Felix on Ice | OTA | 1/27-1/29

[bestswordmaster]

Who: Felix and anyone!
Where: A public skating rink in Goldenrod
When: some nebulous time between January 27-29, either early in the morning or late at night
Summary: Felix loves ice skating and he came here to judge Johto on its artificial ponds. XD
Rating: Gen


The skate rentals are closed, but the rink is outdoors and Felix is taking full advantage of that to come with his own pair of skates when he hopes few others will be around. He's practicing, it seems. Not practicing skating--no, no. Felix has been skating on ice since he was a small child.

He's figure skating. And he's been doing this for a long time, too, so he's good at it. Anyone who happens to be around may see him doing spins and jumps of various kinds, or even practicing some kind of routine with music playing on his Gear nearby.

(Like hell is he going to skate to the ever-present background music. Ugh.)

Comments

[pretendingto]

Ever since the whole Christmas Fiasco, Kayo has been able to transport to Goldenrod. She doesn't do it often- the city is big and stressful and she's happy staying in Violet and attending the trainer's school for now. She does like to see the city at night, though, especially in the winter. It's chilly and empty, and the lights look different in the cold. She arrived in the evening to do some quick shopping, and is just walking around enjoying the lightly falling snow in her bright red coat, and the vulpix-ear hat Armin got her.

It isn't the sound of music that draws her in, it's the soft scraping of skates. Curios, she follows the sound to the rink just in time to see Felix pull of a jump and land gracefully, his blades doing a slow arc across the frozen water. Kayo gasps, and the air puffs away from her face in frozen steam. Her mittened hands lean on the barrier around the ice, as she watches with silent rapture.

[bestswordmaster]

Felix had no illusions about his practice staying private forever; he was prepared for someone to show up eventually. He's just completed his jump and circled the rink when he spots her--well, when he spots her coat, anyway. He might have ignored her if she were an adult, since she hasn't said anything, but for a child...

He circles around some more to where she's standing and comes to an easy halt, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. "Do you skate?"

[pretendingto]

She looks rather intimidated by the fact that he not only noticed her, but circled around to see her specifically. She shrinks a little into the scarf around her neck and takes her hands off of the barrier, big brown eyes blinking up at him.

A small shake of her head. She never learned, her mother could never afford it. "You're very good," she compliments in a quiet voice.

[bestswordmaster]

"Thank you. The product of years of practice." He glances over at the closed skate rental office, vaguely annoyed at it.

"It's never too late to learn. Unfortunately, it is too late to borrow a pair of skates. I didn't want to come when it was crowded."

[pretendingto]

Kayo's gaze follows his to the rental office, and then scans back to Felix. She nods in understanding. "Goldenrod is too crowded usually," she agrees in that same low tone.

"That's okay, I'll just watch." The you don't need to pay any attention to me is implied.

[lordofthefries]

Skating wasn't a thing back home for Sasha. Then again, anything fun wasn't much of a thing for anybody back home. That said, her innate ability to balance well seems to work in favor of her staying on her feet on top of the slippery ice. But that can't take all the credit; there was one an actual figure skating teacher here once that gave Sasha a nice crash course in not busting her head open.

They never got to jumps or spins or anything this guy is doing, so Sasha's in complete awe as she stops stock still in the middle of the rink to watch him, golden eyes wide. That's so cool! And how come he doesn't get dizzy? He's making her dizzy!

[bestswordmaster]

Felix comes up out of a spin and circles around, only to see someone else on the ice when he turns. Well, it was only a matter of time; and it's only one person, there's still plenty of room.

...especially if she's just going to stand there gawking instead of actually skating.

This used to happen back at the Academy all the time, too, people standing around watching him train. Why does this keep happening?

He skates closer and comes to a practiced stop a few feet away. "You're staring."

[lordofthefries]

She knows it's rude to stare; it always has been, but sometimes being in awe lets Sasha forget the act of being overly polite so no one discovers just how much of a country bumpkin she really is. Unfortunately, she's been caught out and the man comes closer to confront her.

"Sorry," she mumbles, quickly looking down at her feet. They're still on the ice and give her no good excuse to say out loud to the guy. Useless things. Best to resort to the overly and probably annoyingly polite Sasha everybody knew. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to be rude."

[bestswordmaster]

His brow furrows. "Don't apologize. And don't call me that." He shakes his head. "You're not being rude. I just don't like being stared at."

What the difference is, exactly, he can't really articulate. If he could, he might say it was his own problem rather than anything she was doing.

"Aren't you here to skate?"

[fortuna_tenax]

[ If there is one winter activity that she actually enjoys, it's ice skating. A test of skill and balance, a way to show her grace and elegance, and as a bonus, she's just good at it naturally. (Not that it stopped her from being a mildly-fussy perfectionist about skating too.) Though she'll admit, she wasn't expecting Felix to be the one bringing her out to the outdoor rink. ... But then, he was from a particularly cold country. It did make sense.

While she had gleefully accompanied him, given that she had less chance to skate- being from California- she's taking her time to get back into the swing of things. ]

[bestswordmaster]

[Once they get onto the ice, Felix turns to skate backwards and watch her as she gets warmed up (figuratively speaking). He seems as at ease on the ice as he is on solid ground. Good--she may be taking her time, but she knows what she's doing.]

What was your previous skating experience like?

[fortuna_tenax]

Well, I lived in someplace with no snow save once in a blue moon- a beach city. So I normally went to artificial rinks when they were open in the winter. Buuut they were only open in the winter, and I didn't have a lot of free time because... other things, so I didn't get to go as much as I wanted.

[ Which just pushed her to get better faster, so maybe that worked out in the end? Eventually she does push from her starting spot and it doesn't take long for her to glide alongside him. It's strange, how she actually wants to spend time with him. ]

[bestswordmaster]

Artificial rinks. Like the one in the middle of town here. It was all right at night, but otherwise it's too crowded.

[Which is, of course, why he made this one instead. He glances sidelong at her, thoughtful.]

You move like a dancer. Do you dance as well?

[fortuna_tenax]

The one back home was alright- not a lot of beach babies like to expose themselves to the cold, after all. So the people who were there weren't so bad- maybe a little bit inexperienced, but all happy to be there.

[ She can't help but grin at the comment, because he's not wrong. ]

Yeah! I don't- or. Didn't? Get to as much as I'd wanted, but I like all kinds of dance styles. I'm also an acrobat and gymnast. Those were more relevant to what I did.

[bestswordmaster]

[Something lights up slightly behind his eyes.]

Have you ever done those things on the ice?

[fortuna_tenax]

A little bit? And I can do jumps and spins, but incorporating more of my other skillsets is something I'd have to be careful about.

[ Slipping on the ice was dangerous after all. And the idea of messing up in front of witnesses was... look, it gave her chest pains. But he looks interested, and it's... nice. ]

[bestswordmaster]

[Now he looks even more interested.]

Show me. Although you'll want to stretch first, if you haven't already.

[fortuna_tenax]

I have been!!

[ Still, the indignance drops quickly, and hey. It's been a long time since she's gotten to show off- especially with something she does consider herself good at!

And Jinx is the sort of girl who likes to work hard but have it seem effortless. So when she does do as asked, she glides with ease and grace, and the requested jumps and spins- and midair spins, because she craves validation- seem just as simple and light as she looks. Of course it isn't, but when you look like a delicate doll, you use it! Float like a butterfly and all that.

When she comes to a stop again, her head is held high and her eyes are practically shining. ]

[bestswordmaster]

[Felix watches with a discerning eye, and by the time she's finished, he looks almost as satisfied as she does.]

Good. You're quite skilled. Perhaps you can even keep up with me.

[fortuna_tenax]

[ It's hard not to laugh. She knows he's probably right in his judgement as well, and in using himself as the bar. Still, she's definitely snickering as she responds. ]

So glad I meet your standards!

[ Still, she doesn't mind. Not really. Skating around idly or with something in mind is fun, and she likes having company for this for once. ]

[zukeini]

[Zuke's jobs and such still had him be here in Goldenrod. But things were slowing down, so he decided to enjoy what else they had before they hit the road again. His breeding skills were getting enhanced, and had a whole slew of eggs warming in his room. So now, it was break time. The rink was open, and Nadia wanted to go. So here Zuke was all bundled up in new winter gear, and Nadia the Kirlia was happily skating along.

She loved to dance.

Zuke, however, was chilling and enjoying the cold air for once. He was just scooting along.

That was when he saw it.

Felix? Was that Felix? Zuke couldn't help but watch.]

[bestswordmaster]

[When Zuke arrives, Felix is in the middle of a routine to a song he found by someone called Lindsay Starly. This is really more ice dancing than anything; there are still plenty of spins and jumps, but it's more about the music and the artistry than just for the sake of athleticism, unlike some of the other skating he's been doing.

So he doesn't notice Zuke and Nadia until the song ends and he pauses to catch his breath. His eyebrows lift as he skates off to the side to fetch his water bottle and then around to where the other two are, taking a long gulp of water on his way there.]

You again.

[It's not hostile at all, but conversational, as though he's just...observing that indeed, here is Zuke again. Felix gives him a nod, and then gives one to the Kirlia, too. When he speaks again, it's to address her.]

I remember you. From the cooking contest. The two of you deserved to win much more than that bard did.

[zukeini]

Hey, Jaskier won fair and square.

[He knew who he was talking about. Talk of bard between bard. Bards defend other bards. You know how it is.

Nadia danced around on the ice a little. Zuke knew this was just how Felix Did Things with conversation. Didn't mean that Zuke wasn't comfortable enough now to take it easy.]

In the end, I was there to cook. Nadia and I had fun.

[bestswordmaster]

[Felix does not know how it is, but he does have to grudgingly admit that Jaskier's performance was outstanding. He huffs.]

Perhaps. But had the contest been judged on food alone, the victory would have been yours. Still, if you achieved what you set out to do, then I suppose that's all right.

[He watches Nadia with approval.] Huh. I didn't think about Pokemon skating as well. I wonder whether any of mine would like to learn.

[zukeini]

I'm satisfied. I came in there to cook and cook I did. If someone came in and made a bigger show than me, then they deserve to win.

[His voice was gentle as he said it. Said the rock band performer. Loud music was what he did, the theatrics was all for his ex-girlfriend. And his brother.

Listen modest performers were real.]

Nadia likes to dance. Out of the other ones I travel with, she's the one who's the most into performing. But she's still learning.

[She made a smile and a hum as she twirled around.]

I guess she liked the show just now.