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Rosalie's phone lit up as she once again checked it to make sure that she had the correct address. This was certainly the place according to the GPS. She tugged on her jacket that rested atop her shoulders as she maneuvered her way through the alley till she reached the door that Zev had told her about before. [break][break]

A light knock on the door and then a pause before she faintly heard the sound of what she assumed to be a chair scraping against the wood. The sound was muffled beyond the door though so she couldn't be sure. The door swung open and Zev's cold stare is what greeted her. "Come in," His voice lacked the friendliness that he had shown her at the pumpkin carving event. [break][break]

Rosalie on the other hand wore a practiced smile on her face. "Nice to see you too." she said playfully as she stepped into the back room. Glancing around she quickly made note of the layout and exit's. A force of habit before she shifted her gaze back to Zev who closed the door behind her. [break][break]

The door clicked as Zev turned the lock before facing her, "Have a seat. I'll fix us some drinks." he said as he gestured to the table in the center of the room. "Thanks," Rosalie said as her heels clicked against the dark wood floor before pulling out her chair and sitting down. Azure orbs made note of the grinning Gengar in the corner and she wagged her fingers in it's direction with a smile as a way of greeting.[break][break]

Bonnie, her Sylveon, who had been at her feet since entering this place jumped up in her lap as soon as Rosie had gotten comfortable in her seat. "So, what are you whipping up for us?" Rosie asked as she fumbled around in her purse for a packet of cigarettes' and her lighter. Placing one in her mouth she paused and glanced up to look at Zev. "Is it alright if I smoke?"
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"Sazeracs," Zev answered as he went about mixing up their little concoction in the back. "I remember you can handle the harder stuff." Zev added as he approached with a whiskey glass extended to her. Rosalie feigned slight flattery as she took the glass from him. "I'm surprised you still remember."[break][break]

Back in Kanto alcohol had been her poison of choice to numb the pain and aggravation of the endless days and turbulent nights. After a while certain liquors just didn't do it for her anymore, her tolerance getting in the way of her enjoyment. At least that was before she was introduced to the hard stuff, courtesy of Zev here.[break][break]

"Light me up, too." Zev said as he leaned forward with his own cigarette that he had fished out from his pockets. A smirk curved on Rosie's lips as she flicked the lighter in-between both of their cigarettes' and let the flame do the work. Rosie took a long drag and let the smoke settle in her lungs a bit as she reclined back in her seat. This really took her back to the old days, drinking and smoking after another successful contract close.[break][break]

Grabbing the glass she took a tentative sip from it to gauge how she felt about it. A moment later and her eyes sparkled as she glanced at the glass again before turning her gaze back to Zev. "Oooh, I really like this." She said as she took another drink. "So, what's Caleb been up to?" Zev asked which coaxed another smirk from the woman.[break][break]

"You always did get straight to the point." Zev rarely wasted time on small talk and he certainly didn't waste his time beating around the bush. Rosie took another hit from her cigarette and then glanced at him. Her mind drifted back to the masquerade gala and all the events that went on that evening. She lingered on the memories of Caleb Harcourt graciously leading her across the dance floor and the feel of his lips on hers afterwards.[break][break]

Then there was the stinging feeling of guilt.[break][break]

What would he think about her if he knew she was going behind his back like this? Rosie blew out a long puff of smoke. "He works for the league." she admitted while dumping some ash on an ashtray. "But I'm sure you might have surmised that." Rosie gently reached to pet Bonnie before continuing, "He doesn't seem to be part of the military since I haven't gotten my hands on any records saying otherwise."[break][break]

Rosalie pauses to smoke, "My bet would be the ranger's but I've yet to confirm. But..." she says as she pauses once more to take another drink from her glass before turning her hard gaze back to Zev. "I have a date with him this weekend so I'll be able to dig up something better after that."[break][break]

That's right, a date. One she'd secretly been looking forward to if she was being really honest with herself. Meeting with 'the black hand' here though soured those feelings. When she was with Caleb she found it was dangerously easy to forget her original goal. Being with Zev reminded her of the painful truth.
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He wasn't satisfied. Of course he wasn't. The information she delivered was mediocre at best. Back in Kanto she would've happily presented Zev with any and every little thing he could ever wanna know about his target. The difference between then and now was time. Time, money, and a sense of urgency. [break][break]

Rosalie had a lot on her plate as it was. She had her real job with the league in addition to her cover job. Those took up 80% of her time. The other 20% was supposed to be reserved for her, but now that she'd run into the brother's again nothing had been going the way she wanted it to. Now she had to watch to see what Rocket would do knowing she was here. She needed to prioritize getting information from them more than the information she could squeeze from Caleb.[break][break]

Not to mention, they just weren't that close yet. Sure, she could use her job to figure out what he's really been up to but would Zev truly be satisfied with just that? "He works for the Slateport Rangers under Tam Fawley," Rosalie's expression faded to a deep frown, "I need to know what kind of jobs he's doing for them, the people he's seeing, and what he does in his spare time."[break][break]

Dammit. And he already knew the basics about his brother. She should've known she couldn't have pulled a fast one on him. Shit. If Zev began to question her competence now then everything would be thrown out of the window and her in with Rocket once more would be lost. For the first time since that evening Rosalie mask slipped. [break][break]

"Basically, does Caleb have free reign in Hoenn? Or is he under surveillance by the League?" The truth? The League keeps tabs on anyone they deem to be a potential threat. Including her and any other's that they are aware were from Kanto. So of course, there should be plenty of information Rosie could get her hands on that the League knows about Caleb. [break][break]

But the way Rosie saw it, it would be a more tantalizing offer for Zev to have his cake and eat it too. If she could provide Zev with a steady flow of Caleb's comings and goings in addition to his plans before he makes them, ones she would only have access to by being right at his side, then Zev would step off her neck a little. [break][break]

Hopefully.[break][break]

"A date, huh? Are you interested in him in that way?" What a loaded question. Rosalie scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Please," Rosie said with an annoyed sigh before taking another drag of her cigarette. The intent? To convince this sociopath that she had no feelings for his little brother what so ever, even though she knew the truth. She knew, but Zev could never find out, otherwise that would spell the end of her. Game over.[break][break]

"You want the goods? You got it. Give me more time and you'll be swimming up to your ears in information about what your brother's been up to and what he plans to do." She said as she fixed a stoney glare at him. "Your presence has him on edge." She stated matter-of-factly while blowing a cloud of smoke in his direction. "If I push too hard he's going to grow suspicious and shut me out." Any time someone started prying into sensitive information the two likely reactions would be to tense up and shut down or lash out.[break][break]

A smirk formed on her lips. "But I've got him hooked. I'll be in his head soon enough." she stated confidently as she crushed the bud of her cigarette in the ashtray now that she was done with it. "As for what the Slateport Ranger's have him working on, I'll deliver the initial package to you tomorrow, how's that sound? Same time? It'll be a drop off."
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"Fine. Take all the time you need," Good. She would be able to keep him from breathing down her neck now that he agreed. Rosalie polished off the drink he fixed for her before reclining back in her chair. Zev stressed her out. Rosalie felt as if she'd aged by ten years just by begin here. [break][break]

Honestly, she'd forgotten what it was like to work with him to be completely honest. She'd been so far removed from Kanto like habits for the past couple of years that it almost seemed foreign to her now. Yet something in the back of her mind reminded her that it felt familiar. Regardless, it left a bad taste in her mouth. [break][break]

Whether she had intentionally positioned herself as such, now that she was removed from Rocket she'd been unknowingly enjoying her time in limited freedom. Of course, she doubted she could ever be truly free. The League was always keeping tabs on her and now monsters from her past had found her and caught up with her. Not to mention the world around her was falling apart. It all threatened the simple harmony she'd been living in for now which irritated her. [break][break]

"They'll be physical documents? Digital is fine, too. I can give you my encrypted channels." Rosalie flashed him a look. She was sure he wouldn't have any suspicious channels but even in the past Rosalie had always preferred the anonymity of the paper transfers. They could be dissolved easily. Old fashioned, of course, but a method she favored. But times are changing and technology is always evolving.[break][break]

"If that's what you prefer." Rosalie answered cooly. "Saves me another trip." she said as Bonnie nuzzled against her, sensing her master's growing irritation despite Rosalie not showing any such clue on her person at all. Rosie felt a headache coming on as she rose from the seat across from Zev. "Think I can get one of these to go?" she asked with a smile as her nail gently tapped the glass.[break][break]

"It's New Years after all. It be a shame not to be buzzed at least." she said with a playful chuckle. "Speaking of New Years..." Rosie said as she tapped a finger against her chin while Bonnie sat at her feet. "What resolutions do you have for the year?" she said as her azure orbs twinkled mischievously. "Getting your brother back into Rocket perhaps?"[break][break]

She was prodding for information. She wanted to know what Zev was thinking, his plans, what he was up to. But she doubted he would reveal as such to her easily. He was a bit of an enigma. A tough nut to crack. But that's what made him so intriguing. Challenges always managed to wet Rosalie's appetite. Especially dangerous ones.
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"You know me. I don't make resolutions," Zev responded curtly. It was an expected response. Why would he make the treat easy to obtain. Either way she was sure she'd come to some conclusion at some point. She wouldn't push her luck here. Rosalie nodded her head towards the door, a single for Bonnie to follow her, as it was time for them to head out. [break][break]

"Well, as for me, I think my resolution would be to trust my gut more. Be a bit more honest and observant. Oh and for sure to lose like 20 pounds." she said with a giggle as she opened the door to leave, the beer in hand that she'd received from Zev. "Hopefully keeping my nose to the ground will produce some interesting results." She said with a smile. [break][break]

"Take care Zev, and Happy New Year." she said with a wave before stepping out into the alley once more. As she rounded the corner her smile faded. She had a lot of work to do with clearly a small timetable. She just hoped for her sake that things could progress quickly enough to keep the beast at bay for now.
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