’Mars, correct?’
[break][break]
Either THEO BECKETT had done enough homework to even know his nickname, or that’s all he knows about him from asking some grunt. For the sake of believing that at least someone in Team Rocket is competent at their job, he’ll assume the former, which leaves a single question: exactly how much does Theo know?
[break][break]
Everything about Martín del Mar is public and easy enough to find, but his real name and his affiliation with the Sinnoh Syndicate definitely shouldn’t be in his file.
[break][break]
Still, there are a handful of people who know, and someone could have slipped up.
[break][break]
It makes him curious, so it’s time to find out.
[break][break]
”We haven’t, no, but it sounds like there’s no need for introductions.”
[break][break]
There’s confident calm in his smile, no discomfort to be found even when in the heat of the sauna.
[break][break]
”Should I worry about my reputation preceding me?”
[break][break]
Of course he doesn’t worry. After all, this is Mars.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+
[break][break]

Bhl0CvEP
[break][break]
956/1000

Really?
[break][break]
That’s his play?
[break][break]
Well, two can play that game.
[break][break]
When Theo looks at him, Mars holds his gaze, allowing the silent beat of a couple of seconds before giving an answer.
[break][break]
One.
[break][break]
Two.
[break][break]
”You tell me.”
[break][break]
And then, a slight smirk, turning his attention to the glass that had been resting on the bench next to him. Not sake, but top shelf gin – on the rocks, with a single slice of lemon in it.
[break][break]
”There’s no need to answer that. though. Not if you’re here for some downtime.”
[break][break]
Is that really true, though? Rocket could be called work, and neither of them is here for work, are they?


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ THEO BECKETT
[break][break]

8Gjrm_kn
[break][break]
899/1000

”If that’s the case, then by all means, go ahead.”
[break][break]
The chilled glass is slowly swirled in his hand before a short sip is taken. Both the coolness of the liquid and the taste are welcome; subtle notes of berries making a delightful combination with the citric flavour of the lemon slice. It’s refreshing, despite the burn and strong aftertaste of the spirit.
[break][break]
Once again, he looks at Theo.
[break][break]
”Would you like a drink?”
[break][break]
It’s probably not the greatest idea to drink at a sauna to begin with, but doing so alone has never been Mars’ preference. He’s not lonely enough to be drinking alone, even on this particular weekend.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ THEO BECKETT
[break][break]

yG3UUEiT
[break][break]
817/1000

Thankfully for Theo, Rotom phones have proven to be surprisingly heat and steam resistant, and Mars happened to have his with him when he entered the sauna (he’s a busy man, okay? He has emails to check). It rests on a spare towel, and when Theo responds to his offer for drinks, it’s all too easy to reach for it in order to text his assistant.
[break][break]
’Why are you in Rocket, Mars?’
[break][break]
If only for a second, just so barely, he looks up from his phone to meet Theo’s gaze. A mere glance before returning his attention to the text.
[break][break]
”Don’t people usually keep things like those to themselves? Edgy backstory to be discovered and all that? Do you have a preference or is gin fine, by the way?”
[break][break]
He knows why Theo would ask: he doesn’t seem like the sort of person who would join Team Rocket, and it’s even weirder with his performance in missions. It’s obvious that he has ulterior motives, Mars is sure people who are smart enough can see that.
[break][break]
So, he looks at Theo one more time. Properly this time.
[break][break]
”I’ll tell you, but first give me your guess. I’m curious now.”
[break][break]
A smile.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ THEO BECKETT
[break][break]

lSXIKa_z
[break][break]
807/1000

”Gin it is, then.”
[break][break]
And so, the text is sent.
[break][break]
From then on, Mars’ full attention returns to Theo.
[break][break]
If this were a joke, what would be the punch line? Two men sit in a sauna, cautious of each other because only fools are trustful in an organization like theirs… Is it that there’s other people they shouldn’t be trusting, or that they won’t get anywhere if one of them doesn’t give in even if slightly?
[break][break]
’You're biding your time. planning.’
[break][break]
It probably should be Mars that gives in, huh?
[break][break]
”You make me sound like some sort of criminal mastermind.”
[break][break]
Mars smirks, and yet it’s not like Theo is wrong in his actual assessment: Mars has been planning, and he is biding his time. But, of course, he can’t share those things with someone he doesn’t trust, can he?
[break][break]
With his next words, he simply shrugs.
[break][break]
”Why would I give my time, money, and effort to an organization that won’t give me anything of value in return? I could tell you I care about the cause above all else, but we both know that wouldn’t be an honest answer. Team Rocket’s resources are why I care about Team Rocket, plain and simple.”
[break][break]
And yet, that still leaves out the why, doesn’t it?
[break][break]
A knock on the door interrupts them.
[break][break]
”That would be your drink, I believe.”


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ THEO BECKETT
[break][break]

ytnRhZi5
[break][break]
806/1000

”In part, some more than others.”
[break][break]
A whole bunch of criminals, but only a few masterminds.
[break][break]
At least this THEO BECKETT seems to be smart about things, which to Mars means he may just be slightly more trustworthy than most people in Team Rocket. After all, in his experience, a lot of them seem pretty foolish and even innocent when it comes to all of this – especially those who don’t even seem to know what kind of organization they’re in.
[break][break]
’Makes sense.’
[break][break]
That’s it with the explanations for now, then.
[break][break]
Mars’ attention drifts to the door as it opens, steam escaping the sauna. It reveals the sight of a young woman in a perfectly-fitting, navy blue pantsuit, her glasses fogging up slightly from the amount of steam now around her. She doesn’t seem to mind it.
[break][break]
In her hands there is a silver tray with a single glass of gin much alike Mars’, and this is soon offered to Theo with a polite yet disinterested: "I believe this is for you, sir."
[break][break]
”Thank you, Andrea.”
[break][break]
Unlike her, the CEO smiles brightly.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ THEO BECKETT
[break][break]

BNXsN3bG
[break][break]
805/1000

”It is.”
[break][break]
Good gin that definitely shouldn’t be wasted by pouring it onto hot rocks, but Mars has never been one to complain about things like those.
[break][break]
As far as he’s concerned, Theo can do whatever the hell he wants with the content of his glass, even if pouring fills the sauna with a loud sizzling sound just as the scent of the burning liquid rises through the air just like the steam does.
[break][break]
”I’m surprised you don’t have one with how busy you seem to be, honestly. They can be really helpful.”
[break][break]
Of course, things between him and Andrea are slightly different, and there’s reasons why she’s more helpful than the typical assistant, but there’s no need to explain any of this, is there?
[break][break]
Seriously though, how come Team Rocket admins don’t get assistants?



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ THEO BECKETT
[break][break]

F1jTHuac
[break][break]
681/1000