As usual, Gavin does not sit. Conditioning is so ingrained within him that he does not even consider the chair across from Theo's desk; he slips inside the office after his mentor and stands at rapt attention despite the conversation they've been carrying on.

He has been on his best behaviour since his loyalty was secured. Bitterness and misery have fallen away, allowing gratitude to take root in their place.

With THEO BECKETT, he feels safe.

And though he can read the admin well enough to glimpse the signs if he'd been looking, trust sees him blind.

"We had a minor setback after we lost Ortega, but we've adjusted accordingly."

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

it's not news to him — raziel had let him know as much. he gestures to the chair, allowing merlino to sit.

"and your work?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Cillian Quinn

Gavin sits, spine straight and eyes alert — but there's a relaxed quality to the way his gaze flicks around the familiar space.

"Dr. Pryde says my work's been instrumental in making up for the loss."

It's his tone that belies his trust: though Beckett had once used such happiness against him, the pride he feels for his work is not disguised.

[attr="class","beck"]he shows his approval with a nod, then swiftly moves on. there's no point delaying the inevitable.

"i need your help with something."

his tone carries the same weight as before: calm. disguised.

"how familiar are you with poisons?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Cillian Quinn

There's no sting as the subject is changed, only an immediate shift in Gavin's demeanour: from relaxed, to serious.

"Of course, sir."

His lips purse, brow furrowing as he considers the question.

"I have a basic knowledge of numerous poisons as needed for work in the labs. Safe handling, and all. I can look into whatever you want, though."

[attr="class","beck"]he cares little for merlino's answer. the question was only meant to be a segway to introduce the tray of vials he pulls out from one of his desk drawers. he places it in front of them.

each vial contains a murky liquid of some kind, each different shade, texture, and consistency.

"can you identify these?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Cillian Quinn

Gavin reaches for one of the vials, slow, offering Theo a questioning look.

When given permission to interact with them, he selects each one in turn. Poison is swished around in the vial, held up to the light, uncorked and sniffed. He wrinkles his nose at the most pungent of them.

When finished, he points out those he recognizes.

"Tentacool, Arbok, Zubat. This one's... Seviper, I think?" He's less familiar with the Hoennian species. "This one's from a Galarian Slowbro. Technically it's from the Shellder; it has a unique interaction with Slowbro's DNA."

Gavin picks up the unidentified vials for another pass, shakes his head.

"I'm less sure of the rest, sir."

[attr="class","beck"]the last vial merlino picks up is darker in color, more gooey and sludge-like than the others.

"that one is from a nidoking. they're quite rare if only because of how dangerous it can be to extract."

he pauses, then asks:

"do you know what would happen if you ingested it?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Cillian Quinn

"No kidding, I've heard how tricky it can be..."

Gavin's all fascination as he handles the vial with all the delicacy of an ancient work of art, tilting it to watch the thick liquid ooze against glass. He wonders absently how valuable it was.

His gaze flicks up to Theo at the question.

"I'd imagine it would kill me." He laughs, not catching on. "As with most toxins. It would be a matter of how quickly. Do you know? You've got a Nidoking."

His gaze is bright, curious.

[attr="class","beck"]theo tenses where merlino laughs, but he does well to mask it with a pretense that all is fine. his own lips quirk but it's not to smile.

"this is from my own, so yes, i do know."

sadly, he sighs.

"did you sell us out?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Cillian Quinn

Theo sighs, and Gavin's brow furrows.

His lips part as if to question the admin, to ask him what's wrong, when Theo's own question strikes like a slap across the face. Gavin blinks.

"What?"

His confusion is genuine, present in his tone, and then fear kicks in.

"I-I don't know what you mean, sir."

His voice pitches, worried. He carefully replaces the vial in its tray.

[attr="class","beck"]"the celadon op's compromised. apparently they know we're coming."

he's tried to, he really has, but the evidence is hard to ignore. it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth as he reaches for a pokeball in his blazer.

"apparently it was you who leaked intel."

[attr="class","noodles"]Cillian Quinn

Theo reaches for something in his blazer, and Gavin visibly flinches.

He presses back in his chair, muscles tense, but he doesn't run. He doesn't fight, because he's innocent. Surely, Theo knows he's innocent.

"Who the fuck—?"

Righteous anger flares, but he bites it down. His jaw clenches.

"Beckett, you have to believe me. I haven't said anything, to anyone."