today was a day of rest. while everyone else was doing their own thing, Chase found time for himself. whether that was good or bad remained to be seen. he could say it was a good chance to explore Hoenn. it was bad because he didn't know anyone here. outside of work, he was a blank slate. maybe that's why he didn't like it so much. sitting at the table with his food, he'd stare across the location with little interest. it was then he got that company he wanted.

an Espeon would appear before him, staring openly. Chase stared back. before he could open his mouth he noticed another being approach. straightening, the young man would stare at the older one briefly before his blue eyes flicker back to the Pokémon. "it's fine" he says, never knowing what to say around men. maybe because he had no fatherly influence, maybe because his mother worked so hard to make him a gentleman - unlike his actual father - so he focused on females more. 

"I'm more concerned with why she's staring at me like this" he cracks a smile "like I stole her favorite toy and she's plotting revenge..." smooth. real smooth. but it was the first thing that jumped into his mind.

"ah, is that so?" Chase replies, rubbing his chin as he examines the Espeon with one blue eye "I have an Umbreon, but she's... definitely not the type to give the stink eye" Velvet was a well behaved fox, and very regal "nor jump on tables." he smirks, his amused expression turning to a lingering curiosity when the man offered his bit. were people just naturally generous in Hoenn? was war what it took to get them to be better humans? he always thought the opposite. he'd seen what happened to Kanto.

he shuffles his tray a bit to the side, allowing Killian Decker to have some space. might as well, right? Chase was new here. he could stand to make some friends or acquaintances. all of those so far were pretty girls. Luka, Freya... fine. he could make some male friends and be awkward with them. at least the guy had taste in his Pokémon preferences. "my day was pretty boring until you both showed up" he replies smoothly, shaking his head "being in a new place does that."

royalty, huh? "Velvet doesn't have that pedigree" Chase replies with another amused smirk. no, the Umbreon had been once an Eevee - bought with gambling chips at the local gaming center. she had been a pretty penny indeed; but bought with good intentions in mind. his mother had been a saint in Chase's eyes. despite not having much, she wanted to give the boy everything she could. they couldn't afford Chase going off on a journey; so the woman got him a rare Pokemon instead to keep him company.

the man would sit down regardless of his words. "fun" he repeats, leaning back on his chair "or trouble?" he raises a brow in humor. the man looked like he could go a few rounds in a dark alley with his fists raised, to be blunt. Chase didn't know why he thought that but it stood in his mind "or a little in between?" he adds, chuckling "I'm due to start Ranger duties in a few days, so I'll stay out of Hoennian trouble for now." for now...

"but yeah, just got here a week or so ago" he adds, realizing they hadn't introduced themselves "and I swear I have better manners. guess I'm still seasick" he shrugs "name's Chase. Chase Fairweather."

he grins despite himself. "well, as long as it doesn't throw me in jail" because that'd look so bad on his budding new career. he lets the man open the floor to suggestions before talk went back to pleasantries and questions and inquiries. "I'm... a new one" Chase begins "a cadet. a trainee. someone to run and get coffee for the bigshots" he didn't seem very put-off by this though "they helped me a lot" he shifts in his chair somewhat "I don't have a ton of money to my name, but I was eager to work. to do a difference, I guess. they gave me a loan. they gave me a place to live."

which was saying a lot, considering nobody else really had. his mother died, and he didn't fault her for it, but it left him with staggering debt in Kanto. he wanted to give the woman a good funeral, and he had, but it left him with more holes in his pockets than coin. the Rangers took him in, gave him purpose. "never been to the ocean before now, so I can't say if I like it" he wasn't giving it a chance - a fair shake "I lived in Kanto. then Johto. now Hoenn. it's... a lot of ocean, here." Johto didn't even have much ocean, and he'd never been to the harbor city. Kanto never had the time.

"well, Killian Decker" he jumps back in "you're not the first person to buy me food. I guess everyone thinks I'm too scrawny?" his face splits into an amused grin "or a stray cat. either way I'm not complaining."

Chase feels his arms drop, gripping his knees. his eyes squint slightly, but not out of anger. just general uncomfortableness. "I have no family" the young man states bluntly but not rudely. he tries to play it off like it didn't bother him, but surely Killian Decker would pick up that it did. "the other half of my DNA was a bastard. he knocked my mother up and left her to raise me alone" the poor woman had done her best even if it had bothered her on more than one occasion "she died too young." 

not from heart break but sickness. working herself to death. now her son was left to inherit such a burden.

"she told me she wasted all her money on him when he was around" his teeth grit "so we were left living paycheck to paycheck" for longer than they deserved. he got into both shady jobs and legit ones to make ends meet "I don't know where my mother's family is. I never met them" maybe they were ashamed of her situation "and my 'father' never kept in contact. he doesn't know he has a son somewhere."

venom was clear in his tone. but he realized that Killian was not someone to vent to. he was a stranger that Chase had just met. "sorry" he drops his eyes as if ashamed "it still pisses me off, that's all."

"I -" Chase was too clever for his own good sometimes. his surprise and shock were normal for the situation, but quickly faded. of course. he'd be stupid not to notice some subtle familiarities between himself and Killian Decker . he bit the inside of his cheek, scowling briefly. "this wasn't a random meeting" and then "how long have you kept tabs on me?" venom and anger aside. he could forgive a man who did it once. but two times? maybe even more?

no. there would be no forgiveness from Chase. he stares up at Killian, awaiting an answer. he didn't care why or how. there was no jealousy about 'wow we weren't the only ones then!' was he surprised? a bit. but from what he knew of his absent father... he wasn't anymore. you had to think about the sanity of a man who knocked women up and then left. what did he hope to gain from it? was he even aware of his children? did he care? no - no he promised not to do this to himself.

he wouldn't wonder about a man who had never been there.

"you're here now" Chase repeats, squinting slightly. he tries to ignore the wash of emotions bubbling to the surface. where were you when I needed you? his mother died, leaving him alone. he rode the rails with his Pokemon between Kanto and Johto. he scrounged for jobs, for money. he nearly starved to death a few times. he lived on the streets. no, it isn't his fault the silver haired man states firmly but he knew. he knew enough. Killian would have known all this. he didn't lift a finger to help. "so what does that mean?"

he kept the bitterness out of his voice, his eyes lowering to look at the table between them. what do you want it to mean? would probably be Killian's answer. it would have been Chase's. he falls silent again. the people around them did not understand nor know of the heaviness between brother and brother. or maybe they did. maybe they suddenly had a man proclaiming to be blood approach after years. Chase didn't know their business. only his own. and it was... difficult.

Killian Decker