[FIN] Trials and Tribulations

[BlackPidgeot]

In the crisp morning air of the seaside city of Camphoreon, a pair of figures was walking to the ferry dock to seek a transport back to their home country. Granted it wasn't exactly a usual sight.

One of them was a young blonde man in a regal blue and white uniform with long coattails. The other was in some rather fancy looking foreign clothes, which for him was his every day attire, and also had long black hair. The latter also had his hands held in front of him with handcuffs upon his wrists.

Yuri had shown up at the embassy just a little while prior, which had been demanded of him by order of Grande Ile Guarde and Kodo authorities. He was heading back home to attend a hearing about his crimes in both countries. And as per protocol, a military officer had to accompany him. Flynn had been the lucky one chosen, or rather, he had volunteered for the job.

There were two others they were supposed to be attending the said hearing and for convenience sake, Flynn had schedule a boat ride for the four of them together. Thus the pair waited, Yuri looking impassively towards the boat, neither bothered nor pleased about the circumstance. But rather like a man who had gone through this routine before. Repede sat between them, holding his pipe between his teeth with dignity.  

[Tori Honoo]

With a soft yawn, a girl with long dark hair made her way toward the docks, tugging a little at the long sleeves of the thin cardigan she wore over her hands, her arms wrapped gently around a small blue eevee. Another eevee, this one a little larger, but still much smaller than average walked beside her, her countenance calm and sleep drugged.

While the idea of travel had always delighted the model, the itinerary for today's journey left a writhing knot in her stomach, and the lack of sleep wasn't helping. Nightmares that had seemingly dissolved had returned in flashes the nights after she had received the notice of the hearing she was to attend on her friend's behalf, and as she closed her eyes a moment, she thought she might have caught a glimpse of torn flesh of a man she didn't know, but had immediately learned to fear. Shaking her head a little to rid her mind of the undesired memory, she continued on, her brows furrowing as she spotted the two men already there and waiting.

A sigh left her chest, and she moved closer, offering a tiny wave to the two instead of verbal greeting, as neither looked exactly receptive at the moment. Lovey padded over to greet the pokemon between them, and the other tiny eevee stayed asleep in Dove's arms.

The handcuff's around Yuri's wrists did startle her, and she blinked before looking away for a moment, turning back to the long haired man a few short seconds later with an apologetic, but worried weak smile. The anger over the entire situation had subsided quickly, and in its wake came only concern and stress.  

[BlackPidgeot]

By the time Luke arrived, it was time to go. Flynn led the way onto the boat, with Yuri following along with it. With little comment, the dark haired man boarded and simply waited in a seat on the boat's deck. His black eyes looking boredly out at the sea.

Eventually the ship's horn sounded and the boat began to move. Once the ship was well out of port, Yuri finally stood up and moved over to his blonde friend that was standing by the rail

Flynn looked up just as Yuri held up his shackled wrists. Wordlessly the blonde unlocked the cuffs and put them away.  

[Tori Honoo]

She found the lack of conversation extremely unsettling, especially with Yuri's wrists bound and Flynn looking so official, but followed them onto the boat after a quick greeting to Luke. Taking a seat close by Yuri, she continued to snuggle the little 'vee in her arms as she watched the other three, unsure really of what to say or do. When Yuri stood, and made his way to Flynn, she watched curiously, then relaxed visibly when the shackles were removed, a sigh escaping her chest.

Lovey, still sleepy, but unwilling to be impolite, stepped up to Luke and blinked up at him with a wave of her tail. "Veeee!"  

[Suudonym]

The atmosphere was strangely tense - or perhaps, given the context, it wasn't so strange, but Luke followed suit in the silence that predominated the small group. The ocean, at least, was the same as always, bright and blue and carrying a salt-scented breeze. The uncomfortable silence was punctuated by an Eevee's cry, small and distinct as the pokemon that produced it, and Luke regarded briefly before leaning down to respond to Lovey's greeting with a light scratch of her ears.  

[BlackPidgeot]

Now that his wrists were free, Yuri put one hand on his hip and turned towards his comrades with a smile.

"Hey, what's with all the long faces?" he asked with a cheerful air to his tone. "You guys look like you're going to a funeral or something."

Flynn sighed and smiled weakly at Yuri's words.  

[Tori Honoo]

Lovey, pleased with Luke's response, promptly balanced on her hind legs and pawed at his knee, her eyes closed happily. "veee!"

A small smile did cross the girl's face as she watched the interaction, but it quickly faded as Yuri spoke, and she fixed the man with a look of almost disbelief, before trying at another smile herself. "It's...early," she offered, shrugging a little. The tiny eevee in her arms peeped unhappily as it was shifted, and she immediately settled again, stroking the pokemon's ears.  

[Suudonym]

Since the Eevee seemed so to enjoy the attention, Luke indulged her, raising his other hand to her flank to pet carefully, mindful of the fact any revealed velcro on the protective brace was liable to catch her fur. He raised his attention to Yuri as the man spoke, wearing a light frown as he tried to determine what would constitute a better expression. "Visiting home's never been much fun," he rationalized, falling into a faintly apologetic smile. It was true enough; his reasons for returning to the country were always so unpleasant.  

[BlackPidgeot]

Dove's excuse wasn't all that believable, but Luke's on the other hand was well merited, and Yuri knew it.

"Yeah... sorry for dragging you guys into this," Yuri apologized.  

[Tori Honoo]

Lovey jumped into Luke's lap, determined to make the boy smile by any means--and to enjoy his attention.

Dove's face fell at Luke's response, unsure of what exactly he meant, but able to relate at some level. Visiting home didn't exactly sound like a thing she would want either.

Yuri's apology was met with another wide eyed look until she softened a little. "Dragging me? I'm willingly following... It wouldn't do any good to send you into this alone, right?"  

[Suudonym]

Luke moved to sit, legs folded to accommodate Lovey. The smile the Eevee achieved was faint and transient. He nodded in accord with Dove's response, "It's not anything to apologize for."  

[BlackPidgeot]

"C'mon, I'm a big boy," Yuri said lightly, before looking over to Luke "Well.. thanks." He couldn't exactly be ungrateful for them coming along to support him, after all.

Flynn's smile broadened a little as he watched this exchange. It was good to know that Yuri had friends to support him when he couldn't.  

[Tori Honoo]

Yuri's response elicited a slightly truer smile, and she nodded. "You saved us both. And besides, I've never seen Grande Ile," she added, switching from a deep seriousness to a subject of lighter value. It wouldn't do any good to dwell on it. It wouldn't do any good for any of them, and a light joke, she hoped, might lighten things up.

Lovey continued to snuggle Luke, glad for whatever smile she could get. A slightly embarrassed look from her trainer to the redhead was met with a quick look to him as well. Oh...

"If she's bothering you, Luke, I can take her... I'm sure Diana wouldn't mind." She was asleep as it was.  

[BlackPidgeot]

"Well.. there's plenty to see I guess. Though I wouldn't really know much outside of Devoirue."

That made him think of something and he glanced over to Luke. "Thinking about seeing your old man while you're there?" He had to wonder on what sort of ground Luke and his dad were on. Though after everything, he wouldn't blame Luke for not wanting to see him but...  

[Suudonym]

Luke shook his head mildly at Dove's offer, "It's all right; she's no bother." Interacting with Eevee always felt so distantly nostalgic.

Yuri's question prompted a slight scoff in reply, his smile dry. "Not if I can avoid it." He wasn't necessarily on bad terms with his father at this point, but any time they were in the same vicinity it was inevitable that they would end up clashing one way or another.