though he does bite his tongue in an attempt to stifle his annoyance at Eva Morales's words, the attempt falls short. perhaps in a previous meeting he would've been able to but it's her recent connection with rayquaza that tips him over whether he realizes it or not.[break][break]

"the league loyal people that let rocket overrun their city? they'll be fine."[break][break]

and if not? he could not care less.[break][break]

Melody Miro's suggestion is met with an incredulous look, feigned if only to tease her.[break][break]

"so while you and callan are performing on the water luring them away, you want the three of us to break into the submarine by ourselves?"[break][break]

it fades quickly enough, fading after a chuckle and a grin.[break][break]

"i'm down. it's a good plan."

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

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

[attr="class","icon"]

"As good as a distraction as that may be for the people of Sootopolis," Katherine's words are firm and hard, the voice of royalty. Her eyes find Melody Miro first, lingering on the idol before flitting briefly towards Eva Morales and MATIAS SILPH.
[break][break]
"Rocket is not stupid enough to think two elite four members showed up for just a concert. They'll know better. They'll be on high alert, and the submarine will be the first of their concerns," regardless of how one may want to spin it, her logic is sound. She knows that.
[break][break]
However, it's much less of a reprimand this time around and instead more of a reminder: Rocket can and will know better.
[break][break]
"Besides, why would there be civilians near the submarine if it really is Rocket's headquarters? They also wouldn't want them there."

[attr="class","bottom"]@ AQUA SUMMONS [break]

The conversation had drawn far passed her original back and forth with Katherine Fairburne to continue. It was a shame, given how there was more left to be said, but a productive meeting called to be more important at the moment.
[break][break]
For the most part, Penelope agreed with the general consensus of the meeting.
[break][break]
"I have to agree with Katherine Fairburne. A concert with two elite four members would garner too much suspicion."
[break][break]
There was absolutely no way Rocket was naive enough to bite into the coincidence of it all.
[break][break]
"And, if that happens, my best guess is that they would respond by closing their borders to prevent their citizens from leaving the city's walls."
[break][break]
Which would nullify their plan entirely.
[break][break]
"Regardless, attacking without making an effort to prevent the possible causalities of loyal citizens should be out of the question. It not only reflects poorly on The League's abilities, but also our promise of protection to our citizens," she reminded MATIAS SILPH, and anyone else who would've suggested moving forward without a given method of insurance.
[break][break]
It was then, in the end, she would offer a small gesture over to illeana reyes. Whenever the conversation revolving around Sootopolis was to conclude, she'd be ready to bring forth one last topic of interest.

[break][break]

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


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

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]her expression pinches into one of disdain at MATIAS SILPH 's unwillingness to consider civillians.

she mirrors Eva Morales in a similar air of disapproval.

"we ensure the safety of the civilians within sootopolis or we do not attack at all."

her voice is firm, unyielding.

"choose carefully, MATIAS SILPH ."

and she offers him no further attention, gears already shifting to the option Melody Miro presents. she's quiet as Katherine Fairburne and PENELOPE LIVY poke holes in the theory... but she still finds it sound enough to sink her teeth into.

"Melody Miro."

her eyes hone in on the elite four member.

"draft a plan of what you would like to do and submit it to myself or dahlia goode for review by the end of the week. i'll coordinate the attack once your plan is signed off on."

regardless, she looks to close this discussion with a certainty.

"the team striking the submarine will consist of six members with one or two personnel in headquarters running point. we will need to be prepared for retaliation at both the submarine and the concert itself."

a pause follows before she continues on.

"i will send out additional information to each of you in the following days after this meeting. for now, is there anything else you would like to bring to the table's attention?"

the floor stays open a little longer.

aqua.

"?[break][break]

choose carefully.[break][break]

choose carefully.[break][break]

it would've been so easy to just let the meeting conclude but there's something about the way illeana reyes is addressing all of them that doesn't sit well.[break][break]

so, he speaks up once more and directs his comments at the head professor. not soldier, not strategist, but professor. scientist.[break][break]

"i don't think you rank high enough to take the stance you're taking. what makes you think you're qualified enough to review the plan? to coordinate the attack?"[break][break]

she isn't.[break][break]

"someone else running point back in headquarters? that's rich. no, myself or kyle lopez or Katherine Fairburne will be running point in the field for reasons that should be clear to anyone who knows what they're doing."[break][break]

a hint of concern trickles into what he says next.[break][break]

"i'd be wary if i were you, illie. don't want others to think i'm in over my head, you know?"

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

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]she flashes a slow smile. it's practiced, as if she's rehearsed it over and over in the mirror since her demotion.

"you're correct, i do not rank high enough."

it is the only point she will allow MATIAS SILPH.

"as for qualifications, they do not outrank yours or anyone else's at this table, for that matter, but they were instrumental in the ultra beast war and recently at mt pyre. dahlia goode will have the final say of all plans formed within this room, rocket involved or otherwise."

it doesn't matter, however. the nagging voice in her head agrees with him.

"running point will be done by someone in headquarters with the submarine's schematics provided by CIAN MAHER for guidance... unless you have memorized the entirety of the rocket submarine's contents and can navigate them without any error?"

perhaps he can. she still doesn't trust it.

her smile widens a fraction. it hides what she looks to ignore, what she chooses to remain ignorant of.

"thank you for your advice, however, mr. silph. i will keep it in mind."

aqua.