[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]oh, he knows ollie morales?

"i do, actually. i, uh, met him in the deep sea."

he had helped her through a sense of panic. she feels indebted to him somehow, as if she needs to repay the kindness somehow.

"oh, your brother runs rustboro?"

she leans a bit closer, eyes bright.

"maybe you could put in a good word for me?"

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]it does... and for a moment, she wants nothing more than to give into the concept.

but it will not help her stand on her own, not if she uses him as a crutch to be able to move forward into the next chapter.

"i was thinking ever grande, actually."

she had met a nice ranger during a trip into the rifts. ollie morales had been kind, caring, everything she wants to be.

and the silly thought of his disposition rubbing off on her if she works under him keeps her from selecting any other station.

it's stupid, she knows, but it sounds nice enough regardless.

"or maybe mauville? rustboro would be close, too."

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]the mischievous look in his eyes almost snags her. she wills herself to release the urge to sink her claws in, to chase after a toy dangling on a string.

not the time, not the place, not the people. it wouldn't do either of them any good.

"would you want to work closely with me?"

the concept, itself, catches her slightly off guard.

"strength in numbers does sound tempting."

even after all this time, nothing hurts quite as much as a loneliness of your own design. she has never gotten used to the sensation of being without another. perhaps she never will.

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]she can’t help the little smirk as it begins to curl into her cheeks.

”i am definitely good with my hands.”

not as good with nature, however. that might be the deciding factor.

”how would my skills translate to being a gym trainer too, then? i’m not really a battler either.”

there’s room to learn, she supposes, but how long of a grace period will be allowed?

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]”gym trainer, huh?”

she hums, tossing the idea around in her head for a few moments.

it would be nice to work with someone she knows, someone she can rely on.

”i was considering maybe a ranger, but i’ll think about it.”

if it doesn’t work out for her, she can always take up his offer…

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]a light grin rises.

freedom is good. terrifying, in too many ways, but she wouldn't trade it for anything.

"i dunno... got any suggestions?"

she's looking into becoming a ranger, but it's still a work in progress. she doesn't want to mess it up by simply speaking it into the room around them.

not yet, anyway.

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]”i guess…”

with no protesting on his behalf over her little kick, she stretches out fully to unfold her legs a little bit. comfortability rises as the blanket shifts and she unfolds it a bit further, leaning forward to adjust the fuzziness before settling back into pillows.

”it would’ve been no different, though, if someone ended up realizing i didn’t actually die so it’s fine… right?”

she’s hesitant but that’s normal in this circumstance.

”i can live with a bit of paranoia if it comes with freedom.”

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]fear washes over quickly, the concept of assassination an uncomfortable fact to overcome.

will that happen for her as well? will it be the end?

”no, i don’t think i have. how’d you get away?”

she would’ve died if it were her. perhaps it’s a good thing it wasn’t.

a light yawn rises, then, and she stretches languidly. in the process, she definitely kicks his thigh by accident with a foot. oops.

”do the attempts stop after a while?”

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]a smile rise, genuine and kind.

”for helping me. you didn’t have to, but i appreciate that you did.”

and really, she does. she’s not certain she could have done this alone.

”um, not yet. i expect it’ll happen soon.”

once it gets out, anyway. there’s always judgement somewhere.

”did anyone give you a hard time at first? is it normal?”

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]strength in numbers makes her feel vindicated, as if she's justified in the irritation creeping up.

at least, she was...

until he explains and a quiet sort of understanding overtakes whatever emotions she still has in her bones.

it leaves her sheepish, a little guilty, and mostly apologetic.

"sorry, i--"

she stops, clears her throat with a light, awkward cough, and continues.

"i didn't know that's what you were doing."

not like he told her anyway, but water under the bridge.

against her chest, the eggs stir slightly. her eyes dart down, a smile quickly creeping up.

"what will you tell the higher ups?"

even referring to them as such feels wrong now, like still simmering ashes burning her throat into nothing.

Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]not destroying this place?

the spiderwebbing of the walls and the groaning fissures would say otherwise!

and she's torn between irritation and confusion, existing in an odd sense of panicked whiplash. one emotion to the next. she isn't sure which one she'll land on fully.

"okay, nope, you're lying!"

it comes out half shrill toward the end as his ralts settles a hand on her shoulder and the world seems to warp around them. space distorts, time goes all wobbly, and she feels like she's going to hurl by the time everything rights itself.

the eggs in her grip are, surprisingly, safe and sound throughout this process despite being clutched so tightly to her chest she was certain they'd burst.

and as she feels sense rush back into her mind, she's spinning on her heel with an accusatory stare.

"what the hell was that?"

she had trusted him and she hopes -- no, prays -- it is not another mistake on her part.

Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]"okay, sounds good!"

their drinks are order, paid for (by her teehee), and soon ready for them to pick up.

the cold brew is chilly to the touch but she feels a little better with numbness creeping into her fingers. it's a lifeline she holds tightly, gingerly sipping as they find a table and settle down into chairs.

"ummm... well, i guess my first question is if i would need any specific requirements to join the rangers?"

she starts small, nothing more than gentle probing questions.

annalise henderson

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]she lets out a soft hum of understanding as he explains, as pieces click into place.

and yes, that is how she views him as well. not as heavy or as responsible, perhaps, but still in the same sort of realm.

he has at least gained points back for helping her now, even if it felt too late.

”yeah, me too.”

she snuggles back into the couch a little further, seeking the comfort of pillows and blankets beneath her.

”thank you, by the way.”

CIAN MAHER