#topranged

"A wise suggestion, but how do you know I haven't been doing my part already? Perhaps you've seen me utilise the power of a Pokémon companion, but what between then and now?

Are you perhaps projecting assumptions onto me based on your own anger at the prospect of change?

And let me not be the one to remind you that this entire world is ruled by a cruel system that can't be simply undone in a straightforward way. The reason my Plasma associates use Pokémon is because without them, anyone who wishes to enact change would be at a major disadvantage.

Goddamnit all.

"What are you doing here?!" He hisses back. His eyes flick to her uniform-

Which isn't there. And, well, neither is he dressed up. His eyes flicker out of focus for a moment before he realises something. Or, at least, he thinks he does. He exhales sharply through his nose.

"Hold on a minute--"

He's stopped a few paces back, panting like a Herdier and rubbing at his forehead to wipe the sweat off while hunched over.

All things considered, especially for a bigger (and older!) guy who clearly preferred strength-building over cardio, he kept up pretty well with Brooke. That he wasn't going to tap out then and there was a small miracle in and of itself.

"Phew!" He straightens-out again and pulls at his collar, lightly jogging to fall into place just behind his training buddy, "Clearly I've got to get onto a track with my Pokémon more, my stamina isn't what it used to be!"

But Alder's in good spirits, all things considered. He's still, somehow, smiling as brightly as ever, and even walking on past Brooke to show that he's keen on continuing their outing.

tagged by: @punkbites

✨the rangers union christmas special,✨