[centre] [h3][b][u][color=SpringGreen]Sophia Rhodes: Elm’s Lab :A Friendly Gesture[/color][/u][/b][/h3] [color=66CDAA]"Yeah, this is Elm's Lab. You actually came right on time as they are about to give out the Pokemon to everyone. Better get back in there, we don't wanna be last in line!"[/color] Sophia answered the guy’s smile with her own. That was a relief. A huge relief. She murmured a word of thanks as he turned and walked away. There was so much that could have went wrong...even the slightest delay and she would have been too late… She took a deep breath and looked back towards town. It was a rather sleepy place, really. There were a few people here and there, but it was overall pretty sparse. That was...kind of refreshing, really. Blackthorn was much larger, much busier. She had heard that it too used to be a more sleepy place not too long ago but...well, Father happened. Her smile wavered for just a few moments, but she quickly pushed away the thoughts. If she just stood around out here, then, well, what was the point of any of this? Turning back to the entrance of the lab, Sophia pushed onward. She had come so far already. Sure, she was enjoying the small break she was getting but...it was time. Entering the lobby, Sophie quickly realized two things. First off, somebody had carelessly left what appeared to be a guitar case just lying in the floor. And that she was completely alone. She could hear the sound of excited chatter coming from the direction of a nearby door. She started to head in that direction but paused at the last moment. She turned and moved over to the case, picking it up and laying it down on the bench instead. She felt odd touching somebody else’s belongings but...well, someone would be rather disappointed to see that thing crushed. And with that, Sophia finally crossed over and walked through the doors. It seemed like she was...the absolute last person in line. Well, that was fine. Right? She gazed over to the Pokeballs housing the future companions for the young trainers in the room. She...finally realized that she hadn’t but any thought toward what starter she would be interested in. But, well, she wasn’t exactly in a position to be choosy. She would just have to love whoever she ended up with. A swath of red entered her field of vision. Sophia, surprised, glanced down to see a rather tiny girl trying to get a better look at the labels. She considered offering help but...would she take it as her making fun of her stature? No...she would hold her tongue for now. There would be plenty of time for introductions later. Surely. [hr] [h3][b][u][color=coral] Gwen King: Elm’s Lab :Dazed & Confused[/color][/u][/b][/h3] Gwen raised an eyebrow at Avery who was...not in line? What the hell was he doing? She shifted her weight and crossed her arms, a favorite stance of hers, and stared him down. That bastard was purposely avoiding her gaze. The hell was his problem? Bah...dork. Dude was probably just playing some stupid game with himself. [color=ec008c]“Uhm, excuse me~”[/color] No. Oh no. After the bullshit out in the lobby, she wasn’t even remotely interested in speaking with any of these people. If they were really completely cool with being asshats to the people you’d likely be spending the next couple months with was...well… [color=ec008c]“I uhm, well...odd question maybe, but is that your natural hair color? Or did you dye it?”[/color] … What? Gwen turned her gaze to the nearby redhead, regarding her carefully. Her hair color? The hell did she care? What, was she going to give her some shit over her hair? This girl was nine pounds of dumbfuck in a five pound bag if she- [color=ec008c]“Either way, I think it looks absolutely fabulous on you.”[/color] … wha…? … Actually, scratch that. This girl was alright in her books. What could she say? Chick had good taste. That or she was trying to fuck with her. Well...two could play that game. Gwen smiled as the girl wrapped up. [color=coral]“Haha, well uhm, thanks. Really. But, yeah it’s uh...it’s natural.”[/color] She started, finding herself oddly at a loss for words. Which was odd...she was usually a bit of a smooth criminal but this random ass chick had flustered her. Gwen chalked it up to her shitty mood beforehand. Completely. Not that it was a bad thing but...wait, crap...words, Gwen, words. [color=coral]“So...Cerise, right? Cerise, tell me you’re not planning on doing anything to that wicked mane...that’d just be a shame, dude.”[/color] She waited just a beat before adding to the end, [color=coral]“Oh. Yeah. I’m Gwen, by the by.”[/color] Elm started speaking, cutting Gwen off. It was probably for the best. Truth be told, she wasn't really used to complimenting others. She had been raised in households that usually bonded over insults. And was wicked mane really a compliment? ...maybe. Well, she liked red hair. If the chick caught that, great. If not, then whatever. It was no skin off her bones. He went on a trademark Elm spiel...honestly she kinda zoned out a bit. But he eventually wrapped up and looked about the group. … Oh fuck. It was time. Gwen gave a quick glance around the room, gave a shrug then walked forward. If no one else was going to, she’d have a go. Elm flashed her a winning smile and Gwen returned a nod. She approached the table and looked at the line of pokeballs, taking in the names carved into each of the namecards. There were quite a few of them...she could pick absolutely any one of them… … Well, who would it be? Totodile, maybe? …Nah. Too...weird. Eevee? Fluffy as hell but not exactly her cup of tea. … Tyrogue. Yes. Gwen reached over and grasped the Pokeball. She held it in front of her face and tossed it up in the air just to catch it, repeating it two or three times. She considered letting the little guy out but… Not yet. Not just yet. Soon… She couldn’t really explain it but...she didn’t want a lab to be where the dude saw her for the first time. Maybe it didn’t matter at all, but she had made up her mind. She returned the ball to the smallest setting and slid it into a pocket. Later, little buddy. She then walk over towards Avery and the licenses. She glanced down at them before finding her name on one of the cards. Retrieving the swag, Gwen checked some of the others out of curiosity. Something was off here. Where was Avery's card? Did he already take it? It was possible but...then wouldn't one of the other Pokémon be missing? She didn't like this... She REALLY didn’t like this… But she didn’t press it. Instead, Gwen returned to where the others were gathered, ending up back near Cerise. She might not know exactly where the girl was coming from but...hell, oddly enough, this redhead, sketchy as she may be, didn't seem half bad. Or maybe she was. Really, hers was like the only name she knew in the room, other than Avery, but he was off being weird. ...well, there was Yuu… … … Redhead it was. [/centre]