PIKACHU SURPRISED

LEFT GASPING FOR AIR

THESE DAYS, fernando is the harmless boogieman that stalks league headquarters. the threat of METENO no longer keeps him chained to his prison of a desk. instead, he embraces this newfound freedom. many find the councilman making brisk paces that lead nowhere in particular. laps around the front lobby, back and forth down the second floor halls. all to show off how his fine wrinkles have smooth, a primal reversion back into the purple candor that speaks of blue lights and long hours.

he says little to anyone. barely even notices most of them. at least, that’s how they perceive the deviation in behavior. for he makes no attempt to reach out or so much as acknowledge those that find the unfortunate circumstance of grazing eye contact. rumor has it that the ghoul of what was found in the THE SILENT ICELANDS after KYREUM merely stares into their soul. a changed man.

but when melody confronts this urban legend, the office rumors are met with the stark reality of his situation:

a single tap to his ear shows his recognition of her wave. “ah, just a moment,” he mumbles to himself, pocketing an earbud between his fingers.

and, with that small notion, the boogieman grows into a real monster. although nothing has changed, the weight of his attention makes him imposing. just being next to him makes him seem that much taller in comparison. as if he grows inch by inch until he’s the tallest in the room.

“did you say something miro?”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Melody Miro

PIKACHU SURPRISED

LEFT GASPING FOR AIR

“AH.”

his acceptance is sprinkled with a dash of hesitance, as if such a comment is out of place despite the relief that blooms in the wake of disaster. soldiers returning home are often swarmed by loved ones and their worried. the uncertainty that looms from their departure is no more than standard procedure for him.

his survival is never in question. it’s expected.

“you as well, miro.”

he can already see the way this one-off stop will spiral into a full on conversation and cuts her off by placing the earbud back into place. “ah. we’ll adjourn early then. something came up. have the invoices published and sent for approval, and we can follow up accordingly.”

his words come quick and the conversation is killed before she can interject. only then does he place the earbud into his pocket, effectively freeing him up for conversation.

“what did you need, miro?”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Melody Miro

PIKACHU SURPRISED

LEFT GASPING FOR AIR

“HIS PUNISHMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN ASSIGNED,” fernando states outright. “and he will continue serving it until completion.”

“what of it?”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Melody Miro

PIKACHU SURPRISED

LEFT GASPING FOR AIR

HER QUESTION ELICITS A FROWN.

“we don’t disclose other’s information,” is where the conversation would usually stop. however, he makes an exception considering their intimate history.

“he’s been assigned to the SILENT ICELANDS for reconnaissance and labor. he no longer enjoys his freedom as an elite four and will find his work schedule more in-line with the rangers. likewise, he has a certain level of community service that will need to be served.”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Melody Miro

PIKACHU SURPRISED

LEFT GASPING FOR AIR

“…”

her reaction is well within the realm of expectations but that doesn’t mean it’s any less nerve racking. considering her history, a loose strand of his curiosity probes toward the nihilego toxin. but he doesn’t voice his concern. not with how wishy-washy she’s shown to be.

“what did you have in mind?”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Melody Miro

PIKACHU SURPRISED

LEFT GASPING FOR AIR

HER REQUEST IS MET WITH FIRM SILENCE. doing so would be a pain but to decline means shelving the issue for later. an opportunity to allow whatever this is to fester and grow out of control.

with no more than a plain face, fernando responds a few moments later with an affirmative, “indeed.” a cursory glance at his smart watch is his only break away before returning eye contact.

“the gym then?”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Melody Miro

PIKACHU SURPRISED

LEFT GASPING FOR AIR

“OF COURSE,” is all that needs to be said.

fernando takes his time to pick out his pokemon. he doesn’t make an extra trip to the pc but among the ones he carries with him, he deliberates their pairing before committing to fitting two into each palm.

an underhanded toss lands both just a few feet in front of him. they spill out of his pokemon of choice, side by side, blinking as they adjust to the sudden change in environment.

“battle routine set!”

his poipole and weavile snap to attention. those three words explain more than enough as they set their eyes on melody’s pokemon. his poipole in particular seems to hover upright despite the glint in its eyes.

“execute!”

and at his word, they both charge in at alarming speed. the weavile’s agility is by no means a surprise but his ultra beast is a different matter. it hovers low to the ground, mere inches away despite its tendency to fly.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Melody Miro