Reactions are spun into a woven blanket of mixed emotions and sudden outbursts. Through the fog of barred teeth and crafty accusations, only freya morningstar made an effort to pursue an answer. To pursue Penelope's answer to their issues. [break][break]

But before her lips could even begin to separate, the conversation continued to push forward like running water. Before long, the opportunity was lost. [break][break]

The more the others spoke, the more the councilwoman wrote, detailing the small nuances of each person's stance.
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Eventually, she made her own return to the discussion floor.
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"I'd just like remind everyone of our conversation several months ago," at a certain aqua summons, "Back then, we were in agreeance that a proper frontal assault on rocket would be out of the question. That their alliance with the megalopolans posed far too high of a threat."
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There were a few names that came to mind. One, in particular, who no longer roamed these walls.
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"So we devised a plan to surround and prevent resources from entering the island. A slow but measured attack."
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She took a pause, then continued.
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" I'm not saying councilwoman Morningstar's idea is better or worse. But I want to highlight the already discussed dangers of a frontal assault; namely, that fulling diving into civil war will further expose more openings to both sea hoenn and dark trd. Further research into the rifts would be hampered, as well."
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Her fingers rapped against the table's edge.
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"If we were to continue, I'll compile and organize the information we've gathered on both rocket and their avatars. In the meantime, I suggest secrets of our own capabilities should be properly submitted," she eyed Laurence Anderson in particular, her gaze hardened by reproach, "before our security is further compromised." [break][break]

Then her gaze shifted to Greyson Connors, unfaltering as steel. "Not to say head ranger Laurence Anderson didn't make mention of Articuno's disappearance already. If I recall correctly, it was a topic of conversation during our last ranger meeting, which paxton concordas submitted a written report for. I suggest giving it a read through as it's been available for months now. "


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


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

appreciation is cast to angelo vestri and she nods as he makes his amends to her plan. the spotlight shifts from her in favor of the war plan. anticipation tingles on old scars. the stab wound from jayden cross has mostly healed now, but that doesn't mean she hasn't since thought of returning the favor. 

"a good point, head ranger morales. my apologies, razz, for the oversight." Raziel Beckett is another face she doesn't know very well. there are memories of it - half obscured by pink, standing beside FERNANDO SILPH while they congregated in the lavaridge hot springs. 

surprise comes at Laurence Anderson admission and she shuffles through her papers, wondering how she could have missed...and then there is a pink tinge to her cheeks and the thought is discarded. 

that color drains when MATIAS SILPH supports her, though it takes effort not to make her lips curl as he continues to speak. coldly, she says, "on the contrary. all the more reason for protocol when it comes to legendaries. that's what the aqua contract is about."

protecting aqua members, but also holding them to a certain standard of civility. 

keeping them leashed.

the first to make her doubt herself is Melody Miro. memories come unbidden - a rosewater bath, Elisabeth Fiorelli's gentle hands washing vomit from her hair. she asked her, then, if the people of sootopolis were happy. she can't recall the answer now. 

"there will be casualties. MATIAS SILPH is right about that. especially if we plan a surprise attack, giving civilians no chance to evacuate. and it's not something we should all take lightly.

"melody brings up an interesting point. the risks involved, then, are mass casualties and another blight to the league's favor with the people. if we want to work within the confines of the public's acceptance, then we're back to square one. and square one is a truce.

"we become temporary allies and establish a league embassy in sootopolis." her scowl gives away her abhorrence to the idea. 

AQUA

☉

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]freya morningstar 's plan, while one she finds herself agreeing with alongside MATIAS SILPH , comes with holes they cannot quite overcome at the moment. PENELOPE LIVY , Melody Miro , and skyler dross bring valid points to the table: civilians and the logistics of a full scale assault.

and, against her wishes, FERNANDO SILPH rouses a question they cannot ignore.

first, her eyes slide toward skyler dross . curiosity sparks interest, hunger growing over an artifact.

"Eva Morales and i would be happy to take a look at the artifact if you'd like to bring it in at another time."

with the artifact's existence out of the way, she hones in on FERNANDO SILPH . her stare is neutral, a mask slipping into place to rival the likes of ALEXANDER STONE's.

"given the number of threats we face outside of team rocket, i believe buying time would be the best objective for this assault. as councilwoman PENELOPE LIVY said, we would leave ourselves vulnerable to other assailants should we focus all of our efforts into one cause."

her lips press into a firmer line.

"complete victory is not possible at this point when we look at all of the pieces on the board, but sootopolis is a valuable asset all the same. let us not forget the silver spire ruins originate from sootopolis... even the cave of origin could prove useful for information about sea hoenn later on down the line."

aqua assembly.

tl;dr |

- likes freya's plan hehe
- asks to see skyler's artifact
- believes buying time is the main priority here
- remarks that sootopolis has valuable information/landmarks they might need against sea hoenn

This meeting was turning into a long-spanning ravine that broke off into the tiniest of branches, fragmented at the seams, and yet connected all the same.
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Penelope drank it all in, reflecting the more valuable arguments through rough strikes of her pen.
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When her gaze finally lifted, it was to meet illeana reyes's, who struck a cord worth mentioning.
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"I agree with illeana reyes. our plan of attack should maintain the goal of crippling Team Rocket, so we may divert our focus to the more pressing issues on the table."
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They'd offered their opponents far too much time to recuperate any losses from the ultra-deep sea. To think they'd stand a chance in securing an easy victory against them would be naive.
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"As for our plan of attack," Penelope's eyes flitted over to the Nautica couple, and her lips shared the same knowing smirk. "I trust that our skies and seas will be well handled, but,"
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Hesitance warped her throat. Since the very beginning, when the idea of recapturing rocket was only a toy worth fiddling with, only one memory kept replaying in her head. One insistent message that would never allow itself to be scrubbed out. Forgotten like the rest.
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"I'd be hesitant on relying on MATIAS SILPH for the bulk of this plan. Especially without supervision."
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Rather than look at the man her accusations sought like arrows to a target, Penelope's hardened eyes settled upon the woman who'd understand the extent of her warnings the most. A woman who has tasted the embers of betrayal firsthand.
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Eva Morales.
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No further words were needed; the implications of Matias and Sootopolis painted the picture well enough.
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Should they move forward with this plan, it should not be with the man who'd gifted Sootopolis away in the first place. It should not be with the man with known engagements with a rocket underboss.
[Break][break]
It should not be with MATIAS SILPH, the volatile.


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[attr="class","ooc"] hinting to Eva Morales that Matias shouldn't be involved given that he gave away Sootopolis during the first invasion [break]


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