usedlaserbeam | 002 | Cherrygrove City

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002 | Cherrygrove City | Action;

[After a productive (but admittedly somewhat boring) five hours of work sorting and filing papers at the Cherrygrove Pokémon Center, it's finally time for Yagyuu to head for home--or at least, for the room at the Cherrygrove Inn he's been sharing with Kirihara-kun since they both arrived in the city yesterday. He'd gladly work longer hours if they'd let him, but the rules are strict for minors, and so he's being cheerfully shooed out as soon as his time is up for the day.

As a result, anyone in the vicinity of the Center in Cherrygrove will probably see him exiting the front doors, his Breeder's Manual already open in one hand for casual perusal as he starts his walk back toward the inn. Strangely, he doesn't seem to have any Pokémon with him, though he does have his backpack slung casually over his shoulder like a model student might.

All things considered, he's not hard to spot, both from his lack of visible Pokémon and his bright yellow Rikkai jersey with the collar popped up at the neck. Which means he's also a prime target for bothering, should anyone feel so inclined.]

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[ From anyone else, or even from Yagyuu at any other time, Niou would have seized the opportunity to turn that into a pickup line. He's tempted, even now, but he resists. Instead, he picks up a nonchalant look, shoving his hands in his pockets. ]

Yeah, it's a fuck of a walk.

[The fact that Niou doesn't take advantage of such an easy opportunity--albeit one Yagyuu only catches in retrospect--earns him a slight, sidelong glance. But Yagyuu simply nods without comment, adjusting his backpack once more before beginning to lead the way toward the inn.]

You'll have to tell me all about it.

Wasn't all that excitin'. Basically wiped out anything that could keep up with me. Wore the hell outta my Ditto, I'm pretty sure.

[ He falls into step just behind Yagyuu and slightly to his right, still looking around idly. He's sure his uncharacteristic silence didn't go unnoticed, but he figures if Yagyuu plans to prey on it, he'll do it when they're alone. ]

[He almost says "I'm flattered you hurried", but as soon as the thought crosses his mind, he abruptly quashes it. After half a year of separation, he would've run without stopping, too.]

And no problems with soul-stealing bugs? I'm relieved for that.

Nah. Caught as many of 'em as I saw comin' down here, but they're no trouble. They run before they fight.

Anyway, you've gotta have a soul to get it stolen, yeah? [ He grins briefly. ] Already sold mine.

Fortunately, its lack hasn't been detrimental to your charm.

[There, now that's a bit more like the Niou he remembers.]

And how much did you get for it, again?

[ He pivots on the ball of his foot and takes three quick, graceful steps back until he's in front of Yagyuu, walking backward, and he spreads his arms demonstratively with a bolder grin than before. ]

A world of talent, baby. The charm's all-natural.

[A touch amused, Yagyuu doesn't bother to adjust or slow his pace; he simply keeps advancing at his natural speed and stride, glancing behind Niou every so often to ensure they're not about to walk into a tree or building in the process.]

Ah, so that's where you learned your tricks? I'd always wondered.

[ Niou's keeping pace just fine, his strides just as long as before and a touch more graceful by necessity, and he hasn't once looked over his shoulder. That's what Yagyuu's there for. ]

Most of 'em, anyway. The Rubik's cubes are all me.

[And honestly, Yagyuu likes it this way, both indulging Niou in one of his games and surreptitiously accompanying him in its execution. When an obstruction does present itself--a woman with a handbag, apparently out for a stroll--Yagyuu makes no remark on her presence, but merely angles his own path so that Niou will oppose it, keeping the distance between them like parallel lines, letting him guide them both around her.]

No wonder you have such a devilish streak of ingenuity. Is your next trick to tempt me to forfeit my own?

My next trick after this.

[ He's noticed the slightly altered trajectory of their walk, and a glance out of the corner of his eye tells him why — so he turns around, as if to walk forward, and collides with the woman. ]

Oh, sh— I'm so sorry, ma'am.

[ The woman is flustered, but it seems Niou is, too, so they part ways again with little fanfare. Niou resumes walking backward, smiling cattily at his partner. ]

[Yagyuu's amusement at the exchange isn't nearly so visible, since someone has to maintain the appearance of respectability, but Niou is one of the few people who shouldn't have any problem seeing the one hiding behind Yagyuu's eyes. And once they're a safe distance from the woman, he lets his gaze flick deliberately toward his partner's hands.]

Or perhaps not your very next trick. Did you find something you lost, Niou-kun?

[Or more appropriately, something someone else lost. He hasn't forgotten the three wallets Niou showed him earlier, and is well aware a fourth may have just been added to the pile.]

[ Solemn-faced suddenly, Niou reaches into his bag and produces a thin billfold in black and pink. It wasn't in his bag, of course, but he certainly made it look that way. ]

Oh, you mean this?

[But of course, leave it to Niou. Such outright theft isn't a practice he's necessarily entirely approving of--and particularly not when he's an implicit accessory to the crime--but he's in a much more obliging mood than usual, and it's comfortably familiar to play the cover for Niou's activities.]

That's it. The colors suit you.

You think?

[ It's an oddly serious-toned question, given the subject matter. Niou glances at the wallet and then down at his clothes. He's always preferred cool colours, but maybe the pink will lend credence to his crossdressing. ]

It brings out your eyes.

[A statement delivered far too dryly to be anything but a lie. But the odd seriousness--that's curious. Which is why Yagyuu doesn't leave it at that.]

Though I think green still works better.

[ Niou rolls his eyes at Yagyuu's first response, but pauses to consider again when his partner gets more serious. ]

What about, like... an aqua or turquoise?

What's gotten you so curious about the colors that suit you?

[Why yes, he's going to conveniently sidestep answering by asking a question of his own.]

Fashion's always a priority.

[ Nonchalant and innocent; Yagyuu's hint that Niou's only hiding a surprise, not a secret. ]

[Well, that's fair enough. And therefore there's really no reason to push any further than that--and no harm in being honest.]

Turquoise, then. It really will bring out your eyes.

[ He nods thoughtfully, turning the idea over in his head. When they hit Violet again, he'll probably be able to finish this newest venture in clever disguises.

In the meantime— ]

Kinda sweet that you pay attention, you know.

[He cocks his head, eyebrows raising slightly as a smile plays at the corners of his lips.]

Did you really think I wouldn't?

Aww, come on, you're makin' me blush.

[ He's not. Niou knows Yagyuu is just as acutely aware of nearly every minute physical detail of Niou's as Niou is of Yagyuu's. They have to be, to know how to compensate for the differences — Yagyuu's broader shoulders, Niou's longer legs, Yagyuu's taller frame, Niou's thinner build. ]

Edited 2011-07-02 04:44 (UTC)

You thrive on attention, Niou-kun.

[Which, Yagyuu is well aware, is a far more complicated issue than he's making it out to be with such an offhand remark. But there are a multitude of different ways to interpret the statement, and that leaves it to Niou to take whichever one he likes best.]

Only yours, Yeeeeeeeahgyuu.

[ The drawl is twice as bad as normal; he flutters his lashes at Yagyuu and turns around to walk normally again, beside him. ]

Edited 2011-07-02 05:04 (UTC)

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