@rockheadcd asked : "C'mon—best seats in the house!" Barefoot and kicking up sand, he means right along the sands of Sunyshore, narrowly avoiding piles of kelp and the occasional shells, Roark tugs Volkner along by the hand right where the action is, some groups of festive folks with their own bundles of fireworks lighting them, stumbling away in laughter, and watching in awe as variable explosions join together and splash color against the night sky. Is it safe in hindsight? Oh, absolutely not, not with how some of those fuses spew sparks like afterburners on rockets, but a little singed hair was worth an hour or so of lighting up fireworks to celebrate the new year.

Even Roark's decided to splurge a little himself, a bundle of various fireworks under one arm until he finds an open spot to join in the parade of pyrotechnics. He only lets go of his love's hand to stick a few in the sand, procuring a matchbox and snapping off a wick to light, excited as any other. "Here, have you done this before? I used to in Canalave—can't do it on Iron Island, of course. Scares the local 'mons. Here—" he swipes the matchstick against the flint, earthy smell introduced as a flame blooms just above his fingertips. "Quick, take it and light one!"

Roark's excitement is always so... contagious and endearing, so endlessly charming, Volkner just can't help himself from being swept right in, just the smallest exasperated sigh that isn't really all that unwilling to begin with as he lets himself be dragged along whatever his love planned for the day.

Well, maybe he's just a little bit hesitant about this one, if the way Roark has to keep dragging him along is anything to go by. Reckless as he is, fire is far from his area of expertise, and he doesn't particularly enjoy the idea of being in such close proximity to other people, especially when it comes to the beach area— but seeing the way the colorful lights shine in his love's eyes, seeing him bursting with sheer joy and excitement, hearing him laugh like that... Volkner can't really say no, can he? He's too smitten to refuse.

( they're together, that's all that matters. give it some time, and they might as well be alone in the world. )

"Not really..." Well, fireworks are just a little bit expensive, and Volkner hasn't really been able to afford the luxury of such fleeting entertainment before. He's just a little bit wary taking the matchstick handed to him, but— well, he does have a few water types, hopefully that means this won't end up in a complete disaster, right? ( he can only hope. is he even doing this right? ) Here goes nothing, then, he's not about to be the one to let down his love and the nagging curiosity at the back of his mind is very much present, regardless of how much attention he pays to it. So he leans down, puts the lit match against the fuse, then quickly stepping back once he's sure it's properly lit, going back to Roark's side, and eventually finding his hand to take in his own.

It was worth it, after all— the show of lights and colors is like a painting in the sky on its own, so bright and full of life, Volkner almost regrets his inability of doing this since years before, even when he knows, painfully well, it would've never been possible before. Not in his own isolation and his own fighting to stay alive.

( even if he could have done it before, somehow, it would not be as good or special as it is now, would it? not without roark there to really bring the warmth to the colors and the colors to life. )

Without a warning, he pulls Roark closer, gently, careful, enough to find his lips, such a soft kiss Volkner is surprised at his own gentleness between so many rough edges, allowing himself this moment and letting it linger. When he pulls back, his cheeks feel warmer, and the smile persists on his lips.

"... Thank you for being here. Happy new year, love."

@irxnmaiden​ (continued from here!)

Content with the fact that Whitney will be there to relay anything missed (granted, Lance or Clair don’t notice right away), Jasmine scurries quietly towards the beaches of Sunyshore for a little peace: nothing is more unnerving than being surrounded by so many eyes, she’d much prefer to be in the presence of the sun and the surf!

The familiar sands greet her as they’ve done countless times before. It’s a gorgeous day, far too clear to be cooped up in a conference room. Junior waddles along her side, before branching off to inspect a couple Staryu burrowing along the coast.

The sounds of splashing from within the waves does draw her own attention, as she looks over to see someone swimming her way.

“I’ll say—great minds, indeed,” she returns the smile, slightly pleased that she isn’t the only one around who’d opted out of the proceedings. “I suppose I am technically here for it, but honestly I couldn’t bear to be inside when it’s this gorgeous out.”

“You must be Marlon—I’ve seen you compete in Mantine surfing competitions many times,” though she isn’t ready to divulge just how invested in learning the sport she is herself. “Decided to play hooky, too?”

Marlon’s cheerful demeanor only brightens when Jasmine reveals that she does, in fact, know him. Far out.

“No way, dude--you track with the surfin’ scene? I’m diggin’ your vibes more an’ more!” he replies with an incredulous happiness, guiding himself ever closer to the shore. “But hey, way to totally crush your guess--that is me! Marlon, man of the sea, with a body that’s jacked and a soul that’s free!” He winks. “Oh, uh, an’ I do a lil’ Gym Leadin’ on the side back in Humilau. H Town. Big H.”

“Aaanyways, the sun’s blastin’ the heck outta your tag, so I can’t quite read your handle, but whatever--it’s always awesome to meet a fan! If you’re here for the thingy, you must be a big deal too, huh?” Marlon observes casually, perching with his back to the tide. “What’s your story, dude?”

“Oh, an’ I’m not skippin’ out on any of the events this time! The League honchos told me I gotta be representin’ 100% or it’s gonna a major bummer, so no more hooky for me,” Marlon explains, completely oblivious to the fact that he’s missed the only event possible so far. “It’s all good, though! I got the time right here...”--he pauses to tap his temple wisely--”...an’ we don’t have to show up for a couple hours yet, right? So come chill an’ let’s soak up some rays together!”     

This year's annual interleague conference is underway, with dozens of Gym Leaders from around the world flocking to Sinnoh's gorgeous Sunyshore City for the professional event. Almost everyone was in attendance for the mandatory welcome speech...but Marlon was not one of them. He's busy splashing away in the surf, perfectly content to treat this trip like an extended vacation on the coastal city's beautiful beaches.

His eyes light up as he catches sight of a new arrival on the shoreline, powering through the placid waters to swim right up to her with a huge grin on his face.

"'Sup 'sup! Rad day to beach it, right? Great minds think alike...!" Marlon trails off, his smile growing wider when he catches sight of Jasmine's conference lanyard. "Heeey, you here for the Gym Leader thingy, too? Sweet!"

Content with the fact that Whitney will be there to relay anything missed (granted, Lance or Clair don’t notice right away), Jasmine scurries quietly towards the beaches of Sunyshore for a little peace: nothing is more unnerving than being surrounded by so many eyes, she’d much prefer to be in the presence of the sun and the surf!

The familiar sands greet her as they’ve done countless times before. It’s a gorgeous day, far too clear to be cooped up in a conference room. Junior waddles along her side, before branching off to inspect a couple Staryu burrowing along the coast.

The sounds of splashing from within the waves does draw her own attention, as she looks over to see someone swimming her way.

“I’ll say—great minds, indeed,” she returns the smile, slightly pleased that she isn’t the only one around who’d opted out of the proceedings. “I suppose I am technically here for it, but honestly I couldn’t bear to be inside when it’s this gorgeous out.”

“You must be Marlon—I’ve seen you compete in Mantine surfing competitions many times,” though she isn’t ready to divulge just how invested in learning the sport she is herself. “Decided to play hooky, too?”

anon asked:

↳ Unova or Kalos

“... and Bob’s your uncle!”

think about you and your Pokémon. what are you striving for?

When you join forces to win your battles, the bonds between friends and Pokémon shine even brighter.