☁ the sky is ❝limitless❞

“He’s a sweetheart, I do like him a lot.”

From the goofy look on hiss face, Steven was certain Archeops feel the same way. The ancient bird happily cuddling Winona  like he’s known her for years. It almost made Steven a bit jealous to see both take to each other so easily. 

“I have lived my entire life around here, and you have dragged me there many times. Are you sure it is not your memory that needs to be jogged again?”

“Many times? Are we counting school field trips or that one time I wanted you and Wallace to play with me in their Anti-Gravity room? Even then it’s only around five times, tops.” Steven said defending him from the her hyperbole. Then again five could count as “many times” for her. Laughing as she asked if he needed his memory jogged, he winked at her. 

“Why don’t we pretend I do. Would you remind me of the last time we’ve seen each other?”  It has been awhile after all.

“And I should be happy with that?”

“Well you know, I could always go harass Wallace but’s all the way over not here and you’re here. Plus I’m already in my in my laziness mode. So  everything is perfectly set up for us to spend time bonding like last…month or was it longer?” Steven lost track, honestly.

“I’m kidding, you know you are more than welcome to visit and stay over. Though, please don’t constantly breathe down my neck about overdoing it.

“Only if you let me buy us dinner somewhere. ” Steven answered, knowing she normally try shooting down the idea of Wallace or Steven himself treating her to anything. It was ironic actually  since it just made they want to spoil her more. In his opinion, she deserved it with all the work she did. In fact, he a little surprise gift he was waiting to give her at the right moment.

“Wallace… He visited not too long ago…” 

“…”, Steven let the news sink in as a smile graced his features. ” I take it you both had a fight over who pic the fine china? Since I already know the wedding his happening~” He joked. Though he couldn’t help it, those two look wonderful together and he could tell they both ad a thing for other. For goodness sake Winona is blushing just talking about him!  It made Steven wondered what happened to get suck a reaction from her and was about to inquire about it, though she asked him a question first.

“He hasn’t visited you?”

“I have been very busy. It’s not like I have actually forgotten either of you, I’m just tired.” 

Knew it. She probably put in overtime at her gym again. Though she could have been recovering from an intense training session with her team once again. Winona was, in Steven’s opinion, the living embodiment of being  a  hard worker. Seriously, the woman would probably be the type to work till she dropped if he and Wallace hadn’t gotten on her about that growing up.  

“Oh? That is an Archeops, right?”

Archeops happily accepted Winona’s treat, nuzzling her as he enjoyed it.  He already liked her already and he just met her today! Steven was once again amused at how easily the ancient bird took a shine to his friend. It was also a sight to see when Winona spoiled someone. 

“Why yes, he is an Archeops. One of the newest additions to my team”

“So, what brings you here to Fortree? It’s been a while since you visited.”

Speaking of spoiling someone, Steven didn’t just come to Fortree to rest up. He had a surprise for his long time friend and it was hidden among with his other things he had in his briefcase. Now to just set things up to give her said surprise without getting gloved smacked and yelled at.

“You know the Weather Institute? They have a Castform-powered weather machine they have interest in making in mass-production. So I went over to handle the business details and what not with them. I’ll have to visit them again soon, so this won’t be the last time you’ll see me.” He told her, throwing his  playful wink as he said the last bit.

"Have you seen Wallace since he’s been in Hoenn?“

Compared to the other issue, it doesn’t seem like such a high order. It actually sounds like a dream, and it’d be something Winona and her Pokémon could contribute to help. Lord knows that makes a difference.]

That’d be appreciated! If Swellow’s willing to help out, I certainly won’t argue. She’d actually be a bit of a savior. [That’s one less worry on his mind, then, and having that one in particular cleaned out of the way, it leaves enough leeway to approach the rest of this freely. Or at least at a more relaxed pace.

That settled, he’s content to walk along in silence until she starts berating him. Then he’s still quiet, but with the addition of this particularly gleeful grin. Let her complain now and get it out of the way before she sees the gift. He’s confident she’ll love it, so he takes the harping in stride.

Fishing the key fob from his keyring, he clicks the doors unlocked and starts around to the driver’s side.]

I don’t plan what gift to bring you. When something reminds me of you - or any friend of mine, for that matter - I make sure to get it. I happen to like showing my friends that sort of attention, as much as it constantly surprises you.

[Sitting himself down, he reaches over and holds up the Togekiss plush currently occupying shotgun, waving one of the wings at her. He’s in good humor right now, so excuse him as he’s silly.]

Plus, I happen to think it’s cute. [Or, more specifically, he thinks it’d look cute with her. Wallace himself isn’t particularly impressed with Pokédolls, though he can understand the appeal.

That said, he sets the plush aside so she can actually sit down, intent on handing it right back over once she’s adjusted. And once he does, he starts the vehicle up, backs it out, and starts off toward the road. When there’s more open space, that’ll be when he takes to the sky. He’ll even keep the top down. It’s a nice day, so there’s no reason not to.

At least until the ash starts up.]

I’m almost surprised we still argue about this every time I come home. I’m not about to just stop thinking about the lot of you while I’m away. I feel like if I just returned with a ‘hello’ or a phone call, it’d be hollow. Especially since not all of my friends can travel, at that.

At least this way, they’ll still have something from that region, whether they want to think it’s because I care that much or because I wanted to spoil them with imports. [He smiles to himself, thoughtful as he explains this. He’s not even requiring her to listen, likely since they’ve talked through this before. But he’d still like her to understand that he doesn’t consider it a waste of money. Nor is it something he’s willing to put aside.

Though the bird was growing old, she was Winona's first pokemon and also her most trusted one. It wasn't like she didn't trust her other pokemon, but there was just this really special bond between the two of them, like a mental link connected both of them.

Scratching under Swellow's beak, the gym leader nodded at the car with her head. The pokemon turned her head, eyeing it curiously. She'd seen it before, obviously... And she wasn't particularly fond of, something the bird and her trainer shared, but she knew that not everyone was like Winona and that not everyone enjoyed soaring through the skies like it was nothing.

"We are heading to Lavaridge in a bit, I hope you do not mind clearing the way for us?" The lavender haired woman asked, watching her friend for an answer. As expected, Swellow ruffled her feathers, shaking her head in reply. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, it wasn't like she was expecting the pokemon to reject her request, but it still made her happy. "Thank you, friend," she murmured, petting the bird's head once again, receiving another coo. "Just fly in front of us, alright?" This time Swellow nodded, spreading her wings to take off.

Turning back to the car, she was greeted with a an image that would be forever branded in her mind. To be honest, she really wanted to bleach her mind for even thinking the image was too stupidly cute in the first place. Making a face that definitely wouldn't suit a lady of her status, she crossed her arms over her chest, looking very much so unimpressed.

There Wallace was, being silly like it's the most normal thing in the world. She could feel her cheeks heat up ever so slightly. Curse him, curse Steven for putting all these weird thoughts in her head. He may have been in good humour, but Winona was going to scold that good humour back wherever it came from... If she somehow managed to do that.

Like her trainer, her Swellow stared at the man behind the steering wheel, Pokedoll in his hands, waving it's little wing at her. Unlike the woman besides her, she was a little more amused, knowing fully well of what was going on between them. Shifting ever so slightly, she pushed against Winona's back with her head, making her stumble towards the car, a yelp coming from the woman. The pokemon seemed to smile though, flapping her wings as if trying to tell her trainer to just give up and take the plush.

"Honestly, Wallace. You and your antics. Sometimes I wonder how we are even friends in the first place..." Winona knew very well why though. Sighing heavily, she climbed into the car, taking her seat. "Just because you think it's cute, does not mean I will think it's cute, and you know it." The flying-type leader shook her head for the umpteenth time that day. Despite her words, she instantly contradicted them though, taking the plush before it made it's way to the backseat, pulling it close to her chest and burying her face into it.

It was soft, and she actually did like it, not to mention that it was also a flying pokemon. With her face still buried in the doll, she took a deep breath, wondering if the words she was trying to search would be able to come out. "Hn... Thank you though, I do appreciate it..." Her speech was muffled, but at least it was out. Not like Wallace probably hadn't heard it. Turning her head so she could look at the former leader, she watched him closely as he spoke.

"I know, you have said so many times before. It's just that you know how I feel about receiving gifts like this, it's too extravagant, even if you think it is not." She may act like it didn't mean much to her, and that she was oblivious to the other's feelings, but she was very much so aware of how much he cared. The only problem was that she didn't like the affection that much, mostly because Steven was constantly on their case. Though, probably more so because she felt the same thing, if not more, but denied every part of it. Almost like it was a foreign to her and she'd suddenly become a xenophobe.

Turning her gaze away, she stared out of the window, trying to fix her concentration on the pokemon flying out in front of them so she wouldn't have to think of the things going on at that moment. The plush doll was still pressed against her, a small smile lighting up her features.

Acorn: What would your character do if they lived forever?

Azalea: Who does your character wish would take better care of themselves?

Bay leaf: What gives your character strength?

Briony: What’s one time your character has helped a friend?

Cattail: Is your character at peace with themself? Why or why not?

Cyclamen: Who is someone your character has had to say good-bye to?

Daffodil: Has your character ever had unrequited love for someone? Have they ever loved someone but held it in for any reason?

Daisy: Four things that make your character happy.

Edelweiss: Describe a time your character has had to be brave.

Eglantine: Has your character ever had a wound or pain that didn’t heal?

Fern: Does your character have any magical abilities?

Foxglove: Has your character ever lied about something?

Geranium: What’s one mistake your character remembers making?

Gladiolus: What’s one time your character has stuck to their morals and convictions?

Honeysuckle: Who does your character love like family?

Heather: Who is someone your character wants to protect?

Ivy: Has your character ever thought about getting married? Would they like it?

Iris: If your character could send one person a message, who and what would it be?

Jonquil: Has your character ever confessed their love for someone? How did it go?

Jasmine: Whats one thing your character wants?

Kennedia: One thing your character admires in someone.

Kalanchoe: Is your character well-liked by their friends?

Laurel: If your character could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?

Love-lies-bleeding: Has your character ever done something even though they didn’t want to?

Marigold: Describe a time or reason your character felt jealousy.

Moonflower: What’s one dream your character has had?

Nightshade: What is a painful truth your character has had to face?

Nettle: What’s one person your character hates/dislikes and why?

Oak leaves: Describe a victory your character is proud of.

Oleander: What’s one thing your character should beware of?

Pine: What is something your character wishes they could move on from?

Poppy: What is something your character wants to forget?

Queen Anne’s Lace: If your character could pretend one thing, what would it be?

Quince: One temptation your character has had.

Rosemary: What is something your character will always remember?

Pink Roses: Who is someone your character has wanted to make happy?

Red Roses: Who is someone your character has truly loved?

White/Red Rose: Who is someone your character has found themselves cooperating with when they didn’t expect it?

Sage: What is one thing they have learnt?

Snowdrop: Describe a time they felt hope.

Tulip: Has your character ever been in romantic love with someone? Are they still?

Thistle: What’s one time your character has been angry and harsh with someone?

Utricularia: Five things your character likes.

Umbrella sage: Where does your character consider home?

Purple Violet: Are there any topics your character dodges?

White Violet: When’s the last time your character told the truth about something?

Wallflower: What’s one time your character has endured underdifficult circumstances?

Water-lily: What’s one quote from your character?

Xeranthum: If your character died right now but could have one wish for the world come true, what would it be?

Xanthoriza: What’s something your character has run away from?

Yew: What makes your character sad?

Yarrow: What would your character go to war over?

Zinnia: Does your character ever miss their friends?

Pink Zinnia: Who will your character always be friends with?

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In fact business was the reason why Steven was around Fortree City to begin with. You see the Weather Institute on the neighboring route had asked to pitch their latest invention to Devon Crop to see if they’d be interesting in funding mass production of their revolutionary product;  a Castform powered weather machine. 

Steven learned that when Team Magma and Aqua were active, they targeted the Weather Institute in order to steal their protype of the device to use to further their own agenda. However a brave youth wiped the floor with them and forced them to retreat, foiling their plans and protecting the Institute’s protype.   

Steven had left them, saying Devon Crop would contact them about the project later on. Which was true, though Steven needed to relax now. calling out one of his newest partners, Archeops, he flew to the Fortree Pokemon Center within a relatively short period of time. The ancient bird let out a loud caw as it landed, Steven wincing a bit as he hoped no one on the pokemon center was disturbed by the noise.

He entered the Center carrying his brief case, Archeops following behind him looking around to see anyone and everyone there. As Steven went over to ask the Nurse to check on the rest of his pokemon, he heard a all to familiar voice speak to him. 

“Oh? Hello, you look rather familiar.”

Blinking for a moment, Winona stared at the person in front of her in awe. She tilted her head to the side, her mind trying to register who exactly was there. It wasn't like she didn't know, she knew perfectly fine who it was, but with how tired she'd been from training for such a long time, it was really hard for her to concentrate. "Oh, I apologize, Steven." Rubbing the back of her head, she gave him a small smile, leaning back against the bench she was sitting on. Closing her eyes again, she took a deep breath, listening to what her friend was saying, though only with one ear. She couldn't help but chuckle softly at his words.

"I have been very busy. It's not like I have actually forgotten either of you, I'm just tired." She said, pushing herself off the bench. Opening her eyes again, she looked at her friend, only now noticing the Archeops he was with. "Oh? That is an Archeops, right?"

She almost instantly perked up, making her way to the ancient bird. If there was something that usually got her attention in less than a minute, it was probably a healthy looking bird pokemon, especially one that she had never seen before. With Winona's busy schedule, she barely had the time to go anywhere, of course there were was the Pokemon Tournament that she competed in with all the other gym leaders, but despite being in Unova, she barely got around to view the place.