"i think you should."

he bites his tongue, attempting to stop himself from continuing, but they slip out after a moment of hesitance.

"it could be dangerous to go in alone, however."

and then, a grin, because it's not like anyone else could hear them at the moment.

Amelia Livy // [x]

☉

’It could be dangerous to go in alone.’

The implication is obvious, especially when the words come accompanied by a grin, and Lia knows well that he shouldn’t be suggesting it – especially not on a mission, even if it’s one as simple as this. They teeter on the line, and how could she ever resist playing along once he starts?

For his sake, there’s a slight pout about it, her gaze meeting his.

”Yeah? Will you come with me, then?”

And then, a soft chuckle that turns into a bright smile; pink colouring her cheeks because yes, they definitely shouldn't be saying all that.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

his eyes drift down to her bright smile, appreciating the way it seems to make her glow. it's adorable.

"i'd like to."

for the briefest of moments, his gaze roams, admiring before quickly returning to her eyes.

"but only if you want me to."

Amelia Livy // [x]

☉

He’d like to.

She’d also like him to.

He probably already knows as much, but he still asks for her to confirm, and Lia is thankful for that.

They shouldn’t be doing this, they should be focusing on the mission and not on each other. Doesn’t this make her another useless ranger who can’t do her job right?

At this thought, she hesitates, still looking at him in the eyes. It’s probably obvious in her expression, and in the way she sighs.

”I’d like that, but maybe we shouldn’t…”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"maybe."

but who would know?

still, her hesitance is understood because he feels the same, albeit slightly less. or maybe his is easier to ignore because he has little else to prove as a ranger, where her journey had only just started.

maybe they shouldn't be doing this after all.

shifting his gaze away, he recognizes a familiar sight and stands, walking over to the edge of the boat.

"we're just about to hit route one-two-six."

Amelia Livy // [x]

☉

She has a lot to prove.

Things she needs to prove to herself. For, as much as Lia may say she’s doing this for the sake of others, as much as she truly wants to help the people of Hoenn, there’s also that haunting feeling of uselessness.

If Lance knew her better, would he think she’s useless as well?

Why does she care about what he thinks, anyway?

Maybe now there’s also a small but growing wish to prove certain things to him as well…

Caught up in the middle of thinking about all this, she doesn’t get to give him an answer before they reach Route 126. He approaches then, and she looks at the water instead of looking at him.

At the Corsola.

At the reason they’re here in the first place.

But, she also looks around them.

”How do you know?”

She asks because she wants to know – to understand, to learn.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

oh. he should probably explain.

"we often use landmarks to help us remember things. that little island over there, for example, sits in between the routes."

he turns his back towards the water, allowing his backpack mantyke to slide down his back and into the water. she joins the corsola, swimming alongside them.

"route one-two-six is also deeper, so the color of the ocean's a bit darker."

leaning closer to her, he points.

"see how the color changes?"

Amelia Livy // [x]

☉

Lia pays close attention to his words, her gaze falling on the small island he points towards. A mental note is made on it, making sure to remember it for later, because she knows Lance is right and she will need to learn things like those. She had also meant her words from back then: at these moments, she’s glad to have him here to guide her.

Even if he’s suddenly way too close.

Even if her cheeks flush just so slightly as she looks at the water.

”Oh… Yeah, you’re right. I can see it… That’s really cool.”

It makes her smile, despite the fact that there’s still a certain uneasiness that comes with the thought of deep waters.

Anything could attack the Corsola from beneath...

Is this mission really as simple as they had made it seem?

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

this mission's probably not as simple as they had made it seem, but nothing's happened so far. plus, even if it does, he's confident they could handle it with ease.

as far as he's concerned, the corsola are more than safe with them.

but it never hurts to be prepared.

"i actually do think you should be in the water with them."

it's easier to predict when something's approaching when they can actually feel the vibrations in the water. he doesn't say it, though, hoping she could understand why.

"we can take turns, if you want."

Amelia Livy // [x]

☉

Before even looking at him, Lia takes a deep breath, steadying herself.

As she does, she lists in her mind thoughts that ground her: this is a mission, so she has to do well; nothing bad will happen, because she has Lance with her.

Does she really trust him that much already or is it just because he’s a captain? Honestly, despite being her own thoughts, not even Lia is sure of the answer.

Especially not when she turns to face him.

She may not have confidence in her skills as a ranger, but Lia has never been one to be afraid of things. She remains herself of this, and so the answer comes easily:

”No, you can come with… If you want.”

Once again, she smiles at him – this time gently and softly.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

gently, softly, he returned her smile, considering her words carefully for they may carry with them certain repercussions. but then again, lance had always done what he wanted to do, and so why should this be any different?

"...okay."

playfully bumping into her shoulder, he stepped away before tugging his shirt over his head. he had come prepared, too, as evident by the swim tights.

"after you."

Amelia Livy // [x]

☉

Will there be repercussions to this? Probably, as everything always comes with its consequences. Whether those will be good or bad is the real question, but for now, Lia chooses to remain optimistic about things.

In the end, there’s no point in worrying about what may or may not happen when they have a mission to fulfill. That comes first. It should always come first. And yet, she can’t help but watch him…

’After you.’

”Okay.”

Nothing more than a slight smirk before turning away and jumping into the water with no hesitation at all. There’s a splash, and her Decidueye flaps its wings in concern a second before she comes up to the surface.

”Fuuuck… It’s so cold!”

There’s a short laugh, because that much should have been expected.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

a smirk, then water splashed up at him; he raised an arm to shield himself from most of it, but it wasn't like he minded. he smiled, laughing as she surfaced.

"is it? huh. maybe i'm good up here, then."

but a smirk graced his lips, playful as usual. he leaned against the side of the boat, not yet jumping in.

"unless you really want me to."

Amelia Livy // [x]

☉