her response doesn't surprise him. for whatever reason, maybe through research or digging into her past, theo expects her to share similar sentiments.[break][break]

his head dips in a nod as he looks to the approaching tsareena.[break][break]

"it may surprise you to hear, but i don't agree with some of our methods either."[break][break]

the yamper in his arms cries out as carbink's PSYCHIC wraps around the tsareena, holding it in place for a STONE EDGE to slam into its side. with the wind knocked out of it, it falls to a pokeball.[break][break]

"how would you bring about change?"

[attr="class","ooc"]catching tsareena![break]
PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-carbink"]

Despite the pang of repudiation that sprung at her heart, she believed him.
[Break][break]
"Is that so..."
[Break][break]
Curling and uncurling her fingers, the woman gave the man a hard look before ever opening her mouth to respond. What was this, she wondered. For a second, she briefly wondered if this casual run-in was truly as coincidental as she had previously assumed it to be. Or, perhaps, if she was just another fly caught in rocket's web.
[Break][break]
"Holding those on top accountable. Educating the people on current events happening throughout the region. Amplifying the voice of people." She listed each one off on the tip of her fingers. "That's how I'd bring about change. Without violence."
[Break][break]
Despite her solid words and strong eyes, she knew, deep down, it wouldn't be enough. Historically speaking, massive governmental change are often crafted from the ashes of violent uprising. But she would never outwardly agree to that.
[Break][break]
Just then, at the tail end of her sentence, a head of white curls popped out from surrounding shrubbery. It bobbed, left and right, back and forth, as it approached the duo, eyes weary from exhaustion.
[Break][break]

Leaning down, Penelope uncurled her arms and gave the small pokemon a pat. "Hello there," she cooed. The flaaffy bleeped back at her, happy to finally be noticed. Sleek hands fished out a PokeBall from her back pocket, and with a soft tap at his nose, the sheep accepted it's new home.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] THEO BECKETT [break]

-catching my SHINY FLAAFFY TY SHIV AHDUSNZBWAK
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"and you've been doing just that. but i imagine your influence only spreads so far."[break][break]

no need to imagine when he's seen it. how her articles gain traction yet little usually comes from them. people are too complacent; people need a push.[break][break]

the cries of a toxel signal the end of a battle as a pokeball is thrown its way.[break][break]

"how would you like a bigger reach?"

[attr="class","ooc"]catching toxel![break]
PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-carbink"]

The Rocket's words carried more weight than he might've realized. For years Penelope, has struggled with the limited outreach of HBS'articles and broadcasts. It's what separated them from the multi-million dollar HNN. She would tell herself that it'd come in time, and how the difference between the companies' perceived prestige would topple eventually. But, how long could she keep quelling these doubts?
[break][break]
Interested, she hid behind a brief pause and took a second to recollect her thoughts. Only after did she dare return with a simple, "What are you suggesting?"
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] THEO BECKETT[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

a DRAGON TAIL slams into a nearby tree, shaking it entirely as a helioptile engages in what theo assumes to be training. whatever the reason, a STONE EDGE and a pokeball is quick to follow.[break][break]

this conversation demands his full attention.[break][break]

"come work for us."[break][break]

the offer is simple.[break][break]

"you'll have access to our network in kanto along with what we've established here. you'll amplify the voice of people, educate the region, and hold those on top accountable."

[attr="class","ooc"]catching helioptile![break]
PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-carbink"]

Somehow, she expected more than just some second-rate recruitment attempt. What was she, a senior in high school in need of college tuition?

[break][break]

But still...

[break][break]

There was no hiding the desirability of the organization's capabilities. Outreach, coverage, and a real leg to stand on -- it would take her work to the next level. And, with that, she'd be one step closer to fulfilling that promise. To finally make amends with Evelyn's passing...

[break][break]

"I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline."

[break][break]

In the same vein, she couldn't help but recall the aftermath of Littleroot's fire. The stories of its victims were scorched in the back of her head, alongside those of countless other distraught families who've felt the similar sting of Rocket's merciless hands. How could she hold the likes of FERNANDO SILPH and MATIAS SILPH accountable after bloodying her very own hands herself?

[break][break]
"I'm not too fond of turning myself into a hypocrite."
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] THEO BECKETT[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"you wouldn't be." he states. "your hands would be clean."[break][break]

because it's not like she'll be committing these vile acts everyone associates with rocket. no, they'll be left to the regular members. she'll be special.[break][break]

"think of all the good you could do. all the lives you could change. things you'll never achieve with hbs."[break][break]

harsh, but possibly true.[break][break]

"hnn will continue to dominate and soon you'll be left with nothing."

[attr="class","ooc"]catching helioptile![break]
PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-carbink"]

"your hands would be clean."
[break][break]

In the same way corrupt judges remain blameless? They didn't pull the trigger, they just excused the ones who did. Or, would it mirror the way politicians remain guileless despite being funneled countless dollars from lobbyist groups hellbent on placing profits over Hoenn?
[break][break]

And yet...
[break][break]

His words only further deepened the fresh wound he'd already exposed. Did she choose wrong? Was HBS the wrong path to take? It was hard swallowing down these types of questions when they're so tightly tethered to the main driver motivating you forward. Evelyn -- what would she think?
[break][break]

Maintaining stoic composure proved difficult when battling one's own moral gray line. Browse furrowing, she offered, for the second time that conversation, a curious expression.
[break][break]

"...When you said you disagreed with some of Rocket's methods, what did you mean by that exactly?"


[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] THEO BECKETT[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

his words seep through — he sees it; sees how she's processing and possibly second-guessing.[break][break]

"our hands are too dirty to preach otherwise. we should accept our sins, own them, then ask for acceptance."[break][break]

never forgiveness. it seems too big an ask.[break][break]

"our approach should be exposure. truth above all else, no matter how bad it makes people look. us included."

[attr="class","ooc"]catching helioptile![break]
PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-carbink"]

His words only further deepened the fresh wound of contemplation. He was right; there was no forgiveness to be given for the cruel acts they committed. Only acceptance in that it was for the best.
[break][break]
Uncertainty is a fickle creature to tame. Toeing the line of agreeance and refusal, she wondered if this was what CIAN MAHER meant back at Littleroot. Then, Penelope was rigid with her stance; the ends don't justify the means, no matter the situation. Now? The answer was hazier than ever.
[break][break]
Her eyes gave the dangerous man another long, cautious look.
[break][break]
The face he wore was a mask, tethered to his skin by obligation and loyalties that, she assumed, far outweighed the moralities of serving sweetened lies up on a platter. Whether she wanted to peel it back, or turn away was another question entirely, though, so she kept to the present instead.
[break][break]
Swallowing down her pride, she continued forward, the burden of honesty weighing down on her lips. "I agree."
[break][break]
From the sidelines, the mewling of a baby skiddo could be heard. Unfortunately for both Penelope and the vulnerable child, Garchomp's fangs still growled, and his claws urged him forward.
[break][break]
A cry of pain broke out, then howling. Turning away, she sent out a measly pokeball at the pokemon, unable to provide more aid than that.
[break][break]
"But I have to ask -- what are your plans for completing such a task, Mr Beckett?" Her brows raised, inquisitive. "I'm sure I don't have to remind you how reckless some of your people are. It's hard to maintain the image of positive change when you have masked individuals setting off forest fires and putting a target on their back."
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] THEO BECKETT [break]
- catching skiddo