’Let’s wakeboard bby💙🌊’
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Leave it to Mars to have a very broad, ever-changing, definition of what constitutes “a fun day at the beach”. Today, just as his text to Michail said, that definition involves Pokémon Wakeboarding, and he sure enough found his way to Slateport beach with two boards and all the necessary equipment.
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He has told himself he has no time to properly participate in the Hoenn Star Tournament, yet he also doesn’t hesitate to make time for something like this, and it is clad in Meowth-patterned swim trunks that have been designed by POG Bank’s eternally talented merch department that he waits for his friend – his hair stylishly tousled and his skin sun-kissed.
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”Hey, dulzura.”
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His smile could conquer the world, but it is from behind amber sunglasses that he raises an eyebrow when noticing his friend’s own shorts, the stylized images of katja weiss ‘s face and his own being all too familiar (although the chibi version of him is wearing glasses, as one can always expect from POG Bank’s CEO). Much alike his own swim trunks, this was one of the designs the merch department had come up with for a campaign to raise some extra money for the bank’s multiple charities, Miss Weiss finding herself involved because she happened to be chosen as employee of the month among the Mauville branches. Apparently, sales at the tournament were going quite well, though the coincidence was kind of way too funny...
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”Nice shorts, they look good on you. Ready for this?” He grinned, confident nonchalance ever on brand when it comes to Mars.
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+ jayden cross | Check out dat cute Meowth pattern
[break]This one got long o-o Next ones will be shorter lol

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”I’ll tell you what it means someday.” It’s really nothing special, as Mars is often one to use pet names of the sort when talking to people he’s fond of, but of course he won't say that.
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Then, he laughs at the question. ”Would it be a bad thing if I was?” There’s no such thing as embarrassment or shame, the man meeting the other’s gaze and smirking, before easily brushing the matter away. ”Yeah, of course I’ll teach you! Come here… Are you going to use your Golduck?”
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He’s as casual as usual, but he does notice the smile, the words spoken on the night they met at the park being whispered in his mind:
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’I don’t smile often.’
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Huh...
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Then what was this all about?

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+ jayden cross

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”Huh, were they really?” Technically, they were supposed to be, but only to be given in exchange for donations. Was the design maybe not doing as well as most? But, who in the world wouldn’t want some shorts with his own adorable face on them? Tsk, some people just have no taste.
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His gaze fixes on the Golduck and he nods approvingly, then gesturing towards the water. There, the dorsal fin of a Sharpedo is clearly visible, the pokémon swimming idly underwater as she waits. ”That’s Terpsichore, but we can use a couple more pokémon if you want to be on the safer side. Wouldn’t want anything to happen to you on your first time wakeboarding, you know?… Plus, it’d make things more interesting.” At this, he smiles, always one to be fond of challenges and good twists.


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+ jayden cross

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Mars watches him, noting the confusion, the hesitation, the pauses, and the changes in expression. This is different from what he has acted like every other time they have spoken, to the point that it’s uncharacteristic and noticeable.
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What’s going on?
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Has he been drinking or something?
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The signs are all too familiar to Mars, and honestly, seeing him like this is kind of adorable. Would it be bad if he teased him for it? Just a little bit?
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An arm is wrapped around his shoulders, leaning closer – something he may not have done with him had it not been for the circumstances. ”Nah, don’t worry about all that. Here, let me show you.” He points towards the supplies, staying close while explaining in the most simple manner possible. ”There’s the boards and the bindings, and usually you’d have a boat pull you in the water, but you can have your pokémon do it if you have the right one – like Ala and Terpsichore! So, you also have the ropes you use so they can pull you, and the handle you hold onto. Oh… Do you want a life jacket? I could get you one…” He looks at him, warm gaze meeting that of cold violet.
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Will it really be okay to do all this if he has been drinking?
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Mars himself has done plenty of stupider things while drunk, but then again, this is Mars we’re talking about here.

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+ jayden cross

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”Good call.”
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There is still a smile, but instead of going to get the life jacket himself, Mars sends a text and begins to set everything else up. No more than five minutes later, a woman approaches, somehow appearing extremely businesslike and professional despite wearing nothing more than a skimpy white bikini. ’Is this what you asked for, Mr. Del Mar?’ She says, referring to the life jacket in her hands.
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”Thanks, Andrea. You’re the best.” Having reliable employees with broad job descriptions sure helps when going on dates that are technically not dates. Bet katja weiss counts herself lucky that she doesn’t have to deal with this part of working at POG Bank, huh? Then again, she never will, because Andrea’s name isn’t actually Andrea and she’s much more than Mars’ personal assistant.
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Anyway, putting that long tangent aside...
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”Do you need me to help you with putting it on?” He asks once the woman promptly leaves, a slight smirk reaching his lips. Maybe it’s wrong to tease Michail so much, but drunk as he is, Mars wouldn’t be surprised if he struggles with such a task.


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+ jayden cross

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Their hands touched.
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It’s not the kind of thing Mars would usually mind. Hand holding, touching... things like those always come effortlessly to him, but he also knows something like this would have probably never happened so easily between them if the other hadn’t been as drunk as he is. It’s not what Michail is like. At least not as far as Mars is aware, that is.
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He sighs.
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Still, he maintains his smile.
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”Sure, here.” At least it’s not difficult to guide him through the motions – Mars then taking his hand in order to have him extend his arms and slide on the life jacket. He’s careful with it, and he takes his time, gaze never leaving that of his “friend” as he makes sure to adjust the jacket so it fits comfortably and securely. They’re standing close to each other, but Mars chooses to ignore this.
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”That okay? We can head for the water if you feel ready.”

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+ jayden cross

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It’s cute.
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So, he acts like a kid when he’s drunk, huh?
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There’s nothing attractive about it, honestly, because when are drunk people ever attractive unless you yourself are drunk? But, it’s still incredibly endearing, even if it’s likely none of what happens at the beach on this day will ever be discussed again.
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Either because Michail won’t remember, or out of his sheer shame.
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Maybe Mars will take a picture later, for the memories.
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But, all that can wait, since the moment the race begins, Mars has more important concerns.
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[break]1. WINNING.
[break]2. Making sure his friend doesn’t end up doing something dumb and getting hurt because of being wasted.
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He tells his Inkay to keep an eye on their ‘opponents’ in case of anything, and he has to hold on tight when his Sharpedo takes off, her SPEED BOOST proving ever-unstoppable and kind of dangerous.
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”Erato, give us a nice wave!” He tells the Milotic, a bright grin illuminating his expression. And, sure enough, they’re soon heading for the buoys that have been set up as their finish line on a wave created by SURF. Gotta love wakeboarding!

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+ jayden cross

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