luciano was a petty person.

[break][break] it wasn't something that he liked to discuss, because it involved him opening up about his insecurities - of which he constantly affirmed that he had none - but it was something that was true.

[break][break] and when he'd seen paxton concordas dancing with someone else, he'd promptly turned away. he'd wanted to be bitter about it, sour-faced and upset that concord would choose to dance with someone else at his affair — and avoid him until the end of time.

[break][break] but then concord had texted him. and he'd been unable to say no.

[break][break] luciano arrives a little bit later, wearing a bright blue scarf that illeana reyes had once gifted to him and dressed in a fashionable peacoat. he smiles blithely, as if nothing is the matter.

[break][break] "hello. hopefully i'm not too late?"

[break][break] knowing full well that he had been.

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

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

Paxton's anxieties manifest in the way of a deep set frown as he looked over the crowd and then up at the ferris wheel. Last time he'd been to a carnival it was with one irritating PENELOPE LIVY . And while the evening had taken a turn- one which he had no chance of manifesting again with luciano fisk - he doesn't hate this place. He liked the smell of funnel cakes, and the house of mirrors. [break][break]

He liked the crowd, and blending into it. Watching couples and families weave to and fro. Even alone, this was far better a focus than spiraling in the darkness of his apartment. [break][break]

For a moment he is at peace. His thoughts slow to a stop and he zones out, frown relaxing as he leaned on a fence, phone in hand. [break][break]

And then Luciano's voice sends a jolt through his nervous system. While his heart thuds, accelerating instantly, his fists clench. He blinks and turns his head, and offers a genuinely smile after a moment of staring. [break][break]

He felt relieved in spite of himself. In spite of being ok with being alone, he's relieved. It's a soft, refreshing feeling in his chest. Paxton shook his head. "Not at all." He straightened up, moving closer to him. "Thanks for making time for me." Paxton said as he looked over towards the entrance, handing Luci a bright pink paper bracelet and some tickets. [break][break]

"Already got us tickets, and a pass. What ears do you wanna get?" To clarify, he pointed at a booth not too far from the entrance gate with an array of headbands with pokemon ears to pick from.

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: RONDEZ-VIEW CIRCULATION [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"of course," his response is swift, almost breezy.

[break][break] when paxton concordas offers the bracelets to him, rather than taking him, he holds his wrist out. assuming that the other would clasp the bracelet around his wrist for him.

[break][break] he blinks.

[break][break] "ears?"

[break][break]

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

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

He held out the bracelet but then moved closer to the artist once it was clear he'd need his help. "Here, we just flash that and come in and out different areas here." he explained. Paxton tried not to graze skin or touch fingers, embarrassed at the thought of their hands touching all over again. Like an idiot. [break][break]

"Yeah, they came with the pass." he said as he lead Luci ever closer to them, flashing his bracelet as they passed through the metal gates. A couple of vendors were on standby but for the most part it seemed to be your personal pick what you got. Paxton pokes at a pair of Vulpix ears, prodding the faux curl at the top before pulling it out. It's silly, and he likes it well enough. He puts it on and looks at a small mirror glued to the spinning selection. [break][break]

"Oh- we could take a photo with them too." he said as a flash goes off and a couple step off a tiny brightly colored platform, facing the carnival proper.

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: RONDEZ-VIEW CIRCULATION [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

paxton concordas is meticulous in his touch, managing to clasp the bracelet around him without touching him. it only makes the artist even more annoyed.

[break][break] was he doing this on purpose?

[break][break] was it because he already had -

[break][break] luckily, luci had years of hiding his feelings - thanks to his mother for that - and so follows concord breezily through the entrance of the venue.

[break][break] the sculptor had never seen something so foolish as vulpix ears, and yet... he plucks the alolan ninetales version off the rock, settling it onto his head.

[break][break] "i would rather not," he says dryly, thinking of how mortifying the experience would be if it got leaked to the media. not that luciano paid attention to that sort of thing ordinarily... but given his name and his station, it only made sense that he would be more keen than most.

[break][break] "can we not take a private photo...?"

[break][break]

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

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

"Oh, well-" he began as Luci seemed to dislike the idea of a posed and propped photo. Maybe this was too far off for him. Maybe- he's being silly. "Oh- sure! Those are just if you want the polaroid." He said, once again pulling close to Luci. [break][break]

He herds the artist out of the way of others and pulls out his phone for a selfie. Luci is a full head taller but Paxton made do, leaning on the artist as he let out a monotone, "CheeEEeese" [break][break]

He takes a few in rapid succession. Before straightening up and holding his phone for his date. "How are these?" He said before adding. "If you don't like any, maybe we'll find somewhere more photogenic deeper in."
[break][break]

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: RONDEZ-VIEW CIRCULATION [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

polaroid?

[break][break] a thought flutters close. perhaps it would not be so bad to have a physical reminder of this afternoon. especially if this was to be his only memory of it —

[break][break] but then paxton is holding him close, his gentle touch dragging luciano away from the onlookers and into a private alcove.

[break][break] snap. snap. snap.

[break][break] luciano blinks a bit dazed as he looks at the phone in front of him. his thumb brushes against the screen, his expression narrowed as he takes in each of them with careful consideration.

[break][break] "they are wonderful, concord," he says, lips upturned in a smile before he hands it back. "make sure to send them to me. i will get them printed one day for us both."

[break][break] his head tilts.

[break][break] "where are we off to next?"

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

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

"Hehe, I'll be sure to take more throughout." he said. "We can pick our favorites later." Paxton's eyes are on the crowd, but his smile reveals how pleased he is at the thought that Luci wanted a physical reminder too. He looks over at the carnival grounds before back at Luci. "Well, we could do some rides before we eat." he said, pointing at the biggest attraction: the wood rollercoaster. It's simple, it went fast, and it had a fun looking drop with lights and smokes. [break][break]

"Or the Flying Chairs." he added gesturing in the opposite direction at the large wheel with rows and rows of lights and swings. He takes a moment before looking up at his date. "You haven't ever been to fair right? What would you prefer?" [break][break]

There were things he wanted to see and do with Luci as part of his experience, but this would probably be the most enjoyable if they went along with what the artist wanted to do. Paxton had been to places like this a multitude of times. He's not sure is Luci ever had the opportunity.

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: RONDEZ-VIEW CIRCULATION [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

rides?

[break][break] "what kind of rides?"

[break][break] luci had never been to an amusement park. that should have been obvious in itself. why would noemi let any of her children waste time here?

[break][break] however, concord then points to their options.

[break][break] none of it seems appealing to him. maybe the flying chairs, but even then, he felt trepidation at the thought of dropping into the unknown.

[break][break] he looks over at the other, sighing.

[break][break] "you choose. i don't care where we go, as long as i'm with you, concord."

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

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

Paxton takes a moment to gesture beyond them at some spinning teacups and the rollercoaster, pausing only when he heard a sigh. He turned to look over, panicked for a moment. Was he losing him already? They'd just gotten here- He felt his heart stutter in his chest, eyes dipping down and away from Luci. [break][break]

He smiled despite his flustered nerves. "Teacups first then." He said leading the Fisk to a safer, initially anyway, ride. An all around mixture of people gathered, but it's not busy. They manage to secure a teacup for themselves. "This thing spins us." he said, gesturing down at the little table-like thing in the center. He tugs at it, spinning the cup a quarter inch before looking back at his date. There's a glint of mischief in his eyes as he waits for the worker to start it.

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: RONDEZ-VIEW CIRCULATION [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"teacups it is," he said.

[break][break] luci was ignorant to his date's nerves. to him, concord exuded confidence like no one else ever had. it was why he had felt pulled to him in that dusty art room, in a way that he had never felt before.

[break][break] a way that persisted for the years to come.

[break][break] the artist steps through the turnstyle before looking at the giant teacups placed around them. a child ran past them, stealing the one right in front of them, and a vein pulsed in luci's forehead. luckily, once again concord's competence saved them; he had secured one for the both of them.

[break][break] "interesting."

[break][break] gently, he placed his hands around the round surface and attempted to move it. it was locked in place.

[break][break] soon enough, the sounds of machines stir up.

[break][break] the ride was starting.

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

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

"It's a very pretty ride, don't you think?" He asked as he looked at the other couples and families in their own cups. The ride began, and the cups all drifted on a soft up and down sort of track, spinning idly. [break][break]

"Like a carousel. Except you can make it a bit more thrilling." He pulled at the wheel between them and the cup began to rotate a little faster. [break][break]

"The best part is testing how fast these little things can go." He added, smiling as gestured at the wheel before focusing both hands on rotating them with ever increasing speed. Other cups had done the same, mostly those with children in them screaming wildly as they spun out of control.

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: RONDEZ-VIEW CIRCULATION [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

it was in that moment that luci decided.

[break][break] he hated carnival rides.

[break][break] growing up, he had never had the opportunity. the fisks had always placed their children in countless after-school activities and lessons, to hone in on their craft that had been decided for them at birth. luci's life had been filled with stencils and paint and point chisels.

[break][break] not once did he know the thrill of a ride.

[break][break] his heart lurched, his stomach twisting into knots; luci wanted to throw up, and he wanted to throw up on concord. but that would have been too mortifying to name, so instead he reaches his hands around the center disk and covers paxton concordas's hands with his own.

[break][break] clutching on for dear life.

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

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