Marino 🌊's Links
Childhood friends. Their friendship lasted even through Marino's travels and years of absence from their region, reconnecting effortlessly once Marino returned back home. Both so similar in what drives them and what they're passionate about, they always got along, making sure to take care of each other when they themselves would forget to.
The crash damaged both of them deeply, leaving Élan with a deep phobia of large bodies of water and memory loss, a memory loss that extends to Marino as well as it was him and his Swampert that came to rescue Élan and the other survivors from the crash that night. Hearing from the doctors that Élan not only doesn't remember the crash but also had quite a few past memories wiped that involve Marino himself wasn't easy, having to tip-toe around his friend and pretend to be a total stranger to him trying not to trigger any more trauma responses. Sacrificial as he is, Marino has since tried his absolute best to get along with Élan (again) who now really doesn't quite like him, his subconscious negative associations with Marino to the crash leaving the Fire-Type Gym Leader iffy and uncomfortable whenever Marino is around. The years since were hard and Marino's heart still aches for the friendship lost, but he never treats Élan any different for it, trying against all odds to, maybe, at the very least ease Élan's discomfort with him one day to have a chance at a new friendship together again. "I've got your back."
Childhood friends. Having grown up together, their zealous & raging passions drawing one another in, they always picked back up (as if the other never left) after travels. They spent most of their time together in the Inner City or near the ocean, their days usually ending by the sound of the crashing waves and a crackle of a bonfire. Always kept each other in check. With a slight aversion to the Water-type Gym Leader, Èlan has a vague memory of Marino that flashes in his mind everytime he sees his face. With no idea what it's linked to & because of the amnesia he suffers due to trauma, Èlan can't help but feel a negative association with him (even if he means well.) Although, what's baffling to him is that his Pokemon seem to have taken a liking to Marino for reasons beyond him, which only adds fuel to the confusing fire. He finds himself crossing paths with Marino in more ways than one, much to his dismay. Although, there are plenty of instances where things come out subconsciously—whether that be through actions or words—that show that the body never forgets, Èlan acting as he normally would around Marino, stirring emotions that he thought he came to terms with. Even with how things ended up after all these years, the two basically becoming mere strangers, you'll never see one without the other. "There's just something about you..."