[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]"technically, i was demoted."

it stings less now that she thinks about it but her smile falters a little regardless.

she holds it in place a little firmer, fingers forcing the expression to stay strong.

"i take orders from Eva Morales, the council, and dahlia goode. that's still being a follower, isn't it?"

or is she simply a means to an end? it doesn't matter but she wonders all the same.

ollie morales

"yeah, but you're still head scientist, aren't cha?"

[break][break] if memory served correctly. then again, ollie wasn't the smartest and he was sure that Eva Morales would have more insight about these types of things.

[break][break] "yeah, sure, sis over you but you know. my sister's real smart. but don't tell her i said that - she'll hold it over my head forever."

[break][break] he laughs.

[break][break] "you can still be a leader even when you take orders. sure, being in charge is important, but it's also something more than that. it's something - in your heart." he points to his chest. "and your perspective!"

[break][break] "leaders are people others look up to."

[break][break] "and you're head scientist. so people hafta look up to you!"

[break]

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]he's right: Eva Morales is the smartest person she knows.

it is, and always will be, an honor to work beside her. sometimes, she just wished she expressed it enough.

and she's torn between a smile and a frown, the end result being an awkward sort of expression.

"i don't really think i'm anyone to look up to."

not after what she's done. what she will still do.

she waves the concept out of the air with her hand before shifting to rise to her feet.

"you're right, though, it is a matter of perspective. i think mine needs adjusting before i can consider myself a leader."

finally, a small smile rises.

"but... thank you, ollie, i needed to hear that."

and she means it.

ollie morales

"sure!"

[break][break] ollie is as chipper as ever. an endless bound of enthusiasm no matter what happened. it almost made one wonder — what would happen if all that light was one day snuffed out?

[break][break] "i'll give you one tip, though, from one leader to another." he winks.

[break][break] this time, his face grows serious.

[break][break] he frowns.

[break][break] "if you don't have faith in yourself, there's no point. it's almost like an insult to everyone who's helped you climb up to this point. and an insult to yourself too."

[break][break]

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]his expression shifts into a more serious tone and she stares, eyes locked onto his.

and it's not something she hasn't heard before... the face is wrong, less stern and judgmental, but the sentiment is still the same.

"i'm struggling with faith in myself, truthfully."

she heaves out a little sigh.

"you're not the first one to tell me that, unfortunately, but it's a work in progress."

never-ending, it would seem.

ollie morales

"yeaaaah."

[break][break] ollie leans back, folding his hands over his head and leaning back onto them.

[break][break] "that kinda stuff is difficult for me too. we all have our moments."

[break][break] he grins.

[break][break] "but that's why you got me! and eva! and your friends. that's what friends are for."

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]"it is? it doesn't seem like you'd struggle with that."

in her eyes, he's walking sunshine. bright, bubbly, warm. even being near him makes you want to stay a while and simply bask in the glow.

she flashes a smile.

"true, very true!"

he's full of good points today, isn't he?

"it's hard to feel shitty with you and eva around."

ollie morales

laughter echoes in the space between them, hearty and true.

[break][break] "try growing up with older brothers and a little sister as brilliant as Eva Morales, and you'll see differently."

[break][break] a pause, before he adds.

[break][break] "plus, did you know the councilwoman is my ex-girlfriend?"

[break][break]

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]she lets out a tinkering sort of laugh.

"i dunno... that sounds kind of fun."

warm, comforting, welcoming.

she's jealous, in a way. being an only child had been hard growing up. it's even harder now, she realizes. there's a loneliness that never leaves her bones.

"oh, really?"

she blinks surprise out of her eyes like one does sleep.

"which one?"

ollie morales

"fun?"

[break][break] he asks, looking sideways as a trail of pidgeotto and pidgey fly overhead. they are caught in a psychic rift, disappearing into it's interior.

[break][break] "more like chaotic."

[break][break] ollie laughs.

[break][break] "mm," he hums. "guess!"

[break][break] his head tilts.

[break][break] "i guess you can ask a question if you want a hint."

[break]

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]"sometimes chaos can be nice."

it's better than being alone, she reasons, left to fill the hole in your chest cavity on your own.

and she pouts for a moment, as if the thought of this becoming a guessing game annoys her.

the expression quickly dissipates as a question forms.

"okay... um, what does this councilwoman oversee?"

there's only two options. it should be easy, perhaps.

ollie morales

he sputters a laugh.

[break][break] "you can't be serious, illie! you can't expect me to answer that. that's like, giving the whole answer away!"

[break][break] his sneakers kick against the ground.

[break][break] "nah, you gotta ask me something fun. liiike - " he puts a hand on his chin. "what kind of food does she like? or her favorite pokemon, or like, a funny fact!"

[break][break]

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

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]she pouts.

"but..."

she doesn't know many facts about either councilwoman.

"fine, what's her favorite pokemon?"

maybe she's experienced their favorite before in passing or something... anything to help her put two and two together.

ollie morales