This was a unforeseen and anticipated meeting all at the same time. He was there. He knew what he did. And honestly if the league did their research properly before accepting him as a gym leader, they should have known this about him. That would mean that someone didn’t do their job or they didn’t care like he assumed when he was notified of the acceptance letter. Either way, the scarred man had a feeling this meeting wasn’t going to be filled with pleasantries or good news. Even as the Rustboro City Gym leader stood patiently at the bottom of the pit in his gym waiting for a counsel men to show up, he couldn’t help but let out a mixture of an exhausted and annoyed sigh.

His massive six foot hell hound sporting a beat up rapidash skull over her own could sense his change in emotion. She gingerly nudged his arm with her nose, forcing her master to shift his gaze away from the door to hers. Their gaze met, her orbs filled with worry while his filled with tension. A moment of silent conversion was held between the two, neither of them breaking away from each other. There bond so close it almost seemed like they were speaking to each other telepathically. Of course, they weren’t. Both stared at each other trying to read the other. After several minutes of silent stare, the canine let out a soft little whine. His broke the trainer gaze on her, head turned at the sound of a door opening. “It’s alright,” he mumbled to her as they faced the intruder.

His voice boomed in the gym’s open pit, Maverick warm crimson colored orbs locked on Kim’s as he moved closer to them. His expression was even, maybe a hit of aggravation if anything could be seen. His once soft liquid glow of his eyes turned almost midnight. Around them in the darkness of the massive gym, growls and snarls echoed around them. Several pair of red eyes lingered in the shadows, all of them on the human that apparently made their master uneasy. However, a simply raise of his hand made the unsettling noises around them halt. But this action didn’t make them do away, simply observe that conversation that was being held before them.

Maverick’s hand fell to his side before both hands slipped into his pockets. “I don’t really have a choice to do I,” he commented on his greeting in a low tone, both jokingly and passive aggressively. He didn’t mean for it to come out like that but like he was sure Kim expected, the gym leader was on edge. After all, why would he would want to speak with him unless there was something wrong?

When he motioned for Maverick to follow him, the man moved. Azula started to follow but a quick glare from her trainer indicated she should not. The canine let out a growl, casting a flash of her teeth as this man who was here before she turned to join her pack in the shadows. Once she turned, Maverick’s attention was on Kim once more. He remained unmoved emotionally, following Kim in his own gym.

His question did caught him off guard though he didn’t show it. He didn’t look at Kim to see his smile, he kept his gaze in front of him. “My only assumption was that the league was upset with how I was at the conference,” he started, letting his gaze flickered to him only for a moment to see his reaction (if any) before returning forward, “And I do apologize for that. I am not much of a social man let along, political. I thought keeping my mouth shut would be more beneficial than saying something that would be accidentally harmful to the league.” This was very true. He defended his gym and himself but said nothing else. Maverick felt like he had nothing else to say that would satisfy the media. What he said was true. He has been hard at work everyday. He has even lost both sleep and weight trying to keep up with everything the league and the city has been demanding of him. What else could they possible want from him? “I hope the leaders would’ve understand my lack of contributing to the media side was more than enough.”

for kim cole-essam at rustboro city. mav is on edge! i love it! sorry for the delay!

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

Although unseen to the naked eye, a tidal wave of relief washed over his entire body when the council man soothed his worry. It was good to ear his decision to remain silent during the conference paid off. Yes, he could have spoke up more and joined in the rather childlike bicker that happened. But in his unexpressed press conference eyes, it seemed pointless for him to speak up. His next question Kim asked him twisted a puzzled expression on his face.

What was on his mind?

There was so many things at the moment. So many he couldn’t even think of them all. His gaze met Kim’s, shifting back to his placid mask. A chuckle escaped him, a hint of smirk tugged the edges of his lips. “I have many things on my mind.” The man paused warm gaze lifted to the opening in the center of the gym. “I guess the first of them is a simple one. One that could leave into further questions if answered properly.” A pause in an attempt to think of the right way to word his question. But in the end, he gave up and just let out a sigh.

“I know I’m one of the newer gym leader’s around the block. But, I seek more than being a gym leader.” His attention fell back to Kim. “Tell me Mr Councilmen, what is my worth to the league?” It was q question that could have many answers. But in the end, he had an answer in mind that he could only hope would lead to a bright future for him. "What am I, other the the gym leader, to the league?"

for kim cole-essam at rustboro city. not the best but wanted to get something up.

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

At the mention a possible higher position than being a gym leader, the man’s brow rose. This got his attention. Although he loved being a gym leader and it was his life long dream to one day be one, there was something about being an elite four that got his attention. He took a moment to think about Kim’s words before responding.

“I do enjoy being a gym leader,” the man admitted to Kim, offering a small smile to him, “It had been a life long dream of mine. And although the work load is much, I love staying busy.” The man paused for a moment as if he seemed a little troubled by something, his lips falling from his smile before he continued. “But I will admit, lately I have been seeking something more.” Again, he paused. Maverick couldn’t help his new desire and maybe, this could be his chance. “I have been working none stop and doing my best to prove to the league that I have what it takes to be here…. Can I ask you something?”

His warm crimson colored orbs met his, firm and filled with determination. “If I were to try to reach for the Elite Four spot instead of remaining a gym leader, would I have the councils support?” This was something Maverick has considered for a very long time. But the title wasn’t just giving to anyone, Maverick knew he would have to prove himself. He wasn’t afraid to do so. In fact, he loved the thought of the challenge. The man also knew that being an elite four meant he had even more responsibilities than a gym leader. And that in the next community meeting, he would be almost required to voice up if not forced. This was his only concern about being a Elite Four. He had no experience when it came to political matters. One of the reason he hasn’t considered becoming part of the council himself.

Maverick knew that regardless what Kim would say, he would follow his next goal in becoming an Elite Four. And after that, Champion. It was just nice to know if the council would approve or not.

for kim cole-essam at rustboro city. not the best but wanted to get something up.

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

Maverick listen to his words thoughtfully. Nodding when needed too and giving the man his full attention until it was his turn to speak. A devilish smirk spread across his lips and brow rose when the man offered a battle to settled the score. If all it took was to beat him, Maverick had the title for sure. There was no doubt in his mind. The thought made his heart race, knowing that what he desired was so close. But… what was the fun in that? Yes, he could beat him in a battle here and now and get what he wanted.

When Kim reached for his ball, Azula made her presence known. A low snarl ripped through the shadows, soon echoed by other sounds of protest to Kim’s actions. Maverick raise his hand, making the noises grow silent. In truth, the scarred man didn’t know if he could beat that man. He would like to think he could but it was true, they knew little about each other. The man let out a hard sigh, knowing what he was about to say and do would annoy him the rest of his life.

“I have to admit, that is very tempting.” He began, a sense of regret in his tone before his conference returned. “But if you say that I must earn the respect and prowess to become a Elite Four, wining a battle against you here and now will not be enough for me to accept it.” His gaze hardened, expression shifted in nothing once more. “I would rather earn it fair and square. Actually work for it then be given it. Although I’m sure I might regret this decision later, it goes against what I believe in.” He let out a heavy sigh, clearing he wasn’t happy with the decision but accepted it. “I hope you understand.”

➢ for kim cole-essam at rustboro city. WHY MAV?! WHY?! -cries-

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

The burnt scarred man listened intently to Kim’s every last word though his expression didn’t show it. He couldn’t help but smirk mentally, knowing damn well he could make Kim eat those words about earning his vote. The trick was, Kim wasn’t the only man he had to impress. In order to get to the elite four position without earning it, Maverick would need all four councils vote and maybe even a few of the current gym leaders votes as well for good measure. Either way, that would be too easy to get. To him, that wasn’t earning it.

Even as the man turned to leave his gym, Maverick held his cool, calm, and collective standpoint. Brilliant crimson colored orbs followed his movements, arms crossed over his chest as he made no comment to his little speech. The phrase 'I’ll keep an eye on you' didn’t really bother him, though he let a stiff chuckle escaped him when the man mentioned that Maverick wasn’t cute. Is being cute the only way to impress people nowadays? If it was, then he was definitely out for the count.

The gym leader’s brow rose, watching as the man gave one final wave before disappearing out of this air. Once gone, the massive six foot seven canine emerged from the shadows. She trotted up to her master, her down gaze fell to where the man disappeared from. A low rumble of a growl rattled her chest. Maverick let out a sigh, turning on the dime to prepare for the next gym challenger. But as he strolled back to quarters, the man only made one comment. “Let’s see if Kim can recognize true greatness and worth over popularity and falsehood.”

➢ for kim cole-essam at rustboro city. end thread! yay!

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz