Without Cillian's intervention, the fight - if it could be called that - would continue. Really, it was closer to that of Tamamo doing whatever she could to torment and bewilder Tsukiko or Makoto - the latter especially. But this was the sort of thing that the fiery Shadow Pokemon delighted in, tails swishing and ears pricked as she lurked and skulked.

Step by step, bit by bit, under the cover of the illusory shadows... The Kantonian Ninetales is able to draw in close to Makoto, whilst Tsukiko is bewildered and confused - and thus unable to fully protect them or even keep track of what's going on. Even as she came within a few feet of Makoto, she was able to remain concealed by the shadows...

... Until, she finally pounced. Makoto shouted in alarm as they were sent tumbling to the ground, as Tamamo slammed into their back. Though they tried to struggle away, her weight had them pinned.

Tsukiko, hearing the scuffle, whirled around with every intention to get Tamamo away from Makoto, tails beginning to spark with draconic flames. But she came to a stop, when the Kantonian Ninetales placed her fangs against the back of the trainer's neck; not biting down, but the threat to stay right there - or else - was clear.

Makoto, in turn, was stock-still; fear rising in their chest, even if they tried their damnedest to remain calm and find an escape route.

And Tamamo was well aware of this - of her trainer's fear, of the control she had over Tsukiko by having Makoto in her grasp like this. Pulling her teeth back, she grinned - before letting loose a mocking vulpine laugh, tails swishing. It was about time she got to have one over Tsukiko - and being able to put her superiority to work was a satisfying feeling.

Tamamo was strong. They were weak. As far as the fox cared, there was nothing else that one needed to know or understand.

Cillian Quinn

As a Pressure descends on the building, there is a near-immediate reaction from the trio. A certain tension fills Tsukiko's stance, as she glances around in search of the source. Tamamo, too, glances around a little - alert and intrigued. Makoto feels their breath catch in their throat a little.

As Cillian asks for Tamamo to let Makoto up, the Kantonian Ninetales ceases looking around, to instead gaze to him. It's clear that she's considering the request-command - the gears in her head turning. Was the Underboss strong enough, in her eyes, to be worth listening to? The temptation is there to push - to see what would happen if she were to deny it.

... But, she soon decides to acquiesce. (Though that being said, she remains curious about the source of the Pressure above.) Thus, the fiery fox moves - stepping away from Makoto.

Makoto is careful and wary, as they stand - eyes locked upon Tamamo, as if to remain readied for some sort of trick. They can't help a slight cough as they're able to breathe again - nor can they help the slight tremble in their fingers...

Though Tsukiko immediately coming to their side once more - the icy fox briefly fussing over them - is a comfort, even if it doesn't stop the survivalist part of their brain from wanting to be hyperaware of everything right now.

Cillian Quinn

As Cillian speaks, only then does Makoto find themself able to tear their gaze away from Tamamo - his voice breaking through the haze of the fading fight-or-flight and Pressure. They glance to him - and it takes a second for them to find their tongue, before they respond "I'm alright."

They may develop a few bruises from being tackled over like that - but otherwise, there wasn't anything of concern.

Knowing that the Underboss' attention is on them, they attempt to regain some semblance of composure - forcing their hands to still, and forcing their breathing to steady. "Unless something else like an ongoing fight catches her eye... She's sooner ready to turn her 'attentions' onto me or one of my pokemon." They speak simply - eyes briefly drifting to Tsukiko and Tamamo both.

But, thankfully, it seemed that Tamamo was content to simply preen and groom herself - looking perfectly smug and confident. When her eyes meet Makoto's own, she grins devilishly - as if a quiet promise (or threat, perhaps more accurately,) for a next time - but she keeps to herself for now.

Tsukiko, taking notice of this, growls softly. Makoto simply hopes that they are able to get Tamamo under some semblance of control before a 'next time' becomes any sort of possibility.

Cillian Quinn

If Makoto was honest, they had hoped that that wouldn't be the solution. To just keep Tamamo cooped up, until there was a fight to keep her attention. It didn't seem wholly right, she was a living and breathing thing who surely desired the time to stretch one's limbs, and yet...

... Cillian's scars were a plain display of what could happen, if they weren't careful with the Kantonian Ninetales. If they let the Shadow get the better of them at the wrong time. So... Perhaps he was right, in that regard?

If she was allowed to just linger free... That was just asking for her to torment whoever she pleased. And their thoughts were much like Cillians own in that sense - because if she were to become bored with the usual displays of superiority... What was to say that she wouldn't go further?

They didn't want to think of Tamamo as being only capable of cruelty. They hoped that there could be some sort of accord found with her, but... With an exhale, they'd nod. "I'll keep that in mind, then... Thank you, Underboss Quinn." They spoke - wanting to be polite, especially given that he had given them the time of day like this.

Perhaps he was right.

Cillian Quinn

There are a few long moments of thought, as Makoto considered things. Considered Tamamo, and the options that had been laid before them. But before too long, they shook their head. "No... Again, thank you." They spoke, a little more at ease now that the Pressure was gone, adding "I... imagine being an Underboss is busy work - so... I appreciate you giving me the time of day, even if I'm just another grunt."

And these sentiments were genuine; being a step or two down from the head of Rocket likely had a truckload of responsibilities to manage, they imagined.

Turning their attention back to Tamamo, they'd pull out her pokeball. They almost had expected for the Ninetales to make it a struggle to get her back in - but she was recalled without a fight, simply flashing her trainer another ominous grin.

She knew they'd call her out again, sooner or later.

Tsukiko would let out a heavy sigh as she could finally relax a little, meanwhile - sticking close to Makoto's side.

Cillian Quinn

Makoto tenses a hair at the disapproval; unsure of what to expect, or what they had said in the moment that was bad. But before they can process or begin an apology, he speaks - and they blink, a little surprised at his words.

Indeed, it was hard to really imagine Cillian as having once been another grunt, himself. Or that he'd acknowledge them as much as he did. Something about it did set them a little at ease, even if they couldn't quite articulate why...

... But perhaps it was just, the reminder that Cillian was human - and that he knew them to be human as well. That they were both people, here in the moment.

It almost let them forget, that many of those like Cillian in Rocket were people who could, would, and have killed humans the very same. Almost.

With the farewell though, they'd nod in response - following him out of the lab, and back into the snowy streets of Sootopolis. It was cold. The snow crunched under their feet. They were alive.

How long would they be able to keep it up for - between the dealings and work of Rocket, and having to keep their Shadow on a tight leash..?