"mm. i wonder how good the offer of your arcanine was to goobly, seeing as he's found a new favorite mount." this was said unblinkingly at the fact that her pink blob had situated itself onto roman without being commanded to. what was more shocking was that roman seemed to accept this arrangement.[break]
how interesting.[break]
a devilish and warped grin crawled onto lorelei's countenance, her bloody eyes swirling in her skull as she raised a clawed finger over her nose - her fingers forming a curtain over her lower face to hide the amusement quite plainly on it. "as for you, silence." this order was hissed through grit teeth at the houndoom she didn't even care to face. 'it' gave out a soft whine and backed away at this, knowing very well this was a sign of malice from its trainer. having been one of the newer recruits, he didn't have the same fondness as someone like roman's arcanine had gotten from lorelei - even if he was her own pokemon. "you two, spend some time together. it seems we're all in agreement today will be spent strengthening our bonds as a team." this was said with professionalism - an attempt to hide her eagerness and excitement regarding a real date between herself and roman. he passed the baton to her, however, which almost got her rolling her eyes since she had told him to come up with an idea himself.[break]
"i have been making finishing touches to the main building of my new branch operation." with this, she held out a hand for roman to take. "if you would be so kind as to drive us both there, i would be more than glad to show you around. there are multiple entertainment faculties within and around the building, so we can find something to do. afterwards, i ..." she paused, almost ready to back down but she wasn't one to ever do so in any manner, "i'll cook us something after we head back. in the interim, we can find a cafe or restaurant to eat before we starve ourselves to death." this plan was made and said, lorelei already looking at her watch as if to guesstimate how much time this would all take.[break]
somehow, it seemed she could and would always squeeze roman into her schedule - regardless of what it may be. it was a surprise he never quite questioned it, though perhaps he simply didn't give a damn.[break]
"with that said, here are the keys." an expensive key stood out among a large keychain that lacked anything but maybe a tag or two. it was empty because - as they say - the more important you are, the less keys you have, and lorelei was no exception to the rule. "mother and arcanine will ride in the back. goobly can ... join you, if you see so fit." returning 'it' to his pokeball, lorelei offered a faint but calm smile. "shall we?"
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⚰︎ divider made by milky!

@romanl

jealousy was indeed a horrid beast, but lorelei loved the morbid and scarred.[break]
"it seems this will have to end our dance. thank you." with a curtsy as if the man wasn't being held aloft in the air, lorelei was utterly calm as she watched him skitter away like a small mouse in the face of a large predator. the way roman's shadow cast over her was always welcome - reminding her of their own height difference that made her pride swell all the more every time she had him doubled over to a third of her stature. "roman." this was a brief greeting, followed by another curtsy as they started their dance. this curtsy was more elegant and played out, showing her immensely higher level of respect for him. if it wasn't for the familiar face before her, she might have had a recollection of her cruel teacher who had slammed manners into her using a hardened yard stick. [break]
a scar on the small of her back ached at this thought, but was quickly sated and quieted by holding onto the guard dog's calloused hand.[break]
as roman showed jealousy, lorelei allowed her to do the same. her fingers clutched onto his own with a gentle but firm grip, one leaving the words of 'welcome back to where you belong' unsaid. in front of one another, they were reunited, and it never felt so good as it did with him and him alone.[break]
sometimes, she wished he was the only individual she had to deal with. maybe moments where the world felt so incredibly homely and small would last and bring her out of her hollow shell.[break]
"your dance skills have improved. this unfaithful skank thinks you've been paying particularly close attention during your lessons." having taken it upon herself to teach roman some manners when in public, she was judging his every step. as his mentor and keeper, she had to keep him well-tuned and polished. their steps fell in line and she was impressed enough to allow herself to pull herself closer to him to show familiarity in closing the space between them both. this was something more personal than a waltz or any dance - it was an invasion of privacy and she forced herself into his space just like many times before.[break]
it was one of the few actions that brought her joy and prolonged enjoyment.[break]
"what say you, dog? have you been secretly growing without me looking upon you? like a flower blooming in the shadows, you seem to be growing with or without my pruning. perhaps i saw this coming, hence why i prepared this for you." stopping their spinning and weaving, she took off one of the flowers in the mini bouquet she wore on her dress. an unovan cowslip was presented to the small bouquet she had picked out for her date's matching outfit. abundances of cedar leaf hung from his bouquet, lorelei's eyes trained upon them wishfully though she expected nothing. [break]
"i fear the kalosians will take their time, as per usual. shall i have your next dance as well?"
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⚰︎ divider made by milky!

@romanl