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Stormy breathes vigor and energy as he opens the door. She pushes it open a little faster because he's taking too long and she's impatient and happy to see him. Without warning she throws her arms around the man, holding him close in a tight squeeze.[break][break]

"We don't have to but I hate wasting the day."[break][break]

She quickly reclines however as she takes a whiff of his bedhead and bedraggled clothing choice. He had clearly just woken up and hadn't showered yet. [break][break]

"Woof, you stink, man. Go take a shower and I'll raid your snacks while you're gone."[break][break]

Her hand gives him a couple of pats on the cheek as she pushes her way into his house and gently nudges him toward the shower facilities. In the meantime, she's knelt down to introduce herself to the young Poochies that had been hiding behind his legs.[break][break]

When she stands up she stretches, satisfied to hear some pops and cracks.[break][break]

"Why not? They deserve some TLC too. I'm tired of the sad puppy-dog eyes and the cramped up attitude. It's time to let 'em out, let 'em be Pokemon."[break][break]

She sighs, glancing around the corner to make sure he's preparing for a shower and not watching her take a couple of cookies from the pantry. She breaks a piece off for a sniffing nose begging for snacks and she chews thoughtfully, leaning against a wall.[break][break]

"But I mean, if you'd rather not bring them we can just let 'em out in the backyard while we go out. I still think it's a good idea to give them some fresh air, though."

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Stormy isn't the least bit perturbed or perhaps even aware that she might not be welcome. It simply didn't occur to her that Kyle might not want to hang out with her or partake in her silly misadventures. [break][break]

But she does pout and display an expression akin to a puppy dog's sad face when he makes it apparent that he isn't on board with her plan. She takes a glance over her shoulder at her own Null as it sneaks nervously into the house. It's quickly greeted by several of Kyle's dog Pokemon, and the Type: Null's fin-tail wags nervously and quickly. It holds its head high as venturing noses and faces press against its body.[break][break]

"I suppose you have a point."[break][break]

She sighs, disappointment evident in the drawn out exhale. The woman folds her arms tightly across her chest as she watches the interaction between strange abomination and friendly Pokemon draw itself out. At some point her Null assumes the role of being dog-like as well, participating in their bouncy games they want to play.[break][break]

"I'd just hate being cooped up, y'know? If I was in their shoes."[break][break]

Kyle disappears and she hears him mention her reveal of the Null during the raid. She scoffs, shaking her head in annoyance. It had been dire circumstance at the time, she could give less of a shit if anyone paid her any attention. [break][break]

"There was too much fuss over a shoe to worry about a dog with a helmet. I'm gonna be honest, I'm sure we've all seen stranger Pokemon."[break][break]

But at the mention of ice cream she bolts for the freezer. The cold chills the tip of her nose but she quickly frowns, pushing it closed and abandoning the idea. She wanted to support her local businesses, not eat some generic tub of basic bitch vanilla.[break][break]

"Nope, we're going out and you're coming with me. I'll buy, if that's what you're worried about."[break][break]

While she waits for him, however, she takes the time to explore the nearby rooms and admire whatever sort of decorating Kyle has done. Her Type: Null paces behind her, investigating every nook and crevice on its own.

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Stormy stops short of probably breaking something delicate, tucking her finger back into her palm as she turns. The footsteps behind her alerted her and she quickly rests her hands back at her side, feigning innocence.[break][break]

"He doesn't want to or he just doesn't know any better? Sometimes you have to push them out of their comfort zone to make sure they know what they want."[break][break]

She winks because it's almost exactly what she does and continues to do with Kyle. He made it pretty clear that he would absolutely, positively, prefer to hang out at home and do nothing. [break][break]

It makes her really wonder how he stays so fit when every time she comes by, he's either sleeping or gaming. [break][break]

"Cause I mean.. you basically never wanna go out - but when I give you a little push you always have fun. Unless you're lying to make me feel better, which in that case I'll personally kick your ass."[break][break]

She pouts but it quickly melts into a smile because she can't stay mad at him.[break][break]

Kyle opens the door to the basement and she leans around him to take a look at the well-lit room. It certainly didn't look as dark and damp as she had thought - though she wasn't sure why she had envisioned it that way. Kyle's house wasn't disappointing by any means.[break][break]

It doesn't take her long to reach the bottom of the stairs, eager to meet her best friend's Pokemon. It sleeps soundly and she slowly approaches, sinking to the floor and sighing.[break][break]

Her own Type: Null creeps down the stairs, carefully lifting its head and helmet so as to not knock against anything on the way down.[break][break]

Stormy glances up at Kyle, a defeated look in her eye.[break][break]

"Fine, fine, fine... have you picked up any new movies? I'll make popcorn and scoop some ice cream for us."[break][break]

She sounds wistful though, like she's not super jazzed to just hang out at home. [break][break]

"But we should go for a walk around the block after. I'll help you with the dogs, it'll be fun."[break][break]

Her own Null slinks into her lap hesitantly, unsure if it wants to be so close but unsure if it wants to lay by itself. Each of Stormy's hands rest on either Pokemon.

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Stormy scowls but there's a twinkle in her eye as she shakes her head at his response.[break][break]

"They are pretty heavy. I think it's the helmet."[break][break]

Her fingertips brush her own Null's helmet lightly. The Pokemon remains virtually motionless as she does this and Stormy isn't sure if that's a good or bad thing. The woman brushes her dark hair over her shoulder as she glances back at Kyle as he scratches the back of his head. It's his tell. She's got him right where she wants him.[break][break]

Stormy is, however, genuinely surprised he even has corny love stories - he definitely didn't seem the type. But he always had something new to show her, so she wasn't that surprised.[break][break]

She misses his following shudder because she's standing back up, excitement bubbling in her chest as she watches his expression go from mildly annoyed to mildly annoyed but compliant. She nods slowly, waggling her eyebrows as he makes her way past her to retrieve Wolt's pokeball.[break][break]

The Type: Null disappears in a flash of light and Stormy quietly whispers her cheer of success before returning her own to the pokeball attached to her hip.[break][break]

"Of course! I never break a promise. Besides, how hard can it be to walk them all when they're so well behaved?"[break][break]

She giggles as she reaches for his hand, eager to tug him along and back up the stairs to head out. On the way, she snags her purse and slings it over her shoulder loosely.[break][break]

"I think there's a new zombie apocalypse movie in theatre right now - it looked intense."

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"They're puppies, Kyle. They don't listen to anyone."[break][break]

She delivers him an amused but exasperated smirk as she looks to him. But her fingers wrap around his hand as she pulls him up the stairs and into the sunshine. She practically breathes a sigh of relief as the warmth from the upstairs window brightens her skin. Together, they wade through the Mightyena at the front door, settling in behind them. She can feel their poofy tails wag back and forth.[break][break]

"What? You don't like a little PDA? Didn't take you for the shy one, Kyle."[break][break]

Stormy chuckles as she adjusts her purse strap over her chest. She's since let his hand drop and her own fall to her side, one reaching for the door handle and holding it open without pulling it just yet.[break][break]

"I don't think there're any movies these days without a little romance. It's exhausting but whatever. I'm in it for the blood and guts and killer fighting moves!"[break][break]

And then she opens the door and exits, some pep in her step as she waits for Kyle to join her. In the meantime, however, she flags a taxi or something of the sort - she could only assume it might be a walk to the movie theatre.

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It isn't until Kyle slows down and Stormy gets ahead of him a pace, a thought she has falling just short of her lips as she notices he isn't answering, causing her to glance over her shoulder in confusion.[break][break]

"Did you hear what I---"[break][break]

She's cut off by the look of anxiety on her friend's face and the use of her nickname with a tone of uncertainty. She comes to a halt and waits a moment, perplexed by the situation. She watches as he places his hands on the Null in an attempt to calm it, but she can see plain as day, the way its chest heaves with fear.[break][break]

"Oh no."[break][break]

Stormy approaches cautiously for fear her sudden movement might startle the Pokemon. As she gets closer she starts to kneel next to Kyle, tucking her hair behind her ear carefully as she glances up at him. Her own excitement has dissipated and been replaced with worry.[break][break]

"Not for a long time - I'm so sorry, Kyle. I thought he'd been out more than this, that this was just an easy walk. I shouldn't have pushed."[break][break]

Eventually, Stormy moves around to the other side to effectively block passersby from seeing the situation - not that most cared to even glance their way.[break][break]

"What's your idea?"

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