Troubled Affairs [Platinum]

[STEVEN S. STONE]

He’d been contacted

a few days ago by none other than Platinum. A relieved as he was to know (or at lest assume) she was safe enough to send him a brief letter to his home address, the abruptness of her calling was something that drove a wedge of doubt into would-be relief. The parchment had contained few words, merely a simple greeting and usual pleasantries before the girl had quickly gotten to the point of her letter – to let him know she’d drop by within two days’ time. The exhausted Swellow that had brought her word was still recovering – sleeping upon his roof.

Proper of her to let me know in that manner, really… Steven thought, crossing his hands behind his back and looking out one of the windows out upon the sea.

Although he was in the privacy of his own home, receiving a guest such as Lady Berlitz called for certain preparations. He’d made tea (for the first time in at least a quarter) and actually straightened up the common space in his house. Not that there was too much to ‘clean’, per se, but crooked books and rocks, stones, and fossils without any organized way of being seated wasn't something he cared for Platinum to see.

”Has it really been that long?” the heir mused quietly, reflecting upon their first meeting more than a decade ago, allowing himself to be lost in the memory as he awaited her arrival. A simple note on the slightly-ajar door invited her in without need to knock.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

It was rare for Platinum to initiate contact with her upper society friends. Though she often sent correspondance by letter to communicate with those whom she had some care for, she tended to keep her life somewhat separate for the sake of her sanity. Though, she wondered to herself as she made her brisk, formal pace toward the home of her friend, at least Steven was someone she could consider a more pleasant company than some of the high society people she associated with.

her feet fell heavily on the grond with her pave. She would arrive precisely when she said she would, and no sooner or later. Platinum's knuckles prepared to rap on the door when she saw the light through the open crack in the door and the note attached, alerting her to enter. She flicked her eyes across it as she pulled it off it's perch and folded it neatly up into quarters. Tucking it away into her bag, she let herself in and let her hand push the door closed behind her.

Steven was a sight for sore eyes. They did not keep regular physical company, but seeing him (at least mostly, from first impression) well and intact was a relief to the heiress. Hardly waiting for and invitation, she sat across from him and smiled, genuinely forgetting for a moment the reason for her visit.

But that could wait until the pleasantries had passed. They might prove to negate the need for her visit. She hoped, anyways. Telling Steven was going to be awkward enough.

"You look well, Steven. I am relieved to know that at least outwardly you are surviving. Though I suppose, with a name such as yours, I should have assumed you would be as immovable as a rock, even in such vicious weather." She smiled at him. Not the childish smile she had shared with him so long ago, but the quirk of lips that a lady was allowed in the presence of other high society members. "I am glad, even. You have not been injured by the storms, I hope? When I heard about the Indigo League, I must admit that I was.. concerned for your safety."

371
KITANE
MEWMEWMEW

LAIKA OF GS!

[STEVEN S. STONE]

He turned when

the creak of a his door alerted him to another's presence. Steel blue eyes barely took ten seconds to skim over the person whom had entered, their focus being her face. The ocean view through the window he'd been looking out only moments ago was forgotten almost instantly.

He'd actually decided to bother with contacts today, and he could see Platinum had grown up. She was closer to a woman now than he'd ever seen her. Meeting years ago when she was still a mere child had left him surprised the few instances they'd met since their first. Each time she seemed to become an even more pleasant sight, and this instance was no exception.

Small smile pulled at one side of his pale lips, in a half-smile. The expression would have been fuller and more meaningful, were it not for the suddenness of her calling. That was the only thing that left him wary - her reason for contacting him so abruptly after years of mutually understood minimal contact.

He let his head fall slightly in a miniscule bow of sorts from his seated position for the girl - no, she was a lady now - before him as she began speaking, making brief with the pleasantries of a greeting.

He could easily do the same - brief and to the point, though nowhere near as rushed as it would be were it some meeting to do with strict business. Arceus, he despised those.

"Ah...yes. A name such as 'Stone' would be a tell, no? For once it seems my constant moving around the world for the sake of exploration has kept me safe from the ... unnatural occurances which have been happening. I've either just been missing the storms or been missed by so little as a few hours after departure."

A heavy - though quiet - sigh left his lips at the mention of the Indigo League. That was an event that had shocked even him. "The loss of Indigo is...heavy, indeed. I was actually here at the time that happened and, well, the members of the Elite Four here were concerned for their own safety as well. However..."

Light eyes drifted momentarily to the window again, "If somebody wants to kill me, they're going to have to hunt me down in order to do so. At first my moving around was out of hobby, but now it may prove to be a method of survival."

Steven allowed his gaze to fall over her once more, taking in more of her than he had been able to with the crack in the door. "I hope you're doing as well as you look, my Lady?" he asked.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

It was easy to fall into a comfortable silence with someone you had a long companionship with. A friendship that had spanned since childhood into adulthood and, Platinum hoped, long beyond. But that was another matter. Her ankles crossed softly beneath the chair as she straightened her back and sat, looking directly back at Steven with confidence and a much more firm stare than she'd been capable of at the young age she'd been when they first met.

Sweeping her dark hair over her shoulder in one motion, she let her lips turn up at the edges and nodded. "A true tell, but I am glad that you have managed to avoid the storms. It is good to know that I do not have to fret." Platinum's hair now corrected, she settled easily into a slightly more comfortable position. Though there was no slouching she sat back a little further in her seat and nodded calmly.

"I am not surprised to hear that the members of the Elite Four are scared. I have heard whispers of the same from Sinnoh. But as you said, they must catch you to kill you. To keep moving is to stay safe, I think. Perhaps we should spread those words to the greater public. My family may be able to help in more than the rebuild if this is the case." Her fingers folded in on themselves on her knees, eyes softening a little in appreciation for the look outside.

He had a wanderlust, that was obvious from the fact that he was never pinned down. She too did not enjoy settling, and perhaps that was why the mutually agreed minimal contact had worked so well for them as friends - neither needed to have the other in their pocket at all times. It was relaxing to have a friendship that did not need constant nurture.

Platinum let her own gaze drop for a moment to the tea prepared on the table before them. She was not in any hurry to explain her predicament but nor could she avoid it forever. Fortunately she managed to stop herself from frowning, and she met Steven's look as she began her response. "I am unharmed and healthy. For that I am very thankful. I do have fears for one of my friends as I have not heard from him in some time, and he has troubles with rashness, but I am certain I am worrying for nothing. I am well in body, though my mind is troubled and with the world in the current predicament, I cannot find it in me to find a way out of my turmoil."

Her fingers laced within themselves then quickly shifted back to a more feminine folding atop one another as if she was mentally preparing herself to be more formal. The inner child that had so easily danced with the older Steven and had so comfortably spent the night by his side had gone. Trained and groomed to be a lady of pedigree, she had to think about her every move. "And as such, there are reasons for my visit other than to make certain you are well. I truly wish this could have been a courtesy call but there is a story behind it. Perhaps I could pour us some tea and explain?"

Used to being a hostess, rather than being hosted, it was almost second nature for Platinum to want to pour the tea. But she would not do so until Steven gave permission. After all, it was his home. She had no right to presume anything.

I-I'm not telling I'm sorry don't feel like you have to match my fucking muse
KITANE
seriously tho, if you want me to shorten it tell me

LAIKA OF GS!

[STEVEN S. STONE]

As much as moving around

has allowed me to stay safe, many people would be in more discord than they already are if they suddenly moved around... Steven's arms crossed over his chest and he leaned back slightly in the chair. Platinum's sentiment was straightforward and obvious, concern for the general public that could easily be victimized by thes unheardof acts. The greater public didn't have the power to fight back like Dex Holders such as Platinum, or Elite Four-ranked members such as himself.

Teeth bite down on the inside of his lip in contemplation, and his expression grew subtly more serious. However, her words reassured the ex-Champion to an extent. "I'm glad to hear you, at least, are safe. I hope you're able to contact that certain friend of yours soon as well." He paused briefly, "Perhaps staying in this turmoil will be your key to playing a part in fighting whatever we're against; as well as giving your allies cause to fight as well."

He didn't know if she was actively working to end the new enemy to all that had risen, just as he hadn't been for the most part, but in due time Steven feared there would be something that would eventually push anybody with the power to fight to do so.

The platinum rings on his fingers reflected the sunlight from the window as he gestured weakly to the tea before them. As a host, he would have offered momentarily, but he wouldn't deny the Lady's request to pour the steaming drink herself. "I assumed as much; for you to call so urgently after so long didn't indicate anything as light-hearted as pleasantries and idle small talk. I'd hate to take serious discussion on a parched tongue."

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

As a young woman watching the world fall apart, Platinum knew that it would be impossible to move people the way Steven moved. But sentiment and hopefully kept her clutching at straws when it came to saving people. There had already been far too many attacks and people had been hurt whom should not have been involved. She was strong, she had downed armies before with her strength and wisdom, but all she felt now was like a stupid child unaware of how to do the greater good. She had to start using her head and focusing on the strengths that she had been given, the purpose she as a dex holder possessed.

Hands worked deftly to set the two teacups in place to be poured, and she looked up with a small smile. "I will do my best to inspire those who need inspiring. My heart has wanted to act rashly where my mind has not, and there have been a few moments where I have almost believed that a sacrifice, to throw myself into battle against them, would be the way to battle against these people." She lifted the teapot with trained fingers and she nodded, "I hope we hear from him also."

Pouring two cups of tea, she put the pot down and placed Steven's cup in front of him. Her eyes reflected the light similarly to his ring and the heiress closed them as she thought about how she was going to go about having such a conversation with someone whom she considered a friend - and a long time one at that.

Platinum raised her cup to her lips, letting the warm liquid slide down her throat like liquid confidence. Unlike many, an alcoholic beverage was not inspiring to the heiress. She was far more courageous when she was warm and comfortable, when she had a clear mind and a cup of tea in front of her. Replacing the cup to it's saucer, she let a soft, slightly hollow chuckle pass through her throat and nodded. "I did not wish to bother you so suddenly, and I would much rather have brought light-hearted pleasantries and small talk, however I come with news. Knowledge to arm yourself with, as it were."

Small hands, clearly unworked and made for the daintier things in life, wrapped around the cup as she glanced down at the floor. "I am unlikely to be your only visitor in the next few weeks." She started with a slight frown. How was she to explain her father's intentions as to what he half-expected them to do? In his defense there was always some merit to a strategic marriage, that had been the whole purpose of her initial pairing with Fernando Silph. "But before I explain that, I should let you know why. Have you heard of a man named Fernando Silph, perhaps? The.. " Words eluded her as she tried to find one that wasn't a crude description of his personality. "Heir to the Silph company."

<3
KITANE
esplaining time

LAIKA OF GS!

[STEVEN S. STONE]

Steven merely nodded

to Platinum’s strong words. For a young Lady, she had already come far; and the maturity beyond her years that she had demonstrated even as a young child was only proving to manifest in a more obvious manner than it had then. He reached forward, taking the cup of tea she had placed delicately before him into his own hands. The saucer, too, slipped into his grip in a much more haphazard manner than his own. However, it stayed steady between the fingers with which he held it.

The hot drink slid down his throat when Platinum resumed speaking. From behind his cup, he nodded in silent acceptance of her apologies, the light in his steel-blue eyes understanding. Serious situations often arose in the most unexpected manners about the most unexpected topics. Although accustomed to such situations arising in the world of business and others of his social status whenever he was forcibly roped back into the realm, he disliked and wished to avoid for as long as possible. That being said, being confronted by Platinum, of all people, he was more curious than he cared to admit.

Eyebrows rose as she began her explanation. Unlikely to be my only visitor? That warranted some concern from the Champion. The manner in which she said that was foreboding, at least for one as evasive as Steven. He practically wanted to groan at the thought. Being visited by many people in a short amount of time never met anything good. However, the expression and urge to complain in some manner was concealed entirely behind the teacup.

And why is that, I wonder… he thought, finally replacing the object upon a saucer before lightly pushing it onto the table. He figured she would explain.

As such, she didn’t fail to disappoint.

”Fernando Silph,” the Champion repeated, voice low. ”I’m very aware of who he is. Even I’m not so evasive of my position as to neglect that knowledge. Why do you ask?”

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

Sometimes it was easy for Platinum to forget that she had friends in the upper society. She was so focused on Diamond and Pearl that time spent with people like Steven was unusual and somewhat shocking. It was as he held his teacup and then replaced it on the table that she noticed the steady hand with which he held, and the normal ease he had in te same attitudes she did. Metal-sheened eyes flicked down to her own tea, shameful of the truth in what she was about to describe to the friend she had adopted that evening in her childhood. "He is- was, my husband. When the earthquake struck Johto, my family suffered a great deal of losses to their hotel chain. In truth there must have been other options in order to restore some faith and wealth to our name, but under request of my parents and of my own unfortunate choosing, I married him."

Platinum paused - somewhat for dramatic effect and somewhat to let the fact of her humiliation sink in entirely for Steven before she continued, her fingers delicately curling around the teacup more informally than previous, a comfort on the long thin digits with the warmth of the tea. "I will admit I fell to a false promise. He assured me that my family's fortune would be secure and safe in his hands, and that it would merely be a marriage of convenience. It was only after moving me quickly to marriage in a private ceremony where even my family were unwelcome and the negotiations that followed that I had realised my enormous mistake. He took possession of a large portion of our company and refused to allow me any decisions as the heir." Once more her voice was halted and she gently placed the cup down on it's saucer, listening to the gently tink of china against china.

Delicately she pushed a strand of hair from her face and allowed her eyes to move back to Steven, her lips creased in a neutral line. "Unfortunately," The word spoken was without a trance of true reticence, unphased by the fact that her husband was supposedly deceased, "He was presumed killed in the attack on Silph Co. This has returned my family their estate by means of the will. It has also placed me in a situation my family does not believe to be... positive."

Allowing her hands to fold into her lap, the heiress forced her gaze to meet that of the Tsawabaki heir. Steven was one of her longest-lasting friends. He had been in her life since before she had met Pearl or Diamond, and since before she had been allowed out to do anything other than be pretty and to ready. "I am not proud of my position, but my father unfortunately now believes that due to our company being in a tender situation, I should remarry swiftly."

By this point it was unlikely that Steven did not know the reason she was telling him all of this. Reiterating it verbally might have been unnecessary by the time she had finished, but Platinum thought it best to bring the words out bluntly rather than dancing around the subject. She had never been known for tiptoeing around the facts, she had always been a firm believer in honesty and less colourful chatter. It meant that conversation was always to the point with her, even if sometimes it did come out shockingly. "He believes that you are the best choice. I wanted to alert you before he came seeking your answer. You deserve to be warned before being confronted. I believe he will seek your father first and then come knocking."

In their situation, Platinum couldn't help but believe there were worse choices for a husband, however she also knew that Steven was lucky to have the right of choice and were she to have the same option, she would hate to have it forced away should her father manage to convince the President. "I apologise for my bluntness and for my father making assumptions, but most of all I wanted to make certain you were aware of the situation so that he did not try to spin it any worse than it was."

<3
KITANE
esplaining time

LAIKA OF GS!

[STEVEN S. STONE]

Steven often forgot

it was an encounter so many years ago that led to his friendship with this girl – woman – rather than their social class throwing them together so roughly as it normally did. It was for this reason, perhaps, that the words she began explaining herself with took him by greater surprise than they would have coming from any other member of upper-class society. Marriages for reasons all too similar to this one happened regularly, though out of what was perhaps considered luck, he’d had little association with them.

He bit down on the inside of his lip as her embarrassment for the entire situation could be felt. Admittedly, he doubted he would feel any other way in her situation. Steel-blue eyes narrowed as she continued to describe the series of events that changed her position – twice – in regards to her rights as Berlitz heir.

There was nothing that could be said in her defense to that. Unfortunate as it was, bloodlines in their position could be swayed by helpings of cash, charismatic words, and law.

It was irritating, to say the least.

However, he spared only a few seconds to feel a shred of remorse for the supposed loss of life. It was a fact of life to die, and just as much a fact of war. The latter was all too close to becoming a full-blown reality to simply discard it as a method of easing the death over.

If it really was a death.

His focus now was on the realization that flashed through his mind. The flow of the conversation could only progress logically in this manner.

The knowledge made the former Champion pale, even before the young lady uttered the words which he had already confirmed through his thoughts (fears). Quickly, Steven brought the tea to his lips, to avoid talking for as long as possible. He set the cup and saucer down a final time after the liquid had vanished, reluctant to do so.

”Well…” the Champion began slowly, ”…if I wasn’t aware of it a few seconds ago –“ which he had not been, ”- I most definitely am now.” He twitched slightly. ”Uh…we’ll…figure out how to deal with this accordingly. Ideally prior to your father convincing mine. Now, if you’ll please excuse me for a moment…”

He gave no reason, instead standing abruptly in absolute stiff silence and half-walking, half shuffling to, and out of, his back door.

Contrary to the ideal celebrity image, Steven was actually a rather shy person. It was only part of the reason he disliked the massive amounts of fans he had acquired on his road to becoming Champion, and why he especially disliked having his picture taken.

That being said, if he were allowed to depart when a situation made him nervous, he would. Rude as it was to Platinum, the ‘fight-or-flight’ response in his body chose “flight” whenever it was able and the time wasn't absolutely desperate as it had been fighting Team Magma and Team Aqua.

With a sigh, Steven leaned against the back of his house, not even thinking twice before placing a cigarette in his lips and lighting it. He took a long drag from the cigarette before lowering it to his side, held lightly between his fingers. Smoke curled out of his mouth, and his thoughts resumed their rapid spin around his mind.

This was not what he had expected. Not in the slightest.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

It was as uncomfortable a conversation as Platinum could have imagined it becoming. For most people in their level of high-society, the swing of money was enough for a happy marriage to be made. Certainly there were more tales of torrid affairs and diving behind backs, but for Platinum she had always been raised on the ways of high class. She had very little meaning behind true love past simple, slightly childish affection and rarely would she consider the idea of any kind of affair.

She had always half-given herself to the idea that she would be married for convenience, and as much as Diamond and Pearl had taught her of emotion, and how it would be nice to marry for love, she had not truly been able to ever see herself taking the hand of a loved one after walking down the aisle. Life for a Berlitz was one of convenience and one of fortune.

It was one that came with it's own set of rules which Platinum, being an obedient daughter, would follow. It was only for friends like Steven whom she would bend those rules. He had been a good friend to her since her childhood when he had spent an entire evening catering to her whims. Which of course, had been rather cute. But either way, he had still given her much more attention than any of the other attending adults had, and she had respected him for it.

She allowed her friend to excuse himself to take in the knowledge she had thrown upon him so suddenly. Whilst he was outdoors, she took to her feet and moved the tea set to the sink carefully, rinsing and turning the cups upside down to be dealt with at a later time.

As she returned to the table, Platinum wrinkled her nose in a very ill-amused manner. From years of being exposed to her grandfather smoking, the smell of tobacco was clear to her and she frowned visibly as she continued to clean up after their conversation. "Steven Stone," she opted for the name she had referred to him by for their whole friendship, though it was much more stern than their more pleasant conversations, "You had best hope that is not a cigarette that I can smell."

Platinum would give him his privacy, certainly, but when it came to killing himself with deathsticks? No, she would not just allow that without alerting him of her displeasure.

<3
CUTIE KANE
leap made me do it

LAIKA OF GS!

[STEVEN S. STONE]

Another brief puff from the cigarette

brought his mind to a slower pace, the Champion finally now beginning to process the information which had been handed to him so suddenly. For his position in society, and Platinum's as well, the idea of marriage for the sake of convenience or maintaining "family business", along with any extra-financial affairs associated with preventing a company from falling through, it should have been expected for him to one day come across this situation.

Perhaps he had simply never expected it to actually happen, seeing as he'd managed to get through most of his life simply brushing the fringes of their select society compared to what most imagined it to be. The only times he had truly thrown hismelf headlong into the "lifestyles of the rich and the famous" was when he was left with no other choice.

And now it seemed such a lifestyle would be approaching him soon. Steven knew his father, and he had enough familiarity with Platinum's father to assume events would only unfold as his young friend suggested. His father would want to keep both personal and occupational ties with the Berlitz family going strong, and as such would likely see little opposition to telling his son to court the Berlitz heir.

She is beautiful, at least...

As if that made the entire situation any better.

He was wrenched from his thoughts with her sharp tone. Shit... He glanced at the addictive object, noting that it was barely one-quarter of the way gone. And Giratina consume his soul if he were to litter...anywhere, really, though particularly Mossdeep.

"Should I fear for myself if it is?"

There was no sense in attempting to hide it, as ashamed of the newfound habit as he was. Plus, he couldn't imagine lying do Platinum.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

With the teacups cleaned and left to drain any extra water on the sink, there wasn't much reason for the heiress to be hovering around his kitchen. Sweeping dark hair back from her face, she glanced at the door where the older had escaped to and shook her head. Whilst she wanted to scold him and list off a hundred reasons why he shouldn't be smoking, she also knew that the habit became increasingly easy to pick up the more stressful a situation was.

She couldn't blame Steven for any sort of frustration or nerves on his part. She had felt trapped and like a caged animal before when fronted with Fernando and this was another such situation. A fix for the long term - for Devon and for the Berlitz company together. Platinum's metallic-hued gaze softened and she made her way to the door slowly.

Their lives were run by convenience and there was little room for argument should a decision be made by the head of a family. With her parents still alive and her father still running things, Platinum could only warn her friend and make certain he knew what the reasons behind the sudden proposal may have been.

Pushing open the door and seeing the cirgarette between his fingers, Platinum half-sighed but shook her head. "You should fear for yourself because of what they do to you. All I can do is give you a stern talking to and remind you how horrid it would be for those of us who care for you to know it was those that hurt you."

Closing the door behind her and turning to look directly at him, the heiress evaluated the entire situation the way she might a battle. There was always going to be issues in that what they shared wasn't love. Neither of them had been afforded that right, but there were positives too. Steven was a good man and one of her dearest friends. At least in that he would be a far gentler and less terrifying prospect for a husband than her previous one had been.

"In some parts I came to warn you so that you might be able to deny them before they try. I did not want to be the type of friend who knew of an intention that would affect you and not warn you. You are a good man, Steven, and a good friend. You have been there for me over many years and I would hate to see you forced into something that made you unhappy." Platinum softened a little, resting delicately against the wall beside him.

"Regardless of who they choose, I am certain they will find a way for me to remarry. If you want to find reasons to beat them to it, I will be glad to help you."

<3
Kaaaaaane.
Not my best but hey it actually sounds like Plat which is a bonus.

LAIKA OF GS!

[STEVEN S. STONE]

He looked over to the door

when he heard it opening, one eyebrow raised slightly above the other as he met her gaze. He had a feeling, based on her tone and common sense alone, that she would not appreciate the disgusting habit he'd been driven to pick up during this catastrophe taking place throughout the regions.

"At the very least take comfort in the fact it hasn't been a part of my life for long." That much was true, but it wasn't as though it made the habit any better. "And I don't intend for it to be something to remain even after circumstances which brought it forth have dissapated entirely."

The Champion fell quiet as he listened to her, cigarette returning to his lips briefly, and lingering there as he pondered even after she'd spoken. Turning his head to the side to face away from her as she leaned next to him, he exhaled the smoke that direction, jaw angled upward above her head so there would be less of an odor directed at her.

"Well, at the very least I thank you for coming to warn me. It must have been a long trip." He allowed the hand holding the cigarette to fall to his side, as he turned his head to look at her. "I would hate to see you forced into anything, Platinum. Which is only part of the reason I'm having such difficulty with this."

Steven sighed, steel blue eyes rising from where they'd lingered on her shoulder to meet her own. "To be frank, the only immediate benefit I can see coming from something like this between us is the fact you wouldn't be at risk for anybody else in our world of things, and although I distance myself from it I can say for certainty that there are far less desireable men."

He meant that in many ways, perhaps it was a spark of the confidence he had in himself showing outside of a pokemon battle. "Not only do I dislike the idea of being forced into anything, dislike the idea of you being forced into anything, but I take slight issue with the fact that I'm nearly twice your age, Platinum. I know that doesn't matter to our parents, but honestly."

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

The smell of smoke reminded her of cigars and conferences, meetings a young heiress would be directed out of with a gentle push on the back of her head. Business meetings between company leaders and discussions that children should not be part of. It reminded her that when she had been old enough to say no, they'd puffed away and been incredulous that a young woman would have any opinion on the matters they discussed. And it reminded her that when she'd taken charge of certain aspects, she had banished the deathsticks from any meeting she had attended because of those previous memories.

"I do take comfort in that. Let us hope, then, those circumstances end quickly then, so you have no need for it." It wasn't polite for a lady to lean, to look so casual as she rested against a wall - but the whole situation was ridiculous enough that protocol could be lost and Platinum could think about other things than protocol and how to look proper when having a conversation with another member of high society. Steven had seen her as a child, when it hadn't been so necessary to be proper. She figured at least while she was talking to him alone she could relax somewhat.

"The trip was necessary. It was not a conversation for the telephone, nor was it one I wanted to send in writing." Tucking loose strands of sleek hair back behind her ears, Platinum's eyes cast upwards once again and she shook her head. "To my father the biggest benefit is freedom from the Silph name and from my previous husband. I do not doubt that whether it is you or the head of another corporation, he will find a suitable financial match."

Her fingertips latched together, dropping against her thighs as she cast her eyes away. "Desire or not, you are far more considerate than most of the other options available to me," the heiress mused, letting out a long breath and adjusting herself against the wall. "You are a good friend and you are certainly not the oldest candidate my father would consider. Regardless of your decision, it is of benefit to our company to associate my name with another than Fernando's."

It was out of place, but Platinum let a soft chuckle pass through her lips. The situation for those outside of society, outside of marriges for convenience would have seemed as laughable as she suddenly seemed ot think it was, but the Berlitz heir knew that regardless of the outcome she would be remarried not for love but for the right reasons - those regularly being a good price and stability. A promise for a continued prosperous corporation.

"I am not a child waiting in the stands as her idol wins his championship any longer, Steven. The gap in our ages is hardly the point I am most concerned by. If not you, the next most eligible comes in line. For my father age is not a consideration. Besides, you were silver haired before you were adult enough for it to be an issue." She looked sidelong at him, taking a moment to offer the slight turning up of her lip.

"For me, there are benefits. A friend rather than a chosen figure, someone I trust implicitly to not use me as bait for everything and anything. A partner who will not shun my ability to run the company I have been controlling for his own gain. Perhaps in many ways we are a mismatch, but we are friends, Steven. Age aside, you are a better choice to me already than my previous husband and my of my other options. Even with these factors however, if you wish to face our fathers head on, I will stand beside you and argue the negatives. Two heads can be used far better than one."

<3
Kaaaaaane.
dont mind me just screaming for steven

LAIKA OF GS!

[STEVEN S. STONE]

"Well, unfortunately I am no peace-bringer.

I am incapable of stopping wars, even as a former Champion." He spoke both from personal experience and practicality - during the disaster in Hoenn so many years ago, he'd given his life to end the fighting between two incredibly stupid sides, and still nothing had come of it. In a war like this one currently going on, though, but on a much bigger scale, there was no way he could dream of stopping it single-handedly. However, giving Platinum some awareness as to why the habit had been born was the least he could do.

The Champion listened to the heiress speak in silence, his gaze casting out to sea as he took a quiet drag from his cigarette. She thought of this in a more practical manner than he did, and he expected as much from her. After all, she was more deeply rooted with the finer aspects of their type of life than he was. The most involvement he experienced was social situations and making decisions from behind a desk. In this area, he would readily admit that she had more experience - especially if she'd been thrust into situations such as this before.

"Believe me when I say I'm highly concerned with other issues of our arrangement as well. However, speaking as the friend - that I would admittedly prefer you wind up with than a random man, as well, for a whole assortment of reasons - you've had since you were a child, our age gap is of concern to me." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "However, for your sake, I can put my personal discomfort aside. I know that I would hate myself afterward for a good many reasons if you wound up with somebody undesireable, and I had the chance to prevent it."

Steel blue irises shifted from the sea to look down at her.

"If you wish to face our fathers as well, I will not be stopping you. However, I think it may be smartest - after your father has pitched the idea to my own - for us to go to them individually before meeting altogether."

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

Platinum only knew of what had happened in Hoenn. She, having been too young to truly comprehend at the time - though, that being said, she was young when even her own perils were upon her - hadn't realised the extent of Steven's involvement, hadn't known how much he'd sacrificed in the battle between Aqua and Magma. She knew he had participated, and to her that already meant he was more a bringer of peace than these villains. "You are someone who would rather peace, that is enough. Once peace time comes, you will not have the need for those." She spoke matter-of-factly, as if there was no denying her words.

Sometimes it was better to merely agree with Platinum, it tended to be less stressful for all parties involved. "Your concern is of issue to me, and that is why I wanted you to be warned. I wanted you to be prepared when our fathers are to come to us, so that when you aruge the point against it, you will have had time to think over your words. Practised ones are far more poingnant than not, and with an arguement planned, you can counter surprises with yourown fact."

She, like any other twenty year old girl, did not want to see her friend forced into a marriage that lacked love. They existed in a world of numbers and convenience, but that did not mean he had to be exposed to the same trauma she did. If there was someone more desireable - perhaps not in body, because even older than her as he was, Steven was a fine male specimen - she would certainly suggest them. She had investigation to do, that was for sure, but when she had first heard word from her mother and father about the motion to move their family forward with remarrying, her first thought had been to warn him.

"You need not worry yourself with what may happen to me, Steven. I would rather see you happy than not. I know this situation is less than ideal, and I dislike that I present it to you at all." Her own eyes shifted from the ocean to meet his, strange almost-gold gaze meeting the silvery tones of his own. "I am happy to approach my father singularly. I fear my opinions will not take much stand in this situation, as it was poor judgement that lead us to a deal with Silph in the first place. If I cannot convince him I will let you know. Perhaps they will change their minds of their own accord with all of the troubles. I unfortunately believe that unlikely, but there is the possibility."

Folding her hands together, she looked down at them, "I had hoped this would be one thing I could avoid as an heiress. That the world would give us the opportunity to grow without the need to make success. If it comes to it, however, and I know you have a great number of concerns, at least we are friends, Steven. There are far worse situations than that of friendship."

<3
Kaaaaaane.
im sorry steven i left you unloved for days i am the worst fangirl ever

LAIKA OF GS!