Out of her element {Open}

[Scarlett Thatcher]

Out of all the places she hadn't been in this region, Usia Town normally would have been her last place to visit. Or, well, if she had a choice; she'd been through the town once before, briefly, and without making contact with more than ten other souls. And yet here Scarlett was, trudging along with a hood covering her head (and hopefully doing something to disguise herself) and a houndoom following at her heels.

Not many, so far, had tried to talk to her. Maybe because it looked like she didn't want to be interacted with. Maybe it was the houndoom. It probably gave her away; a Johoto pokemon following after a young woman who wore a jacket too many. It would sound a lot like the still slightly new Dynamo Town gym leader to anyone who had challenged before, especially since her partner in crime was the houndoom.

For at least the fifth time she wondered what possessed her to fly out here. Curiosity, she told herself the first few times. Stupidity she told herself now. Or maybe some glimpse of bravery that wanted her to some out here. Part of her, where the bravery came from, wanted to meet the other gym leaders or the elite four or someone who she wasn't obligated to battle.

And what better place to go to than the place where the big shots challenge the big shots?

It was then that Scarlett actually realized that she hadn't a clue where she was going. She didn't know where the lodge was at, or whatever they called the building where the big shots hung out and battled. Stopping rather abruptly, she looked around, her brows furrowing together. Skarmory could always fly her back to the pokemon center, that was no problem, but that skarmory was distinct with her facial scars. No way she was risking that.

And so, looking lost with a suddenly overly playful houndoom barking and jumping around her, Scarlett just stood there. Completely lost and out of her element and completely embarrassed because she was lost in a strange town and didn't know anyone or where to go to get directions and didn't really see anyone.

Usia Town: One
Scarlett Thatcher, Gym Leader: Zero