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

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

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?]

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[Yuuna dips her head and meanders up, deciding to take the opportunity to chat as a break from her run up the hill. No reason not to be friendly with the Swords, given how closely the Rangers had to work with them at times. Though admittedly this kid is a good bit less gruff than the last one she’d talked to. Gordon seemed nice enough though, same with the kid.]

A lack of ruffians you say? In this weather?

[As if to emphasize the point, the Hawlucha hops up onto her shoulder and spreads her arms wide, beak pointed up at the falling snow.]

Hardly a shock. We’ve had more calls than usual though so I guess it balances out.

[She pauses, reaching up to ruffle Ichijou a bit.]

But I guess I can’t complain that the city’s quiet. The less trouble, the better. Better for us when the next bout of weird things happens, for sure.

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.]

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

[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?

[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.

[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?

Not since...

[No, that wasn't something you talked about with people you just met. How your real parents up and left you on the outskirts of Union as a baby to be found by a Ranger patrol. He gave a small shake of his head and put a smile back on to his face to cover the memories.]

It's been a long while. I was raised in the Pokemon Habitat and I only just joined the Swords about two months ago, so I've been fairly busy.

[She notices the pause, but doesn't ask. Not her pain, not her place to pry. She's a bit nosy at times, but she's not that kind of nosy.

Though...]

Raised in the Habitat? With some of the caretakers there?

Yes, actually. Just one though, his name is Methuselah! He took me in when I was a child and taught me how to work in the Habitat, I still feel very at home there if I'm telling the truth.

[Just look at the smile on his face, that's all the proof you need.]

Well, I haven't met him, but that's wonderful! It's good to know that the workers there are as good with people as they are with Pokemon.

[A smile, and she refocuses her attention back on Matthias.]

So, nosy question for you then. What's it like growing up in the Habitat? I know that's probably kinda broad, but surrounded by all those Pokemon?

It was...a unique experience. I learned so much from the workers, and from the Pokemon themselves. I can't...talk with them, like some people can, but sometimes I feel like I can understand their emotions and they've all become like family to me.

Well, I guess that'd be a side effect of growing up around them.

[She leans back, casually rolling her shoulders a bit and turning to the east, and the industrial district.]

My family didn't keep many. Just my father's Honedge, and the Poliwag that I bonded when I was about eighteen. Gouken...was a friend, but we only bonded around then too. Honestly, I'm almost jealous, my connection isn't nearly so strong. And I'm still learning a lot.

As do I...but I can tell you're a kind person. Ichijou trusts you and you speak of Pokemon as your friends, I've no doubt you'll find the answers you seek.

Ho? That's a pretty quick judgment about me, Matthias. I could be a troublemaker, you know. And so could she.

[She chuckles good naturedly and reaches out to Ichijou again, letting the bird start nuzzling her hand..]

I'd put money on that judgment. If Basil's comfortable around you, then it's a safe bet to make.

[He couldn't help but laugh a little at that, but it was a warm laugh all the same.]

[Smirking, she looks down at Basil and offers another scritching.]

I guess that's fair. He seems like a good judge of character.

[A pause, but she keeps offering attention to the Buneary.]

You're alright, you know. Most Swords I've met are. I've got a few friends in the ranks, myself.

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