Arceus, what was she doing.
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After waking up the next morning, a river of memories and unchecked emotions had come flooding back, reminding her that she seriously needed to cut back on drinking.
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Because, thanks to this very bad unchecked habit of hers, she was now heading out on a date with the military golden boy himself, Greyson Connors .
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It's not like she despised the man -- honestly, it was very much the opposite, but he held two qualities that couldn't just be overlooked, especially given her situation. First, he was a prominent member of the league, which meant one thing in particular: he was under HBS' radar. Second, well, that was much more personal.
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When she stepped off the taxi Corviknight, she returned his warm greeting before walking over.
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"Hey."
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[attr="class","ooc"] Greyson Connors[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

her warm greeting was a stark difference to the vibe he got through her texts earlier that week. something about that interaction had left him nervous, and he couldn't quite place it. so why did it feel like the hangman's noose was around his neck?

the thing that gnawed at him most was... he was usually right about those things.

"hey, wow. you're... you look stunning." his smile is warm, compliment sincere. she was truly breathtaking right now.

"did you get here alright?"

PENELOPE LIVY
fit

"Thanks, you look good too."
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And he did. Despite her lukewarm response, there was sincerity behind her words -- it was just bundled in a blanket of uncertainty.
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"Yea! Took a Corviknight Taxi named Jared right over. Sweet bird. I obviously gave him a 5-star rating."
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Bringing her hands behind her back, she took a step toward the entrance of the museum.
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"Should we go in, then?"
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[attr="class","ooc"] Greyson Connors [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"Jared, huh? always amazed ne how well trained they are. my corviknight z has an... interesting personality." he grins, moving to follow after her as she starts to head inside.

"yeah, let's." he'd already prebought the tickets, checking that he'd indeed had them nearly every 30 seconds as he waited.

"have you ever been here?"

PENELOPE LIVY

"I haven't."
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She shook her head. Museums weren't typically weren't her go-to hang-out spot, nor was it a place she'd normally take herself to. But, Penelope always thought of herself as the open-minded type, so she was curious as to what he had planned for the night.
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"How about you?"
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Her pace slowed, so as to allow greyson to take the lead.
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[attr="class","ooc"] Greyson Connors [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"first museum ever" he says, taking the aforementioned lead. "my parents always talked about visiting the big one, y'know, the National History one? but-" he hesitates, his mind lingering on his mother's illness. he shakes it off with barely a falter in his step. "-we never had the chance."

the first exhibit was small and only gained cursory glances at best. perfectly preserved skeletons of pokemon like goldeen, starmie, psyduck and more. it was strange to their skeletal systems laid out as they were, but also exciting.

at least to greyson.

"i hope this is alright? i know museums aren't everyone's thing." he couldn't help but think of their text messages as he speaks, hoping that he wasn't perhaps confirming a fear she had about going on a date with him.

a blow like that would be...

@name

The preserved skeletons earned less than a glance from Penelope.
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Mostly because skeletal systems gave her the heebies-jeebies, though, the nervous tension certainly didn't help.
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"Huh? No, this is great." She feigned a smile.
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It wasn't like she didn't want to go out with him. Beyond their complicated situation (or, well, HER complicated situation) he was certainly her type-- a little geeky, but can still hold their own. She just...wasn't the biggest fan of museums, and whenever she thought to look interested, her mind would only wander back to everything else.
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Arceus, did she suck.

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[attr="class","ooc"] Greyson Connors [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

her words felt empty, and he deflates, confidence teetering on an imaginary ledge that right now, felt very real.

"here, come along." he reaches out and grabs her hand, giving her a light tug as he works his way through the crowds and exhibits. they stop only when they reach a sectioned off rope near the far end.

finally, he speaks, turning to her with a small smile.

"you're not claustrophobic, are you?"

PENELOPE LIVY

Her eyes widened at his sudden touch.
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Trailing close behind, she allowed herself to be dragged across exhibit after exhibit, all until they got to a purposely section-off area tucked near the back of the building.
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Her brows furrowed at his question.
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"No, but isn't this place off limits...?"

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[attr="class","ooc"] Greyson Connors [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

his own heart thumped in his chest, as his hand still intertwined with hers. violet hues study hers and find a small victory at her expression.

"yes and no," he says, grinning. "i know a guy who owes me a favor, so, he's willing to give us a... sneak peak at one of their future exhibits." it was more a 'ride', than anything else, but that wasn't important. "it's not exactly on the up-and-up, but i won't tell if you don't."

as if to asking permission to go along with... whatever this was, he holds the rope up for her.

PENELOPE LIVY

Penelope wasn't one to shy away from adventure-- especially when she has hoenn's golden boy leading the way.
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"Okay, okay," She chuckled, relenting to his attempts of persuasion. Squatting down, she wiggled under the rope barricade, then took a step to the side, waiting for Greyson to do the same.
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When he returned her side, she'd slip her hands back into his, both out of natural instinct and for guidance purposes.
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"Lead the way."
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[attr="class","ooc"] Greyson Connors[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

greyson's head turns quickly to either side as if to see if he was being watched, or followed. satisfied, he steps through after, embracing her hand eagerly. smooth and warm, just something as simple as holding hands was enough for his heart to pound.

"this way, he says, leading her further back and towards what looks to be a large steel shuttered door. it was like something you saw in a warehouse, only in front of it was a massive pool of water.

and in it's center sat a lone submarine.

it was tiny, just big enough to fit a few people, with an emphasis on a sort of 360° few. at least, that was based off the glass exterior.

"there she is," he says, looking equal parts nervous and excited. "the controls are pretty simple once you're inside. we just... take her down and explore the ocean outside. how's that sound?"

PENELOPE LIVY

A submarine?

The sight alone was enough to shock her, and to think they'll be able to go inside? Now, that was a double shocker.
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"Holy," She murmured, eyes widening with awe. "Are you sure we can go in??"
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The question was equally anxiety-ridden as it was bursting with excitement. Penelope could feel herself growing eager to dive right in and explore that ocean blue, but the adult in her reminded her to take things slow, and ask the important questions before it was too late.
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[attr="class","ooc"] Greyson Connors[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]