[attr="class","oliver2"]

his captain in kalos was totally lax. nothing like the pinecone-in-his-pants of a squad leader that he and Laurence Anderson had to deal with in their early days. but if there was one thing that his kalos captain was a stickler about, it was making sure that they did all the initiatives that the global hq put out. even the tedious ones.

[break][break] not that ollie particularly minded. he liked helping out, and writing letters to a cute girl every so often with pics was the least of his worries.

[break][break] (least he could send photos to someone other than willow atkins, who he was sure was too busy with a baby to respond to his messages sometimes.)

[break][break] it's been a year, but he's excited to see what his regional penpal looks like.

[break][break] ollie pops up behind annalise henderson, sodapop pressed cold against her cheek. "annie, right?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] annalise henderson[break]
for the swarm
[break]

☉

[attr="class","oliver2"]

his impromptu appearance has the desired effect: she goes squealing, lurching back with shock, followed by nothing more than the laughter bubbling out of the elite ranger's mouth. it reminds him just of the pranks that he'd play on Eva Morales as a kid.

[break][break] "yep!" he says cheerfully, still holding out that can of pop for her to grab. "i got us drinks."

[break][break] it's only then that he peers at her curiously.

[break][break] "you are annie, right? annalise henderson? 'cause, if you weren't, that'd be kind of awkward..."

[attr="class","ooc"] annalise henderson [break]
for the swarm
[break]

☉

[attr="class","oliver2"]
"differently? different how?"

[break][break] ollie quirks a quizzical look at her, as he cracks open his own soda can and takes a sip. the refreshing liquid pours down his throat, before he looks at her again.

[break][break] he grins.

[break][break] "you would, huh?" he gives a chuckle. it's hard to imagine that she would be able to beat him up and also given the things that she wrote in their letters, she didn't really seem like the type. "well, i'm honored. thank you mighty for your kindness, ma'am." he puts his hand over his chest in a faux-bow, before laughing again.

[break][break] when it settles, and she asks him a question, he peers at her curiously. "hmmmmmm. sure. mostly, i guess. though, i thought maybe you'd be a brunette or a redhead." he takes a sip of his sprite. "what did you think i looked like?"

[attr="class","ooc"] annalise henderson [break]
for the swarm
[break]

☉

[attr="class","oliver2"] "smarter?" he asks, blinking. honestly the blond stereotype didn't even occur to him — had it, it would've likely been an offense to even himself. "nah, you just seemed..." how was he supposed to put this? "older, i guess?"

[break][break] not that it really made sense. blonds weren't kids. well, not all of them.

[break][break] "short king energy?!"

[break][break] he exclaims — part in confusion, and also part in offense. "hey — i'm tall!" he stands up, patting his chest once and then stretching his arms out, as if to show her exactly how tall. "well.. not that there's anything wrong with being short..."

[break][break] at her last words, however, he simply grins.

[break][break] "wanna know a secret? i'm actually a blond." he points to his hair. "dyed."

[attr="class","ooc"] annalise henderson [break]
for the swarm
[break]

☉

[attr="class","oliver2"] he huffs, hand on his hips for dramatic flair, before he lets out a soft laugh.

[break][break] "you're really something, anne."

[break][break] although they've spent what feels like decades (again, dramatic) exchanging letters with her, it feels almost relieving to know that they can exchange the same witty banter in person. not that ollie had ever any doubt about it — just that sometimes people can be weird in person. he's met a few characters on his journeys through kalos to know better.

[break][break] honestly ollie is surprised that he's admitted his secret himself — most of the time he keeps such a thing close to his chest, because he's kind of embarrassed of it. in the past, it used to cause quite the fuss at the morales household because it was such a scandalous thing. not that Eva Morales would remember - she was barely old enough when their mother passed.

[break][break] "i try," his eyes twinkled. "i did just come back from kalos, after all." and you know what they said about kalosians. "nah — actually i do it myself. you think i did a good job?" he smirks down at her.

[break][break] "flawless, right?"

[attr="class","ooc"] annalise henderson [break]
for the swarm
[break]

☉

[attr="class","oliver2"] ollie laughs — this time, a loud guffaw, that makes him throw his head back and then clutch his chest. "i take it back, you're insane anna. a hair stylist? me? have you lost your marbles?"

[break][break] sure, he did his own dyejob when he was on the run but it wasn't like he did it all the time. he was sure that an actual stylist could do loads better than him.

[break][break] "c'mon," he nudges her with an elbow. "we've wasted enough time. aren't ya supposed to be re-initiating me or something? showing me the ropes?" he flashes his teeth, a cheeky grin. "or you not up for the challenge?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] annalise henderson [break]
for the swarm
[break]

☉

[attr="class","oliver2"] "maybe."

[break][break] his lips curl into the smile at the praise, his ego boosted. he is a leo, after all.

[break][break] "sort of here too. but i haven't been in hoenn for a while! you gotta show me what's changed!"

[break][break] a laugh bubbles out of his lips. it's easy hanging out with anna. to ollie, it's a relief. though they've spent more than a year exchanging letters, there was always that worry that things would get weird if they hung out in real life. he's glad to know that isn't the truth.

[break][break] he follows her obediently out of the petalburg headquarters, gaze flickering over to her altaria who he grins at with a small wave.

[break][break] ugh. mister morales. that was his dad's name. his nose wrinkles.

[break][break] at the question though, his eyes brighten. "yeah! i've got jellybean."

[break][break] a pause, as a thought occurs to him.

[break][break] "wait! not one i can ride!" he laughs, waving his hand in front of him fervently and clutching his chest with the other. "i'd squash her!"

[attr="class","ooc"] annalise henderson [break]
for the swarm
[break]

☉