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your hands were still cold, it was hard to get used to the cold of jarilo-vi no matter how many times you slumped against an outdoor heater. you were a member of the ipc. technically, you weren't important to the ipc, just someone who wrote topaz's reports after she left a planet, but that was still part of the ipc.
the astral express was still visiting jarilo for its festival, parked just outside the belobog city limits on a newly crafted line of train tracks. the two that had spoken to topaz had only been preparing for the party, and now here you were, being told to stay on this planet for your report and to be able to interview every member of the astral express coming for the party.
you saw the loudest member, the one you spoke to first, a girl with light pink hair and a fancy ice-themed outfit. how could she be wearing so little covering with no way to warm herself? you are still pressed against the heater, despite needing to go and finish speaking with march 7th (you just remembered her name).
pulling yourself from the provider of warmth, you started a light jog to reach the astral express crew. you pulled your clipboard from under your jacket, flipping to the correct page as you got closer and closer to the voices in their group.
or, you would be getting closer, if you hadn't slammed face first into somebody.
you glance around, collecting each paper as they fly off into the jarilo-vi air. your clipboard is still intact, ignoring the small crack from the last time you dropped it, but the papers were crinkled from your panicked grip or floating away. you slumped back, knees and head sore from the fall, clipping your current papers back into place.
you're about to stand on your own when you see a hand extended. covered in a black glove, decorated with various small express colored stringing, and connected to a very attractive man. dark hair, teal eyes, and a very concerned expression.
"i'm extremely sorry, are you alright?" he asks as you take his hand, rising to your feet. in his other hand, he's holding a collection of papers, barely crinkled, your papers. he hands those over sheepishly. "that was my fault, i should've been paying attention."
"no, it's my fault. completely unfocused," you respond, shaking your head as you collect all the papers. "had my head down while i was running, and just ran into you."
you finally meet his eyes, standing on both feet, and find yourself captivated. the teal eyes, which are actually a little darker and a little bluer than a true teal, feel like a deep ocean. you didn't know the phrase 'lost in your eyes' could actually apply to reality. he seemed to be a little pinker than a couple seconds ago.
you sputter and step back suddenly. "thank you for picking up my papers, anyway!" you laugh awkwardly, nodding and waving your hands as you begin strolling backwards. "i-i've gotta go!"
you turn and speed walk away from the group. the black haired man just stands there, watching as you retreat, face a light red. you would have to interview him eventually, with your job and everything, but maybe you could do it over coffee and flowers?