One Hundred Moments In Time [Part Ten]

26. Touch

For some people there was nothing more relaxing than touch. The feeling of someone else's hands gently sliding down bare skin, rubbing away tension and pain with gentle squeezes and sending shivers with gentles caresses of fingertips. Nobori, was not one of these kinds of people. He would understand the appeal, certainly, and he didn't have any sort of childhood trauma that made him recoil away from physical contact; he just didn't see the appeal. Perhaps it was because he rarely exposed his skin, preferring to keep it hidden and protected under layers of long-sleeved clothing. Whatever the reason, the sensation of touch wasn't his most favorite.  White, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. She loved touching different things to feel their textures, and loved the feeling of others hands. This love of hers caused tickle-fights between her and Kudari, since he was the same way.

Speaking of Kudari, Elesa knew his weakness to touch and exploited it for her own amusement. All it took was her to softly drag her nails across Kudari's neck and he was puddy in her hands. It was almost amazing how that woman could cut Kudari off, mid ramble, with a simple touch.  The blonde-turned-brunette had even insisted that Nobori try this tactic on White a few times in the past, and each time Nobori declined her advice. He knew very well how to treat his girlfriend, thank you very much.  That, however, didn't stop that fact that somehow he had been roped into rubbing White's shoulders while he was working.

Nobori sighed lightly as he glanced towards the door; he was expecting a challenger for the Super Single line any moment now, and yet there he was- rubbing the shoulders of a girl who was practically falling asleep on his lap. It wasn't the public affection that bothered him, not anymore, but he had a job to do. He looked back down at the brunette, who was kneading his shoulders for one reason or another, and gently nudged her.

"Do you realize how much like a cat you're acting?" Nobori questioned, the faintest hint of a smile crossing his lips. White cracked her eyes open and half-glared at the man from underneath the brim of his conductor's cap. She had stolen it at an earlier point, and it now sat slightly sideways on her head and tilted forward to accommodate her ponytail.

"Do you realize how much I don't care?" She retorted before snuggling back down with a tiny huff. Nobori rolled his eyes but continued his caresses regardless, trailing the backs of his fingers against the slightly sunburnt skin.  It only took a few more minutes before White's even breathing filtered into his ears- she had actually fallen asleep on him. Nobori took a hand away and brushed it across his eyes. In the back of his mind he humored the thought of falling asleep as well, but quickly shook his head. No, he wouldn't fall asleep on the job. He had a break period after the Super Single line finished its run; he could nap then.  Even with that resolve firmly in place, that didn't stop his head head bobbing down, his chin resting on top of White's head, and his eyes slowly beginning to droop. Nobori, once again, cursed his Insomnia before being dragged into the realm of sleep.

27. Role Reversal

White re-adjusted her new conductor's cap in the full-length mirror of her apartment and looked herself over one more time. It was so odd, suddenly having her dark green Depot Agent's uniform replaced with a new black one, but she would adjust to the change with time. As she awkwardly loosened and tightened the navy blue tie at her neck, she wondered if maybe the mayor of Nimbasa City had a sense of humor, giving the man named Black a white uniform and the woman named White a black uniform. Or maybe it was just some strange, strange coincidence, although it couldn't be weirder than having both Subway Masters named after colors.  Although to her parent's credit, at least they had given White the much more creative birth-name of "Whitlea." Who knew what was going through Black's parent's minds when they gave him his name. As far as she knew, "Black" wasn't short for anything...  

White shook her head and finally finished playing with her tie, her hands moving down to tug at the ends of her new uniform top. Much to her displeasure it wasn't a awesome trench coat like Black's uniform, but rather a waist coat designed to outline her femininity so long as it was buttoned- but no one said she had to button it. At least she didn't have a ridiculously high collar to deal with like the one on Black's coat, but the pencil skirt and was going to take some getting used to.  With her Depot Agent uniform she had the luxury of being able to wear pants, but at least the skirt was practical and had a pair of stockings to go with it.  White sighed faintly and looked herself over in the mirror one last time before nodding in approval, clipped her Pokeballs to her belt and walked out of her apartment.
~~~

Nobori sighed as he watched his younger brother prance -actually prance- through the streets of Nimbasa City, his messenger bag bouncing and swinging erratically across his chest. Honestly, how could he have so much energy in the morning? Sure, they were going to Professor Juniper to become officially licensed Trainers, but that was no reason to skip around like they were in a musical production.  

"Hey, perk up!" Kudari explained, noticing his brother's blank expression and walking backwards, hands folded behind his back innocently. "We're going to be official Trainers today; doesn't that make you happy?"

"I am happy," Nobori sighed. "Just because I'm not jumping around like you are doesn't mean I'm not."

"Then smile for me. Come on, do it." A sly grin spread across Kudari's face as he stared directly at his twin. Nobori remained stoic as ever, an oddity for a young man of sixteen, and shook his head before picking up the pace and deliberately passing his brother.

'Would you stop acting so childish?" He requested, although Kudari only blew a raspberry at his back.

"Killjoy!" The younger of the two declared before he ran forward to fall in step with his brother.  Soon enough the towering form of the Gear Station came into view, two figures standing infront of the large double doors that lead underground, one fiddling with the lock of the door while the other stood off to the side.

"You ready for this, White?" Black asked, a grin evident in his voice as he looked towards his companion. "Once we open these doors we officially start our days as the new Subway Masters! Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," White replied with a shrug. "Just unlock the door before we're trampled by the early morning crowd."

"Pffffsh, there's no one here and you know it." Black retorted before returning his attention to the lock.  

"Good morning~!" Kudair greeted, somehow managing to teleport between the two adults without either of them noticing. Black dropped the keys to the subway in surprise, while White looked down at the teenager with wide eyes.

"Don't do that!" White scolded, giving a half-hearted glare at the gray-haired boy. "You're gonna give me a heart attack, you little brat!" With a smirk she lashed out with her arm and caught Kudari's head in the crook of her elbow, roughly rubbing her hand against his help.

"Ah! No! Nobori, help me!" Kudari called between laughs, reaching out for his older brother, who only crossed his arms over his chest.

"You get what you deserve." Nobori replied casually, Kudari calling him a traitor while White continued her assault.  Black, meanwhile, seeming to be completely used to this sort of situation unlocked the doors and swung them open with a little more flare than required.

"Duh-dah! Official Subway Master business starts now!" He proclaimed happily before bounding down the stairs, White finally letting Kudari go to follow after him.  Kudari ran his hands over his hair in an attempt to restore order before glancing at the older twin.

"White looks cute in that outfit, huh?" He questioned mischievously. Nobori was slightly taken aback at such a bold question, his face flushing slightly before he looked away.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't give me that, I saw you staring at her!" Nobori felt even more heat rise to his cheeks and he growled slightly before pushing past his brother and descending down the stairs and into the subway.