The teasing jab earns a glare, though one devoid of any real malice. She’d let it slide, all things considered— even if he was an ass, Ruby seemed to be trying to do something sincerely nice for once. May was well give him a chance, right?
“…. ‘kay. ‘m alright with that.” She concedes with a small nod. “S’long as you’re not tryin’ anything sneaky here, it… sounds pretty nice, actually. Y’said you don’t mind where we go though? Cuz… I mean… if it’s up t’me… there’s a nice lil place in Oldale. Ain’t real big, kinda a mom’n pop deal so I wouldn’t be surprised if it ain’t your scene but… “
So he didn’t get any kind of punch or kick for that little remark of his. Ruby must have been really lucky today for that to have happened. Either way, at leats things were starting to go better than he thought they would be. He thought that Sapphire probably wouldn’t have wanted to actually do anything today; or just laugh at him for even trying to do anything like this so suddenly. She wasn’t exactly a girl that he could figure out 24/7.
“Oldale, huh?” Thinking on it for a moment, the male seemed to give a soft smile as a hand quickly took hers. “All right! Looks like we have our destination. Let’s go.” Suddenly he was leading her toward the next town over, seeming to want to enjoy the nice scenery from Littleroot to Oldale.
Even with a carefree look, often on his guard, eh? …That’s something he may or may not have heard of. Then again, it’s not like Silver knew how to relax his expression for more than a minute or something.
“Just be careful of the words you say while being carefree then.” he spoke. Silver would know. Even with a serious outlook, some were offended by his words and retaliated. But back then, it wasn’t like Silver actually cared. But then again… he has grown to be a bit softer since then. Still… there were times when it would take one a few moments to comprehend what Silver actually means.
“You don’t need to worry about me, but I appreciate the concern, Silver. I’ll make sure I’m careful.” It was kind of odd talking so normally with his senior but it also felt rather calming to know that he seemed to show some care for his junior.
At first it seemed like Silver wasn’t much interested in the three Hoenn Dex holders, but maybe that could just be chalked up as too worried about other things to care. With everyone just being able to get some relaxation since their own dramatic events, it’s pretty obvious why trying to get to know his new juniors would be low priority right now.
“You should be careful too. Don’t let yourself be so cautious all the time! You have to try and enjoy yourself when you can, got it? This may be the only real time you can.”
❝A party just for the celebration of one’s birth?❞
He had never heard such a thing before. Did everyone celebrate that? Maybe it was just a human thing. After all, he’s never heard any of the legends doing such a thing. Then again, all of them have their own job and live in different regions, so gatherings like a party would be difficult.
❝I had never heard of the term before. I don’t have a birth day, so I don’t celebrate such events. Especially for myself.❞
“Do Pokémon not have birthdays? I never really thought about it before but since you brought it up… Wait, when were you actually born Celebi?” This was something that never once came to mind but now that it was brought up, maybe he should ask. Did his Pokémon ever wonder about their own birthdays and why nothing happened on those days?
Now there’s a face he could get used to. No, he wasn’t going to question the sudden change. If anything, it sort of reminded him of how Blue was. Typically the carefree type, but also someone who knows when it was time to be serious. ..At the same time, Silver was usually serious anyways. He only ever stopped being on the edge when he’s with someone he completely trusts… and that is just with a few people.
“…Nothing’s ever good. Always try to be in top form with your team. I… don’t believe in having a carefree look in life.. but don’t ever let your guard down for even a second.” he advised.
“Just because I act carefree doesn’t mean I’m never on my guard… It may not seem like it, but I’m on guard more often than one would think. I just don’t like to show it much.”
Being a serious person like his father just wasn’t the way Ruby wanted to live his life. He preferred the more carefree and fun life that he chose to live now. Yet it always seemed trouble might be around the corner so he had to keep himself in top shape. Wouldn’t want something horrible to happen to him and those he cared about.
“Y’know, if you’d like I’d be more than happy to design some kind of outfit for your Pokémon that really lets those ribbons stand out. I can even put some kind of case in it so the ribbon stays protected.”
“Thanks but no thanks. I don’t let others design outfits for my Pokémon. Nothing personal, I’m sure you understand.” He waved his hand at her to emphasize that she didn’t need to do that. Outfit designs for his Pokémon were only ever going to be done by him or, if at all, his master. Though who knows if Wallace even did that as often as Ruby.
A soft gasp escaped the shiny’s lips as her eyes laid on the trainer.
❝Oh wow… a human…❞
“And… you’re a human too. Do you need something?”
It wasn’t everyday that you randomly stumbled across someone who gasps at the sight of you. Well maybe for Ruby now but the comment about being human was a little strange.
“Yeah. I never heard of the Pokémon actually wearing the ribbons…” she admitted. It was a strange prospect, no doubt. “I would get some kind of case for your ribbons. Oh! And you can make a sticker or something to put in the slot for which Pokémon won the ribbon!”
“Not a bad idea… I guess that could be something I can get on the side for later. I’ll looking into it. But really, you should let your Pokémon wear the ribb0ns every now and then. They can really bring out some cute features if you can pull it off right.” It seemed like the two of them were just going to try and exchange ideas for their ribbons now.
❝Oh, wow! That’s amazing, Ruby! Ya sure did a lot since the last time I saw ya. But I do have a question, what’s a birthday party? Is that a party to celebrate the new day?❞
It was a serious question that he had no idea what the answer to. After all, starting out alone with no family meant that there was no way to keep track when you were born, let alone to celebrate it.
“Birthday party?” Well that was random. “It’s where you celebrate the day of your birth; as in when you were brought into the world. Why do you ask? Is yours coming up?”
Did Celebi even have a birthday? Well, he must have, but when was it? And not only that, but how old would he even be at this point in time? Now there was just too many questions running through Ruby’s brain.
He let out a joyful laugh and hugged the other back. It was always nice to see an old friend. After all, they did save the world together. He might have used the trainer to get the job done, but it ended up being a new friendship that he will always treasure.
❝I’m so glad to see ya, too! I’ve been pretty busy in my forest, keeping things they are supposed to be. I was gone for awhile after all, so I needed to get things organized again. But I haven’t had any adventures since the last time I saw ya. How about ya?❞
“Well, after you left, I was able to win all of the contests here in Hoenn on the last day of the deadline. Then I had a birthday party with Sapphire. Besides that, the two of us went to the Battle Frontier to meet with a new friend of ours named Emerald. Sort of had to save the world again with the rest of the dex holders. No big deal, right?”
Oh yes, that was not a big deal at all. Saving the world like that was going to become an everyday thing for him if it kept up.
…The fourth person he’s met who said they won’t pry. He looked at the hand for a moment before slowly bringing out his hand to shake Ruby’s. Ruby, huh? Like a gemstone or something? He hates wondering the same thing as that man but… what is it with parents naming them after colors and gems?!
“Likewise. Thanks for not prying.”
“No need to thank me. We all got a past we don’t like to talk about, right? So don’t worry about it.” A nervous laugh came from the young man as he waved his hand about. Wow, was he ever making this become more awkward than it had to be. But hey, that was starting to become kind of a specialty of his now.
“So have things been okay since I last saw you guys? Nothing troubling any of you?”
