JUNGLE GLORY saves the athlete.

though matias has a zarude of his own, he's yet to seen it do that, and it's with slight wonder that he watches nature burst to life around them, coming to the athlete's aid. vines soon wrap around the athlete, and after a quick tug on them, matias nods, ensuring that it's safe to lift.

"all good to go."

sagira mosse
mission

☉

the radiant green glow settled into the athlete, blossoming life and strength into his fallen body so that it wasn’t so difficult to get him upright. however, he was still recovering, and so sage decided that the steep slope of zarude’s back wouldn’t be suitable.

a tauros was released, and the athlete was helped up onto its back as it waited patiently. old and reliable. matias would know the bull from years ago.

”c’mon baobab. let’s take him back up.”

they’d be taking the long, slow way.

MATIAS SILPH

☉

the tauros is a familiar sight — it's one that brings a smile, warm and pleasant despite the tenseness of the situation. he even offers it a small wave.

"good to see you again, baobab."

matias slides off his altaria, then gestures for it to fly up to watch over them. the long and slow way allows them time to talk, which they needed after earlier.

"i missed doing this, you know."

he tilts his head over at her.

"going out on assignments with you."

sagira mosse
mission

☉

the tauros snorted a hot, rank old breath in matias’ direction. a friendly hello.

her eyes were ahead, seeming to refuse to look at him. face was like stone, thoughts becoming heavy again as their mission neared its end. she attempted to shrug it off, to see forward with blinders.

but then he waxed sentimental, and something about her mouth tightened as though willing it not to open. she swallowed whatever she was hiding before saying a word.

”yeah.” a sigh. ”i guess i did too.” until recently. regardless of how much she might’ve tried to hide it, the implication was there in her tone. still, she never looked over at him.

meanwhile, the athlete to their side slumped, tired and quiet as his body swayed on the alternating shoulders of the bull beneath him. zarude went ahead and into the trees, but it soon paused to wait up, never leaving sight.

MATIAS SILPH

☉

"we'll do it more."

even if things between them are odd, unfamiliar, and painful, the alternative of not seeing her at all hurts more. too long have they been apart, and now, he isn't willing to let her go again.

"i could use your help with some coming up."

sagira mosse
mission

☉

her yellow gaze met him from the side. it was filled with judgment.

”i will go where my duty takes me,” she assured him. ”and if that lands me with you, then so be it.”

her eyes then cast out ahead again, her chin a little higher than before.

MATIAS SILPH

☉

her judgment is cast aside, ignored in favor of a brighter future. one without as much contempt or pain.

could such a future exist for them?

"it'll be with me."

said with absolute certainty.

"just like old times."

sagira mosse
mission

☉

things could not simply be looked past. her vision of the future was obscured by jutting headstones.

his assurance summoned a nearly sick feeling within her. did he really have the power to make that happen? probably.

”don’t mess with my assignments.”

MATIAS SILPH

☉

"i won't."

he does have the power to make that happen. but, for now, he'll cast it aside.

"but we should still see each other more. work or otherwise. i don't mind going to see you."

sagira mosse
mission

☉

it was frustrating, realizing that she didn’t know what she wanted. on one hand, to turn her back on the only family she’d ever known… it was almost unthinkable. on the other hand, the guilt of walking shoulder-to-shoulder with him rotted her spirit.

after several moments of silence—so long that it would almost seem as though she were going to say nothing at all—she begrudgingly informed him, ”we’re moving.” out of the motel, she’d told him they would have left months ago. ”to outside of fortree.”

MATIAS SILPH

☉

finally, after months of staying in the motel, she's decided to move. it brings a smile to his face, one that lingers even as he turns to look at her.

"that's not too far from lilycove."

it's much nearer than the motel.

"why fortree?"

sagira mosse
mission

☉

it’s really close to lilycove, she thought begrudgingly.

fortree called to her, and the neighboring lilycove boasted one of the nicest beaches, and a harbor that delta enjoyed very much. the fact that they would be in such close proximity to him was mere unfortunate coincidence.

she shrugged.

”i like being in the woods. it’s peaceful. just feels right. and i think it’s a good place for delta.” obscure. hidden away.

MATIAS SILPH

☉

"it is. fortree has one of the best preschools in hoenn. i'll recommend delta, if the both of you like it."

he shrugs, not wanting to overstep blurred boundaries.

"they owe me a favor or two."

sagira mosse
mission

☉