I need to catch up to them... I urgently think as I hastily press down on Skarmory's side.
I need to make sure he's alright. I blink as the rain pelts down on my suit and hair, thinking only of light brown hair and a distinctive smell of salt and dirt and sunlight.
Slowly, we approach a series of small sand banks, and I gently guide Skarmory down onto the central one, where a lone figure stands in shock. Jumping off the bird, I run up.
"Brendan! Are you alright?"
His white hat bounces in a nod as he looks up, his warm brown eyes shining in fear and determination.
"We need to go to Sootopolis City." I tell him. He nods again and steps closer, shivering in the rain. Almost instinctively, I take off my rain-soaked jacket and lay it over his shoulders and hug him close. He looks up, surprised, his mouth comically hanging open.
"Promise me...you'll be safe...?" I mumble, the question hanging awkwardly in the air. Brendan swallows and quietly responds, "Of course."
I kiss the top of his white hat and step back. The brunette grabs my wrist and looks at me, his eyes signaling "maybe-we-can-make-this-work."
I hesitate tentatively and awkwardly pause mid-step. The shorter male smiles at me. "I'll be waiting for you." I tell him.
Quietly, I mount Skarmory and soar away, raindrops and tears beginning to soak the lapel of my shirt.