[Center][center][h2][color=fff79a]Professor Eugine's Lab[/color][/h2][/center] 
[Hider=| RIN | The Restless, Rambunctious Rival |]
[Img]https://i.imgur.com/bvG1klF.png[/img]
[Color=rosybrown]They/Them Pronouns for when Referring to Rin.[/color]
[Color=E6B0AA][i]Thank You![/i][/color]
[/hider]
[/CENTER]
The sizzling hum of the dissolving floor didn't even register as Rin sped to the professor, who turned his head to them with a warm smile. [color=7bcdc8]"Hello there Rin, you're right on time."[/color] Already having cleared the distance, Rin bounced on their heels while rushing agreements under their breath.

[Color=rosybrown]"Yes, yes, yes."[/color]

[color=7bcdc8]"You seem ready to skip the formalities, so grab that backpack and Pokedex on the counter, and-"[/color] Rin wouldn't hear the rest of what Eugene had to say as that was all they needed to get going. Whirling around, they would have got going if Rin hadn't been stopped by the awareness of a girl speaking to them.

[color=f49ac2]"I want to thank you, if you never came out, I am sure I would never have found the strength to come out myself."[/color] Immediately warmth spread through Rin's chest at the compliment. If her vibrant red hair wasn't an indicator of who she was, her confession surely painted a clearer picture. Two years back there was talk of some freshman or sophomore, Rin couldn't really remeber, coming out as trans. Rin sure made a spectacle of it when they came out, but for the most part it was an overwhelmingly positive experience. So upon hearing news of her by a friend over lunch, Rin casually hoped the best for their trans sister, and put the thought out of their mind, never imagining what she actually went through. [color=f49ac2]"I wish you luck on your travels, and hopefully when we meet next we can battle."[/color]

Ignoring the professor's prompting to carry on, Rin pulled the girl by the hand into a half hug. Pulling back, rather than releasing her right hand Rin shook it vigorously. Beaming wide, Rin told her, [color=rosybrown]"Hey, that was [i]all[/i] you, okay? You're stronger than you think."[/color] Rin wasn't known for humility or flattery, they really meant every word that they said. Letting go of her hand, Rin shot at her with finger guns, and stretched their grin into a smrik. [color=rosybrown]"But don't get ahead of yourself, okay?"[/color] Rin teased, [color=rosybrown]"I'm still going to be the first ever World Champion, and no luck will be involved."[/color] Rin winked. [Color=rosybrown]"Though if you want,"[/color] the familar urge to compete bubbled inside of them, [color=rosybrown]"we can always test who's stronger after we get our starters!"[/color] 

Throughout their playful spiel, Rin had swaggered over to the counter to grab their equipment. They slung the backpack over their right shoulder before returning. Leaning over Eugene's back, both hands slammed down either side of him as Rin looked on to the wide TV monitor in front of them. Perhaps a bit too far into the man's personal bubble, but Rin was immersed entirely in the Pokémon portraits. Today they'd receive their first pokémon. It was the beginning of a whole new world for Rin, and they couldn't contain their excitement or take their eyes off of what was in front of them.

[@Cerces22]