[attr="class","beck"]"choi."

he's not used to the overwhelming personality on display in choi's office. he sticks out like a sore thumb — practically feels as uncomfortable as one. he decides to focus on the one thing that's familiar. relatively, anyways.

"you've grown."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"Funny."

Is said, plain, and a gracious hand extending towards the seat across from his desk.

"Sit."

A pink feline is shooed off his lap before he reaches for a mug, pours a second cup of warm water and sits a fresh bag of tea inside.

"So," Down to business. "Why did you come back?

THEO BECKETT had never been one to mince words. Chu-e wouldn't either.

[attr="class","beck"]"there's not much else to do in kanto. i saw opportunities in hoenn and i'm here to see them through."

he eyes the pink feline, the cup of brewing tea, then returns to choi.

"are you glad i'm back?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"Well, you'll have plenty to do here. In fact-"

A drawer is opened, a manilla folder removed and placed next to THEO BECKETT's tea.

"I called you here because I have a job for you. Do you think you can handle it?

The second question is not answered. His palm is firm on the folder. While within Theo's reach, he's not to open it yet.

[attr="class","beck"]"most likely."

out of instinct, he reaches for the folder.

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

Quick as a whip, a knife is slammed down next to THEO BECKETT's hand. The tip is embedded in the desk. A narrow miss but they both would know it was on purpose.

Chu-e does not do this out of some misguided effort to shake his proverbial nuts in Theo's face. They both know the other can handle it.

"Not yet." Pulling away, leaving the knife gleaming in the light, he picks up his own tea and takes a sip.

"I need you to understand some things, first."

[attr="class","beck"]there's barely a reaction given to the narrow miss of the knife. he eyes choi, narrows them, and pulls his hand back. he slowly begins to understand the shift in their dynamic now. no longer is choi the same kid who was given an outlet to harbor his rage and anger as a beast. he's now choi, underboss of rocket.

still, he allows choi the opportunity to explain.

"go on."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"The Rocket here is different from the Rocket in Kanto." He doesn't say this as a bad thing. It's also not said as a good thing. It just is.

"I'm sure you all saw what happened when Blackwell died. How the rats scattered from the sinking ship, the Captain no longer there to keep them in line." When the fear was gone, what had many of Rocket been left with? Nothing. Only those so deeply indoctrinated in it, who still believed in what Rocket was and could be, had stayed.

"I don't intend to allow that mistake to happen again. But." The word clicks against his teeth.

"I also won't allow this organization to become soft. In other words, I need you to help me boil the frog, Beckett."

[attr="class","beck"]"why do you think i'm here, choi?"

he has more to say but he holds his tongue — here, now, he is nothing but a mere grunt. Cillian Quinn had seen to that.

"i'll do what i do best."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"You're here for whatever we say you are. If I wanted you to shake your dick at everyone who entered the dining hall, you would!"

He's smiling, friendly and easy, but it doesn't quiet reach where it should. Like a thin veneer painted over something else between them.

"Beckett, why did you join Rocket?"

[attr="class","beck"]he tenses because he understands what lies behind false smiles. slowly, but surely, he'll understand his place. it's painful, but this, he knows, is needed.

"for the money."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"And why did you want the money that badly?"

There is always more, just below the surface. One just needed to dig for it. If Chu-e needs, he will drag what information he wants out of THEO BECKETT. It's his right to have it.

[attr="class","beck"]"i needed it."

he knows the answer isn't good enough. it wouldn't be for him. still, sharing comes difficult to someone who had spent most of his life repressing.

"for my family."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi