When Ophelia reached out, Toni could barely believe it. Here? In Hoenn? It was a pleasant surprise to hear from her and even more so when there was a dinner invitation that followed.

Unlike the woman in front of her, toni’s is composed, relaxed, a permanent light smile dancing across the edges of her pink lips. It was good to see her, even better to see her doing so well. The ceo of a successful bank? Fifi had come a long way since their time in Sinnoh. Although Toni wasn’t there for the important parts of her growth, Toni still felt a sense of pride for simply having been a part of her life.

“Hoenn’s been . . . interesting. It’s quite different from Sinnoh,” and more dangerous, so she’s come to realize. Toni shifts with her, also leaning forward to hear Ophelia’s lowered voice. It’s just as sweet as she remembers it, “I’m surprised to see you here as well,” she admits, her smile growing into a charming smirk, “But very happy to.”

---

ophelia coin
outfit

[attr="class","ophelia"]

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

[attr="class","ophelia i"]and there, ladies and gentleman, is the absolute charm of antoinette spina. her ability to place you at ease, to live a little and mean it... it's irreplaceable.

and for a moment, she's feeling the greed settle in. the incessant urge to keep her close, keep her tethered. she has to breathe, has to remind herself that this is toni. and a golden cage would still be a cage, most of all for the freest person she knows.

her smile grows genuine, albeit slower than toni's. the woman's energy is, simply, infectious. it's difficult to not get swept up in all she has to offer.

"different?" a light laugh escapes. somehow, the thought amuses her. "i don't suppose you have a few stories you'd like to divulge?" she's certain they'd be captivating, to say the least.

that smirk... it instills something in her. she shifts in her seat as if movement will stall the inevitable.

"duty calls, i suppose," she offers. it's noncommittal, as if she wants to brush off her justification for storming the shores of hoenn. and mostly, it does nothing more than settles the homesick feeling that's burrowed too deep into her bones to shake. she makes an effort to tease, to dive back into old habits and older bonds. years of playing professional have made her rusty but she tries anyway, if only to hear toni laugh again. "happy, hm? do tell, i'd love to hear more."

Antoinette Spina
mission

A few stories, hm? From steamy sauna cybers to chance encounters with Mewtwo she has a few things to tell. Maybe not now, though. To entertain her partner, she consider it in silence for a moment, leaning back slightly with a teasing smile, “Perhaps next time,” she purrs, already attempting to rope her into a second meeting. Of course, that all depended on how this one ended. Only time and wine would tell.

Her manicured fingers gently trace the base of the wine glass in front of her, gliding up the stem to settle beneath the gentle curve of the crystal. Toni takes a quick sip of the ruby liquid before peeling it away from her lips.

Ophelia gets what she wants, a light, airy laugh, “Very happy, of course,” she corrects, setting the glass back down on the white linen cloth, “You’ve done so well, Fi” and I’m so proud, “Seeing you expand the business to Hoenn is an incredible feat,” and I’ve missed you. She intentionally leaves some things unsaid. No need to scare her off so quickly.

---

ophelia coin

[attr="class","ophelia"]

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

[attr="class","ophelia i"]disappointment swells for a moment. it clings in a way she detests, even as her mind chastises and points out the most important part: you can see her after this.

and with the small realization, she nods. "next time," comes as an echo of confirmation. it settles softly with a flutter she'll recognize later as excitement.

her smile grows with toni's laugh. it's her favorite sound, really. a pretty song she can't seem to turn off. no, she'd play it on repeat if she could. and to loosen the remaining nerves, she sips at her glass of white, a stark contrast to toni's red.

despite herself, her cheeks radiate warmth beneath a compliment. "it's nothing," she murmurs. her glass settles back onto tablecloth and she releases the lifeline it holds. "business is business, after all, but thank you." and she means it.

she leans a little, as if to make the conversation more personal with proximity alone.

"i'm just glad expanding into hoenn's industry led to seeing you again." i've missed you too.

Antoinette Spina
mission