Return [Laz/Sage]

[Van Akiyama]

It was a few minutes past noon when Van entered the courtyard of the Pokemon Academy. Squall, his Honchkrow, was riding on his shoulder and scanning the area carefully as it always did and Aska, his Togepi, was resting peacefully in his arms as he glanced around the courtyard. Both students and faculty members were relaxing in their favorite spots and chatting with their friends as they enjoyed their breaks between classes and duties. The scene brought back a sense of deja vu of the day he had arrived at the academy to Van as he watched the populace of the academy carry on with their day.

After glancing over the area a few times, Van made his way across the courtyard to a small bench about half way through the courtyard. The bench faced the edge of a small pond where several fish Pokemon could be seen loitering beneath the water's surface. As he set his pack next to the pond and sat down on the bench, memories of the time he had met Rin flashed through his mind. He had saved her from drowning after her Jigglypuff and sent her into a daze with its singing. For a short time afterward, Van had thought that he had been in love with her. However, rumors that she had begun to see someone had dashed his hopes of such a relationship forming.

As he gazed into the water of the pond, Van's thoughts veered from Rin and the academy to the time he had spent absent from the academy. He had received an email from his parents telling him that his uncle had passed away when his restaurant caught fire and burned down. He had been saving one of the waiters when a large piece of debris had fallen and struck him, dealing a fatal blow. Van was flown back to Lilycove a day before the funeral and award ceremony to grieve with his family. His uncle had taught him many things during his childhood and losing him so suddenly had been hard. The funeral had passed quickly and his uncle had been given an award for his actions, leaving Van and his family to hold a feast in memory of his late uncle.

Restraining tears from the memories of his uncle, Van's thoughts shifted to what happened after the funeral and the feast. A few days after the funeral, his parents had told him that they had arranged a treatment at the Lilycove hospital for his eye. The procedure was to revert the eye that had been turned violet by his Muk's poison back to its original cyan hue. Although he was reluctant at first, Van agreed to go through the treatment. He was admitted into the hospital and underwent the treatment a few days later. The procedure had worked in cleansing his eye and reverting back to its original color, though he had been told to refrain from any intense activities for a week or so.

A week had passed and Van was sent back to the academy with full support of his family. Seeing as he had arrived late in the day, Van had been told that he didn't need to attend classes that day so that he could unpack. Once he had finished unpacking what little he had taken back home with him, Van explored the island until he found himself on the bench and gazing into the pond water. It was hard to believe that he had been absent from the academy for nearly two weeks.

After watching the fish in the pond a minute longer, Van reached into his pack and pulled out a small book from his pack. The small book was bound in white leather and had the word Loveless stitched into both the front and the spine. The book was a collection of poems that formed a story when they were all put in order. The book had been adapted into a play and had become a favorite of his to read when he had nothing else to do. As he opened the small book and began to read, Squall hopped off of its trainer's shoulder and onto the back of the bench. Once it had become comfortable, the Honchkrow began to relax in the warm noon sun. Aska had awoken for only a few moments before falling back asleep in its trainer's lap.

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[Lazarus]

"That may the Goddess let grace shine, honor for those in reprieve, holy thou art pain, in name of such thy love."

A string of words had flowed out. It was not a song, nor was could it even be counted as an actual poem. It was just a few pretty words mashed together to look like something important. The moments of the usual silence stayed longer, turning the critique into an unusual strand of time.

"C'mon Constantine, just tell me if it needs more work. You know this much."

Laz said to his starter who was still thinking about things. The two had a weird hobby of reading poems and story books when they had time. Lately, the two had been interested in poem making and so, it had become the object of their interest. As of late, the two had just finished reading a few excerpts from the renowned Shakespeare, hearing that it was a good start if you wanted to learn something.

"Trainer, it does seem like it needs a few more tweaks. We are both novices when it comes to these things and we must take it step by step."

Kostya replied as he continued to float towards the Gazebo, Laz slowly at his heels as the two had honestly nothing better to do for the day aside from taking a break. There were a few other people around the place, faculties and students having fun with their friends and generally enjoying their time here with other people.

Having not really made good connections with everyone due to a lot of things he had to cope with, the red head couldn't really say that he had friends around the school. Sure, a lot of people know what he was but barely anyone knew who he was. Regardless, Laz continued on everyday just being content that his pokemon were there for him.

Human Contact would've been nice.

Just as Laz was thinking about this, somehow, he bumped into the Gengar that he had. How that happened, he didn't really bother knowing. There are just some things not worth finding out when it came to pokemon. Kostya had felt a sense of familiarity in the air, a sense of familiarity that was somewhat rare now. A sense of danger.

"Squall is here."

The Gengar stated, telepathically of course, as he headed towards the direction where the vibes became stronger and stronger. Laz knew who Squall was. One way or another, that only meant one thing. It brought a smile on his dirt trodden look at least.

"Are you sure its him?"

Laz asked his Gengar who he had also tirelessly followed. Even passing by a few people on the way there. A few more turns and the pokemon stopped hovering somewhere behind a bench. 'Yeah, that's definitely him.' Laz thought, a small grin on his face as he walked forward.

"Hey Van."

[Sage Ryland]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,10,true][atrb=style, background-color: black;,true][cs=2] & YOU'RE NOT EVEN HUMAN ` YOU'RE JUST A LOVELY IDEA OF ONE WHO I ACCIDENTALLY LOVED AND GAVE EVERYTHING TO BECOME THE GIRL ON THE PIANO BENCH SINGING ALL OF HER TEARS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - away
[atrb=width,240] Sage wore her neutral button down blouse with her sleeves rolled up and the bottom front of it tied up, denim cut off shorts with her Silver rank belt around it, and had her clubmasteresque sunnies shades hanging from her right pocket. She didn’t want to wear something too warm since it was a sunny day after all as she made her way to the favorite empty classroom at the moment. In the Music Appreciation Room, Sage was singing one of her favorite songs “Unthinkable” by Aaliyah and Drake. It was one of her off-times without training any of her pokemon or working out; it was just a time to relax and enjoy life like it was. She loved singing the melodious and sensual tone of the heart-warming song she was singing to. As she sung the lyrics to her cherished and romantic song, she put her hands in her pockets since she felt nervous or more so alone. Maybe if she had someone playing the keyboards or the guitars, it would be nice than just singing acapella. Sage sighed and pulled her hair back in nervousness and worriedness. She reminded herself not to think about Laz. It wasn’t good for her health to always feel guilty about breaking up with him. It seemed immature but all she wanted to do was avoid him as much as possible until she didn’t feel guilty anymore. Deep inside, she knew that plan would ultimately be a fail. She was bound to encounter him sooner or later. Honestly, she did still have feelings for him but not as strong as before. If she saw him, she might be tempted to give him a kiss. She had to admit, she still found him very attractive. She wasn’t perfect. She drowned those thoughts when she finally spotted an acoustic guitar leaning against the wall right next to the keyboard. She walked forward and leaned forward reaching to grab the acoustic guitar. And bam, memories of her singing with Laz hit her but she shook her head hard forgetting those used to be cherished memories of her and ex-boyfriend playing music together. She carefully held up the guitar and sat on one of the seats placing the guitar so she felt somewhat comfortable holding it. She decided to let one of her pokemon listen to her music playing today specifically a pokemon who didn’t listen to her singing yet. She decided to let her psychic pokemon, her Kirlia, Scarlett out. She reached for her Silver Rank belt and took one of the poke balls from the belt and as a red light flashed, out came her Kirlia, Scarlett who spun around happily and bounced up to the chair next to Sage’s chair. She looked at Sage curiously as if wondering what she was doing in this new and strange room full of different items. Sage seeing Kirlia’s inquisitive eyes answered with a warm smile, “I’m going to sing a song. It’s one of my favorites, “Turn the Lights down Low. Do you want listen?” She paused waited for her Kirlia’s response who then nodded slowly and grinned beginning to spin around. It made it seem like Scarlett to saying that if she was going to sing, then she’ll dance. Sage thought that was quite nice of her to dance with her singing. She had a random thought remembering that Scarlett was such an attention whore sometimes. When Sage would be training her other pokemon, Scarlett would try to find ways to get her attention in any way possible. Sage remembered Scarlett pissed off Persephone because of that. It resulted well, after Persephone had a “talk” with Scarlett, she had toned down her attention seeking ways. Today, it seemed that Scarlett was just happy. But as Sage was about to open her mouth and strum her guitar to sing, she heard a pop from her belt and out came her Duskull, Rhett with his very much so pleading eyes moving toward her Kirlia. Sage face palmed herself and remembered the obvious reason why is nicknamed the “love-sick puppy ghost.” He was in love with Scarlett. Sage put her guitar down and got up from her seat as she scolded Rhett, “Hey I didn’t tell you to come out! What’s the deal Rhett?” Though Sage already knew the reason, she just wanted to say it out loud to admonish him for disobeying her. Sage observed Scarlett stare at Rhett disbelievingly and hopped out as she rushed out the Music Appreciation classroom with Duskull following her Kirlia into holding a bunch of flowers. Wait? Where did he get those flowers? Sage cursed at herself wishing she had closed the classroom’s door and rushed out of the classroom as well hoping the catch up to her pokemon very soon. She held on to her shades since she didn’t want to risk them falling off and breaking. Her shades didn’t really cost much at the store but those shades were her favorite. As she began running after her two pokemon, Scarlett and Rhett, she rushed back to the classroom almost forgetting her brown messenger bag. After putting her messenger bag around her body, she rushed back out the Music appreciation Classroom door, she already could see them heading outside to the school’s courtyard. She ran down glancing nervously at the other students she passed by and got out keeping her eyes on her pokemon. She finally caught up seeing her Kirlia spinning around smugly on a bench, while Rhett was still trying to catch up to her and still holding on to the bunch of flowers. Sage admonished, “Rhett come back here” as he lowered his head in his failed attempt and came back to Sage hovering beside her. Sage ordered, “Scarlett come back!” she paused noticing another person next to her, “We don’t want to bother that person right?” Sage turned to the trainer apologizing, “Sorry ‘bout that.” But then Sage widened her eyes seeing the familiar silver-colored hair and that cyan hue eyes. Wait, wasn’t one of them a different color? Sage asked out loud, “Van? Is that you?” She hasn’t seen him for over two weeks or so. She wondered what he had been doing when he had left. She didn’t know him that well but he seemed like a down-to-earth guy to talk with.	[atrb=width,140] outfit , Lazyyy music , Unthinkable—Alicia Keys&Drake tagged , Laz&Van notes , Welcome Back Van ^^
[cs=2] TEMPLATE BY CALIFORNIA DREAMING OF CAUTION 2.0

[Van Akiyama]

As he read through the third act of Loveless, a warning sound from Squall caught Van's attention. The sound of footsteps approaching from behind reached his ears a moment later. After bookmarking his page and closing the book, Van turned and followed the Honchkrow's gaze to see who had caught its attention. Approaching them was a tired looking trainer with dark red hair, dark eyes and a Gengar following behind him. Van recognized the trainer as Laz Ysal, one of the few friends he had made during his time at the academy. I should have known. Not many other people would have attracted Squall's attention like that. Van thought as he listened to the short greeting that Laz offered.

"Hey, what's up?" Van responded as a small friendly smile formed on his lips. The red haired trainer looked like he had just gotten back from a day of rough training. However, before he could say or do anything more, a Kirlia sudden leapt onto the bench he was sitting on and began to spin gracefully. It seemed to Van that it was showing off for someone. Taking a quick glance around him, Van quickly caught sight of a depressed looking Duskull holding some flowers and a blonde haired trainer with red eyes approaching him. The trainer watched as Sage came up to the bench he was sitting on and called for the Kirlia to come back. His small smile widened a bit as a short look of surprise crossed the female trainer's face when she recognized him and listened as she asked if it was him.

"Yeah, it's me. What's up?" Van responded, offering a small wave and a friendly smile as a greeting. He had only really spoken to Sage a few times in the past. She had been in a relationship with Laz at the time, so he hadn't really seen her much outside of the few times they had been in the school's music room at the same time. Even during those rare times, their exchanges had been rather short and comprised of mostly small talk. Yet, even though they didn't know each other very well, Van still considered Sage a friend of his.

After greeting Sage, Van turned his red and cyan eyes back towards Laz and his Gengar. A realization that both Laz ans Sage were present suddenly dawned on him as he glanced between the two with his multi colored eyes. The last he had heard of their relationship before he had left the island for his uncle's funeral was that the two of them had broken up. After a moment of silence, Van placed the Loveless book back into his bag and looked back towards his two friends. He didn't know how each of them had taken the break up, so he could only hope that the situation didn't turn awkward or tense between them.

"It's good to see you both again. How has life been treating the two of you?" Van asked. He hadn't heard anything from anyone on the island since his temporary departure, though it seemed things hadn't changed too much during his absence.

[Lazarus]

"Now that I think about it, you've only been gone for two weeks. Honestly felt longer than that."

Laz commented, a small grin on his face as he urged his muscles to force his hand to make a small wave of acknowledgment at the Honchkrow that was keeping an eye on him. Kostya on the other hand, already zipping and ripping the wind with his favored speed and coming face to face with the Honchkrow.

<"It's good to have you back, Squall.">

Kostya said, a small bow to go with the poke-remark he had made at the arguably strongest Honchkrow he has had the pleasure of meeting. Regardless of the fact that he was the only Honchkrow he's seen. The Purple Ghost lowered himself on the ground and turned around to personally greet the Silver Haired trainer but his huge grin, his perpetual creepy grin turned into an uncharacteristic scowl as bits of malice started to leak from his contained posture.

There she was, a silvery blonde woman walking towards Van. Doubting between the choices that presented themselves in his mind, Kostya had gritted his teeth and refrained from informing his Master. There were things that not even he could protect the person from. Only giving a small hint of respect, a simple wave to the Sage, Kostya had quickly left for his Master's side as he had left.

Laz took no heed of whatever his started did and instead chose to answer the silverette's question. "Alright, I guess. A lot more hostile pokemon though, from what I've observed. Either that or they just hate me." Laz joked as he walked forward, turning his back to the bench and by chance, ignoring the other people that were there, honestly not knowing they were there at all.

"So what happened anyway? You suddenly left and...what happened to your eye? I distinctly remember that being a different color before you left."