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Post by Wallace / Black on May 27, 2011 17:47:05 GMT -5
Wallace leaned against the wall of his gym, squinting up into the sunlight and brushing nonexistent specks of dust off his shirt. Sootopolis, when not experiencing inexorable deluges, was certainly beautiful.
As a citizen - gym leader, even - he had all the time in the world to admire the rocky city at his leisure. Right now, however, he was on the lookout. For a glimpse of steel in the sky, to be exact.
"You'd think he'd have more tact to be on time..." he said softly, and smiled.
Timing had never been one of Steven's strong points.
Wallace eyed the lone cloud drifting in the sky as he primped - a swipe of hair, a flick at an invisible dust mote.
Late, he thought.
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Post by Steven-Stone on May 27, 2011 18:00:38 GMT -5
It's not like Steven meant anything by it... He just often tended to get caught in other things. He couldn't even leave without dealing with mayhem of Sidney doing this or.. Phoebe doing that.
Even then, Steven found himself gazing blissfully at his prized collections.... then forgetting any arrangements he had made.
When he and Skarmory went on their way towards that volcanic place (Steven loved that place more than Dewford.... Was it just for the rocks? Or was it for...?) he seemed to watch the clouds more than the path his trusted Armoured bird would take... Ending him at Mossdeep almost everytime.
He knew he was going to be ridiculously late, no matter what he did.
"Skarmory, my Comrade... Do you think I'm made better for the skies, rather than the Earth I adore?" He murmured gently as they made their descend into that area of Sootopolis.
With a head always drifting in dreams and goals, how could he be firmly planted to the ground?
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Post by Wallace / Black on May 27, 2011 18:16:11 GMT -5
And all of a sudden, he saw a glint of silver in the sky. Steven's skarmory, surely. There was no other bird quite as polished. Wallace took one last glance at the gym's clock before approaching slowly, chuckling to himself.
He made sure to stay at a respectful distance as the skarmory landed - no need to let the wind ruin his hair - but his voice ran out loud and clear.
"47 minutes, Steven? This may be a record, even for you!"
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Post by Steven-Stone on May 27, 2011 18:22:45 GMT -5
When he saw the other with that somewhat cross expression, he could already tell he was in for a load full.
"Well, It's not like I was trying to beat my record, Wallace. I'm sorry." He tilted his head down, with some shame. He felt bad when he made the other wait... Especially because he was simply passing the time by at his OWN leisure.
"... At least I remembered? I've done worse to other people.. Ehehe." A Day late to interviews.
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Post by Wallace / Black on May 27, 2011 18:34:46 GMT -5
Wallace fought the quirk of a smile that tugged at his lips. He really ought to have been angry (47 minutes was no joke, not on his schedule) but seeing Steven so downcast made it rather difficult. He'd make the man pay, if only a little. He walked up to his friend, tsking softly.
"Of no intention, of course, but the reality is, my dear, you're late! The challengers I could have seen, the paperwork I could have done... "
He pulled a mock frown, patting down Steven's sides to rid his clothing of travel-induced wrinkles.
"And to fly over in a suit, no less? No amount of dry cleaning would have saved you if it'd rained..." he said, sighing dramatically.
"Be more aware of yourself, hmm?"
But, while outwardly Wallace projected disapproval, a close look at his eyes would have easily revealed the act. He loved to tease, perhaps a bit too much, but the glint in his eyes always gave him away.
Not that Steven ever noticed it.
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Post by Steven-Stone on May 27, 2011 18:38:56 GMT -5
"... Who would be planning to challenge you out of no where..? I don't see any impatient children..." He glanced about the island, seeing the height of the rock, and the small sky above them and..... There he went again.
That is, until Wallace touched him and he jumped.
"... It's just clothing. It can always be replaced, can't it..?" He glanced at the other with a gentle gaze. There Steven was again... flashing the Bluenette that adorable and charming smile. He really was oblivious of the other's intentions and true thoughts.
He realized he started staring directly at the other in that fashion he stared at his rocks. ... Analyzing every detail that fascinated him...while not seeming to show a single sign of politeness.
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Post by Wallace / Black on May 27, 2011 19:00:28 GMT -5
Wallace blinked. He'd forgotten how oblivious Steven could be at times, to the point that the man was actually immune to his teasing. His words just slid off him, like water off a rock.
He stifled a chuckle, forcing himself to keep a straight face. One last push...
"Ah, anything can be replaced, but think of the effort wasted! Your clothes don't come cheap, my dear," he said with a flourish of a hand. But then he made the mistake of making eye contact.
Steven's expression hadn't changed a bit: still staring bluntly at Wallace's face, spaced-out and airy. Wallace was sure the words that'd just come out of his friend's mouth reflected exactly zero percent of his actual thoughts. The unwavering, quizzical look was so... Steven.
What a man... trainer of steel with the soul of a cloud, he thought.
In the end, he fell apart, dissolving into a fit of laughter.
"You're impossible!" he exclaimed, and clasped a hand on Steven's shoulder. "I'm just teasing, don't mind me. Welcome to Sootopolis."
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Post by Steven-Stone on May 27, 2011 19:05:27 GMT -5
He took in some of things the other said, but most seemed to pass his thoughts completely. He never took any of Wallace's teasing to heart. It was just Wallace's way of showing he cared, Steven mused in his thoughts.
"... My Father still buys my suits." He got sheepish at that, his head tilting down. "You know I have terrible taste in clothing..."
When he was zoning out, he noticed as well... He was watching Wallace's lips move when he talked. He watched how graceful they were, as they purred and released such a melody of sentences. Was this a bad thing... that they interested him?
"I know, I know. I'm a lost case. Ehehe... I know you are. You always have, and always will. I'm honored to be here..." He spoke gently, while glancing about again.
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Post by Wallace / Black on May 27, 2011 19:26:14 GMT -5
He smiled softly, noticing Steven's distracted state.
"Too many rocks to pay attention to reality, dear?" he asked, arching his eyebrows in amusement. "You will have plenty of time to explore them, but if you're here to visit... Formalities first."
He paused and stepped back to give himself room. With a grand sweep of his arm, he gestured towards a modish restaurant on the other side of the lake, smiling down at his friend.
"Since you seem to have flown straight through brunch, lunch will have to do! Though I warn you, come down from the clouds just for a moment, hmm? The way up is rather steep."
And then, in a soft, wry whisper, "And really, you haven't eaten today, have you?"
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Post by Steven-Stone on May 27, 2011 19:33:00 GMT -5
"I suppose. I'm curious as too what types of minerals I'll be able to find here. I might just find a fossil if I'm lucky..!" He seemed suddenly excited at that thought. Finding some extinct Pokemon... performing the excavation.... The awards, the studying....
".. Yes, yes. I have to spend some time with my Fondest Gym Leader..? I feel like you'd be a better Champion, You know." He glanced at the other for a moment, a gentle smile taking his lips.
"Wa...? O-oh! Sorry! That would be great. You always make great things, too. The great Wallace knows how to make a guest feel at home~" He hummed gently. With the comment of food, his stomach gave it's two cents. How did Wallace know him so well...?
"... Haha, I forget things... You know that."
Wallace... Don't speak like that. Steven felt the hair on the back of his neck rise, just at the sultry tone.
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Post by Wallace / Black on May 27, 2011 19:45:24 GMT -5
"Hmph. You flatter me, Steven," Wallace said, and took a shallow bow. "But the role of Champion is yours. I'm quite content being your "fondest gym leader," as you say~"
He straightened up, tossing his head to settle his hair into place. If Steven had an obsession for spelunking, Wallace had one for preening. His lips turned upwards at the sound of Steven's stomach grumbling. He'd been right, of course. The man was predictable.
"What can I say, m'dear? You forget everything! Like the time, for one, right?" he added, still teasing lightly. "Now, come. Either we walk the lakeside or take my Milotic across."
With that, he gave his friend a sideways glance, hoping to find some sort of opinion. The flustered look on his face, however, was a surprise.
And I haven't even done anything yet, he thought.
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Post by Steven-Stone on May 27, 2011 19:55:16 GMT -5
"Oh? Well... I think it would be better for you. You're more organized and over-all better equipped for this position." He nodded slightly, with a sign of confidence.
"...I do like you the most, Wallace." He spoke now with a quiet tone, keeping eye contact, to show his resolve on the matter.
He sighed gently at the teasing about the time.. and his stomach. "Which ever... I like walking though." He smiled sweetly.
Why was he so flustered all of a sudden? For some reason, he couldn't keep it together.
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Post by Wallace / Black on May 27, 2011 20:21:44 GMT -5
Wallace leveled his gaze with Steven's, smiling. But with a sudden spin on his heel, he broke eye contact - something of that nature could wait for later.
"'I like walking,' the spelunker says, so through the rocks we go!," he proclaimed, leading Steven down the path. "We can talk as we walk," he continued.
"You really don't give yourself enough credit, dear. You make a fabulous Champion, and I make a fabulous gym leader! If we are both content at that, there should be no dispute, correct? Self-worth is the one goal worth fighting for. All else is simply a means to the end. You have your rocks and fossils and I have my contests!" He's starting to ramble, he realizes, but doesn't pay it much mind. Steven's most likely staring at the rocks.
In time, though, he has to turn back around again. Without proper supervision, he thinks, his friend could easily wander off into a tangential cave. And likely stay there forever, he thought wryly.
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Post by Steven-Stone on May 28, 2011 19:08:24 GMT -5
He blinked twice as the other turned around so quickly. With a gentle sigh, Steven began following the other with a silence about him.
"Ehehe. I just want to explore the scenery. I promise I won't wander away, Wallace." He murmured gently.
"... I enjoy it, but I tend to get off track quite often. You keep together.. You always have. You are always on time, and you always show a great face. I just stumble and make a fool of myself the moment someone asks me a question. You're more picture-esque... I just look good in battle." He laughed softly, while trying to keep his mind on the other's voice.. and not the lovely sediment about him. Such lovely colors....
He saw the other's front again, and stopped as well. What was it...? His head tilted to the side as he simply waited for some witty response.
"Yes?"
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Post by Wallace / Black on May 28, 2011 22:45:09 GMT -5
“Just making sure you’re still there, dear,” Wallace answered, a laugh in his voice. “Forgive me. I thought you’d found a rock to fancy. Though if it suits you to, please, walk next to me! I can hardly hear you.”
He stood to the side of the path, gesturing for his friend to join him. Though steep and rocky, the paths through Sootopolis were well kept and neat, cut directly into the volcanic rock and regularly cleaned of debris. They weren’t narrow, either; there was plenty of room for two men to walk.
“And keep in mind, Steven: character and face are two entirely different things. You’ve the spirit of a Champion! I’m afraid the League would find me too… frivolous for such a role.” His eyes glinted as he spoke. “You’re a man to admire, my friend.”
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