WHY LIKE THIS?

WHEN YOU CAN BE THAT?

HER ANSWER LACKS COMMITMENT. Without resolve, he can neither corner her nor push her into a different corner. So, for now, he reclines into the safety of small talk. Another chance will come. No matter how much he twists the shape of her psyche, deep down, Lulu Flint is the same woman from before the MISTY TERRAIN.

She will always eat out of his hand.

“Congratulations,” he chimes in with a diminishing smile. It shapes into something more devious when he goes for another sip.

“That mean you have enough free time for the Hoenn Star Tournament?”

Lulu Flint

WHY LIKE THIS?

WHEN YOU CAN BE THAT?

UNDOUBTEDLY. There is not an event in Hoenn that Fernando doesn’t attend. The only exceptions are those that run concurrent. For all his talents, he is still one man.

For now.

“Maybe.”

He teeters on the idea of battling her. Of facing Lulu Flint in public and what that means for them. He snuffs it like any other fantasy.

The plague of reality sets in way too quickly.

“I expect you to win if you do.”

Lulu Flint

WHY LIKE THIS?

WHEN YOU CAN BE THAT?

WILL HE? Without question. Because Fernando does not compete for baseless prizes. Defeats creates humility and he embraces it in spades. His reputation is overexaggerated. At least that’s the look he goes for.

“Of course. Your win is my win,” he smirks with a hint of condescending pride, “And if you lose, you’ll never hear the end of it. So, I still win.”

Lulu Flint

WHY LIKE THIS?

WHEN YOU CAN BE THAT?

HER REMARK LEAVE HIM SPEECHLESS. Fernando looks genuinely surprised—her accomplishments leave him in awe. He dons the expression perfectly, a well crafted actor born from stomaching countless social events. There’s no sarcasm behind his body language, he dotes on her by being impressed.

“Wow. Two whole badges!”

Because he reserves his wits for words and their delivery.

“And here I thought I was capable. Tch. I only have twelve.”

Lulu Flint

WHY LIKE THIS?

WHEN YOU CAN BE THAT?

WHY DOES BATTLING INTEREST HIM? The answer is simple but it’s not one he can voice aloud. No one can understand that Fernando is more than just a man hellbent on progress. Behind the curvature of his destiny is a born hunter looking to sate his thirst for conquest.

When the Rocket invasion of Slateport settled and they took over, he engorged on their incompetence. The intensity of the situation, of always having to be ready and prone, to lash out at a moment’s notice—it’s an intoxication neither the alcohol they drink nor Lulu’s body can ever match.

But such an environment is unsustainable. So Fernando settles for the few vices that keep his blood flowing.

“Same as every other kid,” he scoffs. “Our world is built around it.”

He looks to her, worshipping her jawline behind a satisfied smile.

“And I like being at good at simple things that people are terrible at.”

Lulu Flint

WHY LIKE THIS?

WHEN YOU CAN BE THAT?

“OH?”

Fernando teases back with a leading question. His feet remain still but his mood wavers. Things transition from bold mockery and into giving into another round of pushing boundaries.

“I’ve been told I’m good at showering,” he passes off casually. It’s an inside joke that Slate won’t understand. He does so on purpose.

Lulu Flint