Skyler doesn't recognize him at first. She sees the suit, the upright posture and then her brain promptly blue screens when faced with familiar features. The double-take is far from subtle, rusty gears working overtime to reconcile two opposite concepts. Kyle Lopez. In a formal suit.

Her gaze travels down to his shoes, then back up. Repeat. Repeat again.

Full-blown laughter reaches the champion before Skyler does. Next to his carefully groomed appearance, she looks like a unrepentant, no-good scoundrel. 

"Heya, boss. Are you trying to emulate FERNANDO SILPH 's fashion style?" His smirk is met with her own, still twisted with the aftermath of her amusement.

While not in possession of a great number of working brain cells, Skyler still manages to put two and two together, watching the champion slump. Weary, perhaps?

"Who put you up to this?"

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"That look would be great for League merchandise. Get your own 'Business Kyle' body pillow." An inelegant snort follows her statement, though she isn't being serious about it. Probably. Or is she? "Feel free to use my idea - as long as you save one for Angelo."

If anything, the suit just cements her idea that it'd been a wise decision not to join Aqua. Arceus, she'd be a walking PR disaster waiting to happen - no matter what kind of clothes they'd shove her into.

"We're looking for a third person to join our relationship," she deadpans in response to Kyle's question. Her neutral expression lasts all of three seconds before her lips curl into a mischievous grin. 

"Honestly?" Her fingers burrow into golden curls. Out of frustration, maybe? "I'm looking for business deals, of sorts"

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"You clearly haven't seen the fan-made stuff yet. It's wild." Seeing as her aunt is the founder and current president of the Official Laurence Anderson and Articuno Fanclub :tm: and also horny on main, Skyler is moderately confident in her statement. She's seen some shit.

"I think Kazimir's getting some body pillows made."

If anything, aunt Jules would definitely have a field day with that one. 

"Hook- what?" The connection isn't made immediately, leaving Skyler to ungracefully flounder in her confusion. She looks at Kyle with furrowed brows, brain working overtime as she attempts to shove two and two together. "I- no." An amused snort escapes her. "Business deals as a ship captain. I did get into the business of boat parties once and could never get all of the glitter out." 

Thankfully, the suspicious stains had been easier to remove. Ugh.

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She thinks back on the party she'd attended for New Years, finding the image of an efficient-looking blonde woman mingling with other attendees. Goode. Skyler herself hadn't stuck around for long, sneaking out before midnight with several bottles of champagne.

"Thanks anyway, boss." Her chair scrapes against the polished floors as the buzzer goes off and she makes to rise. "For the heads up, and for not telling Angelo about the hookers."

Her smile dawns slowly, a half circle of amused mischief. "And for fuck's sake, get outta that suit. It looks like you're being strangled by it."

With these parting words, Skyler turns and weaves her way back into the crowd, and out of sight.

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