... ugh. he'd scratch at his cheek as she'd admit her own desire to spend some more time with him with a soft blush on her face, feeling a bit of heat searing his own features due to the romantic undertones they've been sitting on all day. how troublesome ... yet, he didn't seem to be bothered. ⤵️

" ... " was she giving him her number? 💧 it was hard to discern her intent with her awkward stammering, but ... it'd be pretty nice to have somebody to talk to on that level. the syndicate was family, but ... ... ahem. " of course. i'm sure i'll call you, emma. no need to be shy. " ⤵️

" ... " it surprised him, a little. she was so standoffish about him at first, but ... he preferred it this way. it was better to have friends than enemies generally, but ... knowing she's been through the same ringer that he's been made the idea a little more cumbersome. to put it lightly. ⤵️

" . . . " he'd stare at her for a moment or two as she comforted him, not expecting the sensation of her patting his back ; as small as it was. his attention soon turned forward as she continued to speak, lenses glossing over as he'd look out the window of her office space. " thank you. " ⤵️

“ i suppose so. “ it felt like forever ago that he was on the streets of lumiose, fending for himself. he owed everything to lysandre, and despite everything, he vowed to pay him back one day. but … that day came and went. he had decided the best way to repay him was to… simply to continue on. ⤵️

“ … maybe. “ he thinks aloud. he could definitely meet again with the man he idolized so much growing up, but … somehow, he doubts it, at the same time. and maybe it might be for the best that way, too. he needed to move on, and … seeing him one last time, even from afar … ⤵️

“ that’s interesting. “ he chuckled a little — not to make fun of her upbringing, or anything. no, quite the opposite. he saw a lot of himself in that story of hers. “ there’s no judgement here. in fact, lysandre … at least, the man he was … i owe everything to him. “ he looks off wistfully. ⤵️

“ … huh. “ the story genuinely surprised him — such a thing would wound anybody else beyond repair, something time wouldn’t ever heal … with the way team flare was viewed among lumiose citizens. it was easy to forget that team flare was once a force of good, before … well. it need not be said. ⤵️

no halloween celebration for him. much too busy keeping things ... "friendly" enough for the holiday. c: desegnajo649 on twitter.

" ... are you taking mimi trick or treating? "

〔 happy halloween ! ㅤshe's not dressing up . . but she dressed mimi up ! ㅤjust in a little trench coat , like a true detective. 〕

“ … i see. i had no idea you were ex-flare. “ he spoke calmly, as if the fact didn’t bother him. most people would jump at that fact, or even begin to distrust her … but such a thing didn’t seem to really bother him at all. after all, lysandre … ⤵️

“ hmm .. “ he’d peer around the office now — scanning for both anything interesting to denote … or, mimi. while he spots the lavender little thing run behind the chair, he’d decided it was best if she came out on her own terms. can’t force a pokémon. no, he was interested in these pictures … ⤵️

" you say that like i'll be over often. " likely just a general statement, but ... it did come off a little strange, all things considered. but, he was in no real place to question it as she began to open the door to the bureau, allowing him inside for just a moment. it was roomy, but ... ⤵️

⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ POKéMON MASTER.

" i see. " so, she had a hard upbringing. she was hardly that old, but ... it put some of her previous words into perspective. he nodded as he followed along, though -- it didn't take much imagination for him to picture a life on lumiose's streets. after all, it was only so long ago ... ⤵️

“ i’m not going to touch anything, you know. “ mimi, huh? he knew she was a trainer in her own right, but that seemed more like a companion than anything. he thought for a brief moment if the espurr would tolerate him, but … why did that even matter? he continued following, shaking the idea. ⤵️

“ no, i’d love to. “ he considered saying he had nothing else occupying his schedule, but … that felt a little demeaning. he pushes in his chair now after writing up the bill, before following her out of the café. it might make that odd tension worse, but … it felt right this way. ⤵️

“ … i did too. “ he’d calmly admit — not letting himself linger for any longer than he should. this was a good way to get himself into a mess, but … he couldn’t help but be a little disappointed she was already going. he can’t really stop her though, can he? but … “ how about i walk you back? “ ⤵️

hmm … he decides mint might be the best bet — taking one, and motioning it towards the big ol’ bug.

as she let that escape, he also looked a bit shocked. emma was very much in a tiff to keep their relationship strictly professional … so hearing her ask that in that tone of voice was something, alright. he'd adjust his frames as she'd stammer on her own question, as if trying to find his answer. ⤵️

" so soon? " he'd chime, tilting his head. it felt like they'd only just gotten started, plus ... that was hardly a rest, he thought. not like he felt disappointed, he told himself. but in truth, he was a little bummed that she got up so soon. maybe she got nervous about that idea. ⤵️

" i suppose there is a sense of humor to it. " he'd chuckle. she was right, at any moment, they could turn their sights on the other as a threat, but ... it likely wouldn't come to that, he thought. he had his own sensibilities. even from a business standpoint, to put her under fire … ⤵️

" i wouldn't say that. " he'd chuckle to himself -- it was a bit dangerous, wasn't it? he did have some shady operations under the hood, so it wouldn't be a shock if she got the smoking gun on her desk one day. ... but until then, they were something akin to friends. it felt odd to say that. ⤵️

" that's part of it. " he'd joke back, but his attention turned upward as she'd begin to reflect on her opinion of him. his head turned to the side somewhat as she'd explain, but ... it was a little odd of him, wasn't it? he should have other things to do, theoretically … and yet, here he was. ⤵️

" it's a favorite spot of mine. " he sips his own blend, a more composed reaction ... simply glancing down at the cup, before placing it back down. but, it was true. his nice side was a bit of a rarity -- until his favorite trainer came along, he had a fearsome image. he still does, but ... ⤵️

" no wonder you're hesitant. " he'd speak soon after, as the teas were left on their table. the looker bureau had been there for a while, but … he'd never known the previous owner. must be the person she's speaking about. it's wrong to bug her about this sort of a topic. it seems hard for her. ⤵️

“ i see. “ he noted, having listened carefully. so it not like she wasn’t actually interested in the idea, more so that she didn’t want to ‘replace’ them, in a sense. noble, but … surely they’d be okay with such a thing, right? “ that makes sense. It’s a special place to you, right? “ ⤵️

“ i’d have thought you’d be looking for a partner. you’ve been running that bureau alone for quite some time, haven’t you? “ he tilted his head, unaware of her upbringing — her mentor kept a pretty low profile, so the looker bureau only recently became notable. especially after the incident … ⤵️

hard to say. he never usually spoils him …

“ tempting, but no. that work is best left in the hands of the professionals. “ he tries to imagine the concept of anybody beyond phillipe handling a sensitive case … and he can’t help but stifle a chuckle. “ as much as i’d love to divert some manpower … i don’t think they have the brainpower. “ ⤵️

he’s feeding scolipede some pastries from a bag. the bug pokémon seems almost addicted …

" my usual, thank you. " he'd comment to the waitress, who would nod as she made her way to the back of the establishment. his attention followed the waitress for a moment, before turning back to emma. " ... so. what HAS been keeping you so busy? " he questioned, hands folding into his lap. ⤵️

june. i’ll probably start looking for people to follow over the weekend i usually like my humble little accounts but i should engage more teehee

“ ah. “ he motions a hand out, as if to scold her for daring to think she might pay for this outing, even just for her own portion. “ i invited you out, so i’ll be paying. “ as generic as it was for him to pay for the brunch, he seemed the type to cover for others. … he is a big tipper, so. ⤵️

" it's better for you than coffee. " he'd remark, as if he knew what was running through her head. the last thing she really needed was another cup ... it's no mystery that she's one of the nouveau truck's most regular customers. " ... besides. variety is the spice of life. you might like it. " ⤵️

... unexpected. but he lets out a soft, almost inaudible chuckle as she humbly complimented him, retreating back into the menu soon after. " you're positive this isn't a date? " he'd shoot, knowing it'd set her off a little ; before he'd immediately flash a smirk. " joking. " ⤵️

surprise. that's what it was. although she definitely knew how to dress -- obviously. she lives in lumiose. he cleared his throat, before going back to his typical formal position. " come now, i'm not that clingy. " he'd joke, before turning toward the cafe itself ; eyes still fixated. ⤵️

" ah, there you are. " he'd look up, watching her approach from the distance. her normally iconic attire was missing though, surprisingly! everybody knew her for that expansion suit she was so proud of, and it seemed to be missing ... how strange. but as she got closer, he'd realize something. ⤵️

he had his ways around tricks like that. if he occupies her time, then she'll forget about it. she had her quirks herself, seemingly ... " then, i'll see you in an hour or so. " as such, he lets her go. but they link up again at the specified time, corbeau standing infront of café pokémon-amie … ⤵️

" exactly. it's a date for business' sake. " he crosses his arms. she could act a little childish when she wanted to be ... " you can work better when you're well rested. i learned that pretty quick. " sigh. " those paper clips aren't going anywhere. "

" hm? " he glances back as she suddenly explodes into a stammer, practically panicked at the idea. " oh, come now. it's a date, no matter the intention behind it. there's nothing to be embarrassed about. " yeah, but that's like the fabled word for someone like her.

" sure. " he's going to have his men grab those paper clips for her. seems pointless to drag yourself around town for something so simple. she's not really the lying type, so. " then, i suppose it's a date. " he'll come up with which cafe to take her to. " sound good? "

" i'm not asking. " still blocking her ... " wouldn't it be nice to take a day off and visit a nice cafe? hm? " goodness knows how long it's been since she'd done that. she gets a roast from the coffee trucks and just goes about her day, normally. " i'm sure you'd like some sweets. " bribery.

" the details are that you need to take a break from work. " squints back. " the more you work yourself, the more tired you get. would you like to spend your whole weekend being even more exhausted than you are today? " ... " i assume not. so, write this up as a case ... and take a break. "

" sure. " it was hard to imagine he'd pull something out of thin air like that, but ... looks like he was committing. " i have a case regarding one of the cafes here in lumiose. " ... it was just a ploy to get her to have some hot food, and maybe another cup of coffee.

to anybody else, it was certainly a "big deal". " ah. " arm blocks her from running off. " then, if i have a case for you, surely you'll listen? " what could he possibly be coming up with ...

" call it wrong to concern myself over one of our cities protectors. " it wasn't like he didn't care. she should just be simply doing her job, but ... she looks exhausted. anybody would be worried at the sight of her. " and no. what'll it take to make you take the day off? "

" give me a list, and i can have it done. " looks like he isn't shaking on that ... must be concerned seeing her practically zombified. " you're clearly overworking yourself. " on what, he can't really imagine ... but, it's clear as day.

" you can hardly handle walking in a straight line. " crossing his arms. she certainly was stubborn ... " like i said -- i'll have someone bring you the supplies later. you just need paper clips, no? "