Safe Haven

A Team Name

"Of course, I'll start an exploration team with you, silly," Erin replied, playfully swiping Reina with his paw. He had a smile on his face that made her feel as if they'd known each other forever.

Reina gazed at him, astonishment obvious in her expression. He answered so fast as if he didn't even have to think for a second to reply. She felt her mouth twitch upward, a smile grazing her face.

"I--thank you!" Reina said with an amazed expression, brimming with excitement. She stood on the tips of her paws, full of happiness. Erin just stared at her with a sheepish smile.

"Of course, anything for a friend--y'know?" Erin explained. He moved his paw, placing it between the two of them. He motioned with a twitch of an ear for Reina to put hers, too. She didn't even have to think before placing a paw on top of his, staring back at him with bewilderment.

"Let's make a promise, okay? We'll be the best rescue team Treasure Town has ever seen!" Erin exclaimed. Suddenly, Reina felt captured in his presence. He was so enthusiastic and outgoing, two components she loved to have in a friend.

A friend.

"I promise," Reina vowed.

-

Reina glanced back and forth between her surroundings, swamped by multiple Pokemon. The room wasn't packed, but it was concentrated with enough Pokemon to make it feel like it was. The voices of said 'mons filled the room, creating an uninterpretable wave of noise that prompted her heart to race. 

Silence quickly overtook the hall as two figures emerged from an opening door. Violet led the way as she and Charm padded forward to stand in front of the crowd. Reina stared at them in awe, amazed at how the two 'mons demanded attention simply by making an entrance. 

"Hello all, I'm glad to see the faces of all our recruits here--as requested," Violet told the crowd thankfully. Reina nodded in response like Erin and many other 'mons. However, she silently thought, If we didn't show then we'd be out of a job. 

"The instructions for the next few minutes go as follows: we will be taking one team at a time into our office, and there we will discuss your team plans with you." Charm stated, locking eyes with many of the 'mons in the crowd. 

"Once we're done, you'll be dismissed and we'll take the next team in. It repeats from there." Violet explained, immediately directing her attention to a team in front of Reina and Erin. Reina watched as they talked, intrigue and nervousness overtaking her.

The team in front of them left, and as they turned around, Charm turned to face Reina and Erin. More specifically, though, she looked into Reina's eyes.

"You're next in line," Charm told her, which sounded much more threatening than Reina's sure she intended. If Erin could have a cartoon-like sweat drop from his forehead, he would. 

Reina felt the unease start to crawl up her shoulder further and further, disturbing her much more than she would prefer. Erin glanced at her wearily, noticing her change in demeanor.

The loudness of the room seemed to be the only thing Reina's mind could focus on, and it was starting to drive her mad. Her breathing was stifled, gaining an unsteady rhythm. Her heart seemed to race at an unhealthy rate, and her ears were beginning to ring. In the middle of it all, though was a paw placed on hers. 

Suddenly, there was another force to focus on. Something to distract her from the chattiness overtaking the space they resided in. Reina sighed deeply, trying to regain a steady rhythm of breathing. Soon enough, her heart was beating regularly at a slower, calmer rate. 

The door opened and Violet and Charm appeared, the team that had just been in the room with them left the room while talking with each other happily. Reina jolted, surprised at the sudden noise of the door hitting the wall as it opened. She took another deep breath, resting her face against Erin as she regained her stability. 

Reina looked up slowly as Violet and Charm approached her and Erin. A smile was on Violet's face as she told them to follow, which they did. 

-

"Hello, you two. Well, how are you both doing?" Violet began, playing with her paws as she spoke. Reina was surprised by the casual tone of the conversation, but she wasn't opposed. It was quite preferred actually, as it relieved her of some of her stresses. 

"I'm good--I'm ready to start exploring!" Erin exclaimed triumphantly, a wide grin on his muzzle. Reina smiled in response, glad to see that her teammate was so enthusiastic. It helped motivate her...

"I--I'm excited, too!" Reina said, following in Erin's paw steps. Violet and Charm both smiled, Violet kindly and Charm proudly. Chamr stepped forward from behind Violet. 

"Well, I'm glad to hear it." Charm said, sitting down next to Violet, "Have you two given any thought to what you'll name your team?" Charm asked them, and suddenly Reina was unable to think. Their team name?

Reina didn't expect to be asked that, and she hadn't given it any thought at all. Erin, on the other hand, was brimming with energy where he stood. She swore he was about to bounce around the room at any second!

"The Safe Rangers!!!" Erin yelled and jumped back a little in surprise at his own tone. Reina startled a little but began to chuckle soon after. She certainly didn't expect that, her fur still a little spiked up at the noise. It seemed that Violet and Charm were entertained, too. 

Erin looked a little confused for a second before turning to Reina looking a little guilty. He wore that same old classic sheepish grin, looking at Reina with questioning eyes. 

"Um... If that's okay with you?" Erin whispered, looking at the ground for most of the time as he spoke. Reina smiled a little smugly, her ears twitching with amusement. Was he nervous?

"Hmm... I suppose it's good enough?" Reina replied sarcastically, before bursting out laughing. Erin looked at her with a funny smile. She stopped eventually, realizing the company they were in. 

"I--I mean, yes" Reina confirmed, giving Erin a shy and honest blink. He responded with a happy nod, turning his attention to Violet and Charm, who seemed yet again entertained by their antics. 

"Sounds like that's it, then. Welcome to the Guild, Team Safe Rangers."