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Alphonse Gambino Elise Calcifet

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"Mana?" Alphonse inquired with a subtle tilt of his head.[break][break]

"So, you're a Mismagius fan. I'm surprised you can tolerate the sounds it makes. Last time I heard one crying out I suffered from hallucinations - saw things that weren't there."[break][break]

His voice grew steady - his tone, hard.[break][break]

"Then again - it was Team Rocket. Maybe the Pokemon raised by bad people can go bad too? I... don't know, miss." He allowed, and tried now to refer to her as "princess". [break][break]

"Still... I've always been fascinated by ghost Pokémon myself. I found my first partner Pokémon in a cave - and it was a ghost-type. Ever since then I've liked them more than most."[break][break]

As Al walked and talked with the Princess, he suddenly noticed something. Elise might too - if she only noticed Al suddenly stop walking so abruptly that he kicked up a little bit of dust with his dress-casual shoes. The wealthy man didn't seem to notice - he had eyes only for whatever they had bolted onto behind Elise. Not close, either - a pair of buildings sat on the other side of the street from Elise and Al. And between those buildings, hidden in shadow, two figures could be made out. One of them had their arm against the wall as if to keep the other figure from running away. Alphonse placed a hand gently on Elise's shoulder and stepped past her - his jovial tone gone and forgotten.[break][break]

"Excuse me, miss. A moment." [break][break]

The big man stepped into the alley - between the "bobbing for Applin" booth - and a more active one featuring a ring-toss game and some Diglett.[break][break]

Alphonse's body language and purposeful strides would suggest he meant to get himself involved in whatever trouble he had spotted - and he left Elise to either stand and watch...[break][break]

Or to follow, her path further into the alley blocked by the large frame of Alphonse Gambino.

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Alphonse Gambino Elise Calcifet

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Alphonse lowered his hand from his face to watch Elise take her shot.[break][break]

His shoulders sagged slightly beneath the apparent weight of his failure - he had tried to show off, and blown it! It would seem the Kalosian businessman might be good at fashion and sales and high-finance. But despite his large size it seemed the man lacked any martial prowess. His dad jokes aside, Al watched as Elise fired the cork at the line of Pidgey and managed to strike one on the first attempt. When Elise turned to regard Alphonse with her triumphant demeanor the older man could only offer an embarrassed smile and rub the back of his head; a youthful and earnest expression from the fashion mogul.[break][break]

"It is rare, for me of all people, to write a check I cannot cash. But you, miss - you say you've not done much angling, but you were spot-on with that rifle. It might be just a toy, but you held yourself as though you knew what you were doing. Could it be that you've handled the real thing before?"[break][break]

As Alphonse made idle conversation - well, this was a carnival game and it was all in good fun. The stall attendant offered Alphonse a small, wind-up Caterpie toy as a participation prize.[break][break]

Naturally, Elise would have her pick of something much more impressive.

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Alphonse Gambino Elise Calcifet

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Alphonse offered only a blank look at Elise let slip that she and her bodyguard were involved. The man, clad in a pair of khakis and a dark button-down, collared shirt blinked for a moment as though stunned. Then he began to laugh - a deep, amused peal of laughter that was as warm and sunny as the rest of him. He held up one hand and waved it slightly as if to apologize - and managed at last to get some words out:[break][break]

"I-I apologize, miss! I just... did not expect one of your station to so freely speak about your, ah, affairs!" One large finger reached up to wipe a single tear from his eye.[break][break]

"And your face just there was quiet comical. You must care deeply for this bodyguard of yours. I hope he guards your body well~"[break][break]

Alphonse allowed a hint of some mischievous tone to creep into his voice.[break][break]

"In any case, this is more my speed." Alphonse said, as they drew up to a "Pop the Pidgey" game - where a small cork was stuffed into a low-pressure air rifle.[break][break]

He held the two-handed gun easily enough in one hand - almost as if it were a large handgun rather than a two-handed rifle. And he reached up with his other hand to shield his eyes - no, to cover them so he could not see. There was a small, easy smile on his face as he regarded Elise as best he could with his vision obscured.[break][break]

"Here, lady. Watch and learn!"[break][break]

POP[break][break]

The cork sailed about two feet past the nearest Pidgey and hit only empty air. The teenage stall manager only laughed weakly and made am embarrassed but friendly smile. [break][break]

"Ah, sorry, sir. You... Missed." She said, with some hesitation as Al pulled his hand from his face and his shoulders sagged.[break][break]

"Alas~ Defeated by own hubris!"

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Alphonse Gambino Josh Devlin

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The fashion mogul barely had time to register Josh Devlin's own brief battle before the Rufflet appeared. He wasted no time - and there was no need in his estimation to weaken the creature. But he did suppose that the avian Pokémon had more opportunity to escape than the mouse had. He casually reached for a Pokéball on his belt - and summoned his Murkrow, Deniro. There was no better match for a bird than a bird - they could both fly, and by the stars Deniro could fly fast. But speed wasn't the point - Al snapped his fingers, and his Pokémon narrowed its eyes which seemed to glow red. Without any need for verbal command - Al had gotten Deniro to use Mean Look. The Rufflet could not flee now - and Al threw another Pokéball at the fluffy birb.[break][break]

It was aimed just as well as his first - but thrown with more determination. It seemed Alphonse actually wanted the Rufflet - at least compared to the electric mouse he had obtained. Only after he had captured Rufflet did he turn to notice Craggro on the ground. He frowned in what must to Josh seem like genuine concern. [break][break]

"Oh dear! Your Pokémon... Mister Devlin, please. Let us turn around soon." He said, eyeing the Pokéball which now had a Zangoose inside.[break][break]

"You're much more used to these wilds than I am. I'm a business man you know - more at home in the urban jungle than the real one."[break][break]

There was sympathy in the man's eyes as he regarded Craggro. [break][break]

"And your dog is hurt. Let us beat a hasty retreat for now. You have given me much to think about when it comes to riding Pokémon... I'll be sure to give it a try when I find a capable mount. But there's no need for us to venture further from safety."

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Alphonse Gambino Elise Calcifet

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Alphonse Gambino noticed the woman in spite of her disguise. Of course he did - he had people watching the young princess around the clock. In another life - in another situation - Elise might have found the man in his usual, formal attire complete with large rings and a cigar between his teeth. She might have realized how dangerous the man before her could be. He might have sat at the table ominously with steepled fingers and men all about him. She might have been coming to ask him for a favor on this, the day of his daughter's wedding. But... no. Perhaps in an alternate reality that might have been their first meeting - perhaps Elise would have met Minuit and not the smiling, cheerful face of Alphonse Gambino.[break][break]

He gave a broad, cheerful grin upon seeing her but he did not speak up nor pronounce her name as he usually might have. He could tell Elise was going for a more discreet look this day. He did wave one hand dismissively at her concerns - but it was a kind, casual gesture.[break][break]

"Please, my dear. Not at all. I've merely been watching the festivities from afar! That man over there is quite deft with his blades. I wouldn't have it in me to even try!"[break][break]

Warm, sincere laughter and he leaned forward to eye the strange Pokémon. His face did not show anything but compassion and genuine interest. He smiled at the magical hedgehog and leaned back before he turned his attention to the princess.[break][break]

"It is you who must forgive me. I found myself so engrossed in the performance that I took some coffee without you. How rude of me!"[break][break]

Alphonse stood, his coffee cup empty - and he gently placed the equivalent of a fifty-dollar bill beneath the cup as a tip for the waitress. He smiled at Elise and added, in a half-joking manner.[break][break]

"Madame, I do not imagine you would need a bodyguard. You will have me with you though... And mine." He said, with a weary grin at Elise and a thumb over his shoulder to point out the woman in the black suit - who pretended not to be watching them.[break][break]

"Do not cook for me. But they do follow me around quite incessantly. Please be at your ease. You are as safe as can be."[break][break]

He leaned in and whispered - as if sharing a secret between friends.[break][break]

"They mean well, but they're a real drag. Hard for a man to cut loose and have some fun. But they've agreed to stay out of the carnival grounds. So I'd consider it a personal favor for us to head that way quickly."[break][break]

He straightened back up, and spike loud enough for his apparent bodyguards to hear: "Yes! Dutiful and reliable, that's them!"[break][break]

And with a boyish grin towards Elise he began to move, but only after allowing her to lead the way.[break][break]

As they drew closer to the main gate - it was not hard to see several of the attractions and hear the elevated, cheerful noise of people murmuring and talking. Alphonse did step in front of Elise briefly at the entrance - and handed a black credit card to the cashier. He didn't think twice about letting Elise pay for herself - she was his guest and had done him the honor of this meeting.[break][break]

"Two, please!" He said - and looked around distractedly as she woman fastened wristbands to Al and Elise's hands.[break][break]

"Oh! How fun! They have one of those fishing games over there! I've never been much of an angler myself - not for lack of trying, though! How about you? Do you have the chance to fish often? I'm sure you must be quite busy these days, miss!"[break][break]

Al took care not to call her by name or by title - if she was in disguise, he didn't want to ruin that by letting something slip!

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Alphonse Gambino Zev Harcourt

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In both his effectiveness and his stoic nature, Zev was a man after Alphonse's own heart.[break][break]

Al walked over to where Zev hoisted Ken up into a more mobile position. He only looked away from Zev and Ken for a moment - to verify that the broken device was not the variety which could transmit its data live. It was not; and Zev had dealt with it quite effectively to Alphonse's satisfaction. He looked back to Ken - and though as a rule As did not allow his personal feelings to drive his business - well, he could not say he was sorry that the man had tipped his hand so foolishly. Zev dragged the dazed informant off - and Alphonse gave a look back to Smoke to see how he interpreted Zev's orders.[break][break]

Al had trained his Pokémon to use their own discretion as well - to respond to non-verbal commands or even to take action without being ordered. With simple gestures and single-syllable commands, Alphonse could communicate quite well with his non-humanoid associates. And when Al saw what the Gengar was capable of - well, one thin eyebrow elevated slightly in an intrigued expression. But he was not surprised - he could not yet evolve his own Pokémon like that. But all good things come to those who wait - or rather, to those who strive purposefully for those things. No one ever achieved much just by waiting. The businessman in Al understood that.[break][break]

He did not balk at being given orders - Zev had seniority, and he occupied a position of rank and power. Power that Alphonse would seize for himself in the coming weeks and months - but for now, he obeyed dutifully. And he had never been too prideful to take orders from another. No one worth a damn who gave orders had ever gotten to that position without taking orders first. There was a hierarchy to be observed - and Zev, if anything, was an example of the rare type of man Alphonse could respect. He slid the heavy door to the warehouse shut - but not before releasing Magnus and Deniro.[break][break]

The Magnezone and the Murkrow listened as Alphonse muttered orders to them under his breath - and then Deniro took to the skies in silent flight. The Magnezone simply hovered quietly out a window - and was gone. Steel grey melted as easily into blackness as dark feather - or it would once Magnus shorted out some of the nearby lighting. Alphonse drew up towards Zev and Ken - but he dared not intervene. He was a man more used to giving orders these days instead of taking them. But he was also a loyal soldier who knew his place. Zev had saved the day - not him. This was Zev's operation now, and Alphonse was there to listen and to learn.[break][break]

He only allowed himself one comment:[break][break]

"Mmm. I do not wish to interrupt. Please, proceed. But do know that I have a Malamar."[break][break]

He did not elaborate - there was no need to with the reputation of the Overturning Pokémon. Whether Zev needed the truth - or even absolute obedience from Ken... Well, if the Beast's own methods weren't enough, Al merely saw it as his duty to volunteer - and to step in, if needed.

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Alphonse Gambino Michael Navidson

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It would not take a man who knew the city of Dewford long to find any of its piers. It wasn't as though the island had the labyrinthine port districts of Slateport and Lilycove. Even so - the necessary real estate for a pier or for shipyards in the first place did necessitate both size and complexity if nothing else. The sheriff of Dewford would no doubt find it easy to navigate to the address provided by Mrs. McConnell - a small, private pier that rented out spaces to smaller vessels - and entire indoor berths built into several large warehouses for commercial goods to be received in bulk. On at least one occasion in the past, a cruise ship from Slateport had docked in Dewford's shipyard to be refitted.[break][break]

The outdoor pier was a long, wooden affair - as most piers tend to be. Well-maintained and thoroughly trafficked, even in the early morning there was still plenty of coming and going of ships. Small pleasure craft were parked next to charter vessels and private fishing boats meant for deep-sea fishing. Mostly men (but a few women) moved about here and there - shouting orders from decks or tossing ropes from pier to vessel. Unless the sheriff made himself quite an entrance it wasn't likely his presence alone would be especially noted or enough to stop the public from making their living. But the dockmaster's office wouldn't be hard to find - a small, one-story building about half-as-large as a small home. It stood as an office building next to the pier entrance - and a security booth was attached to one side of the building.[break][break]

It was from this small lodging that the shipyard of Northeast Dewford was maintained - a dockmaster managed the entire affair, but he had men beneath him as well. A private security firm from Slateport, a quartermaster who kept track of which boats were being used to "sleep" their own crew (and to charge them extra for the privilege), at least three separate clerks in charge of customs and trade paperwork could be found on one side of the office space. And there were no doubt other personnel in sundry.[break][break]

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Alphonse Gambino ryker hayes

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Alphonse did not grin like a Sharpedo nor offer a friendly smile. His expression betrayed as little about his thoughts and feelings as Ryker's voice did himself. But one, subtle change was visible upon Alphonse Gambino's face: his left eyebrow raised slightly. It was a sign of curiosity and interest - but nothing so important as so waste words upon. He only looked away from Ryker - he was not Alphonse Gambino this night. He was Minuit, "Midnight" - the mob boss of Revocs and Team Rocket's newest associate. If he managed to get this mission done without botching the job - well, a hot tip had come his way. Supposedly there had been a spate of recent pirate attacks on Rocket cargo. Alphonse was eager to get this low-level job out of the way...[break][break]

But he would not allow himself to become impatient - for that, too, was how mistakes could be made even by a professional.[break][break]

"What a delightful coincidence, then, Ryker." Minuit allowed, his deep voice sounded almost amused.[break][break]

"I was born to lead people like you. It's kind of what I do - if I'm being frank. But - a good manager never forgets how to work the front desk. Didn't expect to be back to this kind of wetwork at my age - but Miss Crane had made this... necessary."[break][break]

Alphonse lifted a large, silver case from inside of his coat's inner pocket - and with a practiced flick of the wrist, a single cigar emerged. He leaned forward and offered one to Ryker. And whether or not Ryker accepted, Alphonse took one for himself too. Though if the man did partake, Alphonse would even light it up for his fellow assassin. By trade, Al was more of a "upper management" type. But his military father had once said of himself: "Yeah, boy. I was intelligence. But when our camp got over run, then by the stars and stones I was fuckin' infantry!"[break][break]

And tonight, Alphonse was just as assassin as well - muscle, an enforcer.[break][break]

"To that end, I do have a plan..."[break][break]

He trailed off, allowing Ryker to say his piece - or else to listen, and enjoy one of Alphonse's Kalosian cigars.

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Alphonse Gambino Elise Calcifet

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The bright, sunny day was what the locals called a "Lilycove" day. That was a colloquialism to essentially mean the weather was - like their fair city - perfect. The sun bore down almost gently in a clear and mostly cloudless sky. The cry of the ever-present Wingull could be heard even from miles away. The department store was full of busy and bustling folks going about their commercial business. Nearby cafés were equally packed - and while some offered quiet corners for people to think and write and read in, others were more social and filled with excited back-and-forth chatter. The streets were more occupied than usual too - the carnival was in town, and that meant lots of money changing hands, smiles and laughter, and people being given a chance to forget about their worries and their strife.[break][break]

At one of the less busy corner cafés, still well within sight of the carnival entrance - a large man sat by his lonesome. Well - that wasn't complete true. There were a few rather conspicuous men and women in full-on suits and ties nearby. One hid behind a newspaper - and another seemed to be scrolling through her phone and sipping a coffee. But every so often they looked up and regarded the giant of a man who sat by himself. And the man was large enough to have given the waitress a slight bit of pause in serving him. But his smile was charming and radiant - and his amicable and friendly personality had soon endeared the man to her. He had an easygoing nature - and despite the brutal stitch on his face that spoke to some grave injury long ago, he was still handsome in his way.[break][break]

He sat calmly - and observed a man juggling knives off in the distance. He seemed amused by the sight - and though he was vastly tall and built with hard muscle, Alphonse maintained an air that made him easy to approach.[break][break]

But he didn't make for the carnival just yet - he had a date of sorts. An appointment. He was supposed to be meeting royalty. It wasn't as though that was a first for the Alphonse Gambino - CEO and founder of Gambino Bespoke Apparel and Accessories. But it wasn't an every day occurrence either - he patiently waited upon the princess's pleasure. Who was he to hurry a lady? He sat and sipped at his coffee - closing his eyes in a relaxed smile.

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