Absynthe smiled began to glide across the ground toward the Riolu - or was it a Riolu?  It seemed to be adorned with flames, and she knew Riolu was not a fire-type.<span style="font-style: italic">Hello</span>, she said pleasantly.<span style="font-style: italic">I am Absynthe, but you can call me Abby.  Who are you</span>?<br/><br/>"Absynthe!" Hale snapped from the edge of the clearing.  "Stop telling secrets!"<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Don't be so uptight, Hale,</span>she replied.<span style="font-style: italic">Come over here and meet our new friends.</span><br/><br/>Hale slowly approached her, though his eyes were hard again.  "I don't have friends." he said sourly.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">You told me that I was your friend</span>, she pointed out.<br/><br/>"That's different!" Hale snapped, then turned away from her pointedly.<br/><br/>((When Absynthe "speaks," everyone within about five feet can hear her. [unless I say otherwise]))