Sienna's P.O.V.

It's raining today. I've never been a fan of the rain. I like sunny weather better. That was one of the plus sides of living on Cyllage City, not that there were many.

I've decided that I may like Valerie. She actually does seem to understand me and my situation. She seems very nice, even offering us a place to stay.

"Si-Si," Akia says. "Weren't you traveling with a group?" I nod. "Aren't they worked about you by now? I haven't seen you try to contact them. Or them you."

"They should be headed this way," I say. "If they're worried about me, it shouldn't take them long to get here."

"Oh, ok," Akia says. In truth, that's a lie. They'll most likely stay in Lumiose for a day or two to see if I pop up, and if not.... That's not good. I can't risk them reporting me missing. He, I'm sorry, he could find out.

Valerie seems to understand this. She's dressed notably more simple today in a smock top and skirt. "Sienna, considering your, um, situation, I am not sure if that is a good idea. Besides, aren't your things still in Lumiose?"

"Yes," I confirm. "I don't think it would be good to wait around."

"Then we should leave." Valerie looks over to KC. "Excuse me, KC, but could I ask you to watch the gym while we are away?" He shakes his head and pets Persian. "I expected that much. Akia will you do it. You could use the training anyway."

"Yes ma'am," Akia says with a salute.

"Thank you. Remember, Fairy types only. KC, you can stay or come with if you'd like." He doesn't make a move. "I see. Then we shall be going now. Follow me Sienna." She grabs a few things, including an umbrella thankfully, and we take our leave. I hold the umbrella while she holds Averie. My little Eevee has taking a liking to the gym leader. Maybe that's why I trust her and not our similar stories.

"Sienna," Valerie begins. "Tell me more about your friends."

I almost scoff at that. "Firstly, they're not my friends, just traveling companions. Secondly, they have their quirks to say the least. Russet at first glance seems nice and layed back, but he's pretty full of it. Cerise is alright, little on the stupid side and a somewhat incompetent trainer, but a pretty friendly girl. Jasper has an attitude and by the looks of it, hates his brother Russet. That's pretty much all I can say about him. He cares a lot about Peridot, however."

"Peridot," she says dreamily. "That's a pretty name."

"It is. Peridot is really sweet but a little too emotional for my liking. He needs to grow up." We're leaving town and going on the Nature Trail.

"I think what you did will force him to," Valerie says. She's talking about Malicai. I felt obliged for some reason to tell her about what happened. It honestly didn't seem to affect her.

"Force him? How will it do that?"

"He doesn't have anyone to depend on anymore. He'll be forced to grow up, to be independent."

"I think you're wrong there Valerie. Jasper seems a lot closer to Peridot than Malachi was. And from what I've seen, Peridot is already very dependent on Jasper. He'll never grow up."

"Maybe so. But who are we to judge the mind of someone when ours have been judged unfit. Unwanted. Un-"

"Valerie, I would appreciate if you don't use that word."

"Ah yes of course. I apologize. I understand why you wouldn't like that word."

"That's fine," I say. Averie yips and motions diagonally from us. "Mmm, it looks like there are two of my companions, Cerise and Russet."

Cerise sees us first. She had on a poncho so it is hard to tell it is her "Sienna? Sienna is that you?" I wait until we're closer to respond.

"Yeah, what are you two doing here?"

"Looking for you," Russet says. He says it with that smile. I don't like that smile. He doesn't look that way at anyone else. Why does he only smile like that to me? What is he planning?

He turns to look at Valerie, forgetting about me. "Are you the Laverre City Gym Leader?"

"Yes," says Valerie. "Are you a challenger?"

"No! But I am," Cerise exclaims. "Hey! Could I challenge you right now?"

"Right now," Valerie repeats. "Yes, sure. Why not? Sienna, do you mind getting my coat from my bag?" I do so, giving her a pale pink coat. She sets Averie down at my feet, flips on the hood, and steps away from the protection of the umbrella.

"Let's make this quick however," she says to Cerise. "While I do love the rain, it's a bother to be out in. One on one."

"Yes ma'am," Cerise says.

"Alright." Valerie takes a Pokéball from her sleeve. "Sylveon, you're on." She throws up the Pokéball and the Fairy type eeveelution is created from the blue light.

"A Sylveon huh," Cerise says. "Ok! Come on-"

"Don't. You. Dare," Russet growls.

"Huh," says Cerise. "What do ya mean?"

"Send out Niays. Just...send her out." Cerise still looks confused, but she switches out Pokéballs and sends her Braixen out.

"I'll be referee," Russet says. "Let's just start so we can get out of the rain. Match begin."

"Sylveon, Charm!" Sylveon raises a pose up top his cheek and smiles cutely. Translucent pink hearts float around his head, but quickly disappear. Niays grits her teeth just like her trainer.

"Niays," Cerise calls. "Fl-Psybeam!" She changed in the middle of the attack, obviously realizing what Charm does. Niays takes the stick from its tail and fires the multicolored beam of energy towards Sylveon. Instead of dodging, which would have been very easy, he stands there and takes the force of the Psychic attack. I turn to Valerie who had an almost bored look on her face.

"Now use Dazzling Gleam Sylveon," Valerie orders. Sylveon's eyes glow neon blue and true the attack's name, a dazzling light flashes and an equally as bright gleam sparks next to Niays, but it's off somehow. It flashes a short distance away instead of right next to Niays like it should have. I wonder what Valerie is up to...

Cerise doesn't seem to suspect anything strange. Neither does Russet but I've been wrong before I how he perceives things. "Alright! Fire Spin!" A shining pillar of orange and red flames launches itself at Sylveon. He's engulfed by the rather weak move. Once the main flames dissipate, a tiny ring of fire is still left spinning around Sylveon's waist. They get brighter for a second and cause more damage. Sylveon looks back at his trainer and nods as if understanding something. His attention goes back to the battle and his legs move into a sort of off-balance defensive stance. Valerie calls no attack.

"Niays Psybeam!" Another colorful energy beam flies towards Sylveon. Again, the Fairy type takes it along with Fire Spin damage.

"Cerise," Russet begins but she cuts him off.

"Don't worry! I got this! The attack isn't really strong by itself but two attacks should do good. Niays, combine Fire Spin with Psybeam!" Niays does as told. First creating a spinning column of fire with her stick. She aims it towards the sky. Seconds later purple, pink, and yellow energy begins creaking up the spinning fire, actually creating a beautiful display. Niays lowers her weapon and looses the attack in Sylveon. Sylveon stands there, firm. I can see him on the inside and it doesn't look as if the attack is doing much damage to him still. He's obviously very well trained.

Instead preparing for another attack however, he kneels down into a submitting position, the lies onto his side. When the Fire Beam stops, Sylveon is lying there seemingly fainted, but I know the truth.

"Sylveon is unable to battle," Russet yells. "Niays is the winner. This means the match goes to Cerise!" Cerise and Niays cheer loudly. Valerie returns Sylveon to his ball.

"Good boy," she whispers to the Pokéball before turning attention to Cerise. "We should head to the gym now so I can get you a badge. Cerise, is it? Sienna has mentioned of you. We should really be going now. The rain is such a bother." She turns, Averie and I follow quickly.

"Why did you throw the battle," I ask when we're a good distance from the two.

"The rain is bothersome," she answers simply I'm not amused by this answer, however. She sees this. "Her entire manner of battling is wrong. It's too straight forward and basic. No tricks, no games. If I hadn't had Sylveon pretend to faint, I would've had too much fun toying with her, and this rain is really quite bothersome . We would've been soaked if I hadn't stopped it so soon."

"In short, she's pathetic and you don't want to get wet."

"Quite simply, yes."

"You're a strange person," I state.

"What have we learned from name calling Sienna. And besides, I simply enjoy toying with people."

"...There's more to what you told me earlier, isn't there." She smiles, nothing malicious or threatening to it. I don't like it.

"Yes. There's much you don't know about me. But still, you know more about me than you do yourself."