When Angelo picked up his last delivery of the day, he didn’t except to find either the name scrawled on top of the box that’s waiting for him or the list of accompanying instructions, innocently stuck to the top with tape.[break][break]

Razz Kingsman’s apartment was apparently only accessible after completing some kind of gauntlet challenge with, according to the detailed bullet points, erupting geysers and hordes of little terrors to avoid. [break][break]

Any other sane courier may have faltered at the idea of getting a package, quickly and damage-free, to this obscure location. Sootopolis was a drag for most of them to get to, entrance restrictions considering and the unstable environment. Angelo, however, crinkled the note in his hands with an eager squeeze; reading the words with a hungry sort of anticipation in his eyes. Drawn towards the promise of a challenge. It had been a long while since he’d gotten a complicated delivery route. [break][break]

With Rigel serving as his partner for this foray, together they swoop over the edge of the Sootopolis borders, flying into the city crafted among water and chiselled into stone. It reminds him of home, slightly – a city one with the ocean that surrounds it. Blue glittering underneath the shadow of his Flygon’s wings as they traverse towards their destination, familiarity was quickly pushed aside in favour of living in the moment, electricity curling addictively in his chest as geysers roar out of the earth like a Wailord spout. [break][break]

Courier and his dragon swerve through the skies as if taking an easy stroll or a casual bike ride. It’s been a few months since his first race with the teenage ranger. Now he's starting to wear the wind like a second skin. [break][break]

Angelo leaves Rigel nearby when he lands and approaches Razz’s door, parcel dry and tucked securely under one arm as he leaves the sound of the children chattering to the Flygon at his back, having answered some of their questions before giving them the go-ahead to fuss over the dragon. Thankfully Rigel was docile, Eltanin would never have put up with a kid crawling over his back… [break][break]

Hand clenched, he knocks on Razz’s door without hesitation, crisp and loud. [break][break]

Knock, knock, knock!


[break][break]

+ Razz Kingsman [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

For a bit there is no answer, noise could be heard from the other side, but its soft. Not something you'd expect from a grown human so when the door opens if Angelo is looking at eye level he wouldn't see anything. He never would until he would look down as there was a white Meowstic there giving the other a somewhat tired and not amused look. The delivery boy just woke Sabrina up from her nap, something most knew to never do. She sees the package and uses her psychic to grab it from the other's hands to bring it close to herself. It almost looks as if she is reading before she sniffs the package and nope! [break][break]

[break]

Clearly she isn't happy with something as she just shuts the door in Angelo's face after throwing the package right back at him. It'll be not long after when a more happier meow is heard as now Salem comes up to come tackle his flying rival! At least one cat would be excited to see him, though behind him would be a confused Razz, "Vestri?" the ranger can't help but narrow his eyes in some suspicion, "How do you know where I live?"



[break][break]

+ angelo vestri [break]
+ Social

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

There’s a long pause, one in which no sign of movement could be detected from within the apartment. Angelo is just about to knock again, his fist raising towards the door in case Razz hadn’t heard, when it suddenly creeks open – slow and ominous. [break][break]

At first, it seems that nobody is actually there to greet him but a curious glance downwards reveals a swish of something white, drawing Angelo’s attention lower. It’s only then that he notices the female Meowstic, looking up at him with a scowl on her face; like she wasn’t expecting – or didn’t want – visitors. “Hey there, Stellina,” he greets, attempting to smooth over the strangely tense air between them with an endearing Alto Marian nickname. “Razz home? He needs to si-“ [break][break]

For a fleeting moment, he thinks the pokemon is accepting his delivery, box lifted out of his arms with her psychic abilities. It collides right into his gut before he can blink, Angelo’s arms ungracefully scrambling to catch the heavy package before it could hit the floor, swear words muttered under his breath before a violent crash of the door silences him. What the fuck? [break][break]

Something else collides into him then, Angelo’s arm snatching out on reflex to catch Salem as he barrels into his chest, his racing buddy decidedly a lot more excited to see him than his female counterpart. “Hey, guys. How’re you doing?” He laughs, managing to balance the box in one arm and the Champion in the other, gaze slipping up to acknowledge Razz with a greeting smile when he finally appears. [break][break]

“It’s on the box.” He says simply, lips curling in the beginnings of a shit-eating grin; holding the delivery out to its recipient to finally take, address boldly emblazoned on the top as justification for him being on Razz’s doorstep. “By the way, I technically delivered it safe and sound. It went onto your property so… Any damages aren’t on me.” [break][break]

“Sign here.”



[break][break]

+ Razz Kingsman [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Salem is just going to make himself comfy in the others arms as he lazes about. They had busy morning of walking around and his trainer only let him use his shoulder for a quarter of the time. Claiming exercise which was phooey. Razz didn't seem to mind to much, though he was confused with the box the other was trying to juggle when he was attempting to hold both his cat and the box. Salem answers Angelo with an exhausted meow. Pretending to be as tired as if they did the most tiring labor that could ever labor. "Fine, just checking on some of the water pokemon down below," he says simply as it was a simple task. Though admittedly, the climb could be a pain. [break][break]

Razz at first just looks at the box, eyes softening some when it was indeed his address. Okay no not some sort of conspiracy. Though he doesn't make a move to pick it up just yet, "This was for a direct delivery so until I sign for it's technically not delivered," he can't help but counter as he scans it with his eyes, "What happened there?" he questions as the box does look like it hit something. Though he knows the context inside is tough enough to handle a simple hit so he does finally take it before signing the thing. [break][break]

"So what happen to Yang?" he couldn't help but ask as that was their normal delivery person as they knew the ins and out of this area. Such as preferred later delivery, and to.... oh no, "None of the urchins touched you did they? Cause if so you might want to check for your wallet," he warns letting the other check first.





[break][break]

+ angelo vestri [break]
+ Social

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Think someone was expecting a different delivery,” his eyes drop quickly, pointedly, to the female Meowstic whom had been none to impressed to see him earlier. When Razz counters, there’s a brief twinge of concern in the courier’s gut that he might be the no-nonsense type when it comes to his deliveries; that he was going to have to try and convince the young man that it wasn’t his psychic that had caused potential damage. Fuck was he going to get a bad mark for this one. [break][break]

Thankfully Angelo’s thought is short-lived, the ranger signing the delivery off and finally taking it off him without any formal issue. [break][break]

That just leaves Salem to be cradled in one arm, allowing Angelo’s now free hand to give the feline a scratch on his head as he lazes; neither seeming in a rush to shrug away from the other. [break][break]

“Yang? Oh. Booked today off, something about a mother’s cousin-twice-removed’s birthday,” he responds airily, disinterested. To be honest, he didn’t hang around at the mart for very long, usually hopping in and out to collect the days deliveries. Conversations with other couriers therefore, was a short affair with only some sticking in his mind after they part. “They’re getting pizza, apparently.” That’s the only detail Angelo could remember with the aforementioned courier and that was because he was distinctly hungry for it at the time. [break][break]

There’s a sudden bolt of cold dread down his spine at Razz’s next words and Angelo may have, completely unconsciously of course, gripped Salem a little tighter in his arm from alarm. “What the fuck do you mean ‘check my wallet’?” With his free hand, Angelo quickly pats at his jacket pocket, pulling out his wallet with a rush coursing through his veins; burning and chilling him at the same time. [break][break]

“Shit, Razz. Almost gave me a heart attack.” Exhaling softly in relief, Angelo tucks his wallet back into his pocket and ruffles Salem’s fur in apology. “Sorry, champ.” It didn’t look any less empty than when he had last checked it, relief rolling off his shoulders that he wouldn’t have to chase down a pack of terror children during his afternoon off. [break][break]

“Think Rigel will be safe? Or am I looking at a group of highly competent master thieves?” A brow is quirked as he looked over his shoulder, taking note of the Flygon looking quietly accepting of his fate, the children scrambling over his back with excited screeches.[break][break]

Ah yes, masters of stealth…


[break][break]

+ Razz Kingsman [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Different delivery?" he questions at first before noting how he was looking at his door. Razz put two and two together as he rolled his eyes, "Sorry, Sabrina can be a handful at times," he offered a quick apology. Though Salem would have looked up to him and started talking up a storm about his sister. The cat going on about how she was a meanie and yada yada like he's sure most siblings do. Though after confirming the damage he was more interested about the kids because then he was going to need to call on one of his pokemon to deal with them. Not really caring too much about Yang and whoever's birthday it was. [break][break]

There is a little 'gak' when Salem was squeezed too tight at the delivery boy's panic, but the Meowstic offers a pat of understanding at the apology. "I mean exactly what I meant, the kids here aren't that well behaved," he mentioned putting it nicely. He understands why they do what they do, but that didn't change that they were still little shits. "Your flygon should be fine, they like pokemon at least," he gives a shrug before going to his door and opening it and going inside. Razz's social top tier social skills showing as he doesn't offer a 'good bye', tip, or even bother to take his pokemon that the other was holding. He just sort of went. [break][break]

It isn't until Salem calls out that Razz pauses and looks back from the inside seeming confused at first as Salem seems to communicate something, Razz feeling a bit awkward about it all. "umm... want to.... come... in...?" clearly he gets a lot of visitors. If the other chose to come in he would find that there wasn't much room. That most people in hoenn probably couldn't lay down at full height because the width of the apartment itself was barely 6ft across. On the bed Sabrina was watching TV, some telenovela she seemed to enjoy watching that he still doesn't know how she understands. On the only table Razz would put down the box next to a few customized pokeballs. All in the colors of the pokemon that used to be inside.


[break][break]

+ angelo vestri [break]
+ Social[break]
+ Apartment plan

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Angelo’s gaze lingers on the kids as they play with Rigel, some faraway thought dragging his focus inward until he’s suddenly pulled from his contemplation; snapped out of getting lost in a curl of memories from both Razz’s question and a sorrowful tug on the nostalgic parts of his heart.
[break][break]

“Hm? Oh,” he blinks, distracted, back in Razz’s direction and how he now stands in the door, awkwardly gesturing for him to come inside. Angelo pulls a smile onto his lips and shrugs, shaking off the dust of recollection with a nonchalant motion of acceptance. “You know what, why not? I’m done for the day, I’ve got time.” With Salem still cradled comfortably in the crook of his elbow, Angelo breezes into the apartment, almost walking straight into the sharp corner of the table that’s pressed close to the door.
[break][break]

Damn, it’s small… Still, it’s a bigger space than Angelo could afford.
[break][break]

Although even if he could, the courier thinks he’d much prefer living without a roof over his head under the Hoenn skies, rather than the claustrophobic box Razz resides.
[break][break]

As the ranger places his delivery on the table, Angelo’s gaze is drawn to follow, landing on an array of brightly coloured pokeballs littered across the surface. Intrigued, he crosses the distance (one or two steps) over and picks up one of them with his free hand without asking, turning it over in genuine curiosity. With no artistic talent of his own, blue eyes look over the painted details with real appreciation. “Did you do these?” He asks, holding up one for Razz to see what he was talking about, even though there isn’t much else to really steal his attention away in such a small space.
[break][break]

“They’re really cool! Didn’t know you were an artist. D’you do this for a hobby or is it like, making a bit of extra cash on the side?”




[break][break]

+ Razz Kingsman [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Sabrina this time seems to say something to first get his attention, once she does she does her meowing and signing so he could fully understand and all he could do is shrug at her. Honestly he wasn't expecting the other to say yes to his invite. Shit… what did normal people do with house guests? Wait has he even had a house guest before? [break][break]

While he’s lost in thought he doesn’t really pay much attention as Angelo picks up one of the custom pokeballs he’s finished with as Razz just opens his package enough to get out an extra box, this one filled with the generic pokeball, and a few premium ones that usually came free when you ordered so many. He closes it up again to hide his neighbor’s things when the question is asked. [break][break]

“Careful with those please,” he asks, Razz knows that pokeballs are pretty damn sturdy but he isn’t sure how good the paint is just yet. “Extra cash? I doubt people would pay for these,” he comments not entirely sure where he would even gauge his artistic skill. “No, I’m making them because I’ve lost a lot of pokemon, all of which whose bodies I can’t reclaim for a proper burial….” he pauses for a slight moment, wondering if it were too personal or dark to be sharing. Though seemed too late to think about it now, “So I’m making these after each of them so I can”





[break][break]

+ angelo vestri [break]
+ Social[break]
+ Apartment plan

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Plenty of people would probably pay for customised pokeballs but Angelo doesn’t argue his point, not when the real reason behind the carefully painted capsules is revealed to him. [break][break]

Guilt, sinking like a stone thrown into a pond, settles within his stomach as the young ranger nonchalantly sorts out his delivery; all the while explaining that his art was a tribute, in memorial for his deceased companions. Angelo's fingertips around the capsule loosens, grip softening as he places it carefully with the other colourful spheres on the table. Returning it to sit amongst its departed brethren. [break][break]

Angelo doesn’t miss that the box he had delivered was filled with a fresh collection of pokeballs... How many companions had he lost? [break][break]

“Shit… ’m sorry to hear that, Razz.” There’s a slight pinch in between his brows as his hand absentmindedly takes hold of one of Salem’s paws, thumb brushing back and forth over a pink pad; as if it was a substitute to reaching out and giving the younger man a squeeze on the shoulder. He’s come to learn enough about the ranger’s personality to know Salem was the one who was far more partial to physical affection. [break][break]

“You know if you ever need to talk about stuff, I'm always happy to lend an ear. Alright, buddy?”[break][break]

He can’t imagine what it might be like to lose a pokemon, let alone not having access to their bodies to perform a proper send off. Angelo blinks slowly at the teenager, wondering how much hardships he’d encountered in his short time here on the planet. And finding a greater admiration for him, in the process.  [break][break]

“For the record, I think it’s a great way to honour and remember them. Can tell you really cared for them - I bet they'd appreciate it.” Pausing, releasing Salem’s paw, a single finger is pointed towards the pokeball that he had picked up a few moments prior – careful not to touch it, this time. “Mind telling me who this one’s for?” [break][break]

If he's curious about the circumstances behind why there's so many, Angelo doesn't ask...



[break][break]

+ Razz Kingsman [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“It’s fine,” Razz dismisses, probably a bit too quickly. Honestly his emotions were all over the place when it came to them and with his lack of experience of ‘being good’ to his pokemon and now their deaths were odd to him. He would love to get it off his chest this odd guilt though he doesn’t know how to express it. “It’s all just really weird and I wouldn’t even know how to word it,” he shrugs as he looks up slightly to hear Salem purring as he is enjoying the feel on his paws as he relaxed in the delivery boy’s arms knowing his trainer would be able to deal. [break][break]

“Do they though? I don’t even know if I gave them the real choice of it, and it's like… am I the asshole for basically throwing them in the line of fire?” he questions forgetting for just a moment that Angelo doesn’t have the contexts to any of this. For now he just sits back on his bed as he would rather have something comfortable over the stools. Though he would offer one to Angelo should he choose it. [break][break]

When asked about the pokeball he takes a look at the dark blue pokeball with light blue accents, a white looking tie and a trident like shape. The whole pokeball resembling that of an Empoleon, “That was for my Empoleon Azula, she was alright,” he shrugs clearly not very good at talking about it.



[break][break]

+ angelo vestri [break]
+ Social[break]
+ Apartment plan

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

As a tense air starts to settle in the cramped apartment, conversation spiralling into something a little more solemn and deep, Salem’s purr takes the edge off the thickening atmosphere. The Meowstic’s vocal expression of contentment dulling the edge of a topic sensitive topic, one that revolves around the demise of his trainer’s fallen companions. [break][break]

But even though Angelo hadn’t had a pokemon pass under his care, that didn’t mean he couldn’t sympathise with Razz – didn’t mean he couldn’t feel a prickling of concern for a friend – as the ranger suddenly looks quite small, perched on his bed in his stifling apartment. [break][break]

“Razz. Look, the way I see it…” Ignoring the inappropriate laughing track of Sabrina’s show in the background, Angelo speaks out to the teenager on carefully slow vocals, serious despite the tiny curl of kindness on his lips. “It doesn’t matter if you own the Pokeball or not, Pokemon are their own individuals. Have their own wills. Some more than others.” He holds onto Salem’s paw and waves it at the teenager, as if to prove his point. There was no telling this one what to do, they all knew. [break][break]

“So even if you do send them into a fight or you just ask them to fly you somewhere; if they don’t want to do it, then they won’t...” [break][break]

You can lead a Ponyta to water but you can’t make it drink; is how the saying goes, right? [break][break]

“Try to not blame yourself too hard for what happened, okay?” [break][break]

Angelo's sure that's easier said than done, even if he doesn't know the full story of the box filled with empty pokeballs waiting to be painted. Things like this aren't easily solved, trauma just doesn't go away. Instead you learn to live with it, get used to the weight as you carry it each day... He should know. And he's sure that Razz knew, too.[break][break]

There's a pause in the conversation then as Angelo looks over a few more of the painted capsules, quietly surveying each until another round of canned laughter erupts from the television. The courier suddenly struck with a restless itch to get himself and Razz out of the cramped, stifling apartment. “Hey, so. You hungry? There's this place I want to check out while I'm here...”



[break][break]

+ Razz Kingsman [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Razz looks up at the other as he tries to speak ignoring the show going on in the background as it was something he’s practiced often with how much his cats enjoyed watching it. Neither cat seemed to be doing much to help the other human comfort their human as there was only so much they could do sometimes. So both had a small hope that maybe Angelo could get through their thick headed human. Salem even meows in agreement with the delivery boy about personalities [break][break]

It could be the look in his eyes, or just how heavy everything felt but he couldn’t quite fully believe the other. Though he does appreciate the attempt if nothing else. “I…. will try,” he shrugs, not entirely sure if he could or not. [break][break]

Though at the mention of food, oddly enough it's Sabrina who perks up first. She moves from her spot on the bed and jumps to the table, making sure to be careful of the pokeballs as she uses her psychic abilities to grab a take out menu from one of the places nearby to offer it to Angelo. The white meowstic meowing as if asking if this was the place he was talking about. Clearly they had it for take out often. Even Salem in Angelo’s arms seemed excited about said place, “Well it looks like they could, so sure?”



[break][break]

+ angelo vestri [break]
+ Social[break]
+ Apartment plan

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Things like this didn’t go away overnight, he knew. All you really could do was try, carry on and learn your own ways to cope. So even though Razz seems to hesitate, his declaration to even try is enough to pull a small smile onto Angelo’s lips. The courier leaning over the (very) short space between the table and where the teenager sat on the bed, to pat his shoulder with a singular, comfortingly firm pat.[break][break]

Angelo knew then, that if the young ranger ever needed anything, he’d do what he could. As you would for a friend. But for now, that was that.[break][break]

Dropping the sensitive topic, Angelo watches as the previously haughty feline tears herself away from her show to daintily make her way towards the table, summoning a takeout menu with enthusiasm towards his face. Salem’s energy also seemed to lift at the mention of food, both Meowstic eagerly meowing and looking with him with big eyes. [break][break]

“Anyone would think you don’t feed them,” Angelo throws a playful grin towards Razz, joking as he looks at the menu that Sabrina holds up with her psychic abilities, his smile only widening at the familiar design. “That’s the one! But…” Digging in his pocket, Angelo produces a small, very crumpled slip of paper which has clearly been carried around for some time – design bold and bright, with a million exclamation marks all over the page. [break][break]

“This is what I want to try. What do you think? You guys down?” Purposefully, Angelo only shows the two feline pokemon what’s being advertised on the sheet, mischief sparkling in blue eyes before he tucks it back into his pocket. “Let’s go, Razz. I want to get there before they stop the lunchtime prices.” No way was he paying extra, when he could get it cheaper.[break][break]

Turning towards the door, Angelo lifts Salem in encouragement to climb onto his shoulder, should he want a better perch and to free his arm. [break][break]

“You guys lead the way.”



[break][break]

+ Razz Kingsman [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]