Dawn sighed as she stirred her hot chocolate. The crisp, autumn air flew in through the open window in the center. She was there waiting for her Pokémon to heal. The competition she took part in for the next ribbon had been brutal and the battle took a lot out of her Togekiss. Sipping the now stirred chocolate, she took a sip and stared out the window.

Winter would arrive soon and that will certainly slow down her team as they walk around Sinnoh. She hoped she could have time to go back home, as she missed her mother dearly. Another sip of her chocolate and she placed the cup down, sighing deeply.

"Another sigh like that and you'll blow down the entire center you klutz." A voice snapped her out her thoughts. Her cheeks reddened and she blamed it on the weather.

"Oh do be quiet, Paul."

The teenager walked over, placing his cup down. From the smell it was coffee, plain and strong.

Like him.

"This seat taken?"

Dawn shook her head. It was due to her array of thoughts going through her head, but Paul took it as a invitation and slid down the chair. He sat down and took the mug full of coffee into his hands.

"I didn't say you could sit there." She puffed her cheeks.

"You didn't say no either." He sipped the coffee and stared at her. "So I saw that battle of yours. Togekiss did good. Could have gone a different route with Sky Attack instead of the Air Slash, but you made it work."

Dawn raised an eyebrow. He had seen the match?

Curiosity got the better of her, and after taking a sip of her chocolate couldn't help but ask; "what did you think?"

"I just praised Togekiss, what else do you want?"

"Your overall thoughts. I do think Sky Attack would have been more effective as well, but the match was nearing the end so I went a safe route."

"A five percent increase in accuracy." Paul states. "So you went for accuracy rather than power."

"As one does when they think clearly. We're not all you." Dawn couldn't help but say.

Paul placed the cup down and crossed his arms.

"We all have our method of training and battle techniques."

"And where have yours gotten you?" Dawn can't help but retort.

"Winning battles, whereas yours..." he coughs. "I mean, it's not like you have a record or something."

Dawn wanted to throw her cup at him. "It's all a learning experience."

"Not much learning to do if you don't improve. I'd say today was a fluke but you trained hard didn't you?"

Was that a praise from the icy king himself?

Dawn smiled brightly. "I certainly did."

"And it paid off. Good enough for you."

That was a compliment alright. She'll take it!

"Thank you!" Dawn's smile didn't falter one bit.

Paul finished his coffee and took his cup, standing up. "If you need any tips, from a real trainer, you know where to find me."

Dawn tilted her head. She did not know where to find him. Paul was as elusive as ever.

Paul took off his Poketch and handed it over. "For serious inquiries or emergencies only." He stated.

Dawn placed down her cup. Taking his Poketch she was confused for a moment. She pressed hers to his, and soon they were registered friends in each other's systems. She handed it back to him. "Only serious things." She repeated, as if still in disbelief.

"Oh, don't give me that look." He sighed as he placed the device back on his wrist. "Fine, I'll accept two random ones a day."

Dawn smiled. "Great! You'll love pictures of my Buneary she's too adorable for words."

"I'm regretting this already." Paul said as he pressed his free hand to the chair.

"No take backs!" Dawn said, finishing her cup of chocolate and also standing up.

"As if I could by now either way." Paul would have rolled his eyes, if he did such a thing.

Whatever this was between them, it was interesting and he wanted to explore what it was and what it could potentially lead to.