the stone of rustboro is hard on the feet. although picturesque, the tall buildings of the main districts hide the aging seaport. wingull roost there without fear. they haven't moved for years.

behind jim, an old lock clicks open. the jingling of keys scatter brightly across dahlia's palm as her mr. rime taps its way past her to hold the heavy door open.

"i was told i could find you here." dahlia says. "mr. kirk! long time no see."

in the distance, wingull caw as several pelipper return from the mainland.

"don't worry. i won't tell the kids about your habit." she gestures to the cigarette, teasingly of course. after she steps out onto the roof, her mr. rime lets the door close with a heavy clunk.

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

Jim Kirk

dahlia notes those names in milky coffee. tapping the top of her palate with the tip of her tongue, she recalls names. remembers them. so high in the league's ranks, there is so much to track— but perhaps, the scalding of a hot beverage would be enough to render them permanent.

not sure if they want the title, he says.

"cooper is sick." dahlia whispers below the constant static of a coffee shop's conversations. "terribly so. whatever was imbued into her from groudon, at least with that volume, was not meant to be contained within a human body."

she leans forward too. less distance for the channeling of secrets— but also less distance for the implication to travel. dahlia's blue eyes fall upon kyle in firm shapes.

"this is important."

kyle lopez

"you're right. i have to admit, i can only see it as a lose-lose if we were to slip on the public's shoes."

a sigh swoons from her lips like a spirit is searching for repose. however, it can not swoon far enough to escape the tired drawl of her inhale.

"either we are accused of inaction or we are accused of not doing enough. inevitably, the league will be forced into doing something one way or the either- and i'd rather it be done by our capable hands." her hands bob in the air as she speaks. her fair palms face the heavens as if preparing for crucfixion.

"as transient as our time on this rock is," dahlia says, "i do not intend to stand idle." if she can help it. "and i expect you to be the same."

dahlia goode

the commissioner hoists heavy breath into her body. war's stresses have not released their hold on her. the rib cage is tight with residual anguish. resilience can come at a price. she forces the air to her lungs with milky coffee.

"billi marsh, despite his age, did quite well in lilycove." dahlia says. "senon game was another name i've heard mentioned. promising ranger. nevertheless in war, it is a collective effort. of course you know that."

setting her cup down on the table, her voice falls to a hush.

"kyle, i need to let you in on a little secret."

kyle lopez

"and that is precisely why," dahlia's hand falls from her hair to her lap, "this initiative is important. if their achievements do not align themselves with their ability, then is it not paramount that we help them close that gap?"

she includes him in the proposed task; with quick voice, as if preventing moving water from freezing, she responds to both fernando's fear and criticism.

"i'm happy to hear kim hasn't lost his edge even after marriage." she notes brightly like an earring dangling from her tongue.

dahlia goode

"well." dahlia relaxes her shape. believing she has hooked him, she pulls away into the curve of her seat's backing as if to reel. "i always have something planned. it pays to be prepared."

leaning over to a small black communications box on the desk, she requests for the door to their space to be locked. immediately, their room is secured with a heavy click.

"if i tell you, balder," dahlia, still in her seat, barely grasps the top drawer's knob. pulling it out, she retrieves a slim file, "you'll have to promise to work with me closely. in other words, in exchange of your services as a personal bodyguard— and of an esteemed member of the aqua initiative," she leans back into her chair after closing the drawer, "we can get your solgaleo back."

Balder Schwartz

"you and me both." dahlia says. her fingertips begin to flutter, begging to tap away at the side of a hot cup. "my schedule has been so packed lately i barely have time to think."

finally, their drinks arrive. gratitude is exchanged with quick smiles as the commissioner scours her mind for names. as their server leaves, she speaks:

"ramsay, fairburne," she says, "they've been quite involved, i've heard." dahlia continues. "although the gym challenge is similar to a tournament or a sports circuit, i have to admit, to be an elite four, there is an element of reputation that has to be considered. don't you think?"

kyle lopez

bereft of all power, or how so he believes. the blood that leaks from balder's flesh causes her to wince. however, the admission of grief is more powerful, forcing her frown deeper.

"well, perhaps it is dormant. recovering." dahlia says softly. "after you take more time to heal, maybe they'll come back."

her elbows press more firmly onto her legs. surely, the skin underneath them would flush pink.

"no. but what if i said we could try and get them back? everything back."

Balder Schwartz

her fingers tense against her dragonite's scales. as the light fades away into surging waters, the commissioner urges her mount downward. when the vertigo takes her, her arm begins to sting.

"hang on!" she shouts, her hoarse voice swallowed by the roaring ruin waters.

an EXTREME SPEED forges her dragon into an arrow. its arms are outstretched, claws ready to grab both starmie and adrian in some fashion, whether it be flesh or fabric.

whatever it takes.

the winds blow her hair back— and for once, she does not tuck her golden curls.

9QvvDFP9 (sabotage)[break]
route 1 / sabotage Kazimir Wynter (angrypepe!!)

[attr="class","pkspr"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon mr-rime"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon dragonite"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon vespiquen"][break]

TL;DR
- dragonite extreme speeds w/ arms outstretched to scoop both adrian and starmie if possible!

and on cue, dahlia does indeed laugh. within kyle's jesting, the truth is stretched like taffy. she asks for a hot coffee. no sugar. just milk.

"oh no, enough about fernando." she says. "so i wanted your input on a few things, namely," dahlia pulls out a small agenda from her bag, bright blue eyes hovering over the binding, "possible new elite four candidates? benoit is getting busy, stormy is doing fine— and we have an empty slot. any ideas?"

her eyes coast across her notes before resting on kyle's for a response.

kyle lopez

"perhaps." dahlia says, in response to balder's assumptions for hiring. "but if that were the case, i'd have to reconsider."

she swirls her fingertip inside the cup, her painted nail like a swimming fin. after, dahlia dabs her finger against her folded napkin, which relaxes flat.

"balder, you can not criticize the league and exempt yourself at the same time. why didn't you? why didn't the league? guzzlord. the megalopolans."

dahlia leans forth with her elbows on her knees. like blades, her fingers curl and fan out underneath her chin.

"it was war." the commissioner says. "if you're on the battlefield, it might have been too late. after all, mauville was the site of a sudden attack." she hums with a sigh. "anyhoo, it's noble of you to try and move on— but i heard from a little birdie that you've been carrying that past within you for some time."

everyone in that war room had been scathed by special eyes, after all.

Balder Schwartz

fernando's guidance allows her to retrace the words she has already read. despite the besmirched background the initiative possesses, the commissioner reminds herself that any tarnishing can be washed away— especially if its progenitor is washed up.

"the reports i've read about meteor falls were impressive." dahlia says pleasantly— almost proud. blonde hair falls gently against the sides of her face, but she is quick to sweep it back behind her ears. "a great demonstration of what an avatar can do in service for our country. do you not believe the same?"

she stops, trimming her smile.

"are you scared, fernando?"

dahlia goode