soft.[break][break]

that's a first. but then again, it's not like he does this often (or at all, really).[break][break]

he leans into her touch, heart fluttering as their lips press together. he returns the kiss, breathing only when they pull away.[break][break]

"i, uh..."[break][break]

at a loss for her words, he eventually stumbles a few out.[break][break]

"you're cute, abigail."

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

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

during her arduous climb up, he simply stares at her, laughing every now and then before she finally arrives.[break][break]

"see? when have i ever lied to you, penny? never."[break][break]

as the snorlax breathes, its gut inflates and deflates, shifting the two humans up and down like a cheap ride in a carnival. to drunk people, it can actually be quite dizzy.[break][break]

"you ever think about how you're basically, like, twice my age?"

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

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

Eva Morales really should be the one doing this seeing how she's the one who requested the relicanth. but he understands how busy she is and he'd hate to turn melody away when she's made the journey here.[break][break]

that, and also because he wants to prove himself. if he's able to do this on his own then he figures it's a step in the right direction.[break][break]

"that's super interesting! i wonder what happened to him, then. it sounds like the league knew of its mutation even before."[break][break]

it was why they sought it out, wasn't it?[break][break]

he begins the process, starting with scratching residue of the primal quartz into a petri dish to run tests on it later.[break][break]

"can i ask where this happened? you don't have to tell me if you don't want to or if you can't. just curious."

[attr="class","ooc"]Melody Miro[break]

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

if only he had his cap to hide under. he knew it was a mistake to leave home without it.[break][break]

"yeah? i hope you'll remember that during my performance review."[break][break]

because he desperately needs that raise.[break][break]

he pauses for a moment to look at her, equally excited and worried he's stepping over boundaries.[break][break]

"oh! are you sure i'm not pulling you away? you know, from what you were doing before i barged in."

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

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

there's a sense of innocence and wonder behind her question that he just adores. wishes he could experience more of.[break][break]

deciding to be bold, he reaches for her hand again to guide her into the water and towards one of the many glowing flowers. the tips of her fingers brush against a petal, glistening.[break][break]

"how do they feel?"

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

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

james has been thinking about holding her hand all night. the shy boy never made a move, however, so bless abigail for taking the initiative to reach out for his hand.[break][break]

again, for the ninth time tonight, he flushes, nodding before pulling her towards the water.[break][break]

"there's still a lot we don't know about crystablooms."[break][break]

he places his shoes on a dry bit of land before approaching the edge of the water. water laps against his ankles as he takes further steps in, stopping in shallow waters to point down at one of the crystablooms.[break][break]

"they grow both on land and in both fresh and salt water. it's quite odd, really!"

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

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

it has been an eventful evening, to say the least, and it's one that he wishes would last a bit longer.[break][break]

so, after birthday cakes and a couple of drinks, he decides to lead them down to the beach for a late-night walk. it's by sheer chance that there are glowing flowers sprouted across the beach and in the water, making the scene quite romantic.[break][break]

"wow! i think those are crystablooms."

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

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

james is more than familiar with eva's reputation and history. or at least what's accessible online. it's one of the few reasons why he decided to work here instead of at a private lab.[break][break]

"uh, short-term or long-term?"[break][break]

the fact that he has to ask should be indicative of the type of person he is. a planner, one who knows where he wants to be in a few years.[break][break]

"to love what i do and to contribute however i can, pretty much. until then, i'm just sorta doing my best to make money so my parents can relax."[break][break]

his zorua snarls at the sight of the needle, but after a few gentle strokes, it purrs, letting james continue with taking its blood sample.[break][break]

"i'd love to work here full-time once i'm done with my dissertation."

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

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

his arm is brutally punched.[break][break]

"OW! you bitch."[break][break]

but as penny busies herself with waking up the creature, james decides to climb up the side of its large body. he slips a few times but makes it up eventually.[break][break]

"holy... penny you should come up here!"[break][break]

he shifts to lay on his back.[break][break]

"the view is INCREDIBLE."

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

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

"eh, what can you do?"[break][break]

that's life, he supposes. at least it is until better things come. but until then, he doesn't really mind being busy all the time. it's only a pain when other plans come up and he has to opt out.[break][break]

"i haven't had the pleasure. but he seems...tense? maybe professional's the better word."[break][break]

but all he knows of FERNANDO SILPH is what the media has shown. by all accounts, fernando seems to be a great leader, a powerful trainer, and an asset to hoenn.[break][break]

"how's your boss? is he as intimidating as everyone says?"

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

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

huh. this one's less aggressive than the others he's seen at the lab. he'll have to note it down for later.[break][break]

for now, his mind is elsewhere.[break][break]

"because i'm not quite ready for our date to be over just yet."[break][break]

he smiles, extending his fork over to the sneasel as well.[break][break]

"after cake, let's grab a few drinks?"

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

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