"you've been given a second chance," the commissioner says, "and i'd like you to treasure it."[break][break]

around them, red spider lilies sway in the quiet breeze. legends have it that these scarlet bloom when one sees someone they may never meet again. on the path, they remain.[break][break]

she wonders if it's another omen.[break][break]

"you should leave hoenn, alexander. find a new home you can settle and live out your life in. i can't guarantee your safety here... even as commissioner."[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] ALEXANDER STONE[break]

[attr="class","pokesprite pokemon mr-rime"]

[attr="class","icon"]

helps to have a reliable crew, she says. dahlia understands the sentiment wholly. she remembers the fading ink of names, like wrinkling stickers aged under the sun, tossed in and out of hoenn's revolving door: OLIVIA ABBIATI, SENON GAME, KIM COLE...[break][break]

she wonders how long her current council will last.[break][break]

"i think we both understand that we will need each other's strength in the upcoming days." the commissioner says. "no boot will come of this, then."[break][break]

she extends a hand.[break][break]

"instead, a partnership."

[attr="class","icon"]

briefly, the commissioner looks crestfallen at razz's response. she shakes her head quickly like a wand dispelling a curse.[break][break]

"no. but do you think so?" the commissioner asks. "what i meant was that reshiram saw something in you just like i do."[break][break]

she peers over at the large, tall window in her office. the curtains are pulled to its sides. hoenn's golden sunlight pours in, pooling like the train of a dress.[break][break]

"hoenn is in danger, razz. we need men with integrity like you."

[attr="class","icon"]

"you're not incorrect in thinking that way." the commissioner says. [break][break]

dahlia grins though it may be difficult to gauge its sincerity. within her smile, she attempts to cradles the zest of skyler's resolute heart.[break][break]

"regardless of whether you're a commissioner or a captain, our position is an illusory one. when called upon, we have to answer to our people, our crew in the end in some way or form." the commissioner says. "the necessity of responding makes our seats fallible..."[break][break]

she pauses.[break][break]

"do you think you're under my boot?"

[attr="class","icon"]

dahlia frowns. she recalls her dialogue with councilwoman PENELOPE LIVY. there is ever present fear despite seeming peace. volatile storms run alongside the invisible ties between kyogre, groudon, and rayquaza.[break][break]

though the bonds between pokemon and human, legendary and avatar, may appear to be strong, the commissioner knows there must be blindspots. how many microscopic cracks does it take until the whole illusion breaks?[break][break]

"it can't be nothing." dahlia says. "that man is a master of disguise and subterfuge. he must be hiding something from you."[break][break]

she pauses.[break][break]

"is this... related to why you've come here?"

[attr="class","icon"]

dahlia perceives defensiveness in the way that her answers fire outward so curtly, so quick. not that she blames her. [break][break]

to be honoured by giratina is to be forever cursed by preconceptions. misconceptions—that one may wear as their own version of authenticity.[break][break]

she had asked not for the reasons katherine believes or guesses. no, she asks out of the goodness of her own heart.[break][break]

"no, not really."[break][break]

the commissioner looks upon the grand malevolence of this expanse.[break][break]

"but if you call this place home and call this place yours, then i will do what i can to protect it too."

[attr="class","icon"]

"those myths may very well be real, razz. after all there is little we can call normal nowadays." dahlia says. [break][break]

she sees the confidence build within razz. slowly but surely, the mortar joints between kingsman brick repair and smooth. at least, from her vantage.[break][break]

"if reshiram chose you, then it must be so." the commissioner says. "and so do I choose you... to fill a vacancy in the head ranger seats."

[attr="class","icon"]

the commissioner sighs. some disappointment lingers at the end of her breath like tea leaf fragments at the bottom of a cup.[break][break]

"so you've stepped up before!" dahlia rebounds with encouragement. "you've made decisions regardless of what people thought of you because no one else would."[break][break]

she smiles, sympathy rounding her cheeks.[break][break]

"you're an avatar, razz. reshiram believes in you, yes? you can honor that bond by believing in yourself too."

[attr="class","icon"]

when skyler produces the blue orb, the commissioner marvels at its make. at the weight of its history, its power. inside, its sea of primal energy crashes in on itself, begging to trespass its container.[break][break]

but the beauty of hoenn is broken by the name of that man. [break][break]

she tilts her head sharply, eyebrows knitted tight like canoes paddling against each other.[break][break]

"and you trusted him enough to take it?" dahlia asks. "how has that worked out for you, hm?"

[attr="class","icon"]

the arrival comes all at once. the commissioner stumbles a little, her heels tapping clumsily against the earth? rock? no, just air.[break][break]

dahlia takes some to acclimate herself to the distortion world. she swears she can see new colours and her breath feels like it catches on the rippling energies surrounding her escort.[break][break]

"oh katherine." dahlia says. she witnesses the same things, the minutiae of movement. "whatever it is, it doesn't seem good."[break][break]

she takes a careful step forward. takes in the realm with all senses. with an open mind.[break][break]

"do you like it here?"

the embrace is short, but sweet. just long enough to impart a warmth not of the flesh, but of some sentimental destiny. she smiles.[break][break]

though, somehow, the reunion seems bittersweet. in a way, time has been lost.[break][break]

she pulls away and shakes her head at the insinuation.[break][break]

"not at all. just make up." dahlia says. "but regardless, how can i compare my face to yours? you came back from the dead."[break][break]

in the distance, her mr. rime stands and surveys the seas.[break][break]


"are you able to slow down, then?" dahlia asks. "you better not be back at work."[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] ALEXANDER STONE[break]

[attr="class","pokesprite pokemon mr-rime"]

[attr="class","icon"]

"our oceans are indeed dangerous. i know that very well." [break][break]

the commissioner pluralizes the word, the brine of sea hoenn settling beneath her tongue. [break][break]

"but i can imagine despite the risks that your patron is able to grant you safe passage?" [break][break]

dahlia asks, but she shifts into multiple choice with a curious yet steely gaze.[break][break]

"or does your bond paint a bigger target on your back?"