[Action/Open] If patrols were meant to be peaceful, they'd be called Peacetrols.

[iamthatis]

Who: Matthias and anyone who'd want to join him on a patrol! Or might happen to bump into him. Or is actually giving his patrol some purpose.
Where: Around Union
When: 1/17, Evening
What: Just another day in the life of a Sword.

[If there was one thing that Matthias had learned, it was never to curse a boring night on patrol. The only company he'd had for the past hour had been the constant, stiff chill of the wind that drew his cloak closer to him and the constant chattering of Basil as he hopped to and fro ahead of him. If there was nothing going on, it meant that at the moment, things were at peace; no vandals to corner, no miscreants to discipline, no Pokémon rampaging up from the Old City...a truly calm and enjoyable evening where he could delve a little deeper into the realm of his own thoughts.

He'd never thought it possible...but true as truth, he'd heard Martin's very own message over the Warp Band network! Of all things, his hero was back and alive!

It filled his heart with joy, as well as a renewed font of determination. Now instead of doing the memory of Martin justice in his actions, he had the chance to do justice by the man himself...no small feat in the mind of Matthias, but a challenge he refused to shy away from. A small, confident smile crossed his face as he gave his staff a small tap on the ground to get Basil's attention, gesturing for the Buneary to join him as he took a seat with his back to a wall; an invitation the Pokémon took with gusto as he bounced over to Matthias eagerly, watching the young man draw a metal thermos from underneath his cloak.

The smell was an instant hit of recognition; Methuselah had paid Matthias a visit today, and the second cup of Tomato Basil Soup he handed to his friend was all the confirmation the Buneary needed before digging in. Matthias himself sipped at his cup slowly, looking up at the moon and stars above through the steam rising from his food.]

I wish all evenings could be like this Basil...perhaps if we work hard enough, they can be.

[His mumbling caught the attention of Basil, prompting him to look up from his meal for only a second to give Matthias a happy look and a few fast nods...but he was quickly back to his food, making Matthias chuckle as he returned to his.

A lofty goal, maybe...but weren't those the best kind?]

Comments

[iamthatis]

I'd be hard pressed to disagree, but it always pays to have caution in hand with confidence. It's not impossible for someone to have an enchanted weapon after all.

[He looked rather uncomfortable at the thought that someone might use one for nefarious ends, but it had happened before and it would likely happen again.]

Mayhaps if you don't mind, we could finish this patrol in one another's company? The more eyes the better.

[iamthatis]

Really? Has there been anything of particular note happening in Ranger jurisdiction?

[To be fair, he didn't really have a solid idea of the Rangers, but as far as he was concerned on a personal level, they were comrades in arms and any information she might have on strange going's on couldn't hurt. The more info he had the better after all.]

[aerial_ace]

[ She took it, holding it in her hands and using the cup to warm them. The smell was strong, but not at all in a bad way, and it made it hard to wait until it cooled before taking a sip. His question served as a good distraction from that. ]

Questions? What sort of questions?

[iamthatis]

Well...this is kind of embarrassing but...my instructors always told me that if I was having trouble with something that I should seek out someone with further knowledge than my own. I've...been having some trouble navigating my staff in combat as fluidly as I'd like to...and since I noticed you wield a spear, I was wondering if you might give me a few pointers?

[After all, the only thing that separated a spear and a staff was that one of them had a pointed end. Hopefully she might be able to at least give a few tips or tricks that might help him more effectively control his weapon.]

[rainsrespite]

[Yuuna hums a soft laugh and shakes her head.]

Nothing lately, unless you count a few calls for snowblind travelers. Winter seems pretty peaceful, honestly. Most people with any sense who aren't trainers stay indoors. Wild Pokemon took. But you get the odd aggressive ice types up in the mountains. Particularly the predatory ones.

[miraclemiko]

[ Sanae nods with a bit of a smile. ]

I came here from Citadel a few weeks ago.

[iamthatis]

I see...

[The problem with any aggressive Pokemon was the sheer unpredictability with which they operated. They weren't much different than humans in that regard, save for aesthetics, but considering an Ice Type could easily cause a lot of damage if one decided that areas around Union had become part of its territory.]

Nothing of that sort near Union I hope. That's one problem I'd rather do without.

[iamthatis]

Citadel? I've heard a thing or two, but I don't actually know much about it. What's it like?

[He always enjoyed a good story, especially from those well traveled, so getting to learn about a new place definitely piqued his interests.]

[rainsrespite]

Not in the forest, no. The mountains maybe, but that's a ways off. [Smiling softly, she walks closer and plunks down on a nearby bench. May as well sit.]

Worst you have to worry about is maybe someone's Swinub getting lose, around here. Sneasels and Froslass and the really nasty pieces of work tend to stay nearer to their homes.

[iamthatis]

You can never be too sure or too careful. Pokemon aren't any different than you or me, they're just as subject to their whims...not that that's always a bad thing.

[No sooner had he said that did Basil leap up onto the back of the bench, landing perfectly on it as he tilted his head curiously towards this new acquaintance.]

Still, I shouldn't worry quite so much, if a Ranger is telling me things are in hand, I've no reason to doubt it.

[miraclemiko]

[ She positively lights up when he asks. ]

It's beautiful. The main settlement is built into and around the great tree, which is always in bloom. There are a lot of other tribes too that come in for trade, so there's always something to do or something to see.

[rainsrespite]

Well, the thing to remember too, oh...hey little guy...[She stops and reaches her hand out for Basil to sniff before going on.] is that Pokemon don't tend to travel outside their territory.

[Hawlucha nods and hops down, starting to wander in a circle around Martin, checking out the possible new friend.]

But if there's trouble, we'll handle it. What's your name? Don't think I've seen you around much.

[aerial_ace]

[ She takes a sip of her soup, pausing, then taking another quickly thereafter. It was surprisingly good. ]

Staves and spears are often weighed much differently, so your stance varies significantly. The way that they are wielded is much different as well.

[bladeisme]

Well..yeah, you're right. There's always someone stronger than you are out there.

[Ichigo looks less disturbed - simply because he has no memory or experience of such things happening. No, he's more thoughtful than anything else.

At the request, Ichigo nods.]

Sure - I don't mind. You wanna finish your soup before we go, though?

[iamthatis]

That sounds...amazing.

[Almost nothing like the towering spires and buildings he grew up surrounded by. Not that he'd trade Union for anything, but it sounded wondrous all the same.]

I think, I'd very much like to see that one day.

[iamthatis]

O-oh...yes, quite right, my apologies.

[Well, that was one way to get him to look embarrassed. Way to look like a run-of-the-mill greenhorn.]

[iamthatis]

Quite true...yes, I'm just being overly cautious I suppose.

[He smiled and turned his gaze down to the Hawlucha, extending a hand slowly in greeting as well. In turn, Basil gave the new hand a quick sniff and gave a small hop in happiness before landing in a striking pose, giving her a small bow as a gentlemen ought to.]

Oh...me? My name is Matthias, I'm afraid my patrols and other duties keep me well-hidden from the public eye more often than not, but it's a pleasure to meet you.

[iamthatis]

[Oh...right, he still had a half full cup in his hands waiting to be eaten. Where were his manners even? He quickly pulled another cup from his cloak and filled it, holding it out to his compatriot.]

I apologize for not offering sooner, but here, please. If you'd like some that is. I'm able to eat and walk if it's all the same.

[rainsrespite]

Matthias.

[She gives Basil a polite inclination of her head, as does Hawlucha, a gesture of acknowledgement more than anything. Ichijou isn't the most friendly, because she's mostly oblivious to social niceties.]

I guess I can understand that. Though, I dunno, I know a bunch of Swords. But maybe not the ones that get sent on patrol.

[A small smirk and she nods towards the polite Buneary.]

Your partner, I take it?

[iamthatis]

Indeed, that's Basil. We've been a team for quite some time now.

[Savior above, can you see how positively proud this little Buneary looks? He drew himself up to his full height, or as full a height as a Buneary could anyways.]

I'm grateful to have a partner so in tune with myself, it certainly makes my duties much less hazardous.

[rainsrespite]

Basil huh?

[She kneels down to be more on eye level with the Buneary and offers her hand for an actual shake. A gentleman like you should be treated properly, after all.]

It does, yeah. I don't have a clue where I'd be without some of my first teammates. Ichijou here is a more recent addition, but she's been invaluable every time I've needed her.

[And if a Hawlucha could blush and act shy you bet she would be.]

How long've you been training with Basil?

[iamthatis]

Since the day I was adopted. You could say it was because of Basil, had he not stopped his antics to engage me in a game of tag.

[The gentleman hare, as always, took the hand in both of his and gave it as good a shake as he could manage. It was always a joyous occasion to meet a new friend and ally!]

We've been steadfast friends ever since, I couldn't imagine being a sword without him at my side.

[rainsrespite]

[Yuuna nods to the Pokemon and reaches up to scratch between his ears if she's allowed. It's a tentative gesture, no force behind it, and her eyes turn up to the trainer.]

I completely understand, especially with a sweetie like this. Heck, I couldn't imagine life without Gouken, myself. My Hitmonchan's been with me since I was...gosh...twelve now? Pretty much since I started studying with Master Yashio.

[After scritching Basil or not, she rises and offers her own hand to Matthias.]

Is he your only Pokemon partner?

[iamthatis]

[Oh Basil is just loving all this attention, he's totally going to lean into the scratching.]

It's always uplifting to hear about such deep rooted friendships, I wish you many more happy years with Gouken.

[Basil looked disappointed when she drew her hand away to offer it to Matthias, and Matthias himself looked a tad uncomfortable at the prospect of human contact, but only for a moment. He quickly swept that away and took hold of her hand, giving it a firm shake as he nodded his head.]

Yes...so far at least. I hope to make many more friends as time goes on.

[rainsrespite]

[Her hands are clean, at the very least, and she doesn't squeeze back hard. Her grip is firm, her palms soft, but with a few callouses that anyone with any martial training would easily recognize as from training.]

Thanks, I appreciate it. [A nod to Basil.] and you with the little guy as well.

[She looks out past Matthias a moment, towards the walls.]

Have you been outside much?