[attr="class","witness"]So Fernando had himself a Francie situation. While she didn't understand Fernando, she knew he somehow understood her. They weren't a lot alike, but they were in some ways. Also, Fernando acted like a robot more than a person.

Slowly, a fond smile formed. Hearing Fernando speak of it so casually had her happy. She'd always thought he was a little socially... lacking. Politically he was a genius, but seeing him interact with people on a social level was... well it shouldn't have been so funny, but him saying robot made her think of him as one in those situations.

But not with her anymore, and for that, she smiled fondly.

"I think it's amazing! I couldn't imagine running into a legendary pokemon, let alone, being able to like, carry one on your hip."

In a way, Francie treated legendary pokemon like we average muggles might treat a celebrity. Better not to meet them so we don't drool on their shoes.

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","witness"]The buzz of people and life around her ... honestly doesn't exist. She's far too busy watching Fernando's profile and trying very hard to concentrate on his words, and not his jawline.

"Wow... that's not your jive at all."

Francie's face contorts immediately as she realizes that might have sounded kinda rude, so she tries to backpedal and explain herself in a jumbled mess.

"Wh-What I mean is! You're a guy of power, and you're used to bossing things around, or having a robot do it for you so-- I mean, it just, it's different for you."

Or something like that. She sighs in defeat, accepting she had dug her own verbal and metaphorical grave and now she had to lie in it.

"It's not too much of a burden on you though, is it?"

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","witness"]Fernando saying that 'he'll be fine' simply said that while it was a burden, he'd bare it, because he wanted to meet his goal in the end.

Better than most knew, Francie now understood that.

"What... would I do? Oh geez, I don't know. I've never thought about it... legendaries are like, you know, celebrities. When does one actually meet a celebrity??"

Unlike most people, Francie wanted to avoid meeting legendaries and celebrities both. Why? Because she'd just fumble her words and be awkward.

"But I think... I think you're right. It chose you for a reason, whatever it is, and I hope that you find out what that is. And I wish you the best!"

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","witness"]The decor store has Francie making a face, but she enters. Maybe Fernando needs pillows or something. She's not much focused on that, she's more focused on the conversation at hand.

"Legendary pokemon are so important to the ecosystem, and to the natural order of the world as a whole, if they're what all the legends and myths and stuff say. It's why they're called 'legendary,' because they've been around for so long and because they help mold the world we live in."

Her fingers dance along certain fabrics and other cute little catch phrase decorations. Not that she wants any of them. She's hardly home enough to decorate it. Not to mention, her house is always so dirty, and dusty, because of her preferred choice of pokemon.

"If we were to 'bond' with one, or become somebody a legendary fancied or wanted to use, I feel like it'd be a whole lot of pressure to take, and it'd have to be considered for a while. I don't know if I'd deny a bond, but I don't think I'll be picked."

Her eyes turn to Fernando and she smiles brightly.

"I'm just Francie."

And there, in the truth of it all, is Francie's only flaw. She does not hold herself nearly as tall in the light of others as she should and often questions her self-worth.

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","witness"]Trinkets and doodads don't much hold her interest for long. She's watching Fernando as he browses the shop just seconds after they've entered. The cacnea pot is cute, and she wonders who he's buying it for.

"Tempting them? With just me? N-no, I doubt it."

A laugh later, which is an attempt at trying to get her embarrassment out of her body before it forms a small pink on her cheeks. It doesn't work, she's blushing.

"Who's that for, then? Doesn't seem very 'CEO of Silph' desk worthy...or like something you'd put in your house. If you even have a house," she begins her jest before winking and sticking her tongue out at him, then continues. "Don't you sleep at your computer? Or do you even sleep??"

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","witness"]The fact that Fernando had played along with her silly jest has Francie beaming happily at him. He's incredibly good at that dry sort of humor and, seeing him let it loose, has Francie grinning at him like she thinks it's hysterical.

As he pays, Francie simply makes her way out of the main door and waits outside the main door. The idea of being an avatar reminds her why she wanted to speak with Fernando to begin with.

Upon his exit, Francie meets him with a generous smile. She really had missed him and for that, her smile toward him is fond.

"Now, even though I'm glad to see you and we've caught up a bit... I was wondering if that open position in the Petalburg Gym needs filled."

FERNANDO SILPH

[attr="class","witness"]Immediately, Francie's blushing. The fact that she'd left out of the blue, well, it needed explained. Fernando deserved no he didn't but Francie thinks he does an explanation.

"Y-yeah, sorry about that the first time around... I um," with a breath she finds bravery in looking away from him to explain herself. "Back when I first became gym leader, Silas Blackwell came to my house one evening and threatened my family. Said if I didn't leave and go back to Kanto within his time limit, then I'd have the consequences of my family's death."

Her brows furrow. Something close to anger on her features, but it's more hindsight's disappointment.

"I realize now how foolish it was to think that I had power over life and death, or that Silas would even keep to his word in the state he was in... but back then, it felt so real, and protecting my family came first, even over the protection of Hoenn."

She's back to looking him in the eyes, guilt clear in them, or perhaps remorse.

"But, after that, and when I came to visit you in the hot springs, I ended up too scared to confront you about what happened. Rocket was newly disbanded, but that just meant they scattered and tried to flee to other regions, and that enraged me. What if they threatened other families like they had mine? So, I organized the league family protection plan."

She's very proud as she says the name, grinning at Fernando like she'd found a million pokedollars on the ground.

"It's something that protects the league member's families from possible threats like the ones I got, so that they can have a peace of mind while they're not at home!"

@ spiral