"it should be..."

he's staring down at his phone that barely gets any signal this far out from civilization. even if they aren't sure, they should be heading west, and judging by the way the compass on his phone points, it seems to be the right direction.

with a sigh, he pockets his phone, then turns to grab the sack.

"to be fair, this bag's heavy as fuck."

he grunts as he continues hauling it across the ground.

"what's even in here?"

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]god, she hopes so...

she's tired of this bird already. it keeps giving her dirty looks. maybe because cian's doing all the work and she's merely looking pretty? nah, couldn't be.

"maybe it's coal," she muses, turning toward him with a grin. has hoenn been bad this year?

she steps a little closer, careful to keep a distance from the delibird. it still squawks when she gets too close to the sack cian's dragging. eyes narrow in response but she doesn't give it any more satisfaction.

"or someone's getting an entire store for christmas." man, she'd like that...

CIAN MAHER
mission

"wait a sec..."

the realization hits him. why the fuck is he carrying the bag when he has pokemon to help? he calls out aggron, then points at the sack.

"could you help me with this, please?"

aggron grunts, clearly not satisfied at being woken up. but it reaches for the sack, dragging it over its shoulder.

"great. thanks."

then, he turns to gia as they continue along.

"what would you like for christmas?"

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]chiming giggles escape as realization sets in. she can see the gears churn until he's summoning out his aggron to assist. and when the pokemon grunts, her head turns to offer it a grateful smile.

a cutie, even if it's a little cranky. she doesn't blame it, really. she'd be cranky after having a nap interrupted too.

the question makes her pause. is he asking just to ask or is he fishing for something?

an eyebrow raises and despite herself, there's a dusting of pink spreading across her cheeks. she pays it no mind.

"anything." it's surprisingly easy to please her: give her a heartfelt gift and she's putty.

"what do you want for christmas, love?"

CIAN MAHER
mission

in truth, he had been fishing, and it becomes clear with his next comment.

"that's not very helpful."

he'll revisit this later. for now, he thinks on her question.

"hmm. something i can use, i think."

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]not very helpful? ...oh! he was actually asking because he... wanted to get her something?

she flushes at the realization. it's a foreign concept but it brings butterflies regardless.

"i," she mumbles, tripping over words until she manages to string together a coherent thought. "i'd like anything," comes in a soft whisper as if she's nervous.

"what do you consider useful?" her head tilts, then, and she's weighing options. what do men think are useful?

CIAN MAHER
mission

anything. the answer, along with her flush, makes him chuckle.

"again, that's not very helpful."

but he nods. he'll find something for her, he's sure.

"something i'll use often, maybe? like shoes, socks, or...the new nintendo switch."

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]right, anything is too broad... the flush deepens slightly at the thought.

she's not used to this. how is she supposed to know what to ask for?

"sorry," she mumbles, hands beginning to fiddle with the whip fastened to her belt. her smile is warm, even if it dips into mildly uncharacteristic territory. it's not every day gia's shy. "i'd like whatever you got me, you know."

because it'd be coming from him.

a laugh escapes. it's not surprising he wants a nintendo switch. unfortunately, she'd probably have to steal one. actually... not a bad idea.

"okay," she hums. "i'll see what santa has for you."

CIAN MAHER
mission

a gift for her...something personal, maybe?

"okay. i'll think of something."

cian is familiar with her profession. she's taught him a few things, too, which have been useful on assignments. so, briefly, he wonders if santa is going to be stealing him his gift.

not that he minds.

"i'm looking forward to it. outfit and all."

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]the smile she offers him is, perhaps, as bright as a christmas tree topper.

"can't wait," she chirps. although, a thought rises soon after. her smile tightens slightly and she's dipping into mildly insecure behavior. someone get this girl a drink... she isn't herself when she's thirsty.

"you don't have to get me anything, though." it's soft, almost nervous. "you're not obligated to, you know."

except, he probably does know and she's overthinking it. just girly things?

a giggle escapes, then, and she's shifting closer to bump her hip into his.

"suit and all, huh? is that something you're interested in?"

CIAN MAHER
mission

"i know," he reassures, "but i want to."

her hip bumps into his, and as a chuckle escapes, he reaches a hand out to her waist to pull her close to him.

"what, outfits and stuff? hell yeah. as long as it's you wearing them."

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]a pull is all it takes. she practically melts into the hold, into him.

it's... unbecoming of her, really, but there's little she wants to do about it. of course, reassurance doesn't help her cause. it only solidifies a fuzziness in the marrow of her bones.

"as long as it's me, huh?" her head tilts into his shoulder as a laugh escapes. "i'll keep that in mind."

wait until he sees her work suit.

CIAN MAHER
mission

"yeah? you gonna be in an outfit the next time i see you?"

the next time. of course there'll be a next. why wouldn't there be? it's what he wants, and he's sure it's what she wants, too.

the realization scares him a little but it doesn't show on his expression.

giada morgan

☉