paladinlost | 38th moon [action] backdated to the 29th

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38th moon [action] backdated to the 29th

[Most people, when visiting Olivine, go right for the Gym or right for the beach. After all, the city is an important step for all trainers, and the sun is shining beautifully upon the sea. Most people would wish to enjoy it.

But Cecil is not most people at the moment, which is why he can be found walking around Olivine's more residential neighborhoods, Clefable and Heracross in tow. He probably even looks pretty suspicious, considering he's staring at every single house for a few seconds before moving on.

...It's rather hard to help with construction work when you don't even know where your friend's house is, you see.]

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[Cecil must have built up a resistance to Skarmory cries somehow, because it gets a small smile out of him instead of a wince. He walks up to her to offer the desired throat scritches, along with a few berries plucked from his bag.]

My, what a wonderful welcoming committee. Are you well? I don't suppose your trainer is within walking distance, is he?

[He'd better be, because the presence of a Flying-type is making Osmose slightly uneasy.]

[ His fingers at her throat make her coo. Cecil is saying an awful lot of words--for Skarmory, who's used to Leon's slow, matter-of-fact tone, it's a little overwhelming. She does definitely recognize 'walk' and 'trainer', and bobs her head. But flying would be so much faster! She turns to present her back, spreading her wings. hop on! ]

[...Well.]

If you insist.

[He recalls Rosie and Osmose before carefully climbing on her back, staying far away from the base of her wings. Isn't it nice, having a rider who knows exactly what to do or not do?]

[ It is indeed nice! She chirrups in appreciation. He should give Boss lessons.

--and on that note, she takes off, reaching for the sky in one great leap and some mighty wingbeats. The view is great from up here, if nothing else! ]

[Nice is a very weak word for it, in his opinion. Cecil's eyes sweep over the endless scenery, even as he absentmindedly pats Skarmory's head. Ah, the feeling of the wind in his air, almost as if he was piloting an airship once more...]

[ Skarmory banks, curving back towards the beach. It is a beach house, after all. A few minutes' flight later they're alighting on the sand, Skarmory's claws digging in easily to halt them. They're close to a large, two-story house built right up against the beach, with a deck and stairs connecting both deck and back entrance to the sand. The exterior is rather old, but the deck is new...it's obviously been under extensive renovation.

Skarmory rushes ahead, her claws not even registering on the uber-varnished steps of the deck. Follow after her? ]

[Follow he does, though he does so slowly. It's the first time he sees that type of housing, after all, and his curiosity about other worlds extends to architecture. He also takes the time to let Rosie out of her pokéball once more; she's much quicker about following than he is, practically bounding after Skarmory.]

[ Skarmory plucks Rosie right off the ground and sets her on her back. A regular rider and chocobo pair, they make. Skarmory imperiously raps at the door with her beak. Shuffling comes from inside before the door swings open, revealing Leon, pain-spackled and looking a bit dazed at the midday sun.

His eyes fall on Rosie first, then glide down the steps to Cecil. He blinks. ]

You're here.

[You could not find a prouder rider than Rosie, at the moment. She sits with all the dignity she can muster as Skarmory knocks on the door, and greets Leon's arrival with a solemn nod.

Which would be why it takes Cecil a few seconds before he answers. He needs the time to hide his laughter; being hit by Ice Beam is quite unpleasant, after all.]

Indeed I am. Hello, Leon.

[ Leon steps out onto the deck, motioning for Cecil to come up. His face is...relaxed. Probably moreso than it's been in a while. ]

Come in, I can get you some ice water. Unless you want something else...? We just got the fridge.

[Seeing Leon so relaxed is enough to make Cecil happier than he's been for the last few days. Rosie and Skarmory both get head scritches as he comes up.]

Ice water would be nice, thank you. Flying made the journey short enough, But being so high up helps very little against the sun.

[ Aaaah eyeridge scritches, Skarmory prrrrs happily. Leon disappears back inside, inviting Cecil to follow. It's cool inside, in the shadow of the walls--but no air conditioning yet. ]

I know. Did you have trouble finding the place?

[ The ice tinkles as it falls into the glass, and the tap runs smoothly, Leon is pleased to note, when he opens it. ]

I had some, but I received help from a few people and Skarmory took care of the rest.

[Cecil looks around the house with interest. After a year, he's become used to the local technology, but it's still quite interesting to observe. It the lack of air conditioning bothers him, he doesn't show it. ...Then again, from the paleness of his skin who would think he spent a few hours outside either.]

[ Leon puts the glass down in front of Cecil and pauses. ]

I'm glad. It's...good to see you, Cecil.

[ He seems vulnerable in that instant, all his attention on Cecil as if he wasn't expecting the other man to pop up out of the 'gear in the flesh. ]

I did say I was going to come and help. In fact, I must apologize for taking so long.

[Perhaps if he'd arrived earlier, his mere presence would not be enough to cause such vulnerability in Leon. Alas, it's somewhat too late to test this theory. He can be here now, at the very least.]

No--don't. There's plenty of work for you to do, it's just...

[ He looks around at the vast, empty house. ]

Now there's just me, working.

...Such a nice house should host dozens of volunteers, smiling and working and getting in each other's way.

[And not simply to go faster, either.]

I've not been able to bring as much help as I wished, but Rosa might be able to help with the decorating. I think the two of you will get along.

Ah...most of them left. Or were taken home, is what I should say.

[ Which he should be happy for! But judging by the slightly tense slope of his shoulders, isn't the case. He manages a small smile for Cecil's sake. ]

I'm happy for any help, but decorating decisions are Minnie's jurisdiction--it is her house.

It seems to happen all too often, these days. Or perhaps I merely think so because I know more people that can potentially disappear.

[Cecil finds it hard that anyone could truly be happy about the disappearances, home or not. But he usually keeps that quiet.]

That might please Rosa even more. I doubt she's had the chance to spend times with many ladies since she arrived, considering...

[Considering the fact that Cecil keeps dragging her around.]

You're definitely not the only one who thinks that way.

[ Leon's brows knit together. ] Rosa...? Rosie? Is Rosie named after Rosa?

[ Clearly, Cecil, you need to talk about yourself more often, because Leon isn't acquainted with the (future) missus. ]

[Cecil smiles fondly.]

Ah, yes, she is. I've named quite a few of my Pokémon after loved ones, in fact; it's something of a family tradition. But naming Rosie after Rosa was particularly important to me.

[Well, he's talking about himself right now.]

I see. Rosa is your...?

[ Leon is going to take advantage of this! ]

My wife! Well, my future wife. By my time the two of us have been married for nearly two decades, but she comes from before that moment.

[The moment he starts talking about her, Cecil practically beams with the force of a thousand suns. Moons?]

[ At the obvious fondness Cecil uses to describe Rosa, Leon's lips turn up ruefully at the corners. With the way things are between himself and Lightning, that kind of happy just won't be for him, and he's come to accept it. ]

It must be tough for you. To know you can't...be with her.

[ Not with a twenty-year age gap in the way. ]

[...Cecil will have to interfere, won't he? With all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, even.]

It's easier than I thought it would be, actually. Because we were both best friends long before we fell in love, perhaps... Or perhaps because I've become used to it. Everyone is seventeen years younger than they should be, after all. What's one more person, even Rosa?