Toshiaki had been warned numerous times in this lifetime to take it easy and slow down, take the time to smell the flowers .. not that he understood that saying at all, but maybe if he bothered then this person wouldn't of gotten hurt. Guilt creeps across his sorrowed features as he assumes the form of an apologetic bow.[break]
"I-I'm so sorry!"[break]
Togepi wiggles in his arms, but manages to tightly hold on as it's trainer quickly straightens back up. His demeanor is completely different from the goofy boy he once was, now a bonafide worrywart instead. Like a guilty little puppy. [break]
"I.. wasn't payin' attention. That's a bad habit of mine.. a-are you hurt at all?"

Ever since coming to Hoenn the talk of the region has been this little pitstop town, Lavaridge. A little town of relaxation wonders, something Toshiaki desperately needs to invest his time into. Togepi trills happily in Toshiaki's arms (he's been keeping the little guy out mroe often, helps with the bonding process) as they both take in the sights of the town.[break]
The hot spring in the distance immediately catches his attention.[break]
He grins, eager for a dip.[break]
"C'mon, Togepi! Let's get goin'!"[break]
*THUD!*[break]
Toshiaki steps back, blinking down at the figure beneath him... Uh oh. That was his fault, wasn't it?[break]
"Oops. Sorry, you alright?"[break]

In the past people have compared Toshiaki akin to a Ducklett, with how casually insults roll off his back, like water down a fowl’s rump. It wasn’t a matter of not being recognized that hurt, rather, his old friend's reaction to it all.[break]
What had happened —[break]
“It’s me, Toshiaki.” Calmly he speaks, his smile warm and radiant as if to combat the cold weather around them. It just might crack otherwise. [break]
“I guess it’s hard to remember me, being taller and all that —” or maybe, you just weren’t all that memorable in the end. He crouches down into the snowy ground, keeps a respectful distance.[break]
“And look at that! You’ve got Pokémon now. They’re real cute!”[break]
It goes quiet as his head then hangs low, smile present, but thinning by the seams. The Togepi in his coat trills sadly, sensing the shift in tone.[break]
“Maybe I do have the wrong person.. but even so —” He looks up at her, and smiles softly, sadly. “I’m happy just being able to see your face again.”

The ocean breeze super charges the chill in the air, causing the normally resilient Toshiaki to huddle in on himself, shivering. Still the weather was gorgeous, something straight out of a picture book with how the snowflakes descend from the sky, like tiny crystals falling down on the world. While most of the memories he harbored back in Johto were ill, the winters were beautiful; It gave the illusion of everything being brozen in time, and in turn, gave him the chance to breathe.[break]
Out of no where the Togepi nuzzled in his coat lets out a hearty trill, prompting Toshiaki to zip up his jacket instinctively. He tilts his head.[break]
"You're sure you don't wanna be inside the ball, lil' guy?"[break]
He's been told often what a natural heater he was, but he swears the Pokemon would be better off in it's pokeball.. Though Togepi wasn't budging an inch, determined to stay by it's trainer's side. Who was he to refuse? He smiles as he continues strolling through the winter wonderland of Slateport.[break]
And then, it's as if time itself stills.[break]
The Pokemon near this Pokemon's side he hadn't outwardly recognized, but, the trainer herself..[break]
His golden eyes soften as he approaches closer, tucks his scarf down in disbelief.[break]
"Lilith?"[break]