[Ixedde Jones]

As Ixedde arrived in Birch city by boat, his first plan of action was to check in with the rangers. Ixedde was dress in his usual attire. Pastel and white robe, hiding his muscular figure and black muscle shirt. His black and gold hakama and matching boots, did nothing but bring attention to the robe that he tied together with a golden bow. Ixedde knew he stick out like thumb but he quite enjoyed it. As he walk through the city, Ixedde heard the gasp from the small child and the hush sounds of parents as he walk by but Ixedde had more important things on his mind. these alienated smells, had begun to drift into his nose as he tried to distinguish between each one. "Bread. Candy. Meat. Oh! I smell flowers! Is that lavender. Aura and Stelle would probably like to see this new world too." Ixedde said identifying a few smells before deciding to bring out his pokemon after seeing a few other people was walking with theirs. Taking out two miniature pokemon balls from his robes, his clap them together in his right hand before tossing them up in the air, with the signature flash of light out came his friends as he caught the balls in his left hand before storing them. Standing before him was Aura and Stelle. Aura was his best friend, given to him by his parents when he was a boy. Ixedde remember how swaddle and cared for the egg before it hatch. He remember that his parents was quick shock to find the egg to hatch to reveal a riolu instead of a fletchinder, the family pokemon. Not only was it a riolu, his colors was different from usual riolu's. If Ixedde remember the term, it was called shiny. After the hatching, Ixedde and Aura began to establish a friendship. They would eat together, play together, and even sleep together. Why Aura was his go to pokemon for his ranger qualifications. They've been together through thick and thin. Ixedde smiled at his partner before turning to Stelle. Stelle was a mawile, that he befriend in Hoenn before coming to the Arciel region. Ixedde remember that he had got a troublesome mission of a wild pokemon ravaging the area, he found Stelle attacking everything in sight due to people stripping her favorite tree of berries and she was just stopping people and pokemon from taking her favorite snack. It took Ixedde a week to calm Mawile down and when he was going to leave Mawile followed him. So here she was now with him and Aura. "Ok you two listen up. This is the Arciel region. This city is called Birch city. We're going to walk around, check in with my Ranger unit, grab something to eat, and explore the island. Also Stelle, I know you like plants but don't bother anything ok? I'll give you a flower later, ok? " Ixedde would say as he look at his friends with a smile. Aura gave a salut and gave a little bark while Stelle cross her arms and gave a tiny growl. She wasn't happen about the situation but atleast she was able to put up with it. Ixedde gave a small nodded as the trio explored the city stopping by the gardens and his ranger unit. Afters they got a snack at a bakery before stopping at the pokemart to get supplies. Looking at the map, Ixedde decided that the group would start their Journey of the region at Route 6. After heading out the south east region, Ixedde survey the area while Aura and Stelle was playing nearby. " Ok so this is the grassland right? Hmmm, we should hit open field before we camp. Who knows, who or what will bump into us if we camp in this high grass. " Ixedde thought to himself as he sat down and watch the two play. Stelle would try to chomp at but Aura would narrowly dodge each and every chomp, as he laugh. " It's nice to see you guys, get along. Ixedde thought as Stelle giggled as Aura tripped over his own feet, falling to the ground. Ixedde gave out a small chuckle before standing up and nodding in the direction of at the path. Stelle ran up and hugged my leg as Aura gave out a small bark before getting to his feet and hugging my other side. " Let's go, you two. We need to reach open area. The sooner we camp, the sooner you two can go back to playing. " Ixedde said as he started he to walk down the path as his pokemon playfully ran around him as he took in his surroundings. No Tags 784 words Mood: Relax

[Gabe Alim]

As one moved through the area, the smell of smoke and cooking would waft through the air. Upwind a way there was another person and his Pokemon not quite set up for camp but set up for food. Animal fish had been pulled up from the river and were skewered along with a series of fruits and berries all under a warm crackling fire. A Charmander circled around the pit, occasionally adjusting rocks and sticks to ensure the fire was contained. When she made it around to her trainer, a dark-skinned young man whose long purple hair was pulled back in a ponytail, she just straight up stepped on him earning a small ‘umph’ in response before she moved off and around again. The latter was intent on reading something off his phone, though, and occasionally muttering to himself.

Gabe was reading off a cooking app and not entirely convinced that this was going to work. He and Liz, his Charmander, had cooked plenty of times like this, but this mix of fish, berries, and spices sounded like way too many flavors to be mixing together all at once. He looked up once to find Liz with her hands on her hips looking over the fire at him. “Hm? What’s wrong?” She made a gesture to the blackening ends of the fish, and a sharp “SHIT” hit the air as Gabe scrambled to pull it up ad out of the fire.

Ugh, this was fine? Was this fine? It smelled ok at least. “You like your fish charred though, right, Lizzy?” he asked looking over at the Charmander. She squinted, not one for the saccharine suck up names that he occasionally gave her in an effort to get what he wanted, but honestly yeah, she did like her food a lot darker than what he would ever normally cook it at so whatever. Her claw dropped, and she pointed out the other kabob that was starting to get passed brown right after that. Gabe twitched and pulled that one off as well. And the last just in case, he guessed. If it tasted raw, he could just put it back on anyways—

Lizbeth tensed, though, and Gabe’s attention flicked over to her again. “What?” he asked. She looked back at him and then claws off in a different direction. Looking up, Gabe understood. People.

[Ixedde Jones]

As Ixedde was walking with Stelle and Aura, Aura stopped and tugged on his leg as Stelle gave a small growl. " Hm. What is it you two?" Ixedde said looking around before taking a deep breath of the air. Smoke. Some of the residual smoke hung in the air, shifting like ghosts in the breeze as it travel through the air. The scene of burnt wood filled the air and Ixedde sighed. " But I don't wanna work. I'm on break! We're suppose to reach the next city for our assignment. Ixedde whined as Aura punch his leg softly as Stelle nodded in agreement. Aura had a great sense of duty. Something his father and mothers' talonflame probably installed in him. A greater sense of duty than mine. Stelle on the other hand, only wanted to do things, she found interesting and this wasn't going to be one.  Ixedde finally gave in to Aura desires and decided to head towards the source. " HELLO? ANYONE!?! I'M RANGER JONES! I NEED TO CHECK YOUR CAMPING PERMIT!" Ixedde says announcing himself as he heads towards the source. Stelle shaking her head as she made her way through the grass grumpy and pouting as she push the tall grass. Aura walking behind Stelle would constantly get whack by the tall grass returning to it's original position finally breaking through the grass to the clearing, Ixedde spoke as Stelle walk through annoyed and Aura was rubbing his nose." HELLO?" No Tags 243 words Mood: Annoyed

[Gabe Alim]

Oh what the actual fuck. Gabe squinted as a Ranger came barreling through the tall grasses towards their clearing in talking about some kind of permit for camping. Really? Was Arciel charging money for this now? Since when? And why? Weren’t they trying to boost economy by encouraging traveling trainers or whatever? I hate these people…

“Uhm….” Gabe mused exchanging a look with Lizbeth before glancing forward again. A small smile curled on Gabe’s lips, and he sat back forcing ease into himself. “I have an Explorer’s license and a trainer card if that’s what you’re referring to,” he stated shifting from one side to the other before shoving a leg up under himself and coming to standing. Lizbeth rolled her eyes and went back to keeping an eye on the fire.

[Ixedde Jones]

"Oh. You're cute." Ixedde said looking at the dark skin before coughing into his hand. "Sorry. Excuse me but as I was saying before. Your trainer license will provide as a suitable substitute. Do you mind passing it here so I can check and validate it. Also you need to fix up your fire. If you don't know how I don't mind helping you out. Last thing we need is someone setting fire to the grasslands." Ixedde says reaching his hand out as Aura stood beside Ixedde and nodded also sticking out his paws for the card. Stelle on the other hand turned her up and scoff and made her way over to the charmander. Stelle gave a small growl as a greeting and circle around the charmander eyeing him up and down before scoffing and heading back to Ixedde as she smacks Aura. Aura hopping back and gave a small bark as the two had a conversation with a series of barks and growls that led to both pokemon crossing their arms and looking away from each other in frustration. Ixedde sighed and rubbed the both of them on their head. "Sorry about that. Stelle and Aura are having a lovers' quarrel." Ixedde said causing both pokemon to turn and punch Ixedde in his knee causing his knees buckle as he kneel down laugh as the two pokemon shook hands and pump their arms up in victory. "So that license?" No Tags 247 words Mood: Playful

[Gabe Alim]

Gabe’s lips parted, pressed together, and then quirked up into an easy smile. He wasn’t going to question the verbal whiplash that seemed to be ending in his favor. Never look a gift mon in the mouth, after all. “Sure,” he answered the request lighter now.

The mention of the fire had him side eyeing Lizbeth. The Charmander leered, and a small half-laugh escaped from him. “You can try,” he answered. “But messing with Lizbeth’s fire is asking for trouble.” The Charmander shot the ranger a glare as well. Her fire was just fine so kindly leave it alone. A lighter laugh escaped from Gabe right after. Oh, she was such a mild Pokemon most of the time, but when she was territorial, she was very territorial. She glanced sideways as Stelle came closer and squinted a little up until the other Pokemon retreated. You know what, just for good measure she was about to step into this fire and prove it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. Hmph.

Gabe snorted watching all of this from the corner of his gaze. He never quite looked away from the ranger, but he wouldn’t entirely lose his surroundings right then either. “Cute…” he murmured more to himself than to anyone else. Ah, but that license. Shifting from one foot to the other, Gabe pulled out his wallet and pulled the trainer card from its folds. He considered passing off one of his fake identifiers but then decided to pull the actual card from its fold. Stepping around, he held it forward.

The trainer’s license was of a typical Bass City trainer’s license. The picture on it was very clearly Gabe but perhaps a few years younger from appearance. His hair was shorter. His eyes were a bit more tired looking. But still him. The space for his name read ‘Gabe L. Alim’ with his date of birth listed to easily calculate that he was nineteen right then and his gender listed as ‘NB’. The number under that was a regular trainer number with a barcode under it for quicker scanning. It had a fancy little seal on it that came with Bass City’s iconography but was otherwise unremarkable.

Gabe waited without saying anything more and would take it back once it was handed to him. “Anything else?”

[Ixedde Jones]

Ixedde stood up and dust his head off, looking over at the charmander. "Oh, I'm use to fire types. My family has quite a history with talonflames. When they get wiled up, they start expelling flames from their feathers. So Lizbeth, I know you don't like people messing with your fire so how about your dress you're fire up and make it look pretty like this." Ixedde says pulling out his phone and showing a picture of a another charmander's fire that was dress up, making it look like a proper fire. " But, if you think that you're ok with being second best then more power to you." Ixedde said with a smile as he tucks his phone back away. Ixedde would then turn and gently take the license from Gabe and gave him a smile before looking upon the license. " So your name is Gabe? My name is Ixedde. It's a pleasure to meet you. I got a few questions however. " Ixedde says passing the license back, when Gabe would reach for it, Ixedde would gently grab his hand. "So uh, come here often? Oh um. Excuse me. I meant to say um. Would you mind if we camp here with you for a little bit. If you don't mind the company. I'm on my way to the next city over. I just recently got to this region and I got to explore the region so I do my job properly ya know? " Ixedde would say before releasing Gabe hand. Aura and Stelle would walk up to the Lizbeth and greet themselves. Aura would stretch out his hand and give a small bark. "Hello!" Stelle would stand right beside Aura and give a small growl. "Yo." Stelle would give out another small growl, "So how stupid is yours." Aura would chimed in with a bark, "He's not stupid. He's smart and strong. Unlike you." Aura and Stelle would then start to argue in front of lizbeth like an old married couple. No Tags 338 words Mood: Flirty

[Gabe Alim]

Liz stuck her tongue out at the Ranger earning a sharp snicker from Gabe. Looking sideways at him, Liz huffed and growled out a couple of tones. Gabe only snickered more. “He’s just trying to help, Liz,” he commented. The Charmander huffed again.

Gabe’s attention flicked forward again, and he gave a nod. “Nice to meet you,” he hummed, storing the name away for later. The mention of questions had him shifting from one foot to the other. “Alright…” he took the license back— only to find his hand taken. Oooh…. So he hadn’t misread that before. Heh, well then… Maybe not a new officer per say but a new person to the region. Oh, now I have to mess with him.

A sweet smile pulled onto Gabe’s features as he pocketed the ID again. “How can I resist such a cute face?” he asked. Lizbeth immediately slapped a claw over her face fighting the secondhand embarrassment that was threatening to overtake her. Some part of her knew that Gabe was just playing, but Arceus it made her so uncomfortable. “Feel free, we were just having a late lunch early dinner actually.” He made a gesture to the kabobs right after. “Care to join us, Ixedde?” He made a gesture to sit near him before easing back again to his own seated spot.

[Ixedde Jones]

Ixedde blush slightly at the comment. "Sure. I um would like that? Yeah, does Liz mind if I use her fire. Oh. That's Aura, he's the one that wanted to see your license too and Stelle is the one with the snappy attitude." Ixedde says pointing at the two respectfully. " They argue alot but their good pokemon. So what do you do for living Gabe?" Ixedde says striking up conversation as he drop his travel bag. Undoing the purple string at his neck and the golden one, Ixedde took of his robe and folded it up into a ball as he stuff it in his hakama. Revealing his tone body, Ixedde slightly fanned his face. " Aw that's better. If you don't mind me. I'm going to set my tent on the opposite side of your." Ixedde says reaching into his bag and tossing his tent opposite to Gabe's. Making his way over to the his tent bag, Ixedde look over to see Stelle and Aura arguing. " Quit it you two! Stelle it's your turn to help me set up the tent. Aura, you know what to do." Ixedde said to his two pokemon as they stop arguing at one another. Stelle scoffed and kick Aura knee before dashing toward Ixedde to help set up the tent. Aura rubbing his knee, gave a small salute before going to the travel bag and pulling out metal pot, a can with the label removed, and a bag of dried meat and herbs. Giving a little bark, Aura pop the can with the pull tab, and pour the broth into the pot before reaching back into the bag and pulling out some uncooked rice, pouring it into the pot before looking at the charmander as Aura set the pot on the fire with a happy bark. Ixedde and Stelle was nearly down when with the tent, when he look back. " Aura, you need to ask to use their fire." He said calmly before closing the flap to the now completed tent. Stelle giving a small growl causing Ixedde to smile and pat her causing Stelle to smile before walking back over to Lizbeth with happy snarl noises. "So how long did you know him?" No Tags 376 words Mood: Flirty

[Gabe Alim]

The blush that appeared across Ixedde’s features earned a smooth smile back form Gabe. He seemed so talkative all of a sudden, and if that wasn’t cute, Gabe wasn’t sure what was. At the question, though, he glanced sideways at Lizbeth. She rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders. Fine she guessed she would allow whatever the hell he wanted to go down. Don’t come crying to her when it blew up in your stupid face, Gabe Alim. “Seems she doesn’t mind,” Gabe answered with a small chuckle.

Gabe’s gaze flicked over to the Riolu and Mawile again. Such rare Pokemon… A shame they had to be with a Ranger of all things. “I see,” he answered looking back to Ixedde again. What do I do for a living? Gabe gave a small hum as he watched Ixedde move. “Mostly odd jobs to pay for my traveling habits,” he answered with a small half-laugh. Among other things of course…

Shifting somewhat, Gabe looked over Ixeede as more of him appeared. “You know… I think you should set it up next to mine,” he answered back playfully. He wouldn’t force the issue but… he wouldn’t take back his suggestion either. I wonder what rare items a Ranger has on him… Who knew with him being new to the region, though. Watching as the man set up the tent, Gabe fished up a kabob and started eating... slowly.

Lizbeth had shifted out of her place at her fire to swipe the second kabob for herself and chomped down eyeballing the Riolu as it came in close. She allowed the other Pokemon to use her fire pit but wouldn’t give them free reign in the least. She did relax a little, though, at feeling a hand on her back. Her eyes shot to Gabe’s, and Gabe smiled back. Ugh, he better know what he was getting them both into.

The question caused both of them to look over. “Him? Liz? Ah heh, Lizbeth is my partner Pokemon… I’ve had her for years now,” he answered with a teasing grin. The Charmander made a face and then elbowed him before leaning against him anyways and lazily eating. “How long have you had yours?” he asked making a head gesture over. Long enough to know their relationship dynamics, at least… A pause for that answer before Gabe followed up. “What’s being a ranger like?”

[Ixedde Jones]

Ixedde blush slightly at the mention of putting the tents was about to do it when Stelle look back at him with an expression that says other wise. " I wouldn't mind but Stelle says otherwise. Aura, make sure you stir it! Odd jobs? Like cutting grass or capturing pokemon for people?"Ixedde said suggesting the things he use to do for money. As Aura went got a spoon for a bag as he stirred the pot, Stelle bored began to wander the campsite looking for flowers. " How long? Well I raised Aura since he was an egg. I'm twenty so that was 14 years ago. Stelle was on my first assignment in the Hoenn region. She was causing a little bit of trouble and I help her out and she decided to tag along." Ixedde said causing the respective pokemon to make a happy sound. Ixedde would then get up and move over towards the fire, after looking into the boiling pot, he made his way other to the bag and pulled out some plates and a serving sppon. Using the serving spoon, Ixedde place some of the chicken broth and curry rice onto each of the plate before opening the bag of dried meat and putting some on it. " Stella dinner. Oh and to answer your question. Being a ranger is like being a police officer but in better shape and we handle more pokemon and nature related affairs. It doesn't look like it but my family has a history of being rangers. So it's really all we know how to do at this point. You want some?" Ixedde said already making a plate for Gabe and himself as he made his way other with both before sitting down. Ixedde would offer the plate to Gabe as Aura made a plate for him and Stelle before looking and giving a bark at the charmander before making a plate for him too. Stelle took her plate and made her way over to Ixedde sitting in his lap before she started eating. Aura made took his food and the plate for Lizbeth and offered it up in the hope of friendship. No Tags 366 words Mood: Happy

[Gabe Alim]

Heh… Gabe’s eyes flicked over to Stelle when Ixedde mentioned she’d said no. Can’t argue with Pokemon…. Though he was amused that Ixeede would have taken up the offer otherwise. Looking back at the fire, though, he took another bite of berry and meat. It wasn’t half bad, he decided. Glancing sideways to Lizbeth, he found she was roughly satisified with it as well. Well at least their cooking efforts hadn’t been in vain.

“Ah yep,” he answered the examples of odd jobs with a small head nod. “Recently I delivered some mail for the post office since they were apparently shorthanded.” Or were always shorthanded form the looks of it. The work paid well enough, though.

He’d had his partner Pokemon for fourteen years…. Gabe was… almost jealous, but if he had been perceptive enough as a five-year-old to demand a Pokemon, he probably would have gotten it— probably. “I’ve heard the Hoenn region is very beautiful,” he commented. “Do you have a favorite city there?” Rustboro sounded interesting, but Mossdeep had the allure of being an island.

Watching as Ixedee moved, Gabe hummed a little looking back at Lizbeth. The Charmander’s eyes were glued to her fire, daring this Ranger or his Pokemon to mess up and accidentally put it out. Gabe smirked and reached sideways to prod her on one side. She jolted and looked that way and then back at him. Gabe grinned. Liz rolled her eyes and pushed her clawed hand up against him. Gabe snickered. “How is it, Liz?” The Charmander shrugged her shoulders. Not hot enough. It was Gabe’s turn to roll his eyes. “You cook then next time.” Or they’d bully Rose into cooking, maybe. The Venusaur was much better than either of them for whatever reason.

A small nod was given to Ixedde’s words. Gabe had heard that sort of thing before. The mention of a familial connection to the rangers, however, had Gabe humming a little. “I see, that’s rather admirable of you… ah no I’m— Well, since it’s here,” Gabe took the plate. He was… not able to refuse food, not really when it was right there. Liz eyeballed the food and then slowly set her kabob on the plate offered to her and took both. A small smile came to her features as she nodded at Aura in thanks. Maybe they weren’t so bad after all.

Oh, oh wow. “This is… this is fantastic..” Gabe spoke as he tried out the food. It wasn’t near as chaotic a mix as what he and Liz had cooked up, and it was much more filling. “Where did you learn to cook?” he asked warmly. Liz was trying and failing to keep a neutral expression because yes this was indeed better than what she made but who wanted to admit that?

[Ixedde Jones]

Mail delivery? That doesn't sound to bad. I don't think, I could do a job like that. I would try to open the packages. I'm too curious." Ixedde would state before laughing a little bit, rubbing his cheek with his free hand as he eats his food. "Hoenn, that place was something. I actually don't like Hoenn. My favorite city their however would have to be Mauville City. So many people and so many things, you could do. Why one time, I remember when me and solace-." Ixedde coughs into his hand and continues but changing the subject. "Johto is actually my favorite region, my favorite city is Goldenrod City. The city is really nice..." Ixedde says chuckling while his voice trailed off. Ixedde wasn't used to talking about Solace yet and most of his memories was of nothing but him and Solace. He hated the fact, that he couldn't move on but he dread the fact more that she could. He rubbed Stelle head as she closed her eyes and laid back against him now finish with her food and sat in contentment as she was receiving psychical affection. "Ah, you're just being modest. It's not that good. They teach us how to make tasty but compact food in ranger school. You'll never know where you'll end up, so it's good to be able to cook but Aura and Stelle like to help too so it's not just me, it's them too. " He says causing Stelle to give a small bark as she curl up like a ball as Ixedde rubbed her. "I guess it is time to go to sleep." Ixedde said pickup Stelle before placing her inside the tent. He quickly gathered and put away the plates and the pots, tying the pots and plats inside a bag before quickly digging a hole and place them in. He toss his bag into the tent, and nodded at Aura as he climb in his before poking his head out, " Good night." He would says before zipping the tent up before cuddling up with Stelle. Aura however would put his plate away and sit down by the fire as he begun to mediate. No Tags 370 words Mood: sad

[Gabe Alim]

A small laugh escaped from Gabe. “There was one box that had a mysterious weight to it,” he hummed. “I was so curious about what it was that when I delivered it, I asked the person at the door. Turned out to be… a statue of Ho-oh of all things.” He grinned and shrugged his shoulders after.

What came after earned a rather curious expression. “Oh?” Why didn’t he like Hoenn? Some detestable event in his past, maybe? The mention of Mauville had him pausing to consider where that was….. Well that was a rather quick cut off and an unnatural cough. “Solace?” Gabe repeated. He wouldn’t get his answer, though. “Ah, I’ve never been to Johto either…” he mused. “What’s in Goldenrod that you like so much?” The conversation shifted, though, and Gabe let that fall by the wayside for now.

He listened as Ixedde mentioned cooking in Ranger school. Really? Well, he supposed that made sense. He at a little more gingerly after that, humming softly to himself. Liz finished up her plate and then crawled into Gabe’s lap. The extra weight and warmth immediately had him breathing a little easier. At the mention of sleep, though, he blinked a little surprised. “Well, alrighty,” he chuckled waving Ixedde off.

Gabe wouldn’t sleep readily. He and Liz stared at the crackling flames for a while just absorbing the warmth and quiet now. A traveling Ranger with rare Pokemon… He wondered what items he had on his person. If he had been a bolder thief, he most certainly would have been going through belongings then. However, he was warry of Riolu and its ilk. They had a sort of sixth sense that made for questionable circumstances. Maybe the Pokemon would even see some of his emotional shifts just from meditating in aura there.

It was only after a while longer that Gabe finally put the fire out, picked up Lizbeth, and slept himself. It was… much lighter and restless than usual, but there wasn’t much help for that. By the time morning had come, Gabe had finally given up on sleeping. Mumbling and stretching, he crawled out of his tent followed by Lizbeth looking a little irritated to be up this early. Wonder if that Ranger is up….

[Ixedde Jones]

"Good morning. " Ixedde said from his spot on the ground. If Gabe look, Edwin stuff would already be pack into his bag with the two pokemon curled up beside each other sleeping, the fire now gone as if their wasn't one last night and Ixedde was just their on the ground doing sit ups. " When I woke up, I went ahead and pack up my stuff, then started exercising. Oh by the way. How far is the next city from here? I'm thinking about 2 days worth but I could be wrong." Ixedde says as he stop doing sit ups and stands up and brushes himself down. "Oh. Aura found a nearby water stream during his meditation. I'm going to take a bath in a few minutes after we finish talking. I got some dried fruit by the way if you guys want some." Ixedde says pulling one of his arms behind his back stretching. It was nice and sunny out, no clouds in sight as the sun high in the sky shined it beams on the world below. Ixedde had a small smile on his face as the sun shined on him and he began to stretch his opposite arm behind his head. "Aw man, that's a real good stretch." Ixedde says yawning before smacking his lips quietly as he look at Gabe. No Tags 229 words Mood: Energized

[Gabe Alim]

….Ah. “Good morning,” Gabe mumbled looking from Ixedde over to Edwin. “You’re up early.” And doing what Gabe guessed was morning exercises. Heh.

Lizbeth made a couple of complaining noises in response and got a hand pet for her troubles. A low, almost purr like noise came in response. Gabe smiled a little more to himself than to either of them.

“About two days sounds right if you don’t have any rideable Pokemon with you,” Gabe answered Ixedde’s question. “In that case, it’s only about a day.” Gabe stretched slowly rolling his shoulders and stretching out his neck. He was stiff but not nearly stiff enough to be goaded into doing any kind of workout right then.

What came after had him pausing and blinking several times in disbelief. “In this cold??” he asked. Even if the sun was out and the air was moderate, the waters of the winter season had to be chilly all around. Lips parted and sealed several times as Gabe fought the urge to argue the point. It wasn’t his problem if Ixedde caught his death out there in the wilderness— except it kind of was because he would have been around for it. “Is that part of ranger training?” he joked after a moment.

He hadn’t entirely forgotten the offer for food, but Gabe was … actually still pretty full from the night before. “Think I’ll just make coffee actually…”