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Yumi was dabbing on her signature perfume (a delicate blend of iris, rose, violet, and agarwood) when her phone buzzed with a notification. She glanced at the screen. As soon as she saw the sender's name and read the message, her face bloomed with an excited grin.[break][break]

"Mei!" Yumi yelled, snatching up her phone and stuffing it into a clutch purse. "Mei, I'm leaving for the show! I'll be home later tonight!"[break][break]

She pulled on the winter coat she'd chosen to wear for the evening, a cape-like design of warm, white wool. It was a perfect match for her white dress and cropped jacket. Crystalline earrings sparkled in the light of the apartment as she crossed it to reach the front door.[break][break]

A few minutes later, Yumi emerged from the apartment building, heels clicking smartly on the front steps leading down to the sidewalk.

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Yumi mirrored the tilt of Nikkari's head at this new information about him.[break][break]

Their conversations thus far had revolved around the topics of work, current interests, and a little of their respective histories prior to arriving at Hoenn. But she knew nothing about his early years or family, or even if they were still alive.[break][break]

Never one to observe or respect people's boundaries if her interest proved greater, Yumi asked, "What was your childhood like?"[break][break]

Her tone, however, was gently inquisitive. A promise not to push Nikkari away if he did not wish to be pushed.

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Nikkari's preference for box seats did not surprise Yumi. Most people of means, including her own family, liked to participate in events or spectacles without being seen as one of the common masses. Yumi had sat in enough boxes at the theater to know how that felt.[break][break]

But she also enjoyed losing herself in the crowds at festivals, sitting in the front row at fashion shows, and being the center of attention at parties and galas. Indeed, she'd grown up believing the center of the stage had been made for her presence.[break][break]

Still, Nikkari was her guest. Yumi would be a poor host to force him to accommodate her preferences.[break][break]

"Then we'll get box seats," she said, making the selection on her phone. Before he could argue, she added, "I want your first experience watching the show to be fun and relaxing."[break][break]

Her phone chimed with the email confirmation that the ticket order had been processed successfully. Tucking away the device, she picked up her glass of wine again.[break][break]

"I have, actually, but it was years ago in Goldenrod. The tickets had been a graduation gift from my grandfather."[break][break]

A sour note entered her mouth when she said it, causing her lips to twist into a slight frown. She downed a gulp of wine to wash both away.[break][break]

"Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it then, and I hope you will, too."

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Nikkari's question was his answer, his affirmative 'yes'; Yumi had come to learn this much about his unique mannerisms and patterns of speech. But his inquiry did warrant some consideration. Pursing her lips, she turned her phone around and contemplated the options.[break][break]

The cost of tickets was no problem, of course. She could afford box seats with the income she'd accumulated through managing the casino. And they were comfortable, offering a measure of privacy for those who claimed them for the night.[break][break]

But did she want privacy? Or did she want to be in the thick of the action, with front row seats to the beauty, the sights, the sounds?[break][break]

"Orchestra," Yumi said, her tone decisive. Then she glanced up at Nikkari through long, delicate eyelashes. "But do you have a preference?"[break][break]

She had invited him, after all.

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Yumi grinned at Nikkari's teasing. Conversation with him came so easily, which was, perhaps, the primary reason she continued to meet him whenever he came by the casino. Speaking with him was a brief respite amidst the flurry of emails, budget reviews, phone calls, so on and so forth. For a few minutes, she could relax.[break][break]

And it helped, of course, that his personality was so agreeable. He knew how to flatter her well.[break][break]

"Normally, I'd say the conversation is enough," Yumi said, regarding his offer, "but I can think of one or two things you could do for me, if you're interested."[break][break]

Smirking, she set down her wine glass. With her other hand, she plucked her phone out of her clutch purse and tapped the screen with her thumb.[break][break]

"A traditional Johtonian drama group is doing a world tour, and they'll be in Slateport in a few weeks. I plan to buy a ticket, but why go alone when I could enjoy it with good company?"[break][break]

She turned her phone around to show him the tour information, but her eyes were on his face, watching for his reaction. "What do you think?"

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From her hiding place, Yumi watched the battle unfold. She, too, saw the strange phenomenon rise from a pile of machinery struck by the bubbles, but she had no vocabulary to describe it.[break][break]

In any case, the raging battle occupied her attention. As the Volcanion roared and rumbled, it countered the Phione's attacks with those of its own.[break][break]

Thankfully, the earlier SUPERSONIC befuddled it, and the strange, mechanical Pokémon ended up accidentally charging into a wall. The structure cracked, and that section of the ceiling bowed, as if ready to collapse.[break][break]

"Tenteki, the ceiling! Hit the ceiling!" Yumi yelled.[break][break]

The Phione aimed a DAZZLING GLEAM at the fragile construction. It fell directly on the Volcanion, knocking it unconscious at once. The Pokémon slumped bonelessly against the floor.[break][break]

Slowly, Yumi stood. She glanced at Desiree. "I think you probably want to find a new hideout."[break][break]

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Yumi opened her mouth, prepared to respond to Desiree's comments, when a mechanical stomping noise filled the air. Quiet at first, it steadily grew louder.[break][break]

It sounded like an approaching Volcanion.[break][break]

Yumi threw a surprised and apprehensive look at Desiree, then turned in the direction of the noise. Sure enough, an enormous Pokémon-like creature, its body made of red-and-gold metal plates, turned the corner and entered the space.[break][break]

Immediately spotting the two women and their Pokémon, it unleashed a mechanical roar and a blast of STEAM ERUPTION in their direction.[break][break]

"Fuck!" Yumi shouted, ducking behind the nearest furniture. "Tenteki, do something!"[break][break]

Her Phione cried out, determined, and aimed a SUPERSONIC at the Volcanion.

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Yumi did not answer Theo's question. She knew any answer she could give would be premature, so she chewed on it mentally. Team Rocket had conquered Kanto and tried, but failed, to conquer Johto.[break][break]

While the crime syndicate reconsidered its approach to the latter, it had turned its sights upon Hoenn. That was why leaders like Theo were there: to lead the conquest of Hoenn.[break][break]

But would Kanto and Hoenn be enough? Would the Boss of Team Rocket remain unsatisfied until he ruled the entire world?[break][break]

"You've given me a lot to think about, Mr. Beckett," Yumi said at last. "I'm afraid I've taken up too much of your time, but I appreciate the company."[break][break]

The smile that crossed her face was pleasant, a rare sight devoid of any teasing or mockery.[break][break]

"I would love to see your private fish collection, if you wouldn't mind."

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"I'm Yumi, and this is Tenteki."[break][break]

The woman stepped out of the elevator and followed Desiree into the apartment suite. A few of the decorations inside didn't match the rest of the architecture or interior. Plus, there was a mini fridge, which stood out like a sore thumb.[break][break]

"What is this place? Your hideout or something?" Yumi asked, looking around, her expression colored with surprise.[break][break]

At the mention of the Pokémon-like machines patrolling the streets, she nodded her head. "I did see several on my way here, but I avoided them. It's not easy to navigate this place," she added with a sigh. "Do you know what those machines are?"[break][break]

They were Volcanion, according to Team Rocket's reports. But Desiree didn't need to know that Yumi had a criminal organization's worth of knowledge at her fingertips.

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Yumi spent what felt like hours trying to find a way to get the elevator to move again. She would have summoned one of her other, stronger Pokémon if the space had been big enough. As it was rather cramped, however, she didn't want to risk damaging the machinery.[break][break]

The more time passed, the more panicked she became. Distantly, she registered a song filtering through the building—a sung melody of some kind that pulled at her heart. But so engrossed was she in trying to escape her prison that she did not realize how much the song affected her.[break][break]

At last, overwhelmed by her entrapment, Yumi burst into tears. She slumped down in a corner of the elevator and sobbed.[break][break]

Her Phione cried out, distressed at her upset. It floated over to her, trying to calm her, but to no avail.[break][break]

Suddenly, the elevator lurched upward, halting Yumi's crying. She and Tenteki watched with wonder as the doors opened. A woman and her Pokémon stood on the other side of the threshold.[break][break]

"Y-Yes," Yumi hiccuped. Hastily, she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I did, but not on behalf of anyone. I'm here on my own. Who're you?"[break][break]



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Since Yumi had experience venturing into the Ultra Wilds, first in a larger group and then with a single partner, she thought going by herself would be no different. After all, she had acquired powerful Pokémon, and though Hitoshi Inoue remained her preferred bodyguard, her Pokémon made do in a pinch.[break][break]

"We're going to see what we can find," Yumi explained to Tenteki, her Phione, as they ascended a building she'd chosen at random on an elevator. Though rickety, the machine seemed serviceable.[break][break]

"Intelligence reports say that the place is full of pipework and clockwork, so perhaps we can get inspiration for my fashion line."[break][break]

The Sea Drifter Pokémon uttered an excited chirp and clapped its paws together.[break][break]

Almost at the same moment, something within the elevator's mechanisms screeched, causing the woman to clap her hands over her ears and Tenteki to jump in alarm. The carriage ground to a halt.[break][break]

Lowering her arms, Yumi glanced around at her metal cage with a new sense of trepidation. "Well, fuck."[break][break]



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