The Meeting

You step into the old warehouse warily, Beeler and your Gengar, Nox, in tow. Nox of course was invisible, undetectable by any nearby without psychokinetic ability. Before you sits the man from earlier, still cloaked mostly in shadow, seated behind a sturdy looking desk. Beside him stand two Team Rocket grunts, sporting rather large stun guns that currently were trained on your pokemon. You tense, ready for a fight, but the man waves his hand and the two grunts lower their weapons. "Come in, we're glad you came. You understand the extra security." He motioned for the chair across from him, "Have a seat." You rest your arms on the headrest, standing behind the chair. You feel a slight wave of approval from Beeler.

The man doesn't seem perturbed by your disobedience, carrying on as though you had followed his instructions, "I see you brought a bodyguard, smart. I'm glad your Gardevoir is present actually, our offer involves her." Beeler's unease becomes an almost palpable sensation and you narrow your eyes, "What does this have to do with her?" The man steeples his fingers, face still hidden in the harsh shadows cast by the overhead light, "Well {name}, you have the strongest Gardevoir in the region, which is no small feat considering how many other trainers there are."

"Few form the bonds necessary for Gardevoir to evolve from Kirlia." You counter, once again to a flush of approval from Beeler. The man nods, "indeed. This difficulty makes it very hard to study Gardevoir psychology and behavior as you might imagine." You frown. That was... not what you'd expected to hear. Beeler pulses confusion to match yours.

"Wait. You want to study Gardevoir's psychology? Like how their mind works?" The man nodded again, leaning forward benignly while casting a foreboding shadow over the desk, "We know so little of great psychic minds. It would be a great loss to our society and the world as a whole if we didn't extend this offer to you."

Moment of truth, "What offer?"

He slid a folder over the desk and Beeler catches it telekinetically before it falls to the floor, hovering it into your grasp. As you leaf through the documents the man continues to explain, "We want to have triweekly sessions with your Gardevoir to explore her mental capacity and brainwaves. You'll bring her here, we'll take her to a separate, clean room where you are free to watch, and then we'll ask her questions for about an hour." The documents you read seemed to confirm what he's saying though since this was Team Rocket you were talking about it wasn't like your signature or theirs was particularly binding in the eyes of the law.

You close the folder, staring narrowly at the man. You didn't like this. As soon as Beeler had entered the equation you'd felt your heart beating hard in your chest. You might be willing to deal with Team Rocket but you wouldn't involve her. Beeler pulsed strong emotion beside you as you reached your conclusion, though it was so raw and powerful you can't really lock down which one it is.

"I'm sorry sir but I don't think-" "You will of course be compensated for your time. We understand how important your Gardevoir is to you. We promise she'll be safer here than anywhere else in the world." He pushes a check towards you and your eyes widen as you see the amount, "We also have a small condo just outside of town that should fit you and your belongings nicely, which you are welcome to claim ownership of once our business is concluded in three months." After a long moment you slowly let out a long breath you'd forgotten you were holding. This would solve all your problems in one fell swoop! You glanced at Beeler, who once again projected strong feelings of unease and worry into your brain.

"I'll be there every step of the way." You whisper to her before turning back to the man. "Alright. I'll sign on the condition we can withdraw at any time." The man rocks in his chair pensively for a moment before leaning forward and offering you his hand, "Deal. You can withdraw at any time." You shake on it and sign on the line. The man waits patiently before rising and gesturing for you to follow his guards.

You're taken through several doors, each leading to a cleaner and cleaner space until you arrive in an almost hermetically sterilized area with several scientists bustling around the room. You squeeze Beeler's hand and nod for her to follow one of the scientists into a separate room. You take a seat before a glass window, showing Beeler floating amiably across from a female scientist with a clipboard. She turns anxiously toward the window and you project calm thoughts as best you can. Just over your shoulder you feel Nox's cold presence, watching and waiting for foul play.