#37--Psychic
It always unnerved me, being around her, but the League required all Gym Leaders to have a conference once a year, which brought us together once a year more than I would have liked. She sat across from me with that empty smirk on her face, watching everyone in the room intently as though she could see into their minds.
Whether or not she actually could was known only to her. Certainly she was one of the most powerful psychics in Kanto history, but she kept the extent of her powers under wraps even from her students.
The other Gym Leaders would talk, but the second she would enter the room, often by floating, they would cease. Not that it would do them any good. Even if she couldn't read minds, she wasn't stupid.
After one meeting, about some subject only that halfwit Goodshow cared about, we adjourned, with the majority of us leaving the room. Before I knew it, I was alone with Sabrina.
I was halfway to the door when she, still seated, grabbed my arm by the cuff. She would have to sit between the rest of us and the exit, wouldn't she? "I've been meaning to speak with you, Giovanni of Viridian," she addressed in a monotone.
"Far be it from me to turn down an audience with a fellow Leader," I lied. "What's on your mind?"
"You mentioned earlier that this will be your final year as Gym Leader." She let her grip relax.
I nodded. "Yes, I have to spend more time with my businesses." It wasn't a lie, really. Many fronts of mine were starting to sink, and I relied on them to fund my organization.
"You mean more time with the Rockets." It wasn't an accusation, but an empty statement.
Pulling back, I shook my head. "I wouldn't think you of all people would believe such rumors."
For the first time since she started speaking to me, she looked up, meeting my eyes. "It's not wise to lie to a psychic, Giovanni."
I sighed, wishing my bodyguard was there. Not that he could do anything; to strike against a fellow Gym Leader would be quite the scandal; but it would be better than being alone with her. "You can't prove anything," I said at length, taking longer to reply than I would have to anyone else.
"I have all the proof I need. But this isn't the time for that." Was that hesitation in her eyes? "I want to join."
"You what?" I must admit, such a declaration caught me by surprise. "Sabrina, this is most irregular."
That empty smile again. "I am aware of that. I am also aware that your Team wishes to bring the world under the yoke. I believe my powers would be most useful to your cause."
They would be, of course. But I still suspected a trap, so I hung back. "I'm sure the Rockets would be proud to have you." It was an open-ended comment, and I knew it. I wasn't going to admit myself to someone, especially not someone like her.
The smile vanished, and she broke her gaze, standing and walking to the door. "I'm sure they will. And they will, you know," she said, glancing over her shoulder at me before leaving the room.
I had to sit down, and her empty seat was where I found myself. Again, I cursed my lack of a bodyguard, and stared at the doorway where she had just stood. If she truly knew, she would find her way to me again.
Although I wasn't sure what I would do once she found me.