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[h2][b][color=6ecff6]Gabriel Agate[/color][/b][/h2]
[b][u]Location:[/u][/b] Kalos Airport, Exterior.
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Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers in exasperation at Siloh's response. Clearly he was the same as when they'd last seen each other! Just as devious as ever. [b][color=6ecff6]"Ugh, don't even get me [i]started[/i] on those streams, Siloh! I swear, they took years off my lifespan from sheer stress, I should-Wuagh!"[/color][/b] His complaining was interrupted by the arrival of Andre. Who arrived like a whirlwind and left each member of the group with a hug, a kiss on either cheek (which caused Gabriel to squawk in surprise), and a rose. The abrupt motions left Gabriel's glasses crooked on his nose, which he awkwardly fixes while furrowing his brows at the rose that he had no idea what to do with.

[b][color=6ecff6]"..Nice to see you again too, Andre. I see the jet lag is a non-issue for you."[/color][/b] He remarks dryly, though not irritably. He was exasperated by his old friend's massive reserve of energy, but not upset by it. It wasn't like he hadn't expected it, seeing as how Andre had made the effort to drag them all out here with the idea of starting a Pokemon Journey as a group. Though, Gabriel was a bit surprised that some of them had agreed to-

[i][color=1f66b2]"So why now, all of a sudden?"[/color][/i]

Ah, yeah. That was more in line of what he had expected. Gabriel listens to Kaylan air out his business, wincing a bit in realization of how, well, [i]bad[/i] it looked when you stood in his shoes. All of his old friends, none of whom went on a journey with him, grouping together to go on one with Andre. The hint of bitterness in his tone was well warranted, even if they hadn't meant it like that.

[b][color=6ecff6]"I know. Er- sorry, that's not really a helpful statement on its own. Regarding you already challenging the league, I know. I was rooting for you and your Greninja."[/color][/b] Gabriel could go into detail about how he had been doing his best to follow his old friend's journey every step he could, or how he'd attempted to (and failed, due to budgeting) get a seat in person to see him battle. But he didn't do those things to get 'points' for doing them, so he leaves it at that.

[b][color=6ecff6]"Back then, I was career focused. Pokemon Training makes great money.. if you're a high level competitor. And I didn't- don't -think I had it in me to be one. I'm honestly still pretty convinced a journey is a bad idea for me. But I'm working for the League now, and I need to make the rounds and be sure every Leader has everything up to date. So.."[/color][/b]

He shrugs. [b][color=6ecff6]"The stars aligned, I guess? I'm in a position where I can at least give it a try."[/color][/b] Maybe it was kind of weak to fence-sit like that. Go along just because it was convenient for him, with no real intention to take the journey to its conclusion. But Gabriel missed his old friends, eccentricities and all, and this was an opportunity to catch up with them, try something new, [i]and[/i] not fall behind on work. Helper, his Klefki, jingles in agreement. Seemingly approving of his Trainer's words, however Helper approved of just about everything Gabriel did, so that meant very little.