Levna is so short for time that she doesn't even have any to go back to the Pokemon Center to get Smile back, leaving her disgruntled. In a rush, she showered quickly and put on the cleanest outfit she had : a camouflage dress she keeps at the bottom of her bag just in case of occasions like this. Well, not really occasions like this, more like maybe an evening hangout with some friends somewhere, not a dinner at a prestigious restaurant with the most important man in Galar. Still, she walks confidently, still fairly worked up by the events of the previous night and her lack of sleep. She gets weird looks from the staff at the restaurant, but is nonetheless politely guided towards a table, and actually the only table occupied in the restaurant. Had the Chairman booked out the whole place for himself ? Thankfully, she sees Sonia sitting opposite the Chairman and Oleana, and breathes a little easier. The ginger haired woman turns towards her, waving happily with that big grin of hers.
- Hey Levna ! So nice to see you here !
- Sonia ? How are you everywhere these days ?
Levna is only joking. It is actually a relief to see Sonia out and about, in a way, doing her own version of the Gym Challenge, but this time on her own terms.
- I came across Chairman Rose outside the restaurant while I was waiting to hang out with Nessa. She's got so much battles to cover, so I offered her a night out ! She should be here soon, but come here, join us !
As she says that, both the Chairman and Oleana stand up to greet Levna. As usual, Rose is all smiles, all waves, and all charm, taking Levna's hand in both of his in a warm greeting.
- So nice to see you, Challenger Levna ! I figured you two knew each other as you've mentioned Professor Magnolia the last time we met. I do hope you like seafood ? Everything on the menu is delicious, so don't be afraid to order anything !
Levna takes place beside Sonia as Chairman and Oleana sit back down. She can feel Oleana's expressionless stare on her, but decides not to acknowledge it.
- I hope you've had significant rest ? Oh, now that I think of it, Oleana, please…
Oleana takes out a pokeball, and Levna stiffens, immediatly recognizing Smile's pokeball. She grabs it, putting it in her pocket. Rose doesn't miss her movements.
- I've taken the liberty to retrieve your mudsdale for you, as I knew we would see each other tonight, and truly wished to unburden you a little. It is a true tragedy, what these hooligans did…
- Oh ? What happened ? Asks Sonia.
Levna quickly puts Sonia up to speed, and she looks shocked.
- Wow, I didn't know Team Yell had gotten that bad, I really should call Piers…
She ponders for a second. A waitress comes by to take their orders, and Levna orders the most expensive thing she can see on the menu, smiling sweetly at Rose. He only smiles back, seemingly not offended in the least. It's a drop in the ocean in terms of his wealth, but Levna can't help but feel satisfaction at the pettiness of it.
- Now, Sonia and I were talking about her recent research, actually. What were you saying ?
- Oh, yeah ! I'm trying to piece together the exact events of the Darkest Day, as it seems to have been lost to time. I saw that statue you comissionned for the Budew Drop Inn ?
- Oh yes ! The famous Hero of Galar, our pride and glory ! I assume you know the story, Levna dear ?
Levna has a strong desire to slap the man at every "Levna dear" uttered, but she simply smiles and nods. That could be her thing : he smiles and waves, she smiles and nods. The power of appearances.
- It would be very interesting to follow your discoveries, Sonia. As you know, wishing stars and dynamaxing are an integral part of Galar's culture, but not only for pokemon battles. The stars actually power most of the region, and I'm making it my utmost priority to make coal mining completely obsolete and make all of our energy sources clean and perpetual. It is my duty to make this beautiful region as clean and prospere as I possibly can during my lifetime…
- What about the workers ? If there is no coal to mine, then what prospects do they have ?
Levna is abrupt, as per usual, and Rose interrupts himself, looking at her kindly. She thinks of Russel, of her father, of all the people who worked the mines because they didn't have any other choice.
- We do have retraining opportunities, of course. It would be very disingenuous of me to leave them behind. After all, I was a miner myself before I founded Macro Cosmos. Some of my staff members are even old collegues of mine ! It is entirely possible to transfer miners in other parts of the workforce with the right funding and adequate education.
He smiles gently, and Levna stays quiet.
- Do you think wishing stars are an unlimited ressource, Chairman ?
Levna feels Sonia's hand in hers underneath the table, making her feel a little more at ease. Rose frowns at the question.
- Sadly, I do not think so. We have made estimates of the energy limit of one wishing star, and the amount of stars left in the ground around the Region. Based on these estimates, Galar should run out of wishing star power and drain every other energy source in about a thousand years…
Sonia beams, but Rose's expression is sorrowful.
- That's wonderful ! That leaves us so much time !
- … I would not be so optimistic, Sonia dear.
Sonia has a bigger reaction to this than Levna expected, squeezing her hand under the table, and looking like she has just been scolded by her grandmother. Levna remembers the history that exists between Sonia and Rose, and wonders if there is still some grief there. Definitely, she guesses.
- What do you mean ? A thousand years to figure out how to solve that problem is plenty of time !
- Mmh. I would love to share your sentiment, but humans have a terrible habit of falling into complacency and locking themselves into hurtful patterns of behavior, often until it is too late. I feel it is necessary to assure Galar's future as soon as possible.
Sonia frowns a little, but Rose retains his kind demeanour, joining his hands in front of him. Nessa suddenly enters the restaurant, looking stressed out.
- As I mentionned, Sonia, I would be delighted to follow your progress. I suggest you pay a visit to the vaults in Hammerlocke whenever suits you, they are full of fascinating archives about our history. Oleana will provide you with a signed authorisation to enter as soon as possible. Does that sound ok to you ?
Sonia nods in agreement before getting up, a small smile on her face. She hugs Levna from behind and politely says goodbye to the Chairman and Oleana, joining Nessa at the entrance. Once they have left, Levna stares stubbornely at the door, but she can feel Rose's stare on her. She looks back at him, and doesn't let him start.
- Though I am honored for the invite, I still fail to understand why you wanted to meet me personally, Chairman dear.
The Chairman smiles again, and his eyes smile too, which throws Levna off. He is oozing sincerity, and for some reason, that's what makes Levna so angry. Or is it something else ? She barely knows Rose, after all. He is a powerful man, but that doesn't mean he is a bad one. Up until now, he hasn't done anything to make Levna so upset at simply the idea of him, so what gives ? The waitress comes back with their meals and a bottle of wine.
- If I'm being honest, I do still wonder what were Leon's reasons for endorsing you. I thought this dinner would be a nice occasion to get to know you a little more, Levna. And, possibly, discuss your future.
- Don't you have, like, a dossier or something about everyone and everything ?
Rose chuckles, enjoying his meal as he examines Levna.
- I simply do not think you were joking as much as you think you were when you said to me, and I quote, "I want to be the very best, like no one ever was".
This time, it's Levna that chuckles.
- You know that's the lyrics to a game's main theme, right ?
Rose smiles softly, nodding.
- But you still chose those words to describe your purpose in the Gym Challenge.
He pauses.
- There is one problem, though. That ship sailed the day you turned eleven.
Levna's stomach churns, and she stops herself eating a forkful of fish.
- What ? Are you talking about Leon's run ?
Rose simply smiles, not answering. Levna grits her teeth.
- What, because he was ten when he completed the gym, suddenly he's the best ? He had a full grown, fully trained charizard before even starting ! And don't get me started on who sponsored him, Mr Chairman Rose ! Let alone the fact there was no Champion to fight at that point…
- Do you mean, similarly to your fully grown, fully trained mudsdale ? And your Champion endorsement ?
Levna pauses, frustrated with herself. She has fallen right into Rose's trap. Where was this anger coming from ? And to make it worse, Rose's expression turns gentle, looking down at Levna's barely-touched plate for a second.
- I'll have you know, the League takes a lot of pride in studying the Gym Challenge Trainers very closely. No secret dossier or anything, he adds, chuckling a little, but it is an important factor into making the run as entertaining and grandiose as possible. Especially when it comes to prestigious endorsements, like yours, and young Hop's.
He pauses again, and Levna wonders where he is going with this.
- People love a good story. Hop's story is popular, because it is simple : the little brother who grew up admiring the success of his older brother wants to be just like him. It is highly relatable, especially for younger audiences. But what to make of you, Levna dear ? What is your story ? Is it a heroic one ? A rags-to-riches ? A fumbling idiot stumbling into something far greater than them ?
He laughs at Levna's expression.
- Younger audiences tend to like a story in the form of a hero's journey, about cockiness and facing obstacles and getting to the top despite all said obstacles. It is a simple story to follow, with some success, a few big drawbacks, and a clean victory.
- What are you trying to say ?
- Well, you've probably come across my biography in some shape of form. Of course, people know what I want them to know. I'm the boy who came from nothing, worked the mines for many years and spawned an economic empire far greater than anyone has seen before. That's the rags-to-riches classic. In your case, it seems people aren't quite sure what to make of you, except for being "the other one" of Leon's endorsements. Frankly, I'm not even sure Leon meant to endorse you. It seems you were just… there. Even from your own perspective, you seem to be going on mainly for Hop's sake, which is, I believe, a very honorable reason, but not a good story. However, a story that also works, arguably much more than any other, is a tragic one.
Levna feels debilitatingly intrigued by Rose's speech. She listens to every word, feeling the anger grumbling inside her, but incapable of keeping her attention away from the Chairman.
- You lost your father in a mining accident, didn't you ?
His question hits Levna like a brick. The worst part is, Rose radiates sincere compassion with every word, almost like it's relatable.
- An orphaned girl, tagging along with the Champion's brother, unsure of herself, fighting her way through the Challenge against all odds, but never quite as good as her rival, until her ultimate demise at the hands of the one who was her best friend. A victim of circumstance. What do you think ?
Levna's head is spiraling, as she processes what the Chairman is propositioning. Sabotaging her own gym run for the benefit of Hop ? No… for the benefit of Rose's narrative ? Was that why her own battles and training sessions were never aired ? Hell… Was that what the Gym Challenge was ? A bunch of phony stories for the entertainment of the public ?
- How dare you…
She is shaking with anger, and barely manages to contain herself.
- Is… Is that what you said to Sonia, all those years ago ? When she was ten, nonetheless ?
Rose seems taken aback for a second, but quickly regains his composure. Levna can feel Oleana's stare burning into her flesh, but she stands her ground.
- Did you use her parents' deaths as a fucking plot point ? Poor ten year old Sonia, she lost her parents, she's a good trainer but never as good as Leon, maybe you could even slip in a childhood love story in there somewhere… Let's make her the victim of this story ! She was never meant to win, was she ? Your sponsorship of her wasn't even an equal belief between her and Leon, it was part of your plan ! She was just a pawn !
Levna's face is contorted with anger, but a grin manages to slip through.
- Now I see why she got the fuck out of there when she had the chance… Didn't she ? Her dropping out wasn't part of the plan, was it ? You wanted her to go on, to be Leon's ultimate win, to tell a good story. Then, maybe Sonia would have had a chance in this world dominated by yourself. But she dropped out, and that made Mr Chairman Rose very, very angry, didn't it ? So now you're trying to pin the story you built for her on me !
Rose's face is sad, now, and it pushes Levna's anger to a boiling point. He stares silently at Levna, who returns the stare with ease. It is Oleana, however, who breaks the silence.
- I believe it is time we get going, Chairman.