Elara's face flushed red, her mouth opening and closing without sound. I stared at both of them, my brain trying to process what I was hearing and failing spectacularly.
'Are they... are they fighting over me? No. That can't be right. They're arguing about research. About Gible. About professional territory. That's what's happening here.'
"I—that's not—" Elara stammered.
"That's what I thought." Cynthia's attention shifted to me, and I felt pinned by those gray eyes. "Samael, am I making you uncomfortable?"
"I... uh..." Words. I needed words. "I think maybe we should focus on Gible's recovery—"
"You can't just use your status—" Elara tried again.
"To what?" Cynthia's voice went sharp. "To find someone attractive? To show interest? I'm a Champion, not a nun, Dr. Frost. And I'm perfectly within my rights to express interest in a talented, brave, intelligent young trainer who happens to carry the rarest Pokémon I've encountered in two decades of research."
"You have responsibilities," Elara shot back. "A region to manage. You'll leave in a few days and forget about him."
For the first time, Cynthia's pleasant mask cracked, revealing something intense underneath. "I don't forget things that interest me. Ever." Her hand found my shoulder, but it was with more force this time. "And he interests me very much."
Elara stepped closer, her own hand reaching out to adjust one of the monitors near Gible, positioning herself firmly in the space between Cynthia and me. "He's been my research partner for three weeks. I've seen his dedication, his kindness, his—"
"Your research partner." Cynthia's tone made it sound like an insult. "How professional. Is that all he is to you, Doctor? A research partner?"
Elara's mouth opened, but no sound came out.
"That's not an answer," Cynthia pressed.
"My relationship with Samael is none of your business."
"Then we agree. Relationships are personal matters between the individuals involved, not third parties."
I was acutely aware of both women's attention on me now, waiting for some response I had no idea how to give. 'What is happening? They're fighting. About me. Over me? No, that's ridiculous. They're just... competitive about research. Professional rivalry. That's all this is.'
"I think Gible needs to rest," I said weakly, backing toward the door with the little dragon still in my arms. "And I should probably head home—"
'Can you both stop fighting?' Gible's weak voice cut through the tension, and everyone froze. The little dragon's eyes were open, barely, and focused on nothing in particular. 'My head hurts. The noise is making it worse.'
"Gible has a headache; you need to stop," I interjected.
Elara immediately shifted into professional mode, checking Gible's vitals on the monitor. "Oh! I'm sorry, Gible. You should be resting. We'll be quiet."
"My apologies," Cynthia said, her hand finally leaving my shoulder. "This isn't the time or place." But her eyes promised the conversation wasn't over.
The examination room door opened, and Oak stuck his head in. "Is everything alright in here? I thought I heard raised voices."
"Everything's fine, Grandfather," I said quickly, seizing the excuse to escape. "Just discussing Gible's care plan. But I should get him home. Let him sleep in familiar surroundings."
Oak's eyes moved from Elara to Cynthia and back again, and something knowing crossed his expression. "Yes. Good idea. Come on, I'll walk you out."
I practically fled, cradling Gible against my chest as I followed Oak out of the examination room and through the central laboratory. Behind us, I could hear Elara and Cynthia speaking in low, tense voices, but I couldn't make out the words.
"That was interesting," Oak said mildly as we reached the exit.
"I have no idea what just happened," I admitted.
Oak chuckled. "Don't worry. You'll figure it out eventually. Or they'll make it impossible to miss. One or the other."
"Grandfather, I don't—"
"Get some rest, Samael. Tomorrow is the starter distribution ceremony. Ten new trainers are receiving their partners. I'll need your help facilitating the process."
"Right. The ceremony." I'd almost forgotten about that. "What time?"
"Nine AM. Don't be late."
I nodded and stepped out into the snow, feeling the cold hit me like a physical force after the laboratory's warmth. Gible stirred slightly in my arms, eyes opening just enough to register our surroundings.
'Where are we?' the little dragon asked through our mental connection.
"Heading home. To the Oak Residence. You need to rest."
'Those two women were angry. Were they fighting over territory?'
"Something like that."
'The blonde one who saved us. She likes you. I can smell it.'
"What? No, she's just interested in you. In the Prism phenomenon. That's all."
'And the other one. The scientist. She likes you, too. Different scent, but same underlying aggression. Territorial behavior. They're fighting over who gets first dibs.'
"You're reading too much into this. They're just competitive about research."
'If you say so.' Gible's eyes closed again. 'But I know what territorial disputes look like. And that was definitely a territorial dispute. Over you.'
I didn't respond to that, focusing instead on the walk up the hill to the Oak Residence.
The snow crunched under my feet, and my breath misted in the frigid air. The mansion loomed ahead, dark and imposing against the gray sky.
When I reached the front door, I pulled out my Pokédex and held it to the security panel. The lock disengaged with a soft beep, and I stepped inside.