“In the flesh,” he replied, head tilting in a slight bow to himself, hand sweeping out in an indicative gesture. “Likewise.”[break][break]

Pulling himself up, Fern pushed off of his stool and slid around the counter to stride across the room. “Is there something in particular I can help you with..?” His hand extended in an offering to shake, a gesture he typically imparted when there’s a distinct sense that business isn’t much to do with the front end of his shop.[break][break]

And Fern liked to think he had a decent ability to read others. Of course, he’s never met Tuesday for himself, but he’s in tune with the network of black market channels to know the name and associate it to a description. Unless Tuesday would very much just like to print some garage sale flyers off the clock.[break][break]

Fern supposed it was a rare chance, but that prerogative could be possible too.

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[attr="class","ooc"] Martín del Mar // m: recruitment: act i
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It’s all rather professional, isn’t it?[break][break]

Normally, Fern prefers a flair for dramatics and unexpected twists and turns. But when it comes to their work, they do tend to take things a bit more seriously. If only because they’ve learned the hard way that allowing themselves to become wrapped up in the fanciful aspects only lands them in hot water. Hence their arrival in Hoenn, in the first place.[break][break]

If Tuesday is aware of him, though, he wonders how far back the contact has dug. Just their dealings within Sootopolis and Hoenn at large, or further back? How successful was that endeavor? Fern’s certainly worked double to make any results hard to come by.[break][break]

His head tilts, coy grin curling one corner of his mouth as his hand drops. “Right to it–I can appreciate that,” their fingers drum on the countertop lightly. “I would say I’m adapting…quite nicely, Tuesday. If I’m being frank, it’s helped business more than one might assume.” He smiles wider as he addresses the other by name.[break][break]

This isn’t a lie. With the takeover, and the influx of Rocket presence within the city limits, there is more need for his actual services.[break][break]

Fern pauses, holding up a finger in sudden thought. “Ah.” Slipping by him, Fern flips the door sign to ‘closed.’ “Now then,” they started, hands clapping together as they whirl back around, “I assume this isn’t a simple social call.”
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[attr="class","ooc"] Martín del Mar // m: recruitment: act i
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Fern hums, “Mm, yes quite.” He’s certainly not about to complain about the positive uptick in his services. And it’s not as though he’s ever taken particular issue with Rocket’s ongoing affairs in the first place.[break][break]

“I suppose I might have some idea,” they reply, head tilting as the corner of their mouth twists sharply. With a lazy twirl of their wrist, they motion for Tuesday to follow them toward the back–the open doorway obscured by dark plum drapery that twinkles with woven-in silvery threads.[break][break]

Rising from behind the counter, Fern’s dragapult follows. Never far behind from her human partner’s heels. Wary gold eyes watch the visiting liaison in appraisal. As if she is the one making the judgements about where loyalties lay.[break][break]

Following Fern through the back of the shop will reveal a neat array of various printing equipment, but he bypasses these with little acknowledgement. Into another space, which seems to be a small, warmly-lit office with a desk and a small, plush settee. They perch on the edge of the desk and fold their arms. “Now,” Fern resumes, “you were saying about loyalty? I think you’ll find me to be properly dependable. If that is what you’re asking of me.”

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[attr="class","ooc"] Martín del Mar // m: recruitment: act i
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[attr="class","https://serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/icon/887.png"]

For the most part, Fern remains silent as Tuesday speaks, and weighs the options presented to them. Save for a curious, murmured, “Is that so?” There’s risk in this; Fern isn’t blind to that.[break][break]

In all his life, he’s never committed a real allegiance to anything or anyone but for himself. His work has been done on his own. His work has been measured and deemed fit as a result of his own work. But he knows that if he is to accept this offer, it won’t be a faulty acceptance with loopholes for him to drop through when he sees fit.[break][break]

As fanciful and flighty as he often presents himself to be, Fern is not that stupid to think it possibly with a syndicate such as Rocket, new or old. Their loyalty is iron clad, and for once, Fern sees the benefit in seizing that opportunity to be involved and play a part.[break][break]

They’re inherently selfish, they do care about the reward that Tuesday makes mention of. But they read the meaning underneath–that it will not come simply. It will not be handed over to them, and they do not delude themselves into thinking they’re so entitled.[break][break]

Fern knows how to dig his heels in and work for what he acquires, though. He’s never been wealthy, he’s never wanted for nothing. He can prove his mettle, no matter how unconventional he himself is. When his hand lifts and clasps the contact’s, it’s unwavering.[break][break]

As is the evenness in his eyes as he meets Tuesday’s, flashing him a cheeky, lopsided grin and winking. “Sign me up then, chief.”

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[attr="class","ooc"] Martín del Mar // m: recruitment: act i
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[attr="class","https://serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/icon/887.png"]