[attr="class","illieicon"]

[attr="class","illie b"]a knock at the door draws her away from the task at hand. visitors aren't exactly foreign concepts now, not anymore. they had been back before she gained this position but now? people come and go. sometimes her resources are needed, other times it's simply to check in on her progress. the adjustment period never seems to end, however, and she's still feeling overwhelmed sometimes. it's an odd thing, really. she should be happy, ecstatic even, to be here. and yet, doubt still lingers with each visitor. do they look at her with judgement? or do they respect her? perhaps she'll never know.

before she can answer, the stuffed head of a teddiursa plush is poking through the crack in the door. her head tilts in response and a rumble from the corner of the room follows. deus, her off colored golurk, is now apparently paying full attention. not surprising, she supposes. it always has been a fan of cute things. she's very similar to her automaton in that regard. what is surprising, though, is who follows the stuffed animal. a man comes in with goodies and she's gasping. "oh," comes squeaking out first, quickly followed by a bright smile and quick movements to welcome him in. "yes, i'm here!"

he peeks out from behind the stuffed animal and she's flushing mere seconds after. the compliments are too kind, too effective in making her practically melt into the tiled floor. a hand rises to tuck a strand of dark hair behind her ear, a shy habit she can't seem to shake. "thank you," she murmurs. there's a slight giggle to her words, as if she's giddy. "that's very kind of you! i don't know if anyone would be interested in a photoshoot but it does have great lighting, right?" realistically, she doesn't know if anyone would want her as their model but the thought warms her anyway. her automaton has taken the opportunity to drift closer while she's distracted, moving until its settling just beyond her shoulder. a looming presence, really, but it happily waves toward their company with a welcoming coo.

"it's a pleasure, mr. grandier," the scientist beams. her hand is quick to extend toward him. "i'm illeana reyes, although you probably already know that." an awkward laugh follows because he definitely already knows who she is if he went through all the trouble of finding her. "that's more than okay! it's very sweet of that councilman to send gifts, i'll have to thank him later," she's a blushing mess by now. the concept of people sending her presents for her accomplishments will never fully seem real to her. it's too kind and perhaps she isn't deserving of such acts. "cait sent you? is there something she needs?" mild worry creases her brows although there doesn't seem to be any indication towards trouble. in fact, this almost feels like some sort of small party with how many goodies he actually has.

[attr="class","merkpokesI"]

[attr="class","merktagI"]illeana reyes

[attr="class","illieicon"]

[attr="class","illie b"]her smile widens with a quick sweeping glance around the room. it really is a good spot if she's being honest... although, it doesn't quite have the same feeling as her old lab. she'll get used to it. "thank you," she chirps, the hint of a giggle seeping through her words. "it's a lovely place!" and then, a series of blinks follow. the councilman's teddiursa took his wallet...? peculiar. she has a slight inkling as to who he's referring to but the name and face currently escape her. she's not exactly familiar with much of the council. well, aside from both the commissioner and mr. silph. the rest of them have yet to be introduced. no matter, she'll have to seek them out eventually. "well," she begins. "thank you for bringing everything! although, i'm sorry it had to be at the cost of your wallet." another laugh escapes.

her eyes follow as he moves toward her desk. the goodies are placed upon the surface and a moment later, he's leaning against the edge. "oh," she squeaks, cheeks radiating warmth. "i'll have to make sure i thank her in person! it's a lovely gesture." perhaps she should send something back... or, better yet, formally introduce herself. most, if not all, of the gym leaders within the region are still just names to her. perhaps faces should finally be put to those names. her trail of thought is cut short due to the nature of his questions. the warmth of her face increases. "it's certainly different than i had previously thought," she supplies. another giggle follows as deus rumbles beside her. the automaton has drifted closer, although it has been more interested in their company than its trainer. in fact, her golurk is happily gazing at dawn. "mostly, i've just been working through some old projects. genetics, evolution, the like. sort of boring stuff but it keeps me occupied when the league doesn't need something!" realistically, they more than likely promoted her due to her personal work but that's another thought for another time. for now, she's continuing to answer his questions with a mildly flustered expression. "oh, please, call me illeana! professor reyes sounds like one of my parents," and she would prefer to never be compared to them. "it actually hasn't, although there's not many relationships to get in the way of. i, um, tend to spend most of my time working so there's not much time for anything else."

[attr="class","merkpokesI"]

[attr="class","merktagI"]illeana reyes