Is he still holding her hand? He might be, and if he is, she hasn't pulled away either, likely because she is too embarrassed by the physical contact and the fact that he hasn't stopped looking at her and.. and..

"Oh, uhm! It's.. I learned it from my grandmother. She insists on giving thanks for every meal."

She'd sort of rushed through it so as to not draw too much attention. Not everyone was as keen on such traditions and speaking out loud like she had was always cause for a quick heartbeat.

But apparently he had been listening, long enough that he showed interest. Maybe he was just being nice.

CIAN MAHER

He is not, by any means, holding her hostage. But she can't pull away from him and a part of her realizes she doesn't want to. Cian's hand was warm and comforting, and she has no issue handling her salad with one hand.

Though she soon realizes that she hasn't even taken a bite yet, either. Neither of them have.

Avery's eyes widen in surprise. There it was again: next time. The suggestion that he planned on coming back. And although she wasn't yet aware of what uncanny superpower she had - it didn't activate. It hadn't before, either. Whether Cian knew it or not, he meant what he was saying.

"Yes! Sure, okay. I'd love to teach it to you."

Timidly, the young woman squeezes his hand.

CIAN MAHER

Avery tucks her hand back into her lap when he eventually let's go. In fact, she puts it in between her knees to hold onto the warmth just a little bit longer. She continues to smile, perhaps a little bit giddy with all of the attention she's received.

She finishes a little bit after him, simultaneously rushing and not rushing to finish. Cian's lowered his napkin first, but she takes extra care to clean up after the two of them, using her napkin to clear away crumbs and cradle them in the paper. One quick trip to the recycle bins leaves her a little bit lighter.

"Yes!"

The woman leans into the booth again briefly to retrieve her purse before falling into step just behind him. It was probably a five or ten minute walk to the beach from here. She lived in damn near the perfect spot in Lilycove, with access to everything at her fingertips.

CIAN MAHER

Avery is turned the other way, looking over her shoulder to make sure the door latches closed. She'd hate for it to not and to let the air conditioning out--

But Cian slips his hand into hers, tugging her along with ease. It catches her by surprise, as it really isn't very often at all that anyone holds her hand. Though she supposes that isn't true. The children and taller Pokemon often do, but not adults.

And not boys, especially.

She does not complain, however, and instead moves quicker on her feet to catch up with him so as to not feel as if he's dragging her behind. The sun is still high in the sky by the time they arrive- the clouds haven't even turned purple or orange.

"We did! I was hoping I hadn't made us late waiting on me.."

Avery breathes a sigh of relief at the thought, smiling up at the sky.

CIAN MAHER

They only ever stop for a second at a time. She's looking up at the sky and the clouds dispersing into thin, wispy trails when her fingers are squeezes and she's tugged along and further down the beach. Along the way she hops, skips, stumbles while removing her own shoes, dangling them off her fingers on her free hand.

Where her eyes are tracing the water's edge and the sun as it sinks, Cian's are on her.

"Yeah! Totally! A little sand never hurt anyone."

There was only a small percent chance the water would creep up the shore to meet them.. probably.

CIAN MAHER

Surprisingly, it seems that the beach is more or less clear of most tourists and visitors. Maybe people are still paranoid about the giant Tentacruel that one year for the surfing event.

With her hand in his, she inevitably is tugged down to sit with him- not that she minds. Somehow, the motion isn't even awkward. Her free hand scoops her dress beneath her comfortably as she leans into an only slightly-awkward sit.

It was always a bit awkward to sit on the ground in a dress.

Unexpectedly, however, a creeping sense of unease or worry settles in her chest. It is easy to shake, for now, but it does prompt her to suck in a breath to still her nerves for just a moment.

"Do you live in Lilycove?"

CIAN MAHER