[h2][center][color=92278f]Euphoria Caulfield[/color][/center][/h2]
[center]In the Lab.

(Interacting: [@Sho Minazuki], [@MechonRaptor])[/center]


Ah, now this was more like it. The Professor across from her, deigning to stand by so prim, so properly. The hair tied back by a band, the disapproval tied back by a thin veneer of professionalism. And the blue-haired boy on her right, shifting and twisting on his legs to ease his tension, gasping and swallowing his breaths as if he'd spent an hour sat underwater.

The Professor looked to her, made eye contact. Euphie returned her look coolly, silently for the moment. [color=fff200]"You know smoking is forbidden inside the PokePark right? It's still considered inside the building. Well, if you want a Pokedex, here you go. Just don't smoke inside here."[/color] An order which elicited seemingly no reaction from the girl. Grevilia proffered the Pokedex, and Euphie's gloved right hand slunk out snake-like from the coat pocket into which it had been stowed. She made no sudden moves, did not thrust out to snatch the device (as one might expect). Instead, her motions were moreso reminiscent of a distrustful squirrel sniffing carefully at the food in a stranger's palm. With the pace of the handing-over being noticeably and uncomfortably slow, Grevilia spoke again, [color=fff200]"I'm sure you know how to use one, in case you have any questions, just ask me or any of the Aides."[/color]

Euphie's expression stayed blank, she inclined her chin just a little as she stowed both hand and Pokedex in the safety of her pockets once again. [color=bc8dbf]"Appreciated."[/color] said Euphie. [color=bc8dbf]"And yes, it shouldn't take me long to figure the device."[/color] An indulgent little pause. [color=bc8dbf]"As for the smoking policy? Well, I'm [i]sorry.[/i]"[/color] - Euphie's tone predictably dry and incinsere as that apology was drawn - [color=bc8dbf]"...But I doubt you have much to concern yourself with smoke, anyways. What little these cigarettes can elicit; were they to be any older, any more - [i]spent?[/i] They'd be your career ambitions."[/color] It was a crass comment in itself, but it was made worse by the fact that Euphie uttered it completely casually, deadpan. Not a hint of a nasty smile, just as if it was pure statement of fact.

Naturally, this slight thrown-out from Euphoria sent the already-sweating lad standing next to her into what seemed to be some kind of overdrive. He cleared his throat, licked his lips while the silence reigned. So Euphie gave just the slightest turn of her neck, surprised and curious to see him preparing to speak. In return, he too turned to face off against her, trying his hardest to keep straight face (devoid, she supposed, of chattering teeth and grimace). [color=0072bc]"I, uh, don't mean to be rude, but um, you could... probably treat others with, uh, a bit more respect..."[/color] She waited patiently for him to finish his rather meandering address, her face starting to split into a seemingly-encouraging smile as he went on. For the young Euphoria, it was an adorable - and unexpected - sight. His stutter continued to drag him down, but underneath? She would be brain-dead if she couldn't smell the conviction underneath. Aww. So he really did care, was willing to put on a pretense at least of standing up for good character. Although she was deeply tempted to cruelly mimic his stutter in her own reply, it was not her way to stoop to the levels of those around her when she could help it. Besides, if he was willing to speak out against her for as small an issue as this, maybe he was a more interesting figure than she'd given him credit for. She'd at least throw him a scrap, for that.

So she smiled to him - it didn't quite reach the blue eyes behind her glasses - and spoke pointedly, [color=bc8dbf]"For the help? [i]You're welcome.[/i]"[/color] Then, she crudely daubed her tone in faux-innocence, not unlike the loathsome girl she'd seen earlier. [color=bc8dbf]"But oh, do you say I seem disrespectful? That's quite the shame. Why, I'm only here to aid the Professor and yourself."[/color] She shrugged nonchalantly, her jacket rustling on her bony shoulders. [color=bc8dbf]"Well, I suppose I can be easy to misunderstand sometimes. Nor have I ever been the best with crowds, perhaps [i]they've[/i]... put me on edge."[/color]

She continued, waving her prior words away with an easy flick of the wrist. [color=bc8dbf]"But that's nothing I should concern you with. Instead, my name..."[/color]

Euphie paused for a noticeable moment, her mind running quickly but not swift enough. She considered; for the new region, would this be another time to claim a name? An imperceptible shake of the head, no. She was too tired to craft another great lie, a re-invention, a backstory. If old foes wanted her, they'd pick up her scent soon enough anyways. And let them come. Soon, she'd be strong enough to fend them off herself once again. [color=bc8dbf]"...Excuse me. Lost my train of thought. I'm Euphoria. You're welcome to call me Euphie, though; or, in fact, whatever you may wish. The import we may assume there to be held in a name means nothing to me..."[/color]