cradle of the forest (layla)

[Ilargi “Bii” Benigno]

[attr="class","box1"]After the calamity in Drogo Village, everyone was on high alert and hunting for answers. For Bii, this mostly meant keeping her head down and attending to her duties. Today, that included patrolling Maplemaze Forest. While its vibrant ecosystem made it a ripe place to recruit unwilling pokemon for those with nefarious purposes, the real danger lay in its namesake maze-like structure. What hid at its depths was rumored and perhaps sometimes glimpsed, but never known in full. Bii understood it a bit. It was necessary to have secrets. She stood on the edge of the forest, adjusting her uniform hat where the wiggle of her ears had shifted it off to the side. The pokeballs for today’s team sat on her belt, but Vivere and Inkwell were both out. Buttons would have been a bigger help with her ability to fly, but at the moment… the ranger and her second ever pokemon were hardly speaking. The luxio’s ears pricked. Someone was approaching. Layla Quartermain

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[Layla Quartermain]

"Layla Speech" || Ilargi “Bii” Benigno

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Now it would not only be the Deerling gijinka that would have decided upon heading out to Maplemaze Forest in order to get away from or otherwise be attempting to make efforts to use this as an opportunity to figure out details of what were going on as a whole throughout the region as a result of what had recently occured in three area's within the region. While it were true that at this point and after having spent a sufficent amount of time within the region known as Shula and had observed some of the efforts made by the team known as Diamond Crystal to know that the havoc they had caused were about normal and nearly on par with what they had previously done, but it would in no way make it any better of course.

Truth be told despite whatever Layla may already be aware of this particular organisations general tactics and the like but it didn't mean that she could make any more sense on the matter than some of those around her, it were just so frustrating that these people felt the need to do what they were doing. Truth be told there had been so many thoughts swirling through her mind that she had felt the need to come out here just to get some peace - or as much as she were able to.

It had taken surprisingly little time for Layla to have made her preparations for heading out here and equally less time to travel out here, though that could be down to the pale haired woman's mind being relatively distracted even despite the pressence of the Spearow that were flying alongside the short ranger woman. It would take a soft chirping sound to escape the small bird to tug Layla's attention back to where she was, gaze finding itself wandering for a moment before coming to quizzically land upon the distant yet gradually nearing figure that were stood at the entrance of the forest.

Well, guess it likely looked as if she were not the only one who had intentions of heading out here today.

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[Ilargi “Bii” Benigno]

[attr="class","box1"]It was another ranger, judging by the uniform. A thoughtful swish of Inkwell’s tail proceeded her turning to her partner. “You should ask her to patrol with us,” the luxio suggested. “You’ll need strength in numbers if we actually find anything.” She’d heard the other person. She just hadn’t been trying to look at them. She had learned to discern the sound of a shod foot walking without a tail or anything dragging behind it. She strained her ears to seek out other gijinka and put her effort into (im)politely ignoring humans. Still, Inkwell had a point. “Hello,” Bii greeted, voice soft and high. “You’re… also going to inv’stigate? Here? Um, patrol?” Vivere the phantump looked at the approaching duo. “Flying type. That’s good, right?” he asked. Inkwell nodded. “If they’ll work with us, that is.”

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[Layla Quartermain]

"Layla Speech" || Ilargi “Bii” Benigno

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Now in Layla's case though there would indeed be a faint part of her that would not be paying full attention to the other person that she had taken note of while approaching, now when there were the faintest of impressions that the other were ignoring the pale haired woman for some reason. Just what that particular reason would be Layla would not know but there had to be one right? Thouhg she would try to avoid putting too much thought into it for the moment, more so taking into consideration of the fact that as strange as it were to sound there were a certain amount of anticipation on expecting the other to have headed off long before she would have even gotten close enough to interact.

As it were to ultimately turn out however it would come as a mild surprise that Layla would turn out to be wrong.

The greeting that would be directed her way would be more than enough to get the pale haired woman shifting her attention towards the other, though what would gain Layla's attention the most would be - for lack of a better way to describe such - the literal mass of fluffy hair of the other equally short woman. "Oh, hi . . . . . I guess yes? A bit of both really and just wanting some peace out here. Did you . . . . . Want some company?" Layla queried in turn while tilting her head to one side as she drew closer, the small Spearow that were with her meanwhile would have gotten nearer to this other woman and her companions - enough to hear what they had said before the small bird would come to land upon the ground before this other woman before daring to offer a chirp of greeting.

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[Ilargi “Bii” Benigno]

[attr="class","box1"]Bii didn’t want company. But, she needed it and lying came naturally to her, especially when she fretted that the truth might not get her what she wanted. “Yes,” she said, and then added on unnecessarily: “I was, um, was… there was supposed to be another… But, they never showed up.” Inkwell twitched an ear. What on earth had the gijinka said that for? The other woman was also a ranger! If that got back to the others, there’d be questions. Yet, the luxio had the spearow to focus on. Thankfully, Vivere was very friendly. “Cheap?” he echoed, not quite able to mimic the sound of the flying type. He floated lower, matching the spearow’s position on the ground. “How ya doin’?” Inkwell offered. bii sprite & template by nic food sprites comm'd from alma on vgen

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[Layla Quartermain]

"Layla Speech" || Ilargi “Bii” Benigno

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Now as Layla would get nearer to the other woman would she find herself carefully and cautiously studying the other woman for the longest of times, of course other than the obvious features that would define the other woman as being a little different - not that such a thing would bother Layla in any way - but there were just seemed to be something else that seemed a little off. Maybe it were indeed something that Layla were indeed imagining or over thinking given the circumstances and she were generally thinking the worst but at the same time who could blame her?

"Really? I didn't think there were anyone else planning on coming out here? But that's alright; hopefully I can live up to whatever expectation you had for the other person then?" Would the shorter pale haired woman counter before managing a faint smile and slight shrug after a while in something of a thoughtful manner.

Meanwhile the Spearow would look between the Luxio and Phantump for the longest of times before eventually managing something of a smile and offer a nod of greeting to them both before allowing the smallest of coughs to escape the avian being before eventually coming to respond. < I am doing well, looking forward to being out here - how are you both doing? > Would the Spearow finally come to respond curiously.

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[Ilargi “Bii” Benigno]

[attr="class","box1"]“It was, was on the, um, skedule,” Bii insisted, absolutely botching the pronunciation of schedule. Her lie had worked, though, so she nodded to the other woman. Was… that the correct thing to do. “It’ll be okay…” Or, so she hoped as she turned away, gaze focused on the path ahead. She looked over her shoulder, cervine-long neck granting her a little more of a look back than a more mundane anatomy might have allowed. “I’m Ilargi Benigno. Nice to meet you.” There. She was well-practiced at this now. Unless exceptional circumstances came about, she felt somewhat confident. “Are you, now?” the luxio asked, tail twirling. “Ya hopin’ to catch a clue? ‘Cause I’m hankerin’ for one.” Her gaze fell upon the forest. Her golden eyes scanned the promising darkness of the forest’s depths. What secrets laid within the maze…? Could there really be enemies waiting to be found there? Inkwell imagined herself sinking her claws into them and sending jolts of her electricity through them. That would teach them a lesson. “I hope we don’t find anything,” Vivere confessed. “But, we’re doing well! Thank you for asking!” The phantump smiled brightly at the spearow. bii sprite & template by nic food sprites comm'd from alma on vgen

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[Layla Quartermain]

"Layla Speech" || Ilargi “Bii” Benigno

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Now did it in any way sound bad that Layla would be more than a little sceptical in regards to what the other woman were saying about her 'excursion' out here today being on the schedule - her pronounciation of such mattered not - along with apparantly being waiting for another, but while the pale haired woman may have been faintly doubting the other woman it were not as if Layla could in any way outright point out such lest she she look like the unfair and cruel one.

As such she would simply seem to vaguely shake her head a little in order to dismiss all these thoughts and make efforts to focus upon what would be going on here and now - after all this were all that mattered for the moment were it not?

"It's nice to meet you too - I'm Layla Quartermain. I love your hair! Wish I could get my hair like that, so fluffy." The pale haired woman would respond and offer in turn before throwing in an added extra - and truly genuine - compliment before she took steps towards the other woman though keeping enough of a distance in order to ensure the other were as comfortable as were possible.

In time the Spearow too would find himself drifting towards the forest also before offering a nod of agreement, the very thought of finding some clue or the like after having heard about what had occurred he truly wanted to find out what had gone on and find out any further information on the matter also. < Yes, if means getting closer to finding things out then all the better. > Would the small bird find himself agreeing and managing a nod, in turn also finding himself flexing his talons into the dirt before eventually turning back to look upon the other pair of pokemon more so when the small Phantump came to speak in turn.

Of course the Spearow could understand this point of view also which would certainly be more than enough to get the bird seemingly humming in a thoughtful manner before nodding in an understanding way. < Well; whatever happens we shall see yes? If means get to spend some time with fellow rangers and such then who cares. >

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[Ilargi “Bii” Benigno]

[attr="class","box1"]At the compliment, Bii smiled a little. That was nice to hear from the other woman, considering Layla seemed rather doll-like in Bii’s opinion. She had smooth, youthful skin and there was an almost iridescent quality to her hair. It reminded the gijinka of her favorite jewel, actually. Would that be a good thing to say back? Would it be odd? She wasn’t used to telling other people what she thought about their looks… “I like your hair, too.” She gestured with both hands, forming a semi-circle on each side. “It’s like a pearl…! Colorful, but light…” She had turned around for this, facing Layla for a moment before trying to continue the beginning of their joint patrol. Inkwell glanced at the two women. “C’mon before they wander off without us.” She padded after the duo, expecting Vivere and the spearow to follow. Yet, Vivere would lag behind a little, trying to chat with the spearow. “You sound so confident…” He shook his wooden head, trying to fake the same feeling for himself. “Yeah! Maybe we can just chat! Nothing big will happen!” “I’d rather us find something,” Inkwell muttered, not looking back at the duo. bii sprite & template by nic food sprites comm'd from alma on vgen

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[Layla Quartermain]

"Layla Speech" || Ilargi “Bii” Benigno

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Now this were indeed a good start were it not? The fact that a seemingly small and simple thing like an offered compliment would be just about enough to ease whatever tension that may have been caused by the human woman's arrival here, thank Arceus for the good choice of little things. If anything Layla would not have minded if the other had not offered one in return for her own, so to have one thrown back her way would come as something of a pleasant surprise and as such would cause the faintest of smiles to form upon the pale haired woman's features.

"Now aren't you sweet? Am looking forward to spending some time you you then, Now shall we see what we can find if anything while we are out here Miss Bii?" Would layla respond before she would step forward and join the other woman in starting to head inwards on their joint patrol.

Now when the two female's would begin heading off into the forest would the Spearow cast a glance over towards the air for the briefest of moments before finally turning back to face his newest companions with something of a smile upon his beak before small wings would extend and begin flapping just enough to get airborne and keep pace with the other pair. < Whatever happens we will be alright yes? Nothing too bad will come while we stick together. > Alright maybe the bird were being a little too confident but at the same time what harm did it truly do to offer some comfort to the Phantump?

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[Ilargi “Bii” Benigno]

[attr="class","box1"]Miss Bii?! The ranger’s mouth parted in a little ‘o’ of surprise. Should she address Layla the same way? She wasn’t sure. Most people didn’t call each other like that. But, she’d seen a few shows where people did that. Mostly the comfortable, slow-paced ones where people took their leisure to do comfortable, slow-paced things. Was that the sort of girl Layla was? Bii thought she looked as if she might fit in very well at those Galarian tea time things. So, she decided to adopt the respectful title for her own use, at least with her fellow ranger. “I’m sure we’ll do our, um… due-teas well, Miss Layla.” The fumbling wasn’t glaringly obvious, especially with the quick and happy way she recovered. This was turning out quite nicely, she thought, as they headed into the maze-like forest. A walk under the trees with someone pleasant and her team sounded just perfect. It could only be ruined if they found what they were setting out to find… Vivere gave the spearow a smile, recognizing that the flying type was trying to comfort him. “I know! I just… Well, I heard from Buttons—one of my teammates, sorry, that probably wasn’t obvious—anyways, I heard from Buttons that those Rhymin’ Crystal people are scary! They’ve got super strong pokemon that act totally weird!” “Diamond Crystal,” Inkwell corrected, not looking back at the duo. She was busy looking all over. It was unlikely that, this far from the depths of the treacherous woods, they would find anything of note. But, not looking for something was a surefire way to not find anything. Her tail swished in contemplative tension. “Everyone drove them off last time. We’ve just got to be better prepared.” bii sprite & template by nic food sprites comm'd from alma on vgen

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[Layla Quartermain]

"Layla Speech" || Ilargi “Bii” Benigno

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Now, if Layla had indeed in any way taken note of how Bii had reacted to her particular usage of the word 'Miss' when addressing the other woman she would not have made it obvious, rather the pale haired female would just find herself managing something of a small smile to herself as she glanced towards the other woman in the moments after she had spoken herself. Well it were indeed a good thing and as such made her glad that she had in no manner offended Bii by addressing her as such, this would indeed be a good thing to know for the rest of today and potential future interactions she may have with the other.

But Layla would not allow her focus to linger on such a thing for too long even if she would turn her focus and attention to Bii when the other gijinka - well, it were still a presumption but a damned clear one, even if she were going to be too polite to confirm - woman would speak herself and refer to herself as 'miss'. This in itself would be more than enough to get the pale haired woman smiling happily to her - temporary or otherwise - companion as they proceeded into the forest. "Yes, there's no doubt we will manage our duties well. And won't let anything bad happen to you either - and I bet you'll be wonderful company, give us both a chance to get to know each other right?" Of course Layla were going to make the effort to be as friendly as possible, it made sense to do such right? More so when Bii seemed like a nice enough person too can but hope things would go well.

Now in the case of the Spearow the small bird would remain politely quiet while listening to what firstly the equally small Phantump said - all the while trying not to laugh at the amusing mistake made in regards to the name of those Diamond Crystal goons - then the Luxio's comments before the bird would come to nod his own agreement. < Yes, I heard that about them and the pokemon that they use also - even if I have not seen such myself have heard about such and the chaos caused in different places. And yes, to be better prepared for the future is the best course of action and hope it all works. > Would the Spearow come to respond in time.

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[Ilargi “Bii” Benigno]

[attr="class","box1"]“You, too!” Bii quickly responded. “N-Not let anything happen, I mean…” Oh, dear. What a pleasant problem to have. Bii kept her eyes on the woods, taking in the tranquility. As for the matter of getting to know one another. What to bring up? They knew one another’s names and jobs. A pleasant but long silence stretched on from the gijinka. “No face to face encounters?” Inkwell summarized. “Probably for the best… Our buddy ran into ‘em.” The luxio thought of how Buttons had been so upset after battling that rampaging pokemon. “... Anyways, let’s try to have some fun, huh?” “Maybe we could try to collect mushrooms?” Vivere suggested. Hearing what the pokemon were saying, Bii perked up. “D-Do you like mushrooms, Miss Layla?!” bii sprite & template by nic food sprites comm'd from alma on vgen

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[Layla Quartermain]

"Layla Speech" || Ilargi “Bii” Benigno

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Layla herself would find herself making an effort to dare to offer a smile of what could only be described as kindness with a hint of uncertainty mixed in also, for though she would not know such a thing the pale haired woman would also be experiencing a similar problem as to just what to begin to discuss next given they had for the most part gotten the initial preliminaries out of the way and focus upon their immediate surroundings as they continued to proceed forth.

For here although Layla would mostly be focusing upon her and Bii's surrounding's and on the outside seemed relatively calm her brain would too be making efforts to consider just how to direct the conversation from here on out, even if it would be true that at the same time she would be enjoying the brief silence that would form between the two women.

< Right, no face to face for me. . . . . . Though one of my own team mates did, in the last problems that were happening. He mentioned were real tough. > Would the Spearow correct himself and speak honestly, though he would certainly be thankful for the suggestion regarding to have some fun would get the bird nodding eagerly and allowing a small sigh to escape him in turn. < Fun is good, need some good memories right? >

Having glanced briefly over towards the trio of pokemon while they seemed to be conversing with each other a surge of mild curiosity would flow through the woman as she wondered just what they were discussing before instead her attention would turn and focus on Bii with a mix of surprise and intrigue evident on her features.

"Mushrooms? Like edible ones that can cook up and make into soup and other things? Goodness I haven't found some good wild mushrooms in forever, want to do some mushroom hunting then? Have a little fun while we are out here?" Layla would come to find herself asking after a while in a curious manner while looking towards the other woman as she spoke.

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[Ilargi “Bii” Benigno]

[attr="class","box1"]“Right!” the phantump agreed. He floated up a little higher, trying to look around the dark, winding forest. “Let’s try to find something good…” The two humanoid were on the same page as the pokemon. Bii had, admittedly, never successfully found any edible wild mushrooms. Her time outdoors was rather limited and she had been focusing all of her skills upon trying to cultivate berries. More than once Inkwell had to discourage her from trying to eat strange herbs on the assumption they were similar to the cultivated, domesticated varieties she found in town gardens and the like. But, she hadn’t disclosed this… Which meant this mushroom hunting experience was about to be quite interesting. Bii agreed with a little nod. “Mmhm! They should be… somewhere dark and… damp.” Which would require them to leave the path and test exactly how maze-like this area could be, but Bii trusted fully both Inkwell and Vivere. So, the sound of her hooves went from the steady crunch-crunch of a well maintained path to the shuffling of grasses and the occasion squish of wetter, muddy earth. It was good she was short, or else her huge hair would have immediately gotten caught on a branch. Vivere floated after the gijinka. “Come on!” Inkwell didn’t wait for an invitation or for the other two to follow. Her leisurely attitude had shifted into serious focus the minute Bii went off-trail. bii sprite & template by nic food sprites comm'd from alma on vgen

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