Recruitment wasn't Killian's department. Rocket left decisions like that up to Cillian Quinn and Chu-e Choi. But occasionally, they were too busy to handle meeting potential recruits. When they were, it fell upon the admins to take over.

Hence why Killian now found himself heading through the front doors of a cafe. The girl, @robbin - had been talked into reaching out by a grunt. Over the phone, she'd sounded so impressionable and hungry for excitement.

How Alexandra Briarwood had sounded when he met her.

He chose the cafe for their meeting to calm her nerves. A public place where she'd feel safe. Right before being thrust into the cold reality of Rocket. One she wouldn't be able to escape from once she entered.

It was almost cruel.

Killian spotted her at the back of the cafe. The world outside the window had her captivated. She didn't even notice his approach. He slid into the open seat across from her with the grace of a Persian.

"Hello, Robbin." he smiled warmly, "Glad to see you didn't chicken out at the last second."

@robbin

"A shadow everywhere?" Killian sighs, "Maybe tone down on all that angst." it wasn't going to get her anywhere with him. He shifts, leaning back in his seat.

"Where did you think we were going to meet? A dark alleyway or an abandoned warehouse?" cliches.

"Those are too obvious for things like this. They're the first places anyone would look."

He reaches for the half-eaten snickerdoodle on her plate. Without care for how she'd feel, Killian takes a bite. "Often, the best place to hide is in plain sight." the first of many lessons she'd receive once Rocket got their hooks in her.

"If it helps, sure, think of it as an interview." he swallows, "Tell me about yourself. Your skills, talents - what can you offer us that we don't already have?"

@robbin

Young, malleable like clay, and easy to manipulate. Willing to be anything that Rocket needs her to be. A dangerous promise for someone so young to make. Killian frowns, recalling his conversation with Cillian Quinn.

"You say that now," his tone grows dark, "But what if Rocket ordered you to kill your closest friend?" teeth sink into the cookie.

"What if your family stood in the way of Rocket's goals, and you were commanded to kill them. Could you do it?" Killian had his doubts.

@robbin

"We can give you Pokemon, if that's what you really want."

What a boring reason to sell your soul to devils.

"You get a family." that's what they were offering people wasn't it? Family that would always have their back. Unless you disobeyed or did something they didn't like.

"Rocket takes care of their own." Cillian Quinn's words drench his tongue in lemon. Bitter and nasty. "But only if you're loyal." Killian's eyes narrow to slits. A wolf staring at a rabbit about to pounce.

"Can you be loyal? If so, prove it."

He nods to an old lady at a table not too far from them. Her purse sits open and on display, inside the red surface of a Poke Ball shines.

"Steal the Poke Ball inside her purse. I don't care how. Just do it." an order. Firm and direct. Would she listen?

@robbin