A stone plopped into the water making ripples that seemed to reach all the way to the shore. The pond had a light fog over it that made the area nearly eerie. It was the early morning, and the only sound currently heard was the occasional plop as another stone hit the water and sunk to the bottom of a steadily growing pile. Vanilla was tossing stones idly as if trying to toss her troubles away into the lake along with the stones. Another plop sounded and she sighed and leaned back while kicking her feet. This early in the morning, if she was up, Vanilla liked to wander to quiet and peaceful areas to think about things. Usually it was a relaxing time for her... But her mind and heart kept bringing back up a conflict that ran through her mind. She shook her head and picked up another stone to toss into the pond yet again.

There was a faint rustle in the bushes on the left side of the pond, and after a few moments, Oswald walked through them, a few wraps of cloth across his chest, showing that Oran berries didn't cure all wounds, and that even guild members needed time to relax. Of course, as the mienfoo dipped his feet into the water, he hadn't taken notice of the Minccino on the left side of the pond. He was too carried away by his own conflicting thoughts, as he vividly remembered how cruel Rayo had been, and how Vanilla had taken an electrifying blow to save his own partner.

Vanilla tossed yet another stone into the pond. She stopped midway through picking up another as she heard something farther away. Guild pokemon...? Up this early? Vanilla pondered as to whether or not she should investigate or leave while she could. If I stay quiet enough... They might not be suspicious of me. At least I hope so. She slowly got up and walked across the lake, opposite of the stranger who's silhouette was covered by fog. She hoped they wouldn't notice her quietly leaving.

Oswald felt the soft ripple of the water as a pebble was thrown into the pond. The Mienfoo looked up, watching as the sillhouette started to leave, but he didn't do anything, didn't bother saying hello or good morning. Instead he just sat there, staring out at the water, wondering if Kaze would've had a better partner with some other pokemon. If it wasn't for Oswald's relationship with Vanilla, then he wouldn't have made so many "mistakes". He would've utilized teamwork more effectively, initially pairing up Kaze with Rayo, then trapping Rayo with a Rock Tomb while Kaze would attack the bug whilst it was trapped. If Vanilla would do anything, Oswald would have detected her attack, and then pound on her repeatedly with Force Palms, Rock Tombs, and pounds.

However, that wasn't the case, and the whole team suffered dearly for it. But, that was the price Oswald was willing to pay to keep Vanilla safe, and since it was the first mission he and Kaze had performed together, he could chalk most of his actions as "choking up". But if they were to encounter Vanilla's team again, could Oswald so easily take the fall? After what happened, he certainly wanted to apprehend Rayo, at the very least, but knew that such an act would ruin his relationship with Vanilla...if they still had one.

Vanilla turned back around as she reached the bushes. The figure was just sitting by its lonesome. Just like her, they seemed to want to be alone. She wondered if Oswald was sitting alone now. She rubbed her tail, which still had a few tufts of fur gone from being charred by the Electro Ball, and stood at the entrance. Her brown eyes shut tight as she plopped down on the ground. Really, what's the point of running now? You're in over your head Vanilla, and you know it. Wherever Oswald is, he's probably training or helping out his teammate. If only he hadn't came. And if only I hadn't sent that Rattata to post my message on the board for him. He'd have been better off. He's injured, and his partner is injured. He's probably furious with me on top of that.

Vanilla could feel herself getting riled up. There was a constant amount of frustration, but now it was building up to the point she was angry at herself. She picked up a twig laying near the base of a bush and lifted it up. She turned and threw it as hard as she could, granted it only flew so far before it dropped to the ground near the shore of the pond. She sighed, the twig hadn't really helped all that much when it came to taking out her anger on something.

Oswald jumped slightly upon faintly seeing the figure throw a stick at the pond, the wooden implement bouncing against the ground once before landing in the pond, sending ripples through the pristine waters. The Mienfoo stood, his current train of thought derailed by the pokemon who was acting so strangely.

"Hey, are you alright over there?" Oswald called, trying to speak loud enough for whoever it was that had joined him at the pond this morning.

Vanilla heard someone call out to her. She had forgotten they were there for a moment and debated on whether she should answer or not. Vanilla shrugged, surely they wouldn't recognize her voice anyways. "I'm... Fine." She replied. Her voice traveled, but she wasn't making an attempt to be too loud in case anybody else was there.

A small period of silence spread over the duo, as the mienfoo tried to identify how genuine the mysterious pokemon's response was. Of course, it was easy to tell that what this pokemon had said was a downright lie, and Oswald pressured the issue, replying, "Pokemon that are "fine" don't go throwing sticks at the ground with such force. Are you sure you're alright miss?"

Oswald couldn't recognize the voice, but he didn't draw closer to the individual, as they would probably run away if he got too close.

Vanilla paused. The concerned, or maybe suspicious, Pokemon could approach her at any moment. His actions caused her to think for a few moments, something about it was very familiar. The way he spoke and reacted to the situation made something click in the back of her head. And yet she couldn't put it all together for some reason. I must be tired still... Vanilla thought. She finally cut through the long silence that had stretched out from her thinking. "I don't see what's so bad about throwing a stick." She replied, trying to make light of her situation to prove she was fine.

The mienfoo shook his head, still not convinced by the other pokemon's words, and still oblivious to who it really was that he was talking to.

Oswald stepped out of the pond, having had enough of the calming water lapping at his ankles. He took a few steps closer, then replied, "It's not the fact that you threw the stick, it's how hard you threw it, putting all of your frustration into it. It's not healthy to relieve stress like that."

"I'd rather throw a stick, than hurt a Pokemon. I don't think anyone would appreciate me stomping around Pecha Forest either while punching trees. I had enough problems a few days ago there anyways..." Vanilla muttered. The memories of her battle with Oswald were still fresh. Her ears twitched as she realized how stressed she was. Stressed enough to make her twitch occasionally apparently.

Oswald blinked, perplexed by what might have caused such stress in the other pokemon, as well as what might have happened to her a few days ago in Pecha Forest. Oswald slowed his advance for a moment, remembering what had happened the last time he had gone to Pecha Forest. He touched a paw to his bandaged chest, remembering how he had practically given the fight to the Minccino and her Joltik partner.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. You weren't robbed, were you?" Oswald asked, slowly getting closer and closer as time moved on.

Vanilla blinked. His apology seemed sincere enough. She figured since they were both shrouded in fog, and the Pokemon had no idea who she was, it wouldn't hurt to get even a little bit off her chest. "Uhh.. I guess you could say one of them stole something." She said with a nervous laugh. "Although it was more of a conflict than anything. My friend isn't too happy with me. And I'm thinking the other Pokemon isn't either. Not that it matters I mean... It'll be over soon." Vanilla replied, feeling a sickly sensation from her chest to her stomach at the mere mention of it.

Oswald sighed, the pokemon's words reminding him more and more of the incident that had occurred only a few days before. As he got closer, the voice only became more and more recognizable, and at about half way, Oswald could easily tell who it was. Still, he said nothing about it, as he just continued to approach.

"You shouldn't say that. Just because you had one little fight doesn't mean that your friendship is over, and who knows, maybe that other pokemon doesn't mind as much as you think he does?" Oswald replied, smiling a little before continuing on with his pep talk, "And trust me, things might be down for you now, but I'm sure they'll pick up."

Vanilla shook her head and stepped back with one footpaw. "You... Wouldn't quite understand..." She said and blinked a few times. The shadow had formed into a more familiar figure. She suddenly recognized him and stepped back further. She wasn't hiding the fact she was surprised at the sudden appearance. "You..." Was all Vanilla could manage. To her, he was appearing everywhere.