"yep, yep."[break][break]

the bar lies ahead of them: a single-story building with what looks to have two exits, as most buildings have. nothing uncommon. so his worries calm a little as he leads them into the bar.[break][break]

the moment he steps in, his posture shifts, stiffening into one that looks to command more respect. it's definitely unfitting for those who know danny.[break][break]

he takes his spot at the bar, waving down the bartender.[break][break]

"heyo. drink for my friend and i, please."

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

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

the obvious need not to be pointed out. he sees it clearly: the distinct changes between this nina and the nina he had first met outside the jewelry store. he may sympathize but he does not pity.[break][break]

"i've been good! better than before. i feel like i've settled in quite well as bad as that may sound."[break][break]

then, as they near the bar, he nudges his arm into her shoulder in a friendly gesture.[break][break]

"for what it's worth, i'm glad you're alive."

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

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

"really?"[break][break]

sounding more surprised than he wanted, danny clears his throat only to quickly correct himself.[break][break]

"i mean, i find them pretty relaxing. you sit in hot water, relax, and drink tea."[break][break]

actually, that sounds pretty lazy; maybe that's what he is: lazy.[break][break]

nani's swablu is joined by danny's swellow that continues to circle overhead in search of whatever's causing the inconvenience.[break][break]

"you should try it after this. we're already halfway there, after all."

[attr="class","ooc"]@nani[break]

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

"ugh, i know. my arcanine's the same way."[break][break]

literal balls of fur would roll across his apartment. shedding season is truly a challenge for dog owners alike. but it's always worth it in the end.[break][break]

he leans closer to look at her phone.[break][break]

"aw! adorable."[break][break]

his gushing falls short, however, when she pauses. awkwardness crawls up his neck looking to suffocate as he struggles to find the words.[break][break]

thankfully, she saves him.[break][break]

"callie," he breathes out a chuckle of relief, "cool, cool. it's very nice to meet you."[break][break]

his gaze darts away to something familiar in the distance.[break][break]

"have you ever thrown axes, callie?"

[attr="class","ooc"]CALLISTA MOON[break]

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

the mic feels heavy; social anxiety creeping. but the playful bump on his shoulder helps ground him in the moment.[break][break]

his lips pull into a smile at her whispers, and he returns the same:[break][break]

"it isn't! but i couldn't leave you up here all on your own."[break][break]

so they continue singing, belting, until the song finally comes to an end, and when danny is about ready to step off, another song comes on: a duet this time.[break][break]

he looks to luka expectantly, shrugging.[break][break]

"wanna duet?"

[attr="class","ooc"]luka chêne[break]

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

"oh! wow."

and just like her, a sad expression washes over his features, clouding at the realization that their past will forever stay that way.

his hands find his pockets.

"that's great! i'm happy for you, luka. really happy." he means. "wanna tell me about him?"

luka chêne
mission

☉

not father danny? he's fine with that, actually.[break][break]

he's mid-bite when she asks him which catches him off guard. he had expected their interaction to come to an end after the apples. but now with the invitation looming in front of her, he doesn't know what to do.[break][break]

swallowing, he nods, then follows like another lycanroc.[break][break]

"skoll's really cute. very fluffy."[break][break]

he licks caramel off the side of his lips before peering over at her.[break][break]

"i, uh, didn't get your name."

[attr="class","ooc"]CALLISTA MOON[break]

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

danny, despite the aging he experienced in the distortion, is definitely still young. little do they know they're the same age; it just seems like he's younger due to his demeanor.[break][break]

he is quick to follow and bites into his own apple; the crunch is satisfying.[break][break]

"i mean it's written in the rules of the renfaire..."[break][break]

he nods, then takes another bite.[break][break]

"father danny will be fine."

[attr="class","ooc"]CALLISTA MOON[break]

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

"i am, yep. it only seems fitting as i'm meant to be more giving. i think that's a trait expected of a father."[break][break]

so he looks back to the vendor, nods, and orders another for the person behind him who's not in costume. not that he judges; it's not for everyone.[break][break]

it doesn't take long before danny's stepping away with two sticks of caramel apples. he offers her one, smiling.[break][break]

"here you go, miss."

[attr="class","ooc"]CALLISTA MOON[break]

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

"hm?"[break][break]

too distracted by the map of the renfaire, he doesn't notice how it's his turn until someone's tapping him on his shoulder. he spins around almost like a lycanroc chasing its tail to look at her.[break][break]

"sorry! yeah, looks like it is."[break][break]

he spins back around to order his apple only to look over his shoulder at her.[break][break]

"would you like one as well?"

[attr="class","ooc"]CALLISTA MOON[break]

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

reluctantly, danny nods, head spinning with thoughts on how best to weave his lie.[break][break]

"a few times, yeah, but nothing too serious either."[break][break]

he swallows, feeling the tension in the air around them despite the calmness of the scenery.[break][break]

"it spooked me as well. fuck, it'd spook anyone."[break][break]

his heart breaks a little for nagi. the last thing he wanted for his friend was for nagi to run into trouble. but trouble seems to be everywhere in hoenn.[break][break]

"did he see you? what happened?"

[attr="class","ooc"]nagi miwa[break]

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

"from robbery to extortion. look at us."[break][break]

despite his words, there is no sense of pride behind them. danny is not cut out for this life of crime. he'd much rather bake bread or deliver mail like he and his friend angelo vestri did that one time.[break][break]

"you're still in my top three partners, by the way."[break][break]

not that there are many to begin with, but still.[break][break]

"how have you been, nina?"

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

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

it has been months since their last assignment together. in fact, ever since their first meeting robbing an unsuspecting jewelry store, they've barely run into each other. such is the nature of their line of work, he supposes.[break][break]

both have definitely changed since then.[break][break]

"the bar's up ahead, i think."[break][break]

still a good walk away, he turns to nina, smiling despite their not-so-friendly assignment ahead of them.[break][break]

"you know, it's been a while since we did this. an assignment, i mean. not extortion."

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

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