A relief washes over her after her words are spoken. She wishes with every fiber of her being that she could have a handle on the situation that has presented itself to them, when the fact of the matter is she simply can't. She can act it—she could do her best to stay calm in hopes it keeps the others calm, yet it's so very comforting to know she and Emery can start establishing an honest communication.
"That seems fair." They have no idea what's to come. There might come a time when the best thing this small group can do is to split apart, throw their trackers off, or travel to different locations in search of answers. Emery's half-smile makes it easy for Versai to do the same, despite being asked to attack the girl in question. What little she was able to do would hardly hurt, even if she managed to do it right…and any tiny amount of pain they sustain between one another now will be well worth it in the long run. "Alright, and you try that fire punch from earlier."
Emery rolls her shoulders, loosening up the tense muscles that had set in while she had sat on the stairs, contemplating whether she should leave or honor the deal. She briefly wonders what Uncle Dev would make of this new discovery - that his niece was some genetic mutant....
Remembering her training, Emery crouches to get a better balance, arms crossed in front of her defensively - the smile comes easily. "Ready when you are."
The way Emery settles her body into a more relaxed position-- one that more easily welcomes movement: It's easy to see she is no stranger to combat. It makes her feel somehow better to know that she won't be throwing attacks (even likely harmless ones) at someone who can't guard herself if these powers manage to grow out of their control.
Her legs easily slide into a crouched, balanced position, and she holds one arm outward. Instead of focusing on erupting shadows through her entire body, she feels it might be easier to collect everything into her finger tips and attempt a Shadow Claw. She closes her eyes, feeling that cool, dark power bubble up inside her, focuses on pouring it through her arm and collecting into her fingertips-- and then she swipes.
It felt strongly like Versai had taken a machete and sliced at her with it - Emery had moved fast, just enough that the attack didn't leave her with any marks or another scar to add to her ever-growing collection. It was weak, but real - this wasn't a joke, and she was still having a hard time wrapping her brain around the truth.
A dark wispy aura followed Versai's movement - it bent to her will almost eagerly. It was hard to suppress her grin now, now that this was without a doubt real and not some trick or manipulation or even something Emery's delirious mind conjured up... she had almost burned Alex and this was real.
One - albeit, weak - attack from Versai was enough to convince Emery that maybe it's alright that they're being hunted... maybe she actually has a shot at surviving in Lumiose City on her own now.
"That was..." Emery struggles to find the right word, which was odd for her since she prides herself on her quick wit. "Amazing!"
This felt wrong-- swiping at someone with her fingers extended instead of closed into a fist. When she was taking classes to learn martial arts, she was told that no human should lash out with their nails; they simply aren't strong enough to do much damage. Landing this strike proved two things: One, this was very real. It wasn't a trick of the moonlight or the work of her exhausted mind that made that aura appear before, she really could summon this power from inside her. Two; she is not human. Not completely, anyway. Her brittle human nails could become dangerous, dark claws.
So why, after coming even more to terms with the terrible truth that's befallen them, is she smiling? Why is it so easy to smile now?
Because of Emery's words. Because of the look in Emery's eyes: Eyes that seemed to find hope in their powers becoming undeniable. Yes, they are being hunted, but they can, and will, be able to unlock the power to protect themselves. Yes, that's why it's so easy to smile right now: Hope, a hope they have found in one another.
"It...felt amazing." Strange, but amazing. Versai shifts her stance to a defensive one-- ready to block her streetwise companion. "Ready when you are."
Emery stretches her arms out behind her head and finishes her quick warm up by rolling her head gently from side to side. If there was one thing she had learned from Kai, it was the importance of quick reflexes - having tense muscles could be life or death in a fight. Even if this was just a spar, and she wasn't aiming to genuinely harm Versai, she just felt more on her game by stretching.
She searches for the best place to aim at her companion without causing serious harm. Arms were her best choice, as it was easier for Versai to block - not that she was incompetent. The way she subdued one of those grunts from earlier was still fresh in her memory....
"You sure?" Emery is almost buzzing with her excitement and tries to find that disciplined part within her to focus. It's there... it was hard to coax out of her flippant nature but Kai found the way, as he always did.
She remembers the burning anger she felt with Alex, how the fire within made her blood boil, how his Dratini locked Eevee in an inescapable jet of water only to slam her down, how she ran forward to stop, how he gloated about his win - Emery breathes harshly and jabs forward.
It isn't much, but it's truly beautiful to see the flecks of ember burst from Emery's person. The small flames shoot forward with such determination, and though Versai sidesteps before they singe her arms—she did not account for her swaying hair. There is a short lived sizzling sound as one of the embers grazes a lock of long hair. The scent of burning hair is quickly blown away by the wind, but the nine-or-so frayed, dead ends remain, easily proving that these powers of theirs are very real, and have a very real effect on them and the world around them.
Versai smoothes out the frayed pieces before tossing the strand of hair over her shoulder, the smile on her face all the more contented by the sight that just played out before her. "Have I mentioned how glad I am that you're on my side?" She asks. Emery is going to get stronger, she can see the drive to grow in those passionate eyes. The idea of being on the other end of those flames with all the more power and fury behind them—that's a frightening thought.
"Fen!" Comes a quiet cry from the bush where Fennekin had been napping. Her little head is now peering out from the leaves, which rustle with the delicate sway of the fire fox's tail.
"It seems this one thinks you did a splendid job, too."
Emery's eyes twitch at the sight of Versai's singed hair, a small flicker of regret beneath the exhilaration of her success. I did that... Confused by her mixed emotions, she turns her attention to the Fennekin. It's small frame and delicate features were so similar to her Eevee that Emery wonders just what else she and Versai have in common.
At the reminder of her Eevee, whom was sent promptly to her Pokeball after the battle to get some well deserved rest, Emery's hand rests on the ball at her hips. She sends the small fox out, immediately bending to scoop the bundle into her arms. Eevee's eyes blink open; her tongue darts out to wet her nose.
"How're you feeling, buddy?" Emery runs a finger between the Pokemon's ears and sets her down. Eevee sniffs around Versai's feets, makes a pleased mewl and darts over to the Fennekin like the earlier fight was just a distant memory.
Have I mentioned how glad I am that you're on my side?
Not many people were on Emery's side - mostly her fault, with how big her expectations are - but Versai just managed to... something. She did something. Her eyes drift to the ends of Versai's hair and reaches out, touching the frayed strands with her fingertips. They were still warm from the attack - it felt as real as if she had burned Versai's skin and scarred her.
"I'm glad too," Emery retracts her hand, shoving both into her back pockets. She offers Versai her trademark smirk. "They'll never see us coming."
Fennekin is a fire type, just like Emery. It would make sense that the little fox would be able to sense when their red-headed companion was doing the right thing to bring forth her powers. If only they could communicate with their partner Pokémon, beyond small cries and nods of approval; still, Fennekin's ability to tell when Emery is bringing forth her powers correctly is all the more reason for the…meta-humans? Mutants? Hybrids? Whatever they are, to stay together.
Eevee is called out, and Versai's heart is warmed by the way Emery nestles the little fox in her arms. It's really lovely to see the way Emery's shields lower when she looks at the tiny fox. She can't look at this girl and see the heartless, ice cold thief that Alex insisted she was. First impressions, especially in a situation as dark as their own, can be so misleading.
"Hello~" The dark type greets when the fluffy fox sniffs her foot. She's such a cute little creature, happy too, it seems. Her previous defeat by the pseudo-legendary has not damaged her spirits in the least. Fennekin squeaks a happy greeting to her fellow fox and rustles her tail against the branches as she taps her nose against Eevee's nose.
How cute. Versai's gaze only leaves the two little foxes when Emery steps closer to her, gently taking the burned strand of her hair and examining it. Those little frayed pieces are proof that they're not crazy, this isn't some delusion or a trick of the light amplified by the power of suggestion. Even if no one believes it, they can believe it for themselves.
To Emery's trademark smirk, Versai gives her own trademark easy-smile. "What do you say? Another time or two each, and then try to get some sleep?"
"Another round," Emery insists, eager.
Training had not gotten her very far, but at least she had a better grasp on how to use the move and an idea how to execute it better to her advantage. After continuously attacking with a clenched fist with nothing more than weak and inconsistent flames, she thought to open her palms - which was just weird. Emery was used to striking with an angled punch, not a straight open-hand. Although it felt odd; there was undeniably an improvement.
Whistling to her Eevee that had settled into lazy position by the Fennekin to watch the sparring match, Emery glances over her shoulder at Versai. "That definitely improved the night, huh?"
"By far." She never would have guessed a day would come that was so awful, so frightening and confusing, that trying to cut apart a friend would be the highlight of it. Of course, she never would have guessed anything that happened throughout the day would ever happen to her. Life will be very different now, a lot of awful, frightening and confusing days might be on the horizon, yet...as long as Emery is with them, they will always have a very literal flame to guide them in the darkness.
Versai breathes in slowly and her shoulders ease down into a more relaxed position. It seems her body is finally beginning to feel the weight this overly long day had put on her. With hesitation, she glances to the lab. She sighs once more, this time more in uncertainty than relaxation, and her arms slowly come to rest on her hips. "We...should be able to find some place quiet enough to sleep, at least for a few hours." That didn't sound very convincing. Maybe if she puts a more positive spin on it. "Tomorrow morning we're leaving this place, and we never have to come back."
Never returning to this Lab - this town even - was just what Emery needed to hear. She starts walking backwards, keeping her gaze on Versai as she does. "Music to my ears." She grabs onto the door handle and pushes against it, whistling once more to her Eevee.
Eevee bounds over to her trainer and in quick movements; darts up Emery's side to settle on her shoulder. Her little claws locked on - sturdy enough to stay in place, but not uncomfortable either.
Giving Versai one last smile, Emery enters the Lab in a much better mood than the last time she had come trudging inside. Most of the others seemed to either already be sleeping or had found someplace quiet to settle down. No need to make small talk, then. Emery settles down by the stairs and stretches her legs out.
As her fellow fox left their resting place, Fennekin followed suit, happily trotting behind Eevee as she catches up to their trainers. She comes to a stop and crouches down, as if she's going to mimic Eevee's motions and leap onto her trainer's shoulder—only to gaze up at Versai and freeze. Her tail fits the floor as her eyes pleadingly look up to the dark-type woman. Her trainer is very tall, and her legs aren't exactly strong. The fire fox releases a quiet, disappointed cry.
"I believe in you." Versai smiles, though she still bends down to scoop her Pokémon into her arms. "But it has been a long day."
Versai follows closely behind her fiery companion, quickly (and gratefully) noticing that everything was as quiet as it was when she snuck outside. Seems the others found a way to calm their nerves enough to get some decent sleep, which will benefit them tomorrow…when they start running for their lives. Versai steps into the main room, where her bag had been left after tending to Ryan's burn. She picks up said bag and returns to the door (if any of the professor's associates or aides come to the door, she wants to be able to intercept them upon arrival, and send them away). Opening her bag, she takes out what appears to be a rolled up towel. She lays the material on the floor and rolls it out, revealing a very thin Japanese style futon mattress.
"What do you think?" She asks Fennekin, who quickly leaps from her shoulder to inspect the bendable bed.
"More comfortable than it looks, right?" Versai asks, to which her Fennekin replies with a happy yip.
Eevee comes down from her shoulder and settles by her feet, the laces on her boots provided the Eevee with something to swat at until her eyelids became too heavy. Her head lowers onto Emery's shins. Emery watches her fondly, a small smile gracing her lips.
"Night 'Vee," Emery yawns and rests into the wall behind her.
Versai removes a blanket from her bag, only to study the item instead of laying it out. She wears enough layers to be warm throughout the night, and chooses instead to make her way to Emery's staircase.
"Just in case there's a draft through here." She comments upon reaching the fire type, placing the folded blanket by Emery's side, so she can use it or not, as she chooses. Versai flashes a small, contented smile as she steps back, giving her new friend a respectful bow before returning to her little cot.
"Sweet dreams, little one." She whispers to Fennekin as she lays out on the futon. Dreams...they might be the only escape this world will offer them for some time to come.
The training turned out to be a brilliant idea, as Versai found herself fading to sleep quickly; despite the hundreds of questions still swirling in her mind, the physical exhaustion overtook her, and rest came easily.
That next morning came too quickly; sunlight shimmered from the windows and sprinkled around the dark type's hair and eyes, making any more sleep impossible. Her eyes open reluctantly, and quickly flitter around the lab. Still destroyed...still...here.
"I suppose finding it was all a dream would be too easy, hmm?" She asks, delicately rubbing the ears of the half-asleep Fennekin.
