[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]this is expected, familiar. they've done this dance before - right down to the footwork.

"there's a project i'd like your approval on, if possible."

and as soon as the final syllable slinks out, he throws off the rhythm.

there is no symphony of clicking keys to follow. her movements jumble slightly, a surprise catching her off guard.

"it's an avatar studies project."

she doesn't give the meat of the proposal - not yet.

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]there's been, she knows, too many avatar studies over the course of the league's science department's tenure. she has been subject and prober more times than she can truly count, but they all ended up the same: analysis seemingly inconclusive.

and with no concrete answers, there's a stark lack of understanding that proves to be increasingly frustrating as the years go on.

"i know we've tried before to study avatars, but i believe now is a better time to re-open the subject fully."

with more test subjects, more powers, more instances of differences festering out from each of them... she couldn't think of a better time, really, than the present.

"the results could aid in overcoming omens tied to avatarship before it's too late, help those understand and nurture their bonds easier, and provide an overview of weaknesses to work through before rocket can take advantage of them."

for him and his scrutiny, she combines the sentiments of both PENELOPE LIVY and freya morningstar into one argument for her cause. the concerns were sound regardless, but something about fernando silph begs one to approach with as little holes in a plan as possible.

and even then, she muses, he'll still find new ones to sink his teeth into.

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]she can't help the way her lips twist into a faint scowl.

this was expected, surely, but she has never quite learned how to not let his obtuse behavior claw at her skin.

"it's an endeavor we should focus on regardless of overachieving hypotheses."

her heels dig a little further into pristine tiles, meeting his bullet with her shield and steady eye contact.

"you know as well as i do that rocket has the means to pry legendaries from their avatars."

they must figure out how to stop it...

"i'd like this project to allow us to stop that scenario from happening."

the again lingers like a copperajah in the room.

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]her lips flatten into neutrality.

"yes, but that's not possible."

not without eradicating team rocket from their home... which is always proving to be a monumental task just out of reach.

"councilman, will you approve the project or not?"

this was expected, she tries to remind herself, but the flare of irritation succeeds in dwindling her composure down to its shaky foundation.

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]she ignores the comment to instead focus on what follows.

"she has given her approval, yes."

after all, their head professor had a similar focus when she initially stepped into the role. they take a trip down memory lane together, two halves of the same goal.

"both councilwoman morningstar and councilwoman livy have given their support as well."

all that remains is her biggest obstacle (in more ways than one): himself.

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","illeana"]

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

[attr="class","illeana i"]she wants to raise a finger, to jab him with it and string up accusations against him - he pushed her off the pedestal, he took her for granted, he bled her dry and now she has nothing but a squandered name...

but she doesn't.

instead, her expression splits open to reveal a professional smile. the saccharine is sickening to her insides.

"someone who crafted a scientist into the leader of their field should have a little more faith in their research."

after all, she is what she is because he made her. or does he no longer honor the years of work spent?

FERNANDO SILPH