Welcome to Gaia! ::

Mira walked through the streets of Katarina City, humming as she went. Her hand was in her pocket as usual, and she felt some stares on her as she continued walking. It used to bother her, but now she took it in stride. She understood why people would stare - it wasn't everyday you saw a white haired girl, let alone one missing an arm. In fact, they probably hardly noticed her hair. Removing her hand from her pocket, she ran her fingers through her bleached hair but froze as she saw a ghost.

Not a ghost-type pokemon - that would have been normal. Instead, she saw her sister. Just the back of her, though. But Mora died a year ago. It couldn't be her. And yet, what if it was? The thought was stupid, and Mira knew it. But despite herself, she found herself walking towards the black haired girl. Stop it. You're only setting yourself up for disappointment. Without realizing it, she reached out and grabbed the girl by the shoulder.

Mira was shocked by the other girl's response - it was the kind of answer that Mora would have given. Although it was obvious the girl was not her sister - aside from being alive, Lenore's eyes were not purple like her own - she almost seemed like a reborn Mora.

Mira grinned harder as Lenore accepted her friendship, even if it did require a little coaxing. "So, whatcha up to, Lenore?"

Lenore looked around again as she began to speak. "Just looking for the gym."

"Huh. You a trainer, then?"

"I guess."

Mira laughed. "'You guess?' You're either a trainer or you're not, man! You got any pokemon?"

Lenore turned her attention back to the white haired girl. "Yeah."

"Then you're a trainer. Lucky."

Lenore tilted her head. "You're not...?"

Before Mira could respond, a hulking dusknoir appeared next to Lenore and shoved the two girl's to the side. As she stumbled, Mira was about to ask what the hell its problem was before a bike rider shot past where they were just standing. Lenore turned to face the dusknoir and gave a small smile - the first smile Mira had seen on the girl. "Thanks, Mef." The dusknoir nodded before fading out of view again.

The crowd around them began to chatter about the dusknoir's appearance and disappearance. "Come on!" Mira grabbed Lenore's hand with a grin and turned and began running, pulling the girl behind her. To her credit, Lenore kept up pretty well. When they had reached an area where there were less people, Mira slowed to a stop and let go of Lenore's hand.

The black haired girl looked around. "Where are we?"

Mira shrugged again. "Somewhere with less people, so we can talk. Was that your pokemon?" She asked with excitement creeping into her voice. She looked around as if to see where the dusknoir was.

Lenore nodded. "He's Mef. Mephistopheles. He's my best friend." At her side, the dusknoir reappeared before bowing to Mira.

"Huuuuuuuuh. He looks strong, man. Were you going to challenge the gym with him?" Mira looked over Mephistopheles as she spoke, admiring the ghost-type.

Lenore shrugged. "I don't know if I was going to challenge it. I was just going to check it out, first. Someone I know recently became the gym leader of this city."

Mira turned her attention from Mephistopheles to Lenore. "Huh. You know the kid?"

Lenore tilted her head. "You know Lyle?"

"Not personally. I was just in the crowd watching the tournament to decide the new gym leader. Everyone else was way older than him, so I figured he didn't have a shot. But he's strong, and I respect that." She paused. "Wait, how do you know him?"

Lenore shrugged. "We both worked as assistants at the Motterosa Gym together."

Mira's eyes widened. "Whaaaaaaaaat?? Then you gotta be nearly as strong as him!" Lenore shrugged wordlessly as Mira continued. "Dude, can you do me a favor?"

Lenore stared blankly at the other. "Maybe?"

"Can you help me catch a pokemon?"