"Nah, you're definitely overthinking it."


[break][break]
Liam shook his head, chuckling.


[break][break]
While they continued to defend their positions, Staraptor caught up to the other two Pokémon, choosing to trail behind them over his sleazy trainer and be subjected to any more flirting. Together, the group made their way up to the yellow house's stoop. The sheer intensity of the decorations forced Liam to squint as they walked up to the door.


[break][break]
"Damn, those are bright," He grumbled, referring to the blinking signs, lights, and ghoulish displays. If only he brought along his signature pair of shades.


[break][break]
Staraptor gave the door a soft tap with his beck.


[break][break]
The door swung open, revealing a young couple on the other side. One wore a pair of espeon ears, while the other wore a pair of Umbreon ears, and to top it off, a small mewling eevee kept peeking from between their legs.


[break][break]
As their Pokemon collected their treats from the kind couple, Liam leaned over to Calla, smirking, "Maybe we should take notes, hm? Could be cute to wear something a little more matching next time."


[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-staraptor"]

Her admittance only further solidified the smirk that curled its way up the side of his face.

[break][break]

How did he know, he wondered, a twinkle of knowing glistening beneath his pair of golden eyes.

[break][break]

As they neared the targeted cul-de-sac, Liam released his tingling fingers from the plastic pumpkin basket he'd picked up only a day prior, handing it off to his staraptor. The avian took it with a scowl, fully aware of his trainer's true intentions.

[break][break]

"Over there." He lazily gestured toward the first pair of houses nestled together to the right of the circle, the first pale yellow and the second a mellow blue. Both had their own sets of proud decorations, but the former was a tad flashier than the other.

[break][break]

"I'm betting on the blue house." He turned to face her, brows raised and voice low. "how about you?"



[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

Liam's costume is far flashier than she made hers out to be. Dressed in a black, skin-tight suit, the man had proudly embraced his new role as Night Wing, even going as far as making his grump Staraptor come out in an avian-safe robin costume.




[break][break]
"Why? You look cute as fuck and it'll be fun," He cooed, hand lightly coiled around the wire of his pumpkin basket. "I promise."




[break][break]
The autumn air was at full blast tight, combing through his slickened hair and thin, pale fingers. He wondered, for a brief second, if her hands were as cold as his. And if he could somehow help them.




[break][break]
"You know what we should do?" A soft rumble of a chuckle fell out and with slow, swaying movements, he leaned forward, tickling her ear with his warm breath and low voice, "Let's make bets on which houses hand out the better pieces of candy. Winner decides their prize."
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-staraptor"][break]without the mask

Liam had half a mind to send them barreling upward again, just to get her to grip on again, but he relented, for once, and had Corviknight drift back toward where they found them.
[Break][break]
He was an ass, but even asses have their limits.
[Break][break]
"Here you are."
[Break][break]
With a huff, the large bird settled back down.
[Break][break]
Liam swung his leg over the bird's head and slipped off without too much trouble. Then, with an arm outstretched, he offered to help Calla do the same.
[Break][break]
"So how long will I be waiting? 20 minutes?"
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

That was most definitely a yes.
[break][break]
Or, at least, that sort of response usually meant as much when coming from the more standoffish types. Flashing a wolfish grin in her direction, Liam used his free hand to comb back his golden locks.
[break][break]
"Who said I didn't like the PJs? But, sure, if that's how ya feel."
[break][break]
Whenever Calla decided to fully lift the nest from its place, he'd return to his previous position, where he could easily direct his flying type back over to the tree she'd pointed out a second ago. They drifted over without any issues.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"I'm a forgetful guy."
[break][break]
Liam only watched as Calla goes to reach out toward the nest, only to come crawling back, clutching onto his back for support.
[break][break]
Sucks.
[break][break]
"Aight, Klaus, move over bud."
[break][break]
He gave his corviknight another tap, to which the bird responded with a harsh squawk before ultimately moving itself closer to the nest. Twisting his back to face Calla, he lifted the red tinted shades from his eyes, resting it back on his head like a headband.
[break][break]
"Don't worry. I got you, Calla."
[break][break]
Slithering his closest arm to the nest around her waist, he securely fastened her to himself, both enclosing the space between them while also negating the possibility of toppling over. A win-win.
[break][break]
If she leaned forward to try again, he'd take the opportunity to coo, "Y'know, it'd be such a shame to let our little adventure die out here. Maybe we could continue this down the street? There's this sick Chinese restaurant I'm sure you'd love."
[break][break]
And it had a bar right next to it. Another win-win.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Liam Cassius[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"Calla," he echoed back, smiling, "I like it."
[break][break]
This, combined with the still ever-so-present feeling of her arms firmly pressed around his chest, definitely marked this little conversation as a win for the books. Maybe he could cap this off with a phone number? Or would that be stretching his luck too thin?
[break][break]
Shrugging off the thought, he repositioned both his hands around the width of the corviknight's neck and gave out a whistle, signaling them to descend back down toward the nest. This time, however, their dip in elevation is done much more smoothly.
[break][break]
After a second of air time, a loud voice called back over his shoulder, barely louder than the now whipping wind that now coated the outer outline of the avian's body. "Oh, I forgot. I'm Liam."
[break][break]
They were back at the nest within seconds.
[break][break]
Long, solid flaps secured their position directly beside it, allowing Calla easy access to deal with it however she pleased.
[break][break]
"Good enough? Or do you need me to scoot closer?"
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

She hit the nail on the head with her accusation.
[break][break]
But, hey, if it works, it works. And, from the look of her redden puffed out cheeks, it was working. Twisting his torso forward, Liam allowed the glasses to slide back over his eyes as the wind around them picked up speed, whirling and whooshing, like a soft song being whispered into their ears.
[break][break]
"As fun as that sounds, I don't think Klaus would let me do that."
[break][break]
The corviknight let out a soft screeched to this, almost as if to speak out his bitter agreeance to that statement.
[break][break]
"Ah ah ah, name first, then nest."
[break][break]
He wouldn't let her just weasel out of this one.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

When she eventually relents -- like they always do -- Liam laughed again. The feisty ones were always the most fun to crack.
[break][break]
"It's almost as pretty as you."
[break][break]
The feeling of her warm arms tightening around his waist was just the pick-me-up he needed to make this little adventure all the more worth it. Slicking back the curls of blonde by pulling up his red tinted glasses, he continued to glance back at her, smirk now settled into a devilish smile.
[break][break]
"Don't worry so much," He chuckled, "You're safe with me, okay?"
[break][break]
One small pat later, the avian was back to cruising toward her building, though, this wouldn't be obvious given how far up they still were.
[break][break]
"Let's make a deal: I'll let you down and help you move the nest if you tell me your name. Sounds fair?"
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

But he wasn't done just yet.
[break][break]

"In a sec!" A trail of hearty laughter echoed out from his chest as he patted the corviknight's neck, sending them spiraling further upward, all the way til they gain sight of the entire Slateport Skyline. From there, the avian and his riders soared forward, floating lightly over the building's tops and beneath the glimmering sun.
[break][break]

"See? Wasn't this worth an extra second?"
[break][break]

Lips curled into a knowing smirk, the blonde peered over his shoulder to steal a glimpse of his hostage.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

Her resistance only further added to the sly smile that stretched itself up the sides of his face.
[break][break]
"Fine, fine. If that's what you want."
[break][break]
But, despite his words, he kept by her side, watching through his tinted orange sunglasses as she directed her Bulbasaur to continue whacking the pole. While vigorous, the Pokémon was still young, so his vines could only stretch out so far. Which gave him another reason to wait.
[break][break]
Finally, her voice rang out those glorious words of defeat.
[break][break]
Giving Corviknight a soft tap of the neck, the avian scooted himself closer, placing the side of his body right beside the woman. From there, Liam was free to lean over, arm outstretched and hand wide open. "Here."
[break][break]
Whenever she'd eventually climb on, he'd wait a second for her to readjust herself, softly chuckling the entire way. "Hold on tight, 'kay?"
[break][break]
And, with that, he took off, urging his Pokémon to take a flight straight up into the air, forcing the woman to either wrap her arms around him or face the horrors of a 30 ft fall. He only stopped once they were far up into the air, and even then, it was only for a momentary break. "Still hanging on back there?"
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"Your guard angel."
[break][break]
Man, was he being corny. It was the type of shit he'd run back and tell his buddies about after a round of beers, and they'd give him crap, and he'd fire back how it worked, how the girl was hot, and how he'd do it again if given the chance.
[break][break]
The puffed-out cheeks and red tint were adorable, which further proved to lure his attention onto her.
[break][break]
"Hop on and find out."
[break][break]
The dare was said with a wink, as now the corviknight was close enough for the woman to approach. Behind him laid just enough room for another person. Only, of course, if they're willing to be snugged up against his back.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth[break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

The ranger chuckled.
[break][break]
"You sure?"
[break][break]
His avian swooped in lower, reaching closer to eye level with the woman. From there, he leaned forward, resting his head on top of the corviknight's. A pair of smug, half-lidded eyes stared back at her.
[break][break]
"It sure looks like you could use some help."
[break][break]
A curious gaze scanned the woman, starting from her head downwards, then back up. She was cute. Really cute. (sorry annalise henderson ) Maybe it wouldn't pain him to stay out a little bit longer.
[break][break]
"Just say the words, and I can lift you up."

[attr="class","ooc"] calla roth [break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]