Fenelle mirrors the grin for a moment, before taking seat as offered. It's kinda nice to read that Hitoshi would be open to talk any topic with dem - words that, if put to the actual test, dee wonders if he'd come to regret. There's a brief moment of calculation going on before dee barely manages to stay on course, talking about SPECTRA.

Dee also catches his unsure eyes between Rotom and Fenelle demself, and quickly explains, "Rotom is a mere translator. Feel free to pay it mind or no mind," dee says, then rests der gaze on the electric ghost for another moment, "It's doing excellent work, though."

A small compliment to balm the soul that has been told to face off against Kyogre. This past seems forever ago, and not a few mere weeks.

"I did think about it," dee confirms with a nod, and feels a swell of pride at the Beast's compliment. Still, with it comes a shivering feeling, uncertain in the gust of Hoenn's tumultuous present. "The same goes to you. You've been an excellent leader figure." Dee nods in respect, before thinking once more back on the events of Sootopolis.

"Even if it might've not resulted in much ... but I'd like to grow further. I couldn't stop Livy and Morales, either, in the end, as I faced them in Mossdeep."

Just the thought of PENELOPE LIVY's red hair alone is enough to make der blood boil and freeze, as well as ... whatever the hell ollie morales got going on. How are people still so good? dee wonders. And would he still be, after everything?

Hitoshi Inoue

The words ring truth in Fenelle, a reality that hasn't hit yet with all the adrenaline pumping through der veins that seemingly still lingers in phantom form. But similiar to Hitoshi, even unrealised, there's a change that comes with these words, a feeling that pushes itself to the surface.

Yes, they did survive the face-off, with every odd tipped in their favour where it could.

Suppose they weren't so lucky.

Suppose that survival's ... not enough.

Dee survived the clash with the councilwoman, endured and even ran from the horrors of a nostalgia's depths and a malfunctioning supercomputer, touched by human emotion.

But dee doesn't want to just survive.

Fenelle nods with a grim determination, and vaguely remembers to release the tension that's built up in der body. "Only surviving isn't enough," dee agrees, "for victory ... or in general." Dee has just survived, and no. While it's better than being dead, certainly, it's ... just that.

At Hitoshi's question, Fenelle is quiet for a moment, but even then ... even with this powerful feeling of hatred running through der veins, the answer is ... simple. "As quick as possible ... when there's an opening, I'll take it. There's no need for more plays anymore." Dee supposes dee did have a sufficient play, orchestrating a whole pity show at the height of arrogance. It's tempting, surely, but for this end, only the end suffices.

"Is there a wrong answer?" dee then contemplates a heartbeat later. Is this already part of a test?

Hitoshi Inoue

Fenelle follows Hitoshi's slight gaze towards the grunts playing chess, keeping it in the corner of der vision while focusing on Hitoshi then as he speaks again. As the situation is happening in the game, there's no telling if it won't also happen in reality - maybe similiar to a certain kind of simulation ...

Dee nods at his words, making mental notes of dem as dee feels demself ... calming, oddly enough. A boil coming to a freeze so you can estimate the bubbles from air pushing upwards, can examine the stir as the energies are frozen in place. "You can't become tunnel-visioned," dee summarises with a nod.

Hitoshi's gaze then is nothing that dee can fully read - it's not directed at dem, dee can tell that much, but dee isn't entirely sure what to make of the emotion else. Still, it's potent and inspiring in an odd way, and dee nods again. "One has to ... network with the right people. Keep an overview of the field and what's happening while preparing to strike. Don't underestimate when you're planning ahead, either."

Dee smirks faintly, "Suppose one could say it's not merely a battle, but always a war."

Hitoshi Inoue

It's a fascinating change to have Hitoshi morph from fiercest enemy on the field to a mentor-figure, an actual ally. It's one that Fenelle readily adapts to, however, as this conversation already proved the newest Beast to be worthy of his position. The advice now does baffle Fenelle slightly, but it's quite appreciated. "I'll keep that in mind," dee nods, and a faint smile might be visible. It's not too often that dee, as a mere grunt, albeit promising (dee likes to believe), hears such words, but it's really nice.

A nice thing in a deadly fight against enemies that could and would kill Fenelle without hesitation, as dee has been proven already. Only mercy that's kept dem alive - and mercy isn't something dee wants to rely on.

Dee seems to stand slightly more upright and to attention at Hitoshi's suggestion then, nodding with thinly veiled excitement that dee tries to cool down into determination. "That sounds very good. I won't disappoint you!" With a goal in sight, dee seems to become fully oriented towards it. "If you'll excuse me then, I will start making preparations and train some more until tomorrow ..."

A moment passes in which Fenelle halts to wait if Hitoshi might have any more remarks, before dee would - carefully - turn around, the spring in der steps causing der twintails to jump around.

Hitoshi Inoue