the question wasn't asked to incriminate but rather to learn more. sometimes, in the pursuit of knowledge, difficult questions must be asked and answered, this is something both of them know as scientists and as scholars.[break][break]

even so, he's glad that she doesn't snap his head off.[break][break]

"i see. and what changed in your life that made tapu lele decide to leave?"

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]well... what did change?

she can't fully pinpoint the cause. there was too many possibilities that day. and after a long silence, she finally breathes life into each concept.

"it could've been the injuries it sustained during the ultra beast war."

the injuries were too much for either of them to heal together. tapu lele needed to separate and take back its power to fully mend what had been broken.

"or, perhaps, i lost something in my life that amused it."

her relationship, maybe. tapu lele did have an odd sort of fascination with the way ALEXANDER STONE refused to trust it.

JAMES BAKER

"i see."[break][break]

his thoughts drift then, wondering why exactly did tapu lele decide not to return to her? why John Sullivan? and why wait that long or why do it in such a public fashion as opposed to the privacy of the flower field?[break][break]

some thoughts to consider for later. for now, he returns his attention to her.[break][break]

"i'm curious to know what your thoughts are in general on avatars."

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]her thoughts on avatars in general...

how long does he have?

"they're powerful anomalies."

simplification.

"god's chosen yet also god's cursed."

opinion.

"trainers look up to them, fear them, desire to be them."

fact.

"the power they hold is too enticing to not chase after."

personal.

JAMES BAKER

he agrees with everything she says, though curiously finds himself not wanting to fall into the same line as others. power, at least on that level, is not for him.[break][break]

"as someone who once had that power that people so often chase after..."[break][break]

he pauses.[break][break]

"...are you chasing after it again?"

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]"yes."

honest.

she doesn't shy away from the concept. there's no use. her recent reputation precedes her.

"loss of anything is a difficult thing to overcome."

her smile is sad in the way it curls.

"loss of power, of avatarship... now that can feel like losing an important part of yourself."

JAMES BAKER

"i can only imagine."[break][break]

his smile mirrors hers, sadness coating it, and though he can't exactly relate, he does sympathize.[break][break]

and of course, he hates seeing her or anyone sad, so he asks questions to maybe help remedy that.[break][break]

"are you close to finding it? is there anything i can do to help?"

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]her expression drops into one of neutrality. even then, the edges crave the sensation of a frown.

"no. i'm as close to finding it as i am losing it."

which, in a roundabout sort of way, means she's simply on the path. there's no telling where it leads. a dead end or success... either is entirely possible.

her smile returns faintly, existing as a ghost.

"it's okay, it'll happen if it's meant to."

otherwise, she'll drive herself bonkers.

JAMES BAKER

well past what he came here to talk about, he stops the recording on his phone and pockets it, smiling back up after to listen to her answer.[break][break]

"well, between you and me, i hope it happens."[break][break]

and with a smile, he packs up the rest of his things.[break][break]

"thank you for taking the time to see me today, professor. i've missed our chats."

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

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