For Paxton it's another day. He moves into his office, shrugs off his jacket, sets down his coffee and begins to boot up his computer to check his work email. A notice from the secretary- a summons- gives him pause. He gathers himself up, checking his appearance in the camera of his phone and running a hand through pink locks before sighing to himself and moving along. [break][break]

He waits for the secretary to give him the nod while she announces he has answered the call. He steps through, gives her a small nod. "Good morning, ma'am. What can I assist you with today?" he said as he closed the door behind him. [break][break]

"If you wanted an update on the legendary leads from that otome route, as I've said before, none have appeared that I am aware of." Patrols with MATIAS SILPH had been kind of a bust, and he's not had time to verify if any of the sudden 'dog' creatures reported in dahlia goode 's route were legitimate.

[break][break]

+ MATIAS SILPH | steel/ice [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

This shit was going to be roughed.
[break][break]

"No, no. I already read your reports."
[break][break]

They'd all been well organized and submitted to her secretary for review. Honestly, it'd be one of the few things that have been able to ground her these passing days. Her fingers tapped against the tabletop.
[break][break]

"It's good work, by the way. Thank you for that."
[break][break]

A small breath broke her words. This had to be the calm before the storm. The moment before the disaster. Her nails ate into the wood.
[break][break]

"How are the rangers? Are you prepared for their next meeting?"

[break][break]

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


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

He nodded slowly, staying quiet as he let her speak. Clearly, she had something else on her mind and he wondered if something had happened in the AQUA meeting and changed recently. Perhaps a rehash on his proposal. That would be unfortunate but...not unexpected given who he had suggested to contract. [break][break]

Another nod. They were on better terms than when she'd initially entered the Council's positions. Her compliments didn't hide little barbs. At least, not as often as before. Paxton had been able to admit admiration for her work ethic, if anything else. She professed to want to keep everyone accountable, and he would do his best to watch her just as closely as anyone else. [break][break]

"I do not receive correspondence often from the Head Rangers. Last meeting was the last time I spoke to Laurence Anderson in person, all else has simply been little updates, as well as editing proposals for supplies, food etc." he said. "As for Razz Kingsman , I spoke to him as well on his behavior at the meeting. I can only hope both new and old Head Rangers have taken my feedback into account ands can hold their corps at a higher standard of conduct than last time." [break][break]

There's a pause as he added, "Perhaps a meeting of just upper leadership would be better...but there is an insistence on a national potluck." There's clear disdain for the idea after the ridiculous food fight Slateport started last meeting. "Aside from that, I can only hope the Ranger Corps leadership has improved after, and this meeting will be largely uneventful." He could only hope. "No one wants another embarrassment like that in front of their Commissioner." He looks up from his lap and back at her, quiet for a moment. He's observing her, staring his boss in the eye before giving her a calculated once over.

[break][break]

+ MATIAS SILPH | steel/ice [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

She expected no less from paxton concordas.
[break][break]

Despite their less-than-professional beginnings, time spent pruning through the spoutings of his individual work had allowed a certain fondness to grow.
[break][break]

It was far from enough to discard everything she'd originally felt toward the man, but still. It was something.
[break][break]

"I see," She nodded, nestling her face behind the bridge of her interlocked fingers. "Well, best we can do is hope they've learned from their previous mistakes. "
[break][break]

If only annalise henderson had retained her seat. Maybe things wouldn't look so dire.
[break][break]

A sigh blew out from her nostrils. Now it was time for the hard part.
[break][break]

"Paxton, if it's alright with you, I have something I'd like to discuss a bit outside of work."
[break][break]

It should be alright, as it was his job, but it felt awkward diving right in without warning.
[break][break]

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


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

She's thinking too hard, and as he nods at her feedback and waits, there's something else on the docket. He wonders if this was the real reason she called him.[break][break]

"Sure." he said, thought he glanced around pointedly for a moment. "Should I call you Penelope then?" he said with a snort before settling in his seat and waiting for her to speak.

[break][break]

+ PENELOPE LIVY | wtf is goign on with my temps [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

His snort and comment are ultimately ignored. Pressure had been placed on the method to which she'd choose to air what weighed on her mind. With fingers intertwined, creating a bridge to hide behind. Over it, her golden eyes peered back out to him, hesitant in their calculations.
[break][break]

"There is no good way to say this, so I'll keep it blunt and concise: we might be experiencing a bit of a PR mishap in the coming months, and I don't want you to be blindsided by it."
[break][break]

A pause.
[break][break]

"During our expedition to the border, MATIAS SILPH and I shared a kiss. It was just a kiss, but of course, it has led to complications."
[break][break]

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


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

He watched her carefully. Penelope was careful with her words, sure, but this was to a new degree. So, he could only guess how unpleasant the news would be. He expected budget cuts, layoffs. Perhaps a new legendary threat from Rocket. What she presents...is much more manageable. [break][break]

Teal eyes stay locked on gold ones, unblinking as he waits patiently for her to finish her story. "And MATIAS SILPH is...?" the question is left open ended because truthfully, outside of the occasional patrol and conversation with CALLISTA MOON , he doesn't know Matias very well. But he trusts him, based solely on his background. He nodded once, short and stiff waiting for the rest.

[break][break]

+ PENELOPE LIVY | wtf is goign on with my temps [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"No one."
[break][break]

A lie. He was a nuisance. A fly that wouldn't go away. No matter how often she swung, how often she shooed the buzzing insect away, he'd always return, his wings faster and more vibrant than before. She always wished for its return, too. Like clockwork.
[break][break]

"It was just a kiss. One that won't happen again."
[break][break]

It'd already had. Multiple times, in fact. But that was better left unsaid.
[break][break]

"I've already informed dahlia goode, but given MATIAS SILPH and Eva Morales's public relationship, once news of their break up hit the public, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before its catalyst is revealed."


[break][break]

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


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

"Just one kiss?" Paxton pressed, watching Penelope pick her words. "So you won't be working together for a while, correct? When we spoke, MATIAS SILPH gave me the impression he was your favorite E4." he said before adding, "You have the track record to prove it wit hall your Wilds reports." he added. He'd been studying it for information on the wilds after all. [break][break]

"What did Commissioner dahlia goode say?" he asked, more interested in those details than anything else. How his Commissioner reacted would inform his own reaction. [break][break]

"If you think Eva Morales and MATIAS SILPH will make it a situation, we can prepare a statement, as well as a panel for reviewing your accountability on this count of fraternization. Though, most likely, the people judging would be from outside our department. As the Head of Accountability, someone must hold you accountable. And for the purpose of utmost transparency, it cannot be me or the rest of the staff." he reaches into his pocket for a little notebook and a pen as he began to note down a list of tasks to prepare for such an annoying scandal. [break][break]

"What about you? Will you be alright moving forward? Or will you continue spreading your legs for every escort assigned to you?" he asked, noting for him this was the second time she'd done something like this. Except this is worse. This time she was the boss of it all. His boss even. But he felt this needed to be said. "You told me you would change things, and I promised to support you. But I, much like your staff, will be disappointed if this continues."

[break][break]

+ PENELOPE LIVY | remember when they shat on each other every post [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

None of Paxton's words veered far from the truth of the matter. This scandal had been unnecessarily muddled, exacerbated further by the prestigious position each participant held.
[break][break]

Not only that, but to be seen disrupting the league's own inner peace for the arms of another man... It went against everything Penelope established her platform on. A contradiction that would remain forever etched into the walls of all who worked under her.
[break][break]

Still.
[break][break]

"You don't have to continue," she raised up a hand, airing defeat. "I know I fucked up. I know. "
[break][break]

There was no need to evade accountability, or to evoke reason of doubt. Regardless of the borders and powers that played a hand in their affair, nothing would wash away the actions she chose for herself.
[break][break]

"I won't let it happen again. I won't let-" Her words were reduced to ashes as a vision of a particular fish came to mind. Each flick of its fiery fins promised another gift to bestow upon her. "I won't let myself get swayed."
[break][break]

Now to the topic of dahlia goode.
[break][break]

"She's preparing means to handle the situation, should it spread beyond us. Hence the need for a statement."
[break][break]

In terms of accountability.
[break][break]

"Accountability will be issued by dahlia goode, as to ensure discretion. I've already set a meeting and further preparations for that."
[break][break]

Now she looked at Paxton. No hatred infected her expression, nor bouts of envy and spite. Here, within the confines of her office, was only PENELOPE LIVY; the woman both he and the region placed their safety on.

[break][break]

"What I need for you is to trust me and prepare for the worst-case scenarios. I don't care what anyone else makes of this - as long as you and our department can still trust me. "
[break][break]

Because public image could always be restored. But trust? That was a much more fickle manner to deal with.
[break][break]

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


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

He doesn't have to go on luckily. It didn't take a lot of words for Paxton to make a point. concise, to the point, easily understandable. Like any good briefing should be. "I'm glad my Councilwoman is aware of what's at stake." he said as she accepted a fault. Paxton doesn't jump at the chance to bleed her dry. He doesn't delight in telling her these things. Months ago he would've been giddy at the thought of such a loud mouthed woman fucking it up so severely. Now, its just a headache he has to contend with if they wanted to accomplish any of their projects for the next fiscal year. Paxton stared as she promised it wouldn't happen again. "For your sake, it better not." he replied. It's not a threat. Paxton had a job, regardless. Should she step down or leave he could transfer departments, continue his ranger work elsewhere. [break][break]

But Penny?

[break][break]

She was too ambitious to not understand how something this small could ruin an entire 30 year plan. Shred her reputation, destroy her character. Leave her nothing but a smiling face on a council of politicians who actually had backing of their people. It left her vulnerable, susceptible to everyone. [break][break]

It made her their weak link.

[break][break]

Another sigh through his nose. "Understood." he said as she confirmed dahlia goode would take care of things from here. He scratches out a couple of lines before looking back at her, still annotating. "I will bring you the draft by COB tomorrow." he assured her. She speaks of trust, and he allows himself to soften his edge just a tad. He pulls back just a smidge. [break][break]

"I would have quit if I didn't trust you as a leader." he said slowly, the confession still irritating him in the depths of his soul. She was still a grating personality after all. At least, her first impression lingered. The bitchy part not the sexy part. "But much as how I am a reflection of your leadership, you are a reflection of our department. When you go down, we all do. You are not the only person in the crossfire. Especially with how public your position is." He lets his words linger before adding. [break][break]

"The only thing I care about if MATIAS SILPH is railing you is if you may have had undue sway on him as his superior. Once that's settled, I don't care. Just do your job and we will do the same. Anybody else who has a problem with it can see you outside of the office."



[break][break]

+ PENELOPE LIVY | remember when they shat on each other every post [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Had it not been for the situation at hand, Paxton's crass manner of regarding her would have an ankle to sink her fangs into. Something to twist into a reason for a severely harsh shot back.
[break][break]

But Penelope fucked up, and thanks to that, both paxton concordas and the rest of her department were stuck dealing with the possibilities of complete obliteration from the press and public. He had every right to voice his frustrations, even if it came out in a way that spat fuel to her flame.
[break][break]

"I understand that," she returned, lips tightened into a taut line. "Believe me when I say I'm doing all I can to be finished of this."
[break][break]

A pause broke her words, then a sigh.
[break][break]

"Thank you Paxton. For all your work. "
[break][break]

A shine glossed over her eyes. In it danced the regret of a thousand missteps.

[break][break]

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


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

He nodded slowly as she spoke, assuring him that fixes were already being made and behavior was already being modified. It's the least she can do. He doesn't say that out loud though. She seemed genuinely regretful of getting caught. Ideally, if this happened again, she'd make sure not to get caught. But he hopes, this is the last time. Her work ethic was stronger than this. "Understood. Then I will do my best to offer support." he said, a sentiment he often repeated throughout the office. Not because its filler, but because he means it., Each time a sincere expression of help at a moment's notice. [break][break]

"Of course. Nothing but the best for my Councilwoman." he said with a small nod. "What will you do now?" he asked. A beat of silence goes by before adding, "I mean, literally right now. Can I...get you a coffee? Reschedule your meetings?"


[break][break]

+ PENELOPE LIVY | remember when they shat on each other every post [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]