[attr="class","beck"]from the depths of anger and despair, beckett steps into a small studio in lilycove. he plays the part of an admirer well; eyes glossing over each individual painting, giving them time and attention where he usually wouldn't.

he stops at one in particular.

"this one's beautiful."

he peers up, admiring.

"what inspired it?"

[attr="class","noodles"]anya fowl

she lifts her gaze and then leans around her easel. the one in question is dark--mottled blues and grays and a spray of gold upon it. it is wondrous and chaotic and desperate and lonely.

she settles back in her chair and dips her brush in two of her reds. "a dream i had once," she says. she presses the brush firmly against the canvas. it dips under her weight. she jerks the brush up, as though it were a dagger, and leaves a trail of sunset red behind. "about a world with no sun."

she cocks her head.

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]a world with no sun —

"sounds peaceful."

could such a world even exist?

briefly, he thinks of Lulu Flint, of darkrai, before tilting his head to meet her gaze.

"name's beckett."

[attr="class","noodles"]anya fowl

there is more to this story than a curious passerby admiring her art. it is the human condition to be curious, but that curiosity comes with a certain reservation. those who peruse her works don't nonchalantly offer their names.

it's possible that he's a suitor of some sort, though she discards the idea; he's not met her before.

she continues with her brush strokes. red drips heavier on the page. her lions sleep in the other room. it will not take much to startle them awake. however, she is the ever-careful, and a few luxury balls sit hidden on her easel, should the need arise.

"molly," she says whimsically.

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]"a pleasure."

similarly, a few pokeballs line the inside of his blazer; a luxury ball, in particular, rests elsewhere, ready to crack open should it need to.

fishing into his blazer, he pulls out a pack of cigarettes.

"care for a smoke?"

[attr="class","noodles"]anya fowl

[attr="class","beck"]"sure."

the smell of paint fades, overpowered by the salty scent of the ocean as they step outside. he inhales all the same, lighting a cigarette before extending one over to her.

[attr="class","noodles"]anya fowl

[attr="class","beck"]"i wanted one and it would've been rude not to offer."

inhale, exhale. smoke dissipates across them, carried by a gentle beeze.

"is it strange?"

[attr="class","noodles"]anya fowl

[attr="class","beck"]"i'd like that."

despite his words, there's not much that wears across his expression besides indifference. he tilts his head, offering a nod of gratitude as he takes another drag.

ash scatters across concrete.

"you sure i can't offer something in return? only seems fair."

[attr="class","noodles"]anya fowl

[attr="class","beck"]"isn't it obvious?"

her gaze feels heavy on him, scrutinizing and adding to the existent weight on his shoulders. he shrugs a shulder, lifting the cigarette to his lips.

"i'm here for you."

[attr="class","noodles"]anya fowl