another not-date

[arcanefog]

Characters: Morty and Falkner
Date/Time: December 20th
Location: Ecruteak City, Bellchime Trail
Warnings: None

Comments

[soaringcall]

With Morty's encouragement, Falkner's smile widened and he continued to the next floor unaware of flashing anyone oopsies with a slightly faster pace. The third story, the fourth story, Falkner started to lose count. He knew the tower had many floors where it was visible from even outside the city, but to physically climb up to each one, the realization was even more apparent.

By the final interior floor, Falkner's pace had slowed. He could feel a dull ache build in his legs; even his own gym didn't have this many flights of stairs. He saw from his side the last set of stairs to lead outside to the roof, but for now, he'll stop here to catch his breath. The top floor was more open; even with the screened side doors, there was more light illuminating the area.

He figured this must be sort of a ceremonial hall. There were pillows for kneeling or sitting upon as well as a table towards the farther end for a shrine or altar. The flooring felt different even; he looked down to see polished wood. As he waited for Morty, Falkner proceeded closer to the middle of the room to guess what kind of events were held here.

[arcanefog]

"God I'm getting old..." Morty huffed as he made it to the floor where Falkner was waiting. "I remember when I could make it all the way to the roof without breaking a sweat." His legs were starting to burn too, but there was also the problem that he was wearing too many layers for such a steep climb. Honestly, he should have known better. Realizing there were more important things he should be thinking of, Morty moved over to where Falkner was hovering in the middle of the room.

He stood behind Falkner, quietly, with his hand on the other gym leader's side across his back. But just for a moment before he nodded over to one of the screen doors. "Over there. When you're ready. It's not quite the roof, but it might be too windy up at that height." And as he took his hand away, it brushed against Falkner's lower back unintentionally. He backed up against one of the walls, waiting for the other to make the next move.