usedlaserbeam | 017 | Goldenrod City

Entry tags:

017 | Goldenrod City | Video / Action;

[It may seem like an odd endeavor, wandering the snowy streets of Goldenrod in such relatively unpleasant weather, but sure enough, that's precisely what Yagyuu's doing today. It's not the first time he's gone over these streets and it almost certainly won't be the last; he's not so much exploring today as he is just walking the familiar byways, his breath making translucent clouds in the chilly air.

There's a Vulpix riding along with him, curled around his shoulders and supported atop his backpack, nuzzled in close to his neck like an oversize, furry, Fire-type scarf. If the weight or the awkwardness of ferrying her in that way bothers him, he certainly doesn't show it; his own scarf is draped light but snug from his neck to his chin, and the collar of his heavy winter coat is turned up as added protection against the cold.

He's carrying a few bags with him, of varying sizes, all unmistakably from the Goldenrod Department Store—evidently, he's been out shopping. And perhaps he still is, because at the moment he's stopped in front of the frosted glass window of a jewelry store, peering in at the display and watching the light catch the facets of the gemstones as they glitter against their black velvet backings.]

Another four days and you'll be six months old, Masako. It is strange how time flies, isn't it?

[He's speaking quietly, more to himself than the little fox on his shoulders.]

And strange, too, how much can change in seven months.

[And he seems to dwell on that, lost in thought, as the jewels gleam bright in the window and the fine mist of his condensing breath drifts and disperses in the cold afternoon air.]

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[And as quick as it appeared, it's gone, and the voice is Yagyuu's smooth tones again.]

I wouldn't let Sanada-kun catch you saying that.

[Much better though really. Not like he'll say that.

A-n-y-w-a-y.]

I wouldn't either.

[Seven months ago that voice was a talent he didn't possess. Would he ever have had occasion to learn it if they hadn't ended up here like this? If things hadn't proceeded as they did? If they hadn't--

Mm. Maybe he's just making himself melancholy, now.]

Do you need anything while I'm out? It won't be any trouble to make a stop before I come home.

[Unfortunately for Yagyuu, he doesn't know that. Not really. He knows he's capable of a lot, but he wasn't the one who was here, after all.

This time he does click his tongue.]

Don't think so. [A pause.] You heading back soon?

[It's the smallest things that grate the most, those miniscule realizations that needle at him and never let him forget that only one of them has those memories now.

It's an odd role reversal, an appreciation in retrospect of what it must've felt like for Niou when he was the one on the other side of this equation.]

I don't know. Cold as it is out here, the quiet is a nice change.

[In that way, it's kind of nice being clueless. He can only imagine, now he's clocked onto a few things. On the other hand though, he's trying to not think about how weird it all is anyway.]

Not many people would go out in this weather by choice. [For obvious reasons.]

[It's almost a shame this is only audio, since it means Niou misses the smile that flickers, fond and warm and lightning-fast, across Yagyuu's face at that.]

You might say I've gotten used to it.

[A pause of his own.]

Besides, when the alternative is six rambunctious Eevees running rampant throughout the premises, cold weather quickly seems preferable by comparison.

[It is a shame, but it works as a nice barrier for himself anyway. He can imagine it well enough, at the very least.

There's a faint breath of a laugh at the comment about the Eevees. They aren't that bad. Then again, he's only been at there a few days.]

They could be worse. [Do you want him to influence them?]

And believe me, I have no desire to find out how.

You should tell Kitsunebi that.

[He doesn't need to really. Yet.]

[He knows better than to ask which one is Kitsunebi. That way lies madness and quite possibly an up-close-and-personal introduction to what is undoubtedly a Ghost Pokemon—which is ultimately the real point.]

Don't encourage them.

[It's the one he didn't name. The other is still nameless, though he is leaning towards Hiroko now he's found out what Yagyuu called his Vulpix. He brought it on himself.]

Whoever said I'm doing anything?

You're welcome to relay the message to Kitsunebi as well.

I'm sure I am.

Dare I ask if the house will still be standing by the time I get back?

Oh how you wound me so~

Would I really trash the place I'm staying in that much? [There are lines, Yagyuu. He'd like to keep warm and destroying the house kind of crosses that line.]

Ask me if I think you'd encourage the Pokemon to do it in your stead.

I don't really need to ask. Your confidence in me is always astounding, Yagyuu.

I'm trusting that I'll have a house to come back to, aren't I?

For now, anyway. [Summer might be different, depending on how hot it gets.]

It only needs to last another few hours. I won't be out that long.

[He remarks, as he glances back toward the glittering jewelry in the window.]

I'll bring coffee.

[He's not going to tell him this, but his Pokemon are outside at least. He's just. Still going around and getting used to everything while he's on his own for a bit. Another reason why this is just audio.]

It'll be fine.

[He doesn't mention anything about the coffee really, Yagyuu knows what type he likes, he's already said he's not going out in this weather, so it's just a matter of finding him in the house when he gets back.]

[And as promised, it does take a little while, but sooner or later Yagyuu makes his way back to the Tennis Haus, Masako still draped around his shoulders, his bags from the department store in one hand and a cardboard carrying tray with two takeout coffees in the other.

How he manages to get in the front door with a balancing act like that is a feat in itself, but such are his talents.]

[It's obviously a skill developed from tennis. Obviously. See, this is why tennis > golf.

Yagyuu will find the place completely as he left it as well, minus a few things shuffled around as he's looked to see what there is. When he notices all the bags Yagyuu's got though, he leaves him to deal with them all on his own. Such is life.]

Yo.

[He's decidedly cold, and the sudden warmth of the house is making his glasses fog over, but he still manages to maneuver his way to the table and set down the drinks before attending to the bags, Masako, and his coat and scarf, in that order.]

Hello, Niou-kun.

[The tone of his voice is, perhaps, just as warm as the interior of the house. It's still something a little new, a little fond, to walk into the house and hear Niou's voice greeting him in a place other than his own mind.]

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