Try chatting with Silver.

For a while, the two of you walk in total silence, just you leading the way while she follows behind quietly. Now that you’re no longer… in the situation you were just in, it feels kind of awkward. You’re struggling to think of a way to break the ice with this ice queen, when your stomach starts to growl. Checking the time, it’s almost 1:00 PM, later than you had realized. A few minutes later, you find a fallen log that the two of you could fit on, so you stop, and turn to talk to Silver.

“Why don’t we stop here and eat lunch? I’m pretty hungry.” The girl simply nods, moving to sit down on the log. You sit down next to her, and each of you pulls some food out of your bags. Silver’s meal is a pre-packaged meat bun of some kind, while yours is some dried meat and fruit. Not the tastiest, but nutritious.

The two of you eat quietly for a bit, before you decide you have to just ask her something at this point. “So, what part of Johto are you from?”

Her gray eyes flick towards you, and she swallows what’s in her mouth before answering. “Cherrygrove City, I guess.”

“You guess?” You ask in confusion.

“Yup.” She replies. Well, that answered nothing.

Okay, what else is there? “What’s your family like?”

At this, she stiffens ever so slightly. “Don’t have one.” She says flatly.

“Oh. Sorry…” It seems like that may be a sore spot. Shit. “Uh, well… which Pokémon was your starter?” Hopefully that’s not a problem to ask?

“Totodile. He’s a Feraligatr now.” She answers, and takes another bite of her bun.

“Oh, the one I saw earlier! He was really impressive.” You remember how easily her Pokémon had finished Bugsy’s Scizor.

“Yeah, he’s cool.” A tiny, tiny smile forms on Silver’s lips as you compliment her Pokémon. “What did you start with.” She asks.

“Oh, a Charmander. I’ve caught a Pidgey and a Pikachu too.” She doesn’t seem to mind talking about Pokémon, at least. “I saw your Crobat and Gengar before, what others do you have?”

“Magnezone, Alakazam, and Weavile.”

“That’s… incredible! All of your Pokémon are so powerful…” You’re kind of in awe, thinking about her team. Hopefully some rookie trainer thinks about you like this, someday.

“Thanks. I’m proud of them.” That tiny smile grows marginally less tiny, and you feel like you’ve just won a major victory. The two of you finish your food and, after feeding your Pokémon as well, continue on your trek. You feel a little more comfortable now, even if things are still pretty quiet.

The pair of you walk in silence for a while once again, when out of nowhere, Silver asks you a question. “Do you… have a favorite color?”

You smile to yourself, happy that she at least wants to talk, apparently. “Well, I feel like red is the obvious answer.” You joke.

“Why?” She tilts her head, slightly confused.

“Because… because my name is Red?” You aren’t sure if she’s messing with you or not, it’s hard to tell with her.

“Oh. I see. Well, my favorite color is gray, and that’s not my name.” She says.

“…Silver is a shade of gray, though.” You point out, again wondering whether or not she’s messing with you.

“Oh… so it is. Huh.” She seems genuinely surprised by this revelation.

After that, a minute of awkward quiet ensues, before she breaks it with a small sigh. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” You’re really not sure what is going on inside this girl’s head.

“You’re trying to be friendly. And I’m bad at that. I don’t really know what to say, or how to act. Sorry.” Her pace slows slightly, and she falls a bit behind you.

You slow down though, not letting her get away. “You don’t have to apologize, seriously. I’m sorry if I was too pushy. I just… want to get to know you better.”

“…Same.” Is all she says in response.

Hmm, what to do… “Hey, why don’t we talk on TPP sometime?”

“Huh?” She tilts her head again, remaining expressionless as always, even in confusion.

“We can chat whenever you feel like then. Whenever you’re comfortable, I mean. Gives you more time to think out responses too.” You explain, hoping that she’ll go along with your idea.

“…k.” The two of you quickly put each other in your contacts, and Silver promises to text you sometime, if she feels like it. Nice!

Satisfied, you lead the redheaded girl onward, making better time than you had hoped. Before long, you can see the gatehouse that exits the forest and leads into Pewter City coming into view. You can’t wait to get out of this humid place and into a Pokécenter, you already feel gross again.