[Ugh, that smile. Blue grimaces, feeling a totally different kind of creeping discomfort- that of his inability to internalize genuine praise.]

Ahhh, sheesh, don't go getting all mushy... [Blue waves him off with a hand, ignoring the heat in his cheeks.] As island paradises go, it's not bad I guess. --The trainers could be better. [He flashes a cheeky grin. As if he hadn't gotten his ass whupped by another 11 year old just a little while ago but Lance doesn't need to know about that.] But ain't that the truth everywhere?

[It had been a similar discussion, about going into Pokémon research. School had never felt like the right path for him, but he couldn't stand being in Kanto anymore. Eventually it became an out- away from expectations he couldn't live up to, and all the bad memories he'd made for himself.]

[So he can't really argue that... Although he was doing the same thing now- sitting waiting for challengers at the tree- it felt less oppressive than being stuck in Virdian had.]

[And anyway, he wasn't waiting for anyone anymore.]

Aaah, this is so lame! You won't even be a challenge to battle with your old-news tactics! I'm gonna be so bored.

[Forget that they can't use their Pokéballs, it's pointless anyway!!]