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Inwardly, Never scoffed but took the true as is. Indeed, he did have markings upon his ears that no other Flareon like himself probably had and was well taken cared of by Sorano. Yet, he just wanted to make him laugh. The question was -- was it just out of the sudden shower of comments? Or was there another thought altogether simmering and steaming within the enigmatic Flareon's mind?

"Ah, ya must shares more witha me." Sorano said with a smile. "Vaps are verrry close ta Flareons, considerin' they come from tha same lil' fluff ball an' all. Shalls we talk ova smooths? I could use one ta quench me thirst."

Of course, this was just to lead her own and find out more about her. She'd make a great little victim later (if they so happen to meet in the future), so steal from. It's always great to get close to the enemy, hmm?

"This way mi'lady." Sorano said coyly as he arched his back forward and posed his arms parallel to each other as if he was making a presentation. Never rolled his eyes and began to walk ahead. He'd be there to lead them to the smoothie stall. Couldn't rely much on Sorano now that he had a conversation partner.

The grunt grunted and pulled at the collar of his shirt, a signal to Never to cut the crap and behave. Being an actor (especially a goody-goody little one), was tough for the Rocket grunt and twice as tough for the Flareon. Both knew not the meaning of manners. Hell, to them, manners were nonexistent. Yet, they played the stage like any antagonist: swift, smooth and without caution to their true nature.

"So, how longs has ya had Vahy'n?" he asked while smothering back his hair. "She seems like she has seen some stuffies in 'er day."

The instincts of an older brother was kicked into play as he was dragged along by the wide-eyed wonder. Such moments like these reminded him of the times Lennyka would drag him through the markets in Saffron too afraid to get separated from him but burning with the passion to lead him on and show him she is not afraid. His lips curled up and he chuckled low. Never's ears flicked up from the low rumble and perked down after a moment.

"He's getting quite too attached." he said to himself as he trotted along with the group. "Sigh, Sorano is such an idiot."

"All yer life? Wow." Sorano blanched. Though part of it was surely an act, the remainder was truly surprise. All her life, huh? Sorano knew Never all his life too and that rang yet another nostalgic feeling in his heart. "Tha' be something, I tells ya! Vahy'n seems very dedicated to ya. Ya two 'eally have a stron' 'lationship."

His crinkled expression from the trip into familiarity softened come the talk of her mother. This girl was truly pure at heart. He felt a little guilty on the inside for having such awful thoughts of stealing her Pokemon away. Could he truly do it if given the chance? As of now, he wouldn't. But in the future, would he truly be able to make this girl miserable and snatch away these Pokemon that meant so much to her?

A pang in his heart caused the guilt to sink deeper as he remember the number one rule of Team Rocket Pokemon: Pokemon are tools. They are meant to further the superiority of Team Rocket. Yet, at what cost? Sorano's chin dipped down towards his chest, his heart wavering from the internal conflict. So many questions yet no one to answer them. Was the world he chose to partake in really that horrible?

Never caught the twined look on his master's face.

"He wants to be honest . . . " he muttered in thought. "Yet he has to be honest to himself. Damn it, Sorano, don't say anything . . . !"

The Flareon gritted his teeth. No, Sorano will hold his ground and stay silent. He's not that stupid. He isn't. Oh Arceus, Never hoped he wasn't that stupid.

"Ah, jus' somethin' started ta botha' me, aha. I was um . . . " A small hesitation. "I was contemplatin' wha' flava I should gets, haha. I jus' 'membered tha time when I asked fer Aspear an' Payapa and blew up like a grumpy Jigglybutt, err, Jigglypuff. I be allergic ta Aspear berries yet I luv' em so much, haha. That be what brought me down, so ya don' hafta get worried. So where be tha' stall? I coulds 'eally use somethin' ta quench me thirst soonish."

Upon reaching the store, Sorano's squinted eyes danced over the single flavors and double flavors that were up for grabs. Yet, his attention was fully stolen by the 'mix your own' section, to which you can combine two and make your own unique flavor. There was plenty to choose from, yet his mind kept on saying Lemon and Lime. Not the most creative combo, but Sorano Dinkley always had a sour tongue.

"Ums, Lime an' Lemono please." Sorano said to the stall keeper. The keeper was quite a sleepy little character. It took Sorano a couple of times of mentioning his request until he can have it fulfilled.

Never contorted his face at the sudden choice. Something so sour? Goodness, Sorano's taste buds must be numb.

"" replied Never as he felt the back of his throat grow dry as he watched Sorano slurp the drink as if it were plain water.

"Aye, I was always one ta like sour drinks." he chuckled with the side of his mouth still working the straw to drink. "I 'member once back in Kanto when I drank some sour Moo-Milk an' still thought it ta be good. It took me bestie Moose ta tell me what the dealio was, haha. It ain't taste any different, ta be honest."

Remembering how gross the story was, Sorano flailed his free hand.

"Ah, I forgots ya were drinkin' somethin'! Sorries if I grossed you out . . . aha . . . "

"Aye, I did. Lived there 'til I was told ta leave tha 'ouse at ten, so I left. I was um, transferred-"

To say he was 'transferred' to Kodo sounded a little too suspicious, especially when he was pretending to be a breeder.

"I means, I came 'ere ta look fer some interestin' Eevee an' its evos ta breed Neva with. It seemed like a quaint lil' region on tha wata so I a'cided to give it a try. Who would'n' want to live 'ere anehway? It's 'eally nice."

"It be more of a 'git outta tha 'ouse, ya ain't doin' anehthing ya lazy runt' kinda thing. Me momma and popsy were always more of tha workin' types, had no time fer Pokemon. They did git me neva as a birthday 'resent when I turned ten, then kicked me outta tha 'ouse next. I think it was good fer me though." He nodded. "I wasn't no burden on em' an' I gots to enjoy me own freedom."

This, of course, was also a lie. Well, half the truth. His parents were workaholics and didn't care much for Pokemon during their youth. They did give their children the opportunity though, without a doubt. Sorano willingly left without pressure from his family. He chose to take his freedom rather than the loving confines of his family. He had a second family anyway, his best bud Vamoose back in Cinnabar and Never with the rest of his Pokemon. He really didn't need anyone or anything else.

"Y'know, I 'aven't talked this long with someun' a'fore." he laughed and shined those pearly whites at Rosie. "Tha only 'erson I 'eally talks to is my friend Moose back in Kanto an' me sis. Though I talks to Moose more . . . my sis is a nerdette whose always lookin' inta a book." He laughed. Now, he was mostly reminiscing to himself rather than directly talking to Rosie. " 'hen we were youngun's, we promised ta always be bros, aha. Y'know, neva leave each otha and shi'. Man, we I gots trans-, when I came 'ere fer research 'easons an' stuff, he threw a fit. Aha . . . "

Sorano hesitated and took a sip and felt a little dejected next.

"Sorries 'bout that. I has a tendency ta ramble when I gets upset. Ya can say I am feelin' a lil' 'omesick . . . Pathetic, eh?"