Things that Change [Dare/Mod]

[Jay]

The Zoo area was rather cold at the moment, but it didn't stop two racing pokemon to head towards it. No a challenge of sorts had been issued, and both were heading towards the zoo regardless. A large Tropius who was moving rather quickly through the air even as it dropped in temperature as though there were some sort of wall of it. On his back was a blond haired man who was trying rather hard to hold onto the Tropius and push back his hair that didn't seem to want to cooperate any way it went. Finally giving up, Felis finally set his once free hand on Harubi and looked sideways towards Xavier. Looking forwards, again, he smiled. "Come on Haru, we're almost there," he grinned. The Tropius said nothing but continued to fly before speeding up and racing towards the gate of the zoo. making a fast landing, Haru managed to keep some grace despite his bulk. Felis felt his form jerk just a bit due to the landing, yet after that, he slowly sighed and smiled quietly.

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

While he was used to flying Gyarados back, a couple things had gone askew for Xavier; one being the dropping temperature, which not only pricked his skin, but also left a thin layer of ice to build up on Wish's fins. The other was purely incidental; wind pockets. He hadn't expected to soar into one, but alas he had, and although they recovered well enough it was too late, Felis having touched down ahead of them. Smirking to himself, Xavier slowed Wish's pace, earning a grateful murmur from the serpent beneath him. As they touched down, Wish shivered, shaking his head in an attempt to rid of the icicles developing there.

Xavier slid off gingerly, turning to beckon Wish to bend over. The Gyarados replied, nudging Xavier affectionately with his nose as the man rubbed his cheeks in order to warm them. "I'm sorry buddy, I forgot the West became so frigid so fast during this time of year." Wish grumbled in response, smiling a little before blowing a single bubble; all was forgiven. Patting the beast once more, Xavier returned him, before turning to consider Felis. "I guess I'm Gardener Xavier for a day, eh?" He smiled, admitting defeat while flicking his hood up over his head, brushing his bangs from his eyes, strands of hair framing his face delicately.

---

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]Finding that he had actually won the race, Felis found himself grinning a little before slowly sliding off Harubi and looking towards the Tropius. It was cold, and the large Tropius was trying to stop himself from shivering but .... Understanding this, Felis raised a pokeball and returned Haru before looking back at Xavier and smirking a bit. "Yep, it seems so," he answered back with a teasing smile before bringing a hand up and rubbing an arm. "The west has gotten rather cold..." he sighed a bit but smiled and looking into the gates of the zoo. "Shall we go?" he asked smiling towards Xav before starting into the zoo. The zoo was far from what Felis had remembered it to be, sadly. However, it still had the basic layout of sorts. "It sometimes makes me sad..." Felis sighed softly. [/scrolly]

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

Noting the tease behind the other man's smile, Xavier retorted with a quick flash of his tongue, wincing somewhat as the action exposed the warm muscle to the frigid air, sucking it back in with a shiver. "Yeah, its a bit odd, isn't it? Its only October... I wouldn't expect a frost until November, at the earliest." He sighed, catching up to Felis. "Signs of a bad winter... lets hope not." He pondered aloud, mentally groaning at the idea. Xavier despised the winter months... they were just too damn cold.

He fell into step beside Felis easily as they ventured in, glancing around the area curiously. He'd been here in passing, but never got the chance to really marvel, even if it were different from before. Blinking, he looked over at Felis when he spoke, frowning somewhat. Sad? That was no good. Raising his right arm, he plunked his hand onto Felis' shoulder to rouse him. "What does, ne? The memories?" He asked, looking around again. It made sense, he supposed... Felis probably came here with his family, and... "Well, I'm sure there are some good memories in there with the bad. What about those?" He squeezed reassuringly.

---

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]Felis half smiled looking sideways at Xavier and nodding a bit. "This place used to be so busy... I remember my entire family coming here once... except for Father and Lance... they were always doing things different... but Celio, Ferd, and everyone else... it was always fun." Felis chuckled to himself smiling a little at the thoughts. "I was always amazed by the fact that all of the pokemon in the zoo were said to be in Era as well... we have such a vast group of pokemon... do you remember the Unova importations?" he asked now thinking about how all of the Unova pokemon had all but integrated themselves into the Eran world so perfectly. [/scrolly]

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

He was content to nod along with Felis' recollection, blinking at names unfamiliar to him. Ferd, Celio? He was prompted to inquire more about them, but felt rather conflicted; he knew mention of any family past would only upset the man, yet Xavier knew he couldn't never think of them. Nodding slowly, he quirked his head, question at the ready, when Felis beat him with his own question. Blinking, Xavier hummed, pondering. "I believe my Father mentioned it over dinner once while he was home... I only have one Unovan Poke'mon myself. A Carracosta that I won in a lovely little contest. She is very wise." He smiled, recalling the ancient turtle.

Finding his question once more, Xavier finally posed it. "Who are Ferd and Celio, if I can ask? Family?" He kept his tone gentle and a smile fixed, handling the prose delicately. He didn't wish to come across as crude.

---

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]Feliciano found himself smiling at the mention of the large sea turtle pokemon. However, this thought was popped as the question on who Ferd and Celio were. Oh.. right. "Celio was my younger brother... he died when some rebels burned my castle down," he sighed trying to keep his face flat as though he were telling facts despite the number of heartstrings that were starting to pull quietly. "Right after him is Ferdinando better known as Ferd... he came home ... after having been gone for a long time.. Thankfully he's still alive... he comes and goes from the castle now a days... He's found a flower shop that he works at and is happy with....." Felis broke off a moment smiling a little. Of all things, he was grateful to know that one of whom he had thought was dead was alive... It gave him some sort of hope.... Realizing he had stopped walking, Felis started again abet slowly. "Age wise... it goes Lance, Ada, me, Celio, Ferd, Maria, and Rosa...." he sighed a little managing o keep a smile on his face. [/scrolly]

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

Xavier hadn't noticed Felis pause, for he did as well, his grip on the man's shoulder tightening somewhat before slipping off completely to grasp his other arm briefly. He knew mention of Felis' family could possibly upset Felis, but he hadn't expected the blond's response to shake him in such a way. It always did, mention of the rebellion and the fire... and as usual, a great sickening feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. Yet, rather than act out suddenly, Xavier resolved and remained flat-faced, nodding slowly in conjunction with Felis' description. Xav sighed slowly once he finished; he had no right to be upset.

"Quite a large family! I can't fathom it..." He said instead, walking once again. "I'm the lone product of my mother and father. Wasn't exactly planned, but..." He drifted off, smiling softly. An accident child, his mother called him once, and she wouldn't have him any other way. "They figured I was put here for some reason or another. We all are, really..." He paused then, laughing easily, rubbing the back of his head. "Oii look at me going off on a spiritual tangent."

With a quick flick of his wrist, he caught Felis' hand while they walked, keeping his gaze forward. "Your family sounds wonderful, Felis. They wouldn't want to see ya sad for them though. They wouldn't wanna see ya cry... but if you ever have to, you know my shoulder is there." He stated easily, as if it were the most natural thing in Era for him. And it was really, to comfort.

---

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]As Xavier explained his own birth, Felis found himself smiling a little as his eyes wandered around the cages and things left. However, his attention was drawn back as his hand was taken. At Xavier's words, Felis slowly smiled and nodded his head. "Thank you.... I've been able to deal a lot better now a days... it's already been two years... hard to believe..." he sighed a little. "But... yes... we were a big family... but we were all close... I didn't go to public school... Father always hired the private teachers so we could stay home....I always preferred to go out though....Era's vast in itself..." he smiled a little breathing in quietly. "So much to see and do even now..." he said using his free hand to gesture something bigger than himself. [/scrolly]

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

He listened with a keen ear as he too gazed about the zoo, smiling somewhat as he noticed a couple of Aipom dangling from a tree by their tails, huddling for warmth. "You're right, it is very vast... I've seen many things from my travels, inspiring and horrifying... even through the worst of weather, I felt very alive. You witness the most beautiful things... like those two." He pointed out the Aipom with his free hand, smiling wider. "Its little things like that, that make traveling so worthwhile."

A quiet sigh slipped from him then. "Not to say it has its faults, haa." He mused, grinning over at Felis. "Not knowing exactly where you're bed will be that night is both thrilling and dreadful. And sometimes you make worst enemies with your conscious..." He hummed then, looking away. "My Poke'mon were always very comforting of me, but it makes you wonder sometimes what you could be doing instead."

---

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]As Xavier spoke about about his travels and the experiences with them, Felis was rather quiet but not because he had nothing to say. No, he was simply listening and taking it in. Though he liked going out, Felis still liked being able to go home at the end of the day. He always knew he had a home to get back to and family to see again, and in that way, he hadn't actually traveled out without any sort of plan like Xavier had. However, his lifestyle wouldn't allow that anyways given that he had work to go home to. After Xavier finished, Felis slowly smiled and looked off towards a few of the cages. "Everything's got two sides, hm?" he asked quietly. However, he didn't expand on this, not really able to but to words what he wanted to and not wanting to sound confused because of it. [/scrolly]

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

Xavier nodded readily in response to Felis' statement. "You can say that again." He replied, finding his gaze drawn towards a rather large enclosure. Blinking, he let his hand slip from Felis' and approached it, peering down curiously. "This one is awfully large- oi!" He hopped a step back as a purple shockwave was directed towards where his head had once been, causing him to stumble a bit. "What the...?"

In the enclosure below was a shiny Fraxure, presumably the source of the previous purple shockwave (which turned out to be Dragon Pulse). He was leering up towards Xavier and Felis, not quite seeing them, but fully sensing them. The dragon-type had a crown perched upon its head, a tad too big for it, but not by much. As if that weren't odd enough, he began to talk. "You there! Up there! Show yourself and I shall be merciful!" He yelled up, causing Xavier to blink and turn towards Felis with a raised brow. "Should we just keep going...?" he whispered, glancing back towards the enclosure.

---

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]Felis watched as Xavier walked over to the enclosure, yet he was attacked, Felis's eyes grew as a frown formed. Walking over rather carefully, Felis heard the sound of yelling and blinked startled. Looking over the edge for less than a moment at the shiny Fraxure, Felis sweat dropped a bit more. Had it just-..... Looking back at Xavier, Felis found himself looking back at the exhibit again sweat dropping a good deal. He only knew two people that seemed to like dragons: Lance and Miguel, and he was vaguely aware that boh of them had shiny versions of such pokemon as well. Looking back at Xavier again, Felis shook his head slowly and took Xav by the hand before walking him away. "That......." Felis started but lost the ability to speak on what he was thinking. Why had it just... well... uh.... [/scrolly]

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

As he was led away, the voice called after them. "Ha, cowards! Fiends! You think you can outrun me in my own territory - I have knights in high places!" There was a moment of silence, followed by a louder roar. "Intruders! Keep watch of them carefully, I demand it!" The smaller Poke'mon in the area looked up-briefly before shaking their heads or sweat dropping, continuing on their business. The Zoo became eerily quiet once more, a gust of cold air rolling through.

Xavier shivered, stepping closer to Felis instinctively to share the warmth. "It had a crown... and what does it mean 'knights in high places'? Is there some royal line in the Zoo I'm unaware of?" He mused, chuckling in good spirits. before noticing a small shadow lingering on the ground in front of them. Looking up, he saw a Pidove flying high above them, watching them with a keen eye. Xavier couldn't help but face-palm. "I see..."

---

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]As the words continued, Felis sweat dropped a bit wondering if it was simply some sort of joke or if a pokemon really did think of himself as well.... uhm.... He knew that some of his own pokemon seemed to be a bit cockier than others but still....At Xavier's words, Felis snapped out of his own thoughts and looked at the red haired man. At the note on the royal lines, Felis couldn't help but find a quiet chuckle working up in him only until Xavier more or less pointed out the Pidove. Sweat dropping a moment, Felis stopped walking and looked back. "I'm royalty in a neighboring country~ We're just passing by!" he smiled being a bit teasing yet honestly at least obscurely correct. Though the main Rossi line was far from Nolan's, on his mother's side, Felis had some relation to the old king. [/scrolly]

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

Xavier blinked slowly as Felis halted and seemed to tease the Fraxure in the enclosure behind him, tugging on his hand to get him moving again. "I don't think that-" He began but was cut off by the booming voice of the Fraxure. "Royalty from another country?" It seemed closer this time, and indeed it was; the dragon-type had climbed out onto the path and was leering at Felis with a keen eye. "But where is your crown?"

Xavier sweat dropped greatly and stepped in front of Felis, holding his hands up with a sheepish smile and nervous chuckle. "Oh uhm, he... forgot it. You'll have to forgive-" Yet he was cut off again as the Fraxure took steps forward. "You speak for him? Are you his knight?" Xavier blinked slowly before nodding, taking the idea and running with it. "Exactly. We're just out for a... leisurely stroll." He straightened and turned to Felis, bowing. "Shall we continue, my Lord?"

The Fraxure rubbed his chin thoughtfully, snorting a puff of smoke from his nostrils. "What brings you to my Kingdom?" He finally posed.

---

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]At being pulled, Felis had nearly laughed but stopped as he saw the Fraxure in front of him. Blinking and offering something of a smile, Felis was about to speak when it seemed that Xavier moved to have it covered. At the last of it, Felis couldn't help but fight off the urge to laugh at the term 'my Lord'. He would never get used to it.. even when some actually did refer to him as such. At the question from the Fraxure, Felis finally scuttled around Xavier. "We were off on a journey to see the wonders of the world! Freed from the castle for a bit and come here to relish the area~" he smiled before stepping forwards and pulling a rose from somewhere in his jacket and holding it out to the Faxure. "Feliciano Rossi," he browed a bit. [/scrolly]

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

Felis' swift reply had Xavier in high hopes; it was well put. Perhaps this Fraxure would leave them alone, to wander in relative peace. The rose was a nice touch, and Xavier stood, a smirk on his maw. There was no way anyone could resist 'The Rose', as he just dubbed it. "As you can see, my Lord is very benevolent and-" He choked on his own words as the Fraxure huffed a flame from his nose onto the flower, setting it ablaze. The dragon-type pointed at Felis accusingly. "You offer a King of my standing with trifle things like flowers! You should know better. A King of my caliber requires gems, diamonds. You!" He pointed at Xavier, leering at him. "Escort your King to fetch me some. Only then will I allow you to leave. Any false moves and my knights will alert me." With that, he turned tail and walked off.

Xavier bat the burning flower from Felis' hands, allowing it to fall onto the ground, where the cold temperature made the flames hiss and die. Seizing Felis' hand, he inspected it carefully. "Are you alright? Any burns?" He inquired, huffing a sigh and glancing back over his shoulder. "What a greedy little... Poke'mon!" He shook his head.

---

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]The fire had quiet literally eaten through the flower in a second or so, yet Felis's hand seemed to spazum caught between wanting to keep the fire from the rest of it and the fear of fire that was jumping up his skin. It was only when Xavier's hand finally forced Felis to let go of it did the blond haired man even realize that the kingly pokemon was wandering off. Xavier's reactionary questioning words didn't even reach Felis's mind, yet his eyes did fall to his hand. Thankfully the gloves that he normally wore had shielded his actual hand from the flames. However, Felis was moving a lot slower now. "I...........no...." he finally stated back possibly confusing the term 'no' and 'know' or maybe just 'no' itself who knew...? [/scrolly]

[DJ Boomkitty]

X A V I E R



---

Upon noting no damage, Xavier sighed gently. Well, that was at least a spot of good news. Yet as he peered at Felis, a frown twitched upon his visage. He looked... lost. Shocked, and Xavier wasn't surprised. He knew how much Felis adored his flowers, and how he loathed fire, and the Fraxure had all but exploited both of those weaknesses in one blow. It was apparent it had messed with the blond's moral.

With a quiet hum, Xavier released a hand from Felis' and reached up to slide the rose out from his hair, a gift he had received earlier from the other man. He brought Felis' hand up and gently pushed the rose into it, closing both hands around it. He didn't say much of anything; instead, he offered a grin, eyes narrowing in a feline-esque smile.

---