onigiri, perhaps in a small act of defiance, bumps into james' leg as he runs by. a small huff is given as the manectric continues running and running. who will tire first?[break][break]

"i think you'd do very well."[break][break]

he takes a moment to mull over her question.[break][break]

"i've always pictured myself with two kids. maybe more if the situation allows it."[break][break]

reaching over to boop her nose, he smiles.[break][break]

"i'm glad that we're on the same page, then."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

"there has to be something."[break][break]

nothing quite beats brainstorming theories on a thursday afternoon. he remembers study sessions where he and his friends would put on their tin foil hats and go to town on whatever mad theories they had crafted.[break][break]

this feels similar. innocent, in a way.[break][break]

"i'll help you find it, doc! we'll find it together."

[attr="class","ooc"]Eva Morales[break]

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

james would make a good father, yes. this is something he's always thought but never fully accepted, so it warms him to be validated.[break][break]

"you think so?"[break][break]

the young boy turns the corner of the coffee table only to hop over james' leg.[break][break]

"i know this is wayyyyy too quick to ask, but do you want kids? not with me, i mean, but in general."[break][break]

he feels it necessary to add in the last part just in case.

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

lore is revealed, and james can't help but feel grateful that she feels comfortable enough to be sharing with him. he squeezes her hand just a little more when she sighs, hoping to reassure her somehow.[break][break]

"well, i find a really important factor for a child's happiness is kindness, which is a trait you definitely have."[break][break]

he smiles, bright and warm as ever.[break][break]

"i think you're being too hard on yourself, abi. you're doing great! these kids are just...ruthless."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

having had to explain his dissertation numerous times prior, the words come easily.[break][break]

"it's on regional variants. it looks into variations that currently exist — why they happen, the changes that stemmed from them, and so on — and it also theorizes what variations would happen if some things were different."[break][break]

yet somehow he still sounds enthused when he explains it.[break][break]

"my focus is biology and genetics."

[attr="class","ooc"]jayden cross[break]

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

"oh, but i think you were doing just fine before i got here."[break][break]

not really. but james is too nice to see otherwise.[break][break]

her family? he shakes his head before reaching to hold her hand.[break][break]

"no, but i'll listen if you want to share now."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

it takes james a little too long before he finally looks over to see his girlfriend frowning on the couch. in his defense, her frown is hidden behind the couch cushion, and also this is probably his first real relationship.[break][break]

he waits until onigiri and the kids brush past him before taking a step over to join her on the couch. he plops down beside her and is quick to hug her from the side.[break][break]

"are you okay?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

it must've been nice to live off his dad's money. james couldn't relate — most of his life has been spent running around trying his best to make money to help his family.[break][break]

it may be a lie, but avery's truth as far as james knows.[break][break]

"working and studying, mostly! i'm mostly in ever grande but sometimes i run food in other cities."[break][break]

james gestures ahead at some random cafe.[break][break]

"you wanna grab coffee or something? actually sit down and catch up?"

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

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

"huh. you have a point."[break][break]

setting them down in front of the tv definitely sounds like a bad idea now that he thinks about it. even if he were to put something boring and mundane as a wildlife documentary on, they'd likely not even watch it in the first place.[break][break]

so, her suggestion sounds much better.[break][break]

"what do you think, onigiri?"[break][break]

the manectric looks at james like the :wazowskistare: emoji, and even before he has a chance to protest, the kids are jumping onto the electric-type.[break][break]

"well, good luck!"[break][break]

onigiri starts running around.

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

yes, james is definitely used to her mess, so he's not surprised to see the horrid state of her room.[break][break]

he laughs when she plops down on her bed, shaking his head in disbelief at how funny his friend is.[break][break]

"me? oh, yeah. i'll just grab a cab or something."[break][break]

truth is, he's just going to stumble his way home because a taxi is too expensive. but this may be something penny would know by now.[break][break]

"OK! i'm off. sleep well, penny boo, and if you need to throw up...well, good luck."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

"what's up, gabe?"[break][break]

he's reminded of many conversations he's had with iseult babineaux on her boss but quickly decides that the little boy in his arms is far cuter than the one-armed councilman.[break][break]

"have you tried sticking them in front of the tv? that's how my parents calmed me down, as i'm told."[break][break]

he walks into the living room before giving his manectric an appreciative look. onigiri wags his tail as he sits, patient.[break][break]

"hello, gabi!"

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

this isn't his ideal friday night but he's not complaining. yet. he appreciates spending time with his girlfriend even if it means having to rough up two kids to get them to be nice.[break][break]

"aw, abi."[break][break]

he pouts, sympathizing with her at the sight of her in near tears.[break][break]

"lemme help. come here, young one."[break][break]

taking a step closer, he reaches out for the little boy in her arms, looking to carry him instead and to save abi's hair from being tugged on more.[break][break]

onigiri, his manectric, brushes past the both of them and waltzes into the living room.

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

"this weekend sounds good! i think i'm free saturday evening."[break][break]

but when is james ever really free? he's always occupied with either work or school even on the weekends.[break][break]

he nods, leaning in to kiss her cheek before stepping away.[break][break]

"i will!"[break][break]

he takes off into a job only to look over his shoulder to gesture for his zorua.[break][break]

"come on, kit. have a good day at work, abi!"

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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