She wasn't much given to pleasantries, these days. Few people went out of their way to speak with her on the Rocket submarine unless they had need of her for some business matter, with the exceptions being so singular that she had gotten used to ignoring most people.[break][break]

So the presence of Cillian Quinn in the garden went unheeded, at first. She'd continued at a brisk walk, only ceasing when her full name -- "Elisabeth" -- arrested her in place. It had been awhile since her fellow underboss had called her that, at least without any hostility imbued in its invocation.[break][break]

She turned to glance over her shoulder at him, suspicion and curiosity both glimmering in her emerald eyes.[break][break]

"A minute?" she repeated, gloved hands wringing together as she wondered at why. If he was willing to endure her company, it was bound to be important, however. He'd made his distaste of her clear enough, hadn't he? "Of course."[break][break]

The nearby greenery appeared undisturbed at the present moment by her presence as she joined him -- a stark departure from how it had immediately blackened after her Avatarship. Her emotional stability had settled somewhat, her resentment now a low-lying simmer rather than an outright boil.[break][break]

"Ultra Beast poisons... That's a curious topic of conversation," she said, considering the matter. Her former role as a poisoner in the organization did lend her some knowledge in that area, certainly. "I'll take it you're curious about Nihilego? Or Naganadel, perhaps?"[break][break]

She'd been poisoned by the former, once. It had been... unpleasant.

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

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The mere mention of THEO BECKETT was enough to get her tense, clenching her teeth in a visible grimace. She made no mention of her opinion of the man, but perhaps her body language would be enough to betray it.[break][break]

Or, perhaps, it might be misinterpreted as yet another slight against the other underboss presently in front of her.[break][break]

"I could see the appeal in utilizing the neurotoxin as a weapon," she opened, brow furrowing in thought. "The use of it against Melody Miro and dahlia goode alike has proven its capability in that arena. It stands to reason it will be utilized against us, too."[break][break]

It was why she had utilized it in her mission on the Resurfaced Island, in fact. Though it had failed to affect her target as desired.[break][break]

With the organization's repeated ventures into the Ultra Deep Sea, access to that toxin had become more prevalent than ever before, as had medical advances in treatment of it. The fact both underbosses had been affected by the poison and then swiftly recovered was a testament to that progress.[break][break]

Which made immunity not an altogether impossible thing to consider.[break][break]

"Is that another reason why you came to me, then?" she said, a surprised revelation flashing across her features. "Because of my unique immunity to Nihilego poison?"[break][break]

Her bloodwork had already been sent off to Naomi Sato; undoubtedly, it could be tested upon further if Cillian Quinn so desired it. She wasn't sure what she thought of that revelation, aside from mild unease.

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

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"Has THEO BECKETT inserted himself into my life on multiple occasions against my wishes? Yes," she replied drily. "Yes, he certainly has."[break][break]

But this was not Cillian Quinn's fault, and for once her acidic tongue held no barbs for him.[break][break]

To be acknowledged for her expertise likewise startled her, despite herself. She'd been certain her Avatarships would be what had drawn him to come to her in the first place, but her background in toxicology often remained forgotten by Rocket at large.[break][break]

"I can provide you the antidote, of course," she said, tucking a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "It might take some time to procure enough to meet your needs, depending, but it is entirely doable. Mm... how intense a dosage were you intending?"[break][break]

She eyed him thoughtfully, knowing that Cillian Quinn was far from a timid man. A sinking suspicion told her that he'd have a devastating ask in mind, not something milder.[break][break]

"You are right that I do not intend nor want to kill you," she added softly, but more to temper his own enthusiasm lest it paint her an unintentional murderer. That was an additional blight on her reputation she hardly needed.

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

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"In that case. I'm going to request you sign some fairly stringent paperwork, if you don't mind," she said, an eyebrow arched as she regarded him pointedly. "I'd like it well-documented that this is consensual."[break][break]

The inflamed tensions between the underbosses didn't have to be acknowledged. She had no doubt declan walsh had already heard those complaints from her peers, and she had no interest in fanning those flames further.[break][break]

"But I'll do as you ask. Just know it will be unpleasant."[break][break]

As for the topic of THEO BECKETT, she ignored it at first, her flat expression conveying enough of her disdain.[break][break]

"And a poisoning attempt would have been preferred," she muttered to herself, unsure of the other man might hear it. His attempt at seducing her had left her more disgusted than anything else at his naked desire to manipulate Avatars through any means necessary.[break][break]

She had no doubt it was why he'd set his sights on BARNABY FINCH.

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

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The fact he wasn't attempting to insulting her surprised her more than anything else. She tilted her head at him, somewhat baffled, before acquiescing, "According to our files, I'm better suited to psychological warfare than diplomacy. So that's a fair enough assessment."[break][break]

She, too, had heard of what jayden cross experienced at THEO BECKETT's hands. It incensed her almost as much as what he'd done to Admin Bee, though both acts had been consensual in different ways.[break][break]

"He wants me to rely on him," she said bitterly, "and has questionable methods for attempting to do so. He has this idea that sleeping with me might make me more amenable to him."[break][break]

A blank stare at Cillian Quinn conveyed her utter disdain for this concept, one he'd understand better than most when she uttered her final thoughts on the matter.[break][break]

"Clearly he never met my late husband."

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

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The longer Cillian Quinn laughed, the longer her flat, unimpressed stare held. "I'm glad we agree it's a laughable idea," she said through pursed lips, eyes narrowed with displeasure. "Beckett seemed oddly confident I'd see it his way."[break][break]

The mention of BARNABY FINCH allowed her impassive expression to falter, if but for a moment. Eyes widened in surprise, startled and suspicious, before she hid behind a cold exterior again. It was as if a mask had fallen, erasing whatever emotion resided on her face.[break][break]

But it didn't undo seeing what had been there prior to that curtain's fall.[break][break]

"THEO BECKETT asked why I trusted Admin Bee, and not anyone else," she said finally. "I'll tell you what I told him."[break][break]

The faintest hint of reluctance colored this admission. Fingers knotted their way into dark fabric, looking for a release of tension.

"Bee was with me the night Wo-chien chose me. He didn't abandon me. Not even when I..."[break][break]

Her gaze lowered to the ground, ashamed and looking for anything else to distract herself from this unsettling realization:[break][break]

He stayed.[break][break]

Despite how often you begged him to leave with your words and your actions, terrified of what would happen if you let him stay, he did.[break][break]

Only he stayed, understanding that you never wanted him to leave.[break][break]

"He never has," she finished, softer this time as her arms wrapped around herself. "And he's never asked me to change."

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

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"You don't have to apologize to me," she insisted, uncomfortable with the sincerity he brought before her now. Her eyes darted away from him to the nearby courtyard, trying to find an interesting speck of indoor greenery to focus in on. "I didn't expect anything from you. Or from anyone else."[break][break]

Was it a lie? It was a lie she'd chosen to believe, at any rate. Kalos had taught her what to expect of others; it was her own fault for being surprised at having that truth proven, over and over again.[break][break]

She empathized with regret, but she didn't want the burden of his on her shoulders. It was easier to shoulder his indifference or his disdain.[break][break]

"It's not worth understanding," she attempted to answer, sighing. "I don't know if I even want to be understood."[break][break]

Because when people know you, they despise you. And now they know you, don't they?[break][break]

They know you too well.[break][break]

"I'll get you the poison you requested during my next expedition to the Ultra Deep Sea," she deflected, turning away. "Was that all you required of me, Underboss Quinn?"

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

[attr="class","pkmn"]