…She was curious enough to bother asking?[break]
A bit uncharacteristic, albeit a rather pleasant surprise, nonetheless.[break][break]

He’d been thinking of observations he’d made about the region with the intent of responding before her later question caught his ears. For a moment, the amalgamation of thoughts and the like found themselves pausing within his mind as he offered the necessary attention towards the latest question asked of him.[break][break]

He eyed her with a touch of curiosity, hues of amber narrowing all the while as he gave a softly amused and pensive hum.[break][break]

”Yes, yes, yes, and…yes~.” A chime accompanied the swift concession of affirmations, as did a chuckle that interlaced itself within them as he brought his gaze to meet the scenery once more. ”It’s definitely a given, though, seeing as how much time I’ve spent away… Definitely a lot of childhood places that closed down and went away, only to be replaced by other stores and such…”[break][break]

Another hum. He lifted his arm against the back of the bench, propping the side of his head against his knuckles within an idle manner.[break][break]

”As for me...? I think you’ll have to be a bit more specific. Y’know. Unless you’re trying to hear about the boring stuff you probably already know~.”

MARISOL SIMONE [break]
notes

☉

quite uncharacteristic of her. [break][break]

.. but she's trying something new, and if she's going to do that, she may as well throw herself off the deep end. [break][break]

is he shocked? of course he is; she rarely pulls her nose out of books and research and experiments to ever find the time or the energy to be interested in someone else's life. but if he's been curious and made himself open to listening, then who is she to decline him of the same treatment? even if it makes her a tad bit uncomfortable to speak out first. [break][break]

there was uncertainty when she asked, but it's a lie if she says it's something she hasn't thought about - just never put into practice. it used to be a lot easier before breaking and building back up - she didn't have to occasionally surf online to look up conversation starters or questions to get to know others - and we'll pretend she didn't actually do it. [break][break]

then her ears perk up, and her lips press thin together in thought. 'boring' he says, or things that she already knows. things out in the public, about how he's built an empire on his own. it's the problem with being famous in ones own right. [break][break]

it's well deserved, but it can make things difficult. [break][break]

".. what do you like to do in your spare time?" don't think when you ask - it'll draw out the silence in between conversation, and make it a little more awkward than it should be. she used to be a chronic over-thinker - maybe it's carried over. "seeing as though you almost always busy yourself with some kind of work."[break][break]

says she, who is married to her job.

Leonidas Stone

☉

He quirked his lip, almost pouting within a faint, amused manner.[break][break]

”Hey, for what it’s worth, it’s a work in progress...” he chuckled, inhaling soon after the words had left his lips. Words turned breath had turned into a soft, idling hum thereafter, and as he craned his back to idly eye the clouds in thought, he lifted an arm to rest along the back of the bench. ”My spare time, though, huh…?”[break][break]

Another hum left his lips.[break]
More thought.[break][break]

”...Honestly? I…think that’s a work in progress, too…?” He tapped his fingers against the polished, yet weather-worn wood of the park bench. Before long, his head lulled to a side, leaving him lazily peering towards her, once more. ”You already called me out as a workaholic, after all. The free time’s honestly a relatively new thing to me.”[break][break]

He eyed her a bit longer—absentmindedly—as he thought on the question longer.[break][break]

”...I’ve always been a tinkerer, though, I guess. Robotics, making little gadgets— that kinda thing.”

MARISOL SIMONE [break]
notes

☉

A work in progress, coming from the workaholic. [break][break]

Marisol is well acquainted with those words, and can’t help but to smile, slightly, at the irony of it. He’s thinking so intently about what he does in his spare time, and honestly, she can relate to that. After all, if you asked her, she’ll respond with studying, working, or more studying and working to get to a place she feels that she wants. Surely, it’s no different for him. [break][break]

Color her surprised when he admits that his spare time was.. also a work in progress. Maybe she should be the last one to be surprised, seeing as how busy she is when she doesn’t have to be, but she’d think that, surely, he’d have some time for himself as well. What about the things to do between projects? Or, does he overwork himself by jumping immediately into the next one? [break][break]

Though she doesn’t comment on it, until she hears him make the comment on robotics. “... You know,” she starts, humming softly “... That suits you.” and the image of him working with a small robot he creates himself, as a hobby morelike, is enough to make her chuckle for a brief moment. “I think you can add small talk and passing conversation to the list, too.”[break][break]

His response still lingers, and though it’s slight, there’s a glint in her eyes as she ponders her thoughts. It causes her to sit up a bit more straight, leaning forwards in her seat a tad as she glances back to give the attention. “Actually.. I think I have an idea.”

Leonidas Stone

☉

At once, whatever traces of genuine thoughtfulness were cast out by the selfsame grin that returned to his face. He furrowed his brows as if in faux offense, his head only craning all the more lazily against his shoulder as he narrowed his eyes her way.[break][break]

”Kinda sounds like a backhanded compliment, not gonna lie—” he started off, laughing, ”—but I’ll take it as a compliment~.”[break][break]

He inhaled deeply, sighing while softly tapping his fingers against the bench.[break][break]

”What’s the idea, though? Lay it on me.”

MARISOL SIMONE [break]
notes

☉

"Good." [break][break]

Even if, in the back of her mind, she's calling him a nerd for it. Still, maybe she shouldn't tack on that little bit - unless she wants to be the one under the eye of scrutiny. There's a touch of amusement as she gazes up to the mocked offense, and her response is to lean forwards, slightly, with a soft hum. [break][break]

Though now she hums, softly, as her gaze softens and directs itself to the ground. The sole of her shoe gently grips on the hints of dirt and gravel left on the cobblestone, all while she ponders in thought. [break][break]

It's better to ask than to dwell on it for too long. [break][break]

"I volunteer at the Rustboro Hospital," her lips are pulled on slightly, bracing for what she's about to ask for "so I was wondering if.. you'd be open to joining in for a robotics workshop in the children's hospital part." the smile shrinks, and she tries to return to her neutral expression. [break][break]

Of course, the slight furrow of her brows and slight side glare aren't doing her any favors.[break][break]

"... If you're free, that is."

Leonidas Stone

☉

”...A workshop, huh…?” he murmured, thoughtfully, in repetition. Though it was to be expected, given her profession and the selfsame establishment the event had apparently been associated with, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows softly whilst amber hues remained upon the distant sceneries before him. ”I mean, sure, but I figured they’d have things like—... I dunno, animal visits instead or something…”[break][break]

He hummed for a couple more moment before glancing towards her again, shrugging.[break][break]

”...I can’t promise I can make it, but I can definitely drop by if I can~,” he chuckled, raising a brow. ”Just give me a day and time. I’ll see if I can make it work.”

MARISOL SIMONE [break]
notes

☉

Why was she half expecting rejection?[break][break]

Ah, because she expects him to be busy - look at her making excuses for him when she doesn't know the response. The pessimism is the source of her surprise when she hears him express the attempt and, with the slightest smile on her lips and spark of life in her eyes, she leans back on the bench. [break][break]

There's an attempt to hide it, but she misses the mark when she perks up and asks "W-wait, really?"[break][break]

When she catches herself, her eyes briefly widen as she slowly settles back into her previous position and posture. "Erm.. I'll let you know." a blue gaze turns back to the litleos, running around, still tackling one another. Then she leans forwards, resting her chin against the base of her hand "... I'm sure the kids would be thrilled if you could come."

Leonidas Stone

☉

She missed the mark, and he saw it as clear as day.[break]
He knew better than to voice it then and there, though.[break][break]

So he simply gave her another shrug and a chuckle, all while a leisurely, ”I’ll look forward to it, then~,” left his lips. His chest lifted as a slow, deep breath filled his lungs, and within an ongoing sense of comfort and looseness, he allowed his head to fall and crane towards her, once more. ”...We’ll see if they’re really that glad, though— let alone if they recognize me~.”[break][break]

He chuckled.[break][break]

”...I’ll see if I can bring them something— provided I can make it, at least.”

MARISOL SIMONE [break]
notes

☉

"They probably won't recognize you~"[break][break]

She chimes, and chuckles, though softly. Her lips are still curled in their smile as she gazes out to the wrestling cubs once again. Though now as he's craning his head, she's tilting her chin into her fingers. The warmth reaches her eyes, and her cheeks, as she's lost in her thought. "... But I know they'll be excited to see someone new." [break][break]

It's not every day the kids get to see someone else, and even better is it's someone who knows how to work with robotics. Though they have pokemon to help, and other volunteers to make sure that nothing goes wrong, it's more reassuring having someone who actually.. works with them. It's a relief. [break][break]

Her hands shift so she tents her fingers instead, humming in thought - until she's briefly reminded that she's still outside, and he's still sitting next to her. [break][break]

And immediately, at the realization, something snaps and her demeanor falls back to neutral - or as neutral as she could get, as opposed to the excited display. "Erm... Excuse me." her eyes narrow, and the heat rises to the tips of her ears. [break][break]

"I got too excited."

Leonidas Stone

☉

He chuckled, shrugging once more while a straying gaze settled itself upon the distance before them once more.[break][break]

”By all means— excite away~,” he hummed, watching the distant trees rustle and dance within the light breezes blowing through the area. His foot tapped within the air as his legs remained crossed, though before long, he breathed a soft sigh. ”Not like it’s a bad thing, anyways.”[break][break]

He pursed his lips slightly, thinking quietly for a few moments.[break][break]

”Just means you’re more than an uptight workaholic,” he quipped, grinning more to himself as a touch of sarcasm laced itself within his words— both at the truth and irony of it all. ”Good to know there’s still hope for you~.”

MARISOL SIMONE [break]
notes

☉

"He says, when I got excited over work.." [break][break]

She'll quip back, don't think she won't, even if it's at her own expense. it's soft in both her expression and her tone, but when she glances to the side to catch a glimpse of the grin following the sheer sarcasm, a pout comes as she purses her lips. [break][break]

"I can't believe it.." she grumbles, leaned back in the bench to gaze back and eye the moving clouds above the trees "a workaholic is calling me uptight, and the CEO of a company no less." she feigns lament, but listening close you can hear the slightest smile. [break][break]

"Unbelievable."

Leonidas Stone

☉

”The point is you got excited, period~.” A hum left his lips as he watched the passerbys along the paths with a touch of amusement within his gaze. ”Y’know. Considering you’re not exactly the most expressive person out there.”[break][break]

He figured they were both aware of it, anyways.[break]
No shame in calling it out when that was the case.[break][break]

”On the note of CEO stuff, though…” he idled along, lifting his arm from the bench behind him, ”I actually think I might have to get going, soon…?”[break][break]

He rustled his arm slightly, shifting the cuff of his sleeve down in order to take a glance at the watch upon his wrist.[break][break]

”Y’know. Workaholic stuff~.”

MARISOL SIMONE [break]
notes

☉