She couldn't eat.
She couldn't sleep.
She couldn't do much of anything, really.

All there was to do was to just sit in her laboratory with the other scientists and just stare. Her cheek was still bruised from the blow that Cillian had connected to her. Maybe some work could be done and Soyeon could distract herself from it for a bit. Get started on analyzing some samples from Area Zero that had been turned in. But every so often, a stray thought led her astray, and she was back in that room. hands wrapped around that poor woman as she squeezed. Each time, she was out for a few minutes. Just frozen as she felt her heart ready to explode out of her chest. Her stomach felt like it was crawling up her throat, and it only settled back down when she had managed to calm herself back down.

That had been a day ago, when she broke down again in the lab and been forced to take a sabbatical, saved only by her previous work done in part with Rocket's assistance. Anybody else would have likely been thrown out or disposed of.

So there she was, standing on Slateport Beach. She had hoped that the nice weather and beaches would be a proper cure for whatever was going on with her head. Vacoule was content resting in her arms as the infant Bulbasaur was eager to go sig around in the sand for the for first time. Some Pokemon did tend to wander about, so she had brought a few Pokeballs just in case. But it wouldn't be the focus of her trip. Other people were in swimwear, which she did envy having the courage to just openly flaunt your body so freely. She wasn't a model, but the long nights of gorging herself on chocolates had given her a pretty average figure.

"N-Nice day, huh?" she stammered out to a passing guest. Any attempt at small talk was really only a few words, a somewhat worried noise or a silent nod. Socializing wasn't her strong suit, more than what was swirling around her head at this point. Maybe she could talk with somebody and clear her head for a minute or so, but all she could really do was to stare at others before just

So much so that people began to speak about the woman who was behaving strangely. Being fine one minute and then the next, looking to be close to tears or sitting down to tremble for a moment.

@

The noises, the gurgling. The sound of blood and bile mixing in her mouth as she heard the life drain from another person's body. It was all too much for the scientist to handle. She was inconsolable as the flash on Cillian's camera went off, not even noticing whatever fallback plan he had to send to the League if she had managed to leave. Her quiet cries of anguish and terror had filled the cell as the body was removed and let her settle on the floor. After some tear filled attempts to beg him not to kill her and failing, she just grasped at her head while trying to settle her mind.

Some time later, the grunts had pushed her out into the hallway unceremoniously, as if dumping trash in a faraway place out of sight for more enticing sights around. Still clutching her ears and doing her best to ignore the voices in her head, Soyeon took off racing down the hallway. She wanted to go back ten minutes ago, filling out reports about ultra space and planning future visits while munching on her second chocolate bar of the day while finding the most horrific thing being a written report of what remained in an Ultra Beast's stomach the prior day. Such a practical and mundane environment had now seemed like a scene right out of a story book. A fantasy that she could never return to after what happened to her. Her body collapsed in the hall again and crumbled onto her knees as she'd start a coughing fit. Her wheezing bounced all around the otherwise industrial style walls until her stomach retched.

It lasted for only seven short seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Soyeon tasted every inch of stomach bile that had shot up her throat and onto the spotless floor in front of her. Her whimpering was pathetic, just like her. That's what any superior would have thought coming across the heaping mess she was. Her vomit covered hands were fall on the ground, fluids dripping off of her flesh to form the careful shape of a pair of hands currently left untouched by her bodily fluids. She would stay in this position for a minute while gathering what little stretch she had. She couldn't stay here forever. Cillian would punish her harder. Zev would outright kill her for showing such blatant weakness as a Rocket. Lulu would probably pity her. Any Underboss would likely do all three.

"You can't stay here forever. You have to get up." she told herself.

Shaking legs lifted themselves off the floor and took her into a bathroom nearby. She couldn't catch her breath as a bitter, iron-like taste lingered inside of her mouth. Her eyes avoided looking into the mirror at what she would find. Something inside of her wanted to refuse herself the horror of looking at herself after what she had done. Soyeon washed her hands underneath the cold water running out of the faucet. She used more soap than she would have before just to get as much of it out as she could. Even without looking at her reflection, the jittering of her body still was known to her. There came a moment when she paused to try and raise her eyes to look at herself in the reflection, only to push out into the real world once more.

Work, she needed something to take her mind off of this. Something to keep her from thinking.

Cillian Quinn

Her body shook the hardest she had ever felt. Soyeon was given the clarification she needed by Gavin's nod and the muffled screams of her soon to be victim.

Was she really going to do this? Kill somebody so without regard or honor? Her hands went to her pokeball slowly and debated on if she could do this. Her stomach felt like it was being pulled inside out and it wouldn't stop. Soyeon swallowed a mouth full of regret and would steel herself for what she was about to do.

She quietly drew out her Charizard without thinking. It was the Pokémon she had grown close with and it represented a lot about her. She couldn't think this through, it was all just instinct and giving into what she thought was best at the moment. She had to really guess which one of her Pokémon would come out. Her Haxorus, Siegfried, would come out and craned his head over to her with a questionable glance. Much like Gavin, he looked annoyed to be here.

"K-Ki-Kill her." Soyeon squeaked out, her voice trembling just as much as she had. "Just make it painless..." The Pokémon said nothing, but she could tell. He was stunned by the order, coming from his mousey and pathetic owner who got nervous just be staring at her for more than four seconds. The howling and screaming of the terrified woman continued while he performed the deed, aiming at her chest with a fearsome attack

His cleaver head pierced her midsection as she flinched at the bloodied gurgle leaving the woman's lips. He had cut deep, most likely to the stomach, but still, he continued to scream and howl. Soyeon's ears began to ring, her mind beginning to panic. Gavin seemed annoyed at her failing to do this task and she grew worried.

"Siegfried!"

He did it again, his bladed side slowly going against her wishes and puncturing her chest again. Another pained, glorified howl of pain from the coworker. He was refusing to do it, outright killing this woman. In any other context, Soyeon would have lavished him with praise and told him that he was a good boy, but under the threat of death, she was waning. The screams, the thoughts in her head, the horrors of what Gavin had introduced her to. She wanted none of it, to go back thirty minutes ago where the worst thing that had happened to her was spilling her coffee on the floor after turning a page.

Soyeon clutched her ears for dear life, closing her eyes as tight as they could go. She had to block all of this out, to get rid of all of this stimuli. Yet the screams only continued to grow louder and louder. Siegfried looked at her again. He had swung his final time. She wanted to will him to do it though she knew he would refuse. The woman panicked, not knowing what to do. SHe couldn't die here, not now. She had to see her family again, to apologize and hear that soothing voice again.

And so it fell on her.

"S-Shut up! Just shut up!" Soyeon yelled, clutching her hands around the woman's warm neck and tightening. Her arms tensed enough that she felt ready to snap, gripping her warm, choking throat with all of her might. She was sobbing hysterically, tears dripping onto the floor while the woman struggled to capture air into her throat. Hands fell onto her, desperate to push her off while Soyeon continued to squeeze. "Ah-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Sorry..." Her voice was faint and pained, spoken through a pained chest of emotion and regret for what she was participating in.

The woman's defiance began to falter, her pulse starting to slow while she continued to apply pressure. Never once able to get Soyeon's hands off of her. She sniffled, continuing to strange her until after what felt like years of watching, she would fall limp. The echoing of her heartbeat fading away was something that Soyeon would never fully recover from. Once it was certain her life was gone, everything broke in her.

Soyeon fell to the floor a crying mess. She struggled to catch her own breath at what she had done. The most sinful act a person could possibly do to another person was not so easily washed off. She felt every meaning of the word "ill", in every single lexicon known to man. Her head was pounding, her stomach spinning as fast as a whirlwind, and these damned screams wouldn't get out of her ears, no matter how much she tried to focus on the voices of the others.

Cillian Quinn

The Genesect's TECHNO BLAST sailed over Soyeon's head, the whizzing sound of energy passing her by while the scientist turned back just in time to see the resulting explosion. A tinge of envy knit itself into her chest as had found the Genesects fairly cute, in their own little messed up way. Maybe if she ever got one, there was a chance it could be used for more worthwhile purposes.

One of these days, anyway.

More pressing matters showed themselves to the two women as the Guzzlords continued their attempt at chowing down on the both of them. Soyeon had a good mind to keep pace with Lulu, though she legs were killing her. Was she snacking a bit too much recently? All that stress relieving chocolate was good for the mind, but she had wondered if maybe she was doing it a bit too much. Her mouth watered slightly at the thought of what would be waiting for her back at her desk. Maybe cutting down could be postponed by a day. Maybe two.

At least running for her life was good cardio.

"Let's hope neither of these Guzzlords feel hungry enough to follow us." She said in response to Lulu. They had their goal and it was a mad dash to the finish. Lulu pulled out a little Klefki from her pocket and laid out some spikes to deter their pursuers while they continued their sprint. Soyeon continued carrying her Purrserker and could see their exit out of Ultra Space for the time being. Her legs hit the ground to a steady beat.

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" Soyeon said in jest and pushed herself forward, having lagged a bit behind once her endurance had waivered and slowed down behind Lulu. "I'm going to need a week off after this!"

Once Soyeon and Lulu were ever so closer towards the exit portal, and the scientist felt her heart ready to explode out of her chest.

Lulu Flint

It was a final attempt at trying to really beg Gavin for some kind of forgiveness or really convincing him not to off her for meeting with Callan, but Soyeon really had no alternative options here. Her torturer seemed mostly thrilled at her plea and left the room for severa6l seconds before returning with quite the sight for the scientist to see.

Another person was dragged into the room, one which Soyeon couldn't recognize from their muffled head and features hidden from her. She didn't know who this person was, but his previous wording about one of her friends, this certainly wasn't going to be a good time. Another vague statement later, Soyeon stood over the masked figure with as confused look on her face.

"Ah-I don't...I don't understand." she looked to Gavin, brows furrowed as she couldn't keep her eyes sticking at any one place at a time. They went to the figure, then to the Klefki, then to Gavin and then back to the pokemon again. It took it's time in her mind of what he wanted her to do, but when the realization hit her, Soyeon's face grew pale.

"You...You want me to-" she froze, turning back to the pleading figure with shaking hands.

Cillian Quinn

BOUQUETS:

Send a special someone a bouquet delivered by Leavanny, signed or anonymous!

[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A baker's dozen of black and red roses tied together with gothic fabric. A bit of dark chocolate is stuck to the bottom of the card.[break][break] TO: Lulu Flint [break][break] CARD: "Although our time together was short, you've captured my heart regardless. May these flowers find their way to you. ~Anon."

TEAS & DESSERTS:

Send a special someone a bespoke box of sweets delivered by Stufful, signed or anonymous!

[break][break]
ORDER DETAILS: A box of chocolates. Nothing special about it.[break][break] TO: Zev Harcourt[break][break] CARD: "Hope you're doing well. COme if you need anything. ~ Soyeon"[break][break]

"F-Fine..."

Soyeon sat in the chair, desperate for a release of some kind. She didn't care about what she could do to prove her loyalty to a monster like Cillian, she just wanted out and back into her cozy little lab. Vacoule was probably still asleep, oblivious to what was transpiring inside of her. Her tongue gently lapped at the small cut inside of her mouth, the taste of blood evident as she frowned.

"I'll do whatever you want. Just let me prove loyalty."

Cillian Quinn

Pain. Swift and nagging pain around her lower jaw.

"Uff..." Soyeon was stunned by the sudden blow, having not prepared herself for it before hand. The ring underneath Cillian's fingers had caused a small cut on her cheek, but it had remained largely unharmed. Maybe a soft discoloration as a bruise formed. She went to hold the cheek in pain but was unable to because of the Klefki.

A soft groan came out of the woman, alongside with a wince. Their eyes met with one another, and Soyeon knew he could do far worse to her than a simple punch. She recoiled, shaking some hair free out in front of her face.

"I haven't had any other meeting with League affiliates." Soyeon repeated while looking at him with fear in her eyes. "J-Just let me go...I'm not a traitor..."

Cillian Quinn

Traitor.

The word had suddenly awakened a new fear inside of Soyeon that hadn't before. Sure, she had daydreamed about leaving for more pleasant lands, restarting anew and getting away from her shackles in Hoenn. But never going behind the people's backs she had swore to help. The scientist swerved over to Cillian just as the Klefki would crush her further, causing her to struggle against it.

"Ah-I'm not trying to betray you or...or Rocket! It was one tiny mistake!" she told the man while currently still bound to the chair. She had no idea of how to get out of this situation, and only further panicked when he asked why he could believe her.

"Why would I betray you guys when you threatened my parents' lives if I didn't cooperate with you. I've given you countless work, countless surveys, everything I have since I joined! How's that not good enough of an answer for you?!"

Cillian Quinn

It looked like Zev still had some use of her. He gave her some directive to go off of, which was finding out what the symbol he had seen when Necrozma had taken him was and stood for. A mystery that she herself couldn't help but want to discover as well. The woman gave a nod of her head to the beast.

"I'll do my best to find something. Perhaps it might be best to go back into Megaopolis again, just to search around a bit more. If you know any candidates or people willing to go, I'd greatly appreciate you sending them my way."

It wasn't long after that he went to leave before turning around and asking her about the exit from the wormhole. It was a pretty simplistic answer that Soyeon had given a few times. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

"Oh, I was dropped off in Route 124. Couple that with the sickness and it made getting back home take a little while. I'm fortunate a nearby surfer had found me clinging to one of the rocks."

Zev Harcourt

Oh wonderful, it was a trap. Soyeon and Lulu quickly found themselves against a small group of three megalopolans that were outside of the final door leading into the outside world. They didn't bother hiding their plans for the both of them, with Soyeon tensing up a little at being surrounded. "I'd...rather not be eaten." With 2 Guzzlords behind them and a group of megalopolans in front, things didn't look two good for the two of them.

Still, Soyeon put herself in front of Lulu as they grinned at the pair of scientists. Afraid, but willing to put her life before the other woman's.

Lulu wasted no time in kicking one as they'd be affording an opportunity to escape from their captors. Soyeon jumped to flee behind her superior, though yelped as she was tackled from behind by one of the other two. "Ack! Run, Lulu!"

She lannded on her belt, as a hand fought against the megalpolan fighting with her to slap her Pokeball containing her Perrserker. Just as she was struggling to push the oncoming knife away from her throat, the steel type would rush into the fray, slashing at the attacker until he'd recoil, clutching his face sliced by the Pokemon's claws. Now up, Soyeon scooped him up and began running towards Lulu as the Perrserker let out a battle cry.

"Ha...Thanks..." Soyeon told herself with a frown.

One familiar building smash later, one of the two Guzzlords, or maybe even a third one, would cry out and chomp at the wall beside them. She cursed to herself at her luck, pushing herself to sprint as fast as she could. Her speed had managed to catch up to Lulu after some time, but the.

"We could maybe escape them if we have a fast enough Pokemon. I know Ignis can fly us out of here, but we'll need some room to lift off. Preferably away from the Guzzlords."

Lulu Flint

The diagnosis, while brief, did make Soyeon make a note to herself in her notes. The chewed up stylus waggled away as she didn't pay much mind to it. She couldn't understand Zev's powers or much of how they worked, but just in case the detail would be needed, she'd have it available.

His icy tone did cause her to wince as he responded to the whereabouts of Necrozma. A tone that he hadn't taken with her yet. Soyeon quietly nodded in response, maybe even trembling a little at Zev. "N-Noted..."

He went on about the Megalopolans stuck in the woods, alongside Velmos and Cotillard's forces, with Soyeon nodding her head and adding a few notes to her tablet here and there. Just some updates was all.

"Which brings us to the present. What are we going to do now, sir? Assuming you would still want my assistance that is. I'm more than happy to help at this point, anything to get out of the lab for a while. Maybe without being thrown into a wormhole again."

Zev Harcourt