NOTES

⬥ Mission: Recruitment Act I[break]
⬥ Past thread (August 2022)

Though Mei had not had a typical childhood herself, she was familiar with the sentiments of many young folks regarding wanting to get out of one's hometown, lead a life separate from one's parents and family, and make one's own way. Normally, this was paired with a healthy degree of affection for those left behind, the desire to become independent not necessarily invalidating feelings of love or respect for one's family.[break][break]
Yumi's tone, however, held no trace of love or respect. If anything, it was dismissive, as if by even answering Mei's question she had wasted her breath. Mei opened her mouth to reply, then paused. Instead, she took a bite of salad drenched in dressing, crunching the crisp, tangy lettuce thoughtfully. She washed this down with some of the iced lemonade, grateful for the chilled drink on such a hot summer day. Only then did she formulate a response.[break][break]
"Your business is your own, of course," Mei replied delicately. "But it sounds to me like you had quite the falling out with them." She set down her fork and gazed at the proud, haughty woman across from her, expression growing concerned. It was with sympathy, not pity, that she asked, "Yumi, is everything allright? They didn't hurt you, did they?"[break][break]

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NOTES

⬥ Mission: Recruitment Act I[break]
⬥ Past thread (August 2022)

Mei had spent the majority of her relatively young life learning the ins and outs of human emotion - how to charm and how to comfort, how to seduce and how to manipulate; Yumi's attempt at masking her feelings might have fooled a less-savvy conversation partner, but Mei saw right through it, like it was a pane of clear, polished glass.[break][break]
As she sipped her own lemonade, Mei watched as Yumi's expression soured further, like a baby Toxel about to throw a tantrum. Should Mei poke the haughty beast that was her roommate? If there was a way to help Yumi deal with her pain...[break][break]
"You do not," Mei declared, then took a slow bite of pasta, chewing, swallowing. "Look perfectly fine, I mean." Another bite, deliberate. "You look like a woman who could benefit from a little venting." Lemonade. A smile that betrayed kindness without pity. Within her seafoam eyes, there was an understanding. Mei had lived through hard times, too.[break][break]
"We're roommates, Yumi," Mei reminded the other woman gently. "And I'd like to think we're starting to become friends." She paused. "So you can tell me how you really feel."

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NOTES

⬥ Mission: Recruitment Act I[break]
⬥ Past thread (August 2022)

Mei rolled her eyes at Yumi's defensiveness, but considered what she actually wanted to know. Yumi favored the luxurious, unaccustomed to caring for herself in the basic ways the average middle class person often did: cooking, cleaning, and laundry, to name a few. This of course meant that Yumi came from money, but no longer had access to it anymore. For the first time in her life, Yumi was being forced to work for what she wanted, like everybody else.[break][break]
"How did your family get their money?" Mei asked after finishing another bite of pasta. "Did your father or mother make it big in business? Savvy investors? Or did they inherit their fortune? Old money, so to speak." Mei paused, finishing the last of her lemonade. "And why, exactly, did they cut you off from it?"

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NOTES

⬥ Mission: Recruitment Act I[break]
⬥ Past thread (August 2022)

Mei listened attentively. So many details fell into place. Of course. Yumi was the daughter of a crime family. Mei knew such tight-knit organizations well - loyalty was expected to run deep, as blood was the thickest bond. As part of Kanto's Project Gossamer, she and her peers had been assigned to eliminate Rocket's competition. Mei had been invited into a number of ancestral estates, only to leave them hours later devoid of heirs.[break][break]
Yumi was from Johto, however, and Mei was not at all surprised to hear that there were still powerful criminal families in that region. Rocket had not had as much success there as they had in Kanto...or even in Hoenn.[break][break]
Suddenly, it occurred to Mei that Yumi had a very viable way of regaining her lost fortune, especially if she had no qualms with illegal ventures. The way the other woman talked about her family's empire indicated to Mei that she was more than willing to put up with - if not partake in - criminal activity as a means to a financially beneficial end. In addition...well. If Yumi wanted revenge on her family for how they had treated her, why not join their most powerful rival?[break][break]
"Bigger and better plans, eh?" Mei smiled, setting down her fork. "What if I told you that I could connect you to Hoenn's most powerful criminal organization? The one and only Team Rocket?"[break][break]
Yumi knew - and did not judge - that Mei worked as an escort, but given Yumi's history, Mei now realized it was safe to reveal her other occupation to her roommate. It was honestly a bit of a relief; Mei had known what she had been getting into by taking on a civilian roommate...but eventually, Yumi might see something she shouldn't.[break][break]
"Your family might have viewed you as mere marriage fodder, but Rocket's political alliances are made through intimidation, infiltration, and influence." Mei's seafoam eyes grew hard, though her tone was still pleasant. "I ought to know. I have worked for them nearly my entire life."

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NOTES

⬥ Mission: Recruitment Act I[break]
⬥ Past thread (August 2022)

"I will give your name to the right people, don't worry," Mei told her. "They will be in contact." It was a somewhat enigmatic statement, but the reality was that Rocket worked subtly in Hoenn - how they would choose to give Yumi her first assignment, Mei was not entirely sure. Mei often received missions directly from Rocket's underbosses - men like Cillian Quinn and Martín del Mar - but Yumi was not an assassin. Yumi was ambitious, however, and seemed to enjoy social media and gossip. Mei could think of a few Rockets who would make good mentors for her roommate, such as BARNABY FINCH.[break][break]
"Thank you for being so open with me," Mei added, standing up to begin clearing the table now that their meal had come to an end. "If you ever want to talk more about anything, please don't hesitate. I'll be here if you need me."

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