Poor guy. He’s utterly taken back and caught off guard. Perhaps he really didn’t mean it that way. Unfortunately, Toni’s been fooled before which causes the neutral look to remain. She won’t be fooled again. Blame lesser men for her skeptical attitude.

He apologizes and doesn’t try to come up with an excuse, which is a start. She doesn’t verbally acknowledge it, but he might catch a subtle nod that hints towards acceptance. He is about to climb up a tree to get her Shinx, after all. She’s not oblivious to kind deeds.

Toni watches him easily scale the tree but is no privy to the quiet conversation the man and the Shinx share. She pays no mind to the Salazzle that tastes her scent with a flick of the tongue.

Willow peers at Onyx with a hesitant gaze. Dark eyes quickly glance down at her trainer before settling back on to the man. The Shinx has already eaten her fill of Oran berries, she just sits in the tree now out of spite. She likes it up here, she can watch whatever’s happening in the park, grab a snack if she needs it. She’s normally spoiled rotten at home.

With half a mind to swipe some sharp claws at the man . . . Willow is feeling kind today. Her eyes flash back towards Toni, peering up at her with dangerously neutral eyes. A sharp exhale and head shake later, Willow rises to all fours and lets the man scoop her up to bring her down. It’s better than having to climb down herself.

---

@onyx

MISSION

Toni laughs, it’s genuine. She’s obviously amused by his warning. A subtle shake of her head brushes off the lingering chuckle, “They all say that . . but then they all disappoint. What makes you different, King?” a quick glance leaves the battle to catch a glimpse of his profile.

Her shoulders shrug in response to his question, ”entertainment, mostly. Isn’t that why everyone comes to this shit hole?”

---

KING WAYLAND

MISSION

Toni doesn’t miss the mischief in his gaze. She returns it with an equally as impish grin, “good, because I’m always on top,” she teases, holding his gaze until he finally stands up.

Caden’s arms aren’t left empty for long. It’s a quick step forward and her arms are wrapped around his waist, pulling him in tight for a good hug, I missed you, goes unsaid, but the way she lingers for a moment after their embrace says it all.

“You clean up nicely,” her eyes wander, critically evaluating his outfit, “I hope there’ nothing too fancy planned. This all I could manage since I haven’t been shopping yet,” she vaguely motions to the fairly casual outfit of choice. Even if it is somewhere fancy, she’d manage . . . but she wouldn’t be happy about it.

---

caden maher

MISSION

OUTFIT

more than willing. She likes this game. It’s far more exciting than just watching the matches on her own. As his attention turns back to the match, so does hers. Her body shifts towards her focus, a sip of cold beer trickles down her throat, and an amused smile crosses her lips.

Ursaring is done, that much is obvious. Pangoro still looks like it’s got a shot. The two gentlemen that volunteered their pokemon didn’t seem as interested as King and Toni. It’s just another match, after all – and they already got paid.

“I can handle buying you a few drinks,” even if that meant suffering his presence that much longer. Honestly, though, she’s enjoying it. He’s fun.

---

KING WAYLAND

MISSION

Sweetheart, ugh. There’s a visible twitch of annoyance in the corner of her mouth. It’s snuffed out by the last drag of her cigarette before she extinguishes it beneath the toe of her black boot.

Eye remained fixed on him as she leans back again, her body turning slightly to face him. She can feel the but hanging idly in the air. Finally, he continues it. Although she agrees, she’s committed to play in their chess game, “I’ve seen crazier things happen . . . sure you’re willing to risk it?” she warns, keeping her attention trained on King for now.

If she really wanted it, she’d find a way to take it, not leave it up to chance. This is just entertainment.

---

KING WAYLAND

MISSION

A fresh, chilled bottle wets her lips. Hr tongue slides over her slowly as her brows pinch in thought, “Hm, good question,” no one’s actually asked her that before. Most guys said some stupid shit like “a date” or “a drink” or something they thought she wanted.

Honestly, she can’t think of an Arceus damned thing. Anything she wants she just . . . takes. The way it seems the battle is going, she’s likely to lose any way but . . . just in case there’s a strange turn of events . . .

A predatory smile crosses her lips as she glances back over her shoulder towards him. The hand with the cigarette raises to point towards the cage, “That Incineroar.”

---

KING WAYLAND

MISSION

She likes his confidence. Alright, so that already had something in common, she smiles, glancing over towards him, “I like ‘em expensive too, but this battle’s far from over, king,“ Royalty, she likes it.

A bear is thrown against the side of the arena, rattling the chain-link cage so hard Toni thought it might actually crumble beneath its weight. She leans forward slightly in anticipation, only to be disappointed.

”What do I get if the bears win?” a brow raises slightly as she looks back over towards him.

Speaking of drinks, she finishes the one in her hand, raising it with a nod to the bartender. It’s not long before another is brought over and the empty beer bottle is disposed of. V.I.P service.

---

KING WAYLAND

MISSION

Somehow, the man has caught her attention enough to draw it away from the battle the erupts in the arena in front of them. A series of deep roars bellow as the bears take the offensive, swiping with steel claws and brute strength. There doesn’t seem to be much coordination, just a furious assault.

”buy you a drink?” she laughs, sipping her own beer. That’s earned, not given, “If your Incineroar beats these two bears, I’ll buy you a drink,” that’s when she would be impressed.

She mirrors the action, taking a drag from her own cigarette and exhaling slowly to fill the air in front of them with even more twisting whisps of white smoke. Her attention turns back to the battle.

“Toni . . . Yours?”

---

KING WAYLAND

MISSION

So, he’s one of those kinds of guys. Her smile brightens in anticipation. Alright, she’ll bite, “Oye!” she calls back out to the stranger, “Your friend got anything?” the man at his side looks between them and nods. Just like before, he’s thrown a bit of cash, “Same deal,” she motions towards the ring with her cigarette before turning back towards King, “I have a feeling I’m gonna like you,” she admits, her hand slipping into her jacket pocket to extract a zippo lighter. The metallic gears purr as a flame erupts. Manicured fingers delicately hold it out for King.

This time, a Pangoro is released from the strangers pokeball. The two bears growl, glancing at each in recognition before turning their attention towards the fire-type. The Pangoro readies itself with work up while the Ursaring leers menacingly.

---

KING WAYLAND

MISSION

It doesn’t take long for Toni to find what she’s looking for. It was easy with her connections. Despite receiving a recommendation and essentially V.I.P. treatment, she’d been alone since she arrived. Not that it mattered, she is here for the entertainment and to scope out potential associates.

Perhaps she’s just intimidating. She’s leaned back, elbows resting on the back of the bench behind her. In one hand burns a cigarette, in the other she swirls a half-filled beer. So, it surprises her when the sapphire haired man sits down beside her. Just like he glances towards her, she returns the look. The dark brown eyes linger, she has nothing to hide in the way she looks him up and down, sizing him up as she does most people.

It doesn’t look like there’s an opponent lined up for him, so she changes that, “Hey, you,” she points towards a nearby spectator, “You got something that can fight his Incineroar?” The man looks dumbfounded for a moment but nods. Toni sets down her beer and reaches into her pocket, tossing a bit of cash at him, “Two hundred bucks to put it in the ring,” there’s a moment of hesitation before the stranger releases an Urasaring opposite King’s pokemon.

Two predators. She smiles in satisfaction, leaning back to take a drag of her cigarette.

---

KING WAYLAND

MISSION

Another compliment? Now he just looks like he’s fishing for something. She recognizes the practiced smile. It’s one she’s been taught to perfect over the years from the countless philanthropic galas her mother dragged her and her brother to. What did he practice for? Curiosity surfaces, just for a moment, before it quickly fades.

“Divine creatures,” she smiles, watching the Salazzle with a hungry grin, “I can appreciate an alpha female,” the comment comes moments before the lizard’s hiss as the knock off fails to drop the Shinx from the tree limb.

An amused laugh escapes her when she recognizes the Salazzle getting ready to burn down the whole tree, “Damn, I like her spunk,” at this point, she seems more enthralled by the Salazzle than Onyx.

That quickly changes at the mention of her pussy.

Toni’s head snaps towards him, short brown hair rising and falling with the sudden movement. It settles back into its flawless frame of her face. Her lips part, momentarily caught off guard before they curl into a scowl, “My pussy is perfect, it’s the Shinx that needs help,” She’s new to Hoenn, she doesn’t need a poor reputation so she leaves nothing open for interpretation. She has no issues calling him out on his “joke”. Men sometimes, she rolls her eyes behind the dark sunglasses before letting the scowl fade into neutral lips. Since he’s helping her, she grants him that much, “Toni . . . Nice to meet you, Onyx.”

---

@onyx

MISSION

Look at him, likely packing 4 inches in a bloated 6 foot something body. He looked like he never missed arm day. Wonder why. Compensating for something, maybe? Regardless, her smile remains with the flattery, obviously unwilling to return it quite yet. Compliments are earned from the Sinnoh heiress, not freely given. There’s nothing that’s impressed her so far, after all. Except maybe his biceps as long as they weren’t just full of air.

It doesn’t take long to impress her. The Salazzle piques her interest. It’s one of the pokemon she has a great respect for. They’re voracious predators, and viciously territorial. Females are boss, and that she can relate to, “Love the Salazzle,” she purrs with a hint of desire. It’s been on her list for a while now. Unfortunately, spelunking into caves isn’t easy.

The tree rattles, but Willow’s steel claws dig firmly into the bark of the thick branch. Nice try. The feline lowers her ears, pressing them firmly against her skull. The fur on her back sparks with electricity in a CHARGE as her lips curls to hiss violently at the Salazzle.

”Told you, she’s a little shit.”

---

@onyx

MISSION

Finally. They’d hopefully be seeing each other more than just once every few years. Well, whatever caden maher ’s scheduling allowed. Stupid, fucking internships.

The elevator opens with a chime and the brunette pushes herself off the back rail to strut forward into the lobby. It doesn’t take long to spot the overworked intern probably falling asleep in the plush couch near the reception desk. A smile curls across her pink lips at the sight of him. Instinctively, her pace quickens, heels clacking noisily across the marble stone. That’s probably what made him sit up. So he isn’t asleep after all.

Maybe half asleep.

The smile turns into a frown as she looms over him, “Really, Caden? there’s disappointment in her voice, “All this time and you can’t even bother to stand up and give me a proper hug?”

---

caden maher

MISSION

OUTFIT