the tension is almost palpable from the sidelines as octillery watches the two of them drift to a stop near the middle of the rink. from that far away, there's no way it can hear them so it has no way of knowing what's going on.[break][break]

for now, it waits.[break][break]

back over to them, her words make his heart jump and skip and leap. it even draws out a chuckle from him, breathless.[break][break]

"i don't know what to do about it either, but..."[break][break]

he looks at her, focusing on her face.[break][break]

"do you maybe want to go on a date with me, calla?"

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

"your replacement? i don't think anyone could replace you, cal."[break][break]

and though it's said in a light and airy manner that could be construed as a joke, he means it. he will likely have to go assistantless for a while and put off hiring a replacement.[break][break]

but that's a problem for the future.[break][break]

"i mean, you could always work full-time here and we'll find you a position that you want."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

and so, a newcomer arrives, though uriah hadn't intended on intruding.[break][break]

"oh sorry! i heard some noises and thought to check it out."[break][break]

his flapple circles around him, unable to really keep still or hover.[break][break]

he takes in the scene before him, and with a smile, he gestures at her pokemon.[break][break]

"are you, uh, training?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Ettie[break]

[attr="class","pokesprite pokemon flapple"]

"i just thought it might be good practice."[break][break]

he reaches over for her discarded pickles to put them into his mcdouble.[break][break]

"as much as it pains me, i know you aren't going to be my assistant forever. so i guess i wanted you to have left akura well-equipped and ready for anything."[break][break]

even now, the thought of her leaving is bittersweet.

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

i do.[break][break]

whatever remains of the depressive cloud that lingered fades in an instant, replaced with sunshine and happiness at her response that reassures and makes his heart leap.[break][break]

his smile brims with joy.[break][break]

"cool, cool."[break][break]

he holds her tighter when she stutters, shifting closer to help support her.[break][break]

"that makes me really happy to hear."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

"no, i definitely get that. i'm a bit similar, actually."[break][break]

the uriah he presents to people is different than the one he is when he's on his own. it's why he surrounds himself with hype men like his octillery, why he takes so much enjoyment in winning beer pong tournaments, or why he switches occupations so often.[break][break]

it's because he's insecure, scared that he won't fit in anywhere, or that he isn't good enough for anything.[break][break]

or anyone.[break][break]

"it doesn't?"[break][break]

a glimmer of hope, perhaps.[break][break]

"so you do feel similarly..."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

not really minding the cubchoo on its head, the octillery continues clapping, now blowing bubbles.[break][break]

"nah, that wasn't your fault! if anyone's to blame it was me."[break][break]

even now he's still unsure whether what he felt (feels) or did was appropriate given their relationship at work. but the feeling of her hand in his, of her beside him is enough to blind him.[break][break]

"i didn't mean to make things awkward between us or to make you uncomfortable."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

eating in the car is all nice and fun until someone accidentally spills something, making it a pain to clean up. out of the two of them, uriah's definitely the messier eater, and it would not be far-fetched to assume that it would be him that might make a mess.[break][break]

so far so good even with that many ketchup packets being ripped open.[break][break]

"i can't tell if that's sarcasm but thank you. i do pick the best stuff."[break][break]

chicken nuggets get dipped in ketchup as he speaks.[break][break]

"so i'm sure you know but the meeting's a pitch to try and get them to switch their logistics over to us."[break][break]

calla's attended many of those.[break][break]

"any interest in pitching?"

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

uriah would've rounded to her side to open the door for her but that feels a bit much considering their delicate situation. instead, he simply gets into the car, making sure to shoo his simisear into the backseat beforehand.[break][break]

"i'll make sure to pick carefully."[break][break]

the drive to the mcdonald's is brisk and short. there's not much traffic this early in the day which helps as well. the car rolls along, and soon enough, they'd pick up their orders before stopping in the car park.[break][break]

"do we have enough time to eat?"

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

"you do, you do."[break][break]

his octillery applauds from the sideline, more than content with watching and being a good hype man (octopus).[break][break]

"i, uh—"[break][break]

he hesitates for a moment but the words slip out eventually.[break][break]

"i missed you, cal. i miss hanging out with you like this."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

"i believe you."[break][break]

the thought of a young calla sliding across the ice like a speedy demon has him smiling. how he would've liked to have seen it.[break][break]

his hand holds hers a little tighter as they come to a corner. they turn slowly, almost with ease.[break][break]

"i find that i much prefer going slow like we are now. it feels...nicer."[break][break]

he turns to look at her, feeling brave for a moment.[break][break]

"or maybe that's just because of you."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

all those hours spent in the gym have finally paid off now to reward him with being able to carry her the way he's doing and not even break a sweat. it helps that she's light as a feather, but still.[break][break]

the small pats on his chest/clavicle has him chuckling.[break][break]

"okay! onward it is."[break][break]

it does not take them long to return to the car. his simisear's done a good job with cleaning up after them as it comes running up with their basket in hand. it hops into the car as soon as the door opens.[break][break]

there, he sets her down gently, still smiling.[break][break]

"okay! looks like we made it back safely."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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

"hopefully...but i trust you."[break][break]

but even if she were to pull him down, that would be okay, because he'd make sure to pull her down with him.[break][break]

with his hand now in hers, he drifts closer, shoulder brushing against hers. he smiles, then starts skating slowly, perhaps wanting to stretch the moment out for as long as he could.[break][break]

"did you ever fall into the frozen pond, by the way?"

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]

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