uriah's not really great with situational awareness so the fact that they're that close together doesn't even stick out to him. he simply laughs, accepting the moment for what it is.[break][break]

"i can't believe you'd tackle me."[break][break]

face lit in a smile, he finally lets her go, though he doesn't drift away.[break][break]

"i'll get you back for that."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

due to his sheer height alone, he sees her familiar silvery hair in the sea of people. he raises his hand, waving at her.[break][break]

"calla!"[break][break]

somehow, his voice carries, and it only takes him a few moments before he's pushing through the crowd to reach her.[break][break]

he offers her a cold bottle of beer.[break][break]

"sick outfit! didn't recognize you for a sec! thanks for coming."

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

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

work is work. anything outside of that is, well, not work. which is why he has no issues with inviting calla roth to this costume party as he greatly enjoys her company.[break][break]

perhaps to calla's surprise later, the costume party is being held at one of uriah's preferred sports bar. he frequents often, so much so that they even have a drink named after him.[break][break]

tonight, he's dressed as chad his machamp, four arms and all with makeup that makes him look like a lime-green machamp. he's about three drinks in when he finally pulls out his phone to check the time.[break][break]

taptaptaptaptaptaptap[break][break]

he sends a text out:[break][break]

wru

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

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

"yes! please, ask her! oh, i'd love to see you again next week."[break][break]

the bell rings in the distance, announcing it's time for torchic's departure as his trainer has just arrived. in fact, their spiky red hair can be seen poking over the fence.[break][break]

"oop! that's me. i'll see ya next week, ivy ivy!"[break][break]

torchic runs away.

[attr="class","ooc"]Elinor Anderson[break]
mission![break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-torchic color-shiny"]

unhindered laughter bellows when he dunks her in, never quite obnoxious but definitely not lowkey either. in fact, he's still laughing when she emerges. he blinks away tears as he speaks between breaths.[break][break]

"have you ever seen a wet cat? because that's you right n—"[break][break]

but that's exactly why he doesn't see it coming. how could he? he's, like, twice her size and weight so to even think of attempting what she does is unfathomable.[break][break]

"—cal!"[break][break]

the momentum carries, tipping him backwards and down into the water. naturally, if he's going down, then she is as well. his arm wraps around her, ensuring as much.

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

yes, he still is her boss, and maybe they should be a little more wary of that fact, but he doesn't care about that right now. his mind is elsewhere, focused on approaching closer and closer even as she skitters back.[break][break]

"nothing, really. but won't it be fun?"[break][break]

long limbs aid in his attempt to reach out for her arm. he takes a final step closer to wrap an arm around her before lifting her up by her waist.[break][break]

for a brief moment, he considers not doing it.[break][break]

"i feel really bad about this."[break][break]

and yet, he proceeds to (gently) drop her into the water.

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

"oh yeah. guess you're right."[break][break]

maybe the rangers aren't as bad as everyone says they are. maybe they can even get more funding from akura? who knows.[break][break]

uriah's gaze travels along the path to the corner.[break][break]

"knowing chad? yup. let's go check it out, though. just in case my guy slipped and hit its head or something."[break][break]

he starts walking that way.

[attr="class","ooc"]ollie morales[break]
valor: defend[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

a small splash of water slaps his knee, not doing much beyond wetting his already-wet pants.[break][break]

"oh i'm sorry. i didn't know you were waiting."[break][break]

still grinning, he finally obliges and shrugs his shirt off. he tosses it onto the sand, though he doesn't wait to see whether it lands before he wades towards her.[break][break]

"calla," he starts, "i'm gonna dunk you into the water."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

his father definitely missed out, but that's in the past. no changing it now.[break][break]

he whirls around to look at her as well, mirroring her.[break][break]

"why not?"[break][break]

he kicks softly, splashing some water onto her.[break][break]

"if you're worried about getting a change of clothes, we'll go buy new ones after this."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

a marketing firm? uriah looks at them again, trying his best to remember their faces.[break][break]

"are they a small one? i haven't heard of them."[break][break]

he'd done prior research for akura, after all.[break][break]

at his father's question, he shakes his head, sipping once before admitting:[break][break]

"i don't."

[attr="class","ooc"]GABRIEL BLACK[break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

"yep. busy building akura, and all that."[break][break]

it makes him glad to hear that she seems to be fine with hoenn. maybe one day she'll even grow fond of it. maybe he will, too.[break][break]

when she edges along the shoreline, he follows, quick to place his shoes on a drier part of the beach. her reaction makes him laugh only for an idea to follow.[break][break]

he gestures with a grin.[break][break]

"wanna go for a dip?"

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

"everyone but dad."[break][break]

not that he blames GABRIEL BLACK for missing out on so much. the man was busy building his empire and legacy; both of which uriah looks to inherit.[break][break]

"i've never been but i heard it was lovely."[break][break]

before the war, that is.[break][break]

his eyes squint a little under the harsh sunlight. his head tilts to look at her.[break][break]

"how are you liking hoenn?"

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

"man, you're really wise."[break][break]

torchic hopes one day he could be half as wise as this ivysaur seems to be.[break][break]

"i'll try to eat and drink before sleeping, then! i'll let you know how it goes later tonight."[break][break]

he chirps in glee before pausing, realizing something.[break][break]

"wait, will you be here next week?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Elinor Anderson[break]
mission![break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-torchic color-shiny"]