The answer from the psychic was typical: an abrasive remark only emphasized by an unamused tone. “Would it change your request if I were?” 

Still, the fact she hadn’t hung up was a good response. She could have hung up and blocked the number before the girl even knew what was going on. It wasn’t as though she hasn’t entertained the thought once or twice before, perhaps not with her specifically, but with others in general.

There would be a huff to be heard at the other side of the phone, and the doors of the gym would open in welcome. “Well?” The harsh voice continued once more, layered with more impatience than annoyance.   

Ah… Jasmine winced as she pulled a little away from her gearand looked towards the gym doors, brain wheels whirring as she searched for thebest possible answer. Sabrina did sound busy, in the end… As far as her requestwent… Hm! What an interesting question for the psychic leader to have asked.Jasmine’s request wouldn’t necessarily change, but—

And the doors went open. Jasmine started, and then gasped,fumbling with her Pokegear until it was safely within her clutches once more.Turning towards the entrance, her neck would have creaked if she’d spun aroundany slower. Busted…?

Holding the gear to her ear and mouth, Jasmine turned away and cleared herthroat timidly, cradling the device with her hands and shoulder, not findingherself able to look at the suddenly present Sabrina. “I suppose I’d just askif you’d like to go down to the ice cream parlor down the way another time then…”

Post-shock, the disappointment dripped heavily in her tone,and she even went so far as to kick at the floor. Not the floor connecting tothe entrance, though. Never!

Just as he had suspected, he saw that Jasmine was startled by the revealing of his sudden appearance in the room. Aside from the fact her Pokegear had fallen to the floor, however, he was relieved it didn’t seem to be too big of a scare. She didn’t scream at least. If she had it may have attracted unwanted attention from the Ghosts which could have made things worse.

❛❛It’s no big deal you called me, especially while I was late. I may have done the same if it were the other way around,❜❜ he attempted to assure her while he watched her pick up her device, glad to see it was unharmed. In response to her thanks, he simply gave a warm smile and a nod of his head and began to follow her as she walked, some feet behind her.

It wasn’t but a few seconds before she was turning back to him and he paused his step. Listening to what she had to say, he exhaled a light sigh. ❛❛I can sense them, and I believe you’re right. There are a bit more… You know, I was thinking it had kind of been awhile since the last time you asked me here for this…,❜❜ he noted.           He tried not to assume, but he wondered if she refrained from calling him sooner because she felt bad to ask him or something of the sort and he certainly didn’t want that. ❛❛That’s alright, though,❜❜ he decided to add with a small shrug. ❛❛Shouldn’t be much trouble.❜❜

Moving on past her to peer down the stairwell himself, he spoke once more. ❛❛I’m going to lead them all outside first. I think that made it easier last time. You can follow me if you want, or Gengar can teleport you down…❜❜           At the mentioning of its name, Gengar floated over beside its trainer, grinning at Jasmine and extending a thick and ghostly hand to her. Morty really wasn’t sure which option she would be more comfortable with.

Oh… Morty was aware of the increased increment of activityat the lighthouse… Jasmine held her hands to her chest, squeezing them with thetight feeling of something bordering guilt. If she was going to wait the nexttime around, she had to be sure she could hone the will to find a way to managewithout Morty… This wasn’t the first time she’d imposed with the intention of endeavoringnot to! Nodding to herself and to Morty’s verdict, she exhaled relief, offeringhim a small smile for his dismissive attitude.

She listened to hisplan of action, nodding appropriately—even in a situation like this, Mortyremained resolute. He really didn’t mind their stacked presences… How manytrainers had she meet who could only regard their own captured ghost types? Andthen there were those like her, who quavered at the mere sight of another.

Much like now, as Morty’s friendly spirited companionextended a probably harmless hand out towards her. She knew that,consciously, so why did the panic rise up in her chest anyway?! Her sunny eyeseven shirked to a different focus at the sight of Gengar’s possibly cutesmile! Why was she so fearful?! “I—I wouldn’t want you to waste your energy onsomething as trivial as a walk downstairs, Gengar!” Jasmine intoned in a breakingvoice, the pitch rising unevenly through her breath. “You’re far too kind!”

She started after Morty immediately, much too fast, runningstraight into Morty with her head bowed. Jasmine clutched at his arm for amoment, took a breath for composure, and then followed down the way a bitstiffly. “…! My apologies! This way down, this way down…!”

…After that, this was likely a bad time to ask, but—“Do youthink… um, that I could watch this time?” A pause, and then a hasty, “Not tooclosely, naturally, I wouldn’t want to be a bother—,” nor was her heart readyfor a close encounter, “—and if I could be of any assistance, I’d definitelylike to offer you that much…”

[txt]:: like i would fdirnk like asd guy like that  [txt]:: get your eimckedagine nation checked

[1/2]: Do phone doctors also check imaginations?? [2/2]: As long as you’re having fun!! =)

[txt]:: no just felt liek  [txt]:: drinkng ?  [txt]:: do thate sometimes 

[1/2]: Oh! [2/2]: Okay, that’s good!! I thought I’d missed something important! It soundslike you’re having fun. You were drinking on your own? No, with friends, right?Flint, maybe?

[txt]:: no im volkner [txt]:: no phoent odcoter needed  [txt]:: tif ine

[1/2]: Hi, Volkner, I’m Jasmine! [2/2]: I’m glad you’re okay =) Were you celebrating something maybe…?

[txt]:: nothing rowerng  [txt]:: vrythign tfun  [txt]:: i look forwas rd to cucumet though

[1/3]: Hehe!! I’ll make sure the “cucumet” is as fresh ascan be!! [2/3]: … OH! [3/3]: I see!! You’re intoxicated!!... You don’t really need a phone doctor??

He smiles softly, not quite recognizing her. A running trait in his family, he wasn’t the best with names or faces. He was quite lucky however to be able to recognize the gender of the people he was speaking to. But hey, give him time.

“Yeah, no problem.” he says as he turns to grab the item she was attempting to grab.

“Here ya go.”

He holds it out for her.

“So anyway, you seem okay, but lemme know if you’re not. Got it?”

When he speaks, she hears it. Something to do with Kanto…Ah, yes, the grandson of the region’s professor! What was his name? Red…?

Oh. No, no, no. But close… Blue!

Of course! The gym leaderof Viridian, if she was recollecting it correctly…

Ah, her blend! She accepted gratefully, smiling at the boydirectly for the first time. “Thank you so much…! I-- I really couldn’t inconvenience you any further... but thank you!

“Um… you really do look a lot like him, so I wonder if you’re…”

[txt]:: yay!!  [txt]:: rly ?  [txt]:: in not fwure  [txt]:: fuclk?? 

[1/3]: Yay!! =) [2/3]: !! Volkner??? [3/3]: So, something is wrong? What is it??

[TEXT]||:|| I can’t fly over there in the middle of dinner. 

[TEXT]||:||  It will be okay. Just check. 

[1/2]: Oh, no, I wouldn’t want you to jeopardize your dinner!! [2/2]: I can do this. You’re right! It’ll be totally fine!...

[txt]:: if you cocke it shure  [txt]:: i dont wkno  any fhpen doctors  [txt]:: itdfle me bfine 

[1/3]: I’ll prepare it, absolutely! =) You don’t need juicing! [2/3]: Well... I mean, I think your service provider might be able to help... [3/3]: No doctors needed!!... Are you sure??

[txt]:: lmao im fine  [txt]:: im gretat as lwasy  [txt]:: cucumebers are okay though 

[1/3]: They are pleasant!! I’m glad you think so. [2/3]: Let’s have some with lemon and salt soon?? With oranges and apples! [3/3]: ...But maybe you should have your phone checked out, Volkner...