infinitejustice | Seventy-Second Launch

[Action; Goldenrod City]

[Another day, another repetition of the routine that Athrun has let himself fall into. He's been focusing on his job and his training, while waiting for the Elite Four to declare that they are accepting challengers.

However, as Athrun walks, dressed in the clothes he got for Christmas, something red catches his eye in a nearby window display. He looks over at it.

Hearts.]

Valentine's Day...

[That's right, he had forgotten. In the pursuit of more funds and more strength, he'd lost track of the date.

But unlike some people, Athrun felt a wave of melancholy wash over him as he realized that Valentine's Day was only two weeks away. It wasn't because of his lack of a girlfriend; though he wanted one, he wasn't letting that get him down. No, Valentine's Day held an important significance to not only Athrun, but everyone from his world. It was the anniversary of the third-most deadly attack against civilians in the history of his world, and one that affected him personally.

Athrun continued to walk, but he was unable to escape the Valentine's Day decorations and merchandise that was now popping up in stores all over the two regions. He just tried to focus on what he wanted to get done today and move on.]

[Video]

Sorry, but out of mild curiosity...what sorts of plans do people have for Valentine's Day so far? Or, what would you like to do for the holiday?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I guess it's to give chocolates to people I know.

[It's not something he really thinks about, but it's hard not to notice the decorations and advertisements.]

What about you?

I don't know. I haven't really decided yet. To be honest, I didn't even realize it was coming up until today.

They tend to do that, sneaking up on us when we're not watching. Have you been too busy to notice?

Sort of. I just fell into a routine so deeply that I lost track of the days.

Ah, I kind of get what you mean. Though, only when I'm not on the road.

Well, I certainly haven't been on the road. I've been in Goldenrod City since before winter set in.

I've only been in Goldenrod since...the middle of December, I think? Around there.

That's still a month. That leaves more than enough time to fall into a routine.

Hm...yeah, it does. You're thinking of staying in Goldenrod?

For now. I'm waiting for the Elite Four to start accepting challengers.

The Elite Four... I find it strange we still haven't heard much from them.

So do I. The last I heard was that they were helping the people whose Pokémon Team Rocket stole. But that was over two months ago.

I'm not expecting 24/7 news from them, but with how important they are, their silence is still strange. It's almost like they're hiding or dealing with something.

And I don't think they're searching for Team Rocket to get stolen Pokémon back at this point. They have other duties to get to.

Yeah. Including the Pokemon Champion, there's just five of them. They can't spread themselves out too much.