[color=orchid][center][h1]Sophia Danvers[/h1]
[h3]Mesalon Pokecentre[/h3][/center][/color]
[@Zanavy]

Sophia raised an eyebrow. One the one hand, Ty wasn't mad at her, to her relief. On the other hand, was it just a matter of not acknowledging her abilities, or had he not even realised she was a psychic? Some people just didn't see what was right in front of them. At least in this case it wasn't an entirely bad thing, and she'd have better opportunities to showcase her skills later.

For now, though, the spotlight still just had to be on Ty's Pokemon and the mess they were making, thanks to the two hyped-up researchers. Rolling her eyes at Amber and Aedre, Sophia followed the group outside. [color=orchid]"Alright, alright, just remember some of us don't have all day,"[/color] she mumbled, keeping a safe distance from any more errant fruit pulp.

As if the Scyther hadn't already displayed his complete and utter lack of finesse, right after Ty made a grandiose speech and threw a grape, one swipe reduced it to a burst of goo. Sophia snickered. As she watched the second, third and fourth attempts, however, her smirk faded. This wasn't amusing. Instead, the growing frustration the Scyther expressed brought a pang of sympathy. He'd put his all into the training, and it still wasn't enough...

She hadn't expected such a feeling of warmth to spread through her at Ty's encouragements, and the following success. Could Pokemon and humans alike truly flourish if they applied themselves enough? Watching the Scyther flail his arms with pride, Sophia let a smile spread across her face. Then, hoping nobody had noticed - except maybe Reaper himself - she took on a neutral expression, even as Lacey clapped and cheered at her feet.

[color=orchid]"Huh. Well, gotta say... That wasn't too shabby towards the end,"[/color] the psychic commented. Right away, at Ty's command, Reaper dived for another grape in a blur of enthusiasm - only for one of his blades to swing dangerously close to his trainer. [color=orchid]"Ehh, he didn't get you, did he?"[/color] Sophia asked, rushing forward. Ty bore no wound, but his shock-stricken face looked as if the Scyther had nearly sliced his throat, not grazed his shoulder. Had he had some kind of bad experience with a Pokemon? Sophia glanced at Reaper, shaking her head.

[color=orchid]"There's such a thing as getting too hyped about success,"[/color] she remarked. Then, after recalling Reaper's prior discouragement, she added, [color=orchid]"Even though it was a success."[/color]

As the shame-faced bug returned to his Pokeball, Ty promptly changed the subject. Sophia perked up at the mention of the gym. [color=orchid]"Ha! Silly question."[/color] She strode ahead of the group, grinning back at them to disguise the crawling sensation in her stomach. [color=orchid]"Who d'ya think it's going to be?"[/color]

Of course she wanted to, she [i]had[/i] to, but could she this time? With a deep breath, she started along the route, her Pokemon in tow. [i]Think of Reaper,[/i] she told herself. [i]Think of how time and practice paid off for him. Surely it can for others too.[/i]

[hider=Notes]
[b]Pokemon Party:[/b] Gothita "Lacey" lv14, Purrloin "Grimalkin" lv13, Staryu "Arcturus" lv13, Darumaka "Lumas" lv11, Shuppet "Fantoccino" lv11, Bronzor "Clarus" lv11
[b]Pokemon in PC:[/b]
[b]Inventory:[/b] Pokeball x1, TM33 (Reflect), Oran Berry x3[/hider]
[hr]
[color=chocolate][center][h1]Amber Pine[/h1]
[h3]Mesalon Pokecentre[/h3][/center][/color]
[@Zanavy] [@Typical]

Standing beside Aedre, Amber leaned forward, her stare occasionally turning to her notebook as she scribbled. [color=chocolate]"Well, the raw strength is certainly there!"[/color] she encouraged both Ty and Reaper, after the mantis' first few attempts turned out more forceful than intended. [color=chocolate]"It's just a matter of refining it."[/color]

Just as the Scyther looked ready to give up, Ty demonstrated what to do. A thought occurred to Amber. [color=chocolate]"Hey, Chalcedony, Larimar,"[/color] she called, motioning for the two fossil Pokemon to advance, [color=chocolate]"this is something you'll want to watch."[/color] The Kabuto and Anorith scuttled in front of their trainer, all three studying the scene as Reaper managed to catch a grape on the tip of his blade.

Amber grinned. [color=chocolate]"Nice one! As Aedre's Pokemon proved earlier, sometimes precision moves are the most useful, like when targeting weak points or conserving energy... Ah!"[/color] Fascination turned to shock at the sight of the blade nearly jabbing into Ty's shoulder. She stepped forward, nearly tripping over Chalcedony, her notebook and pen flying from her hands. Steadying herself, she grimaced at Ty's look of horror. Scythers, although all the rage in Kanto, were notoriously difficult to train and could do considerable damage, sometimes by accident. 

[color=chocolate]"Are you ok?"[/color] Sighing in relief when she saw Ty was, she gave a weak smile up at him as she retrieved the writing implements. [color=chocolate]"As impressive as a Scyther's moves are, some things are best not to experience personally."[/color] She petted Chalcedony's shell, that strained look still on her face. [color=chocolate]"And sorry about that, Chal."[/color]

Standing from her crouch, Amber put on a brighter smile as Ty suggested making their way to the gym. Naturally, the ever-headstrong Sophia set off right away, leaving the rest of the group to trail behind. [color=chocolate]"So, I was thinking,"[/color] the researcher said, glancing from Ty to her two prehistoric Pokemon, then back at him. [color=chocolate]"That trick with the grapes. Something like that could be useful for Chal and Larimar here to learn when they evolve. I mean, similar techniques can be used while running or swimming, so I'm sure these two and Reaper will be able to learn things from each other. After all, Armaldos have plenty in common with Scythers, and it's even believed they're an ancestor of some Bug types..."[/color]

Hearing a groan of "Kabuuuu", she looked down and laughed. [color=chocolate]"I think Chal's saying I'm rambling."[/color] Even so, she turned her head in Aedre's direction. [color=chocolate]"But anyway, those skills could also be helpful ones for Decus to learn."[/color]

[hider=Notes]
[b]Pokemon Party:[/b] Kabuto "Chalcedony" lv11, Yanma "Aeshna" lv9, Rockruff "Kyra" lv13, Rowlet "Tacita" lv11, Anorith "Larimar" lv13, Sableye "Almandine" lv12
[b]Pokemon in PC:[/b]
[b]Inventory:[/b] Pokeball x1, Potion x2, Dusk Ball x1[/hider]