elevator music [ fernie ]

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

When Platinum had seen a face appear on-screen when the rangers had been appearing in interviews, she hadn't quite believed her eyes. Her apparently dead husband whom she had managed to mostly avoid for quite a few months was suddenly showing up on the television. Frequently. As the so-called head ranger. Needless to say she had been shocked and her father had called her almost instantly to ask what was going on. He had been, in his own time, attempting to organise a second union for his daughter to claim that the marriage had not been consummated and was therefore null and void.

With the world as up in arms as it had been, Platinum decided that she had to confront him. He couldn't be leading the rangers, he couldn't be leading the one group that still openly exposed the regime. Her decision had lead her to Unova to an office building in Castelia. The ranger logo branded itself across the windows of the building and she shook her head. As concerning as it was to confront Fernando it was more concerning not to do so.

She had booked an appointment, kept it formal and somewhere public enough that if she went missing she would be noticed. She only hoped it didn't come down to that and that it could remain somewhat civil despite the confrontational context of the meet.

Pushing through the doors, she walked straight up to the reception desk. "Platinum Berlitz," She purposely left off the connecting name, "I have a four o'clock meeting with your leader. He is expecting me." Being told that it was on the twenty-first floor, she nodded, pressed the elevator button and waited. Impatiently she strolled in once it had returned, and her heart thundered in her chest with concern for the whole situation. Poised as only someone of high society could be, she strode out of the elevator and straight towards the office.

[FERNANDO SILPH]

Humbling.

It’s the only word that Fernando dares to use to summarize his recent descent into nothingness. In a world with hundreds of thousands of lives, what difference does one person make? Earth is not the only planet in our solar system. The moss deep Space Center has made it more than clear that this planet is nothing more than just another huge space rock in a large, unexplored universe. You can die at any time and the world will not stop.

You are not special.

You are nothing more than a speck of dust.

People have lived and died. Many mean nothing and the people of old are long forgotten. Every life is nothing more than a whisper in the collective chatter that goes on everyday. Some people live grand lives but their voices never become more than a silent roar. Fernando knows this now, acknowledges it, and has every intention of yelling until his lungs give out. The world will remember Fernando Silph in one way or another.

For both Platinum and the Knights of Arceus to consider Fernando as anything less than a threat was a foolish mistake that they would soon learn to regret. He had promised the Berlitz that he would return but she ignored him, hoping that like most inconveniences he would just disappear. She couldn’t be any more wrong. But, that wasn’t anything new, now was it?

"I have many fears, but I am not bound as I do not let them control me. I will do what I can for this world, even if it frightens me. I am free."

"You do not want to keep the world as it is, Fernando. Perhaps they are psychotic but we have dealt with those who would do things of such a sort before. You would be just as eager for power as they are just in a different way, and sometimes you are equally as controlling."

How ironic. If Fernando wasn’t busy with more pressing matters he would’ve gloated over those words. Unfortunately, his ambitions proved much too demanding for him to sit idle, reminiscing. The fact the Rangers allowed this travesty to even happen marked a dire need for Fernando to rearrange the roster, flushing out the ranks and reiterating a new unification within the organization. The days of being a union of peaceful officers were long gone. If they were to stand a chance of being useful pawns, then it’d be up to Fernando to militarize them. All under the simple implication of creating a force to combat the Knights.

“…”

A single ranger waits outside Fernando’s office. Pass him is the only way inside Fernando’s office. He glares at Platinum as she approaches, showing no signs of budging.

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

Her eyes locked on the lone ranger and Platinum nearly backed off. Except she wasn't intimidated by a single ranger standing guard. She had scheduled the appointment, she was entitled to see Fernando. And not only was she entitled to see him because of her appointment but because she was his wife. Not that she liked that any more than she liked him personally, but it was still enough to keep her moving forwards.

Her hands folded together as she looked up at the ranger, poised and managing not to flinch despite his glare. "My name is Platinum Berlitz. I have an appointment scheduled with your leader. He ought to be expecting me." She wasn't pleased at all that Fernando was leading the Knights. Already they seemed to have lost the friendly edge that so many of the soldiers had.

"Please allow me to pass." Politeness was next to godliness, if you asked her mother, and she happened to agree with it. If she had to meet with her husband, if she absolutely had to, well, she would most definitely make it cordial and calm. She couldn't lose her cool. It had been a miscalculation to expect he would leave her alone in the first place, so she would have to take every step with a new caution that she did not possess previously.

[FERNANDO SILPH]

He pauses.

Then he knocks on the door.

Silence.

He knocks again.

No answer.

He opens the door, stepping to the side to allow her in.

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

With a nod at the ranger, Platinum took a few steps into the room slowly. Closing the door behind her, she let herself look up to keep her gaze on the man she had married.

Her heels clicked on the floor loudly and she stopped in the centre of the room without continuing any further.

"Fernando," She said plainly. "I was not imagining your return to the limelight so soon."

[FERNANDO SILPH]

Platinum may shut the door but it’s the ranger behind her that locks it. A distinctive click sounds off as the door stands sealed behind her. This room was never meant to keep people out but, rather, keep them in. And, unfortunately, it looks like Platinum has found her way to the lion’s den. There’s no light here, only a small, kindled flame flickering from the opposite end of the room. His desk is lined up not too far from it, positioned perfectly for the fire to nip at his backside. Alone, he sits at his desk in his otherwise empty office, lost in his own world of thought.

His only answer was the continued clicking of his keyboard.

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

Platinum's nose wrinkled slightly in dissatisfaction, irritated that not only was she now locked in with her "husband" but she was being utterly ignored. "Good afternoon, Fernando." She tried again, her voice raised to a more audible tone. Whether or not he paid attention, she was not pleased to be there in the first place.

She doubted he would step down as the ranger leader in any real hurry - he'd be too pleased with the legion of power at his - but at the very least perhaps a dissolution of the marriage could null any of her own ties to his acts in the future. Perhaps he might somewhere have the heart to give her that.

[FERNANDO SILPH]

"Are you here to beg or to apologize?

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

With a blink, his words pulled her out of her own mind and she shook her head. "I am here to ask for you to step down from this role. As I doubt very much you would acquiesce to my request, I am also here to ask for an annulment on our union. The contractual agreement stand, as outlined, but due to the nature of your own opinions and rights, I believe it would be best for both of us to part ways. As the marriage was never consummated it is wholly legal for a simple annulment." Platinum stated flatly. No sense for small talk with him. He was not high in her list of close friends, and thus the pleasantries were rather ignored.

[FERNANDO SILPH]

Fernando finds it remarkably easy to hold his tongue. Rebuking her for such an unreasonable request does little to nothing to help her problem. He can’t blame her, a child, for having such a wild imagination. All he can do is squash her optimism underneath his boot, snuffing out it’s liveliness with a resounding “no.”

Nothing is worse than having to take time out of his schedule for something so trivial. The only thing to top it is when he actually has to pay attention to her. He whispers something inaudible to Platinum, due to her distance from him, and his computer screen begins to retract from it’s holder and back to laying flat against his desk. A brief flash of his Porygon-Z crosses the screen but it’s hardly noticeable.

:”Come here.”

They may have spent their time apart but distance does little to stop Fernando from commanding her. His chair rolls back, exposing himself from underneath his elaborate, glass desk to better face her. Legs spread and back straight, he’s poised to look down at her even if stands over him.

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

The fact that he could so easily rebuke her without considering it went to show how different Fernando was than most of the people Platinum elected to associate with. As much as it had been her decision to marry Fernando for the good of her family, she did not like it one bit. She took a few well-planned steps forward to stand in front of her desk, her own poise kept as she moved to stand straight. "What good does it do you to have me as your wife? You and I both know I am not your type, and if you chose to void our marriage, you would have to opportunity to marry someone more of your tastes."

She knew her chances were slim, but perhaps just once Platinum could put the fact that it was logical into Fernando's head to make him see the light of day. She didn't want to be his trophy wife any more than he wanted to be at the bottom of the food chain. The heiress was quite done with being associated with his name. There was no longer any need.

[FERNANDO SILPH]

"No," he corrects her, patting his lap, "here."

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

Platinum actually laughed, shaking her head. "I am not going to sit on your lap, Fernando." She moved to put either hand on his desk, leaning forward. "This is not a joke, this is our lives. Are they not important to you? This would be good for you too."

[FERNANDO SILPH]

“I gave you my answer. If you don’t want to discuss it, that’s fine by me.”

And, for the moment, his attention is once again back to his flat screen monitor.

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

Platinum frowned, "I am trying to discuss it like civilised adults, rather than escalating it into an argument but instead you just indicate I sit on your lap. Why would I sit there?" One hand raised to place it over the screen. "Having a conversation is not entirely implausible for us, is it?"

[FERNANDO SILPH]

A wild impulse commands Fernando to swat her hand away. He dares to go against it. He’s above that. There’s no need for him to become violent. Not when there were others who were more than suitable for such a job.

“Discharge.”

The command comes out as a whisper, one that only his computer is adept enough to pick up. Electricity crackles out in response, several small sparks sprouting out to prickle at Platinum’s unwelcome hand.

“You come to my work, to take my time, to make demands of me? No, no, no. If you take, you give. If you want this conversation then you’re going to go by my rules.”

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

The pain wasn't much but it was unexpected and despite her best intentions, Platinum flinched. Her hand withdrew and she let her lips purse.

"I made an appointment, I did not just burst in. I wished to talk to you. I am not trying to make demands. But if you want it to be a discussion with give and take, I will play by your rules." She briefly rubbed her fingers over the hand which had been most affected by the shock, and she moved around the desk - however unwillingly - to sit on his lap tentatively.

Using what strength she had in her legs to keep herself up to prevent herself touching him too much, she looked across at him. "Now may we discuss our options?"

[FERNANDO SILPH]

Fernando lies against his back while Platinum mounts him. With his legs only mildly spread there’s ample room for hers to slide down, draping over his. Any desire to force her to cling to him is dissuaded by the amusement he arouses from watching her struggle to keep herself afloat. From here, she can spot the slight deviance in his facial expression. What would traditionally be a condescending, fiendish smirk was nothing more than a flat, apathetic scowl.

“You may.”

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

She kept her eyes on him as she managed to balance herself. "I would like to see our marriage annulled for both of our sakes. It is not a necessity and you have far more important thinks to organise with your new position. I am certain you would be much happier if we were to go our own directions."

[FERNANDO SILPH]

“I wouldn't and I won't.”

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

"May I ask if there is a reason? I assume there is no way that you will step down from this organisation either?" She prompted further, losing a little of her strength but quickly readjusting so as not to show him weakness but attempting to maintain her politeness.

[FERNANDO SILPH]

"I don't want to. Why would I drop everything I've worked on for no reason?"

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

"What good am I to you?" She asked, forcing the exasperation out of her words. She locked her gaze on his eyes. "You proved that you could have what you wanted, you proved how intelligent you are. I feel like my position in your strategy does not exist."

[FERNANDO SILPH]

Silence.

Fernando allows her words to settle in, fermenting until he can find that one glaring crack she's left to expose herself. "Your feelings are irrelevant. I'm intelligent. I know what I'm doing." He doesn't expect her to believe him, much less trust him but she doesn't have a choice. By coming to the lion's den, Platinum has accomplished little more than feeding herself to Fernando's ravenous appetite.

"You're desperate." A simple observation but one that's meant to provoke her. "Why now? If you wanted to marriaged annulled, why wait until now? There's someone else, isn't there?"

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

"So explain what use I am to you then, if my feelings are so very irrelevant." Platinum quipped back, folding her hands together on her knees. The whole idea seemed wasted now, making the time to try to speak with him. She wished more than anything that his public appearance could have been delayed.

She could have remarried someone nicer while he was dead, she could have then had the right to choose her marriage. She could have done a great many things that were now impossible. His next words gave her a shock, and she stood and stepped away toward the desk with them. "No, but that is none of your business!" Platinum replied, almost too quickly. Despite there being no feelings for others, she couldn't help but feel like remaining with him quelled any chances at finding something that was more than just words on paper.

"I want to annul our marriage now because you have assumed a public role. And one of power. I am concerned with having both of our names tied into that power."

[FERNANDO SILPH]

Her reaction tells him more than she'll ever care to admit. He knows he's struck a nerve and it pleases him. Watching her squirm, having to physically move herself away from his, the representation of her problem, brings a small, meek smirk to his otherwise bland face. That's how she's always been, preferring to remove herself from uncomfortable conditions rather than face them is the same reason he refuses to tell her anything. It only leads to bickering and a clash of their very different ideologies.

"Is that it? What concerns could you possibly have with being associated with the head of all pokemon rangers?"

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

Leaning against the desk instead now - and much more comfortable now she wasn't perched precariously on her husband's knee - Platinum frowned at the twitch of his lips. "The fact that you and I do not see eye to eye. I did not agree with your plans before and I am almost certain I do not agree with them now."

The heiress flattened her skirt as she stood taller. "It is for our own independence. If I am to stay with you, I wish to know why. My name is to be associated with all you do as your wife but I am never allowed to know exactly what it is that you are planning."

[FERNANDO SILPH]

"You've had your bad time, Platinum. Your family fell on hard times and you were struggling to maintain your status quo. You father kept pestering you to marry, to coerce you into something you didn't want but had to do out of obligation to your family. I was there to pick you up and I've allowed you to use me so you and your family could stand on your own two feet. And to show your appreciation you've done nothing but meddle in my plans. You've stopped me short of accomplishing my goals and now that you're back to your previous, content position you wish to leave me. And now you're wondering why I don't wish to share my thoughts and endeavors with you?"

What should be a bitter, resentful rant comes out as a plain, matter-of-fact confession. Whether or not it guilts her means little to nothing. He doesn't expect Platinum to regret her actions, nor feel any compassion for him, but it's still something worth saying. Another excerpt to tug at her emotion and allow Fernando to further gauge her character.

[PLATINUM BERLITZ-SILPH]

It was not an incorrect assumption to say that Platinum had been stunned into silence. She had been seeing the world as a black and white of good plans and bad plans and had not agreed with the idea of Fernando being in charge of everything any more than she had the Knights, but she could not deny the fact that what he said was true. He had been the Berlitz family's saviour and she had interfered out of her own sense of good but she did owe Fernando the fact that she and her family were all right.

Platinum's stance softened and her lips turned downwards. He was correct in the knowledge that she did not regret her actions to stop him previously but she did feel remorse, and nodded once. "I can understand why you would choose not to share them with me with that explanation. I appreciate your honesty." The pokedex holder had always felt the expectation to do good in the world. Since her assistance in the defeat of Team Galactic she had always felt like she owed it to the world to continue.

She had never stopped to consider that Fernando had been a stepping stone in her attempts to do that. "I apologise for the stress I have caused you. I would still prefer a dissolution of our union, but you do not have any obligation to give that to me. I would only have assumed you would rather someone less meddlesome by your side than I."

[FERNANDO SILPH]

"I know. I don't intend to anyway. I'm not a petty man but I have no intention of letting you use and abuse me only to move on without a second thought. If I want something I'll take it, you should know that by now. If I wanted to annul our marriage then we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."