MARINATE

A BOND KINDLED LEFT OUT TO COOK

HIS PLANS ARE THE SAME AS ALWAYS. To adapt, prepare, and conquer. Nothing more, nothing less. It is through what manner he conducts his pattern that dictates the next course of action. For now, he prepares, using the vacation as a time to rest and allow the other game pieces to move around the board accordingly.

“Finish up my vacation in Lavaridge before resuming a full time post as a part of the council.”

9Y2bmeF9

HEAT POINTS: 714
Stormy Silph

"Do you have a place to stay?"

It seemed that a lot of people were vacationing in Lavaridge. Her question feels stupid, feels clumsy and she chalks it up to a slip of the tongue, a side effect of the alcohol. But it's been asked anyway, and she hesitates.

Of course he had a place to stay.

"Wait, what? You're retaking your job with the council? Why?"

|reCT2TQ

heat points: 6146

FERNANDO SILPH

MARINATE

A BOND KINDLED LEFT OUT TO COOK

“I’M STAYING HERE.”

The answer is as obvious as his tone. So matter-of-factly that it lacks the normal condescending boast he uses to lash out at her. Instead, he buries it by snatching the bottle from her and taking his turn.

“Because Orion Lykos has gone missing.”

He pauses.

“Because I do what I have to.”

iC4aZgwO

HEAT POINTS: 616
Stormy Silph

Her grip on the bottle is stronger than she realizes. When he snatches it from her, he pulls her forward in a sudden stumble that catches her off-guard.

"That makes sense."

But it doesn't satisfy.

Stormy stands in front of him, eyes wide and narrowing into concern. Orion was missing?

"Good."

He repeats something she's pretty sure she's said before, and the only natural thing she can think of is to repeat his own.

N|tK3vkp

heat points: 542

FERNANDO SILPH

MARINATE

A BOND KINDLED LEFT OUT TO COOK

IN ANY OTHER CONTEXT, he would’ve taken her approval as an insult to the former Councilman. As if he was unneeded and only served as a reason for Fernando to return. Which, truthfully, is what most will view his reinstatement as, but that’s not the sentiment he wants to pervade into League politics.

“Really? Why?”

He feels something tingle. Something pricking at his right elbow. He knows what it is but refuses to budge. Phantom pain proves annoying because only he knows of it. On the outside, nothing changes.

CjN7YpMp

HEAT POINTS: 518
Stormy Silph

"You're familiar and consistent, which is what we need-- what the council needs. You'll do whatever it takes."

Whatever is going on beneath the surface of his skin and his expression she doesn't see. Understanding Fernando is a puzzle in which one mistake often sent you back to the very beginning. Memorizing the path wasn't an option, as he changed the pattern every time you failed.

"I'm proud of you."

vA7wS8oe

heat points: 451

FERNANDO SILPH

MARINATE

A BOND KINDLED LEFT OUT TO COOK

HER COMPLIMENT RESTS ON THE HINGE OF HIS MIND. To have her reinforce the notion he doesn’t hear nearly enough sets his temper at ease. Is it lip service? Just a means for her to get what she wants? And, even if genuine, does that make it valid?

Questions and answers become murky, not unlike their bathwater. Riddled in the pasty white that undermines the minerals added, Fernando find his reputation pristine.

“What about you?”

tdzKwosy

HEAT POINTS: 452
Stormy Silph

Those were the questions of an anxious, insecure man. Questions that she couldn't answer if he didn't voice them out loud.

"What about me?"

She reaches for the bottle.

cjCfjZjM

heat points: 417

FERNANDO SILPH

MARINATE

A BOND KINDLED LEFT OUT TO COOK

IT CHANGES HANDS AS DO THEIR QUESTIONS. His grip is lax in comparison but somehow the gap continues to decrease. It becomes suffocating as their breath mingle visible. He blames the steam.

“Will you do whatever it takes?”

1zKb2KgW

HEAT POINTS: 388
Stormy Silph

"Yes."

The bottle returns to her, and he's shortened the distance further. Close enough to touch, but this time she doesn't dare. This time, she waits, takes a drink of the sake and holds onto the warmth it provides that extends past her super-heated skin.

"You know that I will."

nlvFuzYw

heat points: 318

FERNANDO SILPH

MARINATE

A BOND KINDLED LEFT OUT TO COOK

HER PATIENCE IS LEARNED. A stark contrast to the same woman who came into Hoenn demanding answers and accepting nothing short. Through persistent rebuttals, harsh scolding, and his own form of verbal abuse, he’s trained her into something more capable. Not perfect, but better.

It’s all he can ask for and more.

“Will you?”

There is doubt in his words. A doubt that need to be smothered. Proven wrong by all accounts of the word. Has she earned his trust?

Not quite.

Not yet.

WbEVC94w

HEAT POINTS: 367
Stormy Silph

"Yes."

She repeats herself and will continue to until he believes it.

She has never sought approval before-- but she's come to seek out his.

The doubt in his voice stings, but she doesn't flinch. She can't afford to.

"You set a difficult-- but not impossible-- standard, but I'll get there."

3PhZRB1R

heat points: 316

FERNANDO SILPH

MARINATE

A BOND KINDLED LEFT OUT TO COOK

“THEN PROVE IT.”

At the end of the day, Fernando is a Silph before all else. Before he is human, before his anointment under Tapu Fini, or his election as Coucil member, he is a Silph. The tried and true definition of his forefathers before him. The epitome of hubris unrealized.

So he requests the only metric that will prove she’s not a liar: results.

HBHcv4mt

HEAT POINTS: 318
Stormy Silph