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Adrian Malcolm

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The man agrees, much to her delight, and soon, she's bouncing over to him with the excitement of a child. Something about being back in the snow, playing with her Pokemon, is wonderful and relaxing, something she's definitely needed recently.[break][break]

"Really? Lovely!" She peers at him, practically beaming from ear to ear. When she had asked, she didn't actually think he would willingly build a snowman with a stranger but here they are, ready to get to work. Nix bounces up to the Meowth he releases, eagerly following with curious eyes as the little cat begins rolling snow. "Ah, what a cutie!" The scientist coos before trotting off after the duo, watching closely. It seems the Meowth is a bit of a natural when it comes to this, using cute little paws to pad and paw at the snow until it takes a fully round shape, no longer misshapen or lumpy. Snowman building is a craft and this little guy definitely knows what he's doing![break][break]

The man joins in a moment, coming to his Meowth's aid to assist with handling a ball of snow that dwarfs the Meowth. Illeana watches, a soft gasp escaping her lips. A cute moment between trainer and Pokemon, each one helping the other to create a beautiful masterpiece and it's... Well, it's lovely! Nix joins the fray to pick up the spot the man once occupied, raising a paw to prod at the snow with a yip of excitement. The woman leaves the Pokemon to their developing snowman, instead choosing to attempt to strike up a conversation with her snowman building partner.[break][break]

"He's definitely a natural," she giggles, hands fiddling with her own little ball of snow. "Did you teach him or is he just an artist when it comes to snowmen?" Curiosity trickles through her words, despite the joking tone she takes. It really is interesting to see a Meowth be so adept at this! She can't help but wonder if it's something the little feline picked up during its travels or if this man might have even taught the little guy a thing or two.[break][break]

"Oh! I forgot!" She suddenly exclaims after a moment of silence, reddening despite already rosy cheeks. "I'm Illeana, thank you for joining us!" Normally, she'd bow (and be a weirdo) but instead she extends a small gloved hand, mouth curling into a warm smile. The least she can do after bombarding this man with building a snowman with her is thank him, right?

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Adrian Malcolm

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She watches the Meowth work as his trainer speaks, going into detail about just how this little bean came to be such an artist with snowman building. It reminds her of something she has read about the particular species in a book once. They're attracted to round and glittery objects, usually collecting coins and stashing them in little hoards. Huh, the notion that a Meowth would enjoy building a snowman due to the perfect circular bases never even crossed her mind before. You learn something new every day![break][break]

"Aw," she coos, grinning at the Meowth more than his trainer. "I find it hard to believe this little guy could cause anyone trouble." Giggles follow as she glances to the man, raising an eyebrow curiously. "What does he get into?" The question is soft, as if unsure if she wants to open that can of worms. Honestly, she might be better off not knowing just exactly how this little cat manages to cause him so much trouble but... Her curiosity is never easily satiated.[break][break]

Silence falls around them as the pair watch the Pokemon. By now, they have about half of a snowman up, previously dismal lumps becoming smooth and circular beneath the expert hands of the Meowth. Nix tries his best to offer help but while he wants to take part, he ends up watching with transfixed eyes. The Meowth is an artist at work and Nix has a notion to just let the little feline work, offering help when needed instead.[break][break]

Laughter escapes the woman, then, as her new friend startles beside her. Oops, she didn't mean to give him such a fright but... Well, she'd be lying if she said it wasn't a little amusing. Feeling a bit adventurous from the day of play, Illeana sticks her tongue out at him, a lighthearted response to his rather cross look. Her tongue returns to the inside of her mouth, however, as he takes her hand in his. She gives a little shake, light and gentle. "Pleasure to meet you, Adrian!" The woman chirps, releasing his hand a moment later with another bout of laughter. "I didn't mean to scare you," she breathes out between giggles. "I just got a little distracted by the excitement." Her smile is kind as she leans in slightly to bump her shoulder gently against his. "Good. I think I'd be a little offended if you weren't enjoying yourself," Illeana quips. The tone she uses is just as teasing as his, a playful eyebrow wiggle thrown in for good measure. The last thing she wants is for this to end early because she offends him. They're having fun and it's a pleasant day, one that she hasn't really experienced in a long time.[break][break]

The duo of her Umbreon and Espeon glance up as his Meowth joins their corner of the snow, curious eyes staring down the feline. Lapis shuffles closer, taking a few sniffs at the newcomer with a swish of her purple tail. Alium, however, moves toward his pile of snow, paws already pawing for another snowball. It isn't long before the Umbreon succeeds in making another lump of snow, rolling it over and over until it's good enough to use. With a yip, he swishes his tail and bats the ball in the direction of Lapis and the Meowth. Some snow breaks off from the ball from the force of his tail hitting it but it manages to hit its intended target: Lapis.[break][break]

Illeana's attention is torn from Adrian in an instant, the sharp growl coming from Lapis requiring her presence. She shuffles toward the group, a soft groan escaping her lips as the night and day duo dissolve into a squabble, each one trying to tackle the other into the snow. "Hey!" She calls, a feeble attempt to stop the two from dragging the Meowth into their fight. It fails, however, as Lapis misses the dark body of Alium and goes barreling toward Miser instead. "Oh no," Illeana breathes before beginning to pick up her pace, if only to stop the collision from happening. "I'm sorry!" She manages to call over her shoulder toward Adrian as she scurries, a rushed apology for abandoning him by the half built snowman to tend to her fighting children.

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Adrian Malcolm

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Honestly, she can't bring her little group anywhere. They always end up squabbling like toddlers, either fighting for attention or fighting among themselves. Her two Ninetales are usually better at getting along but Alium and Lapis? Sometimes, it's like oil and water. This being the case in point... Playtime always turns into a fight, something she probably should have expected.[break][break]

A sigh escapes her as she sheepishly smiles at Adrian, more than a little embarrassed. "Are you sure? They're acting like children," she murmurs. A pointed look is sent toward Lapis, the Espeon being the more understanding of the two. In fact, she almost shrinks a little at Illeana's look, pawing at the snow in a feeble attempt to look innocent. Alium, however, ignores them in favor of gearing up for another snowball toss.[break][break]

"They were," she pauses. "Playtime always turns into a wrestling match and normally, one ends up crying." It's usually Lapis, too. Poor thing gets picked on by Alium sometimes, being a little bit smaller than the other. And so, she tries to prevent this from happening to the best of her ability. Sometimes, it's just difficult to disrupt the two and quell them. Another sigh heaves itself from her lungs as the woman gets to work, positioning herself in front of her Espeon. If Alium wants to get to her, he'll have to go through Illeana first.[break][break]

The two stare each other down, Alium shrinking just a fraction. He's defiant, stubborn, practically impossible to reason with, paw still working away at another sphere of snow. Waiting for an opening, he doesn't break eye contact. It seems the time is right, however, as Adrian tosses at snowball at her. It connects with the small of her back, breaking away into pieces of snow that fall effortlessly to the ground. A squeal of surprise erupts from the woman and she practically hurls herself around to face him, cheeks puffed out in slight annoyance. "Hey! That was a cheap shot," she pouts.[break][break]

Another snowball launches at the woman, coming from her own Umbreon as he had finally found the opening he'd been seeking. It collides with the back of her thigh, breaking apart upon impact. "Oh, don't you start now too!" Illeana all but whines, glancing over her shoulder to see a cheeky Alium already working on more snowballs. "I'm starting to think you two are ganging up on me now."

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Adrian Malcolm

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As much as she knows it's all in good fun, the woman can't help the way the pout lingers on her face. Really, she looks like a child.[break][break]

It doesn't help that Adrian's dissolving into laughter, unable to contain himself as snowballs go flying, most of them aimed at her body. She squeaks as new ones connect and break into bits of snow, arms flapping at her sides. It's comical, really... She looks like a weird bird trying to take flight.[break][break]

"Two can play at that," she grumbles to herself as she crouches, gloved hands scooping at the snow. Alium watches her with curiosity, pausing in his own endeavor of rolling another ball. Her hands are quick to mold and craft the snow into a small ball and once she's satisfied does she rise, the pout and puffy cheeks giving way to a light smirk. In true Illeana fashion, she is awkward and clumsy even as she yeets throws the snowball at her new friend. It manages to cross the distance somehow, despite the lack of force she possesses, aimed solely at his chest.[break][break]

Okay, maybe this is fun. It certainly feels invigorating to lose herself in this and so, she continues to make snowballs, giggles escaping her as she goes. Alium ends up switching sides in the process, joining his dark haired trainer as she tries to take on Adrian by herself. A snowball fight is something she never experienced as a kid but... Now, she realizes what she had been missing out on.[break][break]

Lapis leaves the duo to their own devices and begins to make her way over to Miser and Nix, the latter still hard at work on his own snowman. She mewls as she gets closer, a greeting toward the two. Nix raises his head and yips back, curled tails swishing excitedly. More friends to build with! This is gonna be the best snowman yet![break][break]

She stops, however, as she notices Miser's gaze. It's trained right on her forehead, crimson gem glistening in the sunlight overhead. Part of her feels a little confused, the other self-conscious. Why is he staring at her? She tilts her head and with a swish of her tail, moves closer to the Meowth. His own amulet shines in the light and momentarily, she stares with curious eyes. How is it so shiny? Does his trainer clean it daily or does he just take good care of himself? Does her gem look that pretty? She sure hopes so.[break][break]

While Illeana and Alium hurl more snowballs at Adrian, Lapis joins Miser's side with helpful paws ready to assist in sculpting his snowman, a little coo of excitement escaping the Espeon. She doesn't understand the look in his eyes but no matter, he's probably just excited about his masterpiece!

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