World's Bakery
“…I understand.” Ariana muttered, felling like a child as she said those words. He was right, of course. Rocket had all of Kanto in its clutches, and they were eager for more. In that eagerness they were poised for another bite, boasting all the way, and attracted unnecessary attention. Attention that brought forth the trainers that took them down.
Ariana watched him light the cigarette. She smiled inwardly upon seeing the lighter, another little trinket from the old days like the ones she had seen in Archer’s office at his bar. She occasionally indulged in a cigarette, but it had never developed into a habit. The smell was comforting. It was a scent she associated mostly with Giovanni and Petrel. Also, the golden light of the morning sun reflecting off of the trees in the distance reminded her of the forest north of Ecruteak City where the leaves were autumn color year round. She always thought Ecruteak was a gorgeous place.
“Then it’s a good thing we all decided on our own to open up businesses instead.” She said, managing to keep a bitter tone out of her voice. Part of her was upset upon the realization that Team Rocket would never return to its former glory. She mentally scolded that part of herself. It was childish to cling to the past when it was obvious the Boss had moved on. Loyal lieutenant that she was, she would respect his wish.
However, if a new opportunity to cause trouble ever presented itself she knew she would be hard pressed to resist.
He had left her second question unanswered, but she figured she knew the reason. “Of course, since we do have our own businesses now. There’s no harm in some mutual benefits between each other.” As always, it was business first. At least Giovanni was an easy man to read in that respect. “May I ask what it is that you’re doing now?”
"Right now?" There was a long drag from the cigarette, followed by a short train of smoke that disappeared into the crisp evening air. "Opening new networks. I've not spent much time in Unova, but decided now was a good time to change that. There's a bustling economy here, I'm sure you've noticed, but not a lot in the way of criminal competition." A hand reached into his coat, taking out a newspaper clipping he'd apparently saved. "Some time back, another organization rose and fell like ours did. People calling themselves Team Plasma. But from all my research, they were a joke. Out to relieve people of Pokemon, but not stealing them, no trading them away. No smuggling, no protection fees. It's practically criminal in and of itself to have access to those kinds of resources and not know what to do with them."
He rolled the cigarette between his fingers, contemplating it briefly. "So I'm here networking. To start filling in gaps, connecting people to the things they need. We can use the fear Plasma stirred up to sell 'security' to the helpless, peace of mind to the frightened. It should be an easy sale. I've got a crate of 'extra strength' Pokeballs hitting shore within a few days, and I'll be distributing them to my vendors across the coast. Nobody will have to worry about their Pokemon breaking free of their own accord, and for only a thirty percent markup from a normal Pokeball. How reasonable." He chuckled to himself, nursing his cigarette again. "I originally came here to Black City to talk to any potential 'customers', but finding you again was a comforting bonus."
