uriah isn't expecting them to actually ditch this event. to his surprise, the mere suggestion of it lures him in, the appeal only increasing because of her, the stickler.[break][break]

"i did say that."[break][break]

his gaze follows to the stretch of beach, and just like that, his mind has been made up.[break][break]

a pokeball pops open, calling out a shiny mudkip that just lays out flat on the table.[break][break]

"chad, you're in charge while we're away. dirk, just be you."[break][break]

the mudkip is bound to draw people in with its cuteness.

[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"]

"gods, kill me now."[break][break]

in all honesty, it would not be such a bad thing to be compared to his father. GABRIEL BLACK is a man with power, respect, and title. he's missing an arm but even then, it'd be an honor to most.[break][break]

"for real, for real."[break][break]

he turns in his seat as well to face her slightly more.[break][break]

"i think we'll be pretty busy today. i can't ditch this event, right?"

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

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

"yes, a few. i think it's because of the borders. supplies are difficult to get now."[break][break]

tensions are definitely high. more so now than ever before.[break][break]

in the distance, he hears another crash and a grunt that he knows is from his machamp. a battle commences, it seems.[break][break]

"don't take this the wrong way but i'm surprised they sent the rangers."

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

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

it feels odd to have someone care for him the way she does. unusual. maybe it's because growing up the only care and attention he ever received was from his mom. apart from that, the siblings were left to their own devices.[break][break]

while odd, he finds it warm and comforting.[break][break]

"ew, wrinkles. we can't have that. i'd be looking just like my dad."[break][break]

he shudders.[break][break]

"it's up to you to make sure that doesn't happen. please, cal, clear my schedule."

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

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

"yup! the oldest one."[break][break]

it should not be surprising that his relationship with his father has not been the most stable through the years. it's improved now by a considerable amount, but he's had to really put in the work and effort to get there.[break][break]

"i gotchu, bro."[break][break]

they remain steady even as the large sound booms. uriah nods at his machamp, sending the fighting-type jogging down to investigate.[break][break]

"chad can handle it. we should keep our eyes open in the meantime."

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

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

"not usually."[break][break]

but to him more so than others, he imagines. or maybe it's just because of how much time they spend working together. either way, he laughs once more when she winces.[break][break]

and though he chooses not to say it, he has a feeling she won't stay executive assistant for too long.[break][break]

he pauses for a moment.[break][break]

"do i really have eyebags?"

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

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

"yup, yup. he's my papa."[break][break]

it's why they've been able to pull a few strings to get some resources allocated to help them defend one of their warehouses. one of the perks, baby.[break][break]

chad, uriah's machamp, patrols the area as well.[break][break]

"and you're...evergrande's captain?"

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

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

despite the neutrality, it still feels oddly personal. warm, even, to a certain degree. uriah appreciates that.[break][break]

"nah, but i'll be fine. i'm used to pulling all-nighters."[break][break]

he says it almost proudly. like a frat boy bragging about how much he can drink in one night.[break][break]

his pastry arrangement is far less neat than hers, but he's still working on it.[break][break]

"uh, because you're our executive assistant."[break][break]

then, he laughs, turning to nudge his assistant on her shoulder.[break][break]

"and because you want to? come on, cal, you can't even hide it."

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

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

"alright, one more lap!"[break][break]

in reality, they probably have a few more, but uriah's getting tired and he'd much rather just call it a day and go home. he has gym in the evening, anyway.[break][break]

what stops them on their last lap is cute little eevee that just waddles over their way! uriah slows down, stopping to give it some attention because it is just adorable.[break][break]

"you're coming with me..."[break][break]

he steals it from the safari zone.

[attr="class","ooc"]URIAH BLACK[break]
warden's ticket[break]
catching eevee![break]

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

"the event starts in fifteen but not many are awake this early."[break][break]

uriah is but only because his job demands it. otherwise, he'd be buried under his blanket and piles of pillows sleeping until noon or later.[break][break]

"so maybe around lunch?"[break][break]

he pries open a few lids as well only to stare down at the pastries.[break][break]

"you should do some of the talking today as well. you can introduce yourself as the company's executive assistant."

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

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

"i guess you're right."[break][break]

training without rest days would not be the best idea for anyone. muscles need time to recover! even a day's rest is pushing it at times.[break][break]

torchic chirps when he answers.[break][break]

"i'm tryna burn off some energy before my nap! otherwise i'd just toss and turn."[break][break]

he nods.[break][break]

"any tips on how to sleep better?"

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

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

it only takes chad a few moments to set the containers down onto the table. it's no expert in making it look pretty so it assumes that's all it has to do. so he turns to calla to give her four thumbs up before stepping away to return to sitting behind the booth.[break][break]

"good! that's the right answer."[break][break]

as made even more evident by how there are three chairs instead of two.[break][break]

he peers into the containers as he speaks only to wonder if they're actually store bought.[break][break]

"so what's the best way to display these? like, all grouped together? or spread out like on different steps?"

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

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

"that's on me, bro. did not look where i was going!"[break][break]

despite being such a young creature, blaze the torchic sure sounds like a frat boy even if his voice isn't that deep yet. he actually still sounds more like he's chirping than speaking.[break][break]

blaze's head tilts.[break][break]

"but why are you napping this early in the day? no offense or anything."

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

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