[PRP] Onion Rings

[BlackFireKitsune]

A light flurry of snow fluttered down, small flakes dancing on the breeze, landing on eyelashes, disappearing into the thin white sheet that barely covered the ground. The light snowfall didn't deter many people from being out and about though, and Abel was one such person. He stood in the park wearing a jacket to fend off the cold, tossing a tennis ball up before catching it a few times with a grin aimed at the darkly colored Growlithe spinning and whining in front of him. "D'you want me to throw it again?"

The fire-type barked excitedly - playing ball was one of the only times the generally grumpy Growlithe actually got excited about something - and spun in another circle. Laughing, Abel drew his arm back then threw it as hard as he could in a random direction, and Caleb immediately turned and took off after it.  

[Gwennythe]

Her deliveries for the day complete, Roxie was in the mood to give her pokémon an hour or two of rest and/or play, whatever they decided. For Marici, who had been flying only from point A to point B so far, it was time to play in the sky, snow or not. The Braviary and Micro, her Skarmory,- keen to show off and show how she could /clearly/ outfly Marici (in her opinion)- took to the skies as soon as they were given free reign, swooping through the snow and up to play through the clouds.

"See ya later!" Roxie called with amusement, left on the ground with her two non-fliers.
Mara, nosed at the air; the little green Amaura fascinated with the snowflakes that were coming from the sky rather than her. She seemed quietly pleased to experience such a thing and padded all four saurian legs in a strange little dance to disturb the thin sheet she stood on.

Mahfuz, meanwhile, had his eyes on a fellow Growlithe and his trainer, nearby, playing with a tennis ball. His tail began to wag.

"Uh-oh." Roxie stated with quiet mirth and no alarm. "'Ey, ya better ask before you go off chasin' someone else's ball." she told the fire puppy, knowing already that her words would be unheeded as before she'd even finished the sentence, Mahfuz was running off in the same direction as Caleb, eager to play.
"Or ya could leave that to me. I guess." She sighed with mock exasperation and turned to walk toward the man who'd thrown the ball, an impish (she had been going for 'apologetic') smile on her face.
Mara trotted shyly along behind her, keeping Roxie between her and Abel though using her long neck to peek around her trainer.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

There was the ball, he could see it, he was almost there--

And then there was another Growlithe racing towards it too, and Caleb nearly stumbled in his disbelief at the audacity of the other fire-type. It was his ball! With a grumpy huff he hurried to go grab it before she could.

When the unfamiliar Growlithe entered his line of vision, Abel's eyebrows rose a bit before an amused smile crossed his face. Ah, well now, Caleb would have some competition it seemed, and maybe a playmate for the afternoon; that would be nice. A moment after he started to look around the vicinity for an owner of said Growlithe, he spotted someone walking towards him with what he could only call a curious expression. When she was close enough to call out to comfortably without yelling or anything, Abel lifted a hand in a greeting. "Hey. That your Growlithe?"  

[Gwennythe]

A race! To the ball! How exciting! Yes, this was a fun game! Mahfuz found himself outpaced by Caleb but that was fine- the race, the game, itself was what was fun, whether he reached the ball or not.

He bounded around the other Growlithe barking a happy greeting.
<>

Apologetic was hard to do, and sheepish didn't really come to her easy either; she was left with a relaxed, almost dismissive (yet friendly) countenance. An easy smile.

Roxie wore a tatty brown coat over her usual attire, though her midsection vanished beneath a slightly longer version of her white top. She'd also chosen to accessorize with a red scarf loose around her neck.

"Yeah. Sorry he's crashin' your game. Got a bit excited seein' ya throw that ball and your Growlithe goin' after it. Name's Roxie, 'e's Mahfuz. This," She gestured behind her at the Amaura who was still behind her except for her head and neck "is Mara."  

[BlackFireKitsune]

...it was talking, why was it talking. Why was it talking so much. Caleb groused as he skidded to a halt, grabbed the ball, then immediately turned around and raced back towards his trainer.

"Nah, that's fine," the blond replied with a shrug, "he's not ruining anything. Although I don't know if Caleb would agree," he added with a wry smile aimed towards the darker colored Growlithe. Attention focused back on his unexpected but not unwelcome company, he offered a more friendly grin. "Nice to meet you, Roxie. My name's Abel. That's Caleb, if you hadn't already guessed. And," he paused to crouch down to be more on the Amaura's level - or slightly below it, it was a little tall - and softened his expression a bit for the obviously shy pokemon, "nice to meet you too, Mara. You're awfully pretty. Or handsome -- whichever you prefer."  

[Gwennythe]

<> Mahfuz called after Caleb as he ran as hard as he could, still talking, after the other Growlithe.

Mara's cheeks seemed to gain a small layer of ice as she 'blushed' but seemed quite pleased to receive the compliment; ducking back around but not completely, staying peeking around Roxie instead of disappearing entirely behind her.

"Ah. Sorry Caleb!" The woman called. "I hope he ain't too bothered. Mahfuz is the friend-seekin' type. Bit of a wrecking ball 'bout it though. Nice t' meet ya too, Abel." She grinned "Callin' 'er pretty's a good way to fast track her to likin' ya. She's always a little bashful on first meet's."  

[BlackFireKitsune]

The more the other Growlithe went on, the more Caleb's irritation grew; he voiced it in a low, rumbling growl. He'd said so many things, even if Caleb wanted to respond, he wouldn't even know where to start to do so. he grunted instead, not bothering to specify or clarify even a single thing.

"...aww," Abel said, a warm smile spreading across his face as he watched the Amaura's reaction. "Ah, he sounds pretty excitable.. He might get along better with one or two of my other pokemon; Caleb can be a bit of a grouch at times. Most times," he added with a thoughtful expression. It cleared and morphed back to a smile again. "And there's nothing wrong with being shy at first, nothing at all; it's good to be cautious of people you're not familiar with. Smart." As he spoke he glanced towards the pair of Growlithe headed their way, and amusement grew in his features. Poor Caleb; the interaction would do him good though. Probably. "So Roxie," he went on as he straightened up, his gaze shifting back to the bashful Amaura for a few moments before focusing back on her trainer, "are you from here originally, or did you move to Kodo from some other region?"