!! moth to a flame [jared]

[Theodore Gray Lawson]

THEODORE GRAY LAWSON

|| To sing when you hurt, to sing when you cry ||
|| To sing when you live, to sing when you die ||

It had been a long walk, but it was worth it. The day was cool, not overly hot and the smells of the wild unknown seemed to drift about like a heady, intoxicating smell. A man walked, closely followed by his ninetails, who gazed about in an easy manner. No matter how easy going he looked and mellow his expression was. The ninetails lifted its head and cooed at him, tails flicking and shifting. He was a rather handsome fellow, walking next to an equally handsome man. Its ears flicked to and fro catching all sounds before it picked up its pace and bounded forward as the man smiled, a smile that did not reach his eyes. A smile that made one wonder if he ever knew what true happiness was. You could almost taste the sorrow that followed him like a blanket and it only disappeared when his arrogance and cruelty bloomed forth. He only had love for his Pokémon, nothing more. He didn’t care about the rest of the world; only about his success and the achievements of his beloved Pokémon. His ninetails turned back and trotted towards him, gazing up at him with bright eyes, a hint of cunning blooming behind those seemingly innocent features.

I walked after Hero, looking at him with a raised eyebrow and a snort when he yipped and ran ahead once more. Shaking his head, he raced after him, looking the peak of physical health. We were evenly paced as we raced towards the town, knowing full well that we had to get our errands done so that we could get back to the ranch and finish all the work that needed to be done there. It was a Saturday and most everyone was off, but I never stopped working, ever. I just didn’t know when to quick. I’d never taken a sick day in my life and I wasn’t about to start now. As we entered the town be both slowed to a walk and I stroked a hand over Hero’s head, he turned and indignant eye on me, looking as though he was scowling at me for having dared to pet him in public. I returned the look, an eyebrow raised and a mock threat in my eyes which made him growl low before sniffing and turning his head away from me as though I was some unwanted piece of trash.

Hero flicked his tails at me as we walked into the first store of several that we were supposed to be stopping at. I smiled politely and pretended that I was happy to be here. Well, I sure as hell wasn’t and it didn’t make it any better that the cashier was looking at me with a blush on her face and an almost dazed look on her face. I wanted to growl at her or worse, I hated the looks people gave me. I was just a pretty face to them, but the beauty was only skin deep. I was a gaping dark hole on the inside. I was heartless and cruel. My thoughts came to a sudden pause as I felt a tongue lifted and stroked softly across my hand. I glanced down at Hero, who was looking up at me quizzically. I stroked his head once more and this time, he leaned his head against my legs and looked up at the woman standing behind the counter. She glanced down at my beloved ninetails before ringing up my order with quick efficiency and leaving me to go on with my business. I took my stuff from her and made my way out of the store.

Walking back out into the warm day, I slung my bag over my shoulder, looking up towards the sky with an almost amused look on my face before dropping my gaze back down and allowing my gaze to go blank, putting on an air of indifference. Hero walked close at my legs, growling at anyone who walked too close to me, making sure that none of them brushed against me or touched me, only the soft graze of his coat and the brush of his tails against my legs as he stuck to me like glue. I smirked and took a seat on a nearby bench, draping my arms over the back of the bench. My ninetails jumped up next to me and lay down, resting his head in my lap, with his paws under his chin on my thighs. Taking a deep breath, I allowed my mind to go blank and just stared up at the sky, eyes closed. The inside of my eyes was black, but I could see faded memories of my childhood as they played with my mind, half formed, dark and deadly, threatening to shatter my soul. My eyes popped open and my breath heaved as I bit down on the inside of my cheek, fighting the panic that swelled inside my chest.

|| STATUS ||
tagged -- diru w/ jared
words -- 827
muse -- good
notes -- none

[Jared Cain]

Jared Cain

Here I was, just wandering the streets. I had no goal for the day since none of my Pokemon had brought any warning of potential challengers and it was time to take a break from actual training. I sighed heavily before it turned into a yawn, shaking my head as it finished. A hand lifted, scratching at the base of my neck as I paused, looking around.

At my feet was my ever faithful companion, a lovely Vulpix that answered only to Senka anymore. She looked up at me before blowing a little flicker of flame and I chuckled softly. I knew she wanted me to pick her up and if I didn't obey, well, my pants would get singed. I bent down, scooping her up and holding her easily, tucked up against my chest with one arm, my free hand lifting to stroke her forehead gently as she tried to press closer. I simply smiled and shook my head, resuming my walk.

Now Senka and I weren't alone, no, I had another one following me. A quick glance back and I saw the tell-tale sign that was a pink tail, obviously belonging to a Skitty in the bushes. It would twitch on occasion and I smiled, turning my back on it. Probably not the wisest of decisions since I knew what Kit was likely to do but for now I figured there was no harm.

After a few more steps I paused, looking down the streets and sighing heavily. What should we do Senka my darling?" I murmured quietly, not really finding anything that caught my attention. She merely yawned at me before looking around, though she seemed almost as bored as I was. "I don't wanna go home quite yet." I murmured as she started to struggle and I bent down, setting her on the ground. Of course it was in this precise moment Kit decided to 'attack'. She launched from the bushes, jumping onto my back and climbing up as I stood up, wincing and yelping in surprise and a bit of pain. Although she was small and lightweight it still hurt to have a cat-like Pokemon crawling up your back. She stopped when she was my head, laying right down as if the top of my skull was some grand throne, her tail wrapping itself around my neck like a little scarf. I looked up through my lashes as she hung her head over to peer at me, yowling right in my face. I laughed a bit, reaching up to poke her nose. "No scratching got it?" I laughed a little more, shoving my hands into my pocket and starting to continue on my walk, Kit draped over my head and Senka walking primly in front of me.

I knew I was a sight even without the Pokemon. I mean how many people actually walked around half-naked? Of course it's not like anyone stopped to look at me, they were used to it anymore. I'd been here long enough. I glanced down, something Kit didn't seem to appreciate as she nipped my ear before yowling in it. I winced, rubbing the offended ear before yelping when she swatted at my hand. "Hey! I am not your personal play toy!" I muttered a bit, glancing at Senka who was obviously laughing at us in her own little way before she started walking off again. I sighed in defeat, walking after her, wondering where we were going.

It felt like we'd been walking for at least a half hour before Senka stopped suddenly, so suddenly in fact I nearly tripped over her. She glared at me, a little flame flickering out of her mouth. "Don't you give me that look missy, you knew I was right behind you so you know better than to stop su--" I trailed off, looking up from Senka to what had made her stop. I was surprised to spot a Ninetales with a guy who almost appeared to be sleeping. My head tilted a little, Kit yowling in protest at the movement but refusing to move from her spot. I didn't really pay too much attention to it. Who was this guy? I didn't remember seeing him around much and I'd tried to introduce myself to the residents around here. Was he a potential trainer? Perhaps, but I had nothing to fear from Fire types since they were part of my specialty. Was he merely a resident I hadn't met? Or did he live out of town and that was why? I didn't know, didn't really care too much honestly. Or did I? No, not really it was just surprising to find someone looking like they were sleeping.


I had made up my mind to move along and not disturbed the guy, even if I was curious about him. No doubt he would be like most people that I tried to get to know. Not that it was a huge deal, I was used to it anyways. I turned to head back the way I'd come, deciding that I might as well go back to take care of my farm. Who knew what trouble would brew up there. Of course I'd chosen all my Pokemon based on their personality, or most of them at least. Senka had other plans though it seemed. While I had been turning she had broken into a little trot, straight towards the two. I groaned inwardly and moved to catch her, knowing I was likely going to be receiving a few burns or nips, Kit yowling in protest once again which I suppose was some sort of alarm for Senka as she started to run. I groaned, calling out to her but she flat out ignored me and I grumbled, making a mental note to work with her a little more. I grimaced a bit as I started to run since Kit was now clinging to me for dear life. Right as I was about to catch the Vulpix though she turned sharply and sat down, facing the two and since I was no where near as graceful as the creature when I attempted to turn I tripped, flailing for my balance before I topped over, face first into the ground. I groaned heavily, twitching a little as Kit adjusted to sitting on the back of my head, kneading it. I was able to turn my head a little and noticed Senka was sitting pretty as could be, staring at the two intently with her best 'love on me I'm adorable', face on. I groaned heavily, pressing my face further into the ground. "Kit, Senka, you two are evil." I grumbled, refusing to try to get up now.

Why? Well, up close this guy was definitely interesting to look at and now I'd been made a fool of. Bad enough that I was supposed to be a Gym Leader, my own Pokemon weren't listening to me. Of course it's not like they were like this all the time. Well, Senka could be but typically while in a battle she was one of my best fighters. I could feel a furious blush creeping over my face. Definitely no way in hell I was moving. Even if it was extremely awkward to be laying on the ground, half-naked in front of a stranger. I tilted my head a little, mostly so I'd be able to talk clearly. "I'm sorry, they're normally not this bad...." I groaned inwardly, wanting to die now. I should've just stayed home and cleaned up around my home or something.

word count: 1282
notes: ehhhh pretty decent o,o'

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[Theodore Gray Lawson]

THEODORE GRAY LAWSON

|| To sing when you hurt, to sing when you cry ||
|| To sing when you live, to sing when you die ||

It was just your typical boring day, or so I had thought. Still, nothing out of the ordinary had happened just yet. My hand stroked lazily over Hero’s ears cause him to make a very pleased noise as he leaned into my hand, demanding that I pay attention to him and only him. My fingers tangled carefully into his fur before coming loose and then returning again. I picked up a rhythm and we just sat like this. Usually, I would have been up and on the move by now. Normally, I would have been more than halfway back to my ranch, but today, I felt like something exciting was going to happen, so I dawdled and lingered, loitering on this bench as though I owned it. I drew in a deep breath, expanding my chest before releasing it, causing my chest to compress once more. The air was crisp and clean and yet, it just wasn’t as clean and crisp as the air in the area that I called home. What a dull depressing sadness. I frowned with my eyes still closed, before dropping that thought like a hot brick and just allowed myself to enjoy the moment as long as I could.

It seemed my moment wasn’t going to last very long. I felt Hero shift, the sharp intake of breathe before he growled. I opened my eyes and looked up to see what had caught his attention. Ah, a rather pretty vulpix was making her way towards us. My ninetails flicked each of his tails in time, puffing breaths of flickering flame as he staked his claim on what he considered his territory. Gently, I grabbed his ear and pulled forcing him to take his attention off of what had attracted him so and he looked at me, eyes blazing like the flames that he commanded. His paws shifted on my leg as he sat up and curled his tails around his front paws, tucking them close and glaring as viciously as he could at the incoming Pokémon. I tutted at him softly, “Come now, Hero. She isn’t going anything. Yet.” I snorted softly as I watched her and looked up just in time to see a man with a skitty on his head face plant into the ground. My mood soured ever so slightly as the grounded man. How, embarrassing and foolish and well, clumsy; I dislike clumsy people.

Rising with easy grace I moved towards him and around the vulpix that stood by my feet. Hero, with his own mastery of easy grace, jumped down and stopped next to the little creature, just like he had once been and sniffed at her, looming over her like a threatening alpha male, yet there was an air of ‘yeah, I’m hot shit’ as he looked down at her. There was something hot and deadly about him, probably the every rhythmic puffing of small flames every now and again as if to make a point before flicking his ears in annoyance and following after me life a dutiful companion, once more keeping himself as close to my legs as he possibly would without causing me to fall over. I took my time walking towards him, duel colored eyes taking in the dark hair and half naked body. He was. . .attractive in his own way, but he had yet to impress me and that would be harder now that he had managed to fall on his face with a lack luster of grace. I glanced down at him and raised an eyebrow. I was tempted to keep my mouth shut and not say a damned thing, but it was just too tempting to speak up now that I was standing in front of him.

A soft rumble of laughter, humorless in its sound came forth from my chest. “One should always be careful when walking around. You wouldn’t want to hurt yourself in a way that would scar you for life.” There was deadly mockery in my tone before I shook my head and a rueful smile traced across my lips in an almost devilish way. Oh, I could take a few guesses as to who this man was. Yet, I wouldn’t reveal all my tricks just yet. No, I would keep these things to myself and not tell him who I thought he was. I glanced down at my ninetails, Hero’s eyes drifted around and he kept his ears tilted back, where that little vulpix sat, making sure she didn’t try to pull anything since we both knew how testy most vulpixs were. Suddenly, he stood, just as I came to the decision that I might as well attempt to help this man up. I turned to watch him walk towards the vulpix, ears pricked forward and eyeing her curiously.

This wasn’t the first time he’d met a vulpix, but it was rare that he met one this bold. For all intents and purposes I was Hero’s. He just barely tolerated letting my other Pokémon near me, let alone some unknown vulpix who acted like I was supposed to stroke her ears and tell her what a pretty girl she was. I snorted inwardly before reaching out a hand to the man on the ground. “Would you like a hand up?” There was no emotion in the question, but he didn’t need to know my annoyance and amusement in watching him fall on his face and having no control over his own Pokémon. I just noticed Hero’s head tilt towards me, a look of contempt on his face as I leaned down, hand extended to the fallen man with a skitty on his head. Now that was probably where my amusement was coming from. Never in all my years as a trainer or a breeder had I ever seen a trainer or anything, except maybe a female one with a skitty on their head on with them in general. It just wasn’t a common sight and I was deeply amused by all this. . . drama and confounding sight.

Maybe it was my own foolishness for learning down to tray and help this poor boy up, or maybe I knew it was coming at me all along for making fun of him, but it seemed that karma was not on my side as a dark shadow loomed over me. I heard, just faintly, Hero call out to me, attempting to warn me of what was to come. I glanced up just in time and then, WHAM! I was flat on the ground with this boy. I just barely got myself around to look up at which damnedable Pokémon had landed on me and down stared a more than pleased with herself arcanine. My face heated, but I worked hard to keep the color off my cheeks as I glared up at Baroness who dropped her head down and began to clean my face and wag her tail. “Oi! Get off of me!” She had the decency to look contrite as she stepped off my chest and I was able to breathe again. I glanced sidelong at the other downed man, “Well, looks like we’re in the same boat now.” A full throated, true laughter rumbled in my throat as I laid there, eyes closed and a half smile on my face.

|| STATUS ||
tagged -- diru w/ jared
words -- 1224
muse -- good
notes -- none

[Jared Cain]

Jared Cain

I groaned heavily, wishing for not the first time I could die. I could hear them talking and I pressed my face harder into the ground, shifting just a little to look away from them. I could hear Senka trying to make cute little noises while Kit growled at me, hitting me with her tail and I sighed heavily. I heard movement though and shifted so my cheek was on the ground and I was looking at them. Kit gave an offended mew and started to walk down my back, stopping to sit on my ass and I sighed a little. I was only vaguely pleased to see that Senka was within range of my leg and I saw her look. "Don't you even" I growled, shifting my leg despite the claws that dug into my skin as I booted Senka a little who then turned, promptly putting her nose in the air and strutting off. I shook my head a little before propping my head up in a hand, smiling up at the guy before it dropped and I looked down, shifting to roll over entirely, Kit yowling in frustration before hopping off. "Yeah I know." I muttered.

I was surprised when Kit moved to hide behind my back and Senka moved towards me, glaring at me and breathing a bit of smoke into my face. I coughed, waving the smoke away. "Brat." I muttered and she scooted away to resume her previous position, her back to us. I shook my head a bit at her, watching the other's Ninetales, whom Senka was deciding to ignore. I knew this game all too well. I glanced up at the guy when he spoke and shook my head. "You should call him back, she doesn't wanna deal without anyone right now." I gestured to the Vulpix. "She's a bi--" I trailed off, spotting something bounding towards us and I thought it might have been Baron, come to warn me that something was up. He was my fastest Pokemon for the time being after all but I suppose I was wrong. See Duke would never touch another person, let alone tackle someone as this one did.

I laughed softly, shaking my head a little bit when the other guy was floored. I nodded a little bit, sitting up, wrapping my arms around my knees. I frowned a bit, snapping my fingers. "Senka, Kit, heel." I snapped, the two, well mostly Senka, glared at me before walking over. I suppose both of them felt like they wanted nothing to do with the guy and his pair of Pokemon as they curled up on the side opposite of them. I sighed, running a hand over Senka's side gently, looking over at the guy. "I am sorry though..." I murmured a bit, curling into myself a little bit, glancing over at him again. "You new around here though? I haven't seen you before." I asked, deciding that I might as well try to be polite, at least for now. I was comfortable, I usually was with at least one Pokemon curled against my side and was outside. I could handle this, even if I was embarrassed as hell. Hell, what where the chances I'd see the guy again anyways? Or better yet, the chances he'd actually like me in anyway? Not that it mattered, I tried to tell myself but failed. I sighed heavily, burrowing my face into my knees. Maybe I'd just stay long enough to be polite and go back home and go for a little swim with my Starmie. Actually, that sounded like a plan. But what would be polite? Perhaps until we got to an awkward silence? Yeah that would work just fine for me, now just to play the waiting game. Of course for all I knew he'd actually be interesting. Just have to wait. I hated waiting at times, I really did.

word count: 669
notes: blargh x__x

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[Theodore Gray Lawson]

THEODORE GRAY LAWSON

|| To sing when you hurt, to sing when you cry ||
|| To sing when you live, to sing when you die ||

Hero didn’t seem willing at first to listen to my words; he kept his eyes locked on the little vixen in front of him. However, he seemed too settled down once more when he realized that I wasn’t likely to lean down and pet her. I knew better and though she was making cute noises at me, I would not be detoured from my train of thought. The movement of muscle under skin was graceful when I’d risen and moved towards him. I looked him over slowly. I took note of the dark hair and blue-black eyes. I resisted the urge to arch an eyebrow at him when he spoke. “Well, it’s a good thing you know then, isn’t it?” I could not hide my mirth. Not matter my irritation with those that seemed to fall on their faces, there was just something about this boy that caused me to want to give him a genuine smile and without realizing what I was doing, I did exactly that, a cool smile filled with not mockery, but humor touched my lips and for a moment reached my eyes, till I noticed it and shoved it back down, straightening the look on my face quickly.

I saw him watching my ninetails and withheld my smirk. When he spoke, I shook my head and gestured towards Hero as though he was something that just followed me around, “Hero can take care of himself. Anyways, I don’t think he’d listen to me as is.” I shrugged a shoulder and glanced over at Hero, who just flicked his tails at me as though I was some annoying creature that needed to go away before he made me go away. I shook my head and looked back at him and just caught the look on his face. Then the black shadow showed up and down I went, dominated by my own arcanine. I could have killed her myself. I looked at her as I lay on the ground next to the boy as I pointed at finger at the big creature that now sat next to me, rather than on top of me. “You are a ridiculously annoying creature sometimes.” Once more that contrite look bloomed on her face and I gave in, stroking a hand over Baroness’s ears. She wagged her tail hard, looking as pleased as could be by the attention that I was giving her for the moment.

Shifting, I got up into my knees before sitting back, planting my backside against the ground just as he was calling his Pokémon back to him. I didn’t even have to say Hero’s name. He was back at my side in a moment. Tails wrapped around me and giving Baroness a deadly look for having knocked me down. She returned Hero’s look before lying down next to me. Hero eyed the boy coldly, ears flickering to and fro. We were both sitting up now and looking at each other. “What’s to be sorry about?” I asked, the words were a gentle admonishment, a tone that I didn’t use often, but when it was used, it was something that most people paid attention to. I hoped he would realize that I didn’t always mean to be mean, but it was something that usually just happened. I tended to keep people at a distance, they were even at arm’s length, they were just shoved away like it was nothing and I didn’t care, yet I didn’t even know this guy’s name, I just had a tempting feeling that he was the gym leader, which was fine by me.

My mind suddenly came back to the here and now and I focused on him soully. “No. I’m not new. I run Flame Dancer Ranch down on Kiazlli trail.” I gestured in the general direction that the trail was, more than happy to tell him that bit of information. “I have an inkling as to who you are there. You’re the gym leader aren’t you? I can’t seem to recall your name, but I’m Zero.” I held my hand out to him, eyeing Hero closely for any indication that he might take offence to what I was doing. Maybe this was foolish and it was indeed dangerous as least for me. I didn’t usually offer to let someone touched me. I shook the hands of as few people as possible. Yet here I was, hand out stretched between me and him, in a way, letting a part of my vulnerability show, but I kept my face straight and friendly, but not as friendly as most people would have been with someone like him. Most would have been gushing if they so much as knew he was a gym leader. After all, gym leaders held most of the power in life.

However, I was not like most people and was, seemingly, genuinely curious about this man or at least I was for the moment. We would see how long he could hold my attention, for I was not one who stayed amused for long. If anything, I was always switching from one person to another, but never the same person more than once. That was probably why I didn’t have any friends and only ever had business associated and people that I slept with. What a sad, sad case that was.

|| STATUS ||
tagged -- diru w/ jared
words -- 891
muse -- good
notes -- none

[Jared Cain]

Jared Cain

I was vaguely aware of the fact that I was sitting on a rather sharp point as the guy spoke again. I wanted to bury my head in the ground right about now. I mean, how many guys, let alone gym leaders, had the same issues I was facing? Well, in reality a little part of my brain told me that it really wasn't so uncommon. That made me feel a little bit for the moment. I mean, sometimes things just happened right? Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. For all I knew this could be the start of some amazing friendship but I was extremely doubtful of that. Things typically worked out differently for me. Like when my family had found out I was gay. I shivered softly, tightening my grip a little before realizing I hadn't answered and I nodded, flushing a bit. "Sorry, I think I knocked my head a little hard, I was spacing." I smiled sheepishly, looking away from him. Not exactly a lie and not exactly the full truth, or maybe it was all the truth? I didn't know, my ears were ringing a bit.

I happened to glance up and spot his smile and I was a little confused. He wasn't upset that I'd just dropped in unexpectedly. Of course it's not like I had actually dropped onto him. I would bet my left nut that he would not have appreciated that. Why? Well, nobody did really that I had ever met. I did relax a little though. I didn't know why but I suppose if he wasn't upset it wasn't like I had to worry too much right? At least that's how it felt to me. I frowned a little bit at his comment but chuckled softly. "I'm sure he can, I'm just worried Senka might bite off more that she can chew." I smiled a little more normally. In reality I wasn't too worried, Senka had taken out things much larger than her, I just didn't feel like dealing with two fire Pokemon being ticked off with each other. It's not like the town or even myself wasn't prepared to deal with it, it was a hazard with so many fire-types roaming around, I just didn't feel like it right now.

I smiled softly watching him with his Arcanine. What? I liked to watch people interact with their pokemon companions. I sighed a little, shifting to stretch out my legs, pulling Senka and Kit into my lap, running my hands down their soft backs, wondering absently if I should brush them later. Probably should or I was likely to get bit or scratched, or even worse, have something I treasured set on fire. I glanced over at him when he spoke, lifting an eyebrow just a little before shrugging a bit. "Well I probably disturbed you two, since it looked like you guys were napping or something and Senka had to be a brat and all and it's not like she'd bother to say sorry." I smiled faintly, the Vulpix opening an eye to look at me when she heard her name and I smiled a little, flicking her ear. "Yes I'm talking about you my little princess." I chuckled softly and she yawned, at me, shooting a glare the other. I rolled my eyes at her. "Be nice." I muttered and she ignored me, or appeared to since she merely rested her head on her paws, shifting to get comfortable. Of course I was her throne, not many of my other Pokemon could fit in my lap after all. I shook my head a bit.

I was a bit surprised when he told me where he was living basically. How had I not known that? I often drifted that way so I could get some stuff that wasn't too easily accessible in Kanru from the other cities. I nodded a little when he seemed to know exactly what my position was and gave his own name. It was rather different but I suppose it suited him or maybe I was just thinking too much. "Yeah, the name is Jared though." I smiled lightly, noticing his hand and lifting my own to shake his hand for as long as I figured was polite before sighing a little, glancing down at a dozing Kit. "Not much of a gym leader though huh? I mean can't even get these two to behave." I shook my head a little, brushing my bangs from my eyes before sighing again, lifting my head to look at the sky, glancing at him from the corner of my eye. "So what brings ya to town? Not gonna try and challenge me for a battle are ya?" I chuckled a little, amused vaguely. Honestly I didn't care if he was or not, just something to keep the conversation going for now. But now the ball was in his court it seemed, I'd just have to wait and see what he served back, even if my volley wasn't the greatest.

word count: 860
notes: mmmmm >__>'''' blech

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[Theodore Gray Lawson]

THEODORE GRAY LAWSON

|| To sing when you hurt, to sing when you cry ||
|| To sing when you live, to sing when you die ||

This was a rather frustrating situation for me. It wasn’t often that I ended up talking to hooligans that I could barely stand to look at and yet I couldn’t look away. Maybe it was because he was someone important and I could benefit from being at least friendly towards him, though I hadn’t been that way moments ago. There was something about his features that changed as I looked at him, that far away gaze that seemed so far away as though gone to a time very different from the time that we were in now. I watched him and wondered, what could make someone like him, someone who seemed so full of. . . life look so distance even for a moment. I shrugged it off as he seemed to come back into focus and realize once more that I was standing there. Real concern tinged my voice as I spoke to him this time, “Maybe I should take you to have your head looked at, then. It wouldn’t do for you to have a concussion.” However, my mood shifted once more and something felt off to me as he looked away. What was he hiding? Really, it wasn’t my business to know, so I kept tight lipped and silent.

His chuckle was something to listen to. It was a rather attractive sound and I had this undeniable feeling that his laugh would be just as wonderful. What the hell!? Why was I thinking of such things right now? It wasn’t even the most disturbing thing I’d thought since I’d laid eyes on him. I’d thought of many things that I would normally only have thought of those I had a ‘relationship’ with and those relationships had contracts for their silence and just a general agreement. I shook my head inwardly, dispelling all thoughts of tying this man up and have my devilish way with him. It was pure foolishness, because there was no way that he would even consider being around a beast like me. Who would? Except those who enjoyed physical punishment. Tossing those thoughts away, I gave him a slow shrug. “I’m sure your Senka can take care of herself. Hero isn’t likely to do anything without my say so. Not even bite at her or scratch. He knows better and knows how much trouble he’d get into if he did.” Hero turned his head at my words, knowing well what I meant.

I noticed him watching me and Baroness and paused for a moment in stroking her ears, glancing at him sidelong, almost sheepishly. It wasn’t often that anyone looked at me, whether I was moving around, standing still or whatever I was doing. Most people knew how I felt about being watched. Yet, I did not know him and thus he did not know me. No matter my discomfort, I would continue to hold my breath and keep my cool. Hero, however, had other plans. He curled around me and started rubbing his head gently against chest. It was as if he was trying to tell me I’d be fine so long as I didn’t let him too close. “Hero was napping; I was just lost in thought, something that happens to me often when I am left to my own devices.” I shrugged a shoulder, a coy grin turning up one corner of my mouth. I watched as he spoke to his vulpix, the way he acted with her and I absentmindedly stroked a hand from the crown of Hero’s head down his back as far as I could reach. “Your dear Senka was nothing, but an angel.” I spoke softly, chuckling as I spoke.

It felt like a shock went rippling through my body when his hand touched mine. It was unpleasant and I wanted to jerk my hand away as quickly as I could. I didn’t though; I fought my boiling fear and smiled pleasantly at him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jared.” I said his name almost sweetly, testing it out on my tongue. It was a nice name, fitting for him and I almost regretted not telling him my birth given name instead of the nickname I had given myself, more or less. “Personally, I think you make a fine gym leader. Just because your Pokémon don’t listen to you around town, doesn’t mean they won’t listen to you when you need them most.” A fond look overcame my features as I looked down at Hero who looked up at me with the same fond look on his face. “Hero and I had a rough start, but it only made our bond strong and I can assure you that the bond you seem to have with, at least your vulpix is just as strong as the one I share with my ninetails.” I chuckled as Hero lifted himself up and butted his head affectionately against my cheek before settling once more.

His next question took me by surprise and I laughed softly. “I’m here for supplies and no, I’m not here to challenge you and besides, I only have Baroness and Hero with me. It would be an uneventful fight to say the least seeing as you, like me, have mostly fire Pokémon and then add in I only have two with me and we just wouldn’t have any fun.” I shook my head ruefully before focusing on him once more. I tilted my head to the side and looked him over slowly, thinking my next words out carefully, “However, I wouldn’t mind seeing that gym of yours. It’s been a long time since I’ve stepped foot in one.” I smiled slowly before adding, “Or you could always come have lunch with me, my treat of course.” That’s got Hero’s attention and his head came up and he looked at me, red eyes wide as they looked at me. I raised a brow at him before he shook his head and resettled his head in my lap.

|| STATUS ||
tagged -- diru w/ jared
words -- 1000
muse -- good
notes -- none

[Jared Cain]

Jared Cain

You know, as much as I hated to admit it to myself, let alone how I felt about admitting this out loud to another person, I was actually rather amused. Was it surprising? Well, I suppose so, I normally didn't get along with many people, it was almost like they knew something was off about me. But was anything really off about me? Sure I specialized in dark and fire Pokemon but was that so odd? Or was it that they knew I was gay somehow? That one I didn't understand unless they caught me staring at some guy's ass. I always tried to keep myself from doing that, especially around here. I flushed furiously at my thoughts, lifting my Skitty and burying my face into her fur to try and hide it. Of course moves like that certainly wouldn't help me out, let alone the Pokemon I had with me most commonly. Great, just great. I mentally cussed myself out for a few seconds, wishing my thoughts could actually stay positive for more than say, five seconds.

I blinked, tilting my head a little, keeping it pressed against Kit's warm back, who didn't seem to care for once, when I heard him speaking. I shook my head a little. "Oh I don't think that'd be needed, I've taken worse knocks to my head, I've got an Arcanine too, a couple Mightyena, couple Ponyta and a fair few others." I smiled softly. "Feeding time is chaos and then you get the ones that have to start stuff and such." My worst culprit being my darling Houndoom. Damn brat liked to use his horns to headbutt people out of his way. Usually involved a scuffle and everyone getting doused by Starmie. Oh how I loved my home. I really did though, my friends didn't care so long as I was kind and fed them. That how it should have been with the entire world. I chuckled a little more at his comment. "Oh I'm sure, but I'd rather not have the little princess try to burn down half the city." I smiled brightly, pulling my head away from Kit's back finally, leaning back on my hands and tipping my head up to look at the sky. Perhaps it really wasn't so bad and I was just making a mountain out of a molehill. I lifted an eyebrow when he called Senka an angel and I nearly snorted in laughter. Oh if he only knew. "An angel from hell sent to rip out your soul perhaps, she's far from sweet unless she truly wants to be." I shook my head, watching the Vulpix that was now eyeing me suspiciously.

I did smile properly when he said it was nice to meet me. "Likewise, though I do wish it hadn't involved me landing on my ass." I laughed softly, winking just a little playfully. So I was still embarrassed. Who wouldn't be really? I glanced down when he complimented me, shifting a little. It'd been so long since someone had something nice about me. I couldn't let it go to my head or I'd start acting like a bigger fool than I already was. Hard to believe it was possible for me huh? Well it really shouldn't be honestly. "Well, my mother bred Senka so that's probably why we're close 'cause I pretty much raised her you know? She's just got this stubbornness streak." I smiled fondly at the Vulpix who merely yawned at me, blowing out a puff of smoke and I sighed, shaking my head with a shrug. "Extremely stubborn." I murmured a little.

I glanced at him curiously, nodding a little. Well it was certainly nice to know I wouldn't have to battle right now but I could help it when a small laugh escaped though. "Well, Kit isn't a fire type, but she's not that great at battling yet, still a baby pretty much." I smiled a little, tickling the ear of the kitten Pokemon who grumbled and buried her head in my lap, her face dangerously close to a very tender area. I froze up, paling drastically. "Kit, darling, please move your head." I murmured quietly, not wanting to get bit now of all times. Sometimes I hated having feisty Pokemon. I glanced up at Zero when he asked to see my gym and then made another offer about us going to lunch together. "Well, I dunno if you're up for it, or have the time, but we can do both." I glanced down, realizing I had probably made a mistake. I mean he had said or so he very likely didn't want to do both. Oh well, live and learn I suppose. All you really could do in life after all.

word count: 814
notes: blargh x___x

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