He shook his head at the query. “No, just got here." Joules beeped in agreement, moving a bit towards the pinkette and practically scanning her from head to toe curiously. “Likewise. It’s not often Mt. Chimney is this clear.” He said wit ha small nod. A half-truth, but it reassured him that he’d done the right thing. Now he didn’t have to imagine Luka’s disappointed eyes when he didn’t show up. “We should start heading out soon but if it’s too serious we can wait…” he trailed off looking to Joules to blinked a few times before nudging Paxton and [break][break]looking back at Luka.

“If you’d like, Joules can carry some of your weight.” He said gesturing at her picnic basket and backpack. “Thank you though. It’s better to be prepared when going out.” He added as the Magnezone floated towards the woman once again. Their eyes then turn to the Clefable, staring for a moment before blinking quickly and booping in greeting. To add to the gesture, Joules bounced up and down in the air for a moment leaning down and offering themselves for a ride as well to the fairy type. [break][break]

Paxton smiled at the hello before adjusting the straps on his pack and checking his boots. “Oh, here.” He said taking a moment to pull out a little headlamp from his backpack. “The trees might make it even harder to see, so this headlamp should help. Just press this button and watch your feet.” He explained as he moved to hand it over to her. “Might need a little adjusting but…” he murmured as he shortened the strap a bit for her head. With that, he began to lead their group up. For now, the ground was fairly easy to see and flat. The only startling thing out here was maybe the stray cry of an Unfezant but he didn't think that'd topple the pinkette.


[break][break]

+ luka chêne [break][break]

mission prompt: all nighter [break]


[break]

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Joules is more than amicable, beeping a couple of times as the Clefable settled in before taking off. He already knew the path up after all. He would serve as the lead for the group while Paxton took an easier pace and kept a close eye on Luka. He didn’t wasn’t to push her too hard. From what he’d heard she sounded like she was pretty much a city girl, and he had no idea what her limits may have been when it came to things like hiking up a really steep mountain side. If the work of the hike didn’t affect her the elevation might. And it was dark, even with the full moon, he wasn’t about to risk it. [break][break]

He turned on his own headlamp and kept a close watch as night began to creep in. He looked up as Luka spoke, noting how yellow the outline of the moon was already. “Yes…better for us to get up and down Mt. Chimney.” He said. At her cry he froze, halfway through turning before she bumped him. His hands shot out to clutch her shoulders and his eyebrows furrowed together. “Are you ok, Luka?” he asked, loosening his grip on her as she stabilized. “Careful with your ankles. A sprain doesn’t sound like much until you put a couple of miles on it…then you’ll be lucky if you can limb to the nearest hospital.” He said as he dropped his hands to his side and waited for her to pass him. What if he’d been too far away? She might’ve bashed her face on the rock. [break][break]

Paxton waited for them to get back on the path, blue eyes on the pinkette’s feet before gradually moving back to the trail. After a long silence he finally asked her, “So Luka, do you often do things like this? Like…nature walks or camping?”


[break][break]

+ luka chêne [break][break]

mission prompt: all nighter [break]


[break]

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Despite the scare, Luka doesn’t seem too rattled. Maybe a little more cautious is all. He returned her smile with one of his own, happy she’s still enjoying herself. He nodded along to her words, eyes slowly moving back to the trail. “I used to live right next to a forest, so I’d always wander around it. Living in the city is…really different. A lot smaller too.” He said. It was a different type of exploration that’s for sure. Urban or not, it still hosted its threats. That never changed for him. “I’ve done…a lot camping and it's not my favorite, but it has its perks.” The sunrise for one. [break][break]

The hike ended and while Paxton felt sweat on his brow, he wasn’t all too tuckered out. The cover of night alleviated some of the heat, and saved him from more farmer's tan. His breathing was a little fast and he panted lightly as he settled next to Luka. He gave her one last glance to make sure she wasn’t about to topple over before directing his gaze upwards like her. The moon is full, and so big. Stars glittered through the darkness, and he instantly felt his eyes drawn to constellations he could recognize before turning back eventually to the galaxies that split the skies. They’re both still, enveloped in the silence and the awe of the unknown. “Makes the walk worth it.” He whispered back, not wanting to break the reverent silence. [break][break]

Joules hovered a bit high off the ground offering his companion a slightly closer view than their trainers. But eventually, they come back down, settling close enough to the ground that the Clefable can easily hop off. Paxton also broke away, moving to drop his backpack and retrieve his picnic basket off his Magnezone. “Thanks buddy.” He said with a smile and a pat to the cool metal. He began to spread out a blanket over the ground a bit away form the mouth of the trail. He waited for Luka to come find him before beginning to speak once more. “Are you thirsty? Y’did better than I expected.” He said, the quirk of his lips indicating a small tease. “I…I also made some snacks to help recoup energy and…” he trailed off, shrugging at her as e set down a small tupper with apple slices cut to resembles bunnies. “Eat.”


[break][break]

+ luka chêne [break][break]

mission prompt: all nighter [break]


[break]

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After setting up, he had a chance to look over his companion who had released a few more of her pokemon. So, she had more of the little moon-loving fairies. That’s nice. He heard stories of the Clefairy clans dancing and singing near Mt. Moon. He had seen them maybe once with his family, but once was enough to leave an impression. He found himself particularly fond of the smallest one but resisted the urge to try to get it to come over so he could pet it. Joule for his part settled somewhat beside Paxton to allow him the chance to lay on him. He snickered before letting out his own pokemon. With a small flash of light, a little galarian meowth yawned looking up at Paxton expectantly before noticing the different surrounding and beginning to scurry along everywhere to explore. “We got very lucky the skies stayed clear for us, in time with the moon.” He said with a small nod as he picked up his own bunny rabbit slice and ate it. [break][break]

“Mmm…thank you. They took me a couple of tries, but I like them.” He said. He hadn’t cut up apples special in quite some time, but it was an easy enough trick to master. “That’s alright-” the blonde began before cutting himself off at the selection. He immediate felt hungrier. While this wasn’t the best thing to eat right after a long hike or in preparation for another one back…he couldn’t deny it was really nice feast. Indulgent, even. He reached out for a little cake, admiring the thing before opening his mouth and shoving it all in in one bite. Still, Paxton stayed focused, looking up on the sky as he enjoyed his treat before letting out a small sigh. “Thank you…it’s good. I’m glad they’re all unscathed its…all very pretty.” Truthfully, it’s almost too pretty. He’s not used to eating something this luxurious. [break][break]

The wind picked up a little. Not a harsh wind, but enough to make Paxton’s skin prickle up. Maybe that was because he was also sitting next to Joule. He wiped his hand on his pants before turning to his belongings and beginning to read for another, thick looking blanket to begin wrapping himself with. As he did, he hummed for a moment before looking back up at the sky. “You know, Luka, I was a little bit nervous coming up here with you…but it’s been really nice.” He said as he counted the stars of a familiar constellation.

[break][break]

+ luka chêne [break][break]

mission prompt: all nighter [break]


[break]

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“Mmm…you know, I’ve got a knife on me… if we manage to find some berries on the way back down I can teach you.” He spoke. She gave him too much praise sometimes, but he supposed that’s what happened when you were inexperienced. At the thought, he wondered how old Luka was exactly. Couldn’t be that much younger than him, could she? Then again, he felt that he looked older than he was at times. But that’s what happened when you constantly wore eye bags and didn’t cut your hair all too often. He barely remembered to shave some days. “Nothin’ wrong with efficiency.” He said taking another, “P-Petit…petit four?” before shoving another into his mouth. [break][break]

“I like anything really…I’m not super picky.” He said after a he swallowed. It was a mix of being hungry enough to not care what you ate, and sort of losing preferences over what you ate. It just felt like an effort to even remembered what he liked. Food was food. “You could give me anything, and I’d eat it happily.” Paxton’s mind was far simpler than Luka’s. He didn’t think of starstuff of cosmis realities. He simply sat there, with barely a thought or care. He was happy, for a moment. In good company with good food. It sort of took him back to a different time. One where he sat under the stars with his family, maybe his younger sister fell asleep, and Paxton was soon to follow. He seemed to get lost in these memories until the little Cleffa came up to him. The soft bump on his leg slowly pulled him out his head. “Oh-” he whispered taken by the creature’s size. [break][break]

He wanted to pet the little curl on her head. But that’d be rude, right? So, he settled for reaching for a bunny slice and offering it to her, whispering quietly so as to avoid drawing Luka’s attention. Even if she was right next to him. “Have one. It’s sweet.” The pink pokemon tugged a smile out of him, far wider than the quick, polite ones he had given Luka thus far. Pink dusted his cheeks before he added. “You can sit with me if you like…” That was typically Ollie’s spot, however the little cat had wandered off to dance with the other fairies, excited by their antics. [break][break]

Its at this time he turned back to Luka, eyes wide for a moment before relaxing. “Don’t apologize.” Though he knew those words would be futile. “I…suppose I misjudged you…Rather harshly even. I didn’t think you’d make it up here, when we were back at the saunas… I was worried you’d get hurt halfway up the volcano even.” He stated. “You didn’t strike me as rather coordinated, or physically active. Ironic since, I nearly fainted in front of you.” He said with a snicker. And then he realized he’d been a whole jackass this entire time. “Ah, are you chilly? Joule tends to suck the heat out of things and it’s a little windy…” he asked unwrapping half of the blanket and offering it to her, half warmed from the trapped body heat.


[break][break]

+ luka chêne [break][break]

mission prompt: all nighter [break]


[break]

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Paxton held his breath ad the small pokemon nuzzled up to him quickly enough. He was gentle with her as he carefully scooped her up into lap, lightly patting the fairy pokemon’s head. Ollie didn’t protest this action, too occupied with wiggling his butt in unison with the other fairies. He can’t hide the small grin that pulled at his lips when she ate. He nodded at Luka, relieved she didn’t seem too put off by his words. He’d tried to be gentle about it…kind of. His tone had been gentle anyway. At the noise, Paxton didn’t hesitate to reach for another apple slice and hand it to the darling pokemon, eager to spoil the pink fluffball.
[break][break]

He inched closer to Luka to make it easier to share their blanket and share body heat. He kept a hand up ready to gently push Tart back into his lap should the pokemon begin to roll off form his scooching. He’s not shy in his actions, even going so far as to wrap and arm around Luka’s shoulders to pull her in as much as he could before tugging the blanket around them both a bit tighter. “Better?” he asked as he settled back against Joule.
[break][break]

He looked up as well, relaxing further as his eyes settled on the galaxy he could see above him. “That’d be nice.” He said with a snort. He nodded slowly. “I think I agree…it’s peaceful and quiet.” He didn’t have a constant ringing in his ear or a weird static noise clouding his mind. His thoughts were blank, but it wasn’t getting filled up by white noise. He’s quiet, thinking over his wish, if he had one. He did but…he didn’t want to share with Luka. It might be too heavy for the mood right now. So instead inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air before sighing. “I don’t know about wishes but…I don’t think I’d mind the opportunity to do this again.” He liked it out here after all. It was peaceful, something that grounded him much more easily than a work routine or his apartment in Lillycove.

[break][break]

+ luka chêne [break][break]

mission prompt: all nighter [break]


[break]

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