[attr="class","icon"]

"too cold!" the commissioner says.[break][break]

dahlia fumbles with putting on her gloves, their leather too thick and the cold too biting for her fingers to work.[break][break]

beside her, her bayleef trods. like ollie's pikachu its neck is warmed by a scarf.[break][break]

"how has it been, ollie? being head ranger." she walks in casual lockstep with him. "i must thank you, actually. you've brought about so much positive change."

[attr="class","littleollie"] 'Too cold!'

[break][break] Eyes widening at the familiar voice, Ollie spins around.

[break][break] "Dah - Commissioner Goode!"

[break][break] It's no secret that Ollie's not good with formalities, but given the fact that he's Head Ranger now, he ought to give it a shot. Still, he felt like someone like annalise henderson probably was a better Head Ranger than him.

[break][break] Tofu leaps off his shoulder to greet the Bayleef with a cheerful 'Chaa!', reaching out to sniff the grass-type as Ollie greeted the commissioner with a broad smile, cheeks slightly flushed with the cold.

[break][break] A hand reaches behind his neck, rubbing sheepishly.

[break][break] "Ah - yeah! It's been good. Great, I mean!" He lets out an embarrassed laugh. "Nah, nah. I gotta thank you for the opportunity. I'll be honest, ma'am, I wasn't really expecting it."

[break][break] His lips dimple into a smile.

[break][break] "But I've always liked working for the Rangers, so always happy to serve."

[break][break] Eyes glimmer with mischief.

[break][break] "What about you, Commissioner? Enjoying the New Year?"

[attr="class","ooc"] dahlia goode [break]
swept under the rug

☉

[attr="class","icon"]

"as much as i can!" dahlia laughs.[break][break]

she teeters close to that cold chasm of reality. past the sentimentality of the season, its ribbons, ornaments and fireplaces.[break][break]

but she dare not ruin the moment. though peacetime has not yet come, peace still manifests in a hush between every footstep. every dimple and smile.[break][break]

as her bayleef mews back at ollie's pikachu, the commissioner continues to walk alongside him.[break][break]

"you've filled the seat very well."[break][break]

her hand rests on her heart, as if to keep it from spilling.[break][break]

"and i'm so very thankful for that. you could very well be the best head ranger hoenn's ever seen, if i am to be honest."[break][break]

she wonders if ollie will ever crack.

[attr="class","littleollie"] Ollie blinks.

[break][break] He's not one for compliments — at least, not for receiving them. He's usually the one dishing them out.

[break][break] "You flatter me," he says, letting out a laugh. "There's no way. But if there is - it's only because of the work you and the League already do, Commissioner."

[break][break] He grins, but as he turns his head, his expression shifts to a wistful stare at the nearby food cart, where the mouthwatering aroma of Kanto-themed dango fills the air. He hands over dollar bills, buying some dango for them both, offering her the skewer.

[break][break] "But seriously - thanks for the opportunity. I've always wanted to give back to the Rangers for everything they've done to me, so I'm happy to work alongside them."

[break][break] His eyes gleam emerald, matching his scarf, as he wraps his mouth around the sweet glaze.

[break][break] "To lead them."

[break]

[attr="class","ooc"] dahlia goode [break]
swept under the rug

☉

[attr="class","icon"]

dahlia plucks the dango skewer as if she were extracting a desert jewel. she cools the golden glaze with her breath, the condensation a brief bouquet.[break][break]

"no need to thank me." she says. "you've received the position out of your own merit."[break][break]

her lips hesitate before the dango.[break][break]

"i have to ask... are you worried about the amnesty program's reception? are you prepared?"

[attr="class","littleollie"] The sweetness explodes in his mouth in a satisfying way, enough to draw him away from the worries of the present. The League's holiday party had went off successfully — well, for the most part.

[break][break] It was one of his first forays into the League's political landscape. Without the support of PENELOPE LIVY and the others, he doubted he could have contributed in such a way.

[break][break] Ollie was content to enjoy the rest of the New Year's celebration in peace — that is, until their commissioner tested it with her gentle words.

[break][break] His teeth crunched against the dango's glossy barrier, sugar crystals dancing upon his tongue.

[break][break] "No."

[break][break] It wasn't really a lie. The Amnesty Program existed much like the Rangers themselves: a natural product of an organization whose goals emphasized the region's generosity and commitment to change.

[break][break] "The program's existed for a while, right?" he said, head tilted towards her. "People may not be receptive now but - " He thought about the fight that paxton concordas had with Remiel Calcifet at the party, and the calming tones of Isaac Merlo, a hero who wanted nothing more than to save the family he thought he'd abandoned. "Everyone deserves a second chance."

[break][break] But even as he said those words, there was an unmistakable hesitation in his emerald green eyes—an undercurrent of nervousness that seemed unlike ollie morales himself.

[break][break] "What about you, Commissioner? Are you worried?"

[break][break] About the program? About Ollie himself?

[break]

[attr="class","ooc"] dahlia goode [break]
swept under the rug

☉