[attr="class","diana"]She was startled by a voice that seemingly came from thin air. "Where-"

Her answer came when he showed up from the tree itself. Though it didn't make sense to her. How did this man have the ability to go into the tree, as if it had regurgitated him?

"How did you- I mean, when-?" Diana was simply too dumbfounded to give Bryan her name.

[attr="class","dianatag"]bryan delarosa | protect the dyna tree

[attr="class","diana"]Diana was summoned — well, requested — at a restaurant to meet with someone she had not seen in many years. The last time she had seen one Elise Calcifet was perhaps shortly before the end of her engagement to Remiel Calcifet, before he'd made his decision to live his life a free man and leave for Hoenn.

Before Hammerlocke had fallen to ruin under the rule of his stupidly naive brother.

She had left too. They both had. Diana didn't believe either one of them, though Remiel told her otherwise, truly knew how badly things had gotten after the crown had transferred from the previous holder to Remiel's brother. Their people were suffering while they sat away in Hoenn.

For what? Delegation and politics? When were they to come home, she wondered?

She knew Remy had made it clear Galar was behind him. At least, the crown and titles were. What about his cousin? Diana couldn't help but harbor a few ill feelings toward her, yet she still made her way to the restaurant.

At her side, her DRATINI slithered, following her to the entrance. "Cavendish. Party of two," she told the host, having reserved a table ahead of time.

[attr="class","dianatag"]Elise Calcifet

[attr="class","diana"]"That's what I had gathered from my reading upon the place. I admit, I never traveled to Hoenn for holiday, but I likened it to something akin to Alola..."

Diana had to cut herself short to keep from rambling nervously on. She was utterly alone, without a familiar person or Pokemon with her in the room.

Cillian had an inkling of familiarity, but it wasn't in a warm and welcoming way. And his Pokemon reflected his iciness equally so.

"Pardon me? What do you mean?" she asked, her hand gripping the arm of the chair tight enough that her knuckles grew white. "You summoned me here, Mr. Quinn."

Diana was beginning to deflect, her brow furrowing as she attempted to stand her ground against the underboss.

[attr="class","dianatag"]Cillian Quinn

[attr="class","diana"]It seemed that this tree, the Dyna Tree the housed CALYREX, was under close supervision at all times by the members of team Rocket. And they did not exclude Diana from the rotation.

She had to admit, it was a bit difficult for her to figure out some excuse to tell Remiel Calcifet when she left his home — their home? — to come to Sootopolis and observe the tree.

Nor did they exclude higher officials, as she found out she was guarding with a Beast. She began to wonder if the rumor of her ties with the former Galarian prince had made its way to the ears of Rocket lords and ladies, and this was some sort of punishment from ARCEUS for her misdeeds.

The tree was beautiful. Diana understood why Pokemon and humans alike flocked to it, to reach for its fruit. Power emitted from it, a temptation that was difficult to ignore. If she had not been careful, she could have easily fallen for its trap. Her CYCLIZAR cooed next to her.

"It's as if it came from a story book."

[attr="class","dianatag"]bryan delarosa | protect the dyna tree

[attr="class","diana"]It would be Diana's first time on a farm, and her energy was palpable as she stood by Remiel's side. Sure, she'd seen them on television and around the countryside, but never in person.

To say she was mildly disappointed by the way it looked now... it was a bit of an understatement.

But she couldn't help but feel for the farmer as he spoke of the FLYGON attacks. Her gaze trailed to her partner, raising her brow at him.

"I can't say that I've heard that before, but I don't know the migration patterns of the beasts of Hoenn yet. I take it that this isn't normal."

[attr="class","dianatag"]Remiel Calcifet

[attr="class","diana"]The door opened, and Diana took that as a sign to enter. With an inhale in her nose and out her mouth, she walked in with her head held high as she was taught. Look like you own the room, as if nothing bothered you. That's how you demonstrated power and class.

Yet, the room she entered was cold and intimidating. A SYLVEON regarded her with dangerous blue eyes, and there was a chair in the middle of the room with a drain beneath it.

For a moment, Diana's blood ran cold. Surely she couldn't have done anything to warrant such a punishment like... torture! Her gaze turned back to the door, yet it had already been shut again.

There was no escaping Cillian Quinn now.

The underboss directed her to a different chair, and she relaxed a bit as she nodded. "Thank you for your kindness, sir," she said, going to take a seat quickly before she fainted.

His accent was familiar, yet she couldn't put a finger on him just yet.

"It's been somewhat similar to Galar thus far, I've found. The winter's been cold and snowy. But I do miss home..." she admitted, waiting for him to reveal why exactly she was summoned.

[attr="class","dianatag"]Cillian Quinn

[attr="class","diana"]"Admin Cross," he had quickly corrected her.

Diana was taken aback by the brashness he displayed in doing so. No one, except perhaps others of her status or higher, ever had the gall to correct her for a mistake. Or if they did, it was nervously, as if she had the power to rain hell down upon them.

She didn't, but it was all the same.

"Admin Cross," she repeated, though she had to hold her tongue as she followed him toward the car awaiting them. She ducked her head, sitting down on the leather seats before crossing her legs.

"It was choppy. Unpleasant. But, I think the most important thing is I arrived," Diana answered truthfully.

[attr="class","dianatag"]jayden cross | past, recruitment act i

[attr="class","diana"]Diana contemplated again for a moment. There had been so many feelings she felt when Galar began to fall apart under his brother's rule. And now hearing that he knew and still didn't come?

She was almost numb to it.

"Remiel," she began, though she didn't meet his eyes. She feared that if she did, she would break.

"I don't think you are a bad person. I think people have the right to their own lives and destinies. But do I have the right to be selfishly cross when I think that?" she asked quietly, looking at her hands.

Diana felt her chest ache. This was meant to be a happy Hoennyule time, not full of regrets and sadness. "I'm sorry. Forgive me for speaking on the topic."

[attr="class","dianatag"]Remiel Calcifet

[attr="class","diana"]It was one chilly afternoon when Diana had received a summoning to a location she'd heard of, yet never been to.

Hoenn's Rocket submarine. The letter was clutched tightly to her chest, as she hoped Remiel Calcifet didn't catch the piece of paper in her hands or on her bed as she got ready. If he asked where she was going, she answered to the marketplace to look around. She made sure to tuck the letter into her pocket, folded tightly.

"I'll bring back some sandwiches from the bakery for dinner," she had said quickly with a smile before leaving, hoping to ARCEUS she remembered to go to the bakery on the way back.

---

The sub was surprisingly well-maintained. Though, Diana wouldn't want to live there. She was grateful for her other accommodations. She had to ask for directions to the high offices a few times, earning a couple looks of disapproval from other Rocket members.

"Right, I should know this..."

Finally, she reached the door. Knocking, she cleared her throat. "You summoned me, Mr. Quinn?"

[attr="class","dianatag"]Cillian Quinn | zero to one hundred

[attr="class","diana"]For Diana, this was another match for fun. So, when she saw her opponent get so visibly upset, she furrowed her brows in confusion.

In fact, he just stormed away before she could even give him a handshake for a fair match.

"Whatever. If he wants to be a sore loser, we can enjoy our victory alone," she said, retracting Cadbury and walking away from the stage.

[attr="class","dianatag"]Josh Devlin | HP: 1/3