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THERE WAS LITTLE he said that she could truly understood, and even less she could agree with. Negativity hanging over her like a heavy cloud, whatever light of hope had shown in her eyes was slowly going dark.[break][break]

❝ Maybe, ❞ she began, having taken a moment to muster the courage to speak. There was a pause as her lips sealed shut, her thoughts slowing so that they might reach her mouth before the idea was lost. Her lips tightened a moment as she noted the dryness of her mouth, giving a small swallow in an attempt to earn back some moisture.[break][break]

❝ Maybe — I'm an amazing professor. But. I'm not an amazing martial artist. ❞[break][break]

Her fingers closed over Riolu's ball with her conviction, Kitten's eyes narrowing slowly to a glare as a lone ear quirked in the boy's direction. His tail gave an irritable bounce at the continued rejection of his trainer's wishes.[break][break]

❝ You are. ❞ She stated the words as simple fact. ❝ And that's why. ❞[break][break]

❝ I think everyone makes mistakes. And — It doesn't make them any less great than they started. ❞[break][break]

❝ So then? That would mean, ❞ she ponders aloud, her eyes dropping to the hand that had settled at his waist. She reaches her own hand out to take its wrist, moving to pull it back up to his forehead. ❝ What I see — ❞ she explains, only retracting her hand once successfully bringing his own back to its peak. ❝ Is this. ❞[break][break]

It was the most the young woman had spoken in a long time, and despite the sudden decrease in energy when her lips fell to close, the weight at her shoulders and the dimming of her eyes, it seemed there was still more to be said.[break][break]

She didn't notice the hand working its way back to her eyes until its palm pushed to her wet lashes to force away the tears starting to well against their surface again. Her brows pinched at the realization, her hand coming back around to press the back of its wrist to the corner of her eye as she worked to maintain herself.[break][break]

❝ I won't leave her with you if you can't love her like you do the rest of your family, ❞ she gently decided, her unwavering, teary-eyed gaze still locked onto the teen.[break][break]

❝ But I don't like this conversation. ❞ The childish words were spoken with a sense of finality, eyebrows knit in worried crescents over her eyes as the scent of the fresh tears still being suppressed by her wrist caused Kitten's attention to snap toward her. His gaze darted up and down her figure before shooting disapprovingly toward Chance, the bridge of his flat nose wrinkling a bit. His lips curled into an obvious frown as he reached a claw to scratch at his chin in silent debate.

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KITTEN'S FUR BRISTLED at the sudden turn of Chance's eyes, his lazy gaze widening to an empty, soulless stare, mouth drawing a short ways open to reveal the pointed teeth inside. The tension had made the cat more than a little uneasy, and the reviling glare burned the already anxious feline's fuse short.[break][break]

Noelani, on the other hand, only recognized the surprise in his expression, the negativity that went along with it sailing over her head entirely. Her expression remained somber, brows pinched sadly over her eyes as her lips weighed light in a frown.[break][break]

The Meowth's tongue passed over his muzzle at the trainer's tone, the force of his voice only further encouraging him to abandon his hold on his temper entirely. His trainer blinked slowly, her eyes dropping to rest on the hand held out to receive. Her brows softened weakly over her green eyes as she traced back over their conversation, her hand dropping away from its place as a dam for her tears.[break][break]

Her lips drew a short ways open in her surprise as Chance's hand rose to wipe at the tears pooled in her eyes, the quick paw of her Meowth companion reaching out sharply to bat it away. Raw as the cat was his claws remained sheathed safely away, though the twitch of the corner of his mouth and clearly shone fangs made his threat clear. It was only then that the professor realized the impact the conversation was having on her companion, her eyes falling tired on Kitten as her head dropped slightly with fatigue.[break][break]

❝ It's okay, ❞ she assured the cat gently, her eyes pulling from his silver-furred form to settle on Chance.[break][break]

❝ Everything's alright, ❞ she further promised, her hand reaching to set the ball in his waiting palm.[break][break]

Her lips pulled all too easily into a gentle smile as she gazed up toward the man, lashes wet and eyes still bearing a reflective sheen of tears. His concern was enough to rejuvenate her, even if it was just a bit. Her shoulders relaxed, the upturn of her lips revealing nothing but warm feelings for the man.[break][break]

❝ No more tears. ❞[break][break]

❝ You can do it. Okay? ❞ Her hands wound their way behind her back as she ducked her chin slightly, peeking between Chance's eyes with a hopeful glance.