”Ah, that almost makes me feel bad for interrupting.”
[break][break]
Leave it to Mars to make a grand entrance.
[break][break]
It is with a smirk that he stands near the steaming spring, a glass in his hands too. It seems both him and Killian had similar ideas, but while the latter would have perhaps enjoyed the silence, Mars is rarely one not to prefer company. Still, of course he doesn’t actually feel bad. Why would he, when his presence only ever makes things better for everyone?
[break][break]
For now, with a towel around his waist, he chooses to sit at the edge of the pool, dipping his feet in the water while the glass is set safely beside him.
[break][break]
”I’m surprised to see you here alone, Killian. Taking some time off to relax?”
[break][break]
Mars also shouldn’t be here alone, but let’s not talk about how he got ditched on this trip to the hot springs. Mars? Ditched? Unheard of, obviously.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ Killian Decker
[break][break]

VOTnyvkA
[break][break]
936/1000

Reaching for his glass, the liquid within it is slowly swirled, this time a perfectly clear one that comes in company of a thin lemon slice and a few ice cubes – top shelf gin. Even as he raises it to take a sip, he calmly watches Killian, making note of the way he sighs.
[break][break]
So, he had also been ditched at the hot springs, huh? That’s a shame, although at least Alexandra Briarwood had given him a proper reason not to be here with him, unlike CIAN MAHER’s complete lack of explanation on the matter when cancelling their plans. Then again, Lex is Killian’s fiancée, and it’s not like Mars and Cian are even dating or anything at this point in time. Not officially, at least. Since they both really suck at talking about things.
[break][break]
”Ah, that’s a shame. How has she been, anyway? Bet it must be pretty boring being here without her.”
[break][break]
Mars can relate, since Killian may just be even more right than what he realizes: it’s not like he’s going to waste his time hitting on people and doing unspeakable things in the literal and metaphorical heat of a sauna. There’s a time when he would have, though. Until very recently, he was right back to those old habits that had earned him a bit of a reputation back at Sinnoh before his short-lived life as a married man. But, it’s better not to go on about all that.
[break][break]
Right as Killian may be, it still earns him a clearly exaggerated gasp on Mars’ part.
[break][break]
”Killian, is that what you think of me?” Offended, but not really, as made obvious by his smile. ”What if I just want to spend time with an old friend?”


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ Killian Decker
[break][break]

7HrFUKUM
[break][break]
898/1000

’She’s been… good.’
[break][break]
The pause is evident and leaves room for more than one question.
[break][break]
He could easily pry, but he chooses not to, instead turning his attention back to his drink. Another sip, savouring it while listening to Killian speak.
[break][break]
”I bet it is, though you can always come back later with her, right? At least, if you do, you’ll already know what the best things are and won’t waste your time together.”
[break][break]
A smirk comes when offering this simple silver lining, Mars finally stepping properly into the water.
[break][break]
Come back later.
[break][break]
Is that what he will be doing as well? He will suggest it, sure, to make up for the lost time and the lost plans, but who knows what the future will bring? Who knows how things will turn out when he leaves the hot springs?
[break][break]
”Believe me, the last thing I want to talk about is my reputation.” At this, he chuckles, even though he really wouldn’t mind all that much. Usually, at least. Today, he’s not so sure if he wouldn’t mind. ”Not many friends in Hoenn, then? Lucky for you, I’m here now.”
[break][break]
There’s a wink, because of course there’s a wink, and a laugh follows it.
[break][break]
He’s in Hoenn now, and he’s here to stay.
[break][break]
For now.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ Killian Decker
[break][break]

TrZnFQ2w
[break][break]
801/1000

Leaning against stone, he allows himself to sink just a little deeper while sitting in the water, enjoying the sensation of both the rising steam and the oh so very gentle and almost non-existent ebb and flow of the hot spring. The warmth of the water is relaxing, healing, and it almost makes him forget all of his troubles as he turns to look up at the skies...
[break][break]
”Ha… I’m starting to realize Hoenn can be pretty damn weird. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I knew that before, but it’s different once you live here.”
[break][break]
A soft laugh, Mars reaching for his glass and taking a refreshing sip. The ice is melting; mixing into the drink.
[break][break]
It’s only then that he looks at Killian once again.
[break][break]
”Anything in particular that I think I should watch out for? You sound like you speak from experience.”
[break][break]
If only he knew just how weird things would get in a matter of a week or two...


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ Killian Decker
[break][break]

zusEIDed
[break][break]
795/1000

”Avatars.”
[break][break]
The word is echoed, Mars considering for a moment as he looks down at the melting ice cubes that now swim in his glass of gin. He’s familiar with both names mentioned by Killian, of course, and his appreciation results to be understandable…
[break][break][break]
”I actually met both of them at the tournament. Had a battle against Tapu Fini. Quite something isn’t it?”
[break][break]
So much power…
[break][break]
There’s always something tempting about it, isn’t there?
[break][break]
What would Mars do with power like that? He could achieve all of his goals without having to go through so much effort and planning. He wouldn’t have to owe so many favours. He wouldn’t have to depend so much on others. He could be free, for those who have controlled him all of his life would have no way of doing such a thing.
[break][break]
Perhaps he never realized how much he envied people like that until this day at the hot springs…
[break][break]
’It's powerful enough to warp space and tear whole sections of Sootopolis apart.’
[break][break]
Something like that? In Hoenn? Perhaps only out of curiosity, a part of him almost regrets not being at Sootopolis...
[break][break]
”Sootopolis, huh?” He had seen the damage himself, but it’s still difficult to imagine just from hearing the accounts. ”Whatever it is, I doubt Hoenn will be ready for it when it comes. Sounds like we got lucky back there.”
[break][break]
Had they really, though?



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ Killian Decker
[break][break]

gHYhCxxN
[break][break]
721/1000

’Our mystery space bender.’
[break][break]
A pokémon that can warp space and distort reality as it is known...
[break][break]
Hadn’t he heard about something like that before?
[break][break]
There’s the memory of an old legend read passingly years ago at his family’s library, but it is vague, and he cannot recall it correctly.
[break][break]
”A miracle? Doubtful, though it is shocking that there weren’t more casualties. You were there, right? The whole thing sounds like it was a fucking disaster.”
[break][break]
Definitely not a miracle, but Mars has never been the type to believe in miracles to begin with.
[break][break]
Fate, though?
[break][break]
Fate is something he has learned to believe in. Something he has no choice but to believe in. But when has fate brought anything but tragedy upon its victims? The Moirai spin and spin their endless threads, and they care not for who gets tangled among them..
[break][break]
Mars knows this well.
[break][break]
”I do.” A sip is taken from his glass, and it’s once again set aside by the edge of the pool. ”Are you worried about your fate, Killian?”
[break][break]
When had their casual conversation taken this turn?



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ Killian Decker
[break][break]

uIqbpTfa
[break][break]
652/1000

”I’m glad you didn’t.”
[break][break]
The words aren’t empty. He could easily mean it because having KiIllian in Team Rocket is convenient to him at the moment, but the truth is that while that’s the case and while Mars may not trust him all that much (or much at all, honestly) in their line of work it’s not often that people stay.
[break][break]
One day they’re there, the next they disappear with no explanation – or maybe with an all too gruesome explanation. That’s what he’s used to with most of his acquaintances, that’s what’s expected…
[break][break]
’Deoxys or my death - I don't fucking know.’
[break][break]
Just like that.
[break][break]
Death is always to be expected for most people, isn’t it?
[break][break]
”Deoxys, huh?” The name doesn’t ring a lot of bells, but Mars can easily take a few guesses as to what sort of thing Killian’s seeking. ”So, you’re gambling with your life, then?”
[break][break]
Not a very smart thing to do, but Mars can understand it perfectly.
[break][break]
In a way, hasn’t he been doing the same since deciding to move to Hoenn?
[break][break]
He meets Killian’s gaze, silence falling between them for a few long seconds.
[break][break]
”What if it’s the latter, Killian? What if whatever you’re waiting for ends you?”




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ Killian Decker
[break][break]

zcnpeKjz
[break][break]
595/1000