he had read recently that that having one or two low-alcohol beers was actually beneficial after a workout. it had carbs, sodium, plus some other shit, and he could eat more. maybe it had just been a boozy writer looking for any excuse, but it justified this occasion enough for him.

approaching the terrace, he immediately saw more familiar faces than just zev’s. he’d lived nearby for his entire life, meeting much of the city in his youth, for better or for worsee. he didn’t linger on anyone, save for an old friend’s mother who pinched his elbow and proved the most insistent on conversation.

once done, bo finally made his way over, greeting back with a smile on his face.

”not bad, not bad. busy.” the last part was true. but not bad? no, horrible. this region was fucked.

he slid into the seat across from zev, waggling his fingers at the lycanroc under the table, and immediately sliding the menu up into his hand to take a look. the server was there on his heel, having been watching and waiting as he’d made his rounds.

after ordering a lighter session ale with some kind of berry in it, and saying thanks, he looked up.

”how’s it goin’ man? what’ve you been up to?”

Zev Harcourt

☉

”yeah, slateport’s crazy this time of year. congrats on the good business.”

it was from the festivals, mainly. of course, since the blackout of slateport, the city’s popularity had not been as substantial as in the past. perhaps more people would come out this year; although certainly, no one would be visiting from other regions to join in their very clear distraction from the apocalypse, what with the border and all.

he received his beer and thanked the server. reaching over the table, then, he grabbed a salt shaker and proceeded to put some of it in his ale. he had also read about this.

additionally, he ordered the same pretzel. it was the best choice.

”hell yeah i’ll be there. whenever they let me.” they being the league, and the innumerable threats constantly hurled at the region.

he sipped, giving the smallest cough. too much salt, maybe? ”mm.”

”what about you? you gonna have time to go?”

Zev Harcourt

☉

zev had him at free food samples. bo didn’t really need more of a sell than that. he’d be there. he nodded his approval.

and of howling’s sponsorship and zev’s consequential obligation? ”i’m lookin’ forward to the mantine surfing. glad i might have some friendly competition.”

he smiled, taking another gross sip of his beer. maybe he’d just put too much salt in it. that had to be it. he smoothly ignored the look zev had given him, fully committed to his actions, for better or worse.

at zev’s mention of his date plans, bo started, ”nice—“ but his attention was immediately drawn by the wafting smell of warm bread. he looked over as the server approached with their pretzels, putting a pause on the conversation until after the first bite.

”damn.” good.

okay. back to zev’s date.

”so where you guys goin’, or ya just gonna take her to howling?”

Zev Harcourt

☉

”yeah, true. beach date, though.” always fun. romantic, even. personally, bo would spend his time chasing his son around and trying not to stare at willow atkins too long.

after some time, night was falling. the lights came on, giving a different atmosphere to the terrace. it was almost festive. with his own pretzel long-gone by now, he sipped a new beer—this one unaltered by his experimenting.

at zev’s question, he nodded, ”yeah, that’s me.” captain maher, smiley woodland hero.

and ex-rocket enforcer.

he chuckled, ”no? you’d be surprised, maybe.” rangers were only getting tougher and tougher lately, after all. but zev was right. boruta was different.

”you’re pretty good yourself, zev. you give me a run for my money.”

Zev Harcourt

☉

what did the rangers do? a lot more than they had been doing just a few years ago.

”we’re in charge of protecting the wilderness, and making sure cities are safe from wildlife,” he explained. it felt very simplified, but still encompassing. ”me personally, though? as captain, i mostly sit at my desk. which sucks sometimes, i’ll admit, but y’know. wouldn’t trade it.” he was making money, and he had somebody to impress.

at zev’s reminiscing, bo smiled. he remembered those days. he’d started fighting young too, both in and out of the gym. of course, he’d straightened up in older age—before he’d taken a nosedive into the darkness of team rocket. then he’d straightened out a second time.

”yeah, i remember all that. i still have some of mine, actually.” somewhere in a box in a closet.

“i used to kinda be scrappy when i was a kid, though. it wasn’t just the competitions.”

with a pause, he sipped his beer.

”y'know i used to always tell my mom that trouble found me, not the other way around, but lookin’ back i realize that was lie and there’s no way she believed that shit.” he laughed.

Zev Harcourt

☉

bo had never been the bully—at least not at heart. not until rocket. he had, however, been known to knock a few skulls when it came to his friends and family. it was a deeply ingrained part of him, for better or worse, which had gotten him in trouble on many occasions in his youth.

but he had straightened out. he was a leader now. he smiled.

”yeah, well. just doin’ the best i can, y’know?”

he finished his beer too, and sat back, nodding. ”yeah, sounds good man. thanks for coming out. good to see ya.”

when zev left, be would wait for the check, and then move on to another table of regulars.

Zev Harcourt

☉