The keys are caught, which Calem spins on his finger before he moves to the driver's seat.

Soon enough, the truck is rumbling to life and they're taking off. He drives peacefully, as if they're not racing against a clock with a dangerous pokemon in the back. Adjusting the rear-view, he tries to catch Kano Iyona's eyes in it before glancing back at the road.

"Should we call out some of our own pokemon?" His Hatterene or some of his other Psychic pokemon might help in keeping it restrained. The only issues is he wasn't sure the Garchomp would arrive without any damage if that were the case.

They hit a bump in the road, both literal and figurative. It looks like the police have a roadblock set up just ahead on the path.

The light flickers.

Calem's footsteps echo on the pavement. His hands are tucked behind his back, a pleasant smile on his face, and when he's close enough to Kano Iyona, he gives her a nod.

"I apologize for being late." He does look, at least, a bit sheepish about it. "I got caught up on my way here. You know how it is."

Calem glanced around before trying to meet the Doctor's eyes again. "Or maybe I'm right on time? It seems the delivery isn't here yet." He was here to help be muscle.

The sounds of battle would catch MATIAS SILPH ears.

Or at least, training.

Calem had come out here, after learning it a good spot for Psychic types with Cillian Quinn, to both catch more pokemon and train the ones he had received.

He stood, still as a statue, back to the man, as his Starmie and Bronzong went at each other without his instruction.

The Bronzong pushed a sudden Psychic, catching the Starmie in the air and hurling it backwards. Right over Matias' head.

Oops.

Calem hums at the order, glancing at their surroundings once again. He doesn't frown, Calem never frowns, but his eyebrows do quick to give him a more apologetic look.

"I'm afraid I may not be as much help as anticipated. You see... I mostly have Psychic types." Which, well, did not always do well against spirits.

Still, he plucked a pokeball from his hip and tossed out a Hatterene. The witch pokemon smiled, just as her trainer did, eyes narrowed but surprisingly friendly given the reputation of the species. Otherwise, she is still, barely moving, as if rooted in place.

"This is Labella. She is one of my strongest partners. I hope she is able to serve you well, Miss Burke."

Ever the gentleman, Calem gave a half nod for siobhan burke to lead the way, followed by a cheeky wink.

"Flirting with you."

Answered, matter of fact, that same Cheshire curl to his lips.

"At least I would like to. You're making it a bit hard." Yet, he didn't seem the least bit bothered, just letting out a soft huff of laughter. Idly, he mirrored her, propping his head up in the same way, turning to face her more clearly.

Lulu Flint

Almost apologetic, still, almost a lot of things that Cillian Quinn can see right through.

"I'm afraid I'm not sure, sir."

A verbal mouse trap.

But then, he lifts his hand slowly, knocks himself on the forehead lightly, gives a puff of laughter- fake and terrible, as was everything else about him, carefully constructed from the ground up.

"Oh! Silly me, I have been in Hoenn before, haven't, I? You know how bad my memory is, sir."

"It will."

Answer to him, but about what? This benefiting Cillian Quinn as much as himself, or about the pokemon making it through.

Either way, it seeds something dark and pleased in his chest. It's a shame he can't grin wider, sharper.

Some days the cut of a knife to widen his smile seems like an excellent idea.

There is a flash of fire nearby, a squeaking cry of pain, a crunch. The Arcanine returns, a limp Swoobat with a broken wing, bloody and bleeding, between her teeth. Calem clicks his tongue but tosses a pokeball. It will have to do for now.

"Ah, sir, I almost forgot. I heard word from back home. I won't be able to get my pokemon over, but I will be able to pick up a few new ones from a breeder in a few days."

CATCHING SWOOBAT

The takeover of Sootopolis had been grand in success but devastating in failures.

He did not know siobhan burke but hoped that the woman was useful. When he arrived on the scene, as he had been so kindly asked, he would greet the young woman with a smile. Maybe not appropriate for the somber occasion to some. To him, it seemed natural. You needed to smile in the face of death or it would take you too, after all.

"I apologize for any wait. Calem." A nod was given, corners of his eyes crinkling with his grin, before he glanced around them. They were capturing pokemon today, weren't they?

"I hope I can be of assistance to you, Miss Burke." He waited for her instruction. In Hoenn, he was at the bottom of the bucket again.

"Lulu? What a lovely name."

He wracked his mind for some trivia, bought himself a moment by finishing off his drink.

"Did you know that means 'precious'?" He had always hated Father's etymology classes the worst. At least now it seemed to prove a bit useful.

"I'm Calem."

Lulu Flint

There is no flinch or sign of startle like Cillian Quinn might have wanted.

Calem simply tilts his head to the side a bit, a mockery of a confused dog, slips still quirked upwards.

"I apologize, sir. Have I said something to upset you?"

Sweet and saccharine. If it were anyone else, the question might have sounded genuine. As if Calem was actually concerned that, maybe, he had accidentally said something to upset the other.

But he had gotten what he wanted.

"It's a shame not all of them will make it through training."

Calem already wonders if the Chimecho will be up to snuff. It had seemed weak. Weak metals couldn't be made into fine blades.

There is a small crinkle in the weeds and Calem glances over. He surges forward with more speed than one might expect. A hand is snatched down, a Natu is pulled up by the foot, which Calem holds upside down as it flails.

The shock stick is applied to the pokemon when it's eyes start to glow.

It's forced into a ball.

He turns back to Cillian Quinn with his smile in place.

"I hope this trip benefits you as well, sir."

Cillian Quinn is a man that found Rocket later in life. He was taught to bend, to break, had blood and sweat and tears forced him until he was a loyal dog. Gavin was someone who would bow his head and jump when asked. It's what he was. What Calem had had a hand in working to ensure.

Calem was born into Rocket. When Gavin was taught to beg like the animal he was, Calem had been taught to smile.

"Oh, would you? I would be very grateful for that, sir. I've never been to Hoenn before, you know. Even before Kanto's liberation."

"At least I'm a fool with excellent taste."

Replied back without missing a beat. Calem tipped his drink back and drained it, raising a hand for a refill.

"If it's not too much trouble, could this fool ask your name?"

An elbow rested on the bar, his cheek leaning against that hand. That grin easy on his face.

Lulu Flint