“Look what arrived in my P.O. box,” she brags, overly dramatic, intentionally comedic. She daintily points her toe towards Hale, drawing attention to her fresh new kicks a sponsor had sent her. They’re yellow and red trainers, complete with a little zen darmanitan decal on the side. Cute and cool!

“They shoulda sent you a pair too,” she continues, sliding onto the chair opposite Hale. “Unless they realised that you’re actually giga-lame at the last minute and pulled out.” Her silly teasing is accompanied by a cheesy grin, She really hopes they actually did send Hale a freebie, she wanted to see what pokémon the design they’d picked for him was based on.

“You don’t have to watch out! I’ve been in this wheelchair for six months, I know what I’m doing…!”

they huff, a little angered, at the pitiful look displayed. Ree grips their wheels and pushes themself forward.

Sentence prompts || Accepting

     A twitch of her brow. One hand moves to smoothen the collar of her coat. It is such a loaded question the stranger throws her way, and yet strangely enough, happens to not be the first time it has hit her ears. No, for so many inquiries in the same vein have been posed to the heroine ever since the parade in Lumiose City. Why stop at specialising in a few mega evolutions-- why not pursue them all? Why not capture different species of pokemon, for the sake of mega evolution? Why not gather as many of those little, irradiated stones as possible, and sell them each for a small fortune? Power is constantly within her grasp, frayed edges crushing against the tips of the young woman’s fingers-- why not seize it?

     Morals. A strong sense of what is right and what is wrong. Having seen how power can corrupt even the seemingly most well-intentioned of souls. The pursuit of something like that, why it is akin to a death sentence in Serena’s eyes. A slow, painful trek towards an untimely demise of one’s soul or physical being. As fingers curl around the travel mug in her nails, nails lightly scratching against coated metal, she cannot help but find herself ever so uncertain in how to respond. Is he expecting her to cave? Does this stranger think what he speaks is a path that has never been regarded in any way, shape or form?

         “I, um... I don’t know. I just... don’t,,”

     It is an answer far lighter than the truth, but perhaps fitting for a conversation between two individuals who know not of the other’s experiences and complexities. Eyes shift back to rest on Hale’s features, the corners of pale lips curling upwards to form the ghost of a smile. An attempt at keeping the conversation civil and warm-- at least, on her end. For all she knows, it is simply a curious remark and nothing more-- nothing insulting or personal. Most people are so misinformed on the subject, and more often than not, they are not at fault, no. How could it be, when big names and companies decide what is ‘known’ about the phenomenon?

          “There’s... not any need for me to go back and train for something I will not use. Those resources and time... would be better spent on a trainer with that pokemon. Or that’s what I think, at least. I’ve already learnt and obtained the power I need.”

     A pause. One where lips purse themselves together, as though the action might buy Serena but a few moments more. Then, a proper smile blossoms onto the heroine’s features-- gentle and sweet, but the sort she might offer an audience while dancing on stage.