[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]she tells herself she's merely passing time in here but... truthfully, it's been a long week and she's seeking a distraction in the form of drinks.

a man greets her with a welcoming smile. she returns it after a beat, expression brightening with practiced politeness.

"it is! was it obvious?"

does she stick out like a sore thumb? awkward and misplaced and lost. there's an uncomfortable atmosphere to being alone in places, she's come to realize. the craving for company has proven time and time again to be one of her biggest enemies.

the scientist shifts to get closer to the bar, taking an open seat as her eyes roam over the alcohol behind the counter. after a moment, her head turns to find that same man with the welcoming smile.

"do you recommend anything?"

Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]a hum escapes after he presents her with a menu of options.

whiskey sour... it does happen to be in her wheelhouse of drinks.

"okay, i'll do the wild hunt then."

her smile widens as she hands the menu back toward him. happy hour is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

and once the menu is out of the way, she leans onto the counter and props her elbows up before resting her chin on the back of her folded hands.

"how's the happy hour here? is it usually this busy?"

people packed in as many seats as possible, crowded together... it's overwhelming. her social battery will be fine once she begins drinking, she thinks.

Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]on the house?

she flushes a faint pink and tucks a stray strand of hair back behind her ear.

it's wasted on her, this kindness, but she appreciates it all the same.

"thank you."

and while the thought of a trivia night is enticing, he cuts her contemplation of participating short by extending a hand toward her. she stares for a moment before slowly taking his hand. the following shake is gentle, loose gripped, almost delicate.

"it's a pleasure, zev. you have a great establishment here from what i've seen so far."

it's genuine, solidified with a smile.

the rosiness of her cheeks deepens beneath the realization of her presence, of her titles and the weight that comes with them. it settles firmly on her shoulders, a little heavier each time she must wear them.

"yes, though... just illeana is fine!"

she's nothing grandiose, nothing otherworldly or impressive to require such formalities. she's simply... illeana. it's the only thing keeping her with two feet firmly planted in this reality, after all.

Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]her glass rises a moment later and with it, a smile.

the sound of drinks clinking together is almost music to the ears in a small, welcoming sort of way.

"cheers!"

and after the first sip, her new acquaintance begins to make more conversation. she takes a moment to process, to mull over questions and words until she feels an answer coming on.

"definitely unwinding a bit."

a light laugh follows, lured out by the playfulness of his expression.

"um, whatever the league requires of me, i suppose?"

there's not exactly a firm description of her daily duties. what they need, she does. it's simple, almost like the ticking of a clock as time passes through the hours. always there, always chugging along.

it's exhausting, sometimes, but she manages. nights like these certainly help, at least.

"given the state of hoenn at the moment, however, we've been busier than we were when the meteor was coming. dimensional rifts are a scientist's dream, though, so it's not too bad."

Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]she frowns as his own rises.

the concept of feeling unsafe in this region... it's not unfamiliar but she loathes it every time it comes back.

"yes, they have the potential to be disastrous."

it's for this very reason that they are closed off, heavily monitored, and guarded around the clock. she takes another sip of her drink at the thought, trying to wash it down with alcohol alone. it seems to cling regardless.

"we're still gathering reports on what they contain so i highly advise against going near them."

Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]the question causes her to pause, to blink, to process.

"of course i have."

she still stands by the sentiment. the rifts are delightfully foreign and she wants to unearth every nook and cranny they have. no rock left unturned until she's bled them dry of all the information they hold.

another sip is taken of her drink and she flashes a smile shortly after.

"league officials have clearance to enter at their leisure."

besides...

"what kind of scientist would i be if i didn't go into the dangerous unknown along with the league's teams?"

Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]she flashes a small, understanding smile.

"it would be nice if no one would enter them, but to ask that of the curious people in this region would be futile."

people do what they want, regardless of consequences. just look at her, for example. a bloody string of poorly thought out actions follows behind her like a cape.

"rather than cracking down on those who ignore the dangers these rifts pose, i'd prefer to ensure they are safe and protected should they venture into the unknown."

there's no other way, she believes.

he asks, then, of the rifts and what wonders they contain. for a moment, she lingers in a quiet sort of state. the gears in her mind churn over and over, working through memories and experiences and information.

"they're unlike anything i've seen before, truthfully."

the rifts, themselves, come with a torn sense of feeling. on one hand, she feels excitement thrum through her veins.

and on the other, dread.

"the possibilities they hold is exciting enough, but i haven't gotten the chance to fully explore just one. i hope to focus on the deep sea before moving on to the border."

once she bleeds one rift fully dry of whatever intel it holds, she will move on to the next. it is the only feasible way she can find to understand them, to close them.

Zev Harcourt