INFERNO OVERDRIVE!

Xavier just nodded at first, not being able to speak without stuttering, and he chuckled almost giddily. “Oh yeah, it’s very obvious. Dork..” He smiled, shying away again.

“God, look at us.. we’re both at a loss for words, h-huh?” He grinned, looking to Kiawe. “Aw.. goodness, you’re so cute when you’re all flushed like that..” He chuckled. “I guess something good came out of this..” He looked to the floor, still blushing bright red with a smile.

“Hey, mind who you’re calling a dork, dork.” Kiawe’s response didn’t sound like a retort in the slightest. His voice was soft, cautious.

All the throwing back and forth of retorts—however lame they might end up being—was ultimately pretty easy. Like all conversation, it basically boiled down to a pokémon battle of sorts, and that was something Kiawe could handle. What he’d set his mind on now, however, posed a whole different set of difficulties with which he was completely unfamiliar. “Yeah, I guess...”

“Kiawe…” He repeats the name as if to savour it on his tongue, and he smiles afterwards with a light joking tone. “I wasn’t expecting everyone to have some beautiful names here… and I thought my name was unique.”

The offered hand is regarded, though reaching out to shake it was hesitant. He had met some locals who weren’t too keen on that method of greeting, so to be offered it was pleasant but unexpected. Regardless, he feels it to be rude to not introduce himself back, and so he speaks with a calm lull.

“Lysandre. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kiawe.”

Though Lysandre is too invested in greeting and keeping a friendly facade, Trailblaze keeps itself tucked close to its trainer’s side, watching Kiawe and following each glance. It wasn’t sure what to make of them quite yet; they didn’t seem to be a threat still, but they certainly knew to be wary. Just what the Pyroar would want, really.

“Oh, goodness yes, the trials… I remember reading up a little on those. I believe I’m a little too far out of the target demographic these days unfortunately… though I’m up for a friendly spar if you ever wish to~” It reminds him of how he still held a badge case, empty save for a few badges that he didn’t necessarily count as truly earned. And though it hurts, it wouldn’t be right to bring that up now.

“I was rather curious in a certain species, actually…” A hand raises to his mouth as if in thought, his free arm folding over his chest. “Do you have knowledge on Salandits?”

Kiawe blinked a few times in rapid succession, thrown by his new acquaintance’s comment. He’d never given his name much thought beyond the fact that it was some sort of family name—his great-grandfather, perhaps? ‘Lysandre’ on the other hand was almost uncanny in how well it suited the man. Kiawe inclined his head and smiled.

“The pleasure’s all mine. Hey, if you do ever want to battle, you know where to find me!” He threw his arms wide to gesture at their volcanic surroundings expansively. In all truth, there was probably no better place for a battle. Just the idea of battling Lysandre—and to no lesser degree his imposing Pyroar—had Kiawe all fired up. However he could understand that not every trainer was psyched for battle after such a taxing ascent, especially if their reason for climbing Mount Wela was a different one entirely.

His eyes lit up when Lysandre mentioned his interest in the volcano’s native species. Kiawe had studied the area and its pokémon extensively even before taking on the trial captain’s mantle, so he was more than eager to elaborate on any questions the visitor might have.

“Well, it is Masked wrestling, that’s part of the appeal. The mystery behind the mask and the persona that a wrestler puts on stage are a big draw to the sport you know. It’s just like acting, people are there for the characters after all, well, except for Crasher Wake maybe.” The diety wasn’t really sure if Wake was putting on a character or not. Was his real name actually Crasher Wake? Wait, no this wasn’t important now, the important thing is that Kiwae was liking this idea.

“Right then now all you need is some sort of costume. Maybe some pants and mask that makes you look more like a Volcano! Hmm, I wonder if we can make something like that.”

“Just like acting, huh?” Kiawe sounded as though he was still mulling it over, unsure if this was a good idea or not. In truth, he was already fully sold; he trusted the island guardian would never lead him astray, even in his more ‘outlandish’ ideas.

At last he allowed his enthusiasm to surface. “Alright! I can do that! Me and Turtonator are up to the task!” He proclaimed, taking on his typical battle stance without even thinking about it. As for a mask...

Syphoria waited carefully, never letting her eyes leave Salazzle while making herself appear smaller, non-threatening. It seemed to help with seeing the Pokemon making herself look taller and soon, she took the offered food, waiting till she grabbed it before she relaxed. That worked far better than she had hoped for.

“You’d be surprised on what I’ve learned with my job and travels. Sometimes making yourself look non-hostile can work wonders. That, and body language is key as well.” She let out a sigh of relief and now could relax a bit, passing over some food for him to dig in as well.

Least now, she was relieved that Salazzle wouldn’t give her any trouble, for the moment.

“Plenty.” She nodded, glancing over at Pixie,” Even Pixie sometimes can be a handful, given that fox Pokemon are tricksters by nature. And unfortunately, she’s been teaching Prince some of her old tricks too.” She spoke of her Alolan Vulpix who, she didn’t bring with her today. He wouldn’t like climbing up the volcano as much as Pixie. “I’m just glad that Salazzle sees I won’t harm her.”

“That makes sense...” Kiawe nodded, remembering the crouched, almost meek stance the blonde had taken on moments prior, “I’ll try and remember that. I don’t let Salazzle out around people that often, but maybe taking some hints from you I’ll be able to change that.”

He shot a glance over at the pokémon in question, who was busy hoarding a little pile of food and hissing at any other pokémon that dared draw close. “...given some time, ha.”

tagged by: @spookbadge tagging: anyone who wants to!

𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐋.

tired eyes. coffee stains on the table. listening to the bustle of the city. unmade beds. loose ponytails. sunlight seeping through the curtains. chapped lips. walking barefoot across the floorboards. dusty dictionaries. black and white reruns. huge sweaters. the ticking of the clock. hearing birds in the morning. fireplaces. falling asleep during class.

𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄.

freckles. the sun rising. watching the sea. taking shots of the city. historical museums. bright eyes. looking up at the clouds. walls covered in artworks. drawing in the middle of lessons. tracing your fingers on the sand. painting for hours. staying in uncrowded coffee-shops. worn paperbacks. messy braids. going to bed with your knee socks on.

𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐐𝐔𝐄.

dark hair. a little sophisticated. always observing the world around you. intricate designs. high ceilings. extravagant musical pieces. dim lights. colourless photographs. fancy furniture. pale skin. hearing soft footfalls coming from outside the room. mischievous looks. bitten nails. candlelight dinners. dark shades of lipstick.

𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂.

chandeliers. the clink of a teacup. laced clothing. modern architecture. light hair. watching the view from the terrace. hidden birthmarks. drinking tea in the morning. wandering about in an empty building. botanical gardens. old films. ancient marble. sculptures. expensive perfume. breakfasts in bed. reading about mythology.

𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋.

Oh Arceus, did…did she just nearly take a Talonflame to the face?! What a story THAT would have made for headlines.

Yes, she was no stranger to generous servings of misfortune (most of it attributed to a naturalklutziness) each day, however she was EXTREMELY glad that she wouldn’t have to add “Pokemon colliding with face” to her list of experiences.

Heart rate finally returning to a healthy pace, a brief laughter escaped the brunette at along with a shake of her head; Kiawe’s description of his Pokemon hit a little too close to home, so Selene couldn’t fault her at all.  Besides, her face was still intact.  “Don’t worry about that, I’m still put together!” Proven with the way she gave a mirthful grin to the trial Captain. “Ah, she was so fast though, I’m really impressed!” One would think she completely forgot about the circumstances with the way that her cheeriness returned to her tone.

Just for a moment, she’d allowed her gaze to trail off in the direction that the speedy bird Pokemon went off in before turning back to him.

…oh, right!

The reason why she was here! “Heh, can’t say I signed up for an Ariel Aced face, as fun as that sounds, buuuuuuut~” A dramatic pause. “ I had something I wanted show you!” Lifting up on her tip toes in excitement for a moment, she made the whimsical declaration. “One of my teammates that fought alongside me at the league is from Wela Volcano Park. And I’d like you to meet her, if you have a second!”

If he had been relieved at her narrow escape, Kiawe looked even more relieved once he heard that characteristic laughter of hers. He too chuckled, then grinned when he spotted Talonflame circle above them, the volcanic breeze ruffling her feathers.

“As long as you’re alright...” he muttered, turning his attention back to Selene, “She’s a fast one. I’m trying to capitalise on her strengths as best I can, but it’s impossible for the rest of my team to keep up.”

Once again, Kiawe chuckled, but fell silent instantly upon the other’s dramatic pause. He could appreciate a fellow trainer’s delight in the dramatic and clasped his hands together, looking rapt.

“Oh?” Blinking at Selene’s declaration, he cast his mind back, trying to remember her team composition. He knew she’d had some ringers—some pretty rare finds among them, if he recalled correctly—but he wasn’t sure he remembered any native species. A more recent acquisition, then? Kiawe wondered what it could possibly be.