[h3][hr][color=#738381]Claris[/color][/h3][hr][indent] [/indent]
Claris had expected power from the champion of Evig, not a hug.

Brand slung an arm over her shoulder like they’d known each other for years—which, Claris certainly did, but she was quite sure that Adriane did not. And, in response, Claris froze, locking up as some defensive reflex she didn’t know she had was activated. Brand was close. Too close. 

By the time the Champion let go, Claris had mapped three different reactions and committed to none of them. Instead, she smoothed the front of her coat in a quiet, practiced motion, her features carefully still.

She followed as the group moved, Vivian’s words filling the space in bursts of fast-paced, breathless fascination. Claris didn’t mind the noise. There was substance underneath the volume. But it was a lot, especially next to someone who hadn’t stopped talking since the doors opened.

The lab gave way to something much larger than she'd imagined: a simulated forest under an impossibly large dome. A gentle, artificial breeze brushed her face—simulated, of course, but the detail was striking. It made sense, in hindsight, why the building’s footprint on the map was so oversized, but seeing it in person was something else entirely.

Her eyes shifted to the table ahead, which was lined with Pokeballs, each marked with a name. She found hers easily and lifted it, thumb resting just under the button. She didn’t open it. 

Vivian darted forward, brimming with excitement. Her Pokéball burst open in a flash of white, revealing a short, sturdy Golett that stood with eerie stillness as its new trainer lit up in delight.

Claris watched, quiet as the girl rambled about ancient energy, relics, cracks in armor, the unknowable source of a Golett’s power. It was impressive in a way. Loud, certainly, but the knowledge underneath was real, and Claris could respect that.

Then the Golett grabbed her.

Claris froze again, eyes narrowing. Vivian was lifted off the ground like a plush doll, tossed skyward before Claris could take a proper step forward. Her fingers brushed her belt reflexively, but before she could do more, the Pokéball in her hand snapped open.

A Pawniard dropped into a crouch in front of her, two blades half-raised, posture sharp. Silently, it watched the Golett, gaze focused and unreadable. He didn’t move, and neither did she.

Then Vivian landed, ungracefully but unharmed, on the Golett’s waiting palm. The stone Pokemon repositioned, stabilizing the dizzy girl, and both Claris and the Pawniard straightened. The Pawniard’s eyes flicked toward Claris, then away again. Checking that the situation was stable.

Claris stared at the Pawniard for a beat longer. She hadn’t known what to expect when she’d been accepted into the program—only that it felt unlikely. She hadn’t let herself imagine what kind of partner she might get.

Pawniard were known for sharp instincts, clean tactics, a certain lack of warmth—but she hadn't expected one to move that fast for someone it had just met.

She tilted her head slightly, studying him.

[color=#738381]“Good instincts.”[/color] she murmured.

For now, she straightened, Pokéball forgotten in her hand. The Pawniard stood close, not touching, not looking. Just present.

It was a start.

[center] [/center][hr][hider=Pokemon][center][hr][img]https://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xy/pawniard.gif[/img][/center][indent][table][row][/row][row][cell][hider=Pawniard][h3][color=#738381][sup]Pawniard[hr][/sup][/color][/h3][img]https://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xy/pawniard.gif[/img][hr][sup][sup]Pawniard  [color=#738381]◼[/color]   Level 5   [color=#738381]◼[/color]   ♂   [color=#738381]◼[/color]  Inner Focus  [color=#738381]◼[/color]  100%[/sup][/sup]
[indent][sup][color=#738381]||[/color]  Sucker Punch
[color=#738381]||[/color]  Scratch
[color=#738381]||[/color]  Leer
[color=#738381]||[/color]  Fury Cutter[/sup][/indent][h3] [/h3][/hider]
[/cell][cell][/cell][/row][/table][/indent][/hider]
[hider=Inventory][u][b][color=#738381]     Inventory:          [/color][/b][/u]
[indent][img]https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/d/df/Character_0x0024_vii.png[/img] 500
[hider=Consumables]
[list][*]Potion — 1
[/list][/hider][/indent][h3] [/h3][/hider]