[attr="class","luci2"]

many people had asked him, and yet luciano found himself at a fault. what was he doing in hoenn? why had he come to hoenn? especially after all that happened since the barrier had come up, it made the sculptist second-guessing his decision to move.

[break][break] very rarely did luciano second-guess himself — especially when it came to his art. most of the time, when he had an impulse, he would follow it. after all, while falling on a feeling would not work for most people, it had never failed luciano. not once.

[break][break] okay, maybe once.

[break][break] in the middle of the park, the sinnoh native strolls at a leisurely pace with no one to accompany him except her bergmite. the small pokemon toddles forth along the path, icicles making wet spots in the grass. there are many people in the park's vicinity, none that luciano pays attention to. after all, most people are beneath him — as the life of a fisk typically is. it is a rare thing for someone to catch the artist's eye.

[break][break] a rare thing indeed.

[break][break] he pauses in his steps, doing a double-take as he walks behind one blond-haired man. it is the art that catches his gaze more than anything else. familiar.

[break][break] "you're quite good with the brush," he notes appreciatively, expression thoughtful.

[break][break] he hasn't noticed yet.

[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas

☉

They're close. Way too close. He froze up, staying quiet as he heard footsteps near. There's no way. There's no way. There's no- And then he spoke as he felt something warm pulse through him, heart thumping hard in his chest. That's too familiar. Way too familiar. Too much like- like- Paxton swallowed. It couldn't be. [break][break]

But when he looked up to handsome features, and pretty, focused eyes he sees what he thought only a memory from years long past. Does he recognize him? Then again...why else would he approach. Besides the art. He supposed artists were just drawn to the craft regardless of where they were, huh? Paxton hesitated, picking up his paintbrush and idly cleaning off the specks of dirt it'd caught on his jeans before carefully dipping into his water and then flicking it dry on the ground. [break][break]

"Thanks." He wondered if he sounded familiar to him at all? If he had the same effect that man had had on him. He hadn't thought of him in so long, but he had been often thought of. More so as...a different kind of life. A what if he regretted not pursuing. Couldn't pursue because of the war. Maybe it'd just hadn't been meant to be. Then if that were the case- why was Luciano Fisk here? Talking to him in the flesh. "I'm a bit rusty...but it's still fun anyway." he explained, eyes finally daring look up at the artist.

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: sleepless in slateport [break][break]


[break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","luci2"]

of course he remembers. how couldn't he? afternoons spent in an art studio, light sprawling from schoolyard windows. soft side glances, delicate brushwork.

[break][break] heat on his skin, being pushed up against a wall, heart lurching in his throat, head punch-drunk on cheap, inexpensive wine.

[break][break] "concord."

[break][break] just like his meeting with illeana reyes , this one seemed fated. so strange. hoenn was such a strange place, he thought, reminded of his conversation with ophelia coin not all that long ago.

[break][break] "what are you doing here?"

[break][break] his eyes are wide, blown a startled blue.

[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas

☉

He nearly stopped breathing, not hearing that name in so long. Lazy, half lidded eyes widen in surprise. He's surprised he remembered. He's surprised his heart thumped so hard in his chest. But he's not a schoolboy lusting after his teacher's famous assistant anymore. And he's not as bright or as bold a man as he was before. And despite feeling that rush, it dulled just as quickly, eyes flickering back to the ground as he found it a bit easier to keep his composure. [break][break]

He almost wished he hadn't recognized him. He's a mess. Callous and jagged and haunted. And Luci? He seemed just as charming as before. Perhaps a little older, but aging gracefully on all accounts. Not that it had been that long…had it? He smiled slowly as he set his palette and brush down on the ground with care. "Hoping to run into you?" He asked, more teasing than flirting. [break][break]

He grabbed a rag from his things and tried to clean his hands before standing up to meet the artist. He hoped he didn't look too tired today, having been enjoying himself just minutes prior. "luciano fisk . It's good to see you again." He said, eyes crinkling slightly as he smiled a little wider, sincere in his words. He offered a hand for a handshake, mainly wondering if he was hallucinating still.


[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: sleepless in slateport [break][break]


[break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","luci2"]

the flush that crawls up his neck is childish. he feels childish.

[break][break] but that was the effect that he had on him, wasn't it? the ability to reduce him into a nervous mess.

[break][break] luci, even in the past, was a man who prided himself on... well, his pride. he didn't typically fall apart. like the sculptures he sought to create, he was well-built and stable. nothing could break him, not even noemi's harsh words or anton's equally critical eye, no matter how often they chipped at him.

[break][break] but concord?

[break][break] a laugh blows out of him, surprised and breathy.

[break][break] "you haven't changed, have you?"

[break][break] oh how luciano had no idea.

[break][break] he smiles wide. "it's a pleasure to see you too, concord, as always." the hand is offered to him is held in his gentle grasp, as he kneels slightly and brings it to his lips in a gentle kiss.

[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas

☉

Despite himself, he felt his eyes travel towards that pink that slowly climbed up luciano fisk 's neck. He felt something old stirring…pride, was it? He liked having that effect. He lingered, and that's always nice to know. "You think so?" That'd be a nice thought. [break][break]

His hand is calloused, scarred. No longer soft and unblemished. Permanent freckles from the outdoors had dotted his skin. All the same, Luciano held it like he was made of the finest china. And all the same he kissed it, sparking a sudden heat to tinge his ears and eyes to go wide once more with shock. [break][break]

"You greet all your ex students like this?" He asked, hiding his nerves behind a bit of snark. "Or am I just special?" There's that grin that for a moment almost made him look as boyish as before. Were it not for the dark circles under his eyes and messier, longer hair.
[break][break]

"But seriously, what brings you to Hoenn? New gallery by the department store?"


[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: sleepless in slateport [break][break]


[break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","luci2"]

this time, luciano does not waver. colbalt meets cauliflower blue, unwavering, unflinchingly.

[break][break] "you have always been special, concord."

[break][break] this time there is no childhood embarrassment, no flitting nervousness. as a youth, luciano had not been able to bear his heart so confidently; the years that have passed between them allowed him to wield his weapons as confidently as he did his brush.

[break][break] when he gazes at paxton concordas , his eyes are full of emotion — emotion that only the other may read.

[break][break] a soft chuckle arises from luciano as he lets his hand drop from the other, instead turning his gaze away to observe the painting. his arms fold over themselves. "good guess, but not quite. the fisk gallery has been put on pause due to the barrier. it's - as you must know - difficult to get communication to sinnoh."

[break][break] he smiles.

[break][break] "what about you? are you studying a degree? or perhaps - do you have a new career?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas

☉

Luciano does not shy away from him. Instead, he meets him with an unwavering confidence that almost made him. Special…huh? He thought his ears were ringing as he stood there caught off guard again. It's not embarrassing, but rather genuine surprise that's reflected in his mouth half open expression. He'd been about to joke again but the words catch in his throat. If he wanted to be sincere, he would return it as well. "Charming as ever…the feeling is mutual." Paxton wasn't a flowery man, and Concord had less tact. [break][break]

"Ah, yeah, the dome of doom." He said with a nod and a wry smile. His expression faded a bit as he shook his head. "No, nothing like that. I work for the Lilycove PD." He stated, nodding in its general direction. "Though lately my job is driving around small celebrities around the city." He hated it. But… "If you need a tour, you can ask for Officer Concordas at the station." There's silence before he offered a shrug and a snort. "So much for archeology."


[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: sleepless in slateport [break][break]


[break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","luci2"]

"the lilycove pd?"

[break][break] this time, he's unable to keep the shock out of his voice. the concord he knew would have never —

[break][break] ah.

[break][break] luciano looks down at the other, and this time knows the scars on his hands, the mark of a history that luciano was not privy to know. perhaps - this was not his concord.

[break][break] still, his lips curve into a smile.

[break][break] "i would not dare turn down an invitation from you, concord." his head tilts. "hopefully my status in hoenn is not so marred that i'm not considered important enough. perhaps you could accompany me today."

[break][break] not that, of course, he had anywhere to be.

[break][break] his gaze drifts back towards concord's painting.

[break][break] "ah. are you busy today?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas

☉

The surprise is what he expected. The last time they'd talked was at a party, half-drunk, on a balcony and- well. He'd been an archeology student with an interest in watercolor. Not....whatever he was now. [break][break]

His brain rushed to fill in edgy, depressive words like BROKEN or HAUNTED but they're easily dismissed with a small inhale. The truth was, after all that weird sad bullshit, he just felt like all edges. Unfinished. Kanto had taken something from him that he'd never get back and now he had to buff himself down again into the person he wanted to be. "There's always one open for you, Luci." he said back. "The Fisk's are big wherever they go, in the right circles...or for the right member." he said. He vaguely knew most of them. He knew Luciano the best though, being the only person he'd actually cared about. [break][break]

He felt his heart thump in his chest again. Today? TODAY?? That's sudden- that's kinda sudden- that's fast- that's- [break][break]

"I was just wrappin' up." he said flashing another grin, this one a little broader, a little happier. Paxton turned to back to his work beginning to put his tools away. His kit was simple at least and he could carry the canvas. It's small enough. "What did you have in mind?"

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: sleepless in slateport [break][break]


[break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","luci2"]

his gaze brightens — kind and thoughtful, for all they're worth. it's something that very few people have been able to draw from him. to break down the layers of his fisk framework, to push back everything that noemi has set up for them.

[break][break] the sculptor watches the way paxton concordas unravels at the suggestion.

[break][break] maybe, just maybe, concord wasn't as different as he liked to think.

[break][break] "oh really? i'm glad," he says. "i would never want to make you give up your time — but since you were already wrapping up, i'm delighted for your time."

[break][break] his expression turns thoughtful.

[break][break] "well," he says honestly, "i don't know much about hoenn at all. perhaps you could give me a tour of - " he gestures with a hand, uselessly. "this place." luci speaks like a mermaid out of water, a noble in the presence of the people. it should be no surprise — he is after all a fisk.

[break][break] it was not a surprise that he would not feel home in a place so barren, so empty of the pleasure and charm that all fisks had come to enjoy.

[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas

☉

Paxton is happy. Perhaps its because Luciano is familair to him, or perhaps he still found the man attrractive but jsut talking with him again improved his mood. Not that, he'd been in a bad one before. Maybe neutral was a better way to describe it. No thoguhts, jsut some watercolors. [break][break]

"Of course." tours were easy. He'd driven around enough VIPs in his dinky cruiser to be qualified for a Lilycove city tour. All he needed was a little headset microphone and to get rid of the bags under his eyes. "Well, you're already aware of the art gallery near the department store right?" he asked making final adjustments to his belongings before pocketing them in his backpack. The wet canvas stayed carefully in his hands though. "Nearby there's a couple of historical statues, some well known cafes...an arcade I think." he said. [break][break]

He pointed over at the plant arches he'd been painting. "That over there has been upkept for decades too. This park is pretty old." he trailed off before looking back at his old friend. "Where are you staying?"

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: sleepless in slateport [break][break]


[break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","luci2"]

"yes," he says. "though, i haven't been there yet myself."

[break][break] luci had merely signed the paperwork that his mother had given him when the decision had been made to store some of his pieces there. in fact, luci was not sure which pieces were the ones being displayed.

[break][break] but that had never been a concern for the sculptor. he created the art. it was someone else's job to figure out what to do with it.

[break][break] "an arcade?" he intones. "what's that?"

[break][break] cerulean blue drifts over to the plant arches that paxton concordas speaks of, his gaze turning from a pleasant onlooker to that of a discerning artist. when he blinks, however, the critical tone is gone as he looks back at his old friend.

[break][break] "ah. well, there are several apartments around the region that i could stay at but currently lilycove has my attention. how about you?"

[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas

☉