Steven is awake just as the sky is beginning to glow. He's still feeling a bit sleepy, but he blames the shift of traveling to this new time zone (or potentially timeline? He's not certain which is the truth, and he doubts it really matters in the end.) He opens the blinds quietly so as to not disturb Aggron, who is still comfortably snoozing on the area rug. In the gradually brightening room, Steven discovers a well-stocked bar beneath a marble countertop, and a high-end coffee machine atop it. He enjoys his first cup at the bar, perched on one of the stools and reading one of the scientific journals he brought with him.
Soon, the sun spills over the horizon and lights up the room enough to wake Aggron. He grunts and rolls over, stretching and shaking off the sleep with small clanks of his armor.
Steven turns on his stool, finishing the last of his cup while another is already brewing. "Good morning. What do you say to a quick hike before breakfast?" He's got a small map in his hand that shows some of the trails that lead their way up the island's mountain, Mt. Moxie.
Aggron shakes himself again, and eyes Steven skeptically. Steven sets down his empty cup and offers a shrug.
"Well, I don't know what our host has planned for the festival events. This might be our best bet to do some exploring on our own, and I'm rather interested in seeing this island for myself."
Aggron considers it, but doesn't look completely convinced.
"How about," Steven begins, uncovers the plate they brought back from dinner last night and slides across the countertop, "let's have these pastries on the patio first. And see if that changes your mind?"
The scent of the berry tart shakes off any of Aggron's remaining drowsiness, and he follows Steven and his fresh cup of coffee to the patio door. He throws the doors open, and he and Aggron freeze at their first look at the room's outdoor area.
Bathed in the crisp morning light is one of the most beautiful gardens either of them has ever seen. Flowers and shrubs of all shapes and sizes line the sides of the spacious yard. A meandering stone path winds its way through the garden, ending at the fence at the far end. There, beneath a pergola wrapped in vines sits a small table for two framed by the sun rising over the ocean beyond.
Aggron makes a choked noise of surprise before excitedly (but carefully) picking his way along the path, stopping to observe the flowers in every bed. Steven chuckles and makes a mental note to ask the island staff what some of these plants are; he has a feeling Aggron is going to want another garden plot or three when they get back home.
Steven sets the pastries and his coffee down at the small table before moving one of the chairs aside. Aggron, snout covered in morning dew (no doubt from curiously sniffing all the plants) plunks down at the table, and the pair enjoy their light breakfast in comfortable silence.
---
The sun is fully above the horizon when Steven and Aggron set off from the dorms towards Mt. Moxie. It's not a long trek to get to the base, and it's still early enough that they don't run into anyone on the way there. Steven selects a path that will take them up the mountain quickly without being the one that's marked as the highest difficulty. They take it at a casual pace, stopping every so often to inspect an interesting rock, or make note of a cave entrance here and there.
There are a few places where there is a break in the trees, offering a brief glimpse of the island from up high. It's at one spot that Aggron pauses as a shadow passes overhead. Steven hears his partner's footsteps stop, and follows Aggron's gaze skyward. He shields his eyes against the sun and spots a familiar silhouette above.
"A Charizard?"
Aggron watches the dragon circle overhead and huffs an affirmative.
Steven watched until Charizard circled out of sight behind the trees, and brought a hand to his chin. "Hm, I didn't take Blue for an early riser, or a hiker."
Aggron shrugs, keeping one eye on the sky in case he spots the Charizard again, but he never reappears.
"Oh well, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough," says Steven. A quick consult of the map shows the pair that they are almost to the top, so they press onward up the trail.
It's not long before they break through the trees and find themselves as high as this trail will take them. It's not all the way to the top of the mountain, but close enough that there's nearly a 360 degree view of the island.
As Steven is taking in the sights, Aggron starts with a snort; there's a shadow moving quickly across the trees. He turns his snout up and catches sight of Blue's Charizard soaring overhead. It's clear from the way the dragon is banking towards them that he's spotted Aggron as well.
Aggron thumps the ground with his tail, and Steven turns to where his partner is looking.
"Ah, it is Blue's. I don't see him though." Steven waves up to the fire-type as it approaches. "Hello, good morning!"
