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"Granted, the standard trainee program is meant to weed out the physically unhealthy," Aila said with a shrug. "Specialized training like this generally begins once you choose a department. In essence, I've turned basic training into specialized training. I feel this will be more beneficial to you since you've already completed basic training. That said, if you perceive yourself entering any department besides infiltration and surveillance, you should tell me that now so I can revise my schedule as soon as possible." She hoped she wouldn't have to revise the schedule, especially not for a department with which she wasn't familiar. Her expression turned cautionary at his words on revenge, "I'll agree with the motivation, but I recommend you start getting into the habit of referring to him as Executive Seth. If he hears anything else, I can almost guarantee that more than just your promotion will be at risk."

She understood that concerns were likely to arise in response to the random surveillance, and she was prepared to explain, "I understand if it sounds unethical, but one - I need to be sure your behavior is acceptable both within and outside of my company. And two - this is a criminal organization, after all. It would be strange if it weren't a little unethical from time to time." A faint smirk played at her lips, mischievous insofar as the term could be applied to Aila. At the mention of her eating habits, she shook her head briefly, "I prefer not to eat when I'm not hungry. According to my physical, I'm an appropriate weight for my height and age, so I see no reason to change my habits." A light shrug accented the explanation; it was working out well enough for her, after all.

"In terms of beginning training," she opened the bag she had brought with her, removing a few books, "these materials are references for the origins, foundations, and benefits of subordination and teamwork. There are also psychology manuals and theses on theatre and acting. The latter are supplementary materials to further your abilities in disguised infiltration. I read in your file that you were recently inflicted with a gunshot wound, so you'll be on limited duty until you've healed. I'd like you to review these in the meantime."

"Intelligence is challenged on missions. If you can't think quick and think well, you don't survive. Your teammates can help you out of a tight spot, but you won't always act alongside a team, sometimes not even alongside a partner." She specifically referenced her own recent solo mission to Sagestone; it had been an interesting experience, vaguely nerve-wracking at times but immensely rewarding to have accomplished it on her own. "It's also true that not everyone joins a department. We have a number of field agents who work almost exclusively to steal pokemon for Team Rocket's use.

She nodded approvingly as he conceded to use Seth's proper title, a slightly cynical laugh responding to the sympathy for her ghost-type, "There's no need to worry about my Revenant. She was the first pokemon I caught, and I would trust her with anything." It was a strange thought, when she remembered how incredibly difficult the thing had been to train as a Misdreavus.

"Well, it goes both ways," she said as he voiced his thoughts on subordination. "You are a subordinate to some, and you are a superior to others. It's important to know how to earn and keep respect from both parties." Mm, well a trainee was superior to none, but if he improved as he said he would, it wouldn't be too terribly long before he was returned to grunt status.

She inclined her head slightly with a similar smile, "I don't see that that will be necessary. The reading is interesting, even where there are disagreeable points, so I don't feel any need to threaten you to read it." Any jest or playfulness fell from her tone, "I also have one more thing to address. I told you before that this is a team and your actions will affect others, yes? I told Seth that I would take all responsibility for your actions. I'm not sure if that means anything to you, but I would appreciate it if you'd keep it in mind as you go about your activities." She had no wish to be reprimanded again, and after offering up full responsibilities she had a fairly good idea that that reprimand wouldn't end with just a stern talking-to.

"People who are sincerely daft are pegged as such, I believe," she said with a slight shrug. "It's hard to hide stupidity, after all. And if the idiots do make it through the cracks, missions will point that out, and the superiors can do something about it from there." She leaned forward slightly, lacing her fingers and resting her chin on the cradle. "It's worth noting that I've never met a single legitimately stupid individual in Team Rocket," she informed. "People who make bad choices, people who have a little less common sense, people who aren't the most socially graceful, certainly. But never someone who is simply an idiot through and through."

She inclined her head in thought as she considered the field agents. "Well, not exactly. It doesn't really take any special skills to steal a pokemon from a trainer. For example, if you had to break into a house to steal it, you'd be with infiltration. If you had to build a machine to contain it, you'd be with tech. If you had to manipulate its DNA, you'd be with the labs."

The slightest redness crept across her face as Izaya spelled out his implications, a mildly offended huff indicating that her noble's sensibilities were getting the better of her. "She has more tact than that. Besides, it's not as though she'll be observing you at all hours. The point is that the surveillance is random and unknown, so you can't be prepared for it and act accordingly."

The shift in his tone suggested that he was indeed thinking seriously about her words, and Aila was grateful for that. She had no desire to be demoted because of the actions of another, but if that threat would encourage the appropriate behavior, then she was willing to take the risk. At his assertion, she nodded, "I'm glad to hear it, then. I look forward to seeing how you improve here. Despite what you might think of it so far, this is a truly wonderful environment."

"Mm, I'm not sure about that. I have painfully little tolerance for stupidity. Seth's evaluation of you is based on a single incidence during which, one could argue, you indeed acted quite stupidly." Generally anyone who knew the executive's name also knew his reputation, and generally anyone who knew his reputation would make a point of avoiding angering the man, or at least make a point of withdrawing when it was obvious that he was in a bad mood.

"She'll be fine," she insisted with a slightly indignant crossing of her arms. "I should warn you against intentionally giving her a hard time, though. She's not known for her tolerance." Nor was she known for her self-control. What she was known for was for being an incorrigible trickster and an antagonist. Though she had calmed down considerably since the ball, and even more since her evolution, Aila might have been just a little worried to give the Mismagius free rein of the base.

She frowned slightly. "Since coming here, I've met people who genuinely care about my well-being for veritably no reason at all. I've gained allies of both the human and pokemon variety, and I had the opportunity to fulfill my life's wish handed to me on a platter by an elite who recognized and remembered that wish. I've also had people dislike me even though I was civil, I've been shouted at and disdained for my actions, and I was nearly killed by a Ho-Oh. It's a criminal organization - it can't all be sunshine and smiles." The good balanced out with the bad, as long as one was open to experiences.

She could have named a few ways for him to antagonize the ghost-type, but she chose not to describe them. She'd simply have to warn Revenant of the possibility that he would mess with her and hope the Mismagius didn't respond too rashly. She had read reports that mentioned the Spiritomb but was similarly unsure of whether or not the two ghosts would detect one another. Perhaps Revenant would even find an ally in Celty; she didn't seem to get along with others well...

"I disagree," she said, shaking her head slightly, as Izaya made his case against her words. "I would have agreed up until late December, when an agent towards whom I had always been curt and disdainful found me when I was upset and offered comfort with nothing to gain for himself." She directed her gaze to her hands on the table, still slightly embarrassed over her behavior that day. "He spoke to me even though I tried to make him leave. Tears don't suit me, he said. Don't face it alone, he said. He's never gained a thing from telling me those words." She raised her rose-colored eyes in an earnest expression. "There are people here whom I genuinely care about. For many of us, Team Rocket is the closest thing to a family we have, even if we're all criminals. I sincerely believe that I'm not the only person here who feels that way."

She inclined her head to a side at his comment, "Criminals are human too. Everyone here will smile when they have a reason to." Read: she felt no inclination to smile at the moment.

She exhaled a brief sigh. "If you're having trouble believing in the idea that humans can have consideration for one another's well-being, you should think about the reasons I recruited in the first place, or the reasons I asked to be your supervisor rather than your executioner." Somewhat abruptly, she pushed away from the table and stood, "Everyone here is here with their own goal in mind. If we don't believe in one another in spite of that, then it's meaningless to call us a team. We won't accomplish anything." A slight temper settled in her tone. "I can't speak for everyone, but I'll support my team just as they've supported me."

A subtle dodge of his gesture betrayed the possibility that she was offended, irritated, or possibly simply tired. "You have a week of limited duty. I expect you to look over those materials thoroughly. You should also give some thought to training your pokemon while your own body heals."