[attr="class","icon"]

dahlia sees skyler tuck away that curl of hair—and she is reminded that she often does the same. there, it arises. a small itch on her finger. the sudden cognition of her own blonde curl tickling her cheek.[break][break]

she's tempted to groom, but she tightens the cross of her arms.[break][break]

"i think the same," dahlia says. neatly, she takes a seat in her chair.[break][break]

between them, a small coffee table stands. on it, the hoenn news network issue of the day: "CIVIL UNREST IN KANTO SPREADS ACROSS THE REGION".[break][break]

"i hear nautica's passed every instance of vessel inspection. hopefully such effort means good business?"

it is surreal experience. to stand on the same grounds as ALEXANDER STONE once again. the winds of ever grande pick up like surrealist swathes painted by a dreamed smeargle.[break][break]

she is unsure if the man before her is real, phantom or fake. she knows the answer, but her mind continues to play multiple choice.[break][break]

"good to see you too, alexander." dahlia says. "i can't believe you're back."[break][break]

the commissioner moves closer, heels hastening as reality begins to settle like a focusing lens.

"so much has changed." [break][break]

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

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

[attr="class","icon"]

dahlia plucks her hand from the bayleef's head. she rests it upon her lap as she relaxes into her chair, for the answer razz gives comes with little fuss. little self sabotage.[break][break]

"good." the commissioner says. "i can see those skills being put to good work in slateport. now... what have you done to receive the respect of slateport's rangers?"[break][break]

she grins. her shoulders remain soft; the commissioner takes care not to create sharp angle or shape with her posture.[break][break]

"no need to be humble."

[attr="class","icon"]

oddly enough, anxiety begins to trickle up dahlia's sternum. it spreads across her breast like scrambling spinarak—but she is not deterred by the energies of the distortion world.[break][break]

"yes." dahlia says. "can i come too?"[break][break]

the commissioner takes a step closer to katherine. enters her sphere as if to grant permission for escort.[break][break]

"is giratina there right now?"

[attr="class","icon"]

the receptionist is almost taken aback by skyler's smirk. there is an overwhelming confidence—whether it was faked or performed does not matter. dahlia's staff member leans toward their desk and presses the whismur-shaped button on the intercom.[break][break]

"commissioner goode, you have a visitor. skyler dross."[break][break]

there is no response. instead, the doors to dahlia's office open swiftly. the commissioner stands between the heavy wooden door frames, her hands holding each one firmly.[break][break]

"come in." she says just as firm. "after you." the commissioner adds quickly, a hand gesturing for her to take a seat.[break][break]

when the doors close, the commissioner crosses her arms.[break][break]

"have you changed your mind?"

dahlia just nods. she does not betray her conjured plans or ideas should she have any. then again, as illeana has already thought, the A.Q.U.A. initiative may have been the ultimate offer after all.[break][break]

"perhaps. if avatar abilities manifest as detectable cells, that is."[break][break]

the commissioner exhales; she knows there's no stopping her. [break][break]

"go on and experiment, illeana. should you test on yourself, you'll need to sign a waiver that acknowledges the danger you'll be in. no responsibility of the league's." she says.[break][break]

"understood?"

[attr="class","ooc"] illeana reyes[break]

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

"Not willingly. And not without negotiation." [break][break]

Dahlia says of skyler dross's possible cooperation. Quietly and to herself, the Commissioner admits that she and the captain are quite similar. Stubborn in their own ways. Though, Dahlia had to develop hers, cultivate it over book, step, and time. Perhaps, Skyler was born with it.[break][break]

When Illeana offers herself, a frown grows on her lips.[break][break]

"Yourself? But that would put you at risk, Illeana. What if you are hurt?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] illeana reyes[break]

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

[attr="class","icon"]

"moving away? the rifts or the ultra realms? perhaps both?" [break][break]

the commissioner's attempts to visualize such a thing fail; after all, katherine communicates an invisible sense. one married to the patron of distortion: a distinct layer of perception unfamiliar to all else but the elite four member herself.[break][break]

a thought occurs to her.[break][break]

"when was the last time you entered the distortion world, katherine?"

[attr="class","icon"]

"if major incidents were constant, then they wouldn't be major at all. it's all of the little things that matter in the end." [break][break]

the commissioner pats her bayleef's head softly. even the insignificant weight of her palm expresses scent from the pokemon's leaves.[break][break]

"what would you say your strengths are, razz?"