@brunomove sent:
The oily light from Bruno's lantern helps to illuminate the Elite's usual descent deep into the bowels of Mt. Mortar. (Truth be told, he's tread this path so many times--he could probably recall most of his footfalls by memory if needed.)
Mortar--a maze rife with dancing shadows--serves as a passage for many of Johto's rivers, and the rushing water turns, bends, and falls within the rocky circulation, like blood rushing through veins. Bruno's made this pilgrimage on countless occasions by now, always looking for someone in particular--and, as he turns the corner into one of the mountain's yawning inner-caverns, his steady breath hitches. There's a still figure here, sitting under a cascade of water thundering from above. (Could it really be him...?)
However, as Bruno's vision adjusts, the identity of this guest is made clear. He exhales slowly and holds his little lantern aloft, frowning. "Matsuba."
A beat of concerned silence.
"You look like shit."
Training for the monks of the Bell Tower was a close held secret from the wider public. Regiments of ascetic living for some, fasting and strength training and practice turning your eye inward under intense pressures. Mt. Mortar had long been a place close enough to Ecruteak City to test those monks through climbing rocks and resting beneath the falls that split Mahogany from its neighbor.
Despite having long graduated the training, Matsuba made the trip here on the regular to center himself and focus his mind here in the shadows and rushing water, pulled from himself by the pounding of the falls over his back as he breathes slow. Despite his efforts, his brows pinch in frustration.
The shadows scatter in the light of Bruno's lantern, leaving only those that watch over the trainer resting beneath the water. Gengar manifests into a solid shape on the wall, and the other reveals itself in fog that blankets the floor, leading to the enormous shape of Zoroark leering out of the dark near the base of the falls.
Bruno says his name and Matsuba inhales deep, pushing himself to his feet and brushing his hair back from his face. Exhaustion is writ deep into his features, and the dressed down nature of him reveals deep bruise-like marks on his limbs and abdomen.
Even still, he offers a smile.
"Hello to you too, Bruno."
