[attr="class","mittag"]



Alphonse Gambino

[attr="class","mitmain"]

Alphonse was a man who was used to getting his way.[break][break]

Even so - he also recognized the authority of a gym leader. He had done so the moment he decided Mauville's gym boss was worth meeting face-to-face. If Josh had told the goliath of a man to screw off until they had an appointment then Al would have done so. But Josh was reasonable and - as it happened - free, at the time. He agreed to give Al a tour and gave another whistle. Al listened for the difference between that whistle and the one which had summoned his Pokémon posse. Al also decided that it would be foolish to combat Josh Devlin in an open, fair fight if he ever needed to have the gym leader removed. Alphonse had trained his own beasts how to obey non-verbal commands of course. But to see another do so - it reminded Al that simply because the League was incompetent did not mean their associates were.[break][break]

"He is... impressively big. Though I do not have much interest in riding a Pokémon." He said truthfully and regarded the Arcanine with a skeptical look even as he approached and inspected the canid approvingly. [break][break]

"Still. You're the expert."[break][break]

Alphonse took a seat in the saddle and looked down at Josh - not imperiously or even with entitlement, just literally.[break][break]

"I am in your capable hands, then, Mister Devlin."[break][break]

A lazy, placid expression drifted over to regard the two identical Pokémon as they sparred together.[break][break]

"But that, Mister Devlin, is infinitely more valuable a measure of value. A battle - the most primal and vital expression of conflict resolution. I have always have found racing to be a children's game - no offense to my present company intended."[break][break]

Well - Al sounded sincere, at least. He had not meant to offend Josh - but clearly did not care so much as to soften his words.

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

[attr="class","mittag"]



Alphonse Gambino

[attr="class","mitmain"]


The large man listened carefully as the gym leader explained how the distortions in this region worked. He had heard of such things before - obviously - but to actually be in a place where they actually happened. The idea of capturing one of these Alpha Pokémon appealed greatly to the power-hungry man atop Braver. But Al did not wear his emotions on his sleeve - and even if Josh Devlin had been the world's best reader of facial expressions the slight rise of Al's left eyebrow did not betray much. Josh would have no reason to know the man next to him was the last person he might have wanted to tell about these special Pokémon. Al's mind quickly ran through the myriad possibilities of owning some of these beasts.[break][break]

"I see." Was all Alphonse said, coolly.[break][break]

"Well - such Pokémon sound dangerous. Larger than usual, fierce tempers. They could be bad news. I'm just a business mogul - a venture capitalist. But still I do thank you for enlightening me. I shall be sure to remain cautious."[break][break]

Minuit ran his organization like a well-oiled machine. Before long he would advise the others on what he had learned regarding these Alpha Pokémon. But he had a cover to maintain. Alphonse did take note of what Josh said next though; he was used to being challenged by people outside of the region. Al did not have much interest in the Pokémon League's gym challenge himself - but on a whim he decided. And though he did not encourage Braver to move any faster it was for the best. Soon, Craggro began to flag - and the big man calmly surveilled the tall grass as he spoke. [break][break]

"I'll be taking one of your badges, Mister Devlin. Not today, mind you - not now. But I think a man who commands the respect of such powerful Pokémon - even if they mostly draw that power from sheer speed - is a worthy rival. I don't suppose you'd do me the honor of a one-on-one, Pokémon vs Pokémon match some day?"[break][break]

There was no cheeky grin nor even a hint of a smirk - but as half-a-jest, Al did give Devlin a sideways glance and added:[break][break]

"If you would, I'll take the little mouse behind you - and leave the big game just ahead to you."[break][break]

Whether Josh accepted the challenge - or decided that he would be the one to determine the rules of engagement when they next battled, Al lazily tossed a Pokéball over Josh's head in a perfect, expert arc that sent the metallic sphere onto the head of the small, electric mouse.

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

[attr="class","mittag"]



Alphonse Gambino

[attr="class","mitmain"]

The huge man did not pull his hand away or show any sign of nervousness as the dog sniffed at hi. The man astride the beast confirmed his identity as the Mauville City Gym Leader. And - Alphonse noted - the man was a ranger to boot. Al decided that he should not have been surprised. Of course the top trainers and government leaders of a nation like Hoenn would have some notches under their belt. The tall mob boss inspected some of the other Pokémon that surrounded him - but he still showed only vague interest instead of fear. Alphonse respected 'power' above all else after all. The man could appreciate a show of force and the apex predators Josh commanded certainly contributed to the success of that gesture.[break][break]

"You can help me, Mister Devlin..." Alphonse began, remaining formal even if Josh allowed for his first name to be used.[break][break]

"By agreeing to take time from your busy schedule. Show me around your lovely facility. It is quite impressive. So much so I doubt that one may see all of it from the road."[break][break]

There was a brief pause, and Alphonse lowered his hand to his side.[break][break]

"If you require an appointment, I suppose one of my men can go sign me up. But it helps to take the measure of man with one's own eyes after all."

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

[attr="class","mittag"]



Alphonse Gambino

[attr="class","mitmain"]


Alphonse nodded solemnly as Josh explained that Braver was not up for grabs.[break][break]

"Quite understandable. If I were in possession of such a majestic Pokémon, I should not let it go easily myself. Still - your words intrigue me, Mister Devlin."[break][break]

Al's bored expression might have suggested that he wasn't paying attention to their surroundings. But if Josh didn't notice the Pokémon along their route then he might do so when Al's head spun calmly but deliberately to face the creatures stalking them through the tall grass. Al inspected the large, floating balloon of a Pokémon closely. But Josh - on Al's left side - would certainly be able to see Al's huge hand relax just before grabbing a Pokéball. Al turned back to face Josh - and continued their conversation as if nothing had interrupted them. He did not seem worried about the wild Pokémon that observed them. He didn't seem the type to worry about much at all, actually.[break][break]

"A child-abducting balloon. I think I shall save my limited arsenal for a better catch. So, as I was saying: you mentioned 'space-time' distortions. Could you tell be a bit about those? I am a man who keeps my ear to the ground - but alas, I am new in the region. I'm quite unfamiliar with these distortions - and I now have a vested interest in finding a Pokémon large enough to handle me."[break][break]

Al's gaze next drifted to the strange mice off to one side - but he spoke to Josh without looking at him.[break][break]

"If you do ever race against my little girl - make sure you do your best. She's won quite a few races and made a job out of it. I think she means to make it a career. I might recommend to her that she should visit your facility if she is ever in Hoenn. Would that be alright?"

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

[attr="class","mittag"]



Alphonse Gambino

[attr="class","mitmain"]

"Right." Alphonse said, by way of acknowledgement.[break][break]

The big man didn't bother writing anything down - not in front of Cillian - he didn't need too. The more things that were written down the more evidence there was of a certain action or event. He was a man who was more than happy to take his orders one-on-one from some middle-man. Alphonse was particular when it came to discussing things with people; Minuit hated conferences. He didn't want anyone hearing what he had to say and he didn't want anybody listening to what he was being told. If there was a problem with the union or a beef in the numbers, then Al only allowed one person at a time to discuss things with him discreetly and one-on-one. He wasn't presumptuous enough to hand Cillian Six's card, but he would likely make it harder for his fellow Grunts to contact him directly.[break][break]


"No concerns. I'll take my orders - and be a good little cog in Team Rocket's machine. But you should know, Mister Cillian."[break][break]


Mister. Cillian had earned at least that much respect from Al even in their short conversation.[break][break]


"I'll be gunning for a seat at your table. Keep one warm for me, if you would."[break][break]


And for the first time there was a visible, actual change in Al's expression; he showed just a little bit of teeth in a small, restrained, and not unkind grin that could have been mischievous if it didn't make the big man look like a Sharpedo. It soon faded though - a flicker of amusement on the expression of the mob boss-turned-ensign. He did not stand yet - Cillian had mentioned he could speak freely. And so while Al's body made the relaxed gesture of a man just about done with his meeting - Al spoke on one more point at least. A Grunt - after all - was obliged to share their game plan with a boss when it came to certain activities.[break][break]


"I don't go to meetings empty-handed. I've got some intel that may be useful to you and your associates. Underlings pay tribute where I'm from - in the old country. Here's mine: There's a princess in the region. Now me - I'm typically above an abduction just for a ransom - but if you decide there's an angle here, boss, I'm all in."[break][break]


The large man moved a huge hand out of his jacket - and set down a manilla folder on the table.[break][break]


"It's all there. Seen her myself. Got men on her 'around the clock'." Al said, not sure the quiet underboss before him would either get or appreciate the joke.[break][break]


But the man didn't even grin at his own joke - he merely watched Cillian to see how the man reacted to the information before him. How he reacted to the picture of Elise Calcifet on the inside of the folder.[break][break]

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

[attr="class","mittag"]



Alphonse Gambino

[attr="class","mitmain"]



If Minuit was intimidated by being in the sights of six apex predator Pokémon then he did not let it show. That in and of itself was impressive in its way. Alphonse only looked towards the nearest Arcanine - a monstrous big beast that was damn near as tall at Alphonse himself. Al lifted an eyebrow as if he were slightly intrigued by the presence of the beast rather than cowed. Alphonse turned to regard the sudden arrival of a man whom Alphonse could only assume to be the gym leader. He had heard the man whistle - and the Pokémon had responded to it.[break][break]

"That's enough!" Came the strong, sure voice of a man used to authority.[break][break]

Alphonse eyed the man; he wasn't short or puny by any means - but Alphonse was, as was often the case, bigger. Alphonse for his part did not try to look intimidating. But there wasn't really much the man could do about his height. Though the bored expression he wore might have only made him look more intimidating rather than less. Still - Alphonse slowly moved his hand up to his head and pulled his fedora off from atop it. But before he did so he seized the brim of the hat and deliberately lowered it towards the gym leader in a gesture of respect. [break][break]

"I presume you are the leader of this gym, then. Mister Devlin, isn't it? Very good to meet you. My name is Alphonse Gambino - And I heard that you are a certifiable gym leader. I wished to see with my own eyes what caliber of man the League employs for such a position. I am from Kalos, you see..."[break][break]

There was a brief pause, then one huge hand slowly reached out and was offered up towards Josh - though far enough from his fat doggo's mouth to not seem threatening to the Pokémon or its trainer.[break][break]

"A pleasure." Al said dryly, in a way that was both polite yet perfunctory.

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

[attr="class","mittag"]



Alphonse Gambino

[attr="class","mitmain"]


"No, thank you. I think I can manage - I watched my daughter race Ponyta plenty of times. She's quite the champ at it - she loves to race Pokémon."[break][break]

Maybe that was why Alphonse had been so easily persuaded by Josh to go on this venture. In some strange way Josh Devlin's passion for riding reminded Al of his kid. She had always loved equine Pokémon - and she had become very skilled in her own right at racing Pokémon, at least on land. Alphonse respected the powerful creature beneath him - an overly large, strong Arcanine. It held his weight without complaint or the slightest show of strain. Al took the reins gently and allowed the Pokémon as much freedom of movement as he could afford while keeping them on the path. Al did eventually speak again - a man of few words, as ever.[break][break]

"However, unless you wish to part with Braver here, I think I will find it difficult to find my own Pokémon who can support me. Never had much interest in riding, Mister Devlin. Though if you have any recommendations - I suppose I might make a point to catch something useful in this regard."[break][break]

It wasn't as though Alphonse actually expected Josh to give up his monstrous huge Arcanine - but Alphonse was a business man. He would have been remiss not to show his sincere interest.

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

[attr="class","mittag"]



Alphonse Gambino

[attr="class","mitmain"]


Among the things these two men have in common - their sentiment towards the sounds of the brewing storm is among them.[break][break]

Even as a child Alphonse had always taken solace in watching and listening to the storms of Kalos. The were nature's most common expression of the thing Alphonse cared about most in this world: power. People often mistook Al's infatuation for power as a love of physical, brute force. Rather - he recognized the myriad forms "power" could exist in the world. Among Pokémon that might be largely limited to physical force, speed, toughness, and special powers. Among most people however there were different metrics as well: money, for one. Influence was another, and Alphonse was one who always sought power for himself. So he too listened to the quiet, thoughtful rumble of thunder and watched Cillian - Al appraised the man in front of him and decided he would not be the worst superior to report to.[break][break]

"Yeah." The big man finally said, after a moment of taking Cillian's measure.[break][break]

"Someone higher up than a grunt - than me - and I'll bring it to you first. I can do that."[break][break]

And while Al was ambitious and power-hungry, he was also loyal and a man of his word.[break][break]

"Right. What else we got to cover? I've a few thoughts of my own - but these are early days after all. There's a hierarchy - a chain-of-command. And like I said, I won't waste your time. Got some ideas going forward - you need to hear 'em?"[break][break]

The question - much like the man who asked it - was something with multiple layers beneath the surface. Even so the essence of that question could be deciphered easily enough by one as perceptive as Cillian.[break][break]

'Are you my direct supervisor'?[break][break]

Though in his own quiet, refined way Alphonse was also showing deference to Cillian - allowing him to determine the agenda of their "meeting".

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

[attr="class","mittag"]

Alphonse Gambino

[attr="class","mitmain"]

Alphonse was content in comfortable silence. It gave the mob boss time to think - to organize his thoughts. Had Xenon not been on a ride-along, he would have had Crispin play some classical music or Rattata Pack music; swing and jazz. Instead he simply sat in what he had intended to be still and contemplative silence. But even as he appreciated Crispin's own stoic nature - the woman along with them clearly wished to speak, to know more about them. Alphonse maintained his typical, bored expression as Xenon began asking them - ironically - about music. Ironic only because Al had vaguely missed the atmospheric tunes that he would often instruct his drivers to play. Then again, he wouldn't normally have his best assassin driving him around, either.[break][break]

He would thank Crispin later by way of some gesture of goodwill; a bottle of some wine, perhaps - or an extra stack of cash. Either way the mob boss considered Crispin's job less "murdering people" and more following his orders. But Alphonse knew Crispin well enough to understand the man's perspective. He was good - damned good, in fact - at helping bothersome targets to cease vital functions like 'breathing'. Alphonse regarded Crispin as his syndicate's foremost assassin - and the Minutemen who served beneath Crispin were all seasoned, effective killers in their own right. So Alphonse supposed that he could understand Crispin's resentment at being used as a driver.[break][break]

And while Alphonse ensured all operatives within Revocs obeyed him, Alphonse understood better than anyone else that a captain was nothing without a crew. It was better to be feared than to be loved in Al's mind, but there was nothing wrong with rewarding extra demonstrations of loyalty from one's men. Unlike Xenon - who expected people to hold doors for her, and for the world to mold itself to her... Well, it might be ironic that the mafioso didn't think like that. He knew that people in his employ would go out of their way to follow orders and accommodate him. But Al was a gentleman: he recognized loyalty, rewarded obedience, and even thanked his own associates for holding doors open for him.[break][break]

There was never an excuse for rudeness - even when you were fitting someone with a pair of cement shoes.[break][break]

Alphonse lazily drifted from his own thoughts to the current conversation - just in time to hear some mention of a group called "Linoone Park".[break][break]

Minuit cringed at the mention of the name. His daughter had gone through a phase where she liked such music, and of course she had made Alphonse listen to a few songs. He wasn't sure how people had manufactured audible trash - but he'd have rather listened to an Exploud throw a tantrum if he was being completely honest. A flock of angry Spearow could make better music.[break][break]

Alphonse lifted an eyebrow quizzically as Xenon forced her way into the front seat - or rather, she forced half of herself up there. He lazily shifted to be out of the way of her legs. He didn't mind it so much, but he was polite and if the lady needed room he would give it to her. Internally there was a silent smile as he imagined Crispin's reaction to her sudden appearance at his side from a most unorthodox angle. Still - when the music of the radio blared to life, Xenon would get to hear the stations that Alphonse most favored. And if she thought he was old before - well, he might be as ancient as a fossil with the dulcet tones of smooth jazz that filtered into the car. And each turn of the dial would lead to only "older" forms of underappreciated music.[break][break]

A classic waltz. An opera in a foreign language. Some blues music - low and slow. [break][break]

"Miss Xenon." Alphonse suddenly interjected - his gravely voice cutting even through the music as though it had been silence.[break][break]

"My associate and myself both pride ourselves on our discretion. That, of course, precludes us from volunteering much in the way of personal information."[break][break]

As if to punctuate that point, Alphonse allowed a few moments of silence to hover in the space of the car before he spoke again.[break][break]

"That said - you are correct. As short a distance as trust goes in our line of work, it is always preferrable to know something of one's associates. I'm from Kalos - Camphrier Town, specifically. I've trained Pokémon since I was eight. And I've always preferred powerful Pokémon. Fast, tough, strong, useful abilities - anything like that. Started on the mean streets as an enforcer for the Falcone family. Eventually became a Lieutenant and was given Camphrier as my territory. The rest, as they say, is history."[break][break]

Apparently that rather concise introduction served to Alphonse as a suitable biography of himself.[break][break]

Discretion indeed.

[attr="class","mitpoke"]