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He walked down the ramp and looked around.
The apartment itself was fairly spacious, but there were few pieces of actual furniture. Almost the entirety of the bedroom was taken up by the sleeping Snorlax. Ceana scooted past him to toss the laundry in its basket, giving him a loving pat as she went back into the living room. She let out a soft sigh of relief to see her Ursaring and Pangoro curled up in the corner, fast asleep. She glanced into the kitchen briefly, checking that her Ninetales was keeping the Wigglytuff in check before taking a steadying breath.
If she was quick, maybe she could fix her hair and makeup before he arrived...
His Volcarona, Freya, floated gently beside him in the hall, flapping her wings lazily and nonchalantly, trilling very softly whenever he'd stroke her warm, golden wings. "Yes, girl, I know. I'm excited as well. It has been too long since we have seen our dear friend, hasn't it?" With a warm smile, Miro would eventually extend his hand and knock on the wooden door, ever so softly, the pokeball necklace around his throat jingling softly.
The first thing that struck her was the shape of his face. He'd matured so much in there time apart...but then she found his eyes. A smile lit up her face and she had to stop herself from tackling him in a tight hug. The stress and anxiety that had built up since they'd first started planning the meeting faded away in an instant. "Miro!" she practically cheered, throwing the door open a little too quickly. She winced at the loud noise and laughed nervously. Only a minute and already acting like a spazz...business as usual.
She was so beautiful now, though she still had that sparkle in her eyes, the laughter and smiles that warmed him on many a cold night during their regional travels, and of course by the haphazard way she had tussed up her hair, she was still a ditz. It was so refreshing to see some things change, and others stay the same. Worming her way between the two of them however, Freya would do its best to airily nuzzle and snuggle up to Ceana, trilling and chirping happily, the golden flames dancing on its wings harmlessly in joy. "It is good to see you again, Ceana." He would say as their contact was broken by his affection fire bug, his voice now deepened by puberty and life, his slight smile never leaving his face.
She was about to start off some pre-prepared greeting she'd practiced a million times in front of her mirror...but small clawed pink hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her backwards, almost causing her to completely topple over. Radio waddled around her, still nudging her back slightly. He finally forced his way completely in front of her and looked expectantly up at Miro, pointing a single claw at his head. Ceana blushed lightly and sputtered slightly in a flustered manner, leaning onto the wall to keep from being pushed over.
He hadn't brought much with him, he never did. He always traveled light, with as little necessities as possible. He was not raised on riches or luxuries, common or expensive, as his hometown was a backwater place, scenic and peaceful, and Kobah had missed it dearly in his travels. But that visit was over, and now he was here for Ceana, the beautiful, girl...no...woman right before his eyes. His small, handsome smile would only grow the slightest bit, but his heart would swell as he let out a content, breathless, almost pleasured sigh.
"Whit's in the kitchen, c'mere, Whit!"
And now he himself was excited to see Whit. The last he had seen of her, she was a silver majestic beauty, and Kobah was guessing that, much like her master, time would only have matured that beauty into something marvelous. He brought pokeblocks for her as well, for all of them. Even though he'd never really seen the point of contest, they were a treat his pokemon loved, and he was a doting father at heart.
White Heat pushed a chair towards Miro ever so slightly with her paw before sitting on her haunches next to it. Her red eyes still burned with a fire, warm and wise. Her tails curled around her perfectly, creating a wall of fur behind her as she trilled a soft, happy greeting.
Kobah would stretch. He would yawn. He would shake his head, slap his face in a 'pump up' manner.
Then he would sprint across the short living room, jump off of another piece of furniture, and bury himself in Soup's belly fat.
It was warm.
It took a little while to clean off Candy completely, especially as Ceana had managed to get some of the sauce on her own clothes. She made a frustrated noise and she shooed the cleaned Candy back into the living room. She wet a towel and scrubbed out the stains the best she could, biting her lip as she gave up and tossed the towel aside and returned to the living room.
"Miro?" she called, confused to not see him immediately. However, it only took a moment for a grin to spread across her face as she moved into the bedroom. "Of course. You couldn't resist!" she said with a giggle, tickling one of the deeply sleeping Soup's feet. He'd woken up recently, so he didn't respond, much to her disappointment. "I'm sure he's happy to see you, too."
"I've got someone else for you to meet, well a few of them actually. But last time you saw this little girl, she was a small, brown, fluffy thing." He'd release the locking mechanism, a short furred, lilac colored Espeon, who would murr softly before curling up with its owner, batting slow, disinterested eyes towards Ceana. Apparently, Hel did not recognize her.
"Um...Well, I was hoping we could swing by Casteliacone for some ice cream then sit in the shade at one of the piers and talk. We have so much to catch up on and I want to hear how you've been doing." Radio peered up at Ceana curiously and began tugging at her skirt to get her attention. "Yes, yes, Radio. You can come on the walk, too," Ceana responded with a giggle. "Whit or Candy might want to get some fresh air as well..."
Ceana bit her lip and waved her hands. "Of course, that's only if that sounds alright to you, Miro! You're the guest!"
If she gave him a questioning look, Kobah would merely laugh and shake his head. "Gonna give you time and space to change. You've got some soy sauce on your nice clothes there, Ceana." He would say, laughing as he closed the door behind him.
In the living room, the pink ball of energy bounced over to Freya, making a happy squealing noise and fidgeting her ears in curiosity. She'd even leap up to look at Miro more closely before making a sound approximating Ceana's giggle and puffing herself up. She began to pantomime someone pacing back and forth, primping at her ears and batting eyelashes before she was cut off by a soft huff from White Heat.
Part of Kobah wished that Ceana had heard what he had said, the other half grew embarrassed and fidgety on the inside. Which confused him. He had never felt this way around anyone else before. Well, a few of the gym leaders he had battled way back when, sure, especially one of the Hoenn's elite four's member. But around his old friend? No. This was off-putting, but he would do his best to hide it. With a yawn, he would resume waiting, thumbing another one of his Pokeballs, this one marked with a sickly green 'L'.
Ceana spun a few times as she looked herself over. "I don't know, Radio..." she mumbled quietly. Her other outfit had been carefully layered and coordinated, and Radio's choice of clothing -- while much more practical for taking a stroll on a hot summer's day -- was not quite as "cutesy" as she typically tried for.
Radio simply waved off her comment and pushed her towards the door. When she opened her mouth to protest, he opened it and simply went towards the front door expectantly.
Ceana bit her lip, but emerged from the bedroom as well, tugging at the shorter skirt to make sure it was as far down her hips as possible. "I'm, um, ready to go, Miro!" she exclaimed with excitement. "Coming with us, Candy?" she questioned, greeted almost immediately by a happy squeal from the pink ball.
"You look very nice. I wish I had dressed up a little more." He would compliment her, rubbing the back of his head as he held the front door open for her, patting Radio on the head as he passed him by. "How many of your little ones are coming with us?" A quick change of topic. Had to have one. If it wasn't for his cold blood and his naturally subtle nature, Kobah knew he would be blushing like crazy.
Okay. Seriously.
Them legs.
White Heat seemed to think for a while before standing and gracefully trotting out the door after them, moving to keep next to Candy like a loyal nanny. Radio was already halfway down to hall to the elevator, scuttling as fast as his nubby legs would carry him.
Ceana waited for Miro to exit the apartment before she locked up, humming a little tune to herself. "Alright! Let's head to Mode Street, then!" she practically cheered. Then, as if they were young teenagers off on a journey again, she grabbed his hand and began pulling him down the hallway after her Pokemon. "To Casteliacone!"
Was she leading him towards the stairs or the elevator? It was hard to say at this point, though honestly, the hand holding was nice. Once, he even gave it a reaffirming squeeze. This was not a dream, and that was...wonderful. It was good to be whole again. Not having her in his life for so long had created a void. Maybe...maybe she'd come back to battling. They could travel together again. Everything would be marvelous once more but...
No. Kobah knew that wouldn't happen...
Radio held the doors open and tipped his Shellder crown to them, happily playing operator for them. She blushed lightly when he squeezed her hand and she pulled him inside, a little cramped with Whit's tails taking up almost half the elevator on their own... Radio pressed the first floor button and the doors closed.
Ceana hummed along softly with the music until she realized she was still holding onto his hand again. She didn't want to break the contact, honestly, and maybe Miro didn't mind either? She finally squeezed his hand back lightly. Besides, she'd simply be pulling him along again once they'd reached the first floor.
She squeezed back. It was nice. The elevator was stuffy and cramped, but it was nice. He wanted it to last longer than he knew it was going to. He would brush his thumb against hers, looking down at his feet.
Counting the floors.
This was wonderful...he wished he could stay forever. But he wasn't a homebody, nor was he the kind to stay in one place. Why couldn't she just come with him? Even if it wasn't safe for her, he could protect her, couldn't he?