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[oh thank god]

[Anabel is a magnificent sight for sore eyes. As soon as Nanu catches sight of her lavender hair, his feet carry him in her direction before he fully realizes it. She looks fine - a little flushed, maybe, but that's probably a result of the festival. It gives him hope that she found enjoyment in the rest of the evening after he effectively abandoned her.]

[His response is delayed by the taking of his hand, though he makes sure not to hesitate too obviously. He lets her, he's too tired to put a ton of thought into it, and besides - it's nice. A kind of...relaxing, comforting nice. He even reciprocates a little, instead of being a limp noodle.]

Sorry. I didn't mean to get separated for so long.

[And he genuinely didn't, even if he ended up taking advantage of a little alone time near the end. Look how that turned out, really. Nanu's looked worse, but he supposes he does look pretty roughed up; his suit is dirty and rumpled and untucked, sleeves rolled to the elbows. He's got a few scuffs on his face and arms that he hasn't bothered to clean off, and his hair is mussed, not helped by the hand he's running through it. To top it all off, his sandals seem to be missing completely?]

[He looks down at himself for a solid moment, before looking back up at Anabel with his usual deadpan.]

There may have been an incident.

[ She's relieved to see him, too.

Although it hadn't been all unpleasant, the encounter with Guzma really had soured the evening and she'd found herself exhausted much sooner than expected. Really, though... it was worth it for the start of the night and getting to walk home with him.

Perhaps warmer than usual, she holds onto him and uncertain, she can't quite tell if he's being receptive or not. Maybe she just imagined it? But he's talking so she's listening, listening and shaking her head. ]

It is easy to get lost. I hope you enjoyed yourself, for the most part?

[ She's... not entirely sure if that's what his appearance indicates, but she gives his hair a little stroke with a hand to straighten it out. As charming and different as it may be, he's clearly had something of an adventurous evening. Likely more than hers has been. ]

One that had you losing your shoes? [ Of course she noticed. ] If it's no trouble, I'll listen as we walk? Unless you'd rather stick around longer, I'm... honestly rather beat. I think I am burnt out on socializing so you'll have to drag me from the house if you expect me to leave at any point in the next few days.

[ Somehow, she imagines he's the same. ]

Hmh... Would've rather stayed with you.

[Running a hand through his hair, he sighs. She doesn't seem to mind that they ended up apart for a while (or, at least, is just reassuring him as much), but it still bothers him. Not just for Anabel's sake, but his own. Nanu wanted to spend the night with just her, too.]

[He looks tired. With a nod of agreement, he starts walking away from the festivities and toward the direction of their house, slowly and with a gentle tug on her hand. If it wasn't clear he's not minding the hand-holding before, it should be now, because he doesn't want her to let go.]

Glad we're on the same page. I'm going to lock every door to the outside in the house. [Jokingly but also kind of serious? No one comes in or goes out, leave them alone.]

[Nanu gives another sigh, settling into a casual pace and tucking his free hand back into a pocket.] Tell me about your night, first.

[He's not avoiding, he just wants to hear that he didn't ruin the rest of her night by splitting.]

[ She doesn't respond to him saying that, but the way she holds onto his hand changes just slightly. A small flex. His words meant something to her, but she isn't sure how to explain it even to herself. Her voice is untrustworthy for a moment.

He doesn't address what happened, really, so she doesn't ask any more although he surely knows that he's welcome to say whatever he might like on their way home. Anabel keeps her free hand in a pocket for a moment, letting the smooth round shape of an ultra ball quell any strange feelings she has. ]

Hm? O-oh, it wasn't anything special, really. I met a young man who lived with Steven Stone who was pleasant company and Archie apologized again for what he had said to me previously. [ It doesn't occur to her that Nanu doesn't know about that incident because she'd kept it to herself. ] I... unfortunately ran into Mr. Guzma, though. I... I'd rather not see him again, if possible.

[ Her voice is strained and embarrassed. Not just because of how he talked about Nanu or her feelings toward him, but Little Miss No Personality had struck her harder than expected. Still, she smiles through it all. As ever. ]

[Unfortunately, her pleased moment goes unnoticed, clouded by his weariness and an errant yawn. He shows no sign of letting go of her hand anytime soon, though, content to walk hand-in-hand on their way home from this half-sabotaged night.]

[Masking her next statements does catch his attention, though, and he turns to her with a puzzled, furrowed. He stumbles over one name as the other is revealed, and his hand in hers tightens instinctually and subconsciously. And he's got a look in his eye that can tell her he was already displeased with them even before she spoke.]

Ar-- What did Archie say to you? [Then; lower, darker, knowing,] What did Guzma say to you?

[ It is unfortunate because she was feeling quite good for a passing moment. But being with Nanu like this is really pleasant. The air's cool, the scenery is lovely, and he looks more handsome than she imagines he'll give himself credit for. ]

...it's alright. I think he doesn't think much before he speaks, but he was genuinely apologetic. I'm over what he's said now. [ But she doesn't address that part in terms of what Guzma has. ] As for... the latter, I'm afraid I'm embarrassed to say. There were a few things, but he... [ Seems to think my feelings for you are based on something silly? No. Not just that. ] I... I'm not without a personality, am I?

[ She looks ahead while walking, her head just slightly ducked while feeling increasingly embarrassed. It hit her hard for a reason where other words hadn't cut her so harshly or dug into her the same way. ]

[Though he's curious, he won't pry any more than what she's comfortable telling him - unless, of course, she dwells on it far longer than indicated and he finds out about it. Just before he can reply in commiseration from having encountered the drunken idiot himself, she asks the question. And by turning to look at her, he can tell she's more than a little bothered by the topic.]

[His disdain for Guzma is turning into anger.]

What? Did he tell you that? [Irritation clear in his voice, though he tones it down as he continues.] Of course not. You have more personality than he does foolish remarks.

[So, tons.]

...You don't believe him, do you?

[ She's glad he doesn't because she would have to say what it really and truly does mean, those accusations he's had. But now... saying it out loud is nerve-wracking, really. She wants him to know how she feels, but not how Guzma thinks she does. Anabel doesn't want the basis to be his accusations. Still calm, she shakes her head and laughs a little. ]

Ah, he did... it shouldn't bother me, but then I think... the way I speak I suppose is somewhat... no, it's genuinely too serious even when I'm making jokes. [ Her face is red in a combination of embarrassment and amusement and... a few other things she's not ready to face. ] I don't understand why he feels the need to harass me so. The other things, the very basic parts, I suppose he's not incorrect? But not his suggestion specifically. That's not right.

[ But that she likes Nanu... ]

[It's also that Nanu already has more than an inkling of what Guzma antagonized her about. At least, at first - he hadn't expected an insult like that. No, that's not true; he hadn't expected an insult from Guzma to actually bother Anabel like this. He lightly squeezes her hand.]

That is your personality, not proof of a lack of. [He scoffs, not at her reaction but at Guzma's line of thinking.] Tell me you verbally ripped him a new one. That's one of your best specialties.

[You know...of your personality.]

[Then, a pause, as he mulls over the rest of what she's told him. Nanu nearly grimaces in realization that they were both targets of the same line of..."questioning".]

Unfortunately you're not the only person he harassed... like that.

[ The only thing is she did just say that he wasn't incorrect. So the question is if Nanu's intuition on that question is right or if it was something else. And what it means if his intuition was right... ]

I do not know about that, but it shouldn't matter what he thinks anyway. I don't understand why the things he says bothers me so; it shouldn't matter what he thinks. [ She laughs, somewhere between amused and an odd amount of self-depreciation. ] Oh... I think I might have hit him a little too hard. I will have to check on him. I worry I may have broken skin...

[ She silently clears her throat, swallowing around nothing. ]

I-is that so? I do hope he didn't bother you nearly as much as he did me.

[ Had he told Nanu that she liked him? Had he said it the way that he had to her? Or was it even worse? ]

You're right, it shouldn't. He lives to antagonize. You have a hell of a personality. [He lightly squeezes her hand after pointedly saying so. Maybe if he says the opposite, it'll override what Guzma said and she'll believe Nanu instead.]

[He huffs a small chuckle when she mentions her retaliation, hoping it's as he imagined rather than just a joke during a tense conversation. It quickly dies down as Anabel continues, and turns into a sigh.]

He was pretty drunk. [As if that made it, what, better? Worse? When he pauses, he knows they both know what the punk antagonized them both about.] ...I managed to turn it around on him. So I guess that's double points for us.

[ha...ha?]

[ She has to believe Nanu. It's sort of just how things go. Bare hand to bare hand, the squeeze feels different -- perhaps because it's also a new thing, but still very... new and odd. But a good odd. Perhaps even a wonderful one? She turns just slightly toward him to smile, face flushed from the confession of violence, something she isn't known for. She doesn't really have much of a temper, either. ]

Hm, I'm not sure how drunk he was when he spoke to me. Beside that, he'd approached me the same way previously sober. He also, ah... how do I phrase it? Made a pass at me? I declined and he retaliated by saying he held no interest in someone without a personality. [ He obviously said it in a very different way, though, of course. ] I dislike him, Nanu.

[ She says it simple and plain. ]

[If she doesn't, he'll keep trying. Maybe not now, but he's going to keep an eye on her mood somewhat. Guzma really knows how to royally fuck things up, and Nanu suddenly regrets not getting back at him enough tonight.]

[...Especially since he clearly pestered them both about the same topic.]

He what. [His voice goes flat after she says he made a pass, mouth shifting from a thin line to a deep scowl. He almost stops in his tracks entirely. But he doesn't, because Anabel rebuked him (something he wishes he witnessed, to be honest), and that regret of his skyrockets.]

[Her last remark gets him to snort, at least. It's so blunt he can't help but be amused.]

No one does. [No one here, at least.] Like I said. He's got a big mouth and all it does is Gunk Shot everyone he comes in contact with. Especially when they prove to be completely unimpressed.

If there's anyone's words you shouldn't take to heart, it's his.

[ She'll be fine overall, but it's a rather jarring experience. She'd never done anything to him nor had she shown any interest in anyone here or back home. If anything, she'd shown the opposite of interest in romance so it feels very cruel for the only time someone does this for it to be... this.

Anabel places a hand to the side of her face, back of her nails brushing her cheek and shifting between the stray strand of her hair before tucking it behind an ear. It's a self-conscious gesture as much as any she's displayed this evening. ]

I have noticed this. [ Still uncomfortable, but slowly shifting to more normal if not soft and pleasant. ] I am not sure what his goal was overall. I wouldn't have thought to be his... type. Perhaps he's more lonely than he lets on, considering he's done nothing but made it clear he despises everything about me and still approached me in such a way. I pity him.

[ She expects Nanu to comment on that, suggesting he doesn't deserve it. ]

...I imagine your evening was slightly better in comparison?

[And as they both know, "cruel" is Guzma's M.O. Not that it makes this any better, but at least it gives a reason behind his stupidity. Nanu's going to be simmering about it for a while, and Guzma better watch out the next time they meet.]

You aren't. I don't even think he's capable of having a "type". He was trying to get a rise out of you. [...a pause...where he realizes what he just implied...] He just can't stand anyone stronger than him, and you've got that in the bag. I wouldn't waste your pity.

[Almost like he read her mind or something.]

[When she gets to his part of the evening, though, he makes a sort of scoffing noise under his breath.]

You mean besides the punk's harassment? [He shrugs, mouth twisted into a slant.] You know how evenings like these go. One minute you're knocking a guy back for asking about your love life, the next you're being carried off and almost dropped in a decorative fountain.

[He's phrasing them as justified complaints, but there's still a little quirk to his mouth. If anything, maybe this will give Anabel a laugh and make her feel a mite better.]

Perhaps. I think there may be some truth in what I've said, though. He expects attention and kindness and understanding without making himself available for those things.

[ But she smiles softly at the compliment Nanu offers. It's kind of him to give her a little boost even now. ]

Ah. I see. Many people do seem to have found... romantic companions here, so they might just be curious. [ She doesn't want to sound curious, but it's there, in her voice. Like she wants to know what his answer was. ] ...ah. That's what happened.

[ Her lips are pursed, but faintly tugged upward. Almost sympathetic, in a way. ]

Well, I am glad tonight is over. Perhaps we should have a drink once we've made it home? If anything calls for it, I think tonight certainly has.

Edited (?small) 2018-09-17 19:47 (UTC)

I'll give you that he expects attention, but kindness? [He scoffs, shaking his head.] He only wants that when he's about to pull one over on somebody.

[Almost rolling his eyes, Nanu tries to put away the thought of Guzma heckling them both. Especially the subject matter. Unbeknownst to him, he's equally curious about how Anabel reacted - more specifically than she'd already outlined - but keeps his mouth shut. She seemed embarrassed for a reason, and he's not about to go digging.]

[Her nonchalance at his description of how his night went earns a hearty snort and an amused look in her direction.]

Someone almost threw me into the drink and you take that as just part of the night, huh? [He thinks about it (and past...assignments) for a minute, and chuckles.] Fair enough.

Yeah, I think tonight has warranted as much. [You don't have to ask him twice. And he'd much rather what they have at home than the drinks they offered at the festival...]

...Didn't start off bad, though.

I suppose you'd know better than I would. I can't say it's something I care to know the reality of any longer. I have given it effort and he has chosen to take advantage of it.

[ She's admittedly willing to drop this line of conversation entirely at this point for fear of him asking her about it all more specifically. She's not quite sure how she feels in earnest so she can't possibly give an answer that is honest, either.

(That's a lie and she knows it. Bold-faced, straight on and true.) ]

Well... at this point it seems the stranger something it is the more common it is. And you're well enough, aren't you? [ Her eyes flutter and she ducks her head, glancing sidelong at him. He really did clean up nice (so to speak) even after all the events of the night. She'd always thought he was an attractive man, but when had he become so handsome? It was just the attitude right now. The playfulness. That's all. Surely... ] I do not think it's ending too bad, either. But I suppose you'll need more proof before you make your decision.

[It's already forgotten.]

[For now. If Anabel brings it up ever again, he'll be sure the planned payback will be twice as punishing. But they're both eager to let this go for good reason, and so the subject is silenced.]

[He doesn't notice her - checking him out? - mostly because he's still amused, and the thought wouldn't cross his mind that she's doing so. He feels like hell and looks like hell. Man, he hopes he can clean up this suit enough to return it.]

Sure. Sableye did save the day when Electrode almost extended its self-destruct to all of us.

[Now he's just offering more details for the sake of it—Anabel talked about her night, and Nanu knows she appreciates it when he reciprocates. Also, it was fucking ridiculous. Irritated at Archie as he may be, the only person he can laugh at it with is right next to him. Holding his hand tight.]

We're leaving alone. That's already a plus. [He spares a half-joking glance behind them, as if to check for unwanted drunken followers.] But I'm willing to see how this ends up.

[ She laughs, albeit a little softly -- the kind of soft, awkward laugh that indicates she's not sure if it's alright to be laughing or not, even if Nanu seems to think it's fine and dandy. ]

It's nice that she's helping this time instead of making a mess. [ But it's said jokingly, like she knows just how loyal the gremlin can be as well as the rest of his team. ] Although I have to wonder how that almost happened, somehow I suspect it must tie in with the rest of your unfortunate evening... but I suppose you're right.

[ His phrasing has her flush, however. Had he thought she might end up returning home with someone? She can't imagine anyone being interested in her like that, but more specifically... even she can figure out her own thoughts are ludicrous. If he wasn't teasing her about that -- which was possible -- she knows it's just her mind running too fast. Perhaps it was the champagne? No, surely it was the champagne.

At least they're closer to home now. ]

Are you suggesting I might make this evening turn around? Or are you suggesting that I may make it worse?

[Yeah. That's a valid response. It's nice to hear all the same, though.]

Archie got drunk.

[That's probably still not sufficient enough, but the more confusing it is, the more amused he gets. Either way the walk home is pleasant and a thousand times better than how the night ended up. He really wasn't kidding when he said he should never have split up from her, but hindsight is always 20/20.]

[Really, Nanu had just meant in general; being able to break away from the festival pack as just them, instead of along with a steady stream of party-goers. The thought of Anabel bringing someone home doesn't even cross his mind. Of course, he's oblivious to his phrasing, as well as the flush on her face.]

Why, are you planning on making it worse? [still in a joking tone of course] I think I can trust you.

That somehow explains a great deal with so few words. He wasn't that way when I had met with him, so it seems you must be somewhat unfortunate...

[ Still confusing as it lacks a true answer, but... it still feels perfectly valid considering the man in question. At least he seems to be in a better mood, both of them with a touch of pep in their step.

Maybe she's imagining it from him. ]

Hm... perhaps I could? But I'm afraid I'd need some planning were I to do something so heinous. Please allow me a raincheque on this one and I will do it some other time. [ It's not missed and it quells whatever nerves she'd had starting to create an uprising. If anything, she's perfectly content in this moment, so near to him. ] I do hope it wasn't too bad, though. I know that you wouldn't have gone if not for me.

Uh-huh. Somewhat.

[You know, that kind of 'somewhat unfortunate' where a drunk-off-his-ass pirate scoops you up unwillingly into his arms bridal-style to drop you in a freezing cold fountain. The uzhe'.]

[Still, Nanu is much better when it's just him and Anabel. He may not be as peppy as she is right now, but they're walking hand-in-hand without a peep from him about it, and he's got a smile on his face; all that counts for something.]

Alright, alright. But I expect it to be real nefarious in that case. [He's actually. A little curious to see what she can cook up. But given that they're joking with each other, he's not entirely serious, so he doesn't think she is, either. (famous last words)]

[There is a pause after her last comment, though. He ends it with a little shrug.] Well, it was my own fault for breaking off like that.

Well... perhaps a little more than that, but you are alright, aren't you?

[ Alright, so it could be worse or much weirder, sure. Sure, but Nanu was comfortable and safe so that's what is most important, right?

It definitely counts for something. She swings his hand ever-so slightly, relishing in the way his hand feels against hers, fingers splayed and dragged, tips against tips then tightened back over his knuckles. Strong hands, she thinks. They'd held her up for so long. ]

I'll do my best to meet your high expectations, I promise. [ Perhaps for now it's all a joke, but if there's one thing she did it was put everything into whatever it was she did. ] Hm, well neither of us could have expected the evening to be as strange as it was, could we? Perhaps it is worth making a note of for next time.

[ Already planning another time? You bet.

She leans into him slightly as trees surrounding them thicken and the lights of the city fade more and more. They aren't too far from home now and it's perfectly safe, but it feels like a good time to do this. ]

I'm standing.

[Even if he had been dunked—even if he had gotten into a bar fight and met back up with Anabel bruised and bleeding, Nanu still would have written it off as no big deal. Partly to downplay a bad situation to her, but also because that's just who he is.]

[He almost cracks a comment when she swings their hands, but manages to hold back. She's almost giddy; or, at least, the closest he's seen her get to it. It doesn't take much for him to bet she's had some of the special drinks available at the festival. (And yet she wants to drink more?)]

Yeah, well, "next time" we won't be singled out.

[Whether or not that would make it easier for someone like Guzma, though... Well, at this point, they may as well have their pokémon as backup baring their teeth.]

[He doesn't mind when she leans into him. Briefly, the thought of separating their hands so he could put his arm around her shoulders goes through his mind... but ultimately, he doesn't. Their home coming into plain sight is the excuse he uses for himself.]

[When they finally arrive, he reaches out to hold the door open for her. Silently, but with a quirk of his mouth, like he knows what she might be thinking of the gesture despite his usual nature. And as they both officially come back home, he lets out a big sigh.]

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pérfécto 👌

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checking him out i swear

was that w r o n g

100% right

👀

o-oh

1👀%

i told you, you're emoji queen

you enable me

only because you're the best at it!!

👁️ am i 👁️

THOSE ARE THE WORST

what 👃 are

WHAT

is there some👄thing wrong