A Quick Break

So far, it had been quite a week for Pilot the Taillow. There was the long flight to Grassveil, a brawl with a hot-headed Charmander, and some dungeon exploration with that weird Weedle... He was certainly getting a workout. But the bird wasn't worn out yet. No, he wasn't even close to reaching his limits. If the bird wanted to become an explorer, he would have to deal with things like this on a day-to-day basis.

He told this to himself as he flew through the air, performing tricks just above the trees. He was practicing everything from aileron rolls to dive bombs, trying to refine them until he could execute them perfectly every time. In his mind, these skills would prove to be useful eventually.

As he trained, Pilot began to take notice of the oppressive heat. Suddenly, the shade offered by the trees was beginning to look very inviting. I'll take a quick break, Pilot thought to himself, fluttering down to the ground. He landed near the pond, and began to whistle a song that his mother had taught him.

Today was a good day, she decided. The temperature of the air was just right, the soft breeze was just there, not too strong not too weak. It blew amazingly along her fur, giving the illusion of soft waves along her fur coat. Yes the weather was just right today. And that alone made the Fox pokemon a very happy lady.

Said pokemon was lounging on top of a large flat rock, soaking in the lovely sun's strong waves. Her brown eyes were hidden behind closed lids, as the residents of the area rested peacefully. The girl had a long day yesterday and was taking her down time like it was her only salvation. She would spend this day relaxing, no battles or rude pokemon will come to ruin her day.

She sighed contentedly, barely taking notice of the other pokemon as they flew under the trees into the cool shade just a little ways from her rock. However, she did take notice of the whistling that started not long after they arrived. It was quite a lovely tune, she decided. After listening for awhile, the Vulpix let her head raise so that she can properly look down at the whistling pokemon, a bird pokemon. Fitting I suppose.

"I must say sweetie, the tune you play sounds positively lovely."

"Gah!" Pilot jumped, caught completely off guard by the Pokemon behind him. Yeah, just give me a heart attack, The Taillow thought, somewhat annoyed. I think I almost died right there... His scowl quickly turned into a look of pure embarrassment when he realized that the Pokemon had been listening to his whistling. While Pilot secretly loved to sing and whistle, he had been taught by his father that it wasn't "masculine", and that he should focus on things like battling.

The bird turned around, awkwardly looking down at the ground. He felt too ashamed to even make eye contact with the vixen. "Uh... Thanks," Pilot said bashfully, desperately trying to think of something he could say to change the topic.

The vixen cocked her head to the side, a pleased smile playing across her face accompanied by her clam, yet sharp gaze. She examined the bird pokemon beneath her, he was a Taillow that much she could tell. Her brown eyes gleaned softly, he looked quite cute being all bashful. He must not be used to having others here his beautiful tunes, that or he actively avoids it. No matter which it may be, the Vulpix had heard him and her interest was piqued. 

"Look me in the eyes sweetie, no need to be bashful. You sound amazing."

She leaped gracefully off the rock, coming to stand in front of the fellow. While she spoke, she let her paw firmly and gently turn his head to face her(if he let's her that is. If not then she just steps back.), before stepping back a good distance and smiling. She wanted a good look into his eyes, to see what emotions could be boiling behind them.

It took a while to process, but when the bird finally got over his initial embarrassment, he realized what had just happened. Wait a second... Pilot thought to himself, looking up. Did she just call me "sweetie"? His pride had clearly been bruised by the Pokemon's choice of words. What, did the Vulpix think he was a child or something? The Vixen's seemingly condescending (in his eyes) attitude was making his blood boil.

He stood idle, watching the Pokemon as she approached him. When she laid her paw on the bird, he snapped, pushing her paw away with his wing. "Don't... Call me... 'Sweetie'..." Pilot growled, his facial expression now a scowl.

The Vulpix chuckled at the response her reaction brought. How cute, he was definitely going to be a fiery one, she can practically see the irritation coming from his body language easier. She smiled wider, a beautiful, serene smile. She was rightfully entertained by his angry response at her calling him, 'sweetie' not that it'll stop her from calling him that. It's just what the Fox pokemon was known for doing for everyone.

" Hahaha ~♡, no need to get all riled up sweetheart. I was simply complementing you, unless you don't like praise? Hehe."

She shook her head lightly before gracefully turning around and climbing back onto her prefect little resting spot. She lowered herself down and turned so that still able to see the male, head resting against her paws. She smiled warmly at him, before speaking again.

"Well I can tell my commentary is not wanted, so I'll mind my own business. Continue on as you please sweetie." 

She keep one eye open to watch the males response, while letting her body relax and soak up the sun's rays. Though one of her tails flicked playfully every few minutes. She was entirely to curious on how he would reach on her continued use of, 'sweetie' to refer to him.

Pilot's scowl intensified as the Vulpix laughed. What, does she think this is some kind of joke? The Taillow thought, still growling. He genuinely thought about instigating a fight with the vixen, but he managed to cool down enough to restrain himself. When she went back to her rock, Pilot rolled his eyes, and hopped towards the pond to relax.

Eyeing the water, the bird got a fantastic idea. Dunking his head in, he took a mouthful of water, and then fluttered towards the Vulpix, unleashing an improvised Water Gun.

Did the silly little bird really think she didn't notice what he was doing. Her amused brown eyes was watching his every move in curiosity. She knew what he was trying to do fairly early, she had to applaud his efforts, it most definitely would've worked if she hadn't been watching him the entire time. She pondered on letting his little prank hit her, the water wouldn't be too bad, she already knew it was lukewarm. She didn't mind lukewarm water, or even cool water, as long as it's not freezing. She sighed calmly, she made her decision.

Once he unleashed his watery attack, she simply looked up at him with a mildly amused expression, letting the water hit her furry body without much care. The water did feel quite nice, she decided, not at all bothered by her now wet resting spot. She rested her head back on her paws, letting her eternal flame warm her wet body and dry her fur off. She payed the bird no mind, only letting one eye peak open with an amused look. 

"Thank you for the splash sweetie, the water does feel nice. But I would prefer a warning next time okay dear?"

Pilot groaned loudly, clearly disappointed that his improvised plan hadn't worked as well as he thought it would. He glared at the vixen, and then shook his head. "I'm done," The bird squawked, wearing a crooked smile. "Congratulations... You're officially the most annoying Pokemon I've ever met in my entire life. You win." He said this with genuine sincerity. He had met a lot of irritating Pokemon, but most of them were simply hotheads... This Pokemon, however, seemed to treat him condescendingly, as if she were his mother. She took the cake, easily.

Somewhat worn out from his rage, Pilot took flight and landed on a tree branch, presumably to rest.

The Vulpix watched as the bird gave up on riling her up, it was a lost cause from the beginning, the pokemon was simply to amused and patient to be roused by his attempts. Better luck next time she suppose, smiling a small smile. She did expect a few more tried from him, but this development wasn't all that unexpected. She was surprised when he spoke to her so sincerely, it made her feel quite happy that he was actually telling her the truth. Gave him a few brownie points too. The vixen will let the bird rest, she was not so cruel as to not allow one some sort of rest after being so clearly exhausted.

The Vulpix closed both eyes and started humming. It was a smooth jazzy tune that she remembered from one of the times she visited her friend in town. She let her smooth voice vibrate in her throat, it was a pleasant sound, one she often let younger pokemon indulge themselves in when she plays with them. Contrary to her mature personally and voice, the Fox was actually quite young. It's not her fault her presonaliy made her seem so old and experience, but she was to become a long live Ninetails one day. This may just be early development.

She opened one eye to check on the bird pokemon, her constant humming quieting down until her tune ended, leaving a calm, peaceful silence to envelop her. Causing her to relax while she keep her eye trained on the bird. 

" Hmm ~♡ "

As the rush of adrenaline from Pilot's anger began to subside, he began to wind down, slowly letting his exhaustion overtake him. The bird didn't want to go to sleep (he actually wanted to get back to training), but it didn't seem that he had a choice in the matter. A smooth humming sound nearby lulled him to sleep, although he wasn't sure if it was really there, or if it was just his imagination. By the time it was over, he had fallen sound asleep.

The Taillow looked pretty content in his slumber. Undoubtedly, he was dreaming about something good.

...

After a few hours, Pilot finally woke up from his nap. The sun was almost setting. He swore under his breath, knowing that he wouldn't be able to train in the dark. Gliding to the ground, the bird sat by the pond, staring at his reflection (what a vain little bird).

She had watched him, once he had be coaxed into slumber by her smooth jazzy Lullaby, the vixen took care to keep an eye out for the little bird. She watched from her spot on her rock, making sure that nothing could attack him out of the blue. Though the Pond may be a safe area home to many pokemon, such as herself. She knew that danger was still lurking in these peaceful trees, even the most safest place had it's own troubles. She kept one eye open at all time, using what little psychic power she had to insure that nobody can sneak up on them.

She knew that the male wouldn't like this, but she still felt the need too. She sighed softly, uncurled  tails hanging off the side of her rock, twitching everyone once in a while. She was alone in her thoughts these few hours, she let herself ponder on the nature of her own actions, she eventually decided that her heart was just to big and kind. She couldn't help but help in anyway she could, even if she had to be subtle about it. She let her gaze drift off to the setting sun, taking in its beauty as it vanished slowly across the horizon, taking with it the warmth that the Vulpix has so much enjoyed. Hopefully tomorrow would be a sunny day like this one. 

A fluttering of wings soon caught her attention, and her brown eyes found themselves trained on the young Taillow as he sat at the water's edge. She wondered briefly if he preened, but decided that whether he did or not wasn't something she should worry herself about. As she watched him stares at his reflection, she decided to join him, whether he liked it or not, probably the latter.

She walked gracefully and silently to her target, she walked up to a spot along the water's edge a good personal distance away from him. Then sat down, allowing her gaze to focus on the soon to be appearing moon.

"The moon will be rising soon, do you have an idea on what you'll do?" 

She said this quietly, in her usual smooth voice, only this time it was more subdued. She felt no need to tease the pokemon, it was both too early and too late. For now she'll address him in a polite and calm way.

Pilot's eyes rolled when he heard the Vulpix's smooth voice behind him. Had she really come back to annoy him again? The nerve of some Pokemon... Well, at least she didn't call me 'sweetie' this time, He thought, making a face in disgust. The bird turned around, looking mildly annoyed. "It's not really your business, but no, I have no plans," Pilot said, sighing. "I guess I'm staying here for the night..."

The prospect of being near the vixen for a prolonged period of time made the bird cringe, but he wanted to rest his wings for the next day. In a way, she reminded him of his mother, but not in a good way.

The vixen hummed lightly, turning her head to regard the young bird pokemon. He seems to have some of his energy back, if he had that spunk. The Vulpix chuckled, he still dislikes her, she can tell and he made it no secret. This still was funny, even if she was the only one entertained. She considered scrapping her earlier idea to not tease the male. But she shook her head, she wasn't particularly in the mood.

"Hmm ~♡ If I may ask, what is your goal here?"

"My goal?" Pilot asked, tilting his head in confusion. "Oh, yeah. I'm gonna join the Grassveil Guild... That's why I've been training here," He replied, puffing his chest out a little bit to look tougher. The change in subject immediately made him appear much less hostile. It was almost as if the Taillow had forgotten how much he didn't like the Pokemon he was with... What was that Vulpix's name again? Had he even asked?

"The name's Pilot, by the way," The bird said, giving the vixen an inquisitive glance.