22nd roar [ text + action ]

[adamant]

[[ OOC: Feel free to ignore the inane tl;dr I felt compelled to write. Action is open to anyone in Ecruteak city!

Just a small note that today marks my, and Leon's, first Johto anniversary, and I'd like to extend a big thank you to everyone, and I do mean everyone who threaded with me at any point, with any of my characters, over the past 365 days. You're all wonderful, and you've realy made Route such a special place for me. ♥

Apologies for how closed this post seems, but Leon's a really private person and it felt right for his anniversary.

Okay sap over, onto more sap! ]


[ private text message to: Lightning Farron ]
You're not busy tonight, are you? Care to meet me after work, by the Gym? Wear something nice.

[ private text message to: Sora ]
It's been a year, did you know? I just wanted to say thank you. For everything.

[ private text message to: Xion ]
I'm not upset with you.

[ private text message to: Coop ]
My high score is 1057. I'm blaming you for this, I hope you know.

[ private text message to: Cecil ]
Whatever you told Xion about 'love'? Next time, let her know that it isn't fit for public discussion.

[ private text message to: Minnie ]
The house hasn't fallen down on you yet, has it? No leaks? Have you started Halloween preparations?

[ private text message to: Nanako ]
How did that ice cream turn out?

[ private text message to: FF7!Yuffie ]
Which do you like better: purple, or blue?

[ private text message to: Kisa ]
It's getting cold, isn't it? How are you holding up?

[ story time ]

He takes the day off work. Maybe it's some kind of dumb sentimentalism; maybe Johto has made him soft. Maybe he just needs to think. Whatever it is, it's a good day to be outside, so that's where he is, enjoying the wind and, what he suspects are the last dregs of good weather before Johto gives itself over to winter completely. He can taste the incoming snow, and it makes him feel good, because if you'd told him a year, two years ago he'd know the change of seasons again he would have scowled.

He spends the morning on rocky Route 42 alone with Skarmory. The wind brings with it the scent of the winding rivers and lakes that cross the area like the strange, looping dividers of jigsaw puzzles. Mt. Mortar looms over them, craggy with shadow-dipped caves dotting its flanks, fragrant pines sticking out of its skin like thorns. Pebbles and brittle autumn grass crunch under his boot, and the light gooseflesh on his arms makes him draw up his collar, despite the sunshine, and reminds him that Aerith isn't here to make sleeves for him like last year.

Skarmory dashes ahead, metal coat glinting in the sun, and he watches her move with appreciation. Every so often she turns back, calls to him, runs all the way back to him just to butt her head against his chest, then runs off again. He feels light, just looking at her. Maybe it's the air coming down from the mountain, doing them both good. He thinks he's gotten used to that strange, sawblade caw, or maybe, like wine and new foods, he's just acquired a taste for it. They play, try to match each other in whistles: he starts a tune, and from a hundred paces away, she finishes it, then starts another. She lifts off and flies circles around him. She dives low, and he surprises her by catching her and swinging himself up and over her neck. From above, he can see their reflection in the lake water, and forgets the cold.

They picnic on an outcropping from which Skarmory blows away the dirt, and he shields his eyes from the heavy midday sun. Down below he can see the road stretching out like a lazy brown snake. Skarmory lays her head in his lap as he finishes a sandwich, trying his damnedest not to swallow too much windblown mountain dust.

"Thanks," he says suddenly, tucking away the wrapper.

She blinks one tawny eye up at him, then noses further against his stomach. He's always wondered how much she understands, and it's moments like this, where her expression turns just that shade of sharp, like she's gauging for something, that he thinks he might regret not teaching her more things. He scratches her throat, delicately.

"It's been...an interesting year. I owe you a lot."

Still no real response from her, and he feels a bit stupid, so he becomes silent again. He keeps scratching her throat until his fingers are sore, then pushes her head away and gets up on stiff legs jittery with pins and needles. As he makes his way back down towards the path, he feels something snag against his belts. Skarmory is there when he turns, looking at him with her head slightly tilted. She waits until he's turned to face her before stepping up to him, drawing herself up to her full height--almost a head taller than him, now--and then opens her wings wide and bends her neck, tucking the side of her head against the fur on his collar. Her wings close shut very gently against his sides.

It takes him a moment to realize that she's imitating a behavior she's seen Aerith, Yuffie, Nanako, Minnie, Lightning, even Sora do--she's hugging him.

Cautious of being cut, and feeling a little awkward, he stays immobile for the long moment the embrace lasts. Eventually she draws away, takes in his vaguely consternated expression and chirps with pleasure before leaping back down to the road. Trying not to slip on loose stone, he follows, feeling like he's got a long way to go before he really understands Skarmory--but that's all right. At least she keeps things interesting.

[ action for Ecruteak ]

[ Leon can be found back in Ecruteak during the afternoon, Skarmory, Strike, Flood and Lucky keeping him company as he enjoys the fall colors before the wind sweeps them off the trees. He's got half an eye on his 'gear, half on the road--come bother him. ]

Comments

text

[her-mouse-jesty.livejournal.com]

You worry too much! The house is just fine, and it's going to be spooktacular for the holiays!

[yes. that's now a word. accept it.]

text

[adamant]

Hardly; with all the rain we've been getting I just wanted to make sure everything was holding up all right. What kind of decorations are you putting up?

text

[her-mouse-jesty.livejournal.com]

Everything we can find! Cobwebs, dust, and my Pokemon are helping me with making arts and crafts! And I've already got my costume picked out.

[text]

[biteisbigger.livejournal.com]

I'm all right. Ari lets me sit with her.

[ read: Ari curls around her whenever Kisa sits still and her trainer deals with it like a boss. ]

[text]

[adamant]

That's nice of Ari. Have you started getting warmer clothes?

[ Brb shipping her a million sweaters. ]

[text]

[biteisbigger.livejournal.com]

Not yet. I have some things from last year.

Are you okay?

[text]

[tapestodiane]

<sub>[Cooper is out on the roads himself, planning to breathe in all the fall he can before it gives way to winter. He's never seen colours as brilliant as those in Ecruteak and he's going to enjoy the hell out of them for as long as they last.]

[He'll probably come across Leon sooner rather than later, but until then, there's texting. He got the message a few minutes ago but is only now responding, keeping an eye on his Manectric as he does. For once, though, she seems content to just trot along beside him.]</sub>

I will gladly accept the blame but not defeat. Will let you know when I get to 1100.

_{[Goddammit Leon you beat his score.]}

[text]

[adamant]

[ Leon is still on the maple-lined path leading to the Tin Tower; Lucky is with him, tail high like a banner. ]

I emerge unintentionally victorious. I'll take it. What've you got so far?

[text]

[tapestodiane]

1042. So I suppose congratulations are in order.

_{[If Cooper knew about smilies, there probably would have been a :)-one at the end there. He's in a good mood - and yeah, he's heading Leon's way without knowing. But then again people have a tendency to cross paths in Johto.]}

text

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[to be honest, it's felt like longer to Sora somehow. the first time he showed Leon his pokémon-- and telling Bell to use Metronome and nearly deafening them-- seems like some very far-off memory.]

[one that happens to be written down and in Leon's capable possession. Sora can't really express what he feels in text, but the sentiment is definitely there.]

[mostly.]

text

[adamant]

[ It's all right. Leon gets it. ]

You know it's mutual, right?

text

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[hang out and really bond over things that aren't Heartless, he means.]

[video call]

[paladinlost]

[Cecil answers really damn quickly.]

I did let her know! What did she say?

[Luckily, Rosie has the bottle of vodka ready to calm him down.]

[video]

[adamant]

[ A frown, and Leon rubs the bridge of his nose. He was hoping they'd stick to text, it would make the rest of this so much less awkward... ]

She asked Lightning and I if we'd...consummated our relationship.

[ While they were outside. On the beach.


Cue slightly more awkward pausing as Leon realizes he hasn't told Cecil about him and Lightning--and then realizes it's Cecil, he probably knew ages ago. ]

[video]

[paladinlost]

[Sadly, texting is still beyond Cecil's talents. (Probably by purpose. Definitely by purpose. Herm.) Still, where a lesser man would have laughed or asked questions about said relationship he was not told about, he merely sighs in sympathy.]

I told her that those are private matters, and that she should only ask questions to people she trusts. Perhaps I should have also imparted to her the concept of 'prying too deeply'.

[Text --> Action]

[soggypastry]

I'll be there.

[She will. Even if after-work training time turns into time to scramble for something nice to wear that doesn't involve her travel-worn boots. Thankfully, she still has the dress Terra got her last Christmas, and pairing that with quickly purchased leggings and flats should be be good enough. Even if she feels a little subconcious about the edges of her various scars peeking out at the neck of her top. Her feelings about that aside, however, she does make her way to the Gym once she's changed, seeking Leon out within moments of arriving.]

[Action]

[adamant]

[ If he finds out he bothered her, he'll be apologetic, but as is, he himself has traded his usual leather for slacks and a sport jacket. He's checking his gear as she approaches, but as soon as he hears her feet on the pavement he glances up, eyes stalling on her for an appreciative moment. He smiles. ]

That's the dress Terra gave you, isn't it? I think it's the first time I've seen you wear it. It looks good on you.

[ He means it, too. He switches off the gear and pockets it, extending a hand. ]

[Action]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Leon might've been hearing some far-off shouts of "Cujo! Cuuujoooo!" for a little while. But that's not too unusual for a nice afternoon in Ecruteak, people calling after their Pokemon.]

[... But this is Cujo we're talking about.]

[Soon enough, the shaggy orange juggernaut in question will come barreling down the road after a gust of leaves, tongue lolling out of his mouth as he runs, ears flapping.]

[LEAVES LEAVES LEAVES LEAVES EAT THEM LEAVES-- ... :O A PERSON!]</sub>

[Action]

[adamant]

[ He has been, and every time he looks up, a bit startled, wondering if he's hearing things. But no, the voice is progressively getting louder, closer--and suddenly Lucky is zipping off to meet the orange juggernaut head-on.

FRONTAL ORANGE COLLISION.

Leon is left staring, a bit worriedly, as Lucky bowls Cujo over and smushes her face to his, tail wagging so hard that her hindquarters are following along. HI HI HI HI! ]

[text]

[ordalias.livejournal.com]

[ Her text almost comes a day late- ]

Shouldn't you be?

[text]

[adamant]

Maybe, but that's my decision.

text;

[usedninjathief.livejournal.com]

im more of a blu fan. why do u ask?

text;

[adamant]

Looking at sweaters. Expect a delivery soon. It's getting cold.

text; i like how i nearly tagged this with my dave account

[usedjunes.livejournal.com]

It was really good! I had a double scoop cone and we went to have bubble tea later!

text; i like how i tag this a million days late lol

[adamant]

That does sound like a fun day out. What's bubble tea?