Shirley
Waiting for a response, Allister didn't exactly get one he hoped for. Instead, Leon seemed even *More* Bitter now, since he had to complain that apparently anyone could beat him. Which... Wasn't true. And, because of course he would, Allister took that whole statement kind of the wrong way, not knowing what he actually meant to say.
"I-I know. But that jus' means somethin' went wrong. Under normal circumstanced, I-I'd never beat you." Umm... Hopefully this would make Leon feel better? He wasn't actually sure, and he missed the regret on the champion's face after what he said.

Looking down at his feet, Allister picked up the cape, offering it back to Leon, only to be ignored, as the other tried to move on. He frowned, not sure what to say to this, since someone who doesn't want to listen just won't. And he wasn't getting anywhere, which made the boy sad, as he sat back down on the log, crossing his legs. The man was back at it, making curry to distract himself and pretend nothing was wrong, which is what bothered him the most. He could act like it all day, but being upset was being upset, and it was hard to figure out what to do next...

"No thank you..." Allister finally said, though Leon was probably making the curry already. He already had Empress out, and since ghosts didn't eat, Dreamer and Chariot were probably just going to nap until they felt better. Arcana, apparently not realizing what was going on, sat down on the log next to his trainer.
Sighing, Allister leaned against his Gengar's shoulder, as he tapped his feet together. It took him a second and a "Hmm," Before coming up with his question.
"Leon?" He asked. "Why are you afraid of being vulnerable?"
Kathryn
It's funny that when Leon is solemn like this, he could finally calm down. Even without a cookbook, Leon knows how to make an herbal curry. "Okay..." He quietly responds to Allister who actually turned down his offer. He thought that maybe they could have more bonding time like they had before... Before Leon made it awkward by being such a kid. He wipes his arm across his eyes before resting a hand on his hip while the other is gripping onto a stick to stir the pot of curry.

The space between them seem so awkward after that small exchange. Just moments ago they were like old buddies running from the restaurant workers, doing shenanigans, living youth honestly. Rillaboom was adding herbs to the curry while the others were sitting back enjoying their camping time, oblivious, or letting this tension happen. The sky rumbles, but Leon still heard the quiet voice of Allister. "Leon? Why are you afraid of being vulnerable?" Did—did it seem that way?

Leon could've denied it again. Shrug it off, wave his hand, *Smile*! But. Maybe he should be an adult sometimes. The reason Allister asked in the first place is probably because he's worried. Leon can't disregard that like a jerk.

"Whatever I say... It doesn't apply to anyone but me," Leon starts while focusing on stirring that pot more, the stick scraping the bottom. "So... For me, being vulnerable doesn't help. Most people turn a blind eye when you start to cry and some even seem disgusted when you do." The Galarian man scoffs the more he thinks about it. "I guess I'm a hypocrite, when I tell others they're allowed to cry if they're sad. But for me, I can't. I don't want to cry..." Ah, he just *Had* To sniffle. The tears *Might* Be coming back. Not that they *Are!* "To me, if I'm vulnerable, people would tell me to simply 'stop' being vulnerable, and 'why are you?'. That means, I shouldn't." Or more that, he isn't *Allowed* To.

The hand at Leon's hip would go up to his head to scratch it. Trying to change his tone once *Again*, Leon adds, "But! That *Motivated* Me to become stronger! So it's not really b-bad!" At the same time, curry was done. He starts to scoop up some in the small bowls that Rillaboom made and give it to his beloved battle buddies. Taking a seat at the other side of Allister (since Arcana took one), Leon holds a bowl out for the little boy and nods. "Ah, don't worry about me! I went off a little bit there, but I'm fine-" His eyes flick to his tired comrades from the match. "-now. What say you after we're done eating, we do something else?"
Shirley
"That..." Allister took a moment to think about his response, before finally saying, "That sounds terrible..." He looked down at his feet for a moment, wondering what it would feel like if he had that same expectation. At least for him, being sad and crying was seen as normal for his age. Sure, he got the occasional, "Boys aren't supposed to cry," But he never felt like he was wrong for being upset. Except in public... He wasn't allowed to be upset then, because someone would always judge him in public. It wasn't very fair, but it was what it was, and at least Allister always had a mask to hide behind. Leon just... If Leon was sad, the world could see his sadness. So he got real good at hiding it.
"You know... I-I wouldn' judge you f'r crying... I know people get upset. I's j-jus' nature. Y'know?" He asked, gently tipping his head to the side. If Leon wanted to be sad, then just let him be sad. Not much to it.
"And I wouldn' tell anyone." It's not like he was gonna use it for a story, or try to bring down the champ's reputation. Anyone who did that kind of thing was honestly terrible in his opinion.
"So... I-if you're ever um..." He stepped forward, since the other had dropped his hand, Allister took it in both of his tiny ones and gave Leon's arm a hug. "If you're ever upset... Y-you c'n tell me. 'Nd it'll just be a secret." It might not have been the ultimate solution, but if he'd learned anything in the last week, with Irsia, Piers and Rai, and now Leon, it's that sometimes, you just need that one person you can talk to.

After a moment, Allister let go of the other's arm, backing up. He was back to being a little bundle of anxiety, now holding his hands over his chest while he shrugged. "Um... That is... If you w'nt..." He giggled nervously. Hopefully that helped, right? Hopefully the other didn't feel so... Unsure.

"Now, what say you after we're done eating, we do something else?"
Allister frowned, again, good thing Leon would never see it. Was that it... Were things gonna be awkward between them from now on... Or... No, no they weren't. Call it selfish, or rude, actually, it was incredibly both, but Allister didn't *Want* To have this conversation anymore. If Leon was still upset, yeah, he'd listen. But if the other didn't want to be sad, then he didn't want to be sad. Living with himself was already hard enough... He just wanted someone to goof off with.
"Yeah," Allister said. "Hmm... Boardwalk maybe?" He hadn't actually been there yet, despite being on the island for a week now. "I c'n think of a lot that w-would go wrong there."
Kathryn
It was terrible but that's how it is! Leon have learned to accept it a long time ago, but revisiting it again today just made it a bit harder. Leon *Isn't* Crying, but he'll just take it that he *Is* Since Allister is trying to help him out here. "That's you Allister. A stranger doesn't care." His words doesn't match his tone as he laughs lightheartedly after his last statement. "Almost like how they'll do anything for the public. I heard, that *That* League card of yours was taken by a spy photographer. They didn't really care about your privacy, did they?" He pats Allister's head as he said this, to comfort the boy from what horror he must've felt.

Dropping his hand back down, Leon's eyes perked up when Allister reassured Leon that he won't tell anyone. It should already be known that Allister wouldn't speak about this to anyone, but hearing him say it really solidifies it. What else can Leon say but-"Thank you." His expression soften and he's finally smiling from his heart. "Heh, well since you've seen me like this, I'll make sure to tell you!" There's always Raihan, his best friend, but that guy seems like a blabbermouth. ~~And one of those people who'd be disgusted if he cried.~~

"I'll gladly take your offer, Allister," Leon responds once he backed off. "Don't worry too much, though, because it's rare for me to be upset!" Leon felt lonely, that's all. Not being able to show his emotions himself is a burden. He's grateful to Allister, who's quite emotional himself, teaching him to be more free. If Allister at least understands that, then Leon is ready to move on. They need some room to stretch their legs now that all of that is settled!—Leon pulls Allister into a hug. It almost seem sudden and out of no where. Kid's ahead of his time.

Backing from it just as quick, as if it never happened, Leon collects his cape and swings it over his shoulder. He goes nuzzling his partner Charizard, who's picking up its head and feeling better already. It proves it by spreading its wings. "Aha! Lot of wrongs? Allister, what do we do that's considered wrong?" Although, that's a dumb question because it usually *Is* Something wrong. "Hm. I *Do* Want to ride something. How's the  I've saw it miles from here!"
Shirley
"Hmm?" Another one of his little hums, and a head tip to look at the taller man before, "Oh... Ye' that..." Allister frowned, thinking about it. From what he remembered, the person who got paid to do that didn't even get that much money. It was frustrating how the public liked to forget that they were normal people, with lives and secrets. But... Well, he didn't want to go down that rabbit hole again. If Leon was doing better, then good enough. Even though his conscience told him otherwise, the boy wanted to move on.
"'Least it m-made me more popular," He said with a giggle, letting Leon pat his head instead of trying to move.

*"I'll gladly take your offer, Allister."*
"Mhmm," He said with a nod. If the champ was ever upset, he would be there to listen. Even if he didn't know how to make people feel better, just listening and telling them it's okay was working so far. 
"Ack!" Allister squeaked, trying to wiggle away when Leon pulled him into a hug. "A-" He froze, but didn't really have enough time to respond, and ended up shoving a person that wasn't there, as the champion had stood up, now back on his feet.
"Mmh! Alriiight," Allister somewhat yawned, as he hopped to his feet. "Agh," Oh yeah, his legs. How'd he forget about that. Brushing himself down, he was careful to avoid hurting himself as he walked over to the lake. As they parsed out what to do next, (and what trouble they would get into) Leon seemed to have forgotten that people were probably still not happy with them. Even if it had been a bit.

"Anger doesn' go away that quickly," Allister said. As he washed away the rest of the blood on his legs. They were fine now, not bleeding, yeah, he was fine. Next to him sat Empress who was swaying back and forth until its trainer picked it up and walked back over to the others.

"I'd like to ride the Ferris-wheel. Um... Le's jus' hope no one recognizes us, mkay?" He gave a little devilish grin before climbing onto Charizard. Looks like their shenanigans weren't over just yet.

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*"Y'know, I once wondered. Do th-they have battles at Rose tower? Seems odd t' have a power spot 'nd no pokemon battles, wouldn' you say?"*

-Allister

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