#keeperofdraconid

The way her ruby eyes flickered downward as she answered his questions only proved to him that she was being careful of what she was saying, hopefully not slipping out any unnecessary details about herself. Alas, he had already done his fair share of people reading, and to him, she was just an idle magazine left open for his eyes to cascade over lazily. Finishing his bottle of water and placing it onto the earthy ground next to the bench for him to toss away later into the recycling, his attention was brought towards the bob haired woman as a curious quirk of her lips told him her exact thoughts.

His eyes glistened at the light that seeped through the small holes that the negative space between the leaves above him shed. He never once had a bit of interest of the tree that made itself the most worshiped spot in Sootopolis, he knew of its existence and acknowledged its "power" but never really payed close attention to it.

A scene flashed in his mind as a meteorite struck down in the middle of the calming lake, the immense heat evaporating the water into thin air, the dwelling water pokemon perishing at the wrath of nature that humans could have so easily altered. Zinnia was a laid back woman, the type who thought of nature wholeheartedly while Steven's mind raced on and on about which inventions could brighten the future of the world.

       Someone was approaching. Naomi bit her lip, standing up tentatively. This was not going to be an easy challenger. Her aura was ancestral, her appearance drenched in some sort of mysterious culture. An odd anklet spun around one of her lower leg, and a cape fluttered behind her. Naomi gripped on to the top part of her chair, steeling herself for the oncoming challenge. 

       Displaying a look of resolution and sobriety, she nodded at the stranger. The other party's footsteps echoed as she pushed forward, expression unchanged. Naomi's pulse beat like a sledgehammer. Reaching into her pocket for two Pokeballs, she awaited the oncoming dialogue.

       Instead, there was silence. Well, for the most part. There was the screeching of a chair from her adjacent. The person who sat next to Naomi had finished their meal and left. Then, the stranger walked right past her, plopped herself onto the newly vacant seat, and failed to utter a single word. 

       Bewildered, Naomi knew not of what to say about her misinterpretation. How had she not noticed that her neighbouring patron had almost finished? She had gotten riled up for absolutely nothing and now, awkwardness filled the atmosphere. Rubbing the bridge of her nose, she sat back down. Who ever thought that the idea of battling over seats was a good one, anyways?

       Questions and frustrations filled her thoughts as a last minute resort to distract her from and excuse herself for her humiliating, atypical behaviour. That totally wasn't her fault. Anyways, thankfully, the other party barely seemed to pay heed. Perhaps she didn't take note of Naomi's intense staring. Perhaps.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

       Thank Arceus. Hopping over to the counter for collection, Naomi regarded her croquette with tender relief. It looked pretty great. But she was pretty sure it'd be a while till she returns to this food court, because, wow, that was way too stressful that it need be. She was ridiculously tired, as well, so much to the point that her legs jittered as she walked. Way too much, actually.