dahlia witnesses the shouting match as she steps out of a conference room. a binder barely fits in her white-sleeved arms. post-it flags jut out from the stacks within, angled outward like plants in frantic growth.

she moves close to andy, extending the rigid arm holding her binder like a bulwark.

"andy, right?" she knew that a boy by his name had a scheduled appointment here. "let's get out of here." a scolding glance is shot at those who fail to control their tongues.

"i know you just came out of a meeting but," dahlia lifts her finger as she attempts to shuttle him away into a nearby hallway, "think of this as a treat. are you in?"

Andy Blackadder

dahlia forces a smile with every expletive that fires out from her company's mouth. she wonders if the gengar cusses too, in its own ghostly language.

it's not as if she is a linguistic saint; however, there is a time and place for everything. mach bikes to be ridden on cycling paths and uncouth conversation to be stilled in government buildings.

as she opens the door to vacant conference room, dahlia allows him to move in first should he desire. the door and room is glass with the option of scrolling blinds for privacy.

with her elbow pressed against the door she whispers, "it might be a good idea to be a little, let's see... gentle when in these places. a good impression goes a long way."

Andy Blackadder

"it's just for transparency. if you're uncomfortable, we can close the blinds." dahlia says.

she takes her seat, the black mesh of her chair disappearing behind her white coat. folding her legs, dahlia allows the chair to slide ever so briefly while she gets comfortable. she does not take the furthest one. instead, she opts for a chair closer toward the middle.

finally, the commissioner answers his poetics with a slight smile. "it's not dishonesty. it's just common courtesy." dahlia gestures to a chair. several line the long conference table. "if you want to sit."

she sets her hands on her lap, fingers refusing to pluck away stray bangs.

"even people and pokemon who live in the jungle follow certain rules."

Andy Blackadder

"boss lady." dahlia repeats, rolling the words with her tongue as they tickle her to laugh. "are you really that busy? i just wanted to make sure you didn't leave on a sour note."

several league officials, clad in blacks and dress shoes, march past. the hallways echo dryly with their foot falls. she frowns as her gaze trails their ankles.

"and to tell you i'll be reprimanding the ones cussing you out." the clock ticks above them. the hands are shaped like hoothoot eyes and brows. "but more importantly," dahlia says, "are you okay? i may have my own concerns revolving your involvement on the battlefield, but they center more around your well-being than your recklessness."

Andy Blackadder

dahlia is quiet. utterances, not interjections, come soft to communicate understanding— or some sense of listening, as she hums and nods her head like a watercolor paintbrush.

"lilycove has suffered, but the flooding subsided as soon as kyogre disappeared," dahlia says quickly, "just letting you know, in case you were worried about anyone there."

if andy leans back, dahlia slouches forward. her shoulders lose their stiffness. lines become gaussian as the fabrics of her clothes wrinkle.

"well andy, it seems like you got the short end of the stick. the short end of several sticks." dahlia inhales: a breath steady enough for both of them. "what do you want the most right now? how can we make this better for you?"

she hums.

"i don't think a cell would help you with what you're going through right now."

Andy Blackadder

dahlia's humming fades into the quietest tremolo underneath andy's harangue. there is no lack of focus, no fatigue of the day settling in underneath her eyes or on their lids. andy's articulate anger is enough to draw any adult's attention— and in a way, she found it entertaining.

"i'll see what i can do." dahlia says. "i'm not too certain about the excrement portion of your request, but i'll talk to him." she leans back in her chair, shoes pressed firmly on to the office's floor. "there is the possibility he's just expressing his concern. after all, this region is dangerous. he knows that firsthand."

fernando did a number on him, dahlia thinks. preemptively, she bids farewell to any chance of the silph heir having an heir of his own.

"and now you do too."

Andy Blackadder

dahlia's facetiousness is lost on him. not that it matters, for their worlds spin at entirely different speeds. different angles. still, their spheres are close enough.

"no expression of gratitude is necessary." dahlia says, producing small black wallet. "it's part of my job." her fingers pry it open before tickling through wrinkled receipts.

"here." she plucks a gift card and extends it to andy. "you'll get a free item off of the cafe's menu downstairs. they serve poffins there too. you two might enjoy the bluk berry kind."

Andy Blackadder