For now, Minh would behave. But who was to say for the future?

Meanwhile, Elinor followed Callan into the sea. Front Crawling as best she could. Fatigue didn’t quite hold as much of a grip on her as it did Callan. But perhaps that was due to her lack of smoking. Either way, she stayed close to Callan without being so close as to impede his movements.

But though Fatigue didn’t hit her before they were about halfway there, the ocean tried to beat her in other ways. Waves battered against her, but she carried on. Muscles grew sorer and sorer as they came closer to the island.

But at last, she felt herself reaching the shores. Callan was the first to exit the waters. He even offered her a hand as she stepped onto the shore. She gratefully accepted it, as she heaved for air. “Ye… Yeah. Next time let us just take a walk.” She replied in between heaves of air. With each resuscitating heave did her body fill with air and her energy returned.

“But at least we are alone now.” She smiled, eyes looking out upon the shoreline that they had arrived at, confirming their solitude.

OOC: Mission thread for SUNNY DAY
LOCATION: SLATEPORT BEACH

"Duly noted Elly." Callan chuckled, as he takes her hand and walks over to a nearby palm tree by the beach. A patch of clean grass and no nearby critters meant that unless an Eggxecute dropped onto their heads, they weren't likely to be interrupted. Callan turned towards Elinor as she confirmed their isolation.

The wind was nice, the sky was deep blue, the sound of Wingulls in the distance. Everything from rockstardom to gym leadership felt a mile away. Callan gently pulled Elinor into him, if she'd allow it, and nestle her on his lap as he'd wrap his hands around her waist and press his lips to hers. "Mm, salty." He commented, the seawater clearly on his tongue as he looked into her eyes. "I received a pretty interesting email a week back." Callan began, "It was from the Commissioner, and she was asking me if I would be interested in joining the Elite Four. Do you think I should do it?"

The pair found a nice spot beneath a palm tree. Callan offered her his lap, and she accepted it. She found comfort, some might say even security in his presence. Though she simply allowed herself a moment to enjoy the presence as he wrapped his hands around her waist before pressing lips against hers.

She couldn’t help but chuckle slightly as Callan noted her saltiness. But she didn’t make a comment about it. She could think of nothing good.

But the silence wouldn’t last. Callan would inform her of certain developments. Worry washed over her face, though she tried to hide its folds, her eyes would betray her. “As a council member, I know of no better candidate than you. You are certainly worthy of it already with the things you’ve done and even been through.” She paused.

“But I will admit it worries me. Being a member of the Elite Four comes with certain duties and responsibilities. And I know this is silly of me to say given what we’ve been through as Rangers already.” Another pause. “But as an Elite Four, you’ll be a beacon of hope for Hoenn, expected to partake in the most dangerous of operations. People will expect you to lay down your life fighting all the enemies of Hoenn, be they Team Rocket or Alien invaders…” She sighed

“And yet I know the people of Hoenn will not appreciate all your efforts. Ungrateful as they are, they will look for your shortcomings, attack your weakest points whenever you do just the slightest wrong in their eyes…”

She looked towards Callan. “But if this is something you really want to do, I know I can’t stop you from doing it. Just… Just be careful okay?”


OOC: Mission thread for SUNNY DAY
LOCATION: SLATEPORT BEACH

In truth, he did have a bad feeling about the invitation. But at the same time, it was something he had wanted for a while. "It's not so bad." Callan chuckled, though in truth he had no clue what it was that most people expected of an Elite Four. "They do say the fourth position of the Elite Four is cursed. "

Callan ran his hands through her hair, coming the kinks from her strawberry blonde locks. "But thank you Elly... I'll be careful." His eyes searched hers, "One day, the spotlight will fade." He spoke, a smile on his lips, a tinge of sadness in his eyes. "And they'll remember what it was. But before that time is up, I want to make sure I have something to look forward to. Outside of making music, I genuinely do want to make things better, like you." Callan paused, "Maybe I'll find that in the Elite Four."

"You've met with the others in the AQUA meetings right? Any people you'd recommend to look out for?"

They do say that… Elinor thought but did not give words to the statement. She didn’t want to curse it further even if she was not one for superstition like that.

She felt his fingers running through her long hair, any kinks in there making way for his gentle touch. It comforted her in ways it perhaps shouldn’t. His words certainly helped as well, a promise of being careful, though she knew it was a hollow promise. Callan would do as he always did. If he did anything else, he would not be the Callan she loved.

“I know you do Callan. And I will be right there with you.” Elinor stated. “But I will still worry for your safety.” She mused.

Then Callan asked a rather difficult question. “Hmmmm…” Elinor thought about it for a moment. “That’s a difficult question to answer.” She paused looking out towards the sea. “Rather than looking out for any particular individual, I would rather advise you to remember who you are, your values, your roots, and what is important to you.” A Mischievous smile spread over Elinor’s lips as she turned her gaze to Callan.

“People don’t get these positions without being stubborn and willing to do whatever they must do to get there.” A small dig at Callan and her own personality types. But then her smile faded a little bit. She had been no exception, though she hoped Callan was the one exception to the rule. “So remember, if you let them, they will all use you for their own ends, for better or worse.”


OOC: Mission thread for SUNNY DAY
LOCATION: SLATEPORT BEACH

"I know, I'm probably worrying you with this." He grins, was it bad that he liked that? That he felt happiness that she cared for him to such an extent, even if it was a bit of sleeplessness on her end? Callan paused as he took in her words. "I suppose it is inevitable, I do report to the Council, after all."

Callan's reply was matter-of-fact, casually grim, as his eyes looked into hers. "But I'll be able to look after myself Elly. And on the bright side, we'll be working closer." He pauses briefly, scratching at his neck. But speaking of doing things the way he wanted for the most part, there was part of him that had chosen this particular place for a reason.

"So... would you believe me if I say that I lured you here on ulterior motives?" Callan replied, smiling.

If only Callan could see just how much she worried about him. And to think she didn’t use to worry about anyone like that.

She reminded herself that Callan was a grown man. As long as he held onto his beliefs, then he would be alright. Besides, he tamed her after all, surely the council and the other Elite 4 would be no match for him.

“True, we will.” Their eyes met once more. She tried to ease some of the tension that had built within her. Eyes revealing this if Callan watched closely. For a moment she wondered if a joke would be appropriate, but before the words could leave her Callan continued.

She couldn’t help but send a curious glance in his direction. “Depends on what these ulterior motives are?” Some of the mischievous jesting had returned to her voice.


OOC: Mission thread for SUNNY DAY
LOCATION: SLATEPORT BEACH

Callan was not a deeply religious man. Sure he was an Arceist, but he never truly lived the life that the book had ever really taught him. Try to be good, try to do good, live life as best he could, that was what he tried to do, and often failed.

It was a large, unwieldy thing, and he often thought it was designed to fill in the gaps of understanding, sometimes nonsensically. But here in on the beach, in the sun, surrounding by the waves, with Elinor on his lap as he caressed her cheek and pressed his lips against hers, he felt it, fleetingly, a spark that cut deep into him, something he had long lost and not felt in half a year, and he prayed. Watch over us, Arceus. He thought. Don't let these moments be snuffed out by some gigantic rock.

Callan stirred back into reality, once the mischief in Elinor's voice became clear. Callan grinned. Yes, today is to be enjoyed. Because they had a lot of work going forward. Callan's eyes twitched briefly left to right, before reaching in for his kiss. His arms slid behind her back, running up her spine as her holds a single strand of her tied bikini and unfurls the knot.