[attr="class","mila2"] Mila was too focused to even comment on Gunner's awkwardness. Usually, she might have made fun of him, teased him about it.

[break][break] But clipboard in hand, bottom lip jutted out in concentration, her eyes were focused on the creature in front of her.

[break][break] Designs danced in her mind's eye, trying to figure out which pattern would be best suit her client — what would be the most practical, what would be the most useful, what would make him the happiest.

[break][break] Flames danced in the air as the Typhlosion leapt across the obstacles, and Mila's hands went to work. She made a vague sketch, some unintelligible notes — all of it in the name of a future design. It was the thing she was most passionate about, and maybe the first time that Gunner might have seen mila alexopoulos in that mindset.

[break][break] Her gaze turned to him, sharp.

[break][break] "How did you meet Guinevere?"

[break][break] She placed the pen on the clipboard for the moment.

[break][break] "What do you feel about her?"

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[attr="class","ooc"] Gunner Graves [break]
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[attr="class","mila2"] Cute.

[break][break] There is a brief crack in her professional demeanor as Gunner Graves shares his story with her. The thought of a young Gunner, ten years old and bright-eyed, holding a baby Cyndaquil was too much of an adorable image to pass up on.

[break][break] It reminded her of the way her Deda had given her Vincenzo as a child — bundling that young Alolan Vulpix into a blanket and providing it to her on her tenth birthday.

[break][break] Guin trotted back to them, proud, and Mila's lip curled into a smile. She nodded, reaching for her pen again and scribbling some more sketches upon the page. When she was done, she turned them to him. The clipboard had three sketches: first, a design that prioritized strength and utility, with a long-sleeved jacket with a flare along the collar that was reminiscent of a Typhlosion's; a second that utilized protection and defense, with a long military-esque coat; and the third, her favorite, that combined both with sleeveless arms that would accentuate his biceps.

[break][break] "Well? What do you think?"

[break][break] "It'll be fireproof, and anything else you'd like to put into it. I know a manufacturing company we use pretty often for the materials, unless you want to use your usual channels — but once I'm done with my design, I can send it over to you so you can use it."

[attr="class","ooc"] Gunner Graves [break]
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[attr="class","mila2"] 'Wow, Mila, these are really good.'

[break][break] Surprised, a light flush touched her cheeks at the direct praise.

[break][break] Her and Gunner were many things, but compliments weren't often among them. It wasn't just the type of thing that they did. Hearing him be so direct sent a flutter in her stomach, and she instead pressed her lips together, forcing herself into professionalism as she crossed her arms.

[break][break] Was she avoiding it? Maybe.

[break][break] "You act like you don't know what I do for a living."

[break][break] But even so, Mila was secretly pleased that Gunner and Guinevere seemed to like her designs so much. Despite the swift way that she'd drawn up those designs, she had put a significant amount of thought into them — even if it was something she'd done before, this was still something different because it was for Gunner. And that made a world of difference.

[break][break] "Okay," she said, pulling off the cap of the pen with her teeth. She scribbled a few more notes down, including a small scribble of what Gunner's preferences seemed to be. Maybe she could figure out a way to incorporate the suit with a smoke-protection mechanic, so the Typhlosion's Smokescreen wouldn't impede his sight in battle...

[break][break] "Got it," she said finally, placing the pen back onto the clipboard.

[break][break] "So," she said, turning this time with a sparkling tease in her eyes. "She's your best friend? You love her?" She poked him in the cheek. "Who knew you could be so cute, Gunner Graves ?"

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[attr="class","ooc"] Gunner Graves [break]
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[attr="class","mila2"] It was cute watching him get so defensive by her words. More than that, it was easy to see him get riled up, just because she'd poked and prodded at him.

[break][break] A laugh echoes in the summer air as she grabs his hand just as he swatted her away, fingers squeezing as she brought them both down. When she released his grip, sparks still lingered on her fingertips where they'd touched.

[break][break] "You're right. I do know what it's like. To have a best friend."

[break][break] Her eyes simmered for a moment, reminded of one Mei Liu, as she looked at Guinevere and then Vincenzo who trotted out behind them both, having made his complete walk around the park. He seemed bored now as he plopped down next to Mila, tails waving in the wind. She leaned against him for a moment, clipboard against her chest.

[break][break] Then, her stomach rumbled.

[break][break] "Well Guin," Mila said, standing up. Her eyes twinkled. "What do you say to getting our boys something to eat?"

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[attr="class","ooc"] Gunner Graves [break]
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