his bouncing leg settles under her touch, and as he leans his cheek into her palm, he nods, finding comfort before he continues.[break][break]

"i dunno...i mean, you're you, and—"[break][break]

i'm me. what do you see in me?[break][break]

after a breath, he adds:[break][break]

"i'm spread thin as is but i'll try my best to manage my time better because i really like spending time with you."

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

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

that person (james) arrives punctually as he always does.[break][break]

"heyo! i'm james. thanks for agreeing to help out here."[break][break]

because he cannot imagine searching for the hiding ditto all by himself. the park is huge and full of people so even with the both of them, it's going to take a while.[break][break]

"right! i think the easiest way to identify it is just by its face."

[attr="class","ooc"]Violet Fairbanks[break]

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

abigail is drop-dead gorgeous. there are times when he wonders why exactly is she here with him. what has he done to deserve her? the man studies and works and that's about it. he isn't rich, he doesn't have titles or statuses.[break][break]

is she here just because of him, then?[break][break]

i like you too.[break][break]

that confirms it.[break][break]

his heart flutters in response.[break][break]

"well, it might surprise you, abi, but i've never been in a relationship before so i'm afraid i don't have much advice for you."[break][break]

his leg bounces as he speaks.[break][break]

"but if anyone's going to ruin things, it'd probably be me."

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

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

ghost-type?[break][break]

briefly, james wonders if they could somehow harness that raw, primal energy from the distortions. but he quickly realizes in doing so they'd likely do more harm than good.[break][break]

he hums in thought.[break][break]

"i wonder what causes the distortions. they seem random but also not random? if that makes sense."

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

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

james appreciates the way she seems to be extra attentive to him and his small quirks. with so much of his life spent studying and working, he's barely had time to explore other things.[break][break]

like romance, for example.[break][break]

"i'll let you know, but i don't think it's ever going to be a problem because—"[break][break]

he clears his throat, flushing after the peck on his cheek.[break][break]

"—well, because i like you, too, abi."

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

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

practically strung along to the couch, james takes up the space next to her, though his nerves still get the better of him as his posture is definitely more stiff than it needs to be.[break][break]

it seems she's easily noticed.[break][break]

"no! i mean yes! i like it. it's just..."[break][break]

he swallows.[break][break]

"you're just really distracting. in a good way, of course!"

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

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

this is not what james had in mind when he mentioned dessert. he quickly finds that he much prefers this, however.[break][break]

"a...abi..."[break][break]

he's basically at the mercy of her whim as she sits on his lap. melting under her touch, no words escape him. the only thing he can do is shake his head to try and say: no, you're not too sweet for me.[break][break]

but she moves off him, letting him live.[break][break]

"that, uh, that—"[break][break]

sounds horrible. i want you.[break][break]

"—sounds good."

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

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

"it better be."[break][break]

he huffs as he cuts into his own steak to take a bite, and damn is it good. he doesn't waste his time either.[break][break]

once dinner is done, he wipes the corners of his mouth with a napkin before clasping his hands together.[break][break]

"right! dessert?"

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

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

a wheel. okay, he'll remember that in case it ever comes up again.[break][break]

"only if you get caught."[break][break]

his words, said with a wink, are meant in jest because he doesn't actually know if it'd be illegal. he assumes they might need a boating license of some kind? but he's also seen college kids renting boats over the spring break, so he's not too sure.[break][break]

either way, they waste little time in finding a cute little boat. it's nameless; the owner of it tells them they can name it if they want to. but after a quick exchange of money, james is securing his eggs onto the boat, making sure they're all tight secure.[break][break]

"is your ninetales afraid of water?"

[attr="class","ooc"]iseult babineaux[break]

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

i'm fine.[break][break]

as someone who uses it often as well, he recognizes the lie.[break][break]

"whatchu talking about? i already text you all the time."[break][break]

so much so that he doesn't mind being left on read. he gets it. but then again, most of what he texts her are memes.[break][break]

"yeah...i'm tired, too. sometimes i wish i could just lie down like this and just...not worry, you know?"

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

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

"really fast with me behind the wheel. is it a wheel? circle-thing. no, i think it's a wheel."[break][break]

maybe he shouldn't have vocalized his thoughts. well, too late now.[break][break]

with a gesture, he starts heading in a direction towards the parked boats.[break][break]

"come on. boat's more fun. you can even drive for a bit!"

[attr="class","ooc"]iseult babineaux[break]

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

"ah. i gotchu."[break][break]

family stuff. now that's something james could easily relate to as there's always family stuff going on. most of it is good, though.[break][break]

when asked about his classes, james can do no more than sigh.[break][break]

"man, they're killing me. SET ME FREEEEEEEEE."[break][break]

he whines.[break][break]

"i'm almost there, though. just a few more months then my paper's done..."

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

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

after she withdraws her hands from her cheeks, he turns to cup his own hands over her cheeks. somehow, he had managed to gather up the courage to do such a thing.[break][break]

"good! i'm looking forward to it."[break][break]

and with a smile, he lowers his hands back down and returns to cooking. the steaks take no more than ten minutes, and as they're resting, he quickly cooks up the vegetables and potatoes, and bam! magically, their dinner is done.[break][break]

"sorry for the wait."

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

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