[attr="class","enzo"]

[attr="class","icon"]

“It’s a classic, at least.” Em shrugs, unbothered. He doesn’t often deviate from what he’s familiar with, when he’s grown accustomed to it.[break][break]

Stepping outside of his comfort zone has never been a strong suit, though he’s doing that by showing up tonight instead of bailing, isn’t he?[break][break]

He blinks a few times, head tilting. “Really?” A sudden rush of color floods his face as he pauses. “Oh, I mean about going out, not the drinking bit. I don’t much either. Just enough to know my way around a drink menu.”[break][break]

Rocking with the slight nudge, he smiles—a feeble, nervous little thing. “Can’t believe you’re wasting your first outing on me. I’m sure you’ve got friends who are way more entertaining.”[break][break]

Definitely not him, who’s often too shy and reserved to go out period.

[break][break]


[newclass=".enzo"]--accent:#ad6c83; position:relative; z-index:1; overflow:hidden; [/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo blockquote"]width:320px; height:auto; background-color: #292929; text-align: justify; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 30px; padding-bottom: 40px; padding-top: 25px; border-left: 5px #252525 solid; border-right: 5px #252525 solid;border-top: 5px #252525 solid; line-height: 15.5px; letter-spacing: .7px; font-size:12px;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .icon"]background-image:url(https://i.postimg.cc/8PFdQSQx/FEC1-A551-E634-42-D4-8298-1-F856798-C68-E.png); height:100px; width:100px; margin:-70px 29px 19px 10px; float:left; border-radius:20px; border:6px var(--accent) solid; outline:10px #252525 solid;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo blockquote b, .enzo blockquote i"]color:var(--accent); } .enzo blockquote b { font-size:14px!important } .enzob69fc7 blockquote u { font-style:italic; color:var(--accent); text-decoration:underline dotted; border-bottom:none; letter-spacing:1px; [/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .top"]background-color:var(--accent); background-image:url(https://image.ibb.co/dMFuMc/flower.png); background-size: cover; width: 370px; height: 68px; text-align: center; margin-left:auto; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -50px; padding: 10px 10px 10px 0px; border-radius: 25px 25px 0px 0px; border: 5px #252525 solid;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .bottom"]background-color:#222222; background-image:url(https://image.ibb.co/dMFuMc/flower.png); background-size: cover; width: 360px; height: auto; text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top:-60px; padding: 10px 10px 10px; border-radius: 0px 0px 25px 25px; border: 5px #252525 solid;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .bottom a"]font:bold 15px 'Poppins';[/newclass]

[nospaces][newclass="credit"]FREE TO USE! coded by mad, partial credit to milky for text styling <3[/newclass]

[attr="class","enzo"]

[attr="class","icon"]

Emerson didn’t think anything of James’ request to hang out. Or rather, he hadn’t thought it strange or selfish. If anything, it feels like a big deal Emerson now has a friend to hang out with in the first place.[break][break]

And on the other hand, he hasn’t found it odd that the other has been busy up to this point, either. He generally keeps pretty busy with work too.[break][break]

Still… the way his expression falls feels a little more than just work stress. Em isn’t about to push, though. “Oof yeah, I’ll bet. At least you can catch a break for a bit.”[break][break]

He hums, glance scanning over the cocktail menu written up on a chalkboard on the opposite wall. “Probably just, like, a sidecar…” Weirdly enough, despite the sweet tooth he has, it doesn’t carry over to drinks.[break][break]

“You?”

[break][break]


[newclass=".enzo"]--accent:#ad6c83; position:relative; z-index:1; overflow:hidden; [/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo blockquote"]width:320px; height:auto; background-color: #292929; text-align: justify; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 30px; padding-bottom: 40px; padding-top: 25px; border-left: 5px #252525 solid; border-right: 5px #252525 solid;border-top: 5px #252525 solid; line-height: 15.5px; letter-spacing: .7px; font-size:12px;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .icon"]background-image:url(https://i.postimg.cc/8PFdQSQx/FEC1-A551-E634-42-D4-8298-1-F856798-C68-E.png); height:100px; width:100px; margin:-70px 29px 19px 10px; float:left; border-radius:20px; border:6px var(--accent) solid; outline:10px #252525 solid;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo blockquote b, .enzo blockquote i"]color:var(--accent); } .enzo blockquote b { font-size:14px!important } .enzob69fc7 blockquote u { font-style:italic; color:var(--accent); text-decoration:underline dotted; border-bottom:none; letter-spacing:1px; [/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .top"]background-color:var(--accent); background-image:url(https://image.ibb.co/dMFuMc/flower.png); background-size: cover; width: 370px; height: 68px; text-align: center; margin-left:auto; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -50px; padding: 10px 10px 10px 0px; border-radius: 25px 25px 0px 0px; border: 5px #252525 solid;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .bottom"]background-color:#222222; background-image:url(https://image.ibb.co/dMFuMc/flower.png); background-size: cover; width: 360px; height: auto; text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top:-60px; padding: 10px 10px 10px; border-radius: 0px 0px 25px 25px; border: 5px #252525 solid;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .bottom a"]font:bold 15px 'Poppins';[/newclass]

[nospaces][newclass="credit"]FREE TO USE! coded by mad, partial credit to milky for text styling <3[/newclass]

[attr="class","em"]

“‘Course. It’s the least I can do for my best delivery driver.” He swings his arm into a thumbs up. Ugh, that was corny. He hushes himself by sipping at his own coffee.[break][break]

Emerson’s eyes go round, “Won’t that be a lot of work for you, though?” For all of the cooking he does, Emerson has not, in fact, perfected gyoza.[break][break]

“Oh. Yeah, for sure.” At home in his own kitchen, he skirts around James and pulls a pot out from a lower cabinet, and then swivels on his heels toward the sink to run it under the tap.[break][break]

While it’s filling he shifts to flip one of the stove burners on. “You want me to salt it?” he points at the pot as he asks. Everyone has a different method, and all that.[break][break]

“Thank you, uhh, for letting me help. I’d feel bad otherwise.” In his own home nonetheless.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] JAMES BAKER  | m: trapinch who stole christmas [break]


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

[attr="class","em"]

He’d like to see this person try and outfox him now![break][break]

The back and forth had been near constant since his last episode dropped. This one listener had some choice opinions about his research, apparently. But Em wasn’t one to be swayed— the battle had begun. And now, several replies deep, he’s sure that he’s got them cornered.[break][break]

As competitive as Emerson feels over winning this comment war, it’s also a little thrilling, isn’t it? Someone out there cares enough to get this worked up about his content? Exhilarating.[break][break]

The redhead tips back in his seat, sipping from an energy drink can before cracking his knuckles and getting back to it. The change of scenery beyond the walls of his apartment is oddly refreshing. Or it was until his computer screen goes dark and abandons the article he’d been skimming for references.[break][break]

“Oh noooo…” The words are a slow, faint whine despite his growing dread of the unknown. What would the commenter say next? What if he couldn’t recover the preemptive set of notes he’d been working on before this sudden blackout?[break][break]

Reaching toward the monitor, he presses the button—hoping it was just a screen resolution error. It’s in vain, of course. “What in the world..” He peers up over the top of his computer. Across the row to spy a dark head of hair. “You too?”[break][break]

Everybody, actually. Given the complaints that start to kick up among the scant occupants of the cafe.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] nagi miwa [break]mission[break]


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

[attr="class","enzo"]

[attr="class","icon"]

The first thing Em thought when his phone buzzed with an incoming message from James was a confused, but…I didn’t order any food today?[break][break]

And then he remembered that oh yeah, they were like actual friends now. For real, for reals. Not just some weird, imagined scenario in his head where he had an active social life and wasn’t an introverted, excessively shy recluse. Though, apparently to his credit, he was starting to break that mold some, huh?[break][break]

He scrambles when he realizes it’s an offer to meet up, though he can’t really discern any reason for that. Still, he throws his hoodie on and tries to look at least a little less like a hot mess. But the bar is only like a block or two away from his place so it doesn’t take him long to get there once he’s finally on his way.[break][break]

Breathless and red from the cold, Em spots his friend at the end of the bar, and scrambles onto the tall stool beside him. “Hey Jamie!” A smile fixed on his face fades once he gets a better look at his face. “Everything okay?” But maybe he’s just tired, Em doesn’t know.

[break][break]


[newclass=".enzo"]--accent:#ad6c83; position:relative; z-index:1; overflow:hidden; [/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo blockquote"]width:320px; height:auto; background-color: #292929; text-align: justify; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 30px; padding-bottom: 40px; padding-top: 25px; border-left: 5px #252525 solid; border-right: 5px #252525 solid;border-top: 5px #252525 solid; line-height: 15.5px; letter-spacing: .7px; font-size:12px;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .icon"]background-image:url(https://i.postimg.cc/8PFdQSQx/FEC1-A551-E634-42-D4-8298-1-F856798-C68-E.png); height:100px; width:100px; margin:-70px 29px 19px 10px; float:left; border-radius:20px; border:6px var(--accent) solid; outline:10px #252525 solid;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo blockquote b, .enzo blockquote i"]color:var(--accent); } .enzo blockquote b { font-size:14px!important } .enzob69fc7 blockquote u { font-style:italic; color:var(--accent); text-decoration:underline dotted; border-bottom:none; letter-spacing:1px; [/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .top"]background-color:var(--accent); background-image:url(https://image.ibb.co/dMFuMc/flower.png); background-size: cover; width: 370px; height: 68px; text-align: center; margin-left:auto; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -50px; padding: 10px 10px 10px 0px; border-radius: 25px 25px 0px 0px; border: 5px #252525 solid;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .bottom"]background-color:#222222; background-image:url(https://image.ibb.co/dMFuMc/flower.png); background-size: cover; width: 360px; height: auto; text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top:-60px; padding: 10px 10px 10px; border-radius: 0px 0px 25px 25px; border: 5px #252525 solid;[/newclass]

[newclass=".enzo .bottom a"]font:bold 15px 'Poppins';[/newclass]

[nospaces][newclass="credit"]FREE TO USE! coded by mad, partial credit to milky for text styling <3[/newclass]

[attr="class","em"]

“Guess I never really thought about that way, but you’re right.” Though it’s still a bit obvious that he spoils the ones he keeps.[break][break]

Rodent pokemon scatter as James moves into the kitchen itself. Both hop to different perches and others creep out of hiding. Because, yes, Emerson’s apartment is full of the little guys.[break][break]

“Sure.” Finally, he hops down from the counter and moves to the fridge– a dash in one mug and a heftier dose in the other. The mincinno on his shoulder climbs up to the top of his head as Em hands the first mug over. “Here ya go.”[break][break]

He shifts on his feet, a little awkwardly. “I’ve got, like, all sorts of stuff. Don’t need to make anything fancy, really.”

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] JAMES BAKER  | m: trapinch who stole christmas [break]


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

[attr="class","em"]

A small smile flits across his face at the friendliness James treats his pokemon with. "He won't forget that." As if to emphasize this, Dumpling nuzzles his cheek - maybe a little staticky, but well intended.[break][break]

Lolo, meanwhile, obliges at the suggestion of more treats and crawls up to his other shoulder.[break][break]

"I, um, can see why you like pokemon so much." Emerson twists around to pull two mugs down from the cabinet behind him. "Do you want anything in yours?" He holds both cups up in either hand.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] JAMES BAKER  | m: trapinch who stole christmas [break]


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