as strumming of guitars sound in the foreground, cian attempts to find the true meaning behind her words. carefree. somehow, he understands.

the music forces him to have to lean closer to her.

"i feel the same way."

a pause.

"it's kinda like i don't have to pretend to be someone i'm not when i'm with you."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

She leaned in as well, finding trouble hearing his voice over the vibration of sound erupting from the stage.
[break][break]

"it's kinda like i don't have to pretend to be someone i'm not when i'm with you."
[break][break]

Those words meant more than he could probably tell. Pretending, self-expression -- it was a long-lasting battle she had faced since youth. So, whenever they're together, it always felt like a relief. A chance to breathe.
[break][break]

"Mmm..." Her eyes glanced up at him again, wide and full of interest. "Yeah, I feel the same way, too."
[break][break]

It's funny how often she finds herself repeating his own words. It was also a bit scary.
[break][break]

"Nothing has to happen now," she half-laughed, "or any time soon, but...." Her heart thrummed loudly against her chest, matching the pace of the band's drums, and that of her spinning head. "I do want something serious-- I just want to be upfront about that."
[break][break]

Another day, another selfish choice.
[break][break]

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


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

her words do not come as a revelation. the fact that they don't should speak to how much he's come to know and understand her.

"i know...i figured you did."

his leg bounces to the same beat as the song.

"i'm just scared, penny. i've hurt people before and the last thing i want is to do the same to you."

he bites his tongue but ultimately decides to be selfish as well.

"but being serious with you sounds really fun."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

"And that's fine," She murmured, "Take your time with it. Though..."
[break][break]
The ends of her lips lifted up into a small smile.
[break][break]
"I'm a grown woman -- I can handle a little bit of heartbreak."
[break][break]
Boom.
[break][break]
It was his selfish decision that caused her heart to explode a bit inside her chest. Finally, her armor of maturity had fallen victim these bustling emotions, all cradled up in her stomach. The heat of it all had forced her to turn away, as she knew as well as anyone that the control of her expressions had been lost to the giddiness that now rode up her cheeks and lips and eyes. 

[break][break]
Under her breath, the words simply slipped out: "Arceus, I hope so..."

[break][break]

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


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

should it come, the heartbreak won't be little, that much cian knows. when has it ever been? the more time spent together and the more feelings shared makes it a double-edged sword.

maybe it's the moment — maybe it's her — but as the song comes to an end and silence washes over them, no matter how brief, he leans in to kiss her cheek.

"then fuck it. let's get our hearts broken."

a chuckle escapes, almost breathless.

"maybe. i hope it doesn't come to that. but fuck it."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

The tenderness of his kiss instantly pulled at her attention, tugging her eyes back to his. Breathlessly, she gazed back up at him, her lips lifting up into a smile as his words mirrored a cheesy romcom that would've sent Evelyn spiraling in the past.
[break][break]

Back then, she thoughts scenes like that to be downright stupid, but now, sitting here next to Cian, hearing those words-- now she could understand.
[break][break]

"Yeah," She chuckled, "Fuck it."
[break][break]

The band, at that moment, had begun leading into their next song. This one was more upbeat than the last, full of life and a type of excitement the first hadn't captured. It was also one of Penelope's favorites.
[break][break]

"Wait, I love this song."
[break][break]

She paused, thought for a second, then grinned. Maybe it was okay to let loose for a bit.

"Care for a dance?"
[break][break]

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


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

it's stupid, cheesy, but gods does it make him feel good. the dopamine rush has him on a high and it's one he could ride for a while.

it's a familiar feeling with her, he realizes.

so, standing, he offers her his hand.

"let's."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

His lack of hesitation is what sells it the most. Bold and willing to act, she wanted nothing more than a person to jump head first with, even during the worst of situations. A ride or die. A friend. For once, it felt like she might've found it.
[Break][break]
Grinning, she gladly accepting his out stretched hand, and used it to pull herself off the bench. Then, with her other hands swiping his last free one, she began to dance. Not sway, or jump, or twist -- dance. Truly, it was either a sight to see or the most embarrassing moment for humanity, as Penelope simply allowed the music to guide her body, shaking and twisting it as it felt necessary. With her hands attached to his, she'd drag him down with her antics, forcing him to follow a similar routine.
[Break][break]
All while this is happening, bubbles of laughter are erupting from her throat every now and then. Thankfully, since they were in the back, this was all done without annoying another family trying to watch the concert.

[break][break]

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


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

though some may have considered it embarrassing, cian finds it endearing, and he is more than happy to join her and just dance without a care in the world.

laughter mingles with melodies that flow across the space around them. tucked away in their little corner, everything seems perfect.

and when the song and eventually concert finally ends, he finds himself breathless.

"that was..."

he breathes, smiling.

"fun."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

"wasn't it," she breathed, a wide smile stretched across her cheeks. This was bliss. Carelessly dancing, without a fear in the world, to the beat of their own song.
[Break][break]
"I haven't danced like that in years."
[Break][break]
While the concert goers began to outpour back into the vendor street, or out into Lilycove's streets, Penelope didn't budge. Rather, her eyes kept caught on Cian's face , searching for...something.
[Break][break]
When nothing came of it, she looked away, lips still playing into a small smile.
[Break][break]
She didn't want this night to end. Not yet.
[Break][break]
"Wanna see something cool?"
[Break][break]
If he were to agree, Penelope would quickly call upon the attention of two staraptor taxi cabs. Their destination? The top of HBS inc, of course.
[Break][break]
Because there, hidden in the starlight, was a small set up created especially for Penelope's return. Strings of fairy lights were hung up by sticks, boxing in a bundle's worth of blankets and pillows and it's center. In the corner, a small speaker laid, ready to be connected and utilized.


[break][break]

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


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

"you really had this whole night planned out, huh?"

cian's pretty much in disbelief. to think she'd went out of her way to set this up for them perhaps knowing they'd come back is...something. it makes his heart flutter as he reaches for her hand.

"when did you even get a chance to do all this?"

he laughs.

"it's amazing."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

In reality, she had this place set up 24/7. Minus the portable speaker, of course. Given her high-stress position, Penelope had spent more than one night at the office, and sometimes, she desperately needed some air to think properly. And so, this place came to be.
[Break][break]
But, the image Cian had of her was probably more romantic, so she didn't dare correct him.
[Break][break]
"Oh you know," she shrugged, walking backwards towards the fluffed up pile of blankets. An all-knowing smirk played on her lips. "Glad you like it though. I," she caught herself. Should she say this? For a split second, she kept the words bundled up in her mouth, as she contemplated how vulnerable she wanted to be. Kinda felt like the first morning spent together. "I just hope it isn't too much."

[break][break]

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


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

understanding the way words get caught in her mouth, he squeezes her hand to reassure her because he knows just how difficult it can be to share and to be vulnerable.

"no, no, it isn't. i love it, penny."

he lowers to the fluffy blankets, making sure to kick off his shoes prior because he isn't an animal.

"i have something to ask you. we glossed over it earlier but i figured it's something that's better to be clear about."

his turn to be vulnerable, he supposes.

"would you like for us to be exlusive?"

PENELOPE LIVY

☉