and…[break][break]

”the office of agriculture will have a list of contacts, i’m sure.”[break][break]

figuring if this wasn’t satisfactory, she’d only be further prompted for the next guess, she then asked, ”unless there is someone else?”

[attr="class","ooc"]FERNANDO SILPH [break][break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-rapidash"]

oh. a test.[break][break]
her anxiety gave way to a multitude of things. relief, annoyance, and what felt like a sudden need for caffeine at the peace of her desk, save for the underlying tone of panic that would likely plague her communications that morning—and surely many mornings to come.[break][break]
but there was also the tiniest smile which pinched in the corners of her lips, maybe not even visible from where he sat at his desk.[break][break]
who to reach out to? he’d dropped only one name so far.[break][break]
”anderson, sir?”[break][break]
it hadn't yet occurred to her which anderson he was referring to.

[attr="class","ooc"]FERNANDO SILPH [break][break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-rapidash"]

as he repeated her, she figured immediately that it had been the wrong answer.[break][break]
her nerves were getting the better of her. there was another pause. this time, she couldn’t think of another answer. so, after a small, inaudible sigh of resignation, she opted for honesty.[break][break]
”not very. i personally think resources would be safer distributed to the islands from lilycove.”

[attr="class","ooc"]FERNANDO SILPH [break][break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-rapidash"]

she could think of plenty of reasons to argue against it, but it felt inappropriate.[break][break]
for a short moment, she only stared back at him, visibly at loss for an answer and perhaps clearly surprised by his question.[break][break]
“it’s the central island of the eastern archipelago, and not utilizing its location could be taken for intimidation in the face of terrorism.” in times when hoenn already felt helpless, and faith in the league's capability was declining.[break][break]
it was a guess. the first thing that popped into her head, and she did her best not to let the uncertainty resonate in her tone.

[attr="class","ooc"]FERNANDO SILPH [break][break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-rapidash"]

why not sootopolis? because it was volatile. because it was occupied by the enemy. a pit of destruction, whose very flora retaliated against their species. one disaster, and three or four cities would go hungry.[break][break] they were better off distributing from lilycove what the city’s civilians needed, and then doing their best to ensure safe passing through its waters to surrounding areas.[break][break]
without argument or missing a beat, she amended, ”and sootopolis, then.”

[attr="class","ooc"]FERNANDO SILPH [break][break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-rapidash"]

cold calling. she started to nod, take a step, but then he wasn’t done. he was pulling up a list. who was anderson, and what did that mean? she didn’t ask.[break][break]
the primary cities? the answers seemed obvious enough. they were the most populate, and located far enough apart so that each could serve its surrounding areas.[break][break]
”slateport, rustboro, mauville, and lilycove, sir?”

[attr="class","ooc"]FERNANDO SILPH [break][break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-rapidash"]

she’d been raised to feel a sense of importance. it was practically dutiful to have her voice heard; where and how to yield was a lesson in progress. maybe this was counteracted by perfect politeness in all other ways, flawless acts of humility, and hospitality—but unbending pridefulness despite office hierarchy existed there in small words like i suppose.[break][break]

now, with his very logical answer, she wasn’t sure where to go. was there something else? was there another reason for her to continue standing there in his office?[break][break]

”what can i do to help?”

[attr="class","ooc"]FERNANDO SILPH [break][break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-rapidash"]

the reality of it was that she had little hope in the wholesome intentions of entities which existed for the sake of profit. she found it only logical to believe that many would see hoenn’s dire situation as an opportunity—regardless of the consequences, or the risks that would come with taking advantage.[break][break]
she let it go. [break][break]
then, he spoke of his hope, one that she could hear her father disapprove of. one that meant hoenn would need less from the world, that the necessity for a relationship with kalos, or at least the benefit of one, could be lessened.[break][break]
she was quiet, again. it was enough to derail her from the topic of unemployment, though she might’ve argued that such programs deserved to be reviewed, with plans for adjustment to fit the times. just in case. just to be proactive.[break][break]
for now, she opted to fold, in favor of harmony. she wouldn't debate with him—not without first building a rapport.[break][break]
”i suppose you’re right.”[break][break]
she paused.[break][break]
”what is your first move, then, mr. silph?”

[attr="class","ooc"]FERNANDO SILPH [break][break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-rapidash"]

despite his agreement, the correction was clear enough. the people had been her first instinct–but of course the people were the priority, right? the economy deserved great attention, now, not for the sake of hoenn’s powerful corporations, but rather to ensure that their greed did not send hoenn spiraling into a dangerous depression. the people needed stability.[break][break]

”of course.”[break][break]

her chin dipped an inch, quiet. lavender eyes were inevitably pulled towards the holograms again as their screens changed to show a map. she listened while her gaze lingered curiously.[break][break]

adverse reactions were unlikely.[break][break]

it made sense enough that investors would put their money into hoenn, now, likely creating jobs, and helping the economy at threat; however, it did not remove the glaring fact that this was a prime opportunity to take full advantage of the region's desperation.[break][break]

”that is good to hear. i hope they will seize all opportunities to help where they are able to.”[break][break]

she opted to lock away the further questions that threatened in her throat. instead, she continued on the next thought.[break][break]

”there are other risks, of course, with increasing production. we don't know when, or if the barrier will lift, but if it does, would there be protections for those who might find themselves suddenly unemployed when foreign trade resumes?”[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"]FERNANDO SILPH [break][break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-rapidash"]