#++ 𝔢𝔪𝔟𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔲𝔭𝔬𝔫 𝔞 𝔧𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔫𝔢𝔶 ( threads ) ++

[rarestones-aa]

@drgnbld​ x

soon as digits sink into the tight muscles of his shoulders lance releases a soft chuckle, head moving slightly more to the side allowing steven more access. a hand of his own moves up to intertwine fingers with the one resting upon his right shoulder, his other continues - reaching the back of steven's head and threading through soft hair. he  adores  steven like this, makes him feel wanted - needed - and he's always more than happy to reciprocate those feelings.

slowly manoeuvring himself around and now the two face each other, lance wastes no time leaning forwards to place an  extremely  firm kiss to steven's lips - one that's loving and needing all the same - arms wrapping around shoulders. while it's brief he still hopes to get the message across, low voice finally speaking up to ask:   "  couch  or  the  bedroom?  "  

a soft moan rises from his throat when lance kisses him like that . . . firm, but not quite forceful, conveying a need that only he can sate. warmth rises through his body, through his face. the arms draped over his shoulders only add to the effect; he can feel his heart racing in his chest. and then, lance poses that question -- it is effective.

leaning in, steven starts kissing along lance’s neck again, moves up and nibbles gently along his jawline. his hands grasp at lance’s shirt, and with a soft exhale, he pauses from his ministrations to answer the question.

❝ couch. ❞

[rarestones-aa]

the champion reaches out to take the card that is offered to him, and peers over the information on it -- contact information for this region’s pokemon league! he tucks the card into the top pocket of his suit jacket, in a way that does not belie the excitement that has started to take hold of him. he can feel that scholarly curiosity rising within him . . . that unquenchable need to sate it. the best of his adventures have started with that feeling, which makes him feel that this is going to be incredibly promising. there is something amazing here. something exciting. i just know it.

❝ i appreciate your help, truly. it may sound cliche, but the world is full of mysteries, and i take great satisfaction in working toward unraveling them. of course, not every mystery can be unraveled . . . when that is the case, i am more than content to simply . . . not know. there is some satisfaction in just letting some things remain unexplained, you know. ❞ he taps his chin, contemplating his next move. should he see the league now, or start at the library? the more he thinks about it, the more he thinks that referencing the literature might give him more of a baseline with which to work when he reaches out to the champion. when one intends to make a proposal to another, it is ideal for the former to be knowledgeable enough to inspire confidence in the latter. that settles it for him, at least for the time being.

❝ would you please show me to the library? ❞

" i'm sure she'd be more than happy to talk to you, Mr. Stone. i'm not usually the one who interacts with her as often as i'd like so i can only give you what i know from first impressions. " Emmanuel can't help but smile. hearing Steven honor himself in such a way was amusing. cute even. MEGA EVOLUTION was definitely a topic many would love to indulge here and he's certain Xochi was the same.

" but that's good to hear but don't tell me that. i'm sure many people would jump at the chance to speak to you no matter what. we don't get many grand visitors outside our home after all. " he moves his hand towards the inside of his jacket to pull out a small card and hands it to him. " here. i'd recommend getting into contact with the League ahead of time. after all, they are busy people with lives outside of being the top Trainers of our region. "

there's a moment of silence as he turns away for a moment. eyes only looking at just the map. he was contemplating, thinking. does he do something now ... or should he wait till Steven finishes sniffing around with the champion before he grabs him for the taking. not like the other man would know what his intentions were in the end. for all Steven could tell, he was just thinking about his day after this.

it was when he spoke again where he looks back at Steven, a gentle smile and kind eyes. " my offer to use the library will remain open during your visit. i wish you much luck on your adventures, Mr. Steven Stone. may your findings benefit the good of all including yourself. "

[hoenncrown]

@pulchramundii​ from here.

The massive man practically purred as he eyed down on the prince. His eyes had an otherwordly glint about them and he held himself with such poise, such power, it appeared as though the entire room was drawn into him like a blackhole. The smoke that bellowed from his nostrils could be excused for the lit cigar in between his fingers, but he exhaled it out with a dull puff. All means regal, all ways commanding.

His servants moved to lean in against him, whispering something in his ear that warranted a laugh. The giant of a man stood up and extended a hand towards Steven, an invitation for them to make contact. When he did, he smiled and bowed at the waist.

"Ah, such fine hospitality. I believe that me and my entourage will be more than taken care of by your Court. We look forward to our time here, your Highness."

He bowed at the waist in a show of humble praise for the crown, but when he stood up again, once more the gravity of the room seemed to be drawn straight to him.

"Please, by all means, I would be glad to rest after my long journey."

it takes a moment for the prince to respond, as he has found himself distracted. he had heard, before, that the duke’s eyes were unique, a sight to behold. he finds himself taken in, lost in them even, but when he registers the sound of words being spoken, he snaps himself out of it.

❝ thank you, your grace. if you would, simply follow my lead. ❞ the prince gestures with his head in the direction they are going before he starts on his way. a pair of palace attendants also follow in tow, likely by his father’s instruction. he does not mind -- it is rare for him to ever be alone here.

❝ here we are, ❞ he says when they, minutes later, arrive at chambers which possess a large, ornate door. clearly, these quarters were intended for someone of status or importance. the prince opens the door, but does not enter.

❝ for the duration of your stay, i hope this will feel like home to you. attendants enter just twice a day for routine cleaning, and they are instructed to not go through your belongings. if you are up to it, i would be honored to give you a tour of the castle once you have rested sufficiently. ❞

[rarestones-aa]

@skullkxd​ gets a starter.

❝ special moves are important, but more important is ensuring that they are a last resort, ❞ steven explains, and to punctuate his point, he unclips his mega pin from his lapel. as he holds it out for ree to examine, he elaborates. ❝ take mega evolution. metagross is usually the last member of my team to battle. that is by design -- i only call upon that strength if my team and i are pushed to our limits. do you understand what i’m saying, ree? your skill and worth as a trainer don’t come from your ability to make use of gimmicks or tricks. if you are a strong and talented trainer, it won’t matter whether or not you can use z-moves. your strength will speak for itself. ❞

[rarestones-aa]

@flarefeu​ gets a starter.

steven knows his lysandre -- his mannerisms, his walk, his body language, his facial expressions, even the very aura that surrounds the man. it is possible that there are others that know lysandre better than he does, but . . . he imagines that such people are few and far between. all of this to say . . . the man before him, though identical in appearance to his lysandre, is certainly not his lysandre. he can feel it. there is just something wrong about him.

❝ who are you? a ditto, perhaps? ❞ steven taps his chin with his finger, and though his eyes are narrowed, he tries not to become hostile prematurely. there might still be a reasonable explanation for this.

❝ or perhaps a zoroark? a close relative i have yet to meet? i can say for certain that you are not the lysandre i know. is this some kind of twisted joke? ❞

[rarestones-aa]

❝ i can’t say i know serena personally, but what she said was true. mega evolution isn’t something that everyone can use. ❞ he brings his hands out in front of him, and intertwines his fingers. ❝ a trainer and their pokemon must be like this to be capable of mega evolution. if they’re not, it doesn’t matter if you have the hardware. they won’t respond to the keystone and they won’t mega evolve. ❞

he releases his hands from each other, and one hand comes to rest upon his hip. the other is raised in front of him, and he wags a finger at ree.

❝ i’ve watched you get stronger and stronger. i’ve seen you go through hardships that might have made another trainer hang up their pokeballs and come out more capable than you went in. you can use z-moves, and your strength is virtually champion level. most importantly, i’ve seen the bond you have with your pokemon. i think you have what it takes. ❞ he offers a genuine smile drops both hands to his sides.

❝ what do you say, ree? i’ve studied mega evolution for years, and i think you’re ready. but -- it’s only if you want. i would never want to pressure you into something like this. ❞

@rarestones said: ❝ did you get the gift i left you? ❞ his eyes glance down to his own keystone, currently embedded in a pin attached to his lapel. ❝ i thought you were ready. ❞

“What gif — wait, hold on. That was you?”

Ree digs the keystone out of their pocket. They hold it up — careful, as if they’re terrified it’ll break — and it glitters in the alolan sun.

Ree looks… conflicted.

“Serena told me that only a few people can… use mega evolution,” they say, voice hesitant. “I — I mean… I’m — this is a big thing. Right? What makes you sure I could…”

[rarestones-aa]

@drgnbld x

SEXUAL  TENSION  PROMPTS.  selectively  accepting.

the way lust riddled amber eyes gaze up towards steven, face flushed with scarlet spreading from the bridge of his nose to the tips of his ears, how digits find themselves wrapped and gripping tightly within steven’s soft clothing, lance would have scoffed at the mere thought of stopping this. unconventional for him, yes, but eager to try something new and with the other looking back down at him with caution and care; it was enough to send a wave of arousal from his chest down below.

“  arceus,  don’t  even  think  about  stopping  this,  ”   he moans with a small laugh, removing fingers to thread through steven’s hair instead, pulling his face down for a quick kiss.   “  are  you  alright?  ”   he manages to ask once they part, playfully nipping the bottom of his lips.   “  i’ll...  let  you  know  it  isn’t  so  long  you  do  too,  deal?  ”  

steely blue eyes gaze down into amber ones, half-lidded, but full of intention. he reaches with one hand, leaving the other to support himself over lance, and gently takes hold of one of the other’s hands. intertwining his fingers in lance’s, he not-so-gently moves to pin that hand down, and leans in for another kiss. this one is deeper than the previous one, and steven’s eyes flutter shut.

he grinds down with his hips, and releases lance’s hand -- shifting his weight back to his legs, he frees his hands and uses them to cup lance’s face while they kiss. when he pulls back for air, there is a red tinge in his cheeks, and a confident half-grin on his face. when he speaks again, his voice is airy, breathless --

❝ you have a deal. i’ll let you know. ❞

[rarestones-aa]

@murmursdraconic​ gets a starter.

❝ . . . now, what did you say your relation was to lance, precisely? ❞

[rarestones-aa]

@ragingwave​ gets a starter.

❝ my, my, do my eyes deceive me? are you nessa, the gym leader here in hulbury? i admit, i had designs upon meeting you, but i wasn’t expecting it so soon. ❞

[rarestones-aa]

❝ are you referring to a potential collaboration between devon corporation and lysandre labs? if so, i am more than willing to pass that information along, but i hardly have the authority to authorize such a collaboration. ❞ steven is already pulling his pokenav out of his suit jacket, ready to send a message to his father. ❝ personally, i think it is a promising prospect. just say the word and i can get the ball rolling. ❞

" we are more than willing to collaborate, more than we have in the past, monsieur. "

@rarestones // starter call

[rarestones-aa]

@tabletbound​ gets a starter.

❝ it’s not unheard of, for the spirit of the fallen to take the form of a pokemon. i will say that this is the first time i’ve encountered a pokemon of legendary status who fits that description. hm. perhaps i lack a full understanding of the situation? there may be more to your legend than meets the eye. ❞

[rarestones-aa]

@drgnbld​ gets a starter.

❝ you know, lance, i’ve chosen where we’ve had lunch almost exclusively up to now. why don’t you decide where we go to eat today? ❞

[rarestones-aa]

@pulchramundii​ from here:

@rarestones wanted to be Isekai’d

“Well now. How did you get in here, hm? Escape your little enclosure, did you? You weren’t supposed to figure that out.”

“Come back here, Steven. It is better for you.”

steven can feel his heart pounding in his chest, central to the overall feeling of being caught. his expression hardens, but that feeling of fear that is rising within . . . he does not let it show.

❝ i refuse. ❞ a pause, as he finds the words. ❝ this may be your world, but it isn’t mine. you can’t lock me away, lysandre. ❞

[rarestones-aa]

❝ me and my metagross? certainly. ❞ steven takes a moment to unclip the pokeball at his hip -- the ball holding metagross. with a toss, he releases it, and it lands heavily on its four feet, shining in the sunlight. its eyes focus first on steven, and then on the professor. ❝ ask me anything. i will answer it to the best of my ability. ❞

@rarestones // starter

" ah! ah! ah! "

" you're the champion of hoenn?~ could you...could you tell me about you and your metagross? it's a wonderful sight to see how you are able to take your bond!! "

[rarestones-aa]

@picavecalyx​ gets a starter.

❝ . . . i’m sorry? you want to go upstairs? i’m not sure that’s permissible, unless you have an invitation from the chairman or one of the employees. do you have business with devon corporation? ❞ technically, steven does not work there either -- the difference is that he has a permanent invitation, since it is his father’s company.

❝ they might give you a tour, if you ask nicely enough. would you like me to see about that for you? ❞

[rarestones-aa]

@lacampeona​ gets a starter.

❝ ah, you must be geeta, the number one champion here in paldea . . . or, as they call you here, la primera. it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. my name is steven. i travel here and there in search of rare stones. ❞