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[Tambrey]

Rory looked slightly like a Deerling caught in someone's headlights when Tambrey commented on his suit. Of course she'd notice! At least one of those magazines probably had a picture of him where the thing.

He tried to brush it off and shrugged as he tried not to tug on the sleeves. Again. "Probably. I've had it for a while."

[Kratos]

He noticed the unfamiliar redhead approach them and nod to Tambrey. He smiled at the other guy and nodded. "Hey."

[Natalia]

And he'd been spotted. Well crap. Knowing Natalia she would relentlessly pursue him until he talked to her, so there was little point in avoiding her now. Plus, avoiding her would probably just cause another scene like before, something he didn't need.

Making up his mind, Asch straightened up and walked towards her.

[Tambrey and Rory]

"Good evening, Tambrey," Kratos said quietly, then offered a nod to the one he didn't quite recognize. Judging from how familiar he was to Tambrey, he probably was another rocket, at least. This begged the question of just how many rockets were here... and if that meant there was something to worry about after all. Large gatherings were always risky, and even more so a gathering like this. If he were the nervous type, he would probably be more concerned, but as it stood at least he knew where one (and potentially two?) allies were, which meant that he would probably be able to deal with whatever occurred.

And if something did go wrong, then well.... that was just how things went. Being a fatalist made coping with possibilities of disaster much easier, since you had to acknowledge that they were simply going to happen regardless. Kratos had long ago accepted that fate simply willed things to happen and that to attempt to rebel against one's given destiny was not only in vain but also actively attempting to bring disaster upon oneself.

It had been quite a while - quite a while - since she'd had any reason to dress up. The last occasion had been the Halloween party, and that couldn't even be considered to be the same level as a ball of this caliber. No, the last time she'd dressed up like this had to have been... Arceus, not since the PokeBall where that little girl died. That was back when Aila was alive, and Claire hardy knew her. That was before she met Aulus, and... Had that been  before she'd met Lucas too? It was hard to think that the friends she held so closely, such a short time ago... She didn't even know them yet.

Anyway, now wasn't the time for reflection - now was the time for observation, for blending in to gather information. She was perfectly content to do just that - although, she couldn't help but hope to do a bit of dancing while she was here. It was her night off, after all, and she didn't have to write a report about anything if she didn't want to, but she liked to be thorough.

Still, it wouldnt be hard to enjoy herself while gathering information at the same time. With a purple dress and a matching pair of shoes - the heel on them was thick, so they didn't sink into the grass nearly as badly as stilettos surely would - and her dark hair pulled up into a more elaborate bun than the messy one she usually favored, she blended right into the crowd.

Claire walked casually around the outskirts of the party at first, looking into the groups that stayed near the center of the area for a while, before she took a glass of water off a tray one of the waiters carried. She took the time (and drink) to pause in one of the lighted gazebos and look at the scenery instead of the people. It really was a beautiful location for the party, and the lighting was perfect. Not so perfect for observation, of course, but then lighting didn't affect her sense of hearing. She could wander through and pick up bits and pieces of all kinds of interesting conversation...

...now where was Aulus?

[Ally, Tambrey, Kratos, Yuri]

The blond felt someone poke him in the side and turned his attention from Tambrey and the unfamiliar man to see a glimpse of someone standing a little too close for his liking and his little red headed friend all dressed up. The sight of her in the white dress with the green sash took him by surprise and left him feeling slightly breathless for some reason.

As he watched her twirl, the urge to incessantly scratch at his neck and tug at his jacket disappeared. The smile on his face seemed to stretch across his face.

"You look...." What was a good word to describe her right now? Why was his brain not wanting to function? He'd seen her in her training clothes so why was this affecting him so much? "amazing."

[Natalia]

Asch's hand twitched at the fleeting touch, but instead of reciprocating he pocketed his hands, trying to fight the blush rising to his cheeks. He looked away and cleared his throat.

"Nothing worth mentioning," he said back.

He mentally berated himself. Stay focused, idiot. You have a job to do.

Green eyes turned back to Natalia. "So what are you doing here?"

(Asch)

"Oh? It's just been quiet for you? That's good, I'm sure it helped you heal." Natalia said then sipped her drink again. She lightly blushed when asked why she was here though. "I'm here because, well to be honest it was a good reason to dress up a bit and it is exciting that a league will be set up." She then looked curiously at him. "Why are you here? Nod that I'm complaining, you look very handsome today." The young woman hesitated then brushed a stray lock of hair from Asch's face.

~*~*~

(Opal)

Maiko perked up when she heard the other pokemon then changed directions to skitter over to the current Eevee. "Spin!" She cheerfully greeted when she was closer.