Angelo was supposed to be resting. But after the mission in Sootopolis had come to its watery, explosive conclusion, he’d spent less than twenty-four hours laying low on the Sotally Tober before he’d grown restless. His feet guiding him to exit his part-time residence in search of the breeze and something (anything, everything) to keep him busy.[break][break]

Sitting around with a free schedule was not something Angelo knew how to do. Especially when he had things on his mind. And he'd had a lot of that, recently. [break][break]

Clock hands don’t stop turning, money didn’t magically pop into his pockets and developments didn't take pause just because he carried wounds with him, after all. [break][break]

Not like he would be able to sit still, regardless. [break][break]

Therefore, when Alexei Ivanov called him for a favour on a slower day, the courier was quick to pick up the request. Injuries mostly healed now despite his lack of R&R, he’d cycle over towards Fortree and down a path that he’d surely be able to navigate with eyes closed. Above his head, Major flies swiftly onwards towards the Sanctuary that had been his home some months ago, unperturbed by his crooked tail pinion.[break][break]

“Aha, look who it is.” [break][break]

A shadow would swoop over Locke’s head then as the Swellow descends in tandem with Angelo’s call, Major landing close to where the Talonflame had made his perch atop a mound of eggs. His wings flap sternly in Chiro-Chiro's direction, as if to waft the humid air back towards him so he'd take notice of the heat. Those shells would surely be sweating by now! [break][break]

Angelo pulls up with an irritating squeak in his brakes, foot planting on the grass as he comes to a stop in front of the younger courier; greeting him with a lazy, friendly smile as he slides off the saddle. “Hope you don't mind, but a little birdie told me you could use a hand. Want me to take that one?”[break][break]

He gestures to the basket, reaching to pick it up, anyway.


[break][break]

+ Locke Jamison [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“No problem,” he says through a grin. Although the flash of teeth, presented friendly in Locke’s direction, hides a grimace when Angelo bends down to pick up the basket. At least the Talonflame is quick to hop off its brood, shedding the extra weight as tender muscles tense and lift the collection of eggs. [break][break]

Injuries don’t stop Angelo from hoisting the hamper onto the back rack of his bicycle, where it sits snug and balanced thanks to the kickstand. Although he still keeps a hand curled around the handle, anyway. Just in case. [break][break]

Major flaps his wings towards the Talonflame once more just out of pride, before fluttering up to balance on the bicycle saddle. Pointedly settling somewhere high with a fluff of his feathers, keen eyes watching as Locke restrains the broody fire bird from the collection of precious eggs. [break][break]

“The whole way.” Angelo confirms with a grin, working on securing the first basket to the back of his bicycle with an old, reliable cord. “Apparently things are a bit sketchy after that whole fire business in Fortree the other day. Think the Sanctuary just wanted to make sure we're not out here alone, just in case.” He fishes out a blanket to wrap around the eggs, working on automatic out of habit as he flicks his gaze towards the entrepreneur delivery boy. [break][break]

“Though, I think Chiro-Chiro has any and all egg related business covered. Don't mind if I just stick around for the company?” He smiles at the newly evolved pokemon, tightening up the last of the cords to ensure the eggs are secure. [break][break]

“Is this the only batch we're taking?”



[break][break]

+ Locke Jamison [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

With a kick of his sneaker toe against the bike stand, Angelo takes hold of the handlebars and prepares to depart. Major takes to the skies alongside Chiro-Chiro, whom seemed satisfied with the quality of work enough to fly on ahead, leaving the eggs in Angelo and Locke’s care. [break][break]

“Everyone's strapped in. Let’s go.” [break][break]

Rather than ride, he opts to walk beside the younger courier as they make their way down the path. Angelo tells himself its to keep pace with Locke and to keep the eggs from rattling too much, even though he’s confident in their security; although his healing injuries probably thank him for it, too. [break][break]

“A ship from Lilycove? I might know someone who I could persuade to give us a lift, if she’s free.” At least that way they wouldn’t need to buy a ticket to be ferried from one side of the region to the other; although skyler dross might still expect payment, if she's able. But that’s a toll Angelo’s willing to pay. [break][break]


“Do you use public transport a lot for your deliveries, then?” He asks, curiously. “Half expected you to be flying the eggs over, nearly didn't bring my bike with me.”





[break][break]

+ Locke Jamison [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Angelo had to give it to Locke. The kid was serious – passionate, even – about their trade in a way that he would never be. Not to say that he didn’t work hard, he busted his ass every day but it was evident in the younger courier’s manner of speech and attitude that, unlike himself, they put heart into Delibird Deliveries. [break][break]

It was nice to see, even if it made Angelo just the slightest envious that he’d yet to fully grasp hold of his own dreams. [break][break]

“Ship of her own.” There’s a pause then, long enough for him to let out a breath of amusement. Clearly something on his mind. “Don’t think she’d survive as a deckhand for long. Though… My bet would be that she’d make the captain walk the plank, first.” His lips turn a little sharp then at the suggestion of Skyler staging a mutiny for the top seat at the helm; perhaps proud, even.[break][break]

As they walk along the path, gravel crunching under his wheels and the sound of their birds chirping up in the sky to one another, a sparkle of ocean blue could be seen on the horizon. [break][break]

“Maybe in the future you'll be able to invest in some company transportation of your own.” He pitches with only a sprinkle of seriousness, tilting his head up to the sky as he pushes the bike. “Get a mail van or a boat with the DD logo on the side. Won't have to worry about hitching a ride, then... and Chiro-Chiro can chill with his brood without going over weight restrictions.” A light smile then, in reference to earlier. 


[break][break]

+ Locke Jamison [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“No,” he hums in agreement, gaze flittering from the sight of Major airborne slowly down towards the outline of the sea in the distance, where the two blues seem to blend together. “Don’t suppose you need it.”[break][break]

For him though? There’s a hungry, adventure seeking part of himself that gnaws at him for more clouds and more space and just more. As much as he loved the crunch of the dirt path underneath his feet or leaving tire tracks, that sense of freedom claimed while taking to the skies on one of his trusted pokemon was far more preferable and, at the same time, not quite enough. [break][break]

Transport could get him higher and more unbound than ever before.[break][break]

In the basket, under the warm glow of the Hoenn sun, their eggs pleasantly wiggle. Maybe they like the scent of the sea breeze, too. [break][break]

“Could still see you with one of those motorbikes with the side car, though.” He adds in to Locke with a curl of his lips, before they disappear down a familiar track towards the Lilycove ocean front where a boat is waiting to be boarded.


[break][break]

+ Locke Jamison [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]