He didn’t have to come. That much is true, but it is the kind of mission that seems stupid and meaningless at first, and as such it’s also a mission Mars knows Cian wouldn’t really care to do.
[break][break]
Too bad Cian’s opinions on missions are of no worth to Team Rocket. They just want him to do his job.
[break][break]
And so, Mars is here, because he doesn’t want to think about what the consequences will be if Cian skips out on another mission.
[break][break]
”Hmm… True, but you’ll enjoy this much more with me here.” He winks, and then he smiles with that charming and confident smile of his, as if completely unfazed by the fact that they’re in a gang’s territory. The truth is he is aware of it, sure, but he’s also unfazed, because what is a small town gang to someone who’s been raised in the way Mars was raised?
[break][break]
Will Cian enjoy this more though?
[break][break]
Maybe it’ll just make things more stressful for them both. But, of course, Mars brushes away those thoughts.
[break][break]
”How do you wanna go about it?”


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

So, Cian’s plans go as follows: go in guns blazing when there could be an overwhelming number of enemies, or sneak in without knowing a single thing about the pokémon’s location or the building’s layout.
[break][break]
Great.
[break][break]
Off to a good start.
[break][break]
Mars adores him, but is this really how he has been doing missions all this time?
[break][break]
He really didn’t prepare for this at all, huh?
[break][break]
There are too many variables, and too many risks in all of that.
[break][break]
”Hmm… The sheer number of them could be an issue though. How about… Hear me out here: we pretend we’re here because we’re interested in buying the pokémon, and then when they show us the merch, we take it. We can put them to sleep or confuse them or something.” He says it with a smile and shrug, as if he just came up with the plan in the spur of the moment and it’s just an idea he’s throwing around.
[break][break]
He didn’t, of course.
[break][break]
Mars is always one to make careful preparations and think things through, and this mission is no exception to that.
[break][break]
Whose way would they go with though? While he has his concerns, Mars will leave that up to Cian.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

Mars would have no issue in admitting that Cian is probably a much stronger, better, and more capable trainer than him. He wouldn’t say as much about most people, of course, because he knows his worth and has that unshakable pride of his. But, with Cian such things come easily, because Mars truly values him.
[break][break][break]
And yet, in this sort of situation, all those things can be meaningless.
[break][break]
Without strategy, without a proper plan, what is the worth in being strong? Mars is sure Cian knows this. Hell, he could outsmart a lot of people in a battle. But here, he doesn’t try. Why? Because it’s meaningless, because it’s worthless, because it’s stupid.
[break][break]
Mars won’t bother with explaining why he’s wrong and why these pokémon have worth – not just to Team Rocket.
[break][break]
Instead, he smirks.
[break][break]
”Hot as I’m sure it would be to see you telling your Tyranitar to destroy everything in sight, cariño, I think we might do better with a more subtle approach.”
[break][break]
Subtle. As if anything Mars ever does fits this word.
[break][break]
”You up for negotiating with me, or would you rather play the sexy bodyguard?” At this, the smirk turns into a grin. So very subtle indeed.
[break][break]
Cian’s right, he did come prepared, because maybe he’s just too used to all of this.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

If only for a second, there is a slight pout when his cheek is poked. For Cian’s sake, obviously.
[break][break]
”Mm… That’s a shame, here I thought I’d get to hear you go all shady business on me. Sexy bodyguard is really hot too though.”
[break][break]
He grins, and yet when his gaze meets Cian’s, this becomes a much gentler smile.
[break][break]
”Hey. It will be fine.” It will be, because a petty little gang sure as hell isn’t about to get the better of them. For Cian’s sake, he’s going to get this done without a single setback. ”Ninetales is perfect. I have a couple of pokémon that know Hypnosis with me.”
[break][break]
There’s a reason Mars has no many Psychic types to begin with, and that reason mostly has to do with moments like these. This is what Mars does. One of the many things he’s great at out of those things he hates being great at.
[break][break]
”Ready?”
[break][break]
Passingly, he wonders if he really wants Cian to see this side of him, but it's way too late to consider this.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

The way things might transpire after they enter the bar may not be what Cian expects, and Mars is aware of that.
[break][break]
The way he will act may not be what Cian expects, but… at least it’s not one of his worst sides. He’ll try for it not to be, at least.
[break][break]
Why, though? Because he wants to protect Cian from all that, or because he’s worried about how he’ll react?
[break][break]
It’s probably both, and yet when looking at him, Mars sets those worries aside and smiles.
[break][break]
”Oh, that sounds perfect – we can get whatever you want. Now, come on, let’s do this.”
[break][break]
And so, not without first placing a gentle kiss upon Cian’s cheek when passing by his side, he heads for the bar’s entrance.
[break][break]
There’s a sigh as he reaches for the handle, fingers running through brunette hair. As the door opens, the smile is gone, Mars instead wearing a serious expression. Smiles are for people he likes, after all. Smiles are for when he wants people to like him and for when he wants to charm them with alluring words. He has no reason to care for being liked by the people in this bar.
[break][break]
Marzáns are not successful in business because they’re liked, it’s because they’re respected and feared. Mars was taught as much since he was a child. This is not Martín del Mar.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

There’s tension in the air, and Cian’s suspicions from before ring true: even though not a single word has been said just yet, there’s nothing subtle about their entrance. Soon enough, all eyes are on them.
[break][break]
As it can be expected from Mars, he doesn’t seem to mind, and he returns their stares – looking at the men one by one, until finding the one that clearly seems like their leader.
[break][break]
”I hope I’m not interrupting your evening.” These words are calm, but there’s nothing polite or apologetic about the way they’re said. There’s a sharpness to them, and they’re cold – much alike his stare. ”I hear you may be in possession of some interesting cargo.”
[break][break]
Earlier that day, the gang would have been contacted to be asked about said cargo with the excuse of a prospective buyer. All part of Mars’ preparations, and being courtesy of dearest Andrea.
[break][break]
It sure is nice to have employees, right?

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

"you heard correctly."

there's no doubt as to which one's their leader: his tall figure looms over them even from across the bar. he leans against it, eyes scrutinizing as a cigarette burns between his lips.

john doe: leader of fallarbor's most notorious gang.

he clears his throat, grunting as he pushes off the bar to approach just a little closer.

"you the buyers?"

Martín del Mar

☉

If there’s anything that the sight of the tall gang leader is supposed to spark, this is lost with Mars. Some would find him to be imposing, perhaps even intimidating, but calm and serious as ever, Mars stands his ground, unshaken.
[break][break]
Still, he’s not disrespectful, nor is he rude or cocky, because as little as he may care for a small town gang, they do have something of value right now. He’s supposed to be here for business, after all, and temper rising at this very moment would be detrimental to their mission.
[break][break]
”We are. Or, we may be, depending on what you have for us.” The implication of wanting to see their merchandise would be clear to anyone used to making these sort of deals, and through it all Mars simply stares at the man, gaze never leaving him.
[break][break]
In the back of his mind, he wonders how Cian is doing and what he thinks of all this, but they’re in the middle of a mission now, and that is what his focus must remain on until they succeed. It’s how he has been conditioned to think, even if Team Rocket's goals actually matter little to him.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER