"I have," She reassured her.
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Whether Willow chose to believe her or not didn't matter. Despite the flurry of emotions she still felt, Penelope was still certain of one thing: they more so bitter feelings of a crime devoid of justice than indicators of anything more.
[break][break]

"I'm good, thanks."
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Out of all of her New Years resolutions, making up with her ex-boyfriend and his mistress wasn't all that appetizing for the stomach. Maybe next year.
[break][break]

"Did he now? First I'm hearing of this."
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Annoyance tightened her voice. Why was it, even in her current relationship, this woman had found a way to sour her life. Was there any piece of Hoenn safe from willow atkins's manipulative hands?



[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] willow atkins[break]


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

well, at least she can tell ollie she tried. she can't say she's too upset about it. even with the excuses of inebriation, willow has a feeling penelope isn't that great of a companion to have anyway. callous jealousy is an ugly thing. 

she can tell her comment stings. satisfaction and regret twine together and hit her instantly. she looks away from penny's bleary gaze and stares down her now-empty ginger ale. 

"almost a year ago now. he seemed happy." her jaw tightens. "i'm sure he's happier now that he's out of rocket. was that your idea? telling people like he did?"

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

The mention of her goofy boyfriend's joy drew out a faint smile from the woman. He was always happy, even in the worst circumstances. For better or for worse, this infectious apathy toward the stressors of life was what perfectly bound them to one another, with one's instinctual reaction to negativity always counterbalancing the other.
[break][break]

Unfortunately, yet again, Willow violently murdered every positive thought in her mind. With words smeared with accusation, Penelope felt pinned up against the wall, crucified before being given the chance to speak. It was a natural thing -- something she'd experienced time and time again, both as a reporter and councilwoman. And yet, the familiarity of this feeling offered no aid against the surge of emotions that came with her tightened jaw.
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"Would you believe me if I said no?"
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Shaking her head, her gaze lowered back down to her emptied tumbler. Memories of that day were sobering enough to force her to pause.
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"I didn't even know he was in rocket. Not until he told me he wanted to do, you know, that."

Bitterness warped her voice. Memories of his confession still inflicted more doubt than she'd ever admit to. Was he lying about this, how about that -- questions she never thought she'd find herself asking became commonplace within her relationship.
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Hunching forward, her finger idly traced the rim of the glass, encircling it until it sang.
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"I did support him through it, though."

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[attr="class","ooc"] willow atkins[break]


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

suddenly having a productive conversation with penny doesn't seem impossible. willow doesn't know her well enough to read the emotions on her face. her drunkenness gives her some idea - hurt, frustration, etc. - but the nuances escape her.

she listens, green eyes softening, and thinks maybe penny will let her take care of her now. she raises a hand to the bartender and asks for a couple of waters. one, she slides over to penny, but she doesn't push it any further than that. she just leans back in her bar stool and sighs. 

"i'm glad," she says. "you're a strong woman."

silence. "they say forgiveness is the hardest thing you can do, but i think it's trust. it's easy to forgive the past, but to forgive and then say i trust you. i trust you won't do it again. that's hard.

"sorry. i don't mean to ramble. it's been on my mind lately. cian and bo, they're good people. better than most. and i'm not trying to tell you what you already know. i just...sometimes it's nice to hear you did the right thing, you know? sometimes it's nice to hear someone say it.

"so i'm happy you stood by him. and...i'm sorry."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

For once, she allowed Willow's innate kindness lick her wounds. One by one, memories of CIAN MAHER's confession awoken back up, reviving what she thought to be dead feelings, when in reality, they'd just been overshadows this entire time. Consumed by the horrors of her workplace and Hoenn, Penny never allowed herself time to breath, to greave, and to fully consider the weight of the betrayal she'd felt.
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Whenever she tried to give herself the chance to bide by those thoughts, Cian's face always came to mind. How scared he looked back then -- it pained her to see him like that. Her one and only sun burdened by the choices of his parents.
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"Mmm."
[break][break]

Without a word, she reached for the water willow had order for her. It's ice cold touch filled her throat with relief she hadn't known was needed up until that very moment. When she placed the cup back down, a elongated sigh left her lips, signaling more than just the end of her night out.
[break][break]

"Save your pity, I don't need it. Or want it."
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Even when one might begin to think they were finally mending their crumbled relationship, Penelope found a way to strike it back down. Until only ruble and chunks of debris was left behind.
[break][break]

There was no room for friendship between them, or even mutual apathy.
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"Of course I stood by him. There was no way in hell I wouldn't."
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She paused, shaking her head.
[break][break]
I'd rather die than let him face everything by himself.
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[attr="class","ooc"] willow atkins [break]


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

so much for her attempt to repair things. the strings that tie them together are knotted - thick, ugly things that just about anyone sane enough would take one look and say you're better off cutting it. for now, she lets it rest. she stops her picking and her attempt at fixing it. she's too tired to make a decision just yet. 

"you say of course like it's the most natural thing in the world." 

has she seen the sides of cian he's kept hidden from her? that night at the masquerade, watching the anger get the better of bo, watching him devolve into it - his arms weren't his own. his face wasn't his own. his eyes weren't his own. but they were, weren't they? they were just of the man he both was and wasn't, of the someone who still lives inside him. 

she does not have a friend here so she does not share her anxieties and isn't that the loneliest thing in the world? 

she fishes for her wallet and pulls out several bills. she had imagined she'd be paying for some of ollie's drinks, but the opportunity to make an exit and throw something in the councilwoman's face is too much to pass up. she'll kill her with kindness if it's the last thing she does. 

"don't lose yourself to love, penny. you might end up just like ollie." 

the bartender passes by and she tosses the bills down. "i'm settling her tab. she doesn't need anything else to drink tonight." she stands, shoulders her bag, and sighs at the other woman.

"good-bye, penny." a pause. "get home safe."

PENELOPE LIVY

☉

Hatred lay thick on her tongue. For Penelope, standing by CIAN MAHER is the most natural thing in the world. Without him, without her one and only rock, she couldn't imagine how grey life would become. How scary every little shadow would be.
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Alas, she kept these thoughts locked behind her tightened lips and scowl. This conversation was over.
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"Ha! "
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Her advice couldn't be taken as anything less than a joke. Don't lose yourself to love -- maybe Willow should practice what she preached instead of offering lectures for free.
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To the rest, she decidedly remained silent. There was nothing left to be said to this woman.
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[attr="class","ooc"] willow atkins [break]


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