james is attentive when she speaks, listening to her story with genuine curiosity and interest. it's easy for him to sympathize with her as they're already familiar with each other. friends, even. but he imagines even a stranger would be able to.[break][break]

"right, a shared understanding."[break][break]

he continues.[break][break]

"do you think it was in the field of flowers on purpose? like it was a test to see who would try and save it?"

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

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

"i can't say that i have. but is it wrong to say that i would like to?"[break][break]

his desire for knowledge and his general curiosity are what allow him to share that thought. he's quick to correct it, however, and moves on.[break][break]

"if you had to think of a particular moment, which would you consider an anomaly?"[break][break]

ah! he forgot something. he reaches into his bag and pulls out a small recorder.[break][break]

"oh, woops. can i record this, by the way? just so i don't have to take notes and so we can have a conversation."

[attr="class","ooc"]Katherine Fairburne[break]

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

"oh i'm terrible at battling."[break][break]

the laugh that escapes him is joyful, one that speaks of how he has no issues making fun of himself. because, yeah, james is a horrible battler only because he dislikes the act (sport?) itself.[break][break]

"it just has never been my thing. onigiri seems to be quite good at it, though. but that has nothing to do with me."[break][break]

he hums in thought briefly.[break][break]

"but i agree with your father. i should actually learn to be better at it."

[attr="class","ooc"]iseult babineaux[break]

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

"i suppose it's like i'm in your shoes now, then."[break][break]

because the opportunity that awaits him is one that, while unfamiliar, is equally as exciting. plus, the pay is nice, but that really isn't one of the main selling points (okay, it kinda is).[break][break]

her reassurance draws a smile from him.[break][break]

"thank you, professor. it has been an absolute pleasure to work with you."[break][break]

he means it.[break][break]

"could we still keep in touch?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Eva Morales[break]

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

"okay, yeah, so aeos exists to study what we have dubbed anomalies. these are instances or events that deviate from the linear path that we're on."[break][break]

the path they have come to learn from their time in the cloud. katherine should be more than familiar with it, so he chooses not to delve too deep into the details.[break][break]

"i believe you were involved in quite a few instances, so i was hoping we could talk about them."[break][break]

he doesn't have to peer back down at his notes to remember. he's done his research, after all.[break][break]

"like the regirock ruins incident."

[attr="class","ooc"]Katherine Fairburne[break]

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

"right! that makes sense, and when you do get challenged i imagine they must pick you last."[break][break]

and the other three are formidable enough, so he wonders just how many actually make it through to her after all.[break][break]

following her offer, he sits on the other couch, settling in with relative ease. he places his bag on the floor, then pulls out a diary from within.[break][break]

"whiskey sounds lovely but i really shouldn't. thank you, though. i'd hate to trouble your assistant."

[attr="class","ooc"]Katherine Fairburne[break]

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

"i think i am."[break][break]

but it's hard to say, which is strange considering how confident james usually is when it comes to work.[break][break]

he leans back in his seat, leg bouncing slightly.[break][break]

"did you ever feel like you were ready?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Eva Morales[break]

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

"right. the star soiree, for example, would be considered an anomaly."[break][break]

not a question, really, more of a statement as he speaks out loud.[break][break]

at the question, he nods, though his attention still lingers on the projections around them.[break][break]

"i am! i wrote a paper about it with dr. morales where we looked into an electrode variant. space-time distortions are fascinating."

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

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

james thinks little of the surprise that briefly washes over her features—he hadn't even noticed it, to be honest, as his focus is tunneling down aeos.[break][break]

speaking of...[break][break]

"that's right! but saying i work for aeos has less impact than silph co. or at least i think it does."[break][break]

he chuckles, still standing until otherwise offered.[break][break]

"thanks for taking the time to see me. i imagine your schedule must be packed."

[attr="class","ooc"]Katherine Fairburne[break]

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

naturally, james makes the effort and travels for their meeting. such is expected of him, after all. he shows up a bit earlier and waits until he's invited in.[break][break]

"miss fairburne! it's a pleasure to meet you."[break][break]

dressed smartly, james crosses the threshold before offering her his hand.[break][break]

"james baker. i work for silph co."

[attr="class","ooc"]Katherine Fairburne[break]

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

meteno takes priority. that much makes sense. he'd helped Eva Morales out a little but his knowledge on it is still bare at best. but he's sure the league will be well prepared for it.[break][break]

"by anomalies do you mean anomalies in pokemon?"[break][break]

he thinks for a moment.[break][break]

"or past events, maybe?"

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

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

"um, quite a lot, actually."[break][break]

because despite all their work and study into avatars, there is still so much they don't know.[break][break]

james closes his notebook, then pulls out his phone before opening the voice recorder app.[break][break]

"i hope you don't mind, professor. just so i don't have to take notes and so we can have an actual conversation."[break][break]

he offers her a smile, warm and gentle as ever.[break][break]

"could you tell me what it felt like to be chosen? how did you know you were chosen?"

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

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

"just whether or not it would hurt our efforts here, i think."[break][break]

because he's loyal if not anything, but he's also a dreamer — someone who wants to strive to be the best and to contribute more to society and to the world. he could do that here, sure, but he feels as though he could do it faster should he move.[break][break]

"the job itself looks promising! they're opening up a new division and need people to head it up."

[attr="class","ooc"]Eva Morales[break]

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