Reunion //Angelique

[Phoenix Vitale]

Phoenix verdant eyes looked upon the glistening body of water. It was definitely called mirror lake for a reason. Hiro, Mi-aro’s sun was brightly reflected off the azure surface. The water was extremely calm and there was little to no motion, maybe besides the random pokemon coming to the surface off in the distance. It was a warm day, warm enough to take a dip, Phoenix at least justified. He couldn’t believe it was just recently he received his own pokemon. And of course it would be a dog like pokemon. Phoenix looked down at his poochyena who stood less than a foot tall, his hair scruffy and tail wagging. It was ‘stalking’ pokemon in the millions of potholes in the near distance. And he was doing so adorable so, Phoenix might add.

Poochyena would lower himself and just tip toe with the pads of his paws barely touching the ground. His rear end was slightly raised, and tail wagging just with the thought of the possibility that he could catch something. Phoenix looked over his shoulder, as his fingertips ran across the surface of the water.

“Silly dog… you wont catch anything”.

Poochyena didn’t move his body, but his eyes looked over at Phoenix, and he puffed through his nose, causing a tiny dust cloud to blow into the air. The Bite pokemon narrowed his eyes, seemed to be more determined to do catch something now. He got even lower to the ground to and continued to stalk the hunted mound.

By this time, Phoenix convinced himself a quick dip was exactly what he needed. He, after all, didn’t know exactly where he was going, just that he was going. Phoenix started to derobe, taking off his pack and shirt; but before he could continue the puppy pokemon howled, causing Phoenix’s head to snap towards the noise. The howl was then followed by a few aggressive barks and then… he was gone. He just ran into the distance!

Without even thinking about his pack and all the valuable in it, Phoenix darted off. He ran, his legs like a leaping and bounding, dodging the potholes so he wouldn’t sprain or twist his ankle. He dodged fallen trees, and stubs with lightning reflexes.

“First…. Day… and… I lose….my…fikin….pokemon” He mumbled loudly to himself between heavy breaths. Unbelievable.

Poochyena was gone, his little paws moving him surprising fast. The scent of something got his nose, and it was just instinct to chase it. He didn’t know what it was, nor did he care the only thing going through his mind was ‘chase chase chase’ The puppy pokemon’s tongue hung out of his mouth as he ran though the grasses that were just about tall as him. The smell was getting stronger…his feet moved faster.

Finally the dog pokemon found the smell. It was another Phoenix. Just this one was different. It smelled….nicer. Nonetheless, Poochyena started barking, a deep growl, the fur on its back started to stand up and it jumped on its hind legs to seem at least a little bigger. Moments later…

“DOG!... Stop!”

Phoenix came running through a shrub, a hot mess. Leaves in his hair, sweat all over his body, and of course wearing no shirt. He must have looked a barbarian. He didn’t even notice the girl at first, he just knelt down and picked up his over excited dog. While wrangling him up, and still looking down Phoenix began speaking to the pair of legs he just noticed.

“Sorry about that. He’s not exactly trained yet…” He was going to continue. Before he looked up to see a semi familiar face.

“…Angie!?” he asked, moving a piece of hair from his eyes.

[Angelique Preston]

roses in december

Today had been a big day. Perhaps not the smartest, moving all of her things from her mother's house into a little place of her own, but it was something that needed to be done. Her mother didn't agree with Angie going out into the wild world, exploring and learning, taking back information for the people who had come here. It was what her father had done and he had never come home. Ultimately, Angelique's mother was afraid of being alone and while the younger Miss Preston could understand and appreciate this, she had to start making her own decisions for her life.

A sigh whispered from her lips as she sat beside the late, toes barely in the water, sandals off to one side. She would be meeting the Ambassador tomorrow and receiving all the information she needed in order to progress. Would the Ambassador tell her know, side with her mother, and react the say way? Angelique hoped not. She felt useless here, doing the same mundane tasks day in and day out. Surely, there was something more –

The bushes rustled behind her. Angie's head quickly spun around, her sea green eyes widening in shock as a Poochyena stood there with its fur up, teeth shown, growling at her.

E-Easy boy, I'm-I'm no threat, she whispered, hands up as if to ward off any attack that might come her way. She didn't know much about the breed but the stories about their jaws being able to crush human bone were legendary. Good guard dogs, loyal to a fault once it was earned, and dangerous when aggravated. Had she wandered into pack territory without knowing it?

Thankfully, a boy quickly followed the gray-haired dog and scooped him up. Though shaken, Angie lowered her hands and slowly proceeded to get up, her shoulders tight to her ears, her eyes darting to and fro. She didn't want them to be attacked by anything even if the Poochyena was a domestic partner.

Angie?!

Her attention darted to the boys face and a wide smile crept across her lips. Phoenix, hey! I didn't even realize that was you! She made a motion to come closer, extend her arms in a hug, but one quick look at the dog he carried stopped her.

So, it's certain then, huh? Leaving with, uh, your partner there?

_{yeah, i'm saying phoenix got his pokemon before angie did}

[Phoenix Vitale]

Phoenix recalled it almost being a year before he had seen the snowy haired girl. And it truly had been too long. The last time he had actually spoke with her he was in a stupor of what he wanted to do with his life. For a moment there the two were actually pretty close. They often shared a frozen Mago berry treat, or went on midnight strolls under the double moons. Angie loved the night time. When Phoenix was already in his third dream, she’d pop up at his house and knock on the window with her delicate hands. He remember he would get so annoyed, but once he saw her smile, and look up at all the stars it was all fine. He never had any romantic feelings for her, but she was the little sister/ best friend he never had and that’s perhaps why they got so close. Then he up and disappeared.

Phoenix went to embrace in the hug as well, until he felt his arms vibrate from the low growl.

“Guess not…” He put his free hand on his head and gave an embarrassed smile.

He couldn’t believe she was out her. He never thought her the outdoors type of person. Sure he loved nature, but… out here. He opened his mouth to say something, just as she as, and he laughed and motioned for her to go ahead. It was just like it was yesterday, always trying to cut off her sentences.

“I can’t believe it’s been that long since we talked. Yeah! I decided to go out and explore. The Ambassador is sending me to New Pallet…a little over a week ago. But you know me…easily distracted.” He laughed, and started petting the puppy who was still glaring at Angie like she was intruding on his territory. “Oh and yeah… This is Poochyena. I sort of haven’t found his name yet. You know how bad I am at this stuff.” He continued. “What about you. How have you been? What’re you up to!?” He inquired, wanting to get the scoop on her last half year.

Phoenix knelt down, looking up at Angie keeping eye contact. He set his Pokémon down, and used a hand signal he had been working on to get him to sit. But of course it wasn’t working. He have a frustrated half smile as he continued to look up at Angie, listening to her. He pushed down the Bite Pokémon’s hind quarters forcing him to sit, while reinforcing the hand signal. Poochyena, while still making an attempt to listen to Phoenix, never took his eyes off this new person that his human seemed to be amicable with. Still… He didn’t know her, therefore she had to be watched to protect his human.

“Rruff” he yapped enthusiastically. Phoenix just looked down at him and shook his head. The Poochyena looked at him, then to Angie, and back to him, and whined a little but listened…for now.

[Angelique Preston]

roses in december

A full-fledged smile crossed Angie's lips, her hands locking in front of her, the pinkies intertwined. Phoenix was always getting distracted. Really, Angelique didn't mind it much. She found it charming more than anything and while she knew the older male would never return her affection for him, it didn't mean they had to stop being friends. He was right; they had drifted away from one another, their midnight strolls becoming less and less, their lunches in the market center lessening to twice a week, then once, then never. Their lives just seemed to get in the middle of everything.

She glanced at the dog that he held in his arms. It looked strong, capable, very much like its owner. Maybe a little more focused than his human counterpart, but if it wasn't, Angie was sure she'd hear about it.

I, uh, well, I moved out of my mom's house...?

It wasn't supposed to sound like a question, but it came out as one. She even lifted and dropped her shoulders in a shrug as if that would explain everything. A blush tickled against her cheekbones and she glanced away from him. Phoenix knew there was no bad blood between Angie and her mother. Sure, the elder Mrs. Preston could be a little controlling sometimes and she was very neat about, well, everything, but there was no real reason for Angie to leave.

I...just wanted my own space for a while, she said with a sigh. Except, I moved out and the Ambassador lets me know I can see her, tomorrow actually. So my new place is just going to go back on the market, I guess. I dunno how all these things work.

Another shrug, this time ending with her hand lifting to the strand of silver alabaster hair that had flown into her field of view.

But, these things work themselves out, I guess. She dared to take a step closer, wondering how far she could get before that beast took her hand off or worse.

You excited about leaving? Scared? Nervous? How was meeting with the Ambassador?

So many questions...

[Phoenix Vitale]

He couldn’t help it really, being distracted that was. He wanted to see and do everything around him. He wanted to run through the fields, he wanted to swim across the gorgeous lake, he wanted to eat an exotic dish, he wanted to wrestle his puppy, he wanted to dart between the trees, and build a quaint shack in the middle of the woods. So many wants not enough time. But that was Phoenix and Angie knew that…and yet she tolerated him, so there was that. Phoenix ran his hand through his partner’s gray fur. It was tuff, thick and honestly a little mangy. Phoenix quickly thought to himself that he should take the Pokémon a bath soon. But that probably meant he had to shower… and it was one of t hose things that took up time when he could be doing something else way more important. 

“That’s definitely new” Phoenix chuckled. “I completely understand. Can’t stay in the next forever, but your mum would just want to keep her little Pidgey there forever. Speaking of which how is she taking you leaving? I know that probably wasn’t the most fun conversation”

He then looked down to his Pokémon who seemed to still be watching the girl, but he was definitely a lot less rigid now. That being said, Phoenix closed the gap between the two old friends and gave her a warm strong embrace. He hadn’t talked to her in months, but she was just that type of person who made it seem like it was just yesterday. “That’s what I like to believe anyway. Can’t go worrying about everything. Oh, yeah Mom and Dad are still watching the townsfolk children when their parents leave for however long, so they will never be lonely.”  His conversation timing and placing was all over the place, very much like himself.

Poochyena gave a small growl, him thinking the two were a little too close for a little too long. Phoenix watched the sun reflect off the girl’s hair. He always loved her hair; it was way more than he’d ever wish for but it was still gorgeous to look at. Thinking about her hair, he ran his fingers through his own hair, catching a leaf that must have got caught as he was running like a mad man after his new team mate. 

“I’m not excited as more… Finally” He couldn’t think of a word to put his anticipation of leaving and exploring new places. He was definitely excited, but he was gladder that it was actually happening, because he’d been excited about thinking of leaving for forever now. “Definitely scared. Definitely Nervous. But in the good way, you know what I mean. Kind of like how when you get that boost of adrenaline when you are crossing a fallen tree across a ravine and it breaks its holding, and you have to jump to the other side or fall to your death. It’s amazing!” he ranted nature boy nerd stuff. “What about you? Do you have any plans when you leave? Heading to New Pallet?”

He paused for her to answer.

“The Ambassador. She was great. The receptionist was a little snobby, but it was a great experience. She seemed very knowledgeable and she suggested what I already wanted to do, so she had to have SOME insight” he emphasized the word. "You’ll like her. And besides it’s hard to dislike the person that give you your own Pokémon! Speaking of which, are you hoping for something special?”

He could talk about Pokémon for hours. He then smiled down at his own Poochyena. The puppy may have not known yet, but Phoenix loved that little dog to death. 

[Angelique Preston]

roses in december

From the way Angie was shifting her weight back and forth and avoiding eye contact with the male, it was safe to say that her mother was totally not taking the idea of her leaving, entirely, very well. She swept a stray lock of hair behind the shell of her ear, puffed out her cheeks, and locked eyes with the man across from her.

Could be better, could be worse, she chimed. This was a lie, of course, and the twisting of her hands in front of her stomach and the slight shift or weight from her heels to the balls of her feet gave her away. For the record, Angie was a horrible liar.

I mean, the bulk of it is done, she continued on, placing her hands on her hips, and most of my stuff is already moved out. Granted, maybe the rest should just be left there since I'll be leaving. Oh boy. A sigh came from her, her shoulders slumping forward. Impulsively, she reached up and pinched the bridge of her nose, her eyes fluttering closed. When others got annoyed or angry with her, Angelique usually took their emotional states to heart and that was never good for her mental state.

A surprised squeak passed her thin lips when she felt Phoenix embrace her. Glancing up at his cheek, a tiny blush pressed against her cheekbones and she barely covered a smile. She wasn't as touchy-feely as others her age, but she always appreciated a really good hug. Phoenix usually gave the best hugs, ever. Hell, she was already feeling a little better, less..tense.

Thanks, she said, sincerity ringing through her lyrics. She'll get over it, eventually, just the getting there will be hard.

She listened to Phoenix explain how he was feeling and shes couldn't help but laugh at his chosen analogy. Only he would liken starting a “pokemon journey” to finally crossing a fallen log over a ravine . Angie would've still been on one side of the damn thing, thinking if she should cross at all or merely go around, find an alternative route. Amazing, what with their different personalities, how they had become friends over the years.

Perhaps, she said, hedging. I don't know if that's where the Ambassador will send me. Hopefully though. We haven't heard any news from them recently, have we? Checking up on the settlement would be a good idea.

Angie was glad to get some type of information about the Ambassador from someone. She had never met the woman, but she had heard stories and the stories were more than enough to make her intimidated though highly curious about the woman in power.

Special? Eh, I dunno. I'm still not entirely sure what I want to do. She paused, wetting her lips. I mean, I want to study pokemon behavior and figure out, you know, all the mating and breeding...genetic stuffs, but I don't really know if there's a pokemon that would be able to help with that. A frown dimpled her cheeks before she gave a shrug, the thought whisked away with the wind.

I guess we'll find out tomorrow. What about this little guy? Happy to have him? Think he'll be your long lost partner in crime? She grinned cheekily, her eyes sparkling.