Dorian meant news of Kanto, and Kanto meant a marked increase in Gavin's stress levels. There were too many memories associated with the conquered region to untangle in the space of hours or even days.

So when Dorian steps into the office, he's greeted by wisps of cigarette smoke mingled with the dark miasma of Lugia's blessing. Her pressure on the bare, professional space is particularly stifling in accordance with the foul mood of the man behind the desk. A Sylveon curled in Gavin's lap does its best to exude a calming influence, but judging by the underbosses expression, it isn't helping.

"Dorian." Gavin inclines his head. "How is Kanto?"

dorian westcliff

Gavin listens quietly, nodding as if to reinforce success with some kind of positivity. But he's not thinking of dissidents, as Dorian speaks, but of innocents cowering behind an upturned table in Pallet, begging for their lives.

He still sees that building come down around them, in his dreams.

Blinking away the shadows in his gaze, Gavin says at last, "I'm sure Kanto can handle their own propaganda, should they wish it." His concern was of Hoenn, and quashing the flow of information out of the recovering Kanto had been beneficial to Rocket's attempts to scour its image here. "Though..."

He trails off, frowning, as if considering whether he should ask. But, then,

"You look troubled. That's not like you. Is there something else?"

dorian westcliff

Master Choi?

Gavin arches his brow, but doesn't comment.

His own sadness reflects only in his eyes, in the subtle and brief slump of shoulders before his posture is corrected. Gavin is used to concealing his emotions while conducting Rocket business... but Choi had been his friend, too.

"We were close," he allowed. "I was the first to arrive, and it was already too late."

He remembers the horrible sight of the black crystals consuming what had once been his friend.

"There was nothing you could have done."

dorian westcliff

Gavin's lips press into a thin line.

"What do you mean, 'losing an eye'?" The last time he'd seen Eris Halla, she'd had both of them. Granted, it would seem he hasn't seen her in a little while. He hadn't thought much of it until now. Gavin shakes his head. "Whatever that's about, it didn't happen then."

He'd read Eris' medical reports after her stay in the infirmary, and there'd been no mention of damage to an eye, let alone the loss of one. He'd visited her during recovery, as well.

"We know who's responsible," Gavin adds icily. "MATIAS SILPH."

dorian westcliff

It hadn't been Gavin alone, but him and all the Rocket Beasts. Still, it hadn't been enough to save his friend. He didn't blame himself in the ways that Dorian and Eris Halla did, but it still saddled him with the weight of grief.

"We'll take more than an eye if we catch him," he growls.

But he's a hard man to catch, being a member of the Elite Four.

"We've not yet cleared out Choi's office," he adds, after an uncomfortable pause. "If there's anything in there you'd like to look after, I can lend you the key. I know you considered him a friend."

dorian westcliff