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 Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:10 pm
She had agreed to a second date. This was both terrifying and elating, but at least he had his own clothes this time. Black jeans and a thick warm charcoal grey jumper over a blue t-shirt, and his bike jacket for warmth. Rather less smart than last time because this time they weren't going anywhere fancy, but still smarter than his usual attire so it would do, right? His hair was brushed properly again too, and he'd even got himself some cologne. Also unlike last time he could walk properly. Taking a last look at himself in the mirror and deciding he would do Aulus headed down to the garage where he had arranged to meet Claire.
He didn't know yet how they were going to get where they were going - that was more or less up to her - but either way he had his bike saddlebags slung over his shoulder, full of the supplies for their date. A New Year's eve picnic on the beach. Slightly crazy? Yes, probably, but he didn't think Claire would have enjoyed the on-base festivities as they involved rather a lot of alcohol and noise by and large. He might have enjoyed the party himself but he would enjoy this far more, and could always go and track down a crazy night some other time if he felt the need.
Aulus arrived down in the garage more or less on time, and more or less composed at least outwardly. Internally his stomach was full of Butterfree, and his heart was defintly beating faster than normal. Date. He was going on another date. He really hoped it went as well as the last one had.
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 7:52 pm
Azdeif sat on the edge of Claire's bed in her Santa hat, kicking her tiny feet and blissfully unaware (or simply uncaring) that Christmas was over and nobody wore them really afterwards. She was Azdeif Claus, she needed her hat! As it was though, Claire was rushing all around her room, throwing various things around. That usually meant something involving Owlus was happening, which usually meant she could go too... but Claire had asked her to do something very, very important: Stay here and guard the brownies she'd gotten earlier so Zeus didn't eat them. It sounded awfully boring, but Claire had promised to give her one when she got back if she agreed, so agree she did. They looked awfully yummy though... Did she really have to wait...?
While the little legend was having her internal struggle, Claire was cycling through a variety of outfits. It was taking her ages to pick though, so she finally went back and found the first one she'd put on - her favorite pair of jeans, tanktop, a dark blue sweatshirt, and a black jacket. That would be fine, right? Right. It couldn't be that cold...
Should she wear her contacts? It had become a habit borne of necessity to wear them whenever she went out in public, but Aulus liked it when she didn't wear them... But they were going out in public, so she should... But, well, she didn't on their last date, and that was in a lit restaurant. This time they'd be on the beach at night to watch fireworks, so no one would even notice, so it should be fine. Right? Right, it would be.
After clipping a few pokeballs to her belt, slipping a simple necklace around her neck, and putting on some warm socks and boots, she was off to the garage and only late by just a couple minutes. He wouldn't mind, would he? "Sorry I'm late," she said as she slowed down from a jog and halted near him, her cheeks pink, but whether that was from nervousness, embarrassment, or jogging all the way here to avoid being any later was unclear. "Ready to go?" Their second date. It wasn't nearly as nerve-wracking as before, especially since it was more casual, and she was excited - nervous, but excited. That was good though, right? People were normally nervous and excited on dates, weren't they?
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:39 am
He hadn’t been waiting very long but Aulus had already started to pace up and down, mentally listing all the reasons she might not have arrived. She’d changed her mind. Lucas had talked her out of it, or kidnapped her ‘for her own good’. Zeus had overdosed on chocolate and needed looking after. She’d changed her mind. She didn’t want to see him.
And then there she was.
She looked great, as ever.
Keeping a huge sigh of relief internal Aulus grinned; “Don’t worry, I’ve not been waiting long... umm... you look really nice. Again. I mean, you always do but... Yeah. Uh, anyway, I’m ready to go, just one more thing to sort out... would you like to go by bird, or bike?” He would quite like to take her on his bike but he wasn’t sure she’d be comfortable with cuddling up against him given how she’d acted in general since their first date. It wasn’t that big a deal though, certainly not worth getting himself or her stressed over; if she was happier with birds then birds it would be.
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 7:47 pm
It made her nervous to see him pacing before he saw her, but as soon as his eyes met hers, the nervousness seemed to completely melt away, leaving her sort of light-headed and giddy. Huh, that was funny. "Ah.. Thanks," she said, cheeks darkening slightly at his compliment, but those still felt a bit awkward, so she shifted to the subject he so conveniently provided.
Mode of transport, hum... Well, while her preferred transportation was always by bird, it had been ages since she'd ridden his bike last, and she really did want to ride it again.. But last time they'd seen each other it was sort of awkward, so should they fly..? Decisions, decisions... "Umm..." The internal struggle was made partially external by a slight furrowing of her brow as her hazel eyes shifted sideways to a spot on the floor for a few moments, and then just as quickly turned a hesitant, slightly hopeful look on him. "Could we, uh, possibly.. go on your bike?"
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:51 am
Aulus grinned like somebody that had just won the lottery. "Of course, brilliant!... Uh, I mean, I've not ridden in ages so it'll be nice to ride again... and with you." Not doing so well at smooth there, not that he'd been very good at smooth at all since they started dating... or since before that. He'd probably been doomed from the moment she'd first seen him given his arms had been dripping with chocolate. How long ago had that been now? It felt like a lifetime. He still questioned his ultimate decision to come here from a moral standpoint, but from a merely personal and social one he was more than glad he'd been such an impulsive idiot.
"My bike's just over here," Aulus went on after a moment, gesturing across the garage before moving off in the indicated direction. "There's spare helmets you can borrow," he added, "and I think there are spare leathers somewhere too if you wanted to borrow a jacket or something. What you've got on is probably fine but... well yea, there's stuff to borrow if you want."
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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:31 pm
Claire offered him a shy smile and a short nod when he spoke, her cheeks still flushed light shade of pink, and walked next to him on the way to his bike. It had been ages since she'd gotten to ride on it with him, and despite how dangerous it was, it really was a lot of fun. But then again, who was a criminal in an organization like Team Rocket to preach about what was too dangerous?
At the mention of spare gear she nodded again with a, "okay, let me go look," before she moved to go find some. She came back some moments later with a helmet but nothing else. Whether she could find spare jackets and simply didn't want them, or if they had absolutely none left wasn't clear. What was clear, however, was how eager she looked. "Ready whenever you are," she said with a grin. She was still nervous, of course, but going fast on a potentially dangerous machine seemed to soothe her nerves. Funny how that worked.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:43 am
Aulus grinned and nodded, zipping up his jacket and donning his helmet. "Right then," he climbed astride his bike and started the engine, turning his head to look at Claire as he did so. "Let's ride!" He'd missed the roar of the engine starting, and the the purr of the bike waiting to set off. He needed to do this more often; flying was wonderful but there was something about being on ground level with the scenery slipping by beside you that felt.... Well, he wasn't sure what the word was, but it was exhilarating and calming at the same time if that was possible. In any case, point was he'd missed it and would have to make time to do it more often.
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 12:09 pm
The agent beamed when he started gearing up, so she slipped the helmet on over her head. It felt sort of awkward with her hair pressed right up against the back of her neck before it laid flat over her shoulders, so with a frown she took it off again. She pulled her hair back into a bun but didn't have anything to tie it with, and after a moment of adjusting and thinking, she just relented and quickly pulled the helmet on over the slipshod excuse for a bun. There, much better.
With a grin she slid onto the bike right behind Aulus, and after a minuscule amount of hesitation she slipped her arms snugly around his waist. The last ride had taught her to hold on tight, but she didn't mind that anymore.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:08 pm
The contrast between her getting on this time and her getting on the first time was enormous. Aulus smiled behind his visor and drove out into the desert.
It was quite a long trip, but shorter (and more comfortable) than it would have been before he got the mechanics to fiddle around with his bike. Eventually Aulus braked to a halt and flipped down the kickstand, pushing up his visor as he did so. They were on the beach somewhere outside of Campheron. The long strip of sand was empty save for the two of them and his tire tracks, and the sea sighed gently up and down a little way off.
Peaceful, private, perfect.
Aulus turned to Claire and asked; "This spot okay with you?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:56 pm
The dark-haired agent didn't mind the length of the trip at all. It was very comfortable on the back of his bike, especially because she got to hug him... Not that she was dying to do that or anything, of course. It was just... Nice. Comfortable.
And the place he found... "Perfect," she said with a smile after she removed her borrowed helmet, her hair spilling out over her shoulders again. She'd left it wavy anyway, and after being tucked up beneath the helmet for so long had enhanced that look. Luckily she hadn't bothered to straighten it or the helmet would've ruined it completely. "It's perfect." She set the helmet on his bike where she'd been sitting, and a few flashes of light left Zeus, Artemis, and Luc in their wake. While she had Azdeif's masterball with her, she refrained from releasing the little legend just yet. She wanted to be sure no one else would be around that would see her.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:41 pm
"Great!" Aulus grinned again and killed the engine; he was grinning a lot tonight. He was still nervous, nervous as hell, but maybe not quite as nervous as he had been on their first date. This time they were alone too which was nice, he didn't have to be guarded about what he said and... her hair looked nice. "Y'know, the helmet always makes my hair look worse; how come it's made yours look better?" he asked as he pulled said helmet off and pushed his fingers through his flattened hair with a rueful grin.
"So uh, shall we set up a blanket first or build a fire?" Aulus went on as he released his pokemon onto the sand, ruffling Tortie's mane as she padded up to him and rubbed her cheek against his hip. "Though, to make the fire we need driftwood," he realized with a slight frown, "shall we send the pokemon off to find some?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:59 am
Artemis had been wandering around idly, sniffing at whatever she could get her nose on - that was, until Aulus said that word. Her head snapped up, bright orange eyes zeroing in on the scarred human before she was next to him in an instant. She spun in a circle, whined, danced, then spun in another circle. Find? Find what? What did they want her to find?
Claire laughed, both at Aulus's question and at her Growlithe's behavior. "Now you've done it, you said the magic word." The laugh faded to a chuckle as she knelt down and picked up Zeus, only to place him in the fire-type's back. "Go find some firewood."
Artemis barked once before she shot off like a rocket across the sand, Zeus clinging to her fur like his life depended on it. It was only about fifteen feet away that the puppy stopped, turning a confused look at the Pikachu on her back. What was firewood?
The electric-type smacked his paw into his face with a heavy sigh.
"They'll find some, I don't know if they'll be able to carry all of it though. Anyway," she went on as she straightened her jacket and pushed stray locks of hair behind her shoulders, "while they find some wood for a fire, we can set out the blanket." Which would take considerably less time than finding enough wood for a fire.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:14 pm
"Sounds good to me. Tortie, Char, Red, go help out." As the trio of pokemon departed - some more willingly than others - Aulus opened one of his saddlebags and took out the picnic blanket he'd brought.
Where was tonight heading?
He gave the blanket a shake, allowing it to drift naturally to the ground more or less spread out. Just as he was bending down to smooth it properly he spotted Paul grabbing onto a corner to do the same, and straightened back up; poor little sod needed to feel useful he guessed....
So where was tonight heading?
Somehow he couldn't see it going 'far' - in very heavy inverted commas - but... well it was New Year's Eve; was a kiss too much to hope for? He was nervous, yes, but she was... it was more than jitteryness and that was for sure. What was she scared of? Touch? Commitment to a relationship? Him? He studied Claire by the starlight and realized that he hadn't a damn clue of how to approach the issue, whatever the issue was. He turned away back to his bike and closed his eyes for a moment before digging in the saddlebag and coming out with a thermos.
"I brought hot chocolate," he said, proffering it to her with a slightly hesitant smile. "There's the makings for more once we've got the fire going, but this should still be hot enough for now." She was gorgeous, but she didn't really seem to... to want him? He didn't know what it was, and he didn't want to worry about it on a nice night like tonight but whether he liked it or not these thoughts crept into his mind from time to time. Was he doing something wrong, just not doing something right, or was it nothing to do with him at all? He didn't know, he really didn't. He didn't want to worry about it tonight though, just enjoy the food and the fireworks and firelight and the start of a new year that could perhaps contain new beginnings. Perhaps.
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:26 pm
The agent watched with a smile as three of his pokemon went to help, and when he pulled out the picnic blanket she moved to help. When he spotted Paul and straightened, Claire had already knelt down to smooth the opposite side while being careful not to displace the small spider.
It was easy for her to forget that this was their second date - they often hung out and did casual things like watch movies and the like anyway - and this was, for all intents and purposes, rather casual. No fancy outfits, no expectations or anything to worry about, just the two of them with their pokemon. Just the two of them with a fire and the fireworks...
Just the two of them.
His voice cut into her thoughts unexpectedly, so when he offered her the thermos her head snapped up, a mildly surprised look on her face and a faint tinge of pink on her cheeks. "Oh! Ohh, I love hot chocolate," she said with a smile as she stood back up and stepped over closer to him. She reached out with both hands to take the offered thermos, one hand on the top and the other towards the bottom, and the color on her cheeks deepened when her fingers brushed his. They lingered near his for a moment or two before she pulled her hands away, lifting the cover off the thermos with one and closing her eyes as she inhaled the delicious aroma of hot chocolate.
When she opened her eyes, Zeus was at her feet and staring at her with wide, expectant green eyes.
How he'd managed to not only hear her, but to scamper over in such a short period of time without her noticing was beyond her. ...maybe he'd learned to teleport or something. "None for you," she said as she gave him a rueful yet stern glance before she took a sip. "Mmm..." Delicious. She didn't want to hog it all though, so she replaced the lid and tipped it towards Aulus at the same time she raised both eyebrows a fraction and inclined her head very slightly; even without speaking, the silent message of 'want some?' was hopefully obvious.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:36 pm
I know you do.
Aulus smiled, glancing down at the thermos as their fingers brushed over it. She did like him, she must like him. Maybe she just naturally took things very slow, he didn't know anything about her relationship history, or in fact her history in general. She didn't know too much about his either though, so maybe that was okay? They'd talk about it sometime, he was sure; maybe he'd even find out what had motivated her to join Team Rocket.
As the thermos was offered back to him Aulus took it with a smile, maybe slightly engineering for their fingers to touch again: he'd take what he could get for now. "So," he took a sip and smiled over the rim of the flask, "A new year! If you'd told me this time last year I'd be where I am today I'd've thought you were mad... pretty, but mad."
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