Hitting send, Angelo tucks his phone away and turns back to Lyra, taking the paper plane that had been neatly folded between his fingers. It felt a little weird, sending the Latios off into the skies alone. Usually the children of Alto Mare all lined up along their balconies, hillsides or at the edge of the docks to send their creations off into the skies – a flock of coloured paper drifting into the sunset. Laughter and the screeches of the younger residents filling the streets as their resolutions, hopes and dreams for the next year, are ‘guided into Latios and Latias’s care’ on the breeze.

Turning the plane around, Angelo lays back in the grass and listens to the distant sound of waves lapping against the rocks below. Lyra shuffles closer to press against her trainer’s side, as if sensing the loneliness emanating off him. Blue eyes close briefly, wondering if he could envision himself back there, amongst his siblings as they swarm around the kitchen table folding up their own flock in lively chatter.

“Is it bad,” he murmurs to the Clefairy, only really half talking to her as his eyes flutter open again, watching thoughtfully as he guides the paper version of the blue guardian like a plane above his head. “That I… I miss them. But I think I’m going to miss this place just as much...”

If Lyra has something to say, Angelo doesn’t hear it; too busy thinking of Alto Mare’s canals and Hoenn’s tropical oceans as the Latios beak taps contemplatively - sadly - against his lips.

skipping // solo wild water/electric

“Safe travels, fratello,” he tells the plane as he stands on the edge of the cliff, salt air intermingling on the breeze and ruffling his hair. Will it make it all the way to Alto Mare? Physically, no. But if there’s anything that the legacy of the creature emblazed on the paper has taught him, it’s that the spirit – the soul – can be unyielding in its duty for its beloved ones. His resolutions will be with his siblings, even if the paper plane doesn’t make it even past the beach or if he can’t be beside them in person. Just like how the Latios’s soul from the island’s history remains within Alto Mare, looking over his sister and his home.

Angelo releases the plane into the sky, ocean breeze carrying the folded paper with his hastily scribbled promises held within. He watches it fly for a little while, drifting free until he can’t see it anymore; lost among the rays of the slowly sinking sun.

“Alright, let’s go - we’ve got to get to Lilycove before it gets late.” Fixing a small smile on his face, Angelo bends down to scoop up his belongings and tip back the beer can to get the last few drops. “Don’t want the Captain getting impatient… Or drinking all the good stuff before we get there,” his smile turns a little more genuine then, looking forward to the distraction as much as the company in question.

Blue eyes turn towards Lyra, who was engaging with a Horsea at the water edge, both of them looking like they were enjoying one another’s conversation. Angelo exhales fondly and pulls his backpack over his shoulder, making his way towards the pair and crouching down; hand planting atop the Clefairy’s head in an affectionate ruffle. It wasn’t so long ago she’d cower behind his legs at the sight of someone new… Time flies, he thinks with fond sadness.

“Is that your resolution, Ly? Make new friends?” He asks, watching as the Horsea seems undeterred from his presence and even when he ushers his Clefairy to follow, the water pokemon swims beside them along the beach edge. “You coming along for the party, too? Think we can make enough room for one more.” Angelo chuckles.

horsea befriend catch // END