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Ahh, living expenses. The greatest hitch in all of Aila's plans. Between the scarcity of gem buyers, failed bank robberies, and interference in her most recent attempted heist, the little thief was living the glamorous life of the average college student. All the more exciting for her when she finally received an offer on one of her jewels.

It was a stunning little diamond of four carats that had once been in the possession of a noble family that had died out some time in the past. Aila was, frankly, quite surprised that it had taken so long to receive an offer. The offer that she did receive, however, had been a bit of a surprise in itself, exceeding the worth of the gem by several hundred. Combined with the buyer's request to complete the exchange in person, the circumstance as a whole had raised several bright red flags. But Aila was quickly tiring of dry cereal and ramen, and her private fund had gained no new additions for the significant length of time. In short, she was quite strapped for cash.

Such was the sad story that found little miss Aila arriving in the shadows of a certain abandoned bakery's employee parking lot on Camphoreon's outskirts that evening, a small velvet pouch in her hand and a very wary Bulbasaur at her side.

Aila studied the silhouettes as she approached. A woman. Unexpected. All of her previous buyers had been stout little grubby-pawed men. And none of them had boasted such a massive companion as what Aila assumed to be the pokemon at her customer's side. The girl spared a glance at Fleur, who turned to meet her with a grin and a quiet "saur." The assurance meant little. Aila imagined it was safe to say that the little grass-type didn't stand a chance against that massive shadow, should their exchange happen to devolve into violence.

She stopped at the furthest reaches of the lamppost's light.

"I thought you'd be taller." Fingers tightened on the velvet pouch and its contents as she awaited the reply that would identify the woman as her buyer.

That was an Arcanine, wasn't it? Aila could name no other dog-like pokemon with similar characteristics, but if that was truly an Arcanine, poor Fleur had already lost.

No need for such pessimism, Aila decided. Ideally, money and gem would change hands and the two parties would go their separate ways without ever giving thought to confrontation.

The woman's reply gave her momentary pause. There was something vaguely familiar about her voice. Something from a television program, perhaps? Maybe that documentary she had been watching before leaving her apartment...

"Shall I assume there is no need to review our terms?" she said, drawing the gem out of its bag and twirling it between her fingertips to catch the light.

She closed her fingers around the diamond, folding her arms loosely across her chest. An interesting development.

"Have I?" she replied, voice tinged with a mild curiosity. She had, even if she would not deign to admit it. Her apartment's walls were papered in information - newspaper clippings, articles photocopied from books, the odd photograph, and so on.

"I am honored that this syndicate would go as far as to send a representative to greet me personally. Shall I take this as a sign that you do not appreciate my interest, or...?"

The ends connected and the figurative light bulb flashed in the girl's memory. The hooded woman from the museum - that was why her voice seemed familiar. After their little coincidence, Aila had been prepared for the possibility that she would hear from that certain organization, but she had expected the encounter would be far less civil. To receive an invitation, of all things, was mildly startling.

Aila lowered her gaze as she pondered the offer. Truly, she had everything to gain in accepting. She had even briefly toyed with the thought of seeking them out and requesting membership herself; such a position could facilitate her quest for power while bypassing the need for money altogether. She had since discarded the idea after deciding that she was not equipped to act in cooperation with others, but the appearance of this woman rekindled the thief's consideration. Teamwork could be learned, after all, but one could not "learn" one's way into a seat of influence.

She spoke, at length, "I must thank you for going through the trouble to contact me. I believe I would like to accept your invitation."

At the very least, it would prove an interesting new experience.

Investigation? Aila's brow furrowed slightly at the use of the word. She preferred if the circumstances between herself and her brother could be kept well away from the eyes of strangers, but it certainly could not be helped at this point. She listened attentively to the conditions, and a thought crossed her mind.

"I should wonder," she raised a thoughtful hand to the side of her face, "what would happen if I one day wished to travel to a certain country?" The thoroughness of the aforementioned investigation would determine whether or not the woman knew the country of which Aila spoke. "Not in a way that would imply parting from your organization, of course. I am certain that is quite frowned upon. But say I had a particular... errand to see to, one that would require an undetermined length of time?"

A thorough investigation indeed.

"Very well," she said, offering Fleur a momentary glance. She could only hope the Bulbasaur would continue to cooperate as their circumstances changed. "I feel it would be unwise to disregard such an opportunity. I will gladly accept."