He nodded slowly as she spoke, assuring him that fixes were already being made and behavior was already being modified. It's the least she can do. He doesn't say that out loud though. She seemed genuinely regretful of getting caught. Ideally, if this happened again, she'd make sure not to get caught. But he hopes, this is the last time. Her work ethic was stronger than this. "Understood. Then I will do my best to offer support." he said, a sentiment he often repeated throughout the office. Not because its filler, but because he means it., Each time a sincere expression of help at a moment's notice. [break][break]

"Of course. Nothing but the best for my Councilwoman." he said with a small nod. "What will you do now?" he asked. A beat of silence goes by before adding, "I mean, literally right now. Can I...get you a coffee? Reschedule your meetings?"


[break][break]

+ PENELOPE LIVY | remember when they shat on each other every post [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

He frowned at her explanation. The details are muddled, and he wondered if with the help of a psychic pokemon they may be able to unblock her memory issues. But he wouldn't force that opinion on her. "Rocket wasn't known to take in children, Eris." he said, his words careful as he stare at a specific spot on the wall to avoid the images of carnage he'd had to march past and ignore. "So you arriving here, while still in custody-" he glances around the house. "Is a blessing in it of itself. But it still wasn't the best for you. I wish I'd found you sooner." He's not sure what Rocket has done to her, and he's not sure how to fix it either. [break][break]

But right now- as they were- he couldn't even he tried. Eris was stuck in limbo as a miniature terrorist, residing with a real one they couldn't kill. Even if it were easier if they did, he didn't think he'd want her exposed to it. [break][break]

And, from what he'd read, there was a chance she'd developed an attachment. Stockholm comes to mind, which isn't uncommon with kidnappers but- well was she kidnapped still? He tabled the thought for later. [break][break]

He lets go, feeling a tug away from him, but his frown only deepens into a grimace. Mirroring. Amnesia. Aversion. It all sounds familiar to him. "Why not?" He doesn't want to make her go, but that was the help she clearly needed. He could file a motion for her now that she was in protective custody. He doubted they'd deny her. She's just a kid after all. "I could go with you, if you'd like." he said before adding more softly. "Or, you can sit in on one of my sessions."

[break][break]

+ Eris Halla [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Hoenn disbanded. Kanto continued as normal." he stated. "You said you came here 2 years ago." he said, explaining at the confusion he heard. He looks her as she struggled with something. Her eyes grew hazy and he can recognize that sort of state. [break][break]

"Hey." he began, reaching to carefully put a hand over her head. "Stay here." he murmured, watching the girl and frowning. The things she's saying sound too specific. The flow of memory muddled with what sounded lie ka dream- or, considering the pain it seemed to bring her, a nightmare. [break][break]

"I think you should see one." he said, watching her eyes go wild at the thought. He doesn't get it. "Why do they scare you?" he asked. Her aversion to them, her strange pain- she needed help. No child went through what she had and was fine.

[break][break]

+ Eris Halla [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Colton throws himself in between the two and Paxton straightened up. He gives one last side eye at the metal moth before putting his focus on the scientist instead. He takes Colton's hand in his, handing a firm shake. "Good to meet you, officially." he said as he offered the brunette a small smile. [break][break]

"I'm Paxton Concordas. I work for the Office of Intelligence and Accountability under Councilwoman PENELOPE LIVY ." he said wit ha small nod. As he lets go he added, "I also do work as a Ranger Corps liaison to the Council." He snorts at him. "Safety precaution. Rocket get smarter and smarter every day." he explained. "I don't have much in family, but worrying about myself to that extent would be a bit of a pain." he continued before looking around.

"You've been busy?"

[break][break]

+ Colton Boothroyd | mission prompt: a paradox problem [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

She doesn't seem hostile, and he can appreciate that. While Paxton didn't let personal business interfere with his work, he knew it was a task too big to take on for others at times. But the scientist is amicable enough. He isn't about to press her for anything other than notes on the MECHA KINGDOM. [break][break]

"Of course, I only wish I could've been fortunate enough to accompany you on previous excursions." he stated. "I've had a fascination for Magearna since childhood." he added, as he spoke of his interest in the rift world. [break][break]

"I have been here only a couple of times. Between the reports form the Ranger Corps, and my work for the council, I am oftened chained to my desk unless specifically tasked out." he said. And while those tasks could be anythignfrom sitting in on a meeting, to escorting the commissioner, he never really had much of a say. Not that it bothered him either, more than happy to obey orders until his next meal. [break][break]

As they delve further in he pulls his rifle off his back, carrying it forward while his partner, a shiny Magnezone, floated above and a bit behind them to protect their rear. The release of a mechanical pokemon draws his swiveling head and he can't help the excitement that overtakes a typically stoic expression. Professionalism cracks as he stops in his tracks to look, fascinated. Like some kind of far off goal had been met. Paxton's stood in awe, teal eyes unable to pull away before Joules beeps a greeting at the doll like pokemon and he looked back to his companion. "You managed to find one out here?" he asked, lips pulling up into a happy grin. Not a drop of jealousy in sight.

"I assume without the SOUL HEART, but still, fascinating."

[break][break]

+ Eva Morales leggo wheatfang x honeyleaf | mission prompt: into the wild [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

He doesn't have to go on luckily. It didn't take a lot of words for Paxton to make a point. concise, to the point, easily understandable. Like any good briefing should be. "I'm glad my Councilwoman is aware of what's at stake." he said as she accepted a fault. Paxton doesn't jump at the chance to bleed her dry. He doesn't delight in telling her these things. Months ago he would've been giddy at the thought of such a loud mouthed woman fucking it up so severely. Now, its just a headache he has to contend with if they wanted to accomplish any of their projects for the next fiscal year. Paxton stared as she promised it wouldn't happen again. "For your sake, it better not." he replied. It's not a threat. Paxton had a job, regardless. Should she step down or leave he could transfer departments, continue his ranger work elsewhere. [break][break]

But Penny?

[break][break]

She was too ambitious to not understand how something this small could ruin an entire 30 year plan. Shred her reputation, destroy her character. Leave her nothing but a smiling face on a council of politicians who actually had backing of their people. It left her vulnerable, susceptible to everyone. [break][break]

It made her their weak link.

[break][break]

Another sigh through his nose. "Understood." he said as she confirmed dahlia goode would take care of things from here. He scratches out a couple of lines before looking back at her, still annotating. "I will bring you the draft by COB tomorrow." he assured her. She speaks of trust, and he allows himself to soften his edge just a tad. He pulls back just a smidge. [break][break]

"I would have quit if I didn't trust you as a leader." he said slowly, the confession still irritating him in the depths of his soul. She was still a grating personality after all. At least, her first impression lingered. The bitchy part not the sexy part. "But much as how I am a reflection of your leadership, you are a reflection of our department. When you go down, we all do. You are not the only person in the crossfire. Especially with how public your position is." He lets his words linger before adding. [break][break]

"The only thing I care about if MATIAS SILPH is railing you is if you may have had undue sway on him as his superior. Once that's settled, I don't care. Just do your job and we will do the same. Anybody else who has a problem with it can see you outside of the office."



[break][break]

+ PENELOPE LIVY | remember when they shat on each other every post [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

He lets out a laugh, sharp and bitter, as he watched Eris mirror him. Her demeanor changed at the drop of the hat but even in Kanto she'd been like it. Matching another's energy helped meet them half way right? Or something like that. But it doesn't. It's overwhelming him, as it had back in his apartment how long it'd been. How he kept only catching glimpses of her, even now. [break][break]

"Rocket disbanded over 4 years ago. You've been stuck in Kanto this whole time?" he pressed, eyes sharp as he watched her reactions. He had to know- needed to know what had happened to her. Where she'd gone- what they'd done to her. Why spare one child and kill hundreds of others? Guilt? After razing an entire continent to the ground?? He swallowed, blinking as he refocused on Eris. He's still ravenous, trying to put puzzle pieces together. But as hungry as he is for information he can't risk hurting his sister in the process. [break][break]

He frowns. Two years ago huh. They'd been struggling in the same region and hadn't a clue where the other was. The concern in his eyes, the glazed look of tears disappear as she says a name that makes him recoil. [break][break]

Paxton sneered. "Right. The coward someone brought back alive." He felt fire burning in his chest, acidic and hot as it slowly moved through his veins. A churning sort of hatred at the thought of being so close to Rocket. And not just anyone either, the equivalent of a general allegedly. His expression isn't sour, its dark. The undercurrent of a hatred that ran deep. [break][break]


He takes a deep breath, exhaling from his nose. "Before we go on, have you spoken to anybody?" there's a slight pause before he added deadpan. "I mean a therapist." The tug between the need to know more and the need for her to be alright makes him fumble in his purpose, added with a layer of nauseating hatred that blurs everything together into an unpleasant mess in what should've been the second happiest day of his life.


[break][break]

+ Eris Halla [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"I didn't see any report if you had, just curious." If he had, that might lend strength to the theory that it was simply a defense mechanism. A trigger to manipulate whatever power Ho Oh had lent him. "No, the risk outweighs the possible reward in that situation. We wouldn't- we're not testing that." he said with a quick shake of his head.
[break][break]

He glanced over at the specimen once more before turning to the rest. Another labeled '36 hours' lay waiting. A Bidoof this time, passed from unknown circumstances. Next to it was a Patrat with the label '24 hours'. They'd more or less crossed off the possibility of a long term revival. It felt more like Kyle's powers were closer to that of a living defibrillator than truth bending of life and death.
[break][break]

But then again, Rocket had the Life Avatar, so there was no way to test it.
[break][break]

"I've got three more tries, and after that we're finished." he said nodding over as he pulled the lids off the containers holding the small pokemon bodies.

[break][break]

+ kyle lopez [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

CALLISTA MOON 's lingering insult bulls a sharp, "BRAT!" that he barks out as she shuts the door behind her. He settled into his desk, attention back on Luci, sheepish as he tucked his shirt in and fixed himself. Right, he'd meant to cut out earlier, but his discussions and updates with @sol and CALLISTA MOON had run a bit long. Shit- the report would have to wait until tomorrow too. [break][break]


He blinks, clearing his thoughts at Luci speaks up. "I...I suppose not. Why snack when we're going to eat." he said slowly as he finished clearing off for the day. He reaches for his coat, pulling it off his desk chair before checking his pockets. Throughout all this he's giving Luci time to speak. He doesn't...want to assume but- He looks back, offering a placid smile. "Are those...for me?" he asked, eyes moving over pop of pink against Luci's typically blue visage. [break][break]

"You like peonies, huh?" he added. He recalled having sent a pale blue bouquet to him a few months back.



[break][break]

+ luciano fisk [break][break]

He felt a small rush, like a jolt of electricity, run down his arms and up his shoulders. He doesn't remember the last time he's held hands like this. He doesn't...remember the last time he'd held hands with Luci. Has they ever? But he doesn't falter, eyes on Luci, and only Luci despite how exciting their hands may be to him. [break][break]

"Mhmm." he said before realizing it's too loud for him to be taciturn. "Yeah, I do." he replied with a laugh, though it's drowned out by the reverberating screaming of cusp that spin faster faster than them, rotating around. "My favorite is the food...but rides are fun too. With the right company anyway."

[break][break]

+ luciano fisk | mission prompt: RONDEZ-VIEW CIRCULATION [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The hair on the back of his neck stands on end. The clash of the sword dog against Ting-Liu letting out strange deep gong like sounds. The vibrations rattle his bones, and set his teeth chattering. Ting-Liu seems to use that to its advantage, letting out pulse after pulse of some kind of energy that tries to set his thoughts into a panicked frenzy and runs a chill down his spine. [break][break]

And yet he stands with PENELOPE LIVY . Protective gear and equipment on, if rushed. "Whatever you need, ma'am." he said, deferring to her if she had a plan. Until then, he lets out his Octillery. "Keep it from approaching!" he ordered as the Octopus pokemon began firing her attack. As if pulling form the FEAR it was putting out, she shoots an ICE BEAM straight at the target. [break][break]

PtRH9mEX

[break][break]

+ PENELOPE LIVY | SHRIEKINGGG and ready to get my shit rocked [break][break]

tl;dr

- stands by Penny [break]
- sends out Octillery and she uses ICE BEAM [break]
- does not approach TING LIU [break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

"Thank you for agreeing to come with me. I appreciate you and illeana reyes 's help on this." he said, nodding to the scientist. He's glad he could finally squeak into her schedule. Especially since the woman had managed to lead her own expeditions into the MECHA KINGDOM. [break][break]

While Paxton was still in the midst of doing his own research, it was always nice to be able to collaborate. "I enjoy a good report, but I can't pic ka paper apart for specifics sometimes." he added as he checked himself over, making sure he had his gear all set and ready. Though it's mostly...waterproof notebooks, extra pens, a knife by his side. Not like he was going to stumble into the rifts today. But there was always information you could glean with a careful eye anyway.

[break][break]

+ Eva Morales leggo wheatfang x honeyleaf | mission prompt: into the wild [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

"Huh? You think you can cuss me out too? Uppity kid." Paxton said with a wry grin, easily holding back the girl with a palm on her forehead watching intently in case she tried to bite him again. He doesn't lean down to let her have at it either. [break][break]

As Reiner pulls her back, he pulls his hand away. He tilts his head, unimpressed. "Well, according to the report I received guardian is a terrorist, and is calling you their daughter. And you've been, apparently, living with Rocket for a good few years now." there's no humor in this. His tone is controlled, a stark contrast to Eris' own visible aggression. [break][break]

"It does matter." he said stubbornly. He may not show it anymore, but nothing would erase the scars Rocket had left. Every time he looked at himself in the mirror he saw past this new body, generated from nothing and present brand fucking new. Sucking the soul right back into itself, as it rebuilt around the damn thing cell by cell. [break][break]

But despite his health being perfect, until he worked himself into the ground, he still felt all of it. The killing blow on his neck, the broken bones in his body. Erased physically, but never mentally. Therapy helped, truly it did, but he carried years of those kinds of wounds. They weighed him down, as much as they drove him forward towards a simple purpose. [break][break]

So he echoes his previous question. "How've you been?" it hangs in the air as the time they've been apart stretches between them, heavy and thick.

[break][break]

+ Eris Halla [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]