this is likely the first time since their meeting in the casino where cian is actually dressed up nicely. he's almost always either in casual clothes or workout clothes, so this is a nice change for once.

in a smart black shirt and grey slacks, cian stands outside hbs hq eagerly waiting for his date.

soon enough, the doors slide open, and he approaches with a warm smile.

"it's a good thing we don't work together because i'd just be distracted the whole time."

he reaches for her hand.

"hello again, penny."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

"You're telling me."
[break][break]

Unlike herself, who had just normal office wear on, Cian was styling a clean fit she hadn't seen on him since their night spent at the casino. And what a shame that was, because damn did it look good on him.
[break][break]

"Hey," She chimed, "I hope the ride here wasn't too difficult."
[break][break]

She reached out to accept his hand and allowed their fingers to naturally intertwine. Though, as they did, a soft pang nipped at her side. What was she doing? In front of her own building, no less. It'd be a nightmare if a rumor were to spiral around, especially if it came back to bite her in the ass later.
[break][break]

With a light tug, she began to direct them to the right, away from the door's view. It wasn't much, but it'd at least prevent any lurking eyes from peeping.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER[break]


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

it's a good thing cian's fame, no matter how small, is mostly contained in rustboro. star runner turn gym trainer turn gym leader. a story fit to turn into a movie, no doubt.

but even then, holding hands with a lead reporter would no doubt stir rumors regardless of how famous he is. just his title alone would be enough to create a conflict of interest.

he just doesn't realize it quite yet.

thinking nothing of being tugged away from the door, his fingers intertwine with hers.

"so! where are you taking me?"

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

Headlines mean everything. No matter how small, or large one's actual popularity was, in the eyes of the ignorant, seeing the word 'gym leader' was enough. This is especially true when it comes to office politics.
[Break][break]
"You'll see." A glint of enthusiasm showed in her eyes as she nudged him along towards the restaurant.
[Break][break]
It was supposed to be a short 8 minute walk from her office, so she figured they could just get there by foot. "It's not too far out from here." She paused for a second, then looked back up at him, curious. "How was your day, by the way?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER[break]


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

"my day was good! schooled some kids. nothing new."

actually, some kids schooled him. but that's often the point of his minor gym: to be a stepping stone for trainers to help them advance on to the major league. so he doesn't mind losing if it means helping them.

he smiles, tilting his head over to look at her as they continue walking.

"how was yours?"

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

"someone's gotta teach them," she joked.
[BREAK][BREAK]
Actually, even before meeting him, Penelope had mulled over the idea of writing an article on the minor league. It was one of the few initiatives set by a league member that she had actually agreed with.
[BREAK][BREAK]
Tilting her head in a similar fashion, she stole a glimpse of his smile. "Pretty good. Might've found myself a lead to look into later. " She shrugged. It wasn't anything crazy, but hey, it was what it was.
[BREAK][BREAK]
The passage of another bustling street corner marked the half way point. They were getting close. "So, I'm curious -- where did you grow up? Here in hoenn, or...?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER [break]


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

"that sounds exciting."

he doesn't pry any further than that, understanding the boundaries that exist between them due to their work.

"rustboro born and raised. i traveled around a lot for track, though."

it's only then that he doesn't know where she grew up. so, he asks, deciding it okay to pry a little this time.

"what about you?"

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

She nodded at his answer. It made sense-- he did give off the home grown talent vibes. Penelope, on the other hand, was the natural bird who left the nest type.
[Break][break]
"Grew up in Petalburg City, actually."
[Break][break]
Most of her memories from that time were fuzzy and faded. Like a crumpled and burnt up picture, entacted, but not fully there.
[Break][break]
Still, there were a few things she remembered fondly.
[Break][break]
"You know, we might've seen each other back then. I used to run yearbook, so I would sometimes ride out to the different sporting events. "

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER [break]


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

petalburg's nice. it's one of the cities in hoenn he's more fond of just because it's close to home so they'd often travel there for a little getaway in their cabin home.

"you think so? hm. i think i would've remembered you."

someone as beautiful as her? definitely. but then again, maybe not, because there was a period where his ex would travel to his competitions as well to support him.

"maybe i'm in one of your yearbooks."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

"Ooo maybe! We should check sometime."
[Break][break]
Imagine, high school Cian. He'd probably be the type of jock she would've avoided, preferring to just take the shot, then leave.
[Break][break]
Though, now that she thought of it, his name did sound a little familiar...
[Break][break]
"Ah, we're here."
[Break][break]
In front of them, hidden behind a row of buildings, was a small festival. While normally it would've winded down already, as it was already 6pm, there was a special event tonight that was prolonging the fun til 9.
[Break][break]
"Let's go," she gave his hand a squeeze before tugging him along the mouth of the market, where most of the odd shops and stalls were at.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER[break]


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

cian was definitely a jock — athletic, charismatic, and wildly popular, it's almost a surprise how he didn't join a frat house in college. too busy on the track team, probably.

arriving at the hidden festival, he takes a moment to gaze at the various stalls ahead of them. his eyes widen in marvel like a kid in a candy store.

"wow—"

and then he's tugged along but it's not like he minds. he'd happily follow her anywhere.

"this place is amazing! how'd you find out about it?"

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

Stalls upon stalls were laid out in front of them, organized into two separate rows that spanned out towards the concert stage far up ahead. Some contained various knicknacks and homemade trinkets, such as wooden plates or keychains, while others lit the streets with delicious food.
[break][break]
When he asked for her secret, she raised an eyebrow, leaned in close to his ear, then whispered: "I know everything, obviously."
[break][break]
Laughing, she pulled away, eyes focusing back onto the crowd. "I also live here and they do one of these likeee once a month? Usually, it's just a normal farmers market, though."
[break][break]
Walking through the mouth of the festival, Penny directed them towards the right side of the stalls, her interest immediately taken in by one of the first food stalls she saw: fresh kettle corn.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER [break]


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

gentle whispers float across the space between them, raising goosebumps. he chuckles when she laughs only to roll his eyes a moment later.

"obviously."

but that makes sense. cian knows most of the happenings in rustboro so he should've expected penny to be the same with lilycove. maybe it's because she works so much that the thought slipped by.

their first stop: fresh kettle corn.

he squeezes her hand, enamored at all the options before them.

"caramel?"

PENELOPE LIVY

☉