"Morales."
[Break][Break]
Thoughts compiled in her brain like clockwork, ticking persistently, until all else faded from sight. Even Ollie, who she'd been evading since his return, had managed to find her.
[Break][Break]
"Need something?"
[Break][Break]
Hopefully not.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] ollie morales[break]


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

"nah. just saying hi."

[break][break] he is beaming at her, like sunlight streaming in through the morning window compared to her brewing storm.

[break][break] but that's how it always is, between the both of them.

[break][break] "you know," he teases. "coworkers can call each other by their first name too."

[break][break] though, he's not sure which would be worse — oliver or morales.

[break][break] both give him a shudder. he's not one for formalities.

[break][break] "so," he says, turning the conversation casual. trying to not be too obvious. "how'd your expeditions go?"

[attr="class","ooc"] PENELOPE LIVY [break]

Ollie's rays of warmth only intensified the oceanic roar that bellowed out from her eyes.
[break][break]

"I know," she replied tersely, "but I prefer calling you Morales."
[break][break]

It made it easier to face him. To breath the same air as him. Twitching, she returned back to her movements, hoping their conversation would die then and there. It didn't, of course.
[break][break]

"Good."
[break][break]
She doesn't even look to return the question.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] ollie morales [break]


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

oof. cold.

[break][break] but nothing he's not used to, especially when it comes to the both of them.

[break][break] "soo," he says, turning his head just to see the red flare of MATIAS SILPH hair in the distance. it looked like the elite four member was discussing something important with another league executive, which made it the perfect opportunity to engage in small-talk with his councilwoman ex-girlfriend.

[break][break] "you and MATIAS SILPH are getting close, huh?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] PENELOPE LIVY [break]

"What makes you say that?"
[BREAK][BREAK]
Her response was rushed, almost snappy. She had noticed the flash of red too. At first, she reasoned with herself, saying it could've been anyone else. Surely, there was more than just two red heads running around HQ. But there was no mistaking the hearty chuckle that echoed from the tussle of hair - that was MATIAS SILPH.
[BREAK]
[BREAK]

Ever since their last trip to the borders, things had been...complicated between the pair. Not exactly a topic for small talk with one's ex.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] ollie morales [break]


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

he blinks.

[break][break] "you work together, don't cha?"

[break][break] he knows that his relationship with her is that of coworkers, but a part of him gets the sense that her friendships with her other coworkers aren't quite the same.

[break][break] "he seems like a cool guy."

[break]

[attr="class","ooc"] PENELOPE LIVY [break]

"I guess."
[break][bREAK]
Trying to diffuse the conversation, Penelope cut away toward the dangling line leading up to the clerk. People were taking forever to submit, leading to unusually irritating build up and a cut of her own time.
[break][bREAK]
Tapping her foot bitterly, she crossed her arms and glanced back at Ollie.
[break][bREAK]
"Why?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] ollie morales [break]


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

lots of people are going on expeditions as of recent, which makes it not so surprising that there's a line to submit their report. not that ollie minds. unless the ranger hq calls for him, he has nowhere else to be.

[break][break] and there were not many places he'd rather be than by PENELOPE LIVY's side, even though she hated him.

[break][break] "why what? why is he cool? or why do i think you're close?"

[break][break] a pause.

[break][break] "by the way, you never said ya were or not."

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] PENELOPE LIVY [break]

"Why are you asking?"
[Break][break]
She hadn't thought her question needed clarification. Clearly, she was mistaken.
[Break][break]
"We're not close."
[Break][break]
Just coworkers and nothing else.
[Break][break]
God, Ollie was being annoying with these questions.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] ollie morales[break]


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

"just curious."

[break][break] he hums in thought, reminded of the way that MATIAS SILPH had barraged him with all those questions over their dinner a few weeks ago. but maybe, that was just a coworker asking about another coworker's love life. normal, right?

[break][break] ollie waits specifically until he's sure they're out of earshot before dropping the bomb:

[break][break] "he likes to talk about you."

[attr="class","ooc"] PENELOPE LIVY [break]

Penelope nearly froze on the spot. Mouth nearly dried, her eyes crawled back up to meet his, a new sense of interest sparked within them.
[Break][break]
"Does he?"
[Break][break]
Causality is tightly laced behind her words, though, there was no hiding the shift of her posture.
[Break][break]
"What makes you say that?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] ollie morales [break]


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

at 6'4", ollie generally cuts an imposing figure. however usually upon meeting him, people realize that he's nothing more than an overexcited golden retriever.

[break][break] in this case, however, when he looks down at PENELOPE LIVY he meets her gaze evenly.

[break][break] steady.

[break][break] jade-green meets flickers of a flame, his own face reflected in PENELOPE LIVY's amber eyes.

[break][break] "yeah, he does."

[break][break] he holds it for a minute before breaking into a smile.

[break][break] "we went for drinks together the other night. he's quite chatty, you know."

[break][break] ollie folds his arms as he peers over at the line, which is still slow-moving. he tilts his head to the side, eyes fluttering shut in thought as he contemplates.

[break][break] "i'm almost jealous, you know. how close you are to your coworkers."

[attr="class","ooc"] PENELOPE LIVY [break]

Dammit Ollie. Always changing the subject.
[break][break]
"Yeah, well, I tend to keep good relationships with those I work with."
[break][break]
Despite the stillness of her words, venom leaked, furthermore apparent by the sharpness in her gaze. She didn't want to talk about Ollie's hellbent mission of repairing what would forever be lost. Her interest lay elsewhere.
[break][break]
"Anyways, what were you two chatting about that made you so interested in whether we are close or not?"
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] ollie morales[break]


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