cute.[break][break]

shit.[break][break]

his cheeks flush under the weight of her words. it only deepens when she boops his nose, and for a few seconds, he doesn't quite know how to react.[break][break]

so he looks away briefly if only to try to regain some composure.[break][break]

"you gotta teach me a few things."

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

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

james recognizes the familiar head of hair sitting outside the research facility. despite that, he plays it off like he doesn't, so when he approaches with his backpack in tow, he stops for a moment to look at her.[break][break]

"uh, ma'am, we don't open for another hour."[break][break]

he blinks.[break][break]

"can i help you?"

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

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

he thinks of his own manectric, onigiri, and how they've been together since james was a little boy as well. they've certainly come a long way and the bond they share must be the same as what abigail has with her tepig.[break][break]

"a dojo sounds so cool. did he teach you how to fight, then?"[break][break]

he leans forward, propping an elbow on the table.[break][break]

"basically, can you kick my ass?"

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

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

james reaches out for the business card, glossing over her details for a moment before pocketing it with a smile.[break][break]

her personal number.[break][break]

"tepigs are adorable!"[break][break]

at her question, he chuckles, then glances down to peruse the menu.[break][break]

"from a chef's point of view, you definitely can't go wrong with the mushroom soup. get that with a side of bread, and you'll be golden."[break][break]

obviously don't get that. it would be a terribly unbalanced meal in terms of nutrition.

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

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

his head shakes.[break][break]

"i believe the fact that it happened inside the mall made it less violent. maybe it needs space to grow in intensity?"[break][break]

at her question about zorua's ghost-like properties, james nods, then reaches out to poke zorua in the cheek only for his finger to phase through.[break][break]

he follows after her to the lab area.[break][break]

"could i do it for you? it's just that she doesn't really like strangers. no offense, dr."

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

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

"yeah! i'm actually a grad student. i finish next year, hopefully!"[break][break]

that's the plan, anyways, but who knows what the future holds for him?[break][break]

"beauty school sounds sick! i thought about joining culinary for a little bit but i figured i'd flunk out real quick."[break][break]

in reality, james would stand a pretty good chance at succeeding in culinary school. it runs in the family, obviously, hence why his parents are still running their restaurant.[break][break]

at her question, he shakes his head.[break][break]

"i love them. not so much the battling side of it, but just everything about them is fascinating."[break][break]

he doesn't personally partake in training them beyond what's necessary for their growth.[break][break]

"you must get this a lot but i have two zoruas, kit and kat, and i haven't been able to find a proper groomer for them."

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

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

fun. does james know how to have fun? obviously, right? but when was the last time he had any sort of time off to have fun?[break][break]

too long.[break][break]

"yes! let's."[break][break]

still flushed, his smile never disappears.[break][break]

"i'm a lab tech over with the league in ever grande! i also deliver food when i'm not in the lab, or when i'm not at home studying."[break][break]

what a nerd.[break][break]

"i'm currently doing my thesis in pokemon evolution."

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

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

"yep. it looks identical to the zorua from the other day."[break][break]

the other zorua being from one of the volunteers from slateport.[break][break]

"i was washing my hands when it happened so i didn't get a good look at the transformation process but kat didn't cry so i suppose it wasn't painful."[break][break]

he approaches her desk, cradling the zorua with one arm while the other scratches the back of his head.[break][break]

"kinda just...happened, i suppose."

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

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

"uhh... less well, i suppose."[break][break]

despite the chuckle, it's anything but a joke. it's a miracle he even made it out today for this task.[break][break]

"between the lab and the restaurant i don't have much time for anything else. but it's nothing a couple of all-nighters can't fix, right?"[break][break]

something a fellow grad student should understand, surely.[break][break]

"you meet anyone interesting yet? any gossip?"

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

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

"no, no, not at all! and don't worry, he's the same with me."[break][break]

in fact, he only got the text this morning that he'd been set up on a blind date in lilycove. thankfully, the stars were aligned which made it so he could slip away from work and school to make it here.[break][break]

her comment brings a smile to his face as well as a slight flush to his cheeks.[break][break]

"we've only just met, abigail," he chuckles, "but no regrets here either."[break][break]

clearing his throat, he reaches for his iced tea.[break][break]

"i have to admit that it's been forever since i've been on an actual date."[break][break]

which is really his way of saying help, i'm lost.

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

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

james?[break][break]

too busy looking at the details on the app, he doesn't think anything odd about how they'd know his name. it's on the app, after all.[break][break]

"yep! that's me."[break][break]

but when he looks up, recognition hits, and his expression falters for a moment.[break][break]

"you son of a bitch."

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

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

this place is definitely going to break james' bank (not that there's much to break, but still!) but he doesn't get to do this very often so it's not like he minds.[break][break]

he arrives punctually, and he spends a moment looking around.[break][break]

his date? drop-dead gorgeous.[break][break]

james? he tries his best. he's even wearing a smart-looking sweater over his shirt.[break][break]

"abigail?"[break][break]

it's the only bit of info his friend gave him. he doesn't even know what she looks like, but he assumes his date is the only other person on their own.[break][break]

"i'm james. i think you're my blind date for the evening."

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

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

the jumble of words is met with a few nods of his head. he understands nothing, of course, but maybe if he pretends hard enough he could play it off like he could.[break][break]

"you mean like i did last week?"[break][break]

how does one even make this much of a mess in a week? his question is rhetorical and teasing as evident by how he laughs.[break][break]

he's already walking around the space, cleaning and organizing as he sifts through the clutter.[break][break]

"do you need me to run you through the filing system again?"[break][break]

it's one he's helped introduce to the office.

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

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