...shit, Ignis thought. She was currently feeling troubled by two issues at once, alongside several distraction factors. Her first issue was something Bill mentioned- the Clefairy DNA mix-up incident. As the current point of time was eight years into the future of the actual game, Bill's reached a rather successful level in that experiment, but the fact that it still happened would mean that someone had to have helped him out during the mishap.

Who helped Clefairy-Bill back then, when it happened? No normal human would listen to him, they'd attempt to fight and catch him right away. The only person who'd stop to listen would be the clichéd kindhearted protagonist of a game. But that's who I am right now- the protagonist of the game... sort of. Does Red actually still exist in this universe, somewhere?

...she mentally sighed. This wasn't the time for conspiracy theories, so she decided to shelve it deep inside her mind for later.

Next issue was... hm. "Me and Terra?" she voiced, feigning ignorance. Is Hana actually being perceptive of us? And where's this question coming from anyways? She had to wonder. Terra certainly did seem rather clingy with her, but the ravenette didn't feel like she'd have displayed any romantic hints towards the brunette.

I'm not even gay. I think. She blinked. Wait, I'm gay for female fictional characters. Maybe I am gay? This matter seemed troubling too, but she can't put it away while she's being asked about it.

Hm. Just what is my relationship with Terra anyways?

According to Terra herself, the original Ignis and Terra had done some damn kinky shit when they were younger than eighteen, during one party night... or something. Wait, isn't that underaged sex? ...can we be arrested? She groaned. Stop getting sidetracked, damn it. Okay, so... hm. I think she's cute. She's definitely clingy. But are we dating?

"...M-Miss Ignis?" Hana said. "I-I'm sorry, was that question too, um, personal?"

"Huh?" Ignis blinked. The blonde was staring straight at her. "Oh, uh, it's fine. I was just... thinking," she said and looked back at the Cerulean Cape. "...I'm not sure, but I don't think we're that close yet."

"O-oh. I... see."

The two sat together in silence, watching some Goldeen and Magikarp appear on the water surface.

Ignis scratched her head. Well, now I feel awkward. Is this supposed to be awkward? The hell should I know. She turned slightly to see Hana staring back. The blonde flinched and quickly looked frontwards again, cheeks slightly pink. Yeah, someone catching you staring would be kinda embarrassing, huh. She chuckled. "Well, don't fret about it," she said. "I do admit Terra's kinda cute sometimes. But I think you're cute too!" Wait, I don't think that was the point of the question.

She was going to say something else to most likely mess her words up even more, but she stopped upon Hana turning redder. "..."

"...hm." Did I make things worse? Ignis looked back at the cape. More like, the hell were we actually discussing again?

Then she heard the door open and turned to her right. "Oh, hey."

Terra skipped out the house. "Iggy! I'm done!" she said. "Can you believe it? His story was mad flippin' awesome!"

"W-was it now?" Ignis asked. "Maybe you can tell us all about it later at another Pokémon Center, haha..." Bedtime story quality, I bet.

"Aw, okay. But trust me, it will blow your mind! Literally!" Terra exclaimed.

"Did it blow yours too?"

"Yeah! Literally!"

"..."

Well, thinking back to the topic of love... she's an airhead. A cute airhead. Ignis couldn't help but smile.

"What're you smiling for?" Terra asked.

"No, it's nothing, it's nothing." Ignis turned to the house. "You wait outside, I need to ask him a question. Won't take long." I'll at least get the name of whoever helped him during the Clefairy shtick, she figured.

"Alright, take your time," the brunette replied.

Several minutes later, the three were once again on their way. This time, they were headed south of Cerulean City.

Terra spotted another house on the way. "Why's there a house out here too?" she asked. "Is it another famous researcher, maybe?"

It seemed to excite the brunette, as shown by the expressions on her face, but Ignis chuckled. "Nah, that's a Pokémon Day Care." I remember tossing my Magikarp in there. She faced her two companions. "You can leave any of your Pokémon in the owner's care, and they'll raise it and train it for you."

"How do you even know these things?" Terra muttered. "Well, regardless, I think I'm fine with mine. They'd be lonely without us after all!"

"Indeed, I believe it's not necessary for us right now," Hana said.

Ignis grinned. "Whatever you say then." She honestly held the same views, and thus doesn't particularly enjoy the idea of leaving it to others to raise her Pokémon. Of course, the exception was Magikarp, but she's experienced how long it took already without the knowledge that each experience point was gained for every step she took. It was only once, but she definitely didn't want to wait crazy long again.

Thus, the three walked past the Pokémon Day Care and reached a shelter area.

"From here is Saffron City," Hana said. "It's... where I came from, although I'm not too happy with coming back here. But I think I'll be fine."

"Uh, if you say so," Igins replied. Not a case of home sweet home, I see. The three walked inside the connecting shelter, only to be stopped by a nearby guard who seemed to be lazing around, his back facing them and his legs swinging around with no enthusiasm.

"Hold on there, fellas. I'm afraid I can't let you pass," he said in a monotone.

Ignis blinked. Oh yeah, we're not supposed to be able to access Saffron City yet, although I can't really remember why that was so. "What's the problem, officer?"

He groaned without even turning around. "I need to record those entering for the first time, but I'm feeling lazy because I'm thirsty... do me a favor and get me something to drink, won't you?" he said.

"...uh." Ignis and Terra exchanged glances.

"The heck, he's just a lazy bum," Terra said.

"Call me what you want, I'm still doing my job." The officer yawned. "I just need motivation."

Hana then stepped forward. "E-excuse me, sir."

"Hm?" The guard lazily turned around, staring at Hana. Then his eyes widened. "Wait, you're..."

"Y-yes, I am," Hana hushed, but to no avail.

"Hana Deborah!" The guard quickly got up and bowed. "I- I deeply apologize for my behavior! P-please go through with your friends!"

"...Hana Deborah?" Terra asked.

"Wasn't it Hana Kanazawa?" Ignis asked.

The blonde looked away. "Y-yes, well... i-it might have been a fake name..."

...why Kanazawa though? the otherworlder wondered. "Why a fake name though?"

"I- I don't believe it's safe to give out your real name to strangers..." Hana muttered.

"We gave our names to pretty much everyone we've met so far though," Terra pointed out.

The blonde fidgeted with her fingers. "B-but I didn't give my real name..." Feeling the two's confused stares, she flailed her arms around comically. "B-b-but I'm not saying I don't trust you two! I really, um, think you two really great friends that I trust, and, um..."

"...oh, hey, I just remembered," Ignis said. "Your father's part of Silph Co. and Team Rocket... and a high ranked person I guess?"

Hana nodded, nervous. "That's right... b-but again, I didn't hide my name out of distrust or anything..."

"Ah, it's fine," the ravenette ultimately said. "Who cares about that? Hana's still Hana, Deborah or Kanazawa or whatever. I trust you too, silly."

"..." Hana was speechless, but slightly touched.

Terra rolled her eyes. "Well, if Iggy says she's fine with it, then sure. I'm fine with that too," she eventually said. "At least now we know, I suppose."

"Miss Ignis... Miss Terra..."

The blonde smiled.

"I... I'll show you around my home city!" she suddenly declared. "I'm sure there will be many things that you both will enjoy, and if you'd like, there's even two sorts of gyms here too, Miss Ignis!" She grabbed Ignis' hand. "This will be my way of saying thanks, so please! You can count on me!"

Uh, this isn't even that big of a deal, Ignis thought. "R-right, okay."

"...no need to rush it, Hana," Terra muttered.

"O-oh, right. S-sorry," the blonde apologized and let go, feeling a bit embarrassed.

They casually walked through the shelter building and officially entered Saffron City. The view of all the buildings and tech around them really surprised Ignis, and definitely seemed to get Terra's fascination. It probably resonated somewhat with Hana, who probably missed her home city, but as Ignis stared at her blonde companion smiling at her home city, she chuckled.

Yeah, she's cute when she's not humble, the girl figured.