Pleased to see that the shuffling of papers didn't take as long this time, Enica glanced down to Misdreavus and offered a nervous smile. She hadn't been able to train much with her since she got her for signing up for Scorpion, and she wasn't too sure of her own battling abilities. Still, she'd try, and hope for the best.
"All done ma'am, you're ready to go in now." The lady checking her papers smiled up at her, and Enica caught the glint of gold in the back of her mouth. Gold fillings were shiny...
"Uh, oh, yeah! Thanks!" She smiled dazedly back, and headed on through the makeshift gate that had been created with a couple of poles. The flag on top of one was how she had eventually found her way to tent four.
All at once, the excitement and built-up fervor washed over her, and, wide eyed, she took in the rows upon rows of waiting trainers, fists clenched, smiles bright, Pokemon eager. Astounded at the sheer number of people, she shuffled into the back of the line. Far ahead, people headed left and right as they were directed to various officials who would train them based on their skill level. Nervously stepping up each time the line shortened, Enica clutched her papers in her hand, that mark of who she was in this strange place.
Then, suddenly, the person in front of her had turned to leave, and she was face to face with the burly official.
"Erm, hi." Squirming a little under his seemingly threatening gaze, she bit her lip. He scrutinized her for a moment longer, then seemed to decide upon something, and an instantaneous smile broke upon his face.
"Hey there! Now kid, can I see those papers?"
"Sure," she exhaled, handing her forms up for him to inspect. Relieved at his approval, Enica glanced around, but her observing was cut short as she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Now, head on over to that guy there, with the green bandanna. Yeah, him with the brown hair." He pointed, crouching down next to her. "He'll be training ya." Seeing the slightly queasy look on her face, he assured, "Don't worry. He's nice and all. A little strict, but I think you'll like him."
Feeling all of her worries deflate out of her, Enica offered him a grin. "Thanks."
"No prob', kid."
Striding confidently across the grounds, she held her head high and tried not to meet the gazes of others. She felt like everyone was watching her, though Misdreavus assured her with a bored, "Dreaave dreavus," that everything was fine.
Wobbling over to 'that guy with the bandanna', she hesitantly introduced herself. "Hi, I'm—"
"281," he cut her off, letting a short pause roll between the 'two' and the 'eighty-one.'
"O-okay."
"People will adress you by number here, I regret to inform you."
Somewhat thrown off by his formal speech, when the rest of the people she had seen so far were more laid-back, she opened and closed her mouth several times.
"Now don't stand there gawpin' like a fish! Git on over here!"
Looking over, and now incredibly confused by all these faces, she noticed a short girl waving enthusiastically to her.
"Um, hello..." She slowly took a step in her direction, then glanced to the green bandanna guy, silently asking for permission.
"Training shall start soon; I'd suggest that you get to your position."
"Alright." Perturbed by how this official must think of her, Enica hurried over to the friendly girl, Misdreavus bobbing by her feet.
"Ma name's Tinabelle, but ya can just call me Tiny. 'S what most others call me by."
"Hi Tinab—Tiny. I'm Enica. Enica Forswoth."
"So we're tellin' last names too? Mine is Hugker." Tiny stuck out her hand, and Enica grasped it, grateful for the reprieve of friendliness.
"Um... What's that guy's name?" Enica asked, nodding her head in the direction of the green bandanna guy.
"Him? He's Mike. Don't nobody know his last name."
"Dreavus."
"So that there's yer Pokemon?"
"Yeah."
"Nice. Hey there!" She said, reaching down to pat Misdreavus. Her hand went through Misdreavus's head. "Oh, sorry, I was forgetting that ya were a ghost type. Sorry 'bout that."
Bobbing her head, Misdreavus uttered a friendly, "Mis! Misdreave!" to show that it was alright.
"Aw, now isn't that sweet... Anyways, ya got any questions Enica?"
"Hm? Oh, yes, I do. Um... Did I do something?"
"Huh?" Tiny tilted her head. "Well, everyone does somethin', so—"
"No, no," she said, laughing a bit. "That guy... Mike? Yeah, he doesn't... I mean, he isn't..." Sighing, Enica scratched her ear absently. "Mike doesn't seem to like me much."
Grinning broadly, Tiny exclaimed, "Hah, Mike? He don't seem to like anybody! But don't worry, he's just seems like that to impress people. Once you've talked to him a little it'll be fine."
"Really? Thanks. I was kinda worried that I did something wrong."
"That's fine, but don't you blame yerself."
A booming call rang out, and Enica and Tiny turned to see the official from before, now with no line of kids in front of him, with a loudspeaker. "Attention!" All the trainers looked up. "Everybody has been sorted. Are there any problems?" After a short pause, he continued. "Then training will begin!"
"Alrighty! I've been waitin' fer this!"
Turning to see Tiny, Pokeball in hand, and with a glint in her eye, Enica blinked. She was confused. Again.
"What...?"
Stopping, a small frown spread across Tiny's face. "Yer saying ya don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Why," she grinned again, and threw her Pokeball high in the air, moving back a few feet. "Training is against each other!"