[attr="class","header"]let it show, shine

[attr="class","setting"]

Aris is not one for field work, not ever since he started managing the club.[break][break]

However, the forces at Rocket have been stretched thin, especially with the threat of war looming over Hoenn. Aris was told to avoid meddling in Rocket affairs to keep his civilian identity as clean as possible, but another grunt had made a mess during one of their missions in Fortree, and since no one else nearby was available, Aris was called upon for some damage control.[break][break]

How, exactly, he's going to manage to fix a generator before someone from the League notices, he has no idea, but he can't refuse the higher-ups now, can he? Aris' tongue momentarily flicks out to touch the fresh scar running up the left corner of his lips. Cillian had already punished him for a fault that wasn't his own, so it's best to tread carefully.[break][break]

Aris stands at the base of the wind turbine with his Rapidash and Houndour, craning his neck to look at the rotating wings. Apparently, despite the movement, the turbine is no longer producing power. He sighs dejectedly, mentally cursing the Rocket grunt who caused this mess before forcing himself to snap out of it and move towards the entrance of the structure.[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Guillermo Marceliño [break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]let it show, shine

[attr="class","setting"]

Gazing into familiar, mismatched eyes allows a certain sense of comfort to wash over Aris, reminding him of summers spent in lavish mansions and neatly trimmed gardens. Even when those summers turned untouchable to a young boy scrounging for scraps on the streets, an occasional glimpse of his friend would push all of his worries away, albeit temporarily, and replace them with the hope that they'd meet once again. Aris is glad he followed that hope.[break][break]

The grin that splits Ezra's face forces a similar one onto Aris'. "Forgive me, my lord, for not procuring the finest drops of alcohol that can only be harvested out of the ass of Arceus himself," he retorts with a mocking bow of his head.[break][break]

Aris glances back at the old nickname and gives Ezra a silent, unamused look. How many times has he told him not to use that word in public? Nevertheless, the excitement within him overshadows the annoyance, and it evaporates entirely when the other man steps forward and wraps his arms around him. Aris is taken aback at first; he's well aware of Ezra's dislike towards physical touch, quite opposite to Aris' love for it, but there's no complaint from the taller man. He gladly returns the gesture and holds on for as long as Ezra lets him.[break][break]

"And you're passing the time jumping onto people, yeah? If that's what you're into, you could have just told me. I'd gladly offer myself."[break][break]

Nalia sits on her haunches on the ground as she curiously gazes up at the two men interacting. She had noticed the Rattata on the table but paid it no mind. Sydora, on the other hand, is very perplexed by the colourful Pokemon. She jumps onto a chair and then onto the table, slowly approaching 15 with her nose pointed and poised for a sniff.[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Ezra Settentrione [break]

+ Mission: Slumber Party

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]let it show, shine

[attr="class","setting"]

No story, she says? Aris, more than anyone, knows that everyone has a story to them, no matter how little or insignificant they may be. His own is forged out of fiction, but it's a story nonetheless. Any who tries to move away from this question is either hiding their tales deep within a book or are just too shy to show them to others.[break][break]

Either way, Yuina has piqued his interest.[break][break]

Now that the Zorua is closer to her, Sydora decides to make another inspection. She moves to stand behind the Pokemon and sniff their tail as a form of greeting. After deciding for a second time that the Zorua seems to be friendly, Sydora sits back on her haunches and tilts her head with an expectant look, waiting for the other Pokemon to make a move. Though playful, the Eevee has the attitude of a princess.[break][break]

Aris' eyes follow Yuina's hand to the Zorua. "Well, I refuse to believe that a wonderful woman such as yourself would have no story to tell, but I understand the hesitation. If you feel more comfortable talking about your little friend here, I'd love to hear it." He looks back at Yuina with a gentle gaze and an ever gentler --albeit calculated-- smile to match.[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Yuina Higashi [break]

+ Mission Link

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]let it show, shine

[attr="class","setting"]

A soft, playful pout purses his lips, but he lets the flow of conversation carry the topic away and bring forth the contents of the briefcase.[break][break]

Aris observes Chu-e's movements, curiosity glinting through inquisitive eyes and a tilted head. He's had his fair share of experiences with drugs and other illegal substances in the past, but the vibrancy of the colours and the viscosity of the liquids sloshing inside the glass vials are unfamiliar.[break][break]

As Chu-e explains the effects of the contents, Aris raises an eyebrow and regards him with a doubtful look. Whatever the hell those things are, they've caught his interest. He rises from his seat and slowly steps towards the shorter figure, peeking at the syringe in his hand from over his shoulder. Aris watches with keen eyes as the lavender drop slowly swells at the tip of the needle before its weight gives out and it falls onto --no, through-- the table below.[break][break]

A short burst of laughter escapes his throat. "Do you really expect me to say yes to that, Choi?" But then, Aris glances down at the captive before them and hums thoughtfully. "I think I'd like to see a live demonstration first."[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Chu-e Choi [break]

+ Mission: 0 to 100

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]let it show, shine

[attr="class","setting"]

Despite the sour words that grace their chat history, the excitement bubbling within Aris is undeniable.[break][break]

He doesn't bother responding to the last message; he doesn't need to anymore. Gone are the times when all they could communicate through were virtual words and flat voices behind screens; Aris is now itching to continue his onslaught of insults by throwing them right at Ezra's face.[break][break]

How long has it been since he was able to do that?[break][break]

With a snap of his fingers, he commands Nalia and Sydora to follow in his footsteps as he weaves through the crowd inside Icarus. Ezra wasn't wrong; the place is bathed in soft, golden lighting that reflects off of glass chandeliers and stone pillars that decorate the walls of the nightclub. A bar, which stands in front of an impressive wall of liquor, is located at the far end of the club, busy with patrons swarming to get themselves a drink. Live, upbeat music accentuates the air, originating from a stage on the left side of the club.[break][break]

Aris is quite proud of his work on Icarus. Though the interior is quite lavish, the atmosphere is lively, free and welcoming.[break][break]

Turquoise eyes stay trained on his target as he strides towards the hooded figure nursing a drink with a familiar Rattata by his side. Nalia follows obediently while Sydora stops to sniff at passersby before trotting to catch up to the two. As he closes in, Aris reaches out and quickly grabs the back of the hood between his thumb and forefinger before pulling it down and revealing the flash of silver underneath.[break][break]

"How many drinks have you already had, you alcoholic bastard?"[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Ezra Settentrione [break]

+ Mission: Slumber Party

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]let the glimmer hide the dull

[attr="class","setting"]

The line has finally been crossed, it seems.[break][break]

Nalia, the ever-loyal houndour that she is, notices the flash of silver before Aris does. Her ears stand straight and her vision zeroes in on the movement before letting out a quick bark.[break][break]

Aris' eyes flit to his Pokemon but before he has the time to comprehend what has happened, a pricking sensation makes itself known over his lips. It starts off as nothing but an itch but quickly develops into a sting as hot as fire.[break][break]

The knife in Cillian's hand finally comes to focus, now stained red. A finger is raised to inspect the pain flaring over his skin, and a single touch returns as red as the colour on the underboss's blade. Aris turns his face to examine the damage in the mirror, and sure enough, he now sports a clean wound that runs vertically over the left corner of his lips. The cut is short but deep enough to allow the blood to start dripping onto the wooden surface below.[break][break]

His smile falters for a second, but he dares not let it disappear. He won't give Cillian that satisfaction.[break][break]

Aris wants to retaliate, of course he does, but despite his dislike towards the man in front of him, he's strongly aware of the power imbalance in the room. He hates it, and yet he respects it. Still, he refuses to remain powerless.[break][break]

Aris pushes through the pain flaring across his face, and soon, the smile crawls its way back up on bloody lips.[break][break]

"Message received," he chuckles. Aris reaches out towards the cotton pad from before and turns it around to press the clean side against the open cut on his face. "As I mentioned before, sir, I'll ensure this doesn't happen again. I want to see Icarus drown as much as you do, which is to say, not at all."[break][break]

Icarus is his home. It may be owned by and for Rocket, but he built it with cato and he'll make damn sure it stays afloat.[break][break]

"You can trust me on that."[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Cillian Quinn [break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]