as prickly as he often pretended to be, ollie was beginning to learn that Laurence Anderson was pretty cool. he didn't even seem that mad that he'd stolen his precious alto-mare uniform — though, when he's returned it, ollie was sure to inscribe his own name on the inner tag. he wondered if his friend would find the easter egg one day, but considering the fact that he hadn't blown his whole phone up over it yet, that was a good sign.

[break][break] until his phone vibrates against his coffee table. loudly.

[break][break] oh boy, here it was.

[break][break] except it wasn't. color ollie surprised when it wasn't lars complaining about how he had vandalized his outfit but actually requesting that he accompany him on a mission. well, the ranger wasn't about to kick a gift horse in the mouth — not when he'd just gotten his official ranger colors and graduated from the rank of rookie.

[break][break] appearing in vibrant orange and yellow - as asked of him - ollie appears along the other end of the dock. he waves broadly. "hey buddy! what's hangin'?" immediately, he attempts to throw an arm around the other's shoulder. had lars gotten shorter?

[attr="class","ooc"] Laurence Anderson [break]

straight to the point, huh?

[break][break] "aw, glad to hear you think so highly of me dude." he clutches his chest dramatically. "enough to bring a grown man to tears." the rangers grins at the other, amusement clear in his gaze.

[break][break] as the two stands on the shore, it's clear to see their obvious differences. not even from their demeanors — one prickly and ice-cold, the other blazing bright like sunshine — but also their outfits. Laurence Anderson alto-marean outfit stands in great contrast to the hoennian ranger uniform that ollie himself supports, fresh from the dry cleaners. (he'd gotten horrific stains on it last time it was meatball wednesday in the evergrande cafeteria.)

[break][break] at the reveal, ollie blinks. "you're kiddin! they follow you here? they must be obsessed with you, bro. an ex-lover, maybe?" he can't help the slight quip at the end — it wouldn't be him and lars if he didn't try teasing him every so often.

[break][break] a serious expression befalls ollie's face as he takes in the mission details. some nasty poachers going after some innocent wailmer? right up their ally. captain was gonna be thrilled when they not only saved a local municipality but also brought in some crooks along with them.

[break][break] "duh." he huffs, then places a hand on the other's shoulder. "we're partners — i got your back, dude." he grins, pushing up his sleeves. "right. how should we get started?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Laurence Anderson [break]

"uh. no."

[break][break] there's a brief moment of awkwardness, a slightly embarrassed flush on his features, which he is quick to wave away.

[break][break] "but! we can just share. right, bro?"

[break][break] after all, it was lars who brought him here. surely, he wouldn't live a brother out to dry?

[break][break] the young ranger nods in agreement as the other explains their game-plan. sure, ollie doesn't mind waiting. especially since he'd be with a good old friend. "sure — maybe we can play a game while we wait. maybe twenty questions?"

[break][break] a pause as he considers the question.

[break][break] "hmmm. people always want what they can't have. maybe that's it?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Laurence Anderson [break]

"sounds like a plan! i'm more of a baseball or football kinda guy, but i can totally swim too."

[break][break] while kanto was no altomare, there were certainly moments when he'd had to swim. after all, growing up on a farm taught you that kind of thing — being plunged head-first into lakewater by your brothers as a prank on a cold saturday morning, you know.

[break][break] "and oh yeah! i've got a staravia. his name's tabasco but i call him tabs." flashing a grin, he releases the pokeball and sure enough, tabs caws in greeting at the blond, flapping his wings.

[break][break] ollie was definitely more of a land animal, but that didn't mean he couldn't be versatile. with a whistle, he sends tabs off to scour the area as he and Laurence Anderson wait it out.

[break][break] "i'll go first. m'kay. why'd you become a ranger?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Laurence Anderson [break]

"alternative career? wait - "

[break][break] that was totally unfair! how could lars just say something like that and not provide any follow-up?!

[break][break] ollie bit the inside of his cheek before he said something he'd regret.

[break][break] patience, ollie. patience.

[break][break] "well. it's a long story. you sure you wanna hear it?" ollie laughs. "but generally, i met this girl. i'd just graduated college and i was just telling her how i wasn't sure what i wanted to do with my life after that. she told me that i should be a ranger - and well, i became one."

[break][break] his eyes are impossibly warm when they think about PENELOPE LIVY.

[break][break] "ok. my turn. what's the alternative career path." he snickers. "don't tell me - " he laughs. "a stripper?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Laurence Anderson [break]

ollie snickered, lips twisted into a smirk.

[break][break] "no, but the look on your face was worth it."

[break][break] ah. art. ollie didn't know much about art, but Laurence Anderson definitely seemed like the type. the type that either was good at art or liked it. ollie, on the other hand, was the opposite.

[break][break] "oh, show me something later? are you coming on to me, Laurence Anderson?"

[break][break] ollie let out a good laugh, but then quieted when realizing that they were supposed to be on high alert. oops.

[break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Laurence Anderson [break]

"because it's - ouch!" he winced as lars elbowed him in the ribs, choking out a breathy laugh from him. "because it's funny, lars."

[break][break] namely, his expression.

[break][break] anything to get mr. grumpypants to let out a snort.

[break][break] when the sound of a motorboat echoes in the distance, ollie lowers himself just as Laurence Anderson instructs him. he nods sagely.

[break][break] "yeah, yeah. sure."

[break][break] wait.

[break][break] "did you bring a camera?"

[break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Laurence Anderson [break]