MARCH UPDATE

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

awards

2,675 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Mar 18, 2023 0:23:20 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","zev2"]

[attr="class","text"]

Blindingly bright ceiling lights bathed Zev as he walked across the shining linoleum of the major grocery store in Sootopolis, basket in hand. Normally, he would not be shopping in the city, since he spent most of his free time in Slateport where he lived. However, he'd received a text from Neffatari Nzingha to pick up some baking supplies before visiting her place in Mossdeep. So, after training new grunts in Team Rocket's submarine, Zev emerged from the crime syndicate's headquarters for a quick grocery trip.[break][break]

He checked his hastily scribbled list one more time before rounding the corner to look for the eggs. And then he did a double take.[break][break]

None other than Cillian Quinn was standing a short distance away, examining something. Zev considered passing the man without saying hello, but maybe Gavin knew where the eggs were.[break][break]

Zev walked up next to Gavin and picked up the closest thing to examine it. "Gavin," the hitman said by way of greeting. There in Sootopolis, he didn't feel the need to wear his public mask — a nice respite, in truth.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]Cillian Quinn

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

[googlefont=Poppins]
[newclass=.zev2]--accent:#975fb2;[/newclass]
[newclass=.zev2]font:12px Roboto;letter-spacing:.2px;line-height:15px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 b"]color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 i"]color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 u"]text-underline-offset:3px;text-decoration-color:var(--accent);[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 a"]color:var(--accent);font:12px Roboto;[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 h1"]font:bold 15px Poppins;color:var(--accent);letter-spacing:.1px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 h2"]font:bold 14px Poppins;color:var(--accent);letter-spacing:.1px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 .text b"]font:bold 14px Roboto;letter-spacing:.1px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 .tag a"]font:bold 15px Poppins;letter-spacing:.1px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 .pkmn img"]margin:-10px -7px 0px -7px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 .credit"]font:10px Poppins!important;[/newclass]
[newclass=".zev2 .credit a"]font:10px Poppins!important;[/newclass]

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Mar 20, 2023 21:21:35 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

In Sootopolis, there is no need for a Rocket underboss to hide their identity. Gavin Merlino, in all his stoic glory, turns bundled stalks of broccoli over in his hands as he inspects them for defects.[break][break]

A glance at the half-filled cart by his side reveals a wide range of healthy fruits and vegetables as well as a large bag of Pokémon food. There's no sign of dairy, suggesting he hasn't yet been to the aisle in question.[break][break]

The sound of his name gets his attention, and he glances over in surprise.[break][break]

"Zev." Seeing the hitman in Sootopolis itself wouldn't be a shock, but, "I thought you lived in Slateport."[break][break]

If he got hungry while on the submarine, he surely could've raided the breakroom.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","pkmn"][break]

[newclass=.twtgm] --accent: #765d75; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm] width: 420px; margin: 0 auto; color: #aaa; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: .5px; text-align:justify; padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; line-height: 15px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm .main] padding: 40px; background: #272727;[/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm b] color: var(--accent); font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; letter-spacing: .5px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm a] text-decoration: none; font-size: 11px; font-weight: lighter; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm h1, h2, h3] display: inline-block; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm h1] font-size: 13px; font-weight: lighter; color: var(--accent); letter-spacing: .5px; line-height: 0px; font-family: monospace; text-transform: uppercase; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm u] text-decoration: none;border-bottom: solid 1px var(--accent); [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm .tag] text-align: right; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 20px; font: 11px monospace; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm .tag a] font: 12px Montserrat; font-weight: 800!important; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0px; color: var(--accent)!important; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm .notes] text-align: justify; padding: 20px 20px 10px 20px; font: 10px monospace; letter-spacing: .3px; border-top: solid 1.5px #323232; height: auto; line-height: 15px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm .notes h1] font: 16px Montserrat; font-weight: 800!important; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--accent); text-shadow: 2px 2px 0px #1e1e1e; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align:center;[/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm .notes a] font: 10px Montserrat; color: var(--accent); [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm span] display: inline-block; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm .pkmn] text-align: center; margin: 0 auto; background: var(--accent); padding: 5px; width: 410px; margin-left: -40px; margin-bottom: -40px; margin-top: 10px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.twtgm .pkmn img] margin-top: -10px; padding-bottom: 5px; [/newclass]

close tab

played by

gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

rocket beast

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

awards

2,675 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Mar 21, 2023 13:43:48 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","zev2"]

[attr="class","text"]

"I do, but I was training some recruits and…"[break][break]

Zev paused, putting down the broccoli he'd picked up at random. He did not speak about his personal life — not to his employees at the bar, and certainly not to other members of Team Rocket. In fact, he was certain only Elisabeth Fiorelli and Isaac Merlo knew he was seeing someone.[break][break]

Silently, Zev assessed whether mentioning Nenet would endanger her. After some quick calculations, however, he decided there'd be no harm. She was not on Team Rocket's radar, and Zev was in their good graces.[break][break]

"…my girlfriend asked me to pick up some groceries before I visit her place," he finished nonchalantly, watching Gavin for his reaction. "Mostly for her baking."[break][break]

Zev already had a bag of raw cane sugar and a brick of baking chocolate in his basket.[break][break]

"Do you know where they keep the eggs here?"

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]Cillian Quinn

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Mar 24, 2023 2:14:51 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

A pregnant pause betrays the thought behind what Zev is about to say, but it's about the furthest thing from what Gavin expects. He doesn't bother to disguise his surprise, though it registers subtle in the arch of his brow.[break][break]

"I didn't know you were seeing someone."[break][break]

What he meant, of course, was that he didn't know Zev was interested in dating at all. He'd always assumed the assassin to be unreachable in that regard, concerned only with his work.[break][break]

Perceptions shift and lock back into place. Zev had a girlfriend. That was fine. Weird, but fine.[break][break]

"Yes, I was about to head over to the dairy myself." Eggs were a good part of a well balanced diet. He cants his head in a way to invite Zev to walk with him. "How are the recruits shaping up?"[break][break]

Notably, he doesn't pry further into Zev's personal life. Anything the Beast chose to share would be his own decision.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","pkmn"][break]

close tab

played by

gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

rocket beast

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

awards

2,675 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Mar 24, 2023 17:39:54 GMT

illeana reyes and nicolas rivera like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","zev2"]

[attr="class","text"]

Gavin's reaction was as expected. Zev shrugged, inwardly glad to drop the topic and discuss work instead. He fell into step beside Gavin as they walked toward the dairy aisle.[break][break]

"The recruits are what you'd expect. A few of them have some attitude, but that's expected of the kind Team Rocket attracts. Some are a little stupid, but they have potential. They just need more experience."[break][break]

Zev's mind wandered to the likes of Shred Zeppelin and nicolas rivera.[break][break]

"Others show promise, but we'll see how long they stick around. I've tasked one of them with spying on illeana reyes since he works in her labs in Ever Grande. We might learn some things about what the League is up to."[break][break]

They turned the corner into an aisle and found themselves surrounded by eggs, milk, and cheese. Zev kept his eyes fixed on the shelves, searching for the brand Nenet liked.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]Cillian Quinn

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Mar 25, 2023 9:04:50 GMT

THEO BECKETT likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Typical. And it was, wasn't it? Gavin had been much the same when he'd been a green recruit. He'd learned the hard way what would happen if you mouthed off to an admin in Kanto. Hoenn, comparatively, had it easy.[break][break]

That would change soon, he thinks. It already was.[break][break]

"If you suspect any of them might turn, report them to me."[break][break]

A Beast such as Zev would be well familiar with the list. Long before there were traitors, there were red flags.[break][break]

"We need to crack down on dissent before it happens." There had been a time where Gavin had thought that Hoenn could pride itself on its differences from the past. Now, he hardens himself to the realities of war. "You have my authority to act as you see fit toward any that would challenge yours."[break][break]

Gavin's expression remains placid as he checks the expiry dates on the eggs, as though they were discussing mere meal plans. Would THEO BECKETT be proud or disgusted with what he'd created?

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","pkmn"][break]

close tab

played by

gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

rocket beast

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

awards

2,675 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Mar 25, 2023 15:18:52 GMT

Chu-e Choi, Eva Morales, and 1 more like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","zev2"]

[attr="class","text"]

Zev nodded as he waited his turn to check the eggs. Gavin's orders were nothing new; Zev had received them time and time again over the years. But the sudden increase in defectors was unprecedented. They were like prey animals in flight, realizing their weaker wills had no place in the organization Team Rocket truly was.[break][break]

Between Eva Morales's publicized report of the Kantonian government style and the report in HNN about the resistance uprisings in Pallet Town and Lavender Town, Zev would not be surprised if Team Rocket saw even more defectors in the coming days and weeks.[break][break]

But unlike Gavin, it did not matter to Zev who stayed within Rocket's ranks and who left. He had no emotional attachment to any of them, making him the perfect weapon for ending lives.[break][break]

There were, however, those who had disappeared without a trace, people the Beasts were still trying to locate. That they had formerly been well known and high-ranking members of the crime syndicate made finding them that much more critical.[break][break]

"By the way, have you had any luck finding Choi and the girl yet?" Zev asked Gavin.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]Cillian Quinn

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Mar 27, 2023 0:54:57 GMT

Chu-e Choi and Eris Halla like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Setting a carton of eggs in the top of his shopping cart, Gavin picks up a jug of milk to buy himself some time to think. Was Zev Harcourt really the person he should be telling about Chu-e Choi and Eris Halla's whereabouts?[break][break]

In the end, however, loyalty to Rocket always wins.[break][break]

"I have," he affirms. "Choi has been chipped by the League. They've got him set up in some sort of government housing."[break][break]

Chipped like a house Skitty, Eris had phrased it.[break][break]

"The girl was with him until she was attacked by a gym leader."[break][break]

Gavin might've spat if they weren't indoors.[break][break]

"She fled to Sootopolis. I spoke to her there."

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","pkmn"][break]

close tab

played by

gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

rocket beast

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

awards

2,675 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Mar 27, 2023 15:09:39 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","zev2"]

[attr="class","text"]

Zev stilled as his hand fell upon the carton of pasture-raised eggs he knew Nenet would prefer. Gavin's news was not good. Government housing or no, Chu-e was effectively a prisoner of the League.[break][break]

And considering what Chu-e knew as a former Beast and what they were capable of as an Avatar, it was only a matter of time before the League discovered just how dangerous they were.[break][break]

"What's the plan?" Zev asked, ever a man of action.[break][break]

He assumed, of course, that Gavin had one. Team Rocket's attitude toward prisoners of war was not always compassionate, and Zev could just as easily see the underbosses ordering Chu-e's death as his rescue.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]Cillian Quinn

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Mar 30, 2023 6:37:07 GMT

Chu-e Choi likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Zev Harcourt's stillness rings of expectation; one that Gavin knows many in Rocket will harbor. They would expect Chu-e Choi to be hunted as Remiel Calcifet was, as a traitor to Rocket and a danger to their secrets.[break][break]

Gavin's own final conversation with Chu-e sticks in his head.[break][break]

Trust.[break][break]

"It is not so easy as you might think," he says, easily, as if his heart wasn't thudding against the cage of his ribs. "Choi is... not an Avatar, per say, but a host. To Necrozma."[break][break]

Many did not know the name Necrozma. It had been declan walsh to tell Gavin the name of the accursed creature.[break][break]

"Necrozma is the name of the Light Devourer from Sootopolis' Darkest Day, from Slateport's Blackout." Both times, Gavin had stood against it. He doesn't want to relive how he'd been essentially responsible for his best friend's corruption, so he only says, "It infected Choi somehow. He's near impossible to kill."[break][break]

Did Zev know of the Darkest Day? Of the Blackout some years ago?[break][break]

Gavin sets a jug of milk in his cart and ponders the selection of yoghurts.[break][break]

"I worked often with Choi when he was underboss. An invaluable asset, if we're able to rescue him from their clutches."

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","pkmn"][break]

close tab

played by

gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

rocket beast

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

awards

2,675 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Mar 30, 2023 16:21:00 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","zev2"]

[attr="class","text"]

Zev nodded slowly, absorbing the new information as he collected the carton of eggs and stashed it into his basket. Not an Avatar like he'd thought, but a host? What did that mean, then?[break][break]

"I read the reports from the Darkest Day and I remember the Blackout," Zev said instead. "So that creature has a name."[break][break]

But Gavin's other casual comment caused the hitman to turn to his associate, eyebrow raised. "What do you mean, Choi is impossible to kill?" He didn't recall reading about that in any report.[break][break]

If Chu-e was impervious — or immortal, Zev dared to guess — then rescue was the only option. Its success hinged on the plan and the people executing it. Zev himself was not the kind of person who saved lives; in fact, he preferred to end them.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]Cillian Quinn

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Mar 31, 2023 15:04:16 GMT

MATIAS SILPH likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

"Necrozma," Gavin repeats, affirming.[break][break]

There is a bare hint of disgust behind the name, suggestive of the history he had with the creature. It was not a fond one.[break][break]

Less so, when it had inhabited his friend.[break][break]

"I watched him survive a blow from Genesect that would've killed anyone else."[break][break]

It had crippled his poor Zeraora.[break][break]

"Near impossible, though. He was dead for a while."[break][break]

Gavin doesn't elaborate; the thought of the man who'd come back different only saddened him. He longed for the best friend he'd lost to MATIAS SILPH.[break][break]

"But if Necrozma wants him alive, he'll live through most of what we can throw at him."

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","pkmn"][break]

close tab

played by

gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

rocket beast

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

awards

2,675 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Apr 2, 2023 17:19:39 GMT

Chu-e Choi likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","zev2"]

[attr="class","text"]

Zev stared at Gavin as if he'd just said the dead could return to life, though that was already happening elsewhere in Hoenn, if some rumors were to be believed. It truly seemed that anything was possible in this cursed region, even something like a Pokémon allowing a human being to defy death.[break][break]

And naturally, Zev's mind turned to the possibilities that could benefit him should he ever encounter such a boon.[break][break]

"I see," he finally said, ready to move on from the aisle. The sugar, chocolate, and eggs were the only items on Nenet's grocery list; having acquired them, he could leave to mull over this new information. "I'm guessing the plan to rescue Choi is being developed."[break][break]

Otherwise, surely Zev would have heard of it by then.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]Cillian Quinn

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","credit"]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin