A Journey of Spirit

     Rubbing the back of his head, Cilan laughed nervously. “Actually, Alder, It’s Cilan." At least he remembered that he was a gym leader.

"Oh! Yes, yes, of course it is, Tyson." He waved away the mistake with one hand, oblivious to the fact that he was making another. Perhaps he'd get the names right some day...

"And what might be your name, lad?" He shook the offered hand. It seemed he was always meeting new people, even when he'd barely left his own front yard.

∞} “Well, Unova, of course! Nothing quite like the region you’re born in!~”

"Ah, of course! As someone Unova born and raised myself, I can certainly agree with that statement."

"I know, I know. Work first, play later," he sighed, already regretting bringing it up. He thought that, perhaps, Alder being retired would allow him to sympathize with him a bit more. No matter, it wasn’t the first time he was scolded, and it wouldn’t be the last. "Perhaps when you are around, you could swing by to spare a battle?"

"A battle, eh...?" He might not have battled many people since losing his champion status, and heck because of that he might have lost his edge slightly, but strength wasn't what was important anyway, right? "I guess I'll pop by the league sometime, if you really think you're up for the challenge."

"…Don’t you have a wife, children and a grandson?"

"I do-- or, well, did... they live in a different region. Benga decided to stay, though..."

"Thanks… Alder..!" The pilot said, attempting to throw some of her usual cheer into her words. Clearing her throat, she quickly tried to change the subject. "How’s Floccessy Town these days? Must be pretty quiet, I bet."

"Oh, it certainly is quiet. Other than the occasional stampede of escaped Mareep wandering through town of course," he joked, a friendly smile on his face as usual. "Hence why travelling is so thrilling!"

"Hey there Alder! Nothing aside from the usual— how about yourself? What are you up to these days?"

"And might I add, you look just as pretty as ever!"

         ”I suppose you could say that.” Caitlin said, brushing a stray bit of hair away from her face. "How about you? Are you relaxing?"

"Ah, relaxing, traveling -- same thing, I suppose. I guess not much has changed over the years!"

"Well, I won’t disagree with you, sir," he chuckled again, "Though before you were fairly busy scolding me for behaviors relating to such a thing." Grim couldn’t blame the former champion, considering his absences usually meant nothing getting done for at least a few days.

"That is true... although, Grims, one of us does still have a job to do. All play and no work makes for a Pokémon League that goes to shambles." Rather hypocritical of him, considering that back when he was the champion, he spent most of his time wandering around the region rather than doing his job...

         ”No. Not that.” she told him waving a hand "Grimsley got drunk again, though."

"Oh, I see. So, nothing particularly out of the usual then, right?"