#(eris continuing to stoke fabas ego...while dropping subtle hints about how devon is soooo great?)

[pridepoisoned]

Throughout her years serving as Devon's most charismatic carnivore, Eris has broken down many of the Pokemon world's most brilliant minds, wooing them with enticing promises and scintillating deals until they become putty in her hands. Sleek laboratories, symposiums, conferences, and boardrooms are her hunting grounds, and the former commander rarely returns back to Devon empty-handed, an enraptured scientist or small business clutched tightly in her grip.

And now, her visit to Aether Paradise--a reclusive, untapped refuge ripe with data and potential--provides a fresh opportunity for Eris to sink her teeth into a new target. So far, Faba is playing his role of staunch overseer to an expert-level degree, fending off her swaying compliments with stubborn disinterest. He's obviously disciplined, well-forged in the world of science...and hiding many secrets beneath his harried surface.

Eris doesn't mind Faba's complicated character thus far. If anything, he's proving to be more entertaining this way. Her glasses gleam ominously as she follows the guide into Aether's underworld, the surrounding greenery falling away to reveal a sleek, futuristic artificiality.

"The most impactful scientific advancements can only occur when certain lines are crossed," she responds evenly to Faba's inquiry, arching her eyebrow with bemusement as the soundproof elevator continues to whisk them both away. "Societal expectations and norms often only serve as roadblocks to true progress, so I don't acknowledge them. As we've both said, our time is short. Why not spend said time discovering as much as possible, without worry of restrictions?"

Eris's intense gaze almost seems to glow within the plunging elevator, her narrowed amethyst conveying a very clear unspoken message. Heretical or not, science over everything. Always.

"...In short, I'd like to think we're on the same page," she concludes as the Aether descent finally begins to slow. "Devon offers complete scientific freedom, so I think you'll find it quite difficult to surprise me with the nature of your projects here."

Eris tilts her head, surveying her host in the darkness, that smug smile still playing on the edges of her lips.

"...With that being said, allow me to repeat myself: I want to see as much as possible while I'm here. And I do so badly want to be impressed with the impressive scope of your work, Mr. Sauvageau--so you won't hold anything back from me, will you?"

"No--give me your best shot today. Please."

It's almost unfair just how hard it is for Faba to get a read on MISS EVANS... A researcher of his caliber, no doubt, but one so strangely eager — It almost gives even him pause to hear her RAVE so suddenly about her passion as well as her standards. Are they really held so aloft that even HE can't meet them? He keeps his head upturned, lazy gaze following her presence nearby from the downward corner of his eye.

He couldn't sympathize — not entirely — his own vigor, nearly all DEVOURED ( in every sense ) by his work, and ambitions bordering the MONETARY. But he does find one thing that she shares to be entirely factual — he's the BRAINS OF THE FOUNDATION, regardless of where his motives lie, designated scientist and overseer of the endeavors left behind by those unable to see them through — those without the NERVES, the COMMAND, the PRESENCE. Some might call it simple delegation, but Faba would call it what it really is : RECOGNITION. His hands clasp loosely together behind his back, his rigid frame relaxing ever so slightly as the lush grounds of the conservation dome taper off into a sleek and narrow walk way and the elevator rail whispers shut behind them with his authorization.

She's enraptured his attention, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.

"Yes... I know I'll have my work cut out for me having to entertain he likes of Devon..." His brow quirks upward as he begins to drone on, the vivid light that surrounds them dimming to near darkness in their descent. "THE DICHOTOMY OF THE BODY AND SPIRIT — it's energy..." He speaks again suddenly with more avidity than before. "With the appropriate technology and medical advancement, is that do you think, doable? Or heretical? Think about it carefully, Miss Evans. If you want for me to be that open with you on this tour, I must first likewise assure that you are worthy of my audience. I do hate to waste my time, I'm sure you understand."