The flutter of her stomach is only temporary, as the elite four was quick to ground the hopeful councilwoman with one simple assumption: he'd reach out only after he finds it. Alone.
[BREAK][break]
And, after hearing his questions of what she would do if he were to claim the Phoenix for himself, she couldn't help but press further into the issue.
[BREAK][BREAK]
"I appreciate that. But..." She forced herself to pause, taking a second to mull over the words before eventually airing out her thoughts, "I'd like to tag along -- if and when your plan involves visiting Mt chimney."
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] MATIAS SILPH [break]


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

his amusement is short-lived as he decides to air what continues to be left unsaid.[break][break]

he leans forward, voice lowering as though what is about to be said is meant for them and them alone.[break][break]

"just say you want moltres for yourself, penny. it's okay to want it."[break][break]

to want the power that comes with it.

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

Her eyes darkened.
[Break][break]
Part of her felt relief in his words -- maybe it was okay to want a bit of power for herself. After all, in everything she's done up until then, there was always a higher motive involved. An ultimate goal strung up by the mental image of "The Greater Good." But, another part of her felt nothing less than disdain towards these temptations. She wasn't an elite four member, or a gym leader, or even a trainer among the front lines -- what use would physical power even bring to them? Wouldn't it be selfish to take what could be another's?
[Break][break]
These conflicting thoughts were kept tucked neatly behind her pristine, councilwoman mask.
[Break][break]
"I don't need your permission," she wanted to say. But Penelope knew her audience too well to fire back. If the reports she'd read were true, it'd become a nightmare trying to persuad him into helping her then -- no, it was much better to bite down one's tongue.
[Break][break]
"I know." The lie easily slipped from her lips, shielding herself from the confliction that her eyes gave away. "But the needs of The League come first. Even if Moltres is looking for a patron, I'm sure there are better candidates out there. I know there are."
[Break][break]
Another pause, then a sigh. No good can come out from hiding everything, she reminded herself. At some point, she had to honest with not only herself, but the person she'd be sending to hunt the damn thing.
[Break][break]
"And I'm still trying to figure out what I want. Maybe it's Moltres, maybe it's something else -- I don't know yet."

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] MATIAS SILPH [break]


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

"ha! the needs of the league. spoken like a true politician."[break][break]

he barks out a laugh even if it is tiring to speak to someone who presents themselves in a different light.[break][break]

"well, you better figure it out because when we do find it and you're still not sure, odds are it's just going to ignore you."[break][break]

leaning back, he offers a plain shrug.[break][break]

"who knows? maybe it'll pick me after all. from one silph to another."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

"Maybe," she shrugged, settling her lips back into a smile, "Or maybe your presence will only help chase it into my arms."
[break][break]

With a soft huff, the councilwoman finally rose from the leather chair.
[break][break]

"Well, that's all I wanted to talk about, so I'll be getting back to work. Thank you, by the way. I really appreciate your help on this."

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] MATIAS SILPH [break]


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

"which would be exactly what you're hoping for, hm?"[break][break]

in any case, finding moltres is ultimately inconsequential to him as he does not care about the kanto legendary the same way she does. what he does care about, however, will soon be revealed.[break][break]

"i would like something in return, by the way."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

There it was. Nothing came without a price.
[Break][break]
Smiling, she glanced down at him, her voice as colorful as the Aurora borealis.
[Break][break]
"Name your price, then."
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] MATIAS SILPH [break]


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

"information and resources."[break][break]

a floating wreath appears on his screen, lingering for no more than a few seconds before moving off to the side. one of the many holiday-themed screensavers.[break][break]

he tugs at his collar enough to reveal the crimson streaks embedded within his skin. this particular one traces along his collarbone.[break][break]

"i need to find more red shards."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

"Sure."
[break][break]

It wouldn't kill her to spare a few documents here and there. Besides, whatever he did with that information would be his business, not hers.
[break][break]

"Just let me know what you need and I'll send it over. "

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] MATIAS SILPH[break]


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

"perfect."[break][break]

conversation over. both parties will get what they want.[break][break]

"see you at chimney, then."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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