Artemis scoffed as Kiara chipped in on her conversation. Couldn't she see they were having a private moment?! She quickly moved away from the houndour, her dislike for her quite clear. Partly because she was a fire type and she had suffered at the growlithe's flame due to her but mainly because she had a bad gut feeling about Kiara. Artemis' attention then shifted as she looked towards Dendra. Sure the croagunk was goofy, but there was something endearing about it. She was a lot more tolerable than the ex gang member.<br/><br/>Her eyes darted back to Kiara as she spoke of being jealous. That took the steel type of guard butnher emotions were soon replaced with a feeling of pride and an underlying smugness. Artemis knew she had got to where she was due to her hard work and dedication - not by mugging of other trainers.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"People like you give trainers and guardians a bad name! You could be so much more yet you take the underhanded options because they're easier-" </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">she was soon silenced as Dendra spoke up on her experiences. She really did feel sorry for her and the friends she'd left behind. Maybe a little jealous... she'd never had that closeness with anyone except Thomas. That's why she was so protective of him. she was scared she would lose him to others. She sighed as she took the letter to her mother back out her pocket and held it closely, feeling a comfort. </span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">She was lost in her own thoughts, brought back the comforting cuddle of Thomas and felt as he pressed himself against her cheek with a nuzzle. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"Thomas..." </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">she whispered, calling him like a lost child as she burried into his arms. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"I'll always protect you, I swear on my life..." </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">She looked up into his eyes, her own shimmering with a new hope. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"I know you will always protect me" </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">A small smile lit up her face as she felt her cheeks blush when he kissed her. His touch was soft and warm, a precious reward from all her hard work.</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">The warm fuzzie feeling in her died as Thomas swiftly moved on to Kiara. Artemis found herself turning away and looking uninterested as she focused on her mother's letter again. Was this a kind of jealously? And why did it bother her so much with Kiara and not Dendra... Artemis shook her head and pushed those thoughts back. With anyluck the houndour would get bored of them. </span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">As the three pokemon were addressed, Artemis turned her head to look at the trainer and forced a small smile. She knew Thomas was doing his best, she could feel the aura of his heart shine brightly and warmed her heart. He really was different to all the other trainers she had met in the festival. But then again.. she was different too. Thats why they worked so well! Artemis looked down as her stomach grumbled and rubbed the back of her head. She laughed sheepishly and looked across to the plate of food she left unattended, </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"Yeah food sounds... good... I'm starved." </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">she picked herself up to stand next to Thomas and linked her arm with his laughing again, her face going redder as he spoke. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"I was marching? I thought I was walking normal pace!" </span>