sunny spring days (richter)

[attr="class","flavourtext"]Just once more unto the breach, “Dear friend, once more.”

All Richter wanted was one day of peace, one day. Was that too much to ask for? [break][break]

Apparently it was, as Masquerade and Angel, being the little balls of energy they were, were scampering around the gardens of Coumarine, dragging both him and Spectre along as they explored the vast grounds of the gym with child-like curiosity. [break][break]

"Ugh, I can’t believe that have that much energy…" Richter muttered, and his words were seconded by a bark from the houndour, who looked just as exasperated as him to see Angel and Masquerade dancing around them without even seeming the slightest bit tired. How was that even possible? "C’mon guys… let’s rest a little.." [break][break]

But his words fell on deaf ears as the minccino and purrloin scampered off again, prompting the two tired males to give chase despite their aching legs. Sure they were used to long runs like this -courtesy of the police and their training- but even two hours was pushing it, and the two wanted nothing more than a cooling breeze and a chance to catch their breath, preferably with a nice, long sleep in a comfortable bed. [break][break]

"Just where are they going?" The outlaw wondered, as they followed the two females deeper into the gardens. It seemed as if the minccino and purrloin were following something, but Richter couldn’t detect what is was. Where they simply just following their curiosity then? But as it turns out, that wasn’t the case, and it was only when he heard the faint notes of a beautiful melody in the air did he realise what was guiding them. [break][break]

"Well, can’t blame them, it sounds nice… and thank Arceus, they’re finally slowing down." Relief flooded him and Spectre as the two pokemon in front of them started to slow their pace, soon coming to stop in front of a girl accompanied by a Meganium. In her hands the girl held an ocarina, and it was clear as day that she was the source of the wondrous sound that echoed around the garden which they stood in. [break][break]

"Well…would you look at that." [break][break]

Spectre could only give a faint bark as he laid down in the grass by Richter’s feet, as the human himself leaned against a nearby trunk some distance away from the four.

[attr="class","flavourtext"]Just once more unto the breach, “Dear friend, once more.”

Richter quirked an eyebrow at the girl, surprised by the blush that coloured her cheeks. What was there to be embarrassed about? Her playing was excellent, so there was no need to be shy. There was no need for that apology either, since it wasn’t like she was deliberately luring them here. [break][break]

"It’s fine, it’s fine…I’m used to them running around." Richter said, waving off her concerns with one hand. He should probably have been more worried that he was talking to a gym leader considering his current status, but for some reason he felt no need to take caution. …That Meganium however did unsettle him. It seemed to possess a more imposing presence than that of its trainer. "They’re always easily distracted, so after a while, you learn to get used to it. …Nice to meet you, Laurel. I’m…Wei Ming. And I’m not surprised - I’m new to Coumarine. Just stopped by for a little break from our….journey. We’re planning to leave tomorrow."[break][break]

Identity was everything to a criminal, so he never used his english firs name with another unless it was say… another dusk member. They were in the same boat together, so while he wouldn’t trust them a hundred percent, he could at least trust them with his name. They wouldn’t rat him out, if only because they couldn’t, unless they wanted to end up on Dusk’s hit list, since Dusk took…extreme care with those who would betray them. But with a stranger like Laurel, however, it was safer to use his other first name, as it was one that few people knew him by.

[attr="class","flavourtext"]Just once more unto the breach, “Dear friend, once more.”

Richter wasn’t worried about the wild pokemon. In fact, he was worried for them. Despite their childish behaviour, Masquerade and Angel were actually good fighters, and he was confidant that had any pokemon tried to attack them, even without his or Spectre’s help, the two would be able to defeat them. Or in Masquerade’s case, trick them into…well, running away maybe? The Purrloin was a crafty pokemon, and Richter wouldn’t be surprised if that actually happened.[break][break]

"They can take care of themselves." He responded to Laurel’s concern with a shrug, eyeing his minccino and purrloin. They were currently hovering around the Meganium, Angel staring at it with wide, awe-filled eyes while Masquerade switched between bothering it and Laurel by rubbing against her leg and purring. [break][break]

"Don’t bother Laurel…" A warning, but not one that was threatening. Simply more of an advice than anything. But of course, Masquerade being Masquerade, ignored Richter’s words, seeming to purposely just stick closer to Laurel after he said that to spite. It was sort of comical to see.[break][break]

"We were hoping to continue our journey as soon as possible, so preferably this will be our first and last day here…However, I won’t say no to draining these two’s energy. They simply have too much." It wasn’t so worrying to let them go with another pokemon - it wasn’t like they’d say anything to Zahra that would give them away as Dusk members. As innocent as they seemed, they weren’t so dull. [break][break]

Hearing what Richter said, Masquerade and Angel practically glowed with delight, and the purrloin finally left the gym leader alone, favouring fawning over her Meganium to bothering her. Spectre on the other hand, found it more preferable to to stick by Richter’s side, actually growling when Richter quietly proposed the idea of having him follow the other three pokemon. In the houndour’s mind, it was unthinkable to leave Richter alone without any pokemon, as it meant Richter could probably get hurt. And after losing his first owner, Spectre didn’t want that.

[attr="class","flavourtext"]Just once more unto the breach, “Dear friend, once more.”

Richter didn’t really know what to feel. On one hand, he was relieved and grateful that Laurel had helped to occupy his two energetic pokemon, but on the other he was cautious and suspicious of her aid. Not many people helped him, though perhaps that was also because he never let them help him. [break][break]

As someone who’s been on the streets for so long, Richter just grew accustomed to having to suspect others, especially since the group he grew up with drilled that into him. Really, they were the only people Richter could claim as 'family' aside from his own. Dusk…was more like a hostel, some place he’d stay at for a while before having to leave when and if he could.[break][break]

"Don’t worry… I think they’re getting along." In response to Laurel’s comment about the Roserade, Richter simply gestured to Angel, who was in turn showing off her sparkling tail and fur. How alike… He almost deadpanned at that. Really, to think Angel had something in common with a gym leader’s pokemon…[break][break]

"You could say that." He murmured, poking Spectre in the side with his foot. He wasn’t worried about getting attacked, Spectre was too fond of him to try. Besides, they’d done this many times before, especially since Richter sometimes had to wake Spectre up. And let’s just say, waking up a houndour who knows fire-type attacks aren’t the most safe of things.[break][break]

"Tends to never leave my side, so if you can get him to move from here to there… congrats." At those words, the houndour just glared at Richter, sitting on his heels with a huff and turning his head away from the two humans and carnivine. "…He gets pouty."

Spectre nearly choked on air.