[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

[warriormouse]

[Martin hates nights, now.

First there was his...accident, which occurred on a night patrol. Now he's got problems sleeping, nightmares and that sense of leaving his body if he's having a more or less peaceful sleep. Boar, Tiria, and Aubretia have all confirmed that he does in fact wander at night when everyone else is asleep, and it sort of freaks him out.

Oh well.

He's out much later than he intended to be, mostly because he had made the mistake of wandering past a bookshop with Tiria in tow. He'd never heard of a Pokémon reading and writing like his Frosslass and he kind of wishes she wasn't so voracious about it. His wallet couldn't handle that! At least Sunflash was willing to carry their bags for him (Boar tried but, well, his ribbon couldn't really carry that sort of weight.

Tiria got a lot of books, journals, and colored pens).

The four walk past the wall Matthias is leaning against and Martin nods in recognition of a fellow (sort of) Sword]

Good evening.

[iamthatis]

Ah, the same to yo...

[Matthias smiled, looking down from his stargazing to thank the passing citizen. And then he saw who he was talking to and you would have sworn that he had never been sitting down at all with how fast he rose to his feet in a proper salute. Not that Basil minded the extra cup of soup that had been left on the ground, he was just going to tuck right into that.]

C-c-captain Martin sir! I d-didn't realize it was you sir!

[warriormouse]

--hm?

[Wow. No one's called him by his rank since...well, before his accident. He's not even in the one uniform he's kept, so he's impressed this kid (new, obviously) recognized him.

...then again, he is glowing right now. Damn Ghost-typing.

All the same, Martin returns the salute briefly before smiling]

Relax. I haven't really been a captain since September, there's no need to salute.

[iamthatis]

[There was something about the way Martin spoke that took the tension right out of his shoulders, even if he had wanted to stay at attention. The young man relaxed visibly, but his eyes still held that same adoration from before.]

M-my apologies, I just...never thought I'd get the chance to meet you sir. You were...my inspiration for joining the swords, if I'm being honest sir!

[Way to just blurt that out like a doofus Matthias.]

[warriormouse]

[Martin really wishes he wasn't glowing. His blush and surprise is all too evident, even as faint as his glow is.

He inspired people? Oh, dear. Oooooh dear. That was...

Well, it was flattering but also surprising.

(Boar, meanwhile, is loving this. He's known Martin since Martin was young and this is just fantastic. He knew his trainer was awesome.)]

I--ah, I was? I had no idea.

[iamthatis]

Y-yes! I grew up helping around the Pokémon Habitat...and I always heard stories about the Swords and the Rangers; their exploits were always fascinating, but I always enjoyed hearing the most about you!

Is...is it true you once lead a handful of Swords against a Pokémon that came up from the Old City? And, that you once survived for three weeks outside of Union with nothing but your partners and your sword??

[Oh boy, he's gone off into full fanboy mode. The poor kid even has stars in his eyes, though it means he easily missed Martin's embarrassment. This was bound to make it worse though.]

[warriormouse]

[Boar has to hide behind Martin so he can laugh without embarrassing the poor young Sword while Tiria tugs on Martin's sleeve, asking him to ask the boy for more stories so she can write them into her haiku.

Martin is so red right now. So very very red.]

I...I have never heard any of those stories before, I'm sorry. I did do several patrols in the Old City, but ever had to do more than send a few particularly annoyed Pokémon on their way. Who on--Tiria, no--where on earth did you hear these?

[iamthatis]

F-from passersby through the habitat...and even some of the recruits at the academy said they'd heard the same.

[It...wasn't quite the same as what he'd heard, but it definitely took a man of great skill to do so much as ENTER the Old City, let alone send annoyed Pokémon down there on their way.]

That still sounds amazing sir! Even more impressive actually!!

[Oh he cannot even believe he's getting to talk to his ACTUAL hero right now! Ugh his face must be SO RED but he can't even be bothered with it!]

W-what about your sword? Is it really enchanted like they say??

[warriormouse]

Ah. I had no idea I was worthy of rumors!

[He laughs a little, still embarrassed.]

If you mean Boar, then no. He's my Honedge.

[Said Honedge just sticks his ribbon above Martin's head and waves, still laughing silently]

But my actual sword is just an Enhanced sword, Fairy-type. Nothing particularly special about it.

[He gestures to where the sword is sheathed on his hip before drawing it to show the boy that it's just a sword with a pretty red pommel stone]

Works quite well against Dragon-types, but otherwise that's about it.

[iamthatis]

[I'm sorry, are you talking right now? His eyes are locked firmly on the sword as it's drawn as if he was watching a falling star streak across the sky. He might have absentmindedly waved back to bore but this is literally the besT NIGHT OF HIS ENTIRE LIFE AND HE CANNOT EVEN LITERALLY DEAL WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.]

[warriormouse]

[What's happening right now is Sunflash the Growlithe finally finds where that yummy smell is coming from and runs over to the Buneary and the soup. She wants some!

Martin turns the sword so it catches the light at different angles for a moment before he sheathes it]

See? Just a sword. Nothing particularly special about it.

[iamthatis]

[Basil eyed the approaching Growlithe warily as she approached, but remembered that it was only proper to share. After all, Matthias had a few thermos' at home with more, so it wasn't that big a loss to hold out the cup to his new acquaintance!

Matthias himself snapped back to reality once the sword was sheathed and shook his head a bit to shake the fog in there off.]

Methuselah always said...it was the person behind the sword that mattered the most, so I suppose that's right. Still, it's a very impressive blade sir! Is it...will you actually be going out to travel soon? Outside of Union?

[He'd heard that message but...hadn't had the courage under him to actually respond to it, nor any information really that would have helped. No time like the present though.]

[warriormouse]

[Food! There is now a mess of tomato soup everywhere. Sorry.

Martin nods, either ignoring or unaware of the mess his Pokémon is making]

I am, yes. I haven't gone back to the Swords because I want to travel, but...well, coming back to life apparently requires a few months of rest, as much as I hate to admit it. I plan to leave around the end of the month.

[iamthatis]

M-m...

[His voice hitched in his throat, as if his subconscious had caught him just in time from saying something incredibly stupid. Why on earth would Martin the Warrior of all people EVER agree to anything like that? He was a hero! A hero among heroes! Even death couldn't hold him back and LOOK AT THAT MAGNIFICENT AURA AROUND HIM. It was a fight for a few seconds, but ultimately his impulse got the better of him...so much for common sense and quick thinking.]

May I come with you?!

[Did you really have to half shout that? I mean it was hard to say but even Basil had to stop to look up at you after that.]

[warriormouse]

I-I'm sorry?

[Martin glances at Boar, who nods. He did indeed ask that.]

I...how long have you been with the Swords? Would you even be allowed to take such a long time off?

[...and what is his name?!]

[iamthatis]

[Oh boy, he's gone and done it now. If the street wasn't so dark Martin would be able to see how RED his face got, but he couldn't possibly back down now! He hadn't gotten a no and...well, if he didn't at least try, he'd regret it for the rest of his life. He knew that much.]

T-two months now sir! And I'm sure if I explained the circumstances they'd allow it...I've...I've always wanted to learn from you. Stories about you inspired me to be the person I am today and...to learn from the Martin the Warrior, it would be a dream come true. Please, at least consider it?

[warriormouse]

[Martin is suddenly reminded of when he was a young boy, begging his father to let him go on patrol with him or go into the headquarters and always being told "not yet". "When you're older". "When you become a Sword." He'd been exactly like this young boy. He certainly seemed eager, and he'd ask around at the headquarters and see what they thought of him. Maybe it'll do him some good. His first trip will only be to the Flower Grove, and if it ends up not working...well, he tried.

But first.]

I'll consider it, though...you never did give me your name.

[iamthatis]

[Do you think you're glowing right now Martin? Because this child's smile could have lit up the entire street with how bright he was beaming.]

I...um, I'm Matthias! Oh, right, and this is my partner, Basil!

[As if on cue, the Buneary left the cup of soup on the ground for Sunflash as he took one mighty hop up and landed on Matthias' shoulder, posing proudly as he was introduced.]

Thank you...for considering sir, it means a great deal to me.

[warriormouse]

Tiria is the Frosslass, Boar is hiding behind me for some reason, and the Growlithe is Sunflash. The rest of my partners are...probably causing some sort of havoc somewhere.

[Martin laughs at Basil's antics. That's cute]

I can tell, but please, you don't have to call me sir or captain or anything. I didn't like being called by my rank when I was actually part of Swords, honestly. It made me sound as if I was better than everyone else.

[iamthatis]

[Oh my actual savior this man is everything the stories described him as...the stories might have been fabricated, but the thing about him being humble was spot on.]

It's a pleasure to meet all of you, honestly and truly. I'll...do my best on that request si...captai...Martin...sir?

[Look he tried okay?]

Action.

[miraclemiko]

[ Even after being taken in by the theater, Sanae didn't feel quite right about taking advantage of their overwhelming hospitality. They gave her a room, and it was the least that she could do to do chores around the theater house--for free, of course. Even still, that left her in a bit of a pickle. She made enough from her job at the habitat to feed her pokemon, but as far as keeping herself well taken care of...

Well.

Just coming off work, she walked alongside a young Teddiursa, looking a bit dirty and more than a bit tired. Kuma smelled it first, the Teddiursa well-versed in delicious smells; he was something of a self-proclaimed connoisseur of good eats. His nose following the hearty scent of something, he charged ahead. ]

H-hey, Kuma wait a second!

[ It didn't take the bear pokemon long to find it, seeing the two near the wall, sharing a meal. That heavenly smell--he had to have it. Jogging after him, the green-haired girl reached Matthias and Basil just as the young cub was about to start begging, reaching down and scooping him up before looking up again with an embarrassed smile.]

Sorry, I hope he didn't bother you two. Kuma, that's rude, you should apologize!

That was when she smelled it. Sanae swallowed a bit, trying to play it cool. Her stomach wouldn't let her off the hook, however, roaring with the fury of a thousand missed suppers. ]

[iamthatis]

Oh, it's no problem at all Miss!

[Matthias dropped his gaze in time to see a Teddiursa rushing towards him about as threateningly as a stuffed animal would and smiled as girl rushed forwards to scoop him up before apologizing profusely. He could see the look of someone who worked in the Pokemon Habitat in her face...that tired but satisfied glint right towards the back of the iris; it was something he saw a lot whenever Methuselah stopped by or woke him up when he'd accidentally fall asleep on one of the floors of the Habitat itself.

Some things never changed really.

His ears were also sharp enough to catch that growling tummy...that wasn't good at all he decided. So he reached behind him into his pack and pulled out a few more cups which he quickly filled up with soup before holding them out towards the girl and her friend.]

If you have a moment, you're more than welcome to join us. Food always tastes better with company after all.

[aerial_ace]

[ Some old habits never completely died. Even after being away from the Swords for so long, there were evenings where Cordelia found herself making rounds, the brisk air a welcome respite from office work with the Rangers. It helped her collect her thoughts and recap the day, and with recent developments, having the ability to relax was always welcome.

Passing by the two, she recognized the uniform immediately--after all, she had worn something very similar herself. Even in the sparse light, she could tell that he was young. Did they make the rookies do patrols now? A very small smile curling her lips, she gave both human and pokemon a brief nod before flicking a bit of hair from over her shoulder and adjusting the spear on her back. ]

[iamthatis]

[Matthias was always happy to see a friendly face and he returned the nod with a smile and a small wave...but then something hit him. That hair...and a spear...could that really the woman the cadets all told stories about?]

Um...Miss? If you have a moment, might I have a word?

[He said, pulling himself up to his feet. If she was who he thought she might be...well, she deserved at least the respect of him being upright when he addressed her.]

[miraclemiko]

[ Kuma appears to be somewhat unsympathetic to his lack of manners. As far as he's concerned, he didn't do anything wrong and, looking up at his human, he pouts with a bit of a huff. But delicious things! You really can't blame him. Also he could get away with begging because he's cute, and he knows it.

Giving a short bow, the girl began to turn, stopping only when he spoke. Wait, was he--

Well, that was enough for the bear and, squirming a bit, he managed to wriggle his way out of Sanae's arms. Why yes, he would love some delicious things. Knowing that she should probably say no, as soon as the soup was presented to her, somehow that bit of manners went out the window. She was weak, and it smelled wonderful. ]

W... well, if you insist... Thank you very much.

[ The Teddiursa wasted no time, taking a seat next to Basil and beginning to make quick work. Sanae was a bit more dignified, taking a sip and nearly melting into the cup, tilting her head to the side happily. This was bliss. ]