Calem watches, almost amused himself, as the Unown assaults a Sinistea. A small laugh escapes him, hand lifted up to cover his mouth. His eyes even crinkle with mirth at the little show of violence. In the background, such violence is repeated by his Hatterenne. A Grumpig who wandered too close for a meal would find itself knocked unconscious before being secured in one of the pokeballs.

"It is a very hotly debated subject in some circles." While Calem didn't have such fervor for the Unown as Martín del Mar did, he did know his stuff with art and the community. Even if Mars already knows, he is happy to repeat the information. If, for nothing else, than to hear himself talk.

"There are records of Unown in common shapes from ancient languages... yet no surviving examples of those ancient symbols. Do you suppose they die out as our language dies out? Or just change so they can stay hidden? Why the need to look like our written languages?"

He hummed to himself. Soon following was a far more cursed question.

"Since they mimic modern languages would they someday change into... emoji...?"

CATCHING GRUMPIG

"Oh, of course not." The answer is quick. Calem didn't even have to think about it. Usually Calem didn't like questions when he wasn't asking them. Yet, he would make the exception for jayden cross. His opinions were one of the few he valued. Jayden understood Rocket much in the same way Calem did, after all.

"It was an act of violence. Choi just happened to pick a fight he couldn't win."

A fight that Calem still didn't understand. Why was Choi fighting an Elite Four on his own? Over a child, no less? Was the child valuable? Even if it had been Choi's own child, it still hadn't been worth his life.

The cup is accepted. Calem lifts it to his lips. This news is unimportant to Calem. Yet, he's fascinated by watching jayden cross fall apart at the seams. Even if he steeled himself against it now, even if Jayden tried to chill his heart, Calem had still seen. Had Jayden cared about Choi? This would be an interesting scab to claw at.

"Yes, invaluable." Calem agrees, even if he doesn't truly care.

The next words that leave him would be glass shards. Spoken kindly so he could deny, yet still meant to slice.

"Perhaps it was a mercy on him. His illness was growing worse and worse, from what I understood." A mercy. Like how putting down a race horse was a mercy after it had grown too old to win.

mint frost, amazingly, doesn't seem that deterred by his enthusiasm. This, for a long time, will be the closest that the other will see of the real Calem. The Calem that wasn't a carefully crafted version of what people wanted him to be. His passion was real. His opinions were real. Art was the only link he had between who he really was and what he had to be. It was the only thing keeping his even mildly human.

Calem listens to Mint's opinion on the piece the same way he would listen to another high value critic. A pleasure only few got, not that Mint was aware.

"I do agree, it is on the nose. I think the technical skill in mixing the two mediums so seamlessly makes up for it, though." Calem accepts the leaning, finding the smile on his face sits there more naturally than usual.

"I greatly enjoy art. It is such a precise skill that can inspire so many emotions. Do you enjoy art, Mint?"

Calem's smile is sweet. While Calem would rank jayden cross in his 'Friend' circle, that didn't mean he was exempt from whatever fucked up things Calem did. The pain the other was showing, in his own way, was being enjoyed. It was a shame that Jayden had to find out from Calem of all people.

A shame for sure.

"It is no problem, Jayden." He doesn't offer to help. The slice on his wrist is soaked in. Memorized. Calem finds he wants to press it open wider with his thumb, see how the other's flesh spreads. What shade of red he bleeds.

But no, no, this was someone precious. Jayden would be offered Calem's version of kindness.

"Yes. I don't know all the details. He was in an altercation with one of the Elite Four over a child; he lost."

Sad for Felix Gallagher that his new BFF4EVA was with him. Also sad for him, and probably for the best, he didn't know who Calem was.

The red head was busy putting together some delicate metal contraption. He smiled at his work, not looking bothered at all. In fact, the whole time he had been here he had been smiling. Unlike the other, Calem didn't bother with masks. Peons like whatever the League was sending wouldn't be worth the effort.

"Of course." Was answered. He gave a vague wave of his gloved hand. There was a pause before the locks clicked into place, secure.

On the cameras, Felix would notice the occasional flicker of psychic pokemon teleporting about. Mainly a Hatterene. She seemed to be placing these small round plastic balls on the walls in rooms by the entrances.

The Vivid Silk Gallery was a newer installation in Lilycove. Calem could remember when father first thought of opening a gallery in Hoenn. This was before the war, of course, and it was set to be in Slateport. Rocket's previous expansion into the region had razed the construction to the ground; an unfortunate loss that had paid dividends back in insurance. Hoenn had been written off as too unstable until recently. Lilycove was the next best pick.

A few months of work in fixing the old, flood damaged building and now it stood. Open and already with a waiting list of high class clients begging to get in. Father had sent over some pieces from their other galleries to line the walls for now. While they already had a long waiting list of hopeful artists applying, until they passed through the rigorous task of approval it would have to do.

Tickets were costly. Anyone who was anyone in the art world in this Region would want in. Anyone who had extra money to spend and show off how rich they were would want in, too.

Of course, Calem could get anyone he wanted in for free. Since he owned the place.

Which was how, on one of the much coveted Saturday showcase nights, he had gotten mint frost a slot at his side.

The guards were under strict orders to keep people away from them. The last thing he needed, or wanted, was for someone to try and schmooze while he was with his blue haired date.

"This piece," Calem started, motioning to a large wood and metal statue. A human figure was twisted into a warped shape, looking to be both in pain and ecstasy at the same time. A cracked heart gave the illusion of leaking down it's chest, pulled apart by it's own hands. "Is from a lovely artist in Unova. She wanted to capture the 'rapture and freedom of heartbreak', as she put it. What do you think?"

They hadn't been here very long, but Mint would soon learn a dark secret about Calem: He was autistic for art.

mint frost thanked him.

Calem was a vicious, cruel person pouring pretty words down the other's throat just to sleep with him.

Something about the way the other looked at him, said that to him, made something uncomfortable and prickly wash under his skin. Calem squeezed his hand a little tighter and wondered if he should try and kiss him. To flush the feeling away with the heat of their mouths.

Then someone interrupted them.

Calem feels a sudden urge for violence. He wants to grab the ranger by the throat and dig his nails through their throat. Delicately pluck out their vocal cords till they can do nothing but gurgle on their own screams.

Instead he just smiles and seems shocked, just like Mint, and gets up to run with him.

A bubbling laugh leaves him, matching Mint's as they run through the forest, hand in hand.

Sickly and sweet, a seed is planted.

In the background, a Munna is taken down with the same brutal efficiency as everything else had been so far. At some point, Calem just handed over a few empty pokeballs to his partner. That way, his Hatterene could just catch on her own. He would judge her later; yet, he trusted her to not be a total fool unlike most of his pokemon. This also was prove meaningful in making it so Calem and Martín del Mar could talk mostly uninterrupted on his part.

When the Unown appears, Calem's eyes light up in recognition.

"Ah, is that... an Unown, I believe?" He tilts his head and steps forward, circling the pokemon a bit as it floated. "This is... a Solaceon variety, if I recall." Stepping back, Calem nodded to the other. "There is an unusual phenomena with Unown in ancient art. Have you heard of it?"

An unusual perspective on Unown, for sure.

"I know so." Is whispered in answer to mint frost's question. Maybe it had been hypothetical. Calem had answered it anyway.

When Mint speaks, continues, he tilts his head. Cascades of red hair drip over his shoulder when he does. Calem takes the time to tuck it behind his ear, as if self conscious. The closest thing to a frown he's had yet crosses his face; yet if Mint looked carefully he would see that the smallest tug of a smile never truly left his face. Precise and small.

"Then you've been denied something you deserve." And Calem said it so surely. That Mint deserved to be praised as much as he might crave for air or water or even food. Something the other needed to survive and never knew, had it cruelly ripped from his arms before he knew he needed it.

Calem watches with thinly veiled interested as Martín del Mar takes down his prey. The Gengar that floats into a headstone in an attempt to hide doesn't show his interest; it can be voyeur to their conversation for all he cares. He regards Mars a moment before humming and checking his pokeballs. He would need to purchase more soon. Shame on him for forgetting to stock up before coming out today. Then again, the pokemon here typically had the sense to avoid him and his pokemon.

As the other is joking, he ignores the teasing statement.

"Nothing more unusual than normal." Mars was giving him very little to work with. A Pidgey with an unusual coloration could be what he was looking for. Or perhaps some legendary that had appeared and then vanished. Calem wouldn't have any idea. "Perhaps if I had a better idea of what you were looking for?" Is tacked on, almost helpful.

PASSING

CALEM'S INFAMY FILE

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE X PRIVATE KNOWLEDGE

INTRODUCTORY BLURB

ENFORCER - "LOVELY TO MEET YOU!" - IT'S MORE A DISEASE

An art dealer from Johto. The Pollet name is one well known the fine art world. If you can get a positive criticism, or be lucky enough to get into one of their galleries, then you are guaranteed to be worth millions. One scathing review, though, could end your career for the rest of your life. The Pollets, though, have an underbelly. Something dark hidden behind kind smiles and polite words. If you need someone ended in the name of Rocket- Calem is your man. For a price.

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE

WHAT CAN BE LOOKED UP

• Calem is a member of the prominent Pollet family. They're a wealthy family from Johto who are a long line of art critics.
• The Pollet family has at least one art gallery in every Region. The Hoenn branch of the Pollet Gallery is relatively new in Lilycove.
• Calem is an only child. He and his father, Benedict Pollet, are well known in most social circles. They're known for being very polite, if a little bland.
• While Calem often attends many art gatherings and various auctions and the like, he is known as being somewhat of a recluse. That, his family's vast wealth, and his 'princely' aura leads him to occasionally being the topic of gossip columns for when he will marry.

LEAGUE KNOWLEDGE

POINTS OF INTEREST FOR THE LEAGUE FACTION

• Mostly the same as the Public side. Aside from his gallery opening in Lilycove, he also owns a seaside penthouse there. It is where he currently lives.
• His mother, Avanna Pollet, is on record of having committed suicide when he was four. While this is technically public, it's been mostly forgotten over the years.
• For the most part, Calem's family has maintained a squeaky clean image aside from small spats.

ROCKET KNOWLEDGE

POINTS OF INTEREST FOR TEAM ROCKET FACTION

• Calem is a 4th generation Rocket. He's been in the organization since he was born, raised and loyal to every leader he's seen in his time. His father was the same, as was his father before.
• The Pollets, while known high profile art dealers in public, are also a part of the underground art trade. Most stolen or otherwise illicit works of art have passed through their hands to some capacity. Rocket helps enable this- in exchange for more than fair compensation.
• Benedict Pollet is an expert in the field of torture, deriving a sick pleasure from the act. It's a skill and trait he's passed down to his son. Where they differ, though, is the brutality of it.
• In Kanto, Calem gained the nickname of 'Butcher' for the heinous things he would do as an Enforcer. 'Pollet' was the name given to Grunts who needed to learn their place.
• Calem was asked to be in Hoenn again by Cillian Quinn- something the man may learn to regret.

PRIVATE KNOWLEDGE

PERSONAL SECRETS

• Calem always smiles when around others. Always. If he ever drops the smile around you, it is best to brace yourself or run.
• He is more interested in having his own type of fun than truly assisting Rocket. He sees Hoenn Rocket as weak and unworthy and their leadership worse. Rocket is simply a means to an end.
• Even if his art world persona is a fabrication, his knowledge and fascination with art is not. Calem is very passionate about art in his own way.
• Has recently taken a perverse interest in one mint frost.

Hook, line, sinker.

Calem shook his head lightly before glancing back up to meet mint frost's eyes. He looked almost apologetic. "The flower... I feel bad for it." He was quick to explain. It might leave the other more confused than anything but he was quick to explain. "It tries to hard to be beautiful... but it pales in comparison to you." A small wink and that grin was back.

Then Calem leaned back, out of Mint's space a bit, and gave a soft chuckle. His cheeks turned a rosy pink, as if he was embarrassed.

"That was corny, I apologize. I couldn't resist." He squeezed Mint's hand lightly, brushing his thumb softly over the other's knuckles in a soft massage. "I do mean it, though. You're beautiful."