokémon.

The farmgirl listened patiently as he described his home life, and quickly understood why his tone had been so accusing before. It hurt to imagine a childhood where someone's parents were never present, she had to be honest. So much of her life was her family, her parents being equal parts family and friend. Beyond that, the Pokémon that her parents bred were sweet and humble, and 'Kota had difficulty picturing a Pokémon who was any less friendly than that. In fact, as she tried, her expression contorted into one of confusion. She had noticed his tone soften a little as he apologized, and her usual wide, dorky smile spread across her lips once more, as that was all she really needed to completely forget about his earlier irritability.

"It's okay. I mean, if you have something you want to say, I'll listen." She cooed happily, "It's always nice to have someone to talk to, huh?" But she blinked, not understanding his reference to who she was. She opened her mouth for a moment to question it, but as he mentioned the attack her objection slipped her mind.

Her smile faded as he stopped, and she took at least one more step before pausing as well, taking a few moments to recall the encounter she had had only weeks before that changed the way she had planned her life. She examined him closely for once, his honest green eyes, tidy, classy clothes. A slight blush returned to her cheeks as she realized what a stark difference there was between the two, which was something she usually never noticed. She looked down at her full-length gloves that she had sewn for herself to cover her burns. "Katrina.. was attacked by a Charizard.." There was something about this that she felt she should keep secret, but Dakota couldn't put her finger on it, and besides that, she was horrible at keeping secrets. Something about him felt comforting, anyways. She set her Squirtle on the ground, where it stuck its head out inquisitively, as she slid one of her gloves down to reveal the burns. Her bi-hued optics focused on the scars, looking so different from her otherwise smooth skin. "I jumped in front of her so she wouldn't get hurt.." With that she looked back up at him, offering a weak smile, nervous for his reaction as she finished. "Pamuya saved us, and since then Kat decided she was going to be a trainer to protect herself."

Up until she was mentioned, the Vaporeon was distracted by the Drifloon, having jumped quite a bit when it touched her. She looked up at the ghost Pokémon, flinching away. "Va--! Vapor! Va!" Pamuya nearly barked, pulling her tail close to her to keep it from being touched. Still, she turned to Dakota at the mention of her name, realizing that her owner was describing the attack. Her fin-like ears drooped slightly, and she stepped closer to her master, craning her neck up to lick at 'Kota's hand in an affectionate gesture, which was quite rare for Pamuya in the presence of others.

[ryu]

Ryu was glad she was understanding of his position, even if she didn't understand completely... which he got the feeling she didn't really based on her response. He was almost impressed how quickly she had forgiven him for his outburst. I mean, he'd said some aweful things and a moment later, she had forgotten about it. Though, his smile followed hers as it disappeared, the obvious tension around the incident bringing out the memories she must have rather kept subdued in the dark recesses of her mind. Nervousness seemed to grip her as she didn't seem to be able to say anything at first, looking around uncomfortably. At the mention of her friend being attacked by a Charizard, his look turned much more serious. Perhaps the rarest and most dangerous of fire-types. It was surprising to hear they had even met one.

The girl set down the small turtle, her hand reaching to the gloves that reached up her arms and slid one off. The sight was shocking to say the least. All up her arm was scarred. He listened as she recounted the events, her own protective instinct toward her friend, how Pamuya had fought off the terrible beast. Ryu couldn't believe this. After so much trauma, how could she still be this way? After having faced such a monster and been burned so badly, how could she still look so positivly out at what happened around her? It was inconcievable for Ryu, having just met a girl strong enough to have such a disposition, yet have suffered through so much to get to where she was today.

"So. Your friend and yourself travel to become stronger. A quest for power... and friendship." He smirked at the musing. It was almost poetic. Things were starting to make sense. Her friend couldn't stand to let those close to her suffer, so she went on her quest to gain power. However, Dakota couldn't let her go alone and went with her friend, the both of them wanting to protect the other. This other trainer Dakota spoke of. Katrina. Ryu's eyes shot about for a moment. She was probably a new trainer, starting off. It seemed all this happened relativly recently, the way she was speaking about it... meaning they probably progressed a bit, but were still relativly new to the open road.

"Well, you two must be great friends. To suffer for one another as you have." He said apologetically. He knew she wasn't showing him this to make him feel sorry for her, but he couldn't help but feel like reaching out to her. The protective feeling whelling up again. "Well..." He started before thinking better of what he had been about to say. "You're friend's probably worried." He smiled, more gentle in his features than before.

In response to Vaporeon, Drifloon let out a small gust of air as it zoomed back away from its new friend. The pokemon having startled him. For a ghost type, it seemed he was more afraid of others than they were of him!

[ravensong]

Dakota was quick to slide her glove back on and pick Muna back up, as something about those scars made her feel quite self-conscious. As soon as they were gloved once more, and she was holding her Squirtle close again, her smile quickly returned, encouraged by Ryu's words, "Haha, doesn't that sound glamorous." she replied giddily, imagining her and Katrina as heroines of some epic tale that would be passed down for generations. That idea seemed far too grand for her mind to grasp, and her eyes went wide as she thought of it. She shook it off, though, her smile softening as he took on an apologetic tone.

"Hey, Kat and I have always been there for each other. She would've done the same thing for me. I bet..." She paused, thinking back to his recant of his childhood before her smile widened, feeling almost triumphant for finding a nice parallel. "I bet your sister would've done that, wouldn't she? Or you'd do it for her. It's only natural to protect the ones you love, right?" She giggled, and nodded when he mentioned Kat once more. "Mhm. We should probably keep walking. It's getting late. Shall we?" She replied, offering her gloved hand for him to take once more in an ever-friendly fashion.

Pamuya watched with mixed feelings as the Drifloon hovered off, not quite sure if she disliked the playful Pokémon anymore. Though she was still wary of it, it seemed a lot like Dakota herself with its curious and innocent nature. Except it knew when to hover off, whereas 'Kota often got herself into trouble. The Vaporeon was indeed starting to relax a little around these two.

[ryu]

Ryu laughed at her comment of his sister doing something like that. "She might have tried, but I would never allow it. She was always a real baby!" He chuckled. "That's why she left to become a trainer. Even then, she couldn't stand going a day without calling me!" A smirk was pasted on his face, feeling a lot better as he took her hand again and the pair walked off. "She was so happy about being off on her own... and after a while, she asked me why I was staying." His smile fell a bit.

"And I couldn't give an answer. Was it because it was sensable? Because it was expected of me? Because father wanted me to be the same as him..? And day by day, she saw the subtle transformation. It was only when she didn't call, about a month after she started out as a trainer, that I realized what she had been saying was true. I'd been caught in the cycle, unable to leave, trapped in such a big, empty house." He looked back at Dakota. "Believe me, there's nothing that makes you feel smaller, more insignificant than living someplace that's so vast, so devoid of life and change. That's when I realized I needed to leave." Now it was coming up, the part he regretted. He knew this and sighed, looking away again to make sure he didn't run into anything.

"I left. Not a word to my parents, not a word to anyone. I just packed some of my things and left. Not that they would have understood to begin with. Pokemon were things. Money was the only true substance of value." His jaw unconditionally clenched as he fought back a cold hate, trying to keep from bursting out.

"You said it before... that it was only natural to protect the ones you love. Do you think such parents that were gone most of the time, who thought of life as only as good as the money it earned... would such people sacrifice themselves for the ones they loved?" He asked the rhetorical question. It was obvious how he felt about them. It had brought himself and his sister closer together... true... but how much happier could she have been had she known her mother and father had been there? What sort of guidance could they have given her that he couldn't? The questions were there, but he couldn't answer them... Just wonder what it could have been like had things been different.

"But the past can't be changed." He shrugged off the feeling, the tension this was creating must have been uncomfortable. "Sorry, that was one story that shouldn't have been shared." He shook his head, trying to think of a topic to switch to so they wouldn't have to walk in this uncomfortable atmosphere, if even it was only himself that imagined it.

[ravensong]

Dakota grinned right along with him as he spoke fondly of his sister. It was evident that the two were close, not just by what he was saying, but how he said it. When he spoke of her, his candid tone resonated harmoniously with every word. She liked this in him, she realized. The subject inspired honesty in him, keeping his attitude from having such a cryptic nature. However, that changed as he continued on about his sister having left. 'Kota's own smile slowly faded with his, and slowly turned into a sad, almost pouty look. She didn't fully understand his feelings toward his family, she would admit that easily, but she still listened intently to his tale, wanting to offer any comfort that that could bring to him. It was clear he had difficulty overcoming this time in his life, and her heart began simply breaking for him.

She tried to imagine what it would be like if her parents didn't have so much love for her, if she didn't have Pamuya or Kat to be there for her, and she was nearly in tears by the time he had finished. Her vision got slightly blurry as she looked down at her feet, continuing along with their trek. She just wouldn't be able to handle that-- not having everyone who was always there for her if she needed them. Not having the support she'd received throughout her life, or the friendships and love that kept her strong and confident, the people who backed her up whenever her naivety got her into trouble. No, no, that would just be too difficult, dealing with being alone. Before she left the farm, she had no idea that anyone had to live a life like that. No one should have to.

Finally he apologized, and her attention snapped to him with an expression of disbelief, tears barely escaping her eyes to begin trailing down her cheeks. How could he apologize? He hadn't done anything wrong at all. Absolutely nothing would warrant having to run away from your family, people who were supposed to be there for you every step of the way. She stopped in her tracks and threw herself on him without another word, embracing him with a warm hug. It was all she could think of to do-- she wanted to fix his childhood. She would have traded the way she was raised to him if she could have, and taken on the burden of living like he did. Crying on his shoulder, she whimpered, "No, Ryu. I'm sorry. Life... I-it's not supposed to be that way!" She choked out the words.

He quickly became one of the strongest people she knew, and she admired him wholeheartedly for that. Here she was, having only met this young man hours-- minutes? --before, and he had poured out his heart and soul to her. She couldn't help but think of him as a friend. Someone that she would promise to be there for whenever he needed it-- someone she could trust, and she only hoped that hugging him would bring him some comfort. Being attacked by a Charizard was nothing compared to that. The only difference was that her scars were visible.

[ryu]

Ryu's eyes widened for a moment as a weight suddenly pressed against him, arms gripping him, pinning his arms to his sides. He didn't jump, but he stopped abruptly to feel something on the back of his shoulder. A red-ish brown ribbon in a sea of blue caught his eye and his body tensed, his face growing red at the sudden display of affection. It was only then he realized what he had said. He'd told her one of his darkest secrets... then again, it was just... he felt comfortable around her. It was almost identical, the way the two girls acted. Jenny may have acted tougher on the outside, but they both were very alike in their hearts. It felt to Ryu like time wasn't a factor anymore, what could have been minutes passed as she shook gently behind him. It wasn't supposed to be that way..? Perhaps not, but that's what life delt him. Slowly turning around, Ryu put his arms around her, rubbing her back with one hand, the other gently holding the back of her head.

"It's alright." He said softly out of instinct, subtly rocking her back and fourth as though he was babying his sister again. "It's alright." He whispered. He was willing to stay like this for as long as she needed to recompose herself. He was thankful she wasn't looking at him, a small smile on his face and what felt to be a huge lump in his throat. He wasn't sad because of what happened... he'd learned to deal with it long ago. Rather, he was glad there was someone in the world who felt as deeply as Dakota, who was there to listen to him. It felt like his heart was a little lighter.

"But even so, I wouldn't change what happened. It made me into who I am. It brought me close with my sister... and it showed me that though there are people who seperate themselves from others, there are also those who feel so much..." He trailed off.

"For that... Thanks..."

[ravensong]

She felt him tense slightly, but the discomfort of such affection hardly crossed her mind as she continued hugging him. Though, she was more collapsed on him than hugging, displaying what sorrow he must have built up over the years without noticing all in one less-than-smooth gesture. She never once considered how this might look or seem to anyone else, never realized how weak this must make her look-- because that just wasn't the way Dakota was. She only wanted some indication that he would accept this simple act as an apology from the world for dealing him such a terrible hand from the beginning. That he would accept this in response, and be happy. Everyone deserved to be happy.

She squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face deeper into his shirt as he embraced her in return, whispering those words like a letter of acceptance. Something that told her she'd made at least the tiniest bit of difference, if only for a moment or two. That was all she needed, really. Just wanting to show him that there's such a thing as friendship and love, even if he didn't grow up as exposed to it as she was. He had his sister, sure.. but even a random stranger who collapsed face-first onto a dirt road could show him that anyone is capable of caring. For that, she was happy.

A weak smile spread across her face, still damp from tears as she nodded slowly to his words. Her voice was softer than ever as she replied. "You're welcome." She always loved that phrase, as it was more deep than a typical response if actually listened to. You are welcome. You're accepted. You're appreciated. These thoughts filled her mind as she pulled away just enough to see his face clearly.

And she looked like a mess. Her hair was scruffed up, she still had dirt from her fall smudging her cheek just a little, her face was wet with tears and she sniffled slightly, but somehow her smile remained radiant, and her eyes bright and inviting. Such was Dakota's token characteristic. To always look so pure. Her eyes locked with his in a curious fashion, and she finally wondered what he was thinking of. "I promised you I'd listen." It was all she could really say. "Everyone needs someone they can talk to." With that she stepped back, a little reluctantly, she had to admit. She would've hugged him forever if she had the time. Something deep in 'Kota's mind just told her that he needed something like that.

[[ Dude I totally forgot about her Squirtle. Where the heck did she go? XD. She was either hugged in between them, or set on the ground first is all I can think of. X3; ]]

[ryu]

Ryu moved his hand as her head pushed against it, both of his hands moving down to her hips instinctivly. What was he doing? He'd just met her and already she knew so much about him... The warning flag was raised as he looked at her eyes, noticing for the first time the different colors of each sphere. He was amazed, unable to look away, but the warning flags were still waving in his mind. Things were progressing too fast. He couldn't help but his smirk broaden as he looked at her dirt smudged face. Though it was red and she had been crying, the wetness evident on her face, she looked adorable. While she was about as old as him, she acted like a child, amazed at everything, honest, and the innocence glowed in her eyes softly, like fireflies in the night air.

"So you did." He said matter-of-factly, bringing up a hand and gripping the sleeve, starting to dab at her face, wiping away the tears and dirt. "You know... I don't normally tell strangers... and I didn't tell you because I wanted you to feel pity. I just...." He thought about the reason why he told her. "You remind me of Jenny." He concluded. Remembering he hadn't used the name before, he followed quickly. "Ah... my sister." This explaination probably wasn't enough. "You see..." His words trailed off as he brought his arm back, studying his masterpiece, making sure there was nothing hiding her natural beauty.

"Much better!" his smile showed the white teeth his other grins and smirks had hidden until now. "You see," he restarted, regaining his train of thought. "I think I may be a tad protective of you."

Wow, that could turn kinda awkward. His face reddened, wondering how to continue. His grin shifted subtly into a sly smirk as he raised his hand again, flicking her forehead lightly with his index finger. "That's for being a big baby!" He said fondly, in more a joking tone than one used for repremanding. "That's what I would do to my sister." He explained. "Well, it was more of a ritual, really. Whenever she cried, this would always cheer her up." He brought his hand down and gripped her hand in his. It was only then he noticed their surroundings. It had taken a while between the walking and talking... the setting sun disappearing over the horizonline was casting an orange tint on the firey red of the Cherry Blossoms. The Sakura petals being whipped up occasionaly by the soft breeze that rustled the trees, causing the snowing petals to dance down to the forest floor.

"Well... we're almost back." He stated, the sounds of the city were faint, but discernable if one listened closely in the new silence of the forest as the pokemon began to settle down for a long night. "You think your friend's here?"

[ravensong]

She smiled that dorky smile of hers as he wiped off her face with his sleeve, an almost apologetic look on her face for a moment as she searched his face. He had referred to her as a stranger, still. She didn't get that-- not matter how long she'd known him, Ryu had already become so much to her. She felt like she needed to tell him that as he spoke, that he was the first friend she had made out here in this big world she had hardly knew existed just weeks before. Dakota nodded to him, knowing that he had probably told her out of some unidentifiable urge like she had had with the Charizard attack. For some reason he just trusted her, and it was the same with her. He had such a friendly nature about him.

Dakota was slightly surprised at the idea that she reminded him of his sister. In fact, the sentiment made her feel somewhat sheepish, as he had just gone on about how much this Jenny meant to him. His grin was infectious, with every tooth showing in a perfect alignment. Her own lips formed a wider smile, but it faltered slightly as he spoke those words. "You see, I think I may be a tad protective of you." And with them, a blush spread across her cheeks once more. She noticed the same reaction on him, and couldn't help but think it was pretty adorable. She blinked, jumping slightly as he flicked her, but her surprise quickly changed to playfulness as she giggled quietly.

She cooed happily, "Haha, well it works, I can tell you that~" As he took her hand once more, she almost felt like it belonged there by now. Walking hand-in-hand was how they'd been nearly the entire afternoon, and she'd grown used to it. "Your sister is lucky to have you." She said almost without realizing it, thinking of how it might have been if she had a brother or sister to grow up with. But she had Katrina.. Kat was the closest friend she had. The two were, in a sense, sisters. Quickly forgetting her words, she noticed that he had turned his eyes to the surroundings. The sunset was giving the light pink snow-like petals of the Sakura trees an aesthetic glow, beautifying everything by bathing it in golden light. Her bi-colored eyes widened as she looked at the sky and the sun. The colors were beautiful here. She had always gotten up at sunrise, it was her favorite time-- for the way that the colors washed over the sky --but here, sunset was just as unearthly and gorgeous, if not moreso.

That was of course the only thing that translated to her about the sunset. She definitely didn't realize that it meant it was getting late, that it would be night soon. She was rather confused as to how he knew they were almost there, with her having no sense of direction whatsoever, but soon she was able to make out the faint sounds of the city as well. Suddenly she felt a sense of hesitation. She didn't want Ryu to leave as soon as they reached the city. Even if he had other things he needed to do, places he needed to be, Dakota was horrible at goodbyes. She couldn't stand losing people. With that thought she squeezed his hand, effectively clinging to him without intending to. She fixed her eyes on her feet for a moment, clearing her throat. As much as she wanted to find Katrina, she wanted to stay with Ryu as well. "Y-yeah. I hope she is.. she's probably waiting there for me.." She looked down at Pamuya and Muna, walking beside her. The Squirtle's eyes shifted about nervously, and she clung to her tail as she followed along. Pamuya, however, walked with confidence on the other side, trying to assure the frightened Pokémon that nothing would attack it so long as the Vaporeon was around. She began to wonder whether they had grown attached at all to this other breeder, if they would miss him when he left, too. If they would even remember him like she would. Her smile had faded as she was thinking of this, her mourning already displayed clearly on her face.

[ryu]

Ryu found himself looking back at her, who apparently had been drawn to look at what he had seen. It was almost magical, how since he'd met her, how different his perception was. Before, he would have been too busy to take notice of such small things. There was always more to do and time was valuable in completing it... but it didn't matter. Her eyes were wide in wonder as though she'd never seen a sun-set before in her life. It was almost child-like, the way how such simple things seemed so new to her... how she reacted around people. After a moment, he started forward again at a slow pace. He could feel her lingering back, her hand squeezing his a bit tighter as they approached their destination. Hearing her clear her throat, he looked back to find her looking down at her feet. She sounded reluctant to reach the city. Ryu sighed, guessing what was on her mind through the tell-tale signs.

"I can't just leave you without first making sure you find your friend." Ryu pointed out. "And I can't protect you if you're not around." He raised his eyebrows, thinking to himself out loud. "But I can't just leave, I have responsibilities on the farm..." He looked over to Dakota, mocking being deep in thought. "Well, I feel this is just turning into a repeat of history..." He shook his head with a smile, remembering how his sister had left him, leaving him regretting a month later not having gone with her. "Ultimatly, who else is there to make sure two girls wandering about on your own don't get lost or run into trouble? Of course I'm going with you!" He laughed as though it was obvious. "So there's no reason to mope about and be all glum. I've been looking for a reason to leave, anyway. I've taught the employees back on the farm everything they need to know. What they have to learn now, I can't teach them."

Ryu mentally noted what still needed to be done. Well... he'd need to make sure Dakota and Katrina had a place to stay for the night. It was then he noticed the emptiness in his stomach. Ahh... Maybe dinner..? He was a little hungry and realized he hadn't had lunch. He typically skipped lunch most days, but today he had the time, just missed it. Then, before they woke up, he'd need to look at the Adoption Center for the last time in Raincloud City. He'd call the farm in the morning with instructions on how to proceed in his absence, asking for the pokemon he'd need on his team to tend to personally while sending the pokemon he would leave in the Farm's care. So much to do to prepare to leave. But the idea of going out on the road again... it was exciting!

"Are you hungry?" He asked, "We can find your friend and go out to dinner. I know a couple places that serve good food." He offered, "But first, we'll need to head off to the Pokemon Center. Where else would be better to look for a Trainer? At least, that would be a good start." He smiled back to the girl walking with a new sense of purpose in his step.

[ravensong]

As he stepped forward, she did linger back, hesitating to get any closer to the city where he would leave her. Her heart was sinking at the thought of them parting, and his first words were only a slight consolation. She didn't want to return to a friend if it meant she had to lose another. She just felt so close to Ryu already. She wondered what Katrina would think of him when they met up once more.. Even if it was just to say goodbye. She wondered if her best friend would ask about this 'stranger', this nice young man who had the kindness in his heart to help a lost girl like her find her way back to her companion. Or would she be wary about him, pensive and suspicious like Pamuya was? Kat was very protective of Dakota, and she did have a tendency to assume everyone was all smiles and sunshine like her, she was gullible and naive. And she was lucky-- very lucky --to have found someone so nice, someone who would go out of his way to escort her safely back without asking a thing in return.

Yes, that was it. She was lucky to have found him, to walk hand and hand with him this whole time, to watch the sunset over this beautiful forest. She understood as he said he couldn't just abandon his farm, his workers. No, she couldn't ask him to do that. That would be horribly selfish of her.. But her eyes widened as he laughed, finally processing what he just said and breathing a gasp. "Y-you'll really come with us?!" She said in disbelief, her voice almost squeaking as she spoke. The sudden change made Pamuya and Muna jump slightly and look at her. "Ohh thank you, thank you, thank you!" 'Kota had the sudden and strong urge to hug him again out of excitement, and it was obvious. She was practically flinching as she held back on it, specifically because he had tensed right away before when she did, and she wasn't sure if it would be acceptable.

Now her thoughts were racing over how she would introduce him to Kat, how those two would get along-- oh, they'd be the best of friends! They'd travel along, and-- and Ryu could give her pointers on breeding. She could learn a lot from him! No doubt he could teach her and Kat about any Pokémon that they weren't aware of. It would be so great having him around, wouldn't it? She looked so giddy, a huge smile plastered on her face, and eyes just brimming with excitement. Her steps were almost a skip now. She could barely contain her happiness. But, as if on queue, at the mention of food, her stomach growled and caused her to blink. She hadn't really eaten all day.

"Dear me, that would be wonderful. Now that I think about it." She laughed, placing her free hand on her angry stomach. "I bet you two are getting hungry too, huh?" She asked her Pokémon light-heartedly. Her Squirtle nodded slowly, but her Vaporeon simply gave her a sarcastic look, as if that were implied. 'Kota nodded back. "But yes, Kat would probably wait for me there if she didn't run after me." With that, she paused, not being able to bear it anymore. She was just such an affectionate person, "Can I hug you again?" It was for a different reason now. Surely that was permitted, routine even! He wouldn't call her a stranger anymore!

[ryu]

Ryu swallowed, tensing again at the mention of physical contact with her. "Well... ahhh..." He grew a light shade of red. "I... guess..?" He asked, not really sure what the answer should be. Not that he would object, I mean, he kinda liked it. But it was because he kinda liked it he was hesitating. But he'd be traveling with her... so would it be something done everyday then? He got even more red just thinking about it. With these uncertain emotions swirling about inside him, he wasn't sure what this would do to him... "Well... ah... I mean..." He stumbled before coughing, making a decision, "It's not something that'll be happening every day... but... I suppose it's fine."

He did his best to sound stern with his decision, which probably wasn't a very good attempt at sounding stern. If anything, it might even encourage her to do it more often with how unconvincing he sounded when saying it. The guy was just totally rattled, and he couldn't believe it was a woman that did it to him... and so easily. She probably didn't even mean to, but the way she constantly kept him off balance... Behind the mask of uncertainty and doubt, he really felt like he was enjoying her spontanuity. He liked how she could surprise him without even meaning to!

This was going to be an interesting journey, to say the least.

[ravensong]

She smiled widely, giggling at his uncertainty. She couldn't help but wonder why he was so flustered about hugging, when it was such a friendly gesture. They were friends now, right? Well, it might make him uncomfortable, she supposed, though she had no idea why. She nodded to him, still smiling widely. "Okay!" She agreed cheerily, and with that she wrapped her arms around him and gave him another, big hug. In a sense, it was different from her earlier one. More warm and cheery, rather than her more collapsing on him in tears like the first. She liked hugs, she had to admit. It just seemed so fitting.

Something about his tone though betrayed that he didn't exactly hate the gesture either. She usually didn't pick up undertones like that so easily, but she was slowly beginning to understand his awkward contradictions. Dakota still had no idea why he didn't just say what he meant, but what he meant was slowly becoming clearer. Maybe someday while they were on her travels, he'd drop the facade he put up for some reason. She liked that idea. Of him being straightforward with her, not feeling quite as flustered by her. And now that she knew they'd have time together, she looked forward to it.

Still, for now it was unbearably adorable that he was so thrown off by her every move or word. Wasn't she normal? Did he have this issue with everyone? That must be difficult to deal with. It made her want to hug him all the more. Like her timid Squirtle, or Pamuya with her fierce protectiveness, she just had so much affection for each one of them for every distinctive trait that made them who they are. Ryu wasn't an exception to that. 'Kota was already pretty fond of him.

[ryu]

"Okay!"

Ryu couldn't help but think she was way too innocent. I mean, they were both so vulerable so close to one another. Not to mention the only person he remembered hugging was his sister. Didn't that make this sort of thing into a really big deal? I mean, it wasn't a kiss, but he'd never seen others do it in public. Not to mention he couldn't really say he'd had many. He tried his best not to be so tense, but it was weird. His stomach was churning a bit as Dakota gripped him, obviously enjoying herself by the smile on her face. That was perhaps what loosened him up. It wasn't like they were going to be doing anything, she was just happy and had to express it somehow. He could smell her, being so close. And the way she pressed against him... Well... that comfort didn't last long, did it? He just sort of froze, like she was a doe and he didn't want to make any movement or else she would vanish forever.

"Are you like this with everyone?" He asked, trying his best to distract himself, loosening up little by little as time went by. "I mean, hugging... and... hugging." He smirked, unable to come up with anything else, his mind just so absorbed in the 'now', he couldn't think about the 'then'. "I mean... you just seem so much larger than life." Wow. He finished a complete thought without sounding like a complete idiot. I think he was starting to do better around her already!

He couldn't move away from her grip. It wasn't because she held him too tight. She was holding him strongly, but he could break out of her grasp easily. Not that he wanted to, which was more why he couldn't. But the reason was because she utterly terrified him and excited him at the same time. It was terrifying to think that he was infatuated by a complete stranger. It was terrifying to think of the possibility he could hurt her, the possibility that her unintentional advances could cause him to lose control. At the same time, he knew he wouldn't. But in the darkness of his heart, he knew the possibility was there. He wanted to hear her say he wasn't anything special.

He was afraid of what it would mean, to be special to someone.