[center][h1][color=red]Shade[/color][/h1][/center]

When the air became dimmer and colder, Shade became even more guarded than she already was. There were only a few Pokemon that she knew of who could have such an effect, and with most of those acting hastily was a good way to end up dead. The fact that most Pokemon had little to no conception of good or bad had little bearing on how dangerous they could be. 

She looked around warily, trying to locate the source of the change and hoping that the others would take the hint and not do anything stupid that might provoke the new arrival. When a patch of ground darkened and smiled at her with crimson eyes, she froze. [color=red][i]Gengar.[/i][/color] Of all the Spectral Ones that she could have encountered, this one was the least desirable on account of their capricious temperaments. Gengar were notoriously difficult to predict, especially wild ones, and their moods could change by the second; one moment harmless and playful pranksters, the next persistent and cruel tormentors. 

Still, this was not the first time that Shade had dealt with Ghosts, and she made no effort to conceal her consternation. Much like many Psychic types, with whom they shared a number of similarities, Ghosts were very sensitive to emotions, and if Gengar's had any consistency it was that their actions often were to provoke responses. It was a delicate line to walk. Maintain a stoic face, and the Gengar might be impressed at the display of self-control, or insulted at how little its efforts were thought of. Show fear, and it might leave having gotten what it desired, or it might persist in its games. 

For her part, Shade chose a middle ground; as the Shadow Pokemon rose up out of the ground to float in front of her, she allowed it to see that it had indeed succeeded in frightening her, but now that she was aware of its presence, that fear would not control her. She also lowered her rifle a little and bent her head, murmuring, [color=red]”Welcome, honoured Spectre. May the night’s embrace aid you in your wanderings.”[/color]

The Gengar's smile faltered, apparently surprised at her words. Its leering eyes narrowed, as though it suspected a trick of some sort. When none was forthcoming, it abruptly sniggered and lunged forward, swiping its broad tongue up her face, knocking her hood back and leaving her a sticky mess. Slightly stunned by the wholly unexpected tongue-bath, Shade could only watch as the Gengar dissolved into air, still sniggering at her, its crimson eyes the last to vanish.

[color=red][i]... Thanks?[/i][/color]

A shrill shout startled her back to reality. Clearly feminine, but far enough away that the words were indistinct, the voice’s owner had already vanished as Shade looked about for it. Still, it did serve as a good reminder that they were all still very near to enemy territory. Best to deal with things here quickly and move on, it was doubtful that the exploding trucks had gone unnoticed. Even if they had, once the trucks failed to report in, and the plumes of smoke were seen, somebody would put two and two together and come investigating. Shade wanted to be long gone by that time. 

[color=0b5345]"I'm not a soldier. I simply stole this garb off of a dead one in hopes to get through some of the camps I had to travel through a few miles back. If you don't believe me, travel back south-east about 4 miles and you'll find the massive campsite full of the lot. I got no quarrel with ya'! So if you wouldn't mind, let me go and we can speak in a more formal manner."[/color]

The uniformed man’s words did make her pause though. Over the past few years, Shade had been no stranger to looting Regime corpses. Things like ammunition were difficult to come by in the wild, even when limiting her bullets to soldiers. His reasoning was somewhat sound as well, back north you dressed for the weather, or the weather would kill you as quickly as any gun. If he was telling the truth about the camp though (she'd come out of the northeast), why was he still wearing the uniform? Only Regime soldiers wore them, and impersonating one was almost as bad as having an unlicensed Pokemon. Plus, he was lucky that she hadn't [b]already[/b] shot him. 

As she thought about it, she ignored the other boy entirely. Shade had no interest in dealing with naive morons who still deluded themselves into thinking that the Regime could be reasoned with. It didn't [b]want[/b] to be reasoned with; the only thing the Regime cared to understand was exploiting Pokemon and murdering anyone who disagreed with them. You were either with the Regime, or you were against them, there was no middle ground. She make those rules, the Regime did, and anyone who made the choice to side with the Regime (and they [b]always[/b] had a choice) would get no mercy from her. That was the reality of war, he'd see that soon enough. 

[color=red]”... Come’re Razor.”[/color] The Sneasel’s little ears twitched at her words, and he leaped back up into the trees, easily making his way back to her. Her gun, however, remained firmly trained on the uniformed man. [color=red]”Wearing that is a good way to get shot, by somebody.”[/color] Her eyes narrowed. [color=red]”And I don't trust anybody who keeps it around with them. If you're really not with them, then prove it.”[/color] She gestured to him as he turned around, the tone of her voice indicated just how serious her next words were. [color=red]”I want to see you burn it. Until then, you'll excuse me if I keep you where I can see you.”[/color]

[@A Tattooed Girl][@Lyghtbringer]