Welcome to Gaia! ::

Aila stretched her arms and legs to wind down from the exercise. Now that the rush was wearing off, she was beginning to feel increasingly winded. She turned curious eyes on the Metang as it disappeared and Liam introduced it. Anti-social as it was, it seemed most beneficial to have a psychic type at one's command for such operations. Passingly she hoped that her Misdreavus could one day become so useful.

Liam would soon find his lap full of Ivysaur as the grass pokemon bounded over and veritably tackled the boy, uttering all kinds of happy sounds.

"Fleur--!" Aila reprimanded, reaching to restrain her. "Please excuse her. This is Fleur, and she is too friendly." She tugged at the flower on her back, but Fleur would not budge.

Fleur was eating up the attention as it was, and the mention of actual eating sealed the deal. Liam, welcome to best friend status. Two vines reached up to form a heart shape, giving physical gesture to the joy that swelled in the Ivysaur's bosom.

Aila was glad to see Fleur's nature accepted so eagerly, but still her hands hovered nearby, seeking an opportunity to seize her and draw her overwhelming glee away from the boy. "She does enjoy her sweets," she assured, "but you must be sure there is no ketchup nearby before serving them..." Her expression became almost apologetic as she recalled subjecting the grunt Claire to the wonderful view of Fleur's mealtime habits. "Speaking of eating," she glanced around for a clock; was it nearly lunch time, was it not? "When would you like to go to lunch?"

Fleur was practically melting in Liam's hands. Between his tone of voice, the scratching, and the references to food, she was beginning to seriously consider following him everywhere he went forever. But that simply wouldn't work out, she reminded herself, since Aila was her trainer and that was a fact that could never be changed.

A slight giggle escaped her at the words, "Shall we split the cost, then?" She beckoned Fleur to her side, and the Ivysaur grudgingly obliged. "Yes, I could use a moment's time to refresh myself as well. I shall see you in a while." A second curtsy signaled her temporary farewell, coupled with a polite smile, as she turned and proceeded in the direction of her room. She could probably manage a brief shower, and she certainly needed to change into a less disheveled uniform... Perhaps scented powder to sweeten her fragrance as well, since she would be unable to shower sufficiently...?

Aila showered as thoroughly as her allotted time would allow and dressed herself in a fresh casual uniform. She rubbed at damp hair with a towel as she searched for the pins and bands to tie it properly, surrendering the effort when she noticed the time. A brief survey of her person in a mirror and she started in the direction of the cafeteria at a brisk pace. Small hands investigated the pockets borne on her clothes for some way to contain her hair to no avail. It would simply have to remain down, it seemed.

Fleur followed closely at her human's side, entranced by the faint lilac aroma the girl was exuding. It was sweet, like the Pecha berries with which she had been tempted. Pecha berries and ketchup. The Ivysaur practically swooned at the memory.

It was approximately one and three-quarters of a minute past the designated meeting time when Aila arrived, to her shame. She located the grunt and bowed her head, hands folded in front of her as she offered her apology, "It seems I have kept you waiting. I have no words to excuse this inelegance..." Fleur was not nearly as remorseful, though, and threw herself at Liam once more. Scratches! Lovings! Food!

"Fleur!" Aila reprimanded as the Ivysaur took hold of the berry in her mouth. She turned to her human with a questioning expression. "Please, if etiquette is beyond you, do at least practice patience." Fleur frowned slightly but heeded the words; perhaps there was some merit in waiting if it meant she might gain access to ketchup...

Aila sighed and brushed her loose hair behind her ear, "I must apologize on her behalf. Please excuse her... and myself as well." A faint tinge of pink colored her cheeks. "I am not very familiar with the workings of the cafeteria. If I may rely on your guidance..." She had continued to cook for herself since arriving at the base after bringing with her all of her leftover ingredients from her apartment, replenishing them during her visits to Camphoreon as was necessary. She had been intending to acquaint herself with the cafeteria for some time, though, and this seemed to present an excellent opportunity to do so.

Aila hummed in acknowledgment as she followed, Fleur trotting along at the pair's heels. She had passed through the cafeteria before and seen the ritual as it took place, but she was wary of performing it herself, worrying that there were nuances she would be unable to imitate without exact knowledge. It seemed simple enough, though, and she was somewhat embarrassed that she had been so concerned. She leaned forward slightly to try and see what sorts of meals were offered but could discern nothing beyond the Rockets in front of them.

"Is there anything in particular you would recommend?" she asked, hoping that said recommendation would be available.

"I do not have much preference," - truly, instant ramen had become a norm after the sale of gems declined, especially the sort that came in a cup, leaving one only to add water and heat - "so I suppose I shall have the same as you." She had never had any sort of burger before, but she chose to trust the grunt's enthusiastic opinion. She pushed her hair behind her shoulders and reached forward for the recommended dishes. They certainly looked harmless enough, perhaps even tasty. It seemed like an awful lot of food, though, and she hoped she would not end up wasting any.

Aila was slightly confused by the fact that they went from the line directly to their table without stopping to pay anyone, but she ceded to Liam's greater knowledge of the cafeteria's workings. Perhaps he had paid in advance, or maybe there was some kind of bill that would arrive at the end of a set period of time. She would have to ask at some point, she decided.

She took a seat with a nod of acknowledgment, refreshed by the boy's practice of etiquette. In response, she awaited him to seat himself before turning any attention to her meal. Fleur bounced about under the table, hoping there was ketchup in her immediate future.