"No." Breccia jerked her fingers away before tapping one against her Zubat's nose. "That's mean..." Alone in the lab after hours, she was tired but confidant. Holding a bag of assorted berries, she dug around for another. "If you don't like cheri's, that's fine. Don't take it out on me." Her Pokemon, affectionately coined Nibbles (or Nibs), for his propensity to chomp and bite, was making strides.
He was still tiny and the first few days she had him were unstable. Due to his premature nature, he spent those days in the incubation chamber. Because Lars refused to accommodate her new dependent, Breccia was forced to drag her new friend (chamber and all) to the lab every time she was needed. She tended to her duties, taking a break every couple hours to feed Nibs and change his bedding.
To prevent him from being dehydrated, she used a syringe to help him drink. She did the same method to try and get him to take his milk.
It was obvious Lars was not fond of the newest addition, but with threats from not only Riker but Morice, he held his tongue.
Now able to move around, Nibs was eating solid foods and Breccia was in the process of figuring out which berries he preferred.
"Lets try...Chesto." She held it to Nibble's mouth, watching as it was taken by a pair of sharp fangs. The Pokemon gnawed on it for a moment before spitting it out. "Too tough huh? Let me find another..." Breccia fished around in the bag, pulling out a slightly bruised Pecha. "Here we go." Nibbles sniffed the offering, and after little contemplation, chomped into it. It was gone before Breccia could retract her arm. "You like the sweet ones don't you?" She stoked the top of his furry, velvet head. "You're a good boy."
A part of her was excited at the prospect of having a Pokemon to call her own. As a girl, she and her father's Geodude were mischief makers. Geodude, a second generation Pokemon begat by her dad's Golem, was roughly her age. They were the closest of friends. Despite this it wasn't HER Pokemon and her old man was adamant that she wouldn't have one until she was good and ready.
Turning her head when she heard the front door open, she saw Riker enter with Tess. She ignored the both of them. Despite her constant looming fear that Riker was pissed at her, she had come to the conclusion that, if someone was angry with her, she'd cope. (Granted it was hard to tell what Riker was feeling half the time, because his face kept the same level of sternness)
"We'll use the ferry." He said to Tess. "I want to stop off within the city first."
"Yes sir." Tess responded. "You don't have to come along, we're more than capable of tending to the acquisition."
"It isn't a matter of capability." Riker checked his Transceiver when it chimed, placing it back into his pocket after turning its volume on low. "I wish to tag along. Don't question otherwise."
From his end, he failed to mention his ongoing anxiety with the increase in disappearances. He hadn't received any word from Stotler, or any of the other Executives. He wasn't going to test his luck however. They needed more Pokemon for initiates. He was going to make sure everything and everyONE came back unharmed.
When he spotted Breccia tending to her new 'project', he excused Tess and made his way over.
With her back to him, Breccia didn't notice when he approached.
"Stop." She ordered to Nibbles. "Take it nice." The Zubat did as instructed, making sure not to nab his trainer's fingers when getting another berry.
"He seems to be doing well."
She heard Riker's compliment (or so she considered it) and nodded. "He's more mobile." When she went to, once again, pet her Pokemon, the bat responded with a very shrill hiss. "And a bit sassy." She smiled, holding up a hand with several bandaged fingers. "He's blood thirsty."
Riker took a step closer and received the same 'admiration' from Nibbles. With a hiss, Nibs sunk down into his bedding and skulked. Though he had no eyes, his hearing was sharp and he didn't like this man near him. "He's a feisty little runt isn't he?"
"He's not use to human contact." Breccia chuckled. "I sound like my father, always making excuses." She felt a quiver in her lip and a sudden fear took over.
No
Not right now. Not in front of HIM.
In her position, if she couldn't be tough to the world, the least she could do is put on a front. She was in the presence of the same man who called her a 'brat'. Sobbing like a pathetic child wasn't going to prove anything. She'd rather be homeless and starving than crack under the pressure.
"Sorry. Allergies." She wiped the mist from her eyes and got back to work. "It's so dry here my nose tends to run."
Riker wasn't an idiot and saw right thorough her facade. He took mental note of it, but said nothing else otherwise.
"I wanted to tell you." He began. "There's an assignment at the capital I want you involved with."
"I heard you mention it to Tess."
"It's technically on the outskirts, but we'll be staying within the city over night."
"I'll be sure to let Lars know-"
"Lars is staying behind." Riker said. "I'm more interested in how you will perform. I don't need sour attitudes."
Breccia gulped.
How I perform?
Wait...is he mad?
"I also-" He continued. "Invited your friend...Morice is it? The two of you work well together from what I've seen. Tess and Neil will meet you here next Saturday, early morning. We'll be taking the ferry ashore."
Breccia opened her mouth to respond but was drowned out by another wayward hiss from Nibbles.
"He isn't even doing anything." She scolded, gentle but firm. Uncaring if he bit her, she picked her Zubat up and set him into her palm. "Look, you see, he's just standing there, stop being such a little prude." Grabbing her bag of assorted berries, she motioned for Riker to come closer. "Here you can help me. Take this. He likes the sweet ones." She handed her superior a Mago berry. "I'm trying to get him use to other people besides me. The fastest way to a Pokemon's heart is through it's stomach."
"If he sinks his teeth into me, it's your ass." Riker moved in to do as instructed and was given a snarl and a snap.
"You're too aggressive." Breccia placed Nibs on the table before standing beside her boss. "Here, give me your hand."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Give me your hand." She took his wrist. "You can't just throw it at him, you need to have tact."
"I could write you up for this you know." Riker was given a fitting response to his attitude.
"Says the man who can't feed a hatchling." Breccia led him closer to the table. "Here. Maybe he'll take it if we both give it to him." Grasping Riker's hand, she guided him closer to Nibs, stopping when the bat shied away. "It's okay buddy." Nibs sniffed the offering as it came closer.
Riker stayed still as Nibbles tested the berry. After a couple test bites, he used his wings to retrieve and devour it.
"See?" Breccia grinned. "And you were worried he'd bite you."
"He doesn't have the best track record." Riker ran his fingers over the wrist where Breccia grabbed him. "Now that your little experiment is over, I suppose I'll be off. I have better things to do than play nursemaid." He had more than enough to contemplate with the upcoming trip. If he managed more than a few hours sleep, he'd consider it an accomplishment. "Don't forget. Next Saturday."
"Yes sir." Breccia scooped Nibs up and placed him on her shoulder. From there, he crawled to her neck and curled into it. "Until then I suppose?"
Riker was en-route to leave, stopping mid turn to answer. "Yeah."