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TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON May 2, 2023 8:19:28 GMT

Remiel Calcifet, Chu-e Choi, and 3 more like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","jaytop"] ♀ lada the umbreon ✨ / synchronize / throat chop, confuse ray, assurance, moonlight, psychic, feint attack / starter

[attr="class","littlejay"]

cillian.

[break][break] it was still a shock. even though it had been hours since the meeting had dispersed, the memory still rings clear in his mind as if it's just happened. his body feels numb to it.

[break][break] cillian.

[break][break] for his entire adult life, jayden had bled his life into rocket. since his parents' death, his mentor was one of the few people who knew all the dark parts of his history — not just kanto, but dmitri's influence too. and Cillian Quinn knew the inner workings of jayden's heart too, including the whole messy aftermath of his heartbreak with Chu-e Choi, and more.

[break][break] it felt like —

[break][break] another betrayal.

[break][break] Razz Kingsman. Ashley Shepard. CIAN MAHER. Remiel Calcifet. Rowan Wrynn.

[break][break] it hurt.

[break][break] the afternoon, the rocket admin delves almost entirely into work. the grunts don't even bother stepping by his office, knowing the dark energy that illuminates from within. fern delaney's in the med bay, mint frost's on some important mission, Ashley Shepard's tied up too —

[break][break] "sir?"

[break][break] the secretary peeks up meekily from the door.

[break][break] "there's something for you in the conference room regarding project lockbox..."

[break][break] steel screeches against the floor as jayden pushes himself to his feet.

[break][break] stiffly, he says, "very well."

[break][break] minutes later, he's walking through the sub's hallways towards the conference room. he's not looking where he's walking. where he's going. jayden steps through the room, one hand placed on the pile of folders in the middle of the room, only to pull his hand back in shock when it brushes against someone unfamiliar.

[break][break] violet eyes flash up towards him.

[break][break] Cillian Quinn.

[break][break] stiffly, more awkward than usual.

[break][break] "sorry, sir."

[attr="class","ooc"] Cillian Quinn [break]
post postdorm

☉

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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.

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TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 2, 2023 8:45:03 GMT

jayden cross and Tempest Quinn like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

After confessing to declan walsh two years previous, shedding his mask for the others felt almost easy. It should be hardly surprising to them, he thinks. Plenty in Rocket used a cover. He simply had no use for his any longer.[break][break]

At least, that's how he thinks they'll take it. He doesn't divulge the information about Rowan Wrynn being his brother. How his betrayal had been more than just a betrayal of Rocket, but a betrayal of Cillian's trust. How Rowan had clashed with Tempest Quinn in the Rift and threatened to expose a secret kept for over a decade, even from Rocket's finest.[break][break]

No. He simply drops his name like an anvil at the start of the meeting, and then they move on.[break][break][break][break]

Cillian's kept busy since their victory in the Deep Sea, organizing reports and rearranging the duties of those beneath him who'd survived to cover any losses they'd incurred. He's scheduled a meeting with those underlings a couple hours from now, and finds himself in a conference room setting up for it.[break][break]

It seemed as if the last meeting in here had been about Lockbox; files are spread about the table. He arranges them carefully, sending a message to Jayden's secretary. He doesn't expect the admin to arrive while he's still fixing things up, though it also doesn't alarm him.[break][break]

"Hello, Jayden."[break][break]

His brow furrows when he gets no response.[break][break]

He reaches for the files, intending to hand them over, and their hands brush. He chuckles.[break][break]

He might've apologized, made some kind of a joke, if not for the incredibly awkward and out of character response.[break][break]

Oh.[break][break]

Was he upset about the meeting?[break][break]

"You never call me sir." Not when they were alone, at least. They were friends. "What's wrong?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]jayden cross

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

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON May 4, 2023 5:58:08 GMT

freya morningstar likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","jaytop"] ♀ lada the umbreon ✨ / synchronize / throat chop, confuse ray, assurance, moonlight, psychic, feint attack / starter

[attr="class","littlejay"]

he doesn't even notice it. doesn't notice him.

[break][break] maybe it would amount to working too hard. even with the success of the ultra deep sea on their shoulders, there was still so much left to do if they wanted to make sure they didn't lose something more to the league. the wound on his shoulder from angelo vestri was still piercing, and there were still bandages around his neck from where freya morningstar had bitten him.

[break][break] sunk her venomous fangs into his flesh.

[break][break] "nothing."

[break][break] his response is quick — a little too quick. the words that leave his lips are stiff as he reaches for the portfolio again and peruses the files. between them, there is a sliver of space that there never had been.

[break][break] to jayden, it feels like a yawning chasm has opened up between them. it's jagged edges feel too precarious to even step towards. he wants to ask, wants to know.

[break][break] why had gavin - no, Cillian Quinn lied to him?

[break][break] why had -

[break][break] "it's fine."

[break][break] it was fine. he was fine.

[break][break] he had no alternative.

[attr="class","ooc"] Cillian Quinn [break]
post postdorm

☉

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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.

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TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 4, 2023 10:51:11 GMT

freya morningstar likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Cillian has crafted much of his life around lies.[break][break]

He can often recognize them in others. In jayden cross, whom he has known for many years, it is not hard at all.[break][break]

"It's not," he insists, with a small huff. "Believe it or not, Jayden, I wasn't born yesterday."[break][break]

Maybe that wasn't the best choice of words, considering.[break][break]

But he speaks truth. He's not stupid.[break][break]

"Are you upset that I didn't tell you sooner?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]jayden cross

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

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON May 4, 2023 14:28:28 GMT

freya morningstar and Chu-e Choi like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","jaytop"] ♀ lada the umbreon ✨ / synchronize / throat chop, confuse ray, assurance, moonlight, psychic, feint attack / starter

[attr="class","littlejay"]

he flinches as if cillian has hit him.

[break][break] but he hasn't — not ever.

[break][break] he wasn't Chu-e Choi. he wasn't THEO BECKETT.

[break][break] that was one of the staples of their relationship. while it was common among kanto rockets - especially with ones that had such a disparity in rank that jayden shared with his mentor - to raise a hand, this was not the relationship between jayden and Cillian Quinn.

[break][break] but jayden flinches nevertheless, the back of his heel pressing against the steel-tiled floor of the conference room's floor.

[break][break] yes. he was upset. of course he was.

[break][break] "of course not," he said, lips pressed together. "that would be foolish."

[break][break] the admin glances upwards, a flash of defiance in his eyes.

[break][break] "can i go?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Cillian Quinn [break]
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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.

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part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 4, 2023 15:00:12 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

It's the flinch that convinces him.[break][break]

Jayden's definitely upset.[break][break]

That the younger man flinches as if Cillian might strike him doesn't offend him. He knew all too well the expectation of a rough hand.[break][break]

No, what offends him is the lie.[break][break]

"Bullshit."[break][break]

His friend is clearly uncomfortable. His friend is also his subordinate, and as such requests to leave rather than storming out as he might've wanted to. Cillian should let him go. Give him space.[break][break]

He crosses his arms instead.[break][break]

"No. Sit down."[break][break]

An order. Firm. If Jayden was going to treat Cillian like a superior, Cil was going to leverage that power.[break][break]

"What's your problem? I want the truth this time."

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]jayden cross

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

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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part of

TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON May 4, 2023 15:12:37 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","jaytop"] ♀ lada the umbreon ✨ / synchronize / throat chop, confuse ray, assurance, moonlight, psychic, feint attack / starter

[attr="class","littlejay"]

beneath the weight of his underboss' unyielding stare, jayden tenses.

[break][break] no.

[break][break] no matter what he wanted to do, no matter how he felt, jayden was trapped beneath the weight of Cillian Quinn's stare. he had to listen. it was not a question.

[break][break] the admin sits.

[break][break] when cillian asks him to explain himself, his hands curl into fists. discomfort crawled up his spine, not just because this wasn't a conversation he didn't want to have, but because it was one he didn't know how to have.

[break][break] but he had no choice but to be honest. it had not been a question but an order.

[break][break] "you didn't tell me."

[break][break] i thought we were friends. i thought we were family.

[attr="class","ooc"] Cillian Quinn [break]
post postdorm

☉

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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.

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TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 4, 2023 15:36:10 GMT

Elisabeth Fiorelli likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

"No, I didn't."[break][break]

On that much, they could agree.[break][break]

"There were a lot of people I didn't tell."[break][break]

He doesn't list them. They'd be here for ages.[break][break]

Of those that knew, each had a solid reason, except perhaps Elisabeth Fiorelli. She was as much his friend as Jayden was, and perhaps it was her rank that set her apart from the admin. None of the underbosses had been surprised by the news.[break][break]

"What's it matter?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]jayden cross

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

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON May 4, 2023 15:52:10 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","jaytop"] ♀ lada the umbreon ✨ / synchronize / throat chop, confuse ray, assurance, moonlight, psychic, feint attack / starter

[attr="class","littlejay"]

a lot of people.

[break][break] is that what they amounted to? hurt unfurls in his spine, glimmering in his violet gaze as cillian speaks the words. confirming only what jayden knows to be true.

[break][break] underboss and admin. admin and beast. superior and subbordinate.

[break][break] is that really all they were?

[break][break] "i'm sorry," he says, voice stiff. "you're right. it doesn't matter."

[attr="class","ooc"] Cillian Quinn [break]
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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.

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7,862 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 4, 2023 16:41:23 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Cillian isn't blind to the hurt in the other's eyes.[break][break]

There's regret in the pit of his stomach, but also a bitterness. He hadn't been obligated to tell anyone but Walsh.[break][break]

Even that had been a long time in coming.[break][break]

"Clearly it does to you."[break][break]

It comes out snippier than he intends, his own upset carving a sharp edge to his tone. He can't control his emotions with the ease he'd possessed in Kanto. It wasn't just the absence of superiors. It was her.[break][break]

Her PRESSURE is faint here.[break][break]

"I don't get why, though. What does it change?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]jayden cross

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

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON May 4, 2023 16:48:34 GMT

Chu-e Choi and mint frost like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","jaytop"] ♀ lada the umbreon ✨ / synchronize / throat chop, confuse ray, assurance, moonlight, psychic, feint attack / starter

[attr="class","littlejay"]

ever since his trip to the borders, his emotions had been harder to control. which is an even harder to control for jayden, a person who had rarely ever had emotions in the first place.

[break][break] but then Chu-e Choi had happened. fern delaney had happened.

[break][break] mint frost. Ashley Shepard. CIAN MAHER.

[break][break] hoenn had happened. tiny pinpricks in the exterior of a steel surface had left jayden vulnerable to emotional blows that would have never happened in kanto. not under SILAS BLACKWELL rule. not under dmitri's control.

[break][break] love makes you weak, wasn't that something that father had said, time and time again?

[break][break] his jaw locks, looking up at Cillian Quinn with a pained gaze.

[break][break] "everything, gavin! it changes everything," he blurts out, without meaning to. "i thought we were friends. i thought we were family."

[break][break] his throat tightens, face flush with the heat of embarrassment.

[break][break] stupidly, he says:

[break][break] "you know everything about me, and i don't know anything about you."

[attr="class","ooc"] Cillian Quinn [break]
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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.

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7,862 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 5, 2023 9:35:51 GMT

mint frost likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Jayden's outburst has the force and sting of a slap; Cillian doesn't flinch before it, but he does tense up, lips pursed.[break][break]

I thought we were family.[break][break]

They've never really put it into words before, this bond between them. In Kanto, he'd often taken the role of a surrogate brother to those younger than him, more vulnerable. It was coded into him.[break][break]

He supposed he'd always thought of Jayden like a younger brother, the brother he'd never had before Rowan Wrynn. And look how well that turned out, he reminds himself bitterly, acid burning the back of his throat.[break][break]

"You never asked!"[break][break]

It's an excuse, yet there's some truth in it all the same.[break][break]

Not many thought to pry into the life of the man formerly known as Gavin Merlino. He had often seemed so stoic, so private that even his own husband surely knew little of the inner workings of his mind. He presented the illusion of a man who was entirely Rocket, purple from his blood to his bones, and what mystery was there to unwrap after you'd seen how entrenched he was in the organization?[break][break]

But there had been a before.[break][break]

"I have family," he insists. "I did it to protect them. You remember what they did to THEO BECKETT?"[break][break]

He lets it hang between them for a long moment.[break][break]

His voice softens.[break][break]

"You're my family, too." He didn't want to make Jayden think that wasn't the case. "But my sister wasn't Rocket. She was in danger because of me."[break][break]

Wasn't. Not isn't.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]jayden cross

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

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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part of

TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON May 5, 2023 15:09:57 GMT

mint frost likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","jaytop"] ♀ lada the umbreon ✨ / synchronize / throat chop, confuse ray, assurance, moonlight, psychic, feint attack / starter

[attr="class","littlejay"]

'you never asked!'

[break][break] jayden jolts. puzzle pieces of memory draw themselves together, and he remembers how he had had the same thing to mint frost nearly a year ago when the other had been upset at him for not saying that he had been re-assigned to kanto.

[break][break] 'i'm mad at you! why didn't you call?'

[break][break] 'you never asked.'

[break][break] how ironic was this moment, then, for him and Cillian Quinn?
[break][break]

[break][break] 'i have family.'

[break][break] a bolt of pain lances through violet eyes, before his head jerks up to meet his mentor's.

[break][break] they. not we.

[break][break] cutting through the silence, a confession slips through.

[break][break] "you mean we," he said, voice thick. "my father's the one who did it. it's why he used to try to kill me."

[break][break] it's possible that cillian was already aware, but nikolai cross had been known for it. the scientist had been notorious for utilizing the method as one of his meticulously crafted torture techniques, forcing victims to succumb under the pressure of rocket's control through not fear, but trauma.

[break][break] but when cillian's eyes soften, so do jayden's. his words help too, even if the hurt still burdens his heart. confusion fills in the gaps, though, at the underboss' next words and he frowns.

[break][break] "in danger?" he couldn't imagine anything that his mentor wouldn't able to resolve, no demon or monster that he couldn't protect someone from. "why?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Cillian Quinn [break]
post postdorm

☉

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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

7,862 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 5, 2023 15:24:37 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

We.[break][break]

Pieces shift and snap into place. It makes sense. He'd never given much thought to who had forced THEO BECKETT to make that terrible choice. Which hands had carried out the slaughter to render that choice meaningless.[break][break]

It changes little for him.[break][break]

He'd always hated Jayden's father.[break][break]

He frowns as Jayden presses him. Wasn't it obvious?[break][break]

He lifts his hand, showing the scars that mark it. It's nothing Jayden hasn't seen. His friend had seen the scar when blood would seep through bandages during training, when he'd struggled to regain its use.[break][break]

"I didn't have anyone they could hurt in my place."[break][break]

Didn't, he says. Not don't.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]jayden cross

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

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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4,142 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @jayden