maki nods. "that is correct. though i have to admit, i did not have much involvement in the operation itself. i was used primarily as a lookout." though her family saw no problem with such a young child accompanying them on that endeavor, they had set things up so she would be in the safest location. from there, it was mostly a test of her resolve, to see if she would crack, or if she was suited for this line of work. maki had given nothing away, and had fulfilled her role perfectly.

"the next mission i went on, i was sixteen. i was the one who pulled the trigger." there are no flashes of regret or guilt on her face. that person was dead the moment they betrayed team rocket. they were a fool who had no place in this world. others might balk at death, but maki doesn't see the value in most lives. someone is either livestock, or the butcher. there is no in-between.

[ Zev Harcourt ]

thankfully, maki's good at keeping things subtle. her plans never involve anything particularly grandiose. even in kanto, if it came out that her family gave rocket so much support, they'd likely lose business. the idea is to remain unseen, in the shadows, manipulating things like one might manipulate a marionette. to manipulate her like they might a marionette, with the understanding that everything she does must be for the greater good of their family.

maki brings up a map on her phone, zeroing in on a house nearby that's been abandoned for several years. "a recent satellite image showed one of the traitors entering this house at night," she explains. "after that, i set up a camera myself to watch the house. everyone should be inside right now. and if they're not, i'm certain we can convince them to give up their other locations."

she pockets her phone again. "we need to move fast to ensure we don't need to take any detours." it seems like she's ready to leave the coffee shop.

[ dorian westcliff ]

maki's houndoom has much the same demeanor as its trainer; the kecleon will approach and be greeted with a single sniff before the dog turns its head away, waiting for a command from its master. it's been with the family since maki was a child, and has been trained just as she was. she chose the pokemon to accompany her specifically because she had known it since they were both pups. rather than for sentimental reasons, she knows she can trust it to follow her orders.

or so she says, anyway. maybe deep down inside she wanted someone familiar with her to accompany her to this region so far from home.

the wildlife around them stirs. the pawmi isn't a huge shock, though maki's never seen one in person. the bronzong, on the other hand, is something of an odd sight to catch in a city district. neither pokemon seems that interested in them.

maki angles her head, studying gerald. "i have no interest in these two," she states bluntly. "you're free to do as you wish."

[ Gerald Kaiser ]

she angles her head slightly, the rest of her body staying still. "twice, i've assisted members of my family with missions in kanto. one mission involved the stealing of a gym leader's pokemon, and the other involved executing a traitor." she understands her own lack of experience in operating on her own, or with an unknown ally. she's spent most of her life in her family's fold, rarely venturing out to experience the real world. those two missions were eye-opening for her. not in the way one might expect, but rather they awarded her with the realization that the world was full of weakness that needed to be purged.

her parents wouldn't have sent her here if they didn't think she was ready. "i look forward to learning more from this region," maki says smoothly.

[ Zev Harcourt ]

an assassin... her expression doesn't budge. she gives him a nod, and takes a seat on the bench once more. "perhaps we were fated to meet like this, then," she jokes. people like them don't believe in fate. there may be higher powers out there, but maki doesn't believe they'd spend their time manipulating the destinies of those beneath them. just like her family, who never intervenes in matters regarding their workers, instead spending their time watching from above in a glass penthouse, untouchable.

"i am nineteen years old. my eldest brother is the heir to the company." despite the fact that he's a fool, maki thinks to herself, holding back a sigh. "i have been trained in all manner of combat since i was a child, both between humans and between pokemon. i've brought with me a froslass and a houndoom, though i intend to keep a full party with me at all times once i have acquired more pokemon." she didn't want to empty out her family's stores. they need backup more than she does. you never know when an assassin might show up-- one who doesn't work for them. "i was privately tutored and have finished all necessary schooling. i have also studied some of how rocket operates; beyond that, i will be doing my learning on the job."

she tilts her head, studying him. "is that adequate? do you have any questions for me?"

[ Zev Harcourt ]

the "partner" in question is exactly on time. she doesn't look like much at first; she favors her father's side of the family, with his dark purple hair and blue eyes. anyone who's done business with the yukimuras in the past will recognize these traits, so there can be no doubt the girl approaching dorian's table is maki yukimura herself. her clothes are simple, but tailored to her measurements. it's likely they cost hundreds to manufacture.

"you must be dorian westcliff," she says. though she smiles at him, something seems missing in her gaze. maki extends a perfectly-manicured hand in greeting, and if he chooses to take that hand, he'll find her handshake business-like and strong, though not uncomfortable. clearly she's had some practice. "i am maki yukimura. i did some preliminary research and narrowed down their location to one particular area." she launches immediately into business, just like her handshake. "however, if you have any suggestions, i would be happy to hear them. i'll defer to your judgment today."

[ dorian westcliff ]

it's been some time since maki added to her collection. she'd only brought two of the family's pokemon with her to hoenn, intending to expand her team on her own. so far, the rockets here have been accommodating enough; possibly because she's new to the region, she's been shown around their various bases and had most things explained to her. things she already knew, for the most part, but each time something obvious comes up, she continues to stand there without protest, smiling that slightly offputting smile of hers.

this isn't an official mission, but she's treating it as such, since she's opted to work with somebody else for the duration of the hunt. there's some benefits to allowing yourself to come across as needing assistance. ...and this is where the night market takes place. she's never been in a "market" of any kind without supervision. she wonders if she can find a new snowglobe there.

for now, she releases her houndoom from its ball, and glances at gerald out of the corner of her eye. "thank you for your help today," maki says.

[ Gerald Kaiser ]

the girl doesn't look like much at first. she's perhaps a little bit taller than average, with a blank expression and deep, dark blue eyes. she has her hands folded in front of her, nails carefully manicured, her clothes expensive-looking and pristine. she's not the sort of person you'd expect to come here of her own free will, and she doesn't seem the least bit curious about her surroundings. if not for the steady rise and fall of her chest, one might think her a mannequin. she's pretty enough to be one, with her clear skin and long violet hair...

when zev arrives, she immediately stands and gives him a respectful bow. "you must be mr. harcourt," maki says. "my name is maki yukimura. i'm here to report that i have arrived without incident." the trip from kanto had been long, and she'd kept herself amused by reading a report of everything that had happened in the region since rocket began to get more of a foothold there. she'd never traveled alone before, but as with most everything else she does, she'd been extremely particular in her preparations, and hadn't run into any obstacles because of it. nothing had been forgotten, and nothing had been misplaced.

maki stands to attention, giving zev a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "this courtyard is quite lovely."

[ Zev Harcourt ]

Recruitment I MISSION START!

signing up with maki and Zev Harcourt !