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POSTED ON Feb 28, 2022 2:23:16 GMT

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LUKA CHENE

SPEED DATING #10

THE NIGHT starts to come to an end. time is of the essence and most participants have found an appropriate date to take home for the night. someone of fernando’s standing—here out of obligation rather than interest—finds no such thing. much to ANA STONE’s dismay, she will find herself strategically avoided as he floats away on the excuse of work and prior appointments.

the final pairing is met with a room wide announcement. the contest hall will close promptly as their date runs out. everyone is expected to clear out and exit accordingly.

despite this, fernando treats this date no different than the others. the only divergence is a look of familiarity.

he quirks a modest smile.

“good evening.”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
luka chêne

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POSTED ON Feb 28, 2022 5:07:08 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","honey"]

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Last minute strings are pulled, favors negotiated, and Luka finds herself in an audience with FERNANDO SILPH once again.[break][break]

It's a long shot, but the wheels of a plan are slowly turning. And opportunity is not a lengthy visitor. It would be foolish not to capitalize on the chance to collaborate with one of the most influential figures in Hoenn when she has the chance.[break][break]

Hands fold delicately in her lap and she holds herself with far more confidence than their first outing many months ago. Her smile is politely professional, but just as warm as the hand she extends to shake. On the back of her palm, a kiss from Remiel Calcifet still lingers.[break][break]

"It's nice to see you again, Monsieur Silph." For business, not pleasure. A songbird's trill remains behind closed doors.[break][break]

I'm sure you've had more than your share of pleasantries this evening," she continues with a wry smile, "So you won't mind if I get right to the point, will you?"
[break][break]

FERNANDO SILPH[break]Speed Date #10

[attr="class","bottom"]

[attr="class","name"]luka chêne

[attr="class","subtxt"]I don't know anything with certainty,[break]
But the sight of the stars makes me dream

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]
milky

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POSTED ON Feb 28, 2022 5:21:14 GMT

Elisabeth Fiorelli likes this

LUKA CHENE

SPEED DATING #10

“A PLEASURE—” he starts but never finishes. the assumption that his night ahs been anything more than work is as far gone as the chastity of a once under-utilized tongue.

aside from shooting the shit with kyle lopez, a one-off he doesn’t count as an actual date, only Elisabeth Fiorelli had captured something more akin to fun. the rest still dictated that he abide by a code of conduct.

the same applies to luka.

“go ahead.”

her confidence is met with a rigid posture. the same one that’s remained consistent throughout the night.

“i’m listening.”

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POSTED ON Feb 28, 2022 23:45:13 GMT

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Her elevator pitch is only half baked. Still, Luka smiles in thanks and clears her throat. To appeal to Fernando, she figures she has to be succinct but with enough detail to pique his interest— though without knowing much about the man's motivations, she's at quite the disadvantage.[break][break]

"I've been...asked to try and organize a League-sponsored event. And I'd like to pick your brain, if you'll let me."[break][break] kyle lopez had been vague on the details; something cute, he had specified, but other than that? The canvas is blank. But Lux Defort had given her the spark of an idea, one that she hopes Silph can help fan into a flame. Whether or not he decides to help is irrelevant; what she's after more than anything is his opinion.[break][break]

"You probably know that recent events around the region have damaged local ecosystems and displaced a lot of Pokemon. A ranger friend of mine has expressed some concerns with the lack of qualified Rangers as well. So I was thinking...that is, would the League be willing to sponsor an adoption event? It might attract potential new members to the rangers, and bring attention to the problems that certain groups have been causing in a...more subtle manner. And of course it'll be wonderful if we can match some Pokemon in need with new trainers."

[break][break]

FERNANDO SILPH[break]Speed Date #10

[attr="class","bottom"]

[attr="class","name"]luka chêne

[attr="class","subtxt"]I don't know anything with certainty,[break]
But the sight of the stars makes me dream

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]
milky

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silph

SIR

twenty-nine

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POSTED ON Mar 1, 2022 0:33:48 GMT

LUKA CHENE

SPEED DATING #10

“I SEE,” is his immediate answer. for a more thorough answer, she’ll have to wait several seconds. ideas visibly mull around his head as his mouth inverses into a soft scowl.

“in my experience, trainers that have less than six pokemon are rarer than avatars. this has become increasingly true as foreigners come to exploit hoenn for fame and fortune.”

a pause to sink in before probing further.

“how do you figure that giving these trainers more pokemon will benefit the pokemon as well as the league? if giving them a pokemon is what brings them into the rangers, are they really in it for the cause or because they were bought?”

but that doesn’t discount the inverse.

“and, should they be an outlier, how does giving them a single pokemon turn them into a qualified ranger?”

he clicks his tongue.

“awareness is an amicable goal, miss chene. i’ll admit that. but, you have to be a special kind of oblivious to be unaware of team rocket’s actions and the consistent dangers hoenn has faced in the past few years.”

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POSTED ON Mar 1, 2022 1:50:24 GMT

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Each passing second passes with bated breath, anxiety tingling into hands that are wrung under the table. She's not expecting ringing endorsement or high praise, but the silence is unbearable.[break][break]

"I understand where you're coming from," she says, taking a breath. "But I would hope that an adoption, rather than a giveaway, would attract those looking to help rather than wanting handouts. These Pokemon need constant care and companionship, not to be stuffed in a box and forgotten...and I think those kind enough to take on that responsibility would be ideal candidates as rangers!"[break][break]

And there, exposed, lays the root of the problem. It takes a special sort of bravery and even greater naivete to stay kind in a world made of cruelty. Perhaps the realities of Hoenn's crises haven't yet beaten her down hard enough.[break][break]

The flaws in a half-baked plan are easily exploited. Stubbornly, she digs her heels in.[break][break]

"I'm aware of that...but sometimes people don't realize the extent of the consequences until they're staring it in the face. T-the point isn't just to make people aware, but give them the incentive to want to stop any more damage. Motivation, you know? I'm not interested in blatant propaganda, but tugging at the heartstrings never hurts..."

[break][break]

FERNANDO SILPH[break]Speed Date #10

[attr="class","bottom"]

[attr="class","name"]luka chêne

[attr="class","subtxt"]I don't know anything with certainty,[break]
But the sight of the stars makes me dream

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]
milky

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silph

SIR

twenty-nine

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POWER IS TAKEN, NEVER GIVEN—SO TAKE WHAT YOU ARE OWED

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POSTED ON Mar 1, 2022 5:24:15 GMT

LUKA CHENE

SPEED DATING #10

“SCHEMATICS,” he dismisses when she corrects his terminology. he had picked ‘giveaway’ intentionally. no matter how in-character or well acted these trainers behave, in the end., they’re only here for one reason. free pokemon.

he’s been around long enough to see these pokemon reduced to trophies. fernando’s no exception. the only difference is that he recognizes his behavior and holds himself accountable. he makes no claims of love or affection for the dozen of pokemon that sit in silph co.’s lab. they’re employees. fed and raised in exchanged for specific services.

“what they need is to be rehabilitated back into the wild, where they belong.”

he clicks his tongue, leaning back.

“the reason why the rangers aren’t qualified isn’t because they lack kindness. they’re good people with good hearts.”

eye contact remains locked on. it never leaves or wavers. it pierces to reinforce his point.

“they lack raw skills: leadership, cohesion, battle prowess.”

there are exceptions, yes, and they sit at the top of his list. boruta maher and Laurence Anderson fit the last criteria without a doubt however—

“giving a pokemon a belly rub because it ate some bad berries may suffice in other regions but hoenn is dangerous.”

and he has the scars to prove it.

“if watching wild pokemon devour trainers and pokemon alike during the THREE DAY WAR doesn’t motivate them to stop damage, then nothing will.”

their time cuts short just as he’s about to go in on her. the ding causes everyone to shuffle from their seats but fernando remains planted. she asked for his opinion but he never really gave his.

“my opinion, miss chene, is that this is a cute idea. adorable, even. but it will not change the landscape of the ranger’s issues. at best, it will be a feel good event that allows those participating to feel like they’re making a difference while they blatantly ignore the same issues that have been plaguing hoenn from the start.”

the lights go out and they’re left alone at the table.

“so no, i will not support such an event.”

he rises to stand.

“but the league will. someone else will go around behind my back and parade this idea as a great way to invigorate our rangers.”

he smiles inwardly. solemn and defeated despite being the one to breaking her down.

“and then ask why the rangers are still having issues several months down the road.”

he waits for her. just because they disagree doesn't mean he won't escort her out. not when the contest hall is dark and deserted.

"so, in other words, i look forward to it."

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luka chêne

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POSTED ON Mar 1, 2022 6:12:30 GMT

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He breaks down each sentimental thought with surgical precision, dissecting her idea for a fluffy little event until it lays eviscerated on the table before them. Luka swallows, silent through the entire dressing down as her heart rises in her throat.[break][break]

"...Okay."[break][break]

Resigned and utterly defeated, she doesn't have it in her to put up a fight. Newfound confidence leaks out like air from a tire. Perhaps it's even more disappointing that she can't manage to defend her ideals, but what else can she say? Every argument sounds ridiculously childish in comparison.[break][break]

"Thank...t-thank you for your input, monsieur."[break][break]

There's a heartbreaking earnestness on her face as she thanks him. Doesn't cry, doesn't plead with him to change his mind. In light of the circumstances, perhaps this is the most elegant way to handle it.[break][break]

"You've, erm, given me a lot to think about. I'll take it into consideration." Her smile might be lost to the dim room, but it lingers as she allows herself to be escorted out of the darkness and back into the light.

[break][break]

FERNANDO SILPH[break]Speed Date #10

[attr="class","bottom"]

[attr="class","name"]luka chêne

[attr="class","subtxt"]I don't know anything with certainty,[break]
But the sight of the stars makes me dream

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]
milky

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