[attr="class","icon"]

“I appreciate the invitation.[break][break]

Does Fern feel strange now to be interacting with the higher ups now that he has risen among the ranks? Yes, perhaps a bit. But THEO BECKETT ’s company has always been appreciated regardless.[break][break]

And regardless, the underboss’ question does well to distract the new admin from any nerves he may have. “Ah! Yes, I have. Not many, and I’ve only one for myself currently. But I plan to conduct some evolutionary tests of my own in the near future.”[break][break]

He has the supposed pokemon for the task, it’s just a matter of finding the time.[break][break]

“A gimmighoul!” Fern’s hands clap together in immediate delight, as he catches the tossed coin. “Is it always so generous?”[break][break]

A pokeball of his own clicks open to release the one he’d swiped from under MATIAS SILPH ’ nose. The little smush-nosed dragon, immediately indicates up, which Fern obliges, scooping him in the crook of his arm. “This here is a frigibax.”[break][break]

It waves one, tiny tasseled arm.

[attr="class","icon"]

"only with people it is fond of."[break][break]

a lie, really, told to help alleviate some of the tension fern must be feeling. it's always daunting to step up into a new role, especially one that requires some level of expertise in managing people.[break][break]

he glances down at the smush-nosed dragon, then back up as it's picked up.[break][break]

"frigibax."[break][break]

an interesting name.[break][break]

"is it a baby?"

[attr="class","icon"]

“I appreciate the invitation.[break][break]

The explanation makes Fern smile broadly, whether it’s true or not.[break][break]

The fib makes its intended remark, though, even if Fern sort of knows he’s only being humored by the underboss. It’s still an appreciated gesture. Despite the fact that he acts if all is well, there is still a sense of new pressure and a worry of failure.[break][break]

It would be humiliating to let down those who have backed him and the choice to promote him. Theo, included.[break][break]

“Yup! I think so anyway. He definitely likes being coddled like a baby.”

His glance flits behind the bar. The sazerac is prominently featured, though Fern isn’t sure if that’s what he’d like to nurse and kill his nerves with. Blue eyes drift back to Theo. “You want something? As thanks for your endorsement.”

[attr="class","icon"]

the SAZERAC is easily sipped; the taste of whiskey more than familiar by now for a man who has fought and lived through battle after battle. the burn is welcome by that point.[break][break]

"nothing material per se but there is something i would like."[break][break]

his glass lowers.[break][break]

"with initiatives such as LOCKBOX and SPECTRA, we are shifting our approach to a more aggressive one. naturally, there will be some resistance within our ranks."[break][break]

there already has been, as evident in a transfer of power.[break][break]

"i would like to know your stance on it all."

[attr="class","icon"]

“Certainly. I’m all ears.” It’s the least they can do, after all, for someone who advocated for their elevation among the ranks.[break][break]

They remain quiet as Theo speaks, and the tip of their finger rhythmically traces the rim of the glass they’ve set down.[break][break]

After a moment, Fern hums, the sound thoughtful as they consider their wording. The frigibax settled in their lap dozes off, comfortable and content.[break][break]

“When I agreed to join Rocket, I knew that I may very well be inviting the future opportunity for more force to be an explored avenue. And still, I agreed.”[break][break]

Admittedly, Fern is much more capable in the art of escape than they have ever been in committing acts of violence with their own hands. Even so—[break][break]

“It would do me little good now to resist the inevitable, no? Adapting is necessary for survival. If that means returning to a more aggressive nature because passivity has accomplished little, then so be it.”

[attr="class","icon"]

adapting for survival. fern's response reminds him of Elisabeth Fiorelli's, both of them echoing the same sentiment. theo does as well.[break][break]

"good."[break][break]

it's the answer he wanted to hear.[break][break]

"LOCKBOX will need your assistance whether it be your forgery knowledge or something else entirely. see to it that the initiative is given proper time and effort."

[attr="class","icon"]

Their head dips in agreement, easily acquiescing to the underboss’ directive. “Of course. I am happy to assist in any capacity that is needed of me.”[break][break]

Another quiet hum escapes them– “I am looking to take on a few younger members to begin learning the forging process so that more can be done in a shorter span of time. Levy Alinsky, for example, if you’re familiar. But if you happen to know of anyone who might prove to be useful in this arena, please by all means send them my way.”[break][break]

Fern is a showboaty kind of individual. Eccentric and eclectic enough that one might not guess them to be meticulous about their work, but there is a purpose to all of the fanfare and the grandeur. It’s all a clever mask.[break][break]

“For the time being, though, I will prioritize any paperwork or identification needed for those involved in LOCKBOX.”

[attr="class","icon"]

unsurprisingly, Levy Alinsky is a name he is unfamiliar with though he must have glimpsed it before. a name lost in the sea of rocket personnel. he will look to rectify that.[break][break]

"i believe more of our personnel would benefit from forgery classes. seminars, if you will, though i imagine calling it that would dissuade a number of them."[break][break]

because team rocket isn't a company. it isn't a business. they're a terrorist organization that just so happens to share similarities to how a company would be run.[break][break]

"but starting small would be a good idea until you perfect your teachings."

[attr="class","icon"]

Fern hums, expression furrowed in thought. “I’m not certain forgery would be so easy to teach at such a large scale. It requires a great deal of perfectionism, after all.” Their eyes roll up to the ceiling, still contemplating. “Mass counterfeit though..maybe..”[break][break]

The production scale for that is far larger, at least.[break][break]

“If seminars won’t do, what would you call them then?” Any hint of mandatory obligation is liable to have others turning their noses up.[break][break]

They nod swiftly. “There is benefit in working on a smaller scale, if I might be honest. It allows for more attention to detail, a narrower scope to fine tune.” And instruct on correction rather than give blanket admonishments.[break][break]

This is not combat, after all. Nor is it simple words on paper or a nicely minted coin. It’s practically an art form.

[attr="class","icon"]

"hm."[break][break]

despite being in a bar, he reaches back over his chair and into his coat to pull out a small diary. he flips it open and scribbles away.[break][break]

"a workshop? i am open to suggestions. the name doesn't matter as much as the actual teachings."[break][break]

he stops writing if only to reach for his drink.[break][break]

"perhaps there are two avenues to explore. counterfeit workshops, and forgery on a smaller scale."

[attr="class","icon"]

Fern observes with curiosity. Mildly impressed that Theo is willing to go to the effort of taking notes in the middle of the bar, during a semi-casual meeting.[break][break]

He’s committed to his craft–Fern will give him that. And honestly, that’s saying something. Fern doesn’t often offer his respect. Or his admiration.[break][break]

But he does admire Theo as his superior, which is why he values his opinion in this. And the fact that he offered his support of Fern’s promotion.[break][break]

“I would wager a workshop would be more about production. Mass use of equipment to produce quality results as opposed to the, ah, art of forgery.” He taps a finger against the bar top as he thinks it over.[break][break]

“Yes, I would consider the smaller scale to be more…apprenticeship, I suppose. If that’s even feasible.” He lets out a soft laugh before drinking from his glass.[break][break]

There’s a slow rise and fall of one shoulder. “That would require a more invested interest in the first place.”

[attr="class","icon"]

"speaking from experience, i believe it to be feasible."[break][break]

theo has had a few apprentices during his tenure in team rocket so far. jayden cross is one of them, arguably the most notable due to his current position as an admin. he imagines fern could do the same for someone else.[break][break]

he nods, mirroring the rise and fall of fern's shoulder.[break][break]

"indeed. it should not be too hard to find, i hope. any ideas who might show an interest?"

[attr="class","icon"]

“Oh? What’s your experience, if I might ask?”[break][break]

Obviously, it’s far more than Fern’s own. But they’re curious to know if he has any specific examples that come to mind as a parallel.[break][break]

Who knows what reaction he might receive if he were to mention jayden cross by name.[break][break]

The point, however, is that they are hopeful that they can make some sort of lasting impact. It seems to be what they’re most concerned about, alongside of just cataclysmically failing in some manner.[break][break]

“I’m not sure. Most of those I associate with already have some sort of niche of their own.” They sip from their glass, measured and slow.