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 Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 7:55 pm
The Springs
The Springs are run by a Flareon and Glaceon couple. They're a great place to relax and take a long soak after a hectic mission or a busy day.
You can choose from a hot spring or a cool spring and they come in three different pools, one for each gender and another for coed.
There are also smaller pools for the younger members to play in.
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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 6:17 pm
Riley The Espeon was, for once, unadorned with any decorative garments as he made his way down the city streets. He didn't particularly enjoy the feeling of the night wind in his fur, but it was necessary considering where he was headed. After he Keiran and Ivilon had returned, Riley wasted no time in washing himself and his garments off, pushing his worries away with the repetitive motions of scrubbing. His other two Teammates had kept him company for a time, but eventually he'd convinced them to get some rest, assuring the concerned pair that he would be fine on his own. After he'd hung his cape and hat up so they could dry for the morning, Riley found that his paws continued to itch with excess energy: a few minutes of trying to lie down to sleep was enough to convince him that that wasn't going to come for quite some time yet. His mind was too full for it to settle now that Ivilon's Calm Mind was beginning to wear off, and he knew he needed to think of some way to unwind after all of this. Eventually his mind wandered to thoughts of a sign that he'd seen when passing through the city, advertising a set of springs on its outskirts, and the agitated Espeon made up his mind to go there.
It occurred to Riley about halfway there that they might not be open, but he was too far along the path to turn back now. All he could do was hope that luck was with him, as it hadn't been from the moment he'd learned how cruelly he'd been tricked. Fortunately, the Espeon was met with a reassuring sight when he rounded the corner to the business: soft orbs of light were gently pushing back against the darkness, and the main house was light up like daylight--they were open after all! Anticipating the sweet kiss of water against his weary body, the magician hurried along his way, almost moving at a casual jog by the time he reached the door and raised a paw to knock. A moment later the door swung open and a Glaceon was smiling at him with gentle eyes. "Welcome!" She purred, stepping back to allow him through.
As Riley stepped forward he watched her husband push the door closed behind him before stepping up beside his wife, a smile as warm as hers on his face. "We heard a rumor that you Guild folks would be having a rather late night tonight," he said, his deep voice a pleasant contrast to his wife's higher pitched one. "We figured we owed it to you to keep our doors open. You all do so much for us here that the least we can do is give you a place to unwind after work."
"I appreciate it more than you know," Riley responded with a smile, fighting the instinctive urge to tip his absent hat.
"The springs are just around back dear. Step through those doors to rinse off and then you're welcome to stay as long as you need."
With another grateful smile and a nod, the Espeon went through the door as directed and found himself in a room that was ringed with sprinklers that doused him with gentle water droplets as he walked. It was a rather pleasant feeling, and the light collisions of water with his seafoam fur helped to ease a bit of the excess tension in his shoulders. To make sure he was well and truly rid of the ashes, Riley stood there for a while, losing himself to the rhythmic patter of the water: perhaps this little trip would prove to be just what he needed.((This is for Luna~))
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 8:31 am
 SkyeThe sound of Skye’s footsteps seemed outstandingly loud in the silence of night. Rarely was there any sort of activity at an hour like this, and as far as she knew, there would be a fair number of Pokemon struggling to regain their lost energy after what had happened that night. Everyone had been worn through by the long hours they’d spent searching that night, and even more so to learn that their efforts had been in vain. She still wasn’t sure what to think of it, really, but it was not the subject of her thoughts tonight.
When she’d returned, she had felt so thoroughly exhausted that it pained her to breathe. Falling asleep was not the difficult part. Staying asleep was something else entirely.
The darkness that swam in her head, head throbbing painfully with a weariness unknown to her for many years. She could remember Zahra crying out for her, only now she heard Quil as well. It was both real and not, for she knew that she’d been far from her partner when he was taken. It was still a chilling thought, and similar to the subject of many past nightmares.
She had lost family members before to such circumstances, but the familiarity did nothing to change the fear that had lodged itself so firmly in her heart. Not only did she love them as family, but now she was responsible for them as well. She was their captain, their leader.
How was it that her mother had carried such a burden? She could never imagine those bright golden eyes to be as full of uncertainty as she felt now.
She shivered, chilled by the cold of the breeze that passed over the cobblestone streets. It was cold tonight, much colder than she had realized on leaving home. Summer had long since started, bringing green to the grass and flowers into blossom, but the nights were still cool on a weary body. She could feel the ache of her muscles more strongly now, more noticeable once the chill had set into her bones.
Down the street, she could see a glimmer of gold. The light from the windows at the end of the street was a welcoming sight next to the dark, empty windows around her. Lifting her paws, she started toward the bath house and tried in vain to push the grim memories from her mind.
The little walkway was crowded with flowers and herbs that threatened to spill out over the path, but the plants themselves were neatly tended and the building seemed clean and well-kept in its own way. She was glad then, for the route that she’d walked. She hadn’t paid it much mind when she started walking, but perhaps she would find some sort of peace here. Solace was difficult to find when the subjects of your worries slept in the same room as you.
The Espeon lifted her paw to knock, and the door was pulled away from in front of her. A Glaceon smiled back at her, a charming smile lighting the older female’s face as they met. ”Come in, Dear. You must be another one of the guild workers,” she greeted, ushering her weary customer into the lobby and out of the cold. ”The baths are already running, but if you wouldn’t mind rinsing yourself off first, I’d really appreciate it.”
There was a concerned look in the Glaceon’s eyes that Skye didn’t fully understand, only to become distinctly aware of how filthy she was. She hadn’t taken much care in cleaning off the ashes and dirt before she’d gone to bed, and she noted with disdain that she’d probably be doing laundry the day after. That was unfortunate, to say the least.
”Thank you- I’ll be sure to do that,” Skye promised quietly, her voice hoarse from lack of sleep. She feigned her best smile, and allowed herself to be guided toward the showers. She didn’t take much notice of the room’s original occupant, pressing sleepily on one of the taps to open the flow of water over her head.
She did nothing but allow the water to cascade over her for a few moments, enjoying the feel of warmth on her sore muscles and trying her best to forget the night’s events.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 3:06 pm
Riley Riley's ears perked up at the sound of the door being pushed open, and his eyes opened quickly to take in the Pokemon who had just joined him. The Espeon was surprised to find that it was another of his species, and even moreso that she didn't seem to notice him, instead walking over to stand under one of the taps and rinse the ashes from her fur. It didn't take much for him to come to the conclusion that she'd been on the mission too--there weren't a lot of other reasons for a Pokemon covered in ashes to end up here at such a late hour. Immediately Riley felt a twinge of worry, feeling that he might be infringing on his companion's privacy since they seemed to have shared the idea of planning to come here to be alone. That, together with the fact that he felt an incredible sense of self-consciousness at the fact that he was without his costume and thus unable to present himself as he would have liked to a coworker, convinced the magician that his best choice would be to slip quietly out to one of the gendered pools where he couldn't be followed. With a soft breath, he made to turn away from the other Espeon, but something peculiar caught the corner of his eye and forced him to do a double-take.
Her fur had been so smudged with ashes when she'd entered, it had been difficult to tell what shade it was and impossible to see the markings that were coming forth now that the ashes were fading off her pelt. There was something incredibly familiar about them that caused Riley to reconsider his plan to disappear. Instead he watched her uncertainly, wracking his brain for a name that teased the tip of his tongue. At one point he'd met an Eevee with markings similar to these--during a show--but what had her name been? That Eevee had had darker fur, he was fairly certain, but there weren't enough of his kind with these markings for it to have been a coincidence: even if she wasn't who he thought she was, she'd likely know the Pokemon he was thinking of--all the marked Eevee tended to be related through ties to the Tribe.
His eyes widened as it came to him, and a smile sprang onto his face. "Skye!" he said confidently, remembering the endearingly timid look on the young Eevee's face when she'd volunteered for him. "Is that really you?" The magician took a few steps closer, still uncertain if the coincidence could really be true. Then again, Keiran had mentioned meeting an old friend a while back... But had the Riolu even known Skye? Looking over to meet his companion's eyes sheepishly, he flashed her a slight smile. "Sorry I didn't say anything right away. It's been a while--years even--so I had to think to get the name right. That is, uh, if you really are her?" This would be more than a little uncomfortable if the Espeon wasn't who he thought she was, and moreso if she had never heard of any Eeveelution named Skye, but Riley often found that great risk led to great reward.
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 8:04 pm
SkyeSkye jumped a little bit, startled to hear someone calling her name, but quickly recovered as she twisted to greet whoever it was. The voice was vaguely familiar to her, and distinctly male. The Espeon who stood behind her now was smiling at her, his eyes lit with confidence and his sodden turquoise fur clinging against his skin. She wasn’t entirely sure who he was, or how she hadn’t noticed him before, but belatedly she realized that she’d interrupted his bathing.
She turned the tap off and stepped closer in turn to match his exuberant introduction.
He was a little taller than she was, though not by much, and certainly an attractive person. But it was the way that he carried himself that seemed the most familiar to her. He had a very captivating presence, and an enthusiasm in the way that he spoke to her. She frowned for a moment, trying to place where she had met him before.
Her eyes widened in recognition. ”Riley?,” she blurted, more surprised than anything else. His words sunk in, and she smiled brightly at him.
”It is you! It’s good to see you, Riley.” Skye rose to her feet, stepping forward to meet him halfway and pressing her forehead lightly to his shoulder in a four-legged version of a hug. The gesture was brief, but the warmth in her expression was enough to show that it was genuine.
Stepping back again, she smiled as she thought of the kindness he and his teammates had shown her. It had been so long ago, the last time they’d met. Even more than that, he had remembered her in spite of the time passed and the way they had grown and evolved since then. He had cared enough to remember who she was.
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Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 7:41 am
Riley She seemed confused for a moment that lasted long enough to give Riley a bit of pause. He was able to keep a cheerful expression, but his mind began to race nervously as she regarded him with those inquisitive eyes. Now that he thought about it, when they'd met she hadn't been the only one who had yet to evolve. By this point he would probably be unrecognizable to anyone who knew him back then--even Clive had been caught off guard when they'd met up again after his evolution, if only for a moment. That being said, how could he expect someone he'd met only once to know who he was? The Espeon came to the quick conclusion that he'd have to introduce himself as soon as possible to clarify any potential confusion, but just as he'd opened his mouth to speak Skye beat him to it.
The change on his expression was instant. While his smile had been more politely intrigued before, it shifted to a full-on grin when not just her voice, but her words confirmed his theory. "That's me!" he said with a chuckle, bowing to his companion jovially. "I'm impressed you remember! I look a little different than I did back then." The words were genuine, and filled with something like gratitude. Perhaps the most satisfying thing for a magician to learn was that, even in his early days, his shows were captivating enough to make him memorable for years to come; not only was it self-affirming, it was also deeply flattering. "Then again, you do too now don't you?" he said warmly, eyes thoughtful with nostalgia. "You've become quite a lovely Espeon. It suits you." The compliment was easy and careless. She was quite beautiful by their species' standards, with her pale fur and silver markings, but the maturity that came with the form was perhaps the most fitting thing of all. He recalled that she'd been a rather serious Eevee when he'd met her first, and the beauty of her Espeon form was just formal enough to compliment that aspect of her personality.
He was caught by surprise when she hurried forward to give him a hug, but he returned the gesture when she drew back, bemused and still quite flattered by the displays of familiarity. She was quite sweet, even now that she was older, and it was utterly charming. "I'd love to catch up. But maybe you'd like to move to one of the springs out back? I mean, we could stay here," he said with a laugh, "But it'd probably be a bit more comfortable out back. Were you thinking hot or cold springs?"
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 2:07 pm
SkyeSkye’s smile brightened, eyes sparkling with amusement at the familiar bow. He did look different than he had as an Eevee. She could certainly agree with that, since it was the reason it had taken her so long to place how she’d recognized his voice.
He’d been a fairly handsome Eevee, but it was nothing in comparison to his Espeon form. His fur had changed from the typical brown tones into a lovely sea green, though she imagined that it was considerably less dark once dried. He had a lean, striking figure. She was a little awed by the changes, now that she really took note of them. But this was definitely Riley, for she didn’t know of many other Pokemon who would even think about bowing to someone like her.
She would have returned his bow if not for Riley’s next words. ”Just a bit,” she agreed with a smile.
The compliment was then turned back on her, and the Espeon flattened her ears sheepishly. ”Thank you,” she replied shyly, feeling very touched by the sentiment. ”That… That actually means a lot to me, coming from you.” He’d always said such things so freely and honestly, and while she was happy to see that his open nature hadn’t changed, it certainly was enough to make her feel as shy as she had as an Eevee. It felt like her stomach was full of butterflies.
She accepted his embrace in turn, her smile returning as they moved into more easy topics of conversation. She’d never really known how best to accept a compliment like that one, however flattering and pleasing it was to hear. ”I think getting comfortable seems like a much better idea,” she agreed, giggling. ”How about we try the hot springs? It’s a bit cool tonight for swimming in cold water.”
Skye couldn’t help but feel eager for the feel of a hot bath, even more so now that she had a friend to enjoy it with. Perhaps the loss of sleep wasn’t so bad after all.
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Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 9:12 am
Riley Riley grinned when he watched her grow flustered at his compliment, thoroughly pleased to have won such a response. He didn't have his usual tricks up his sleeve to remind a lady how special she was, but at least this seemed to work for the time being. "I make a point of only saying things I mean," he said lightly, with a jaunty flick of his forked tail. He didn't elaborate further, since it didn't seem necessary to explain; he enjoyed giving out compliments even more than he liked to receive them, so they could be given at the slightest provocation.
He shot her a grin at the sound of her childish giggle, and shook the water droplets off his fur with care not to dampen his companion; he didn't want any excess water clinging to him with the night breeze as chilly as it was. "Right then, the hot springs it is!" he said cheerfully. Truth be told, he was glad she'd decided on that--he would have gone regardless, but a cold bath didn't seem as pleasant to his sore muscles. He'd tried when washing the ashes off before, but the fountain back home had relatively cool water that was good for cleaning but less so for relaxing; the promise of warm water loosening his muscles and steam to clear his senses was what had drawn him here to begin with. A few moments later he'd slipped over to the curtained door and pulled it back for Skye, gesturing that she should go ahead with a paw. "After you."
Once she'd slipped past Riley followed suit, allowing the curtain to fall back into place behind him. A few short bounds and he fell into step beside her, the night not feeling so cold now that he had an old friend to keep him company, particularly one who had nothing to do with all that troubled him now. The path to the pools was lined with flowers, just as the one out front had been, and there were lights at the fork illuminating the signs that led to each spring. Nudging Skye gently, Riley pointed up at the sky, where the summer stars lay splayed out in beautiful patterns with the clarity that only comes from a crisp, once-warm night. "Have you ever noticed how the stars get lovelier whenever there's someone to share them with?" he said wistfully, recalling a certain time from many years ago. "Even though we're supposed to be the ones with an affinity for the daytime, I think the night can be just as beautiful. It has a different sort of effect on people." He smiled again, coming out of his reverie in a heartbeat and shooting a glance at his companion. "Then again, the sun's kind of like a star that we always get to see, even though it's a bit different from the others. Maybe it's just that Umbreon need all the stars, but Esepon only need one."
After a moment he shrugged. "Ah well, I wouldn't know anything about that," he mused. "Fun to think about though, wouldn't you say?" With that, Riley tilted his head upward again, searching out shapes in the stars and admiring them quietly. When Skye was ready to move on he would follow, but for now even the wind couldn't keep him from stargazing for a while; it soothed his mind and eased the ache of nostalgia deep within him. The springs would be nice, but there was more light there and the stars would be a bit more difficult to see. For just a moment longer he hoped his companion could appreciate the night sky and quiet company as he did.
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 8:11 pm
SkyeAs Skye slipped through the curtain Riley held for her, she felt the rush of cool night air on her damp fur and cringed. It was much colder now that she was soaked through, but hopefully they would not be long in getting into the warm waters that awaited them.
Despite the cold, it really was a beautiful night out. The air was crisp and fresh-smelling, and the few wispy clouds that glided through were high up and brilliant silver against the light of the moon. Rivers of stars seemed to trace paths across the night sky. They sparkled beautifully, and the greatest of the rivers seemed to brighten the very darkness around it as it passed. As the lights along their flower-trimmed path were dimmed for mood lighting, she could fully appreciate how lovely it was to stand under those star-lit heavens.
Beside her, Riley seemed to agree. As he spoke, his tone was full of awe and admiration. His friendly nudged turned her attention fully to the friend beside her, and her expression softened as he spoke softly of sharing the stars with another. She found herself wanting to agree with him. The butterflies in her belly seemed to take flight in her lungs, stealing her breath away as she met his eyes in the faint glow of the garden’s lights around them.
”I think I’m as fond of the stars as I am of the morning sun,” she admitted softly, her voice as wistful as his had been. ”If sunlight brings joy, I like to think that stars would bring out those softer, gentle feelings that no one takes the time to express during the day. There’s just something beautiful about the way they light the sky at night.”
She could feel herself blush as she spoke, shy of the words she was saying but certainly honest in saying them. It wasn’t the sort of way she was used to speaking with other Pokemon, perhaps aside from Quil. It was too personal and emotionally-grounded for her to share with someone like Zahra, or even her mother. Somehow it felt right to say it now, even with Riley. Perhaps it was because of his own misty-eyed expression as he stood under the heavens beside her.
Skye flattened her ears, suddenly very aware of how forward she was being in speaking to Riley that way, but spared him a small smile as she lifted a paw to gesture that they continue their walk. It really was cold out here, and she could feel the numbness settling back into her sodden paws.
The hot springs were down the right path, opening into an enclosed space filled with beautiful blossoms and narrow-leaved plants that seemed to fan over the water’s edge in places. Skye could see the gentle plumes of steam that rose off the surface, misting over the cold patio stones, and she cautiously dipped a paw to test the water.
When warmth spread through the tips of her toes, she smiled a much brighter, elated smile. There was something about the prospect of a hot bath that seemed to relieve the tension in the air.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:27 am
Riley Riley turned to meet Skye's eyes when she looked at him, his eyes dancing with delight in the low-light. She spoke in a whisper when she did talk, as though sharing some deep secret with him that no one had heard before, so he smiled encouragingly in response, his expression thoughtful. "That's a nice way to think about it," he said quietly, feeling his heart pick up tempo as he recalled the mix of sunshine and starlight he had once known. The conversation drew him to an unexpected place, but it wasn't the dark but the light of that place that he remembered now. Closing his eyes, he breathed in the night air and recalled a time from the past when everything was beautiful and nothing hurt and the world seemed like a warm and gentle place where nothing could go wrong. The world wasn't like that anymore. It was cold and distant, filled with dark emotions and memories that would best be forgotten--there was little he could do but try to make what little light he could in the hopes that it could keep the darkness at bay. At least there were moments like these, filled with stars and the warmth of companionship, that stood out from the rest as the reason to keep fighting.
He was returned to his senses when he opened his eyes, the past slipping away like technicolor fading into black and white, but the color returned when he caught a glimpse of the smile on Skye's face as she indicated they should go. With a nod, he followed the lady Espeon as she led the way, suddenly remembering the chill that was beginning to set into his bones. If he was cold, Skye likely was too, and the thought encouraged him to keep up with her pace, since he had no cloak to offer her this evening. They followed the path on the right as indicated, and the smell of warm water greeted them before they could even see the hot springs ahead. Feeling his sensitive fur prickle in response to the change in temperature, Riley felt eager with anticipation--the lure of the stars fell short now that he could sense the gentle pleasure of warmth ahead.
Skye went ahead first, so Riley hung back, watching her take a careful step into the steaming water. The smile that overcame her at that moment was delightful, prompting one from Riley himself, though he had yet to feel the comfort of the spring on his own. He waited politely for Skye to make her way inside before he followed, his own expression lighting up much as hers did when he felt the kiss of the water on his paws. Another moment and he'd plunged in, submerging himself entirely in the blissfully warm bath, feeling the sensation seep into his skin and help to soothe the aches he'd all but forgotten. When he emerged, he popped his head up out of the water beside Skye and shot her a grin. "I think you made the right choice," he said, paddling over to the deeper side of the pool which was made for much larger Pokemon than either of the Espeon. Swimming in a hot spring was such a novel concept that he couldn't help but try it. Clive would love something like this. Peering over at her, he lowered his body so that only his eyes and ears were above the water, and he perked them straight up to make a rather comical sight before raising his head up again and laughing at his own antics. "You should try this!" he said, spinning around in the water delightedly "It's not everyday that you get to swim in water that feels so good!" Though he had been to a hot spring before, Riley was never one to pass up the opportunity for fun, no matter how childish it might seem.
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:06 pm
SkyeSkye stood in the warm water for a brief moment, allowing herself the chance to let the heated water pool around her legs and belly before moving deeper into the springs. It soothed the numbness and aching in her paws as though she were wrapped tightly in a warm blanket. This was not a comfort she had the pleasure of experiencing every day, and the blissful smile that graced her features was evidence enough of her happiness.
She watched as Riley slipped in beside her, plunging himself below the water’s surface as he stepped off the stairway and swimming gracefully into the center of the pool. She could see his grin as his head broke the surface again, and she returned his grin with equal enthusiasm as he spoke. ”Was there ever any doubt?” she replied, laughing as Riley happily splashed away from her to float and dive in the depths of the hot spring.
The lithe, soggy Espeon trotted eagerly through the shallows as Riley played, bouncing over the steps to reach the far edge where it bordered on the deepest water. It had been a long time since she’d had the pleasure of swimming, but she imagined that it would certainly feel nice to submerge herself in water as warm as this.
The sight of Riley’s pointed ears and bright eyes peeking just above the surface was enough to rise another giggle from her, and she needed no second invitation to join him.
With a quick crouch she sprang into deeper water, trying not to splash him on her way in. She glided through the depths with ease, gracefully dipping and diving under the surface. There was a tightness in her chest, where her lungs begged for air, but the Espeon was more than happy to lazily draw herself to just below the water’s edge. She blew out, a burst of bubbles spilling from her nose and mouth as she did, and the psychic pulled her head above water. She gasped for air, the action somewhat hindered by the playful laughter that spilled from her lips.
Water dripped from her pointed ears as she floated alongside her friend, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight at the edges of the pool. The feelings that washed off of him felt full of a richness that she could not describe. It was warm, happy and fresh, like sunlight through a canopy of trees. Content, she smiled at him. ”It’s lovely here- I’ve never actually been to a hot spring before,” she purred, her paws extending into the depths as she paddled to keep herself afloat.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 3:40 pm
Riley "Oh course not," Riley said smoothly, encouraging Skye's confidence with a subtle grin. She seemed far more comfortable in the warmth of the water, and understandably so, since the heat from the spring made the night breeze a distant memory. Water had a persuasiveness to it that was more attentive than that of the wind. So long as you were willing to drench yourself in water you'd adjust to its temperature with an ease that wasn't always true of the fickle breeze. He watched her approach the drop off point for Pokemon of their height and tread patiently in the middle of the water as she jumped in moments after his invitation, and he smiled cheerfully when the gentle ripples from her entrance collided against him before he took a breath and followed her down to the depths.
The water was quite deep, deeper than one would expect from the spring's surface appearance. What's more, it was lit up with gentle bulbs that clung to the rocks that lined the spring's edges, allowing them to see the underwater sights in all their glory. The bottom of the pool was considerably deeper than Riley himself could swim, knowing that he would need the chance to breathe before he could even brush against the rocks that lined it, but any Water Type could make it there, and some Pokemon were likely tall enough that their feet could rest their and their head would remain just above the surface--the Exploration Sector leader perhaps, but then again maybe it was even deeper than the Aurorus was tall. The rocks sparkled with minerals and small patches of tropical coral here and there, and Riley took it all in with eager eyes before kicking up to the surface once more. He was just recovering his own breath when Skye swam up beside him and began to blow bubbles at him before she surfaced with a laugh. The magician was already chuckling with amusement himself, watching the bubbles disperse across the surface with a light-hearted gaze, but when his companion joined in he laughed even more alongside her. When you were an adult it could be so satisfying to act like a child again, and sharing that experience with another was deeply rewarding for all involved.
He tread the water gently as Skye began to do the same beside him, her eyes glimmering brightly in the candlelight. His ears perked up in surprise to hear that she'd never been to a hot spring and he grinned. "You chose an awfully strange time to try it out," he said, chuckling to himself. "They are nice though, aren't they?" he returned amiably, "I've only visited hot springs a few times before, but it's always a refreshing experience. It's a good way to unwind after a particularly long day." Riley could already feel the tension in his body dispersing, even though they'd only been in the spring for a short time. It didn't take long for warm water and steam to clear away the fog of exhaustion and replace it with a heady sense of contentment--that was the way that hot springs functioned. "These ones are really impressive though," he added as an afterthought, "I've never seen them run so deep. Now I know what normal ones must be like to a Flabebe." The thought amused him greatly, picturing the tiny creature floating about a hot spring on its flower, and his smile reflected as much.
"At any rate," he continued, tail gliding lightly back and forth across the water, "I promised that we could catch up a little more here. So I guess I should make good on that, huh?" He chuckled to himself before his expression grew more focused and filled with interest. "So what've you been up to?" he said idly, the question as open-ended as could be. "Last time we met there were a different set of Guilds around and now we're both a part of the same one it looks like. Small world..." But the world wasn't small: it was unfortunately far too big.
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 4:56 pm
SkyeSkye smiled in agreement. She hadn’t really intended to come here at all when she’d first left her team room. It had been far more important at the time to allow her teammates some rest, and herself some space to breathe. The memory dampened her spirits for but a moment, and she forced it from her mind as Riley continued to speak.
”It really is amazing,” she murmured, admiring the faint sparkle of the minerals of the minerals at the spring’s base. It was a lovely sight, though not as clear now that her eyes were above the surface. ”Even the way the candlelight shimmers off the water… I can see why springs like this could bring someone peace.”
Her ears twitched in surprise as Riley noted the differences in springs, splashing tiny droplets of water as she moved. She hadn’t really thought about the influence the guild would have on the city, but realistically it was the guild’s presence that called for city development at all. This hot spring was likely able to become so extravagant because of the boom in population each time the guild was reinstated.
”-or a Joltik,” she added thoughtfully, staring again into the depths that Riley spoke of. ”My partner’s only two inches tall- I can’t even imagine how deep this would seem from his eyes.” The thought made her a little uneasy, but in some ways it was also fairly exhilarating. To think of places that might dwarf even a spring like this; that would certainly be a sight to see for herself. It made the life of an exploration team sound like something to envy.
She shifted in the water to meet his curious expression, enjoying the feel of the water as he questioned her. ”It’s been a while, that’s for certain,” Skye agreed softly.
”I’ve mostly been doing busy work for the moment- smaller tasks close to city limits for the guild. Quil and I have spent most of the time training outside of our missions, anyway, so we’re hoping that we can put it to good use in our next assignment,” the Espeon explained. ”It’s been really good, though, getting back to doing rescue work. I feel at home here- it’s the sort of work I was born into, so I can’t really imagine doing anything else. Once I heard about the plans for Veilmys to start the guilds again, I had to come back.”
Skye hesitated, frowning a little as she thought back to what it had been like before. ”My family didn’t want to come, mostly because of what happened… before. I think they just needed closure, to come to terms with everything.”
”My mother’s still ‘Captain’ to a lot of them, though. Most of us were living together, far south of here by the sea. Even Frost ended up joining us eventually, once the guilds let him go.” There was a warmth in her voice as she spoke, remembering the tales her mother had spun about the early days she’d shared with her teammates. ”I’m sure they’d be happy to see you again, if you’re ever travelling in that direction.” Zori had always been fond of Era and her team, given the working relationship they shared and the earnest effort that Era had always strived to contribute. Skye found it hard to believe that they would have forgotten her, or Riley for that matter.
Looking up at Riley, she twitched her ears in curiosity. She wasn’t smiling, unsure if she was treading into a topic of conversation that would make things uncomfortable for either of them, but the warmth still hadn’t faded from her voice and expression. ”…What happened with you, after you left?” She asked quietly, her paws finding a grip on the bottom as she floated over a more shallow part of the spring. ”Did you stay with Era and the others?”
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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 6:21 pm
Riley Riley listened with interest as Skye mentioned her partner, nodding thoughtfully in response. He seemed to recall something like that from long before, but he wasn't sure the memory would have stirred of its own accord. "So Quil's your partner then?" he inquired when she mentioned him by name. "It must be interesting having a partner who's so small, but I bet he's capable of a lot of things other Pokemon would never be able to do." Every species of Pokemon had its perks, that was certain, but some had very specific niches. Joltik were tiny creatures, but their webs made them versatile and they were awfully capable survivors, so Riley could picture one being quite useful as a member of a Team. "Your partner must be really brave..." he reflected, staring down at the wavery depths with pensive eyes. "I get intimidated by the size of things even at my height, so I couldn't imagine what it would be like for everything and everyone to be so much larger than me." He smiled slightly, never raising his eyes. "I bet he's one of the bravest of us all."
He looked up again after a moment, listening as Skye finished her explanation of their Guild work and he smiled. "Yeah, it's nice to get back into the work, that's for sure," he agreed. "It's been a while for me since I've spent most of my time traveling and performing wherever the roads take me. I still devote a lot of time to my craft and leave the basic Guild work to Keiran--he's my partner, an almost-black Riolu, you may have met him?--but we do work together a few times every week to prepare for whatever might come our way. We haven't had any particularly notable missions just yet, but you'll be the first to know when we do." He added the latter comment with a chuckle, mostly teasing since he doubted Skye had regular time for his stories what with schedule she was describing. "But I know what you mean about having to come back..." The magician trailed off, disinclined to say any more, but his companion seemed to have different ideas.
When Skye began to speak of her family there was a slight change in Riley's demeanor. It wasn't particularly obvious to one who didn't know him well, but the Espeon's tail slowed its motion and his ears shifted ever so slightly to a lower position. This wasn't what he had wanted to hear. He'd just been hoping for a brief update on her life, not a reminder of the raw memories that lurked beneath his fragile exterior. Maybe he should have expected it, since he didn't specify any time period with his question, but he had expected...what had he expected? Anything but this. Apparently Skye had met with similar resistance from those she cared about upon making her decision to come, which he could empathize with all too well; then too the story of how they'd found a new place to call their own and remained as something like a Team. He smiled faintly at the mention of Frost, recalling the Arcanine with a vague fondness, and at the well-intended invitation to visit Team Stormcloud's clan some time: never once, however, did his expression shift from anything more than quiet attentiveness, and he deliberately never looked down.
After the subtle invitation Riley thought that he was safe. The male Espeon quietly exhaled the breath that he'd been holding with as much subtlety as possible and he began to formulate a response. How to explain things as easily and quickly as possible? But then he caught Skye's eye, and her unsmiling gaze, and he felt his heart drop to the depths of the water he waded in. No--no he had to say something now before she had the chance to say anything, before it grew worse than it already was. As was usual when it came to this matter however, Riley's tongue was tied and his throat seized up painfully, preventing him from any ready speech. His mouth was open, but nothing came out other than the sound of his breathing. Then she asked the question he'd been dreading.
He closed his eyes after the first question, brow furrowed into worry lines as he considered it, but the second question made the Espeon flinch visibly at the sound of the name that he couldn't bear to speak aloud. Era. The question pained him more than Skye could possibly know, and it killed him to think that she might consider his reaction her fault in some way, but that sort of question did little more than threaten the delicate equilibrium of his mind. No, don't think like that. Address the question, keep it simple. She's just continuing the conversation, she doesn't know anything about it. It was so easy to think those things and so dreadfully difficult to act on them. The longer he took to respond the worse it was, but he needed his voice back to give Skye the answer she was looking for, as well as his calm. Inhaling a deep breath of steam, the magician's entire body shuddered from head to tail, and he opened his eyes. Their expression was graver than before, though not unkind, and he stepped down into the shallows as well, robbed of his desire to frolic in the water any longer.
"Apologies," he said, his voice deliberate and calm, "I'm afraid you've brushed on a bit of a difficult subject for me." No laughter accompanied his commentary this time, he was speaking to Skye as straightly as he could, because lying simply wasn't an option for the magician. "You see, much like you, we ended up in another place after the Guilds disbanded and remained together as a Team. That home is to the far West, beyond anything that this Guild has on its maps--almost on the edge of this land as we know it. A few of our number remain there even now, but most of us have taken to traveling on our own over the years, each with their own mysteries to seek out. It's not that we've lost contact--most of us visit with one another frequently, and we're constantly writing letters back and forth to keep everyone updated--but we don't see each other nearly as often as any of us would like."
Somberly, Riley stared down at the ripples going out from where his paws touched the rocks. "Out there we created a place where we continued to function as we did at the Guilds, but for the Pokemon who had never even heard of such a thing. We spent years working with them and helping them rebuild their lives after a great catastrophe, and by this point they come from miles around to request our assistance with whatever they might need. These Pokemon...they never knew help from the Guilds when they were in power, and they still don't because they're too far away for most Pokemon to know of their existence. That's why, when the new Guild was created and some of us proposed the idea of officially reforming the Team, not everyone agreed." It took all the willpower Riley possessed to keep his voice from cracking when he spoke those words. "So now I'm here on a Team with Keiran, and my friend Clive hopes to join us soon; Erinn has his own Team with one of our acquaintances from the old days, Silvertail; and everyone else is either back home doing their jobs or out on their own personal missions." He did not mention the deaths. He did not mention the Deoxys and the Legends. He did not mention her name. Any of those would have sent him over the edge and left him in tears, and he hardly wanted Skye to feel like she made him cry. He never tapped into his Psychic senses as a rule, but he knew that his sudden seriousness would be enough to unsettle anyone unfamiliar with that side of him, and he didn't want his companion to feel any more pressure than could be avoided.
When he looked up from the water again, his eyes were gentler and he offered her an apologetic smile. "You'll have to forgive me for getting so serious all of a sudden. There's just a lot of memories to handle when it comes to this gap." That was the truth of the matter and he didn't know what else to tell her. Hopefully they would be able to move on from this quickly and back to lighter topics that his heart could manage. Right now it was heavy enough that he feared it would pull him under the water and he'd never resurface.
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 7:25 pm
SkyeSkye’s expression fell, her eyes dark with concern as she watched her friend’s reaction. She had been a little timid to ask, but now she could see that she’d made a mistake in bringing their families into the conversation. She could sense a raw pain emanating from Riley now, uncovered by the abrupt change in his mood, and she knew that there was something there that he either wouldn’t or couldn’t express. He was hurting.
His voice was calm when he finally spoke, but it was empty. It was certainly a forced tone, however he might try to hide it, but she strongly suspected that it was her psychic abilities which made her privy to the knowledge.
He spoke of his team, if vaguely, going over how they had come to live apart over time. They, too, had felt hardship and had come out the other side. She simply sat in silence throughout it, listening politely and regretting every word she’d spoken for the way it had affected his emotions. Truthfully, it was better to get the subject behind them now than later, but she still wished to see him smile again. There was a lot of things she had yet to learn about Riley, it seemed, and not all of it would be easy to hear.
”There’s nothing to forgive, Riley,” she murmured apologetically, her eyes darkened with the weight of the tension she felt. ”I’m sorry for bringing it up- it must be hard for you.” The Espeon met his gaze, her heart easing a little as she noted the softness in his eyes. He did not blame her for what she’d said, at least. ”If you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll be here. I may not always know what you’ve been through, but I know enough about family… and the past… to know that it’s sometimes difficult.”
It was a poorly-worded way to complete her offer, she knew, but there was really no polite way to express the old memories that plagued her. They were nightmares of a distant past, but there was no way to forget the ones that she’d lost or that ancient pain that had brought her to the brink of death in order to save what little she had left. It was not a subject worth mentioning now, particularly since she was hoping to lift his heart and spirits from the depths to which they’d sunk. For once, she was glad that he seemed unable to grasp on her inner emotions.
Skye inhaled deeply, allowing the breath to fill her lungs and lessen the tension in her shoulders.
She could smell the fragrance of the blossoms that edged the hot spring, their large and colourful petals all but spilling into the water itself. ”The azaleas are lovely,” She remarked suddenly, her voice quiet as she tested the air for a fresh start in the conversation. The only reason that she knew the name of these beautiful blossoms was due to Zahra’s diligence in showing her how to garden. Apparently the Togetic still held a great passion for flowers, even outside of the forest she’d come from. ”I don’t think I’ve seen so many of them in one place since my last mission,” she continued, gathering confidence in her words as Riley’s mood seemed not to darken. ”I think I like them much better here than in the Fairy Woods. I feel safer here, like I have the chance to really rest and enjoy them.”
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