explosivecombat | 023. [Anonymous Text + Images/Video]

023. [Anonymous Text + Images/Video]

[An anonymous text will be going out to the network today; the ID is consistent with the one that usually sends out things along these lines from Seth.

Surprisingly (and lbr, probably refreshingly), there aren't any images of Seth's "work" prefacing the text; it simply gets to the point.]

It's been a year since we first met. As predicted, I'm still doing just fine. Those who stated I would be caught before the year mark have officially failed in their task.

But as I've said before, I like to level the playing field a bit once in a while. It keeps things interesting for me. And since people in this place tend to like their anniversaries, I thought I would celebrate mine with an invitation for you.

I'm in Goldenrod City for the next week. If you want a battle, you're more than welcome to it.

I have eyes all over the city. Set up a trap for me and I'll know. But meet me as my equal and you'll be rewarded.

No tricks. No lies. Just battle.

Contact me and we'll see what can be arranged.

[The text is punctuated with an image, taken in what appears to be a mostly-dark meeting room; the focus of the picture is on a set of six Ultra Balls, shining dimly from what little light is illuminating the room. Visible behind the table they're set on is what's clearly a Team Rocket member, visible from the upper chest to about his hips; he's leaning against the table, gloved hands braced on either side of the set of Ultra Balls, and as usual, the red R insignia on his shirt is able to be seen easily enough.

The second attachment is a brief video. Though his face is still out of the shot, the Rocket in question seems to have seated himself behind that table; the Ultra Balls are still displayed in front of him, but a white card is obscuring some of them, pinned between two of his fingers. The card is handwritten in thick, blocky lettering, as though they've been written over repeatedly, obscuring the handwriting and making them less identifiable.

MY NAME IS SETH. A YEAR AGO TODAY, I BEGAN MY WORK.

AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE WANTED TO MEET ME IN PERSON.

He turns the card over slowly; there are two words written on the back, in the same style as the front.

ANY CHALLENGERS?]

[OOC]

[If there are any takers when it comes to this challenge of Kimblee's, there will be a log set up later this week to accommodate all your battling needs! This post is for the sake of arranging such things, should anyone be interested in trying to throttle the bastard. This isn't a plot so much as it is a post in two parts, so to speak.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Don't rise to it, Kimblee. Don't you dare.

It takes him a moment to calm himself down; he responds once he relaxes a bit, giving no damns that Archer is effectively receiving silence as he gets there.]

...five minutes, then. Don't go anywhere.

[He shuts the feed down after that; Archer won't be hard to find, obviously, reclusive as he is. Kimblee knocks before entering, though it's more of a formality before he opens the door anyway.]

Archer.

[He closes the door behind him, though he remains near it; he doesn't lean back against it, as he usually does - rather, he remains away from the wall, folding his hands behind his back.]

You have my apologies for upsetting you.

[Archer doesn't say anything while Kimblee is silent, though he does have to wonder if Kimblee has simply hung up on him. He wouldn't be surprised. Part of him is morbidly pleased with that thought - it means he's won, right? - but he feels a distinct sense of relief when Kimblee starts talking again. Archer sets the 'Gear aside and waits.

He's still standing when Kimblee enters, though he's examining the papers again and appears to have calmed down a bit. He's also bothered to move any items he could potentially throw at Kimblee out of the way since he knows that would end badly. Still, he's surprised by Kimblee's apology, and his expression shows it.]

I...

[He's completely at a loss for words, and for some reason, feels vaguely mad that Kimblee just apologized without letting him shriek a bit more first.]

...Yes, well. I would like an explanation for this.

[He would ask why Kimblee didn't come to him first, but that much is obvious. He would have told Kimblee no.]

[His tone is rather formal when he addresses him; his annoyance obvious in how clipped his words are coming out. He can't say that he cares.]

I admit that this is at least partially due to restlessness, as I've been barred in many ways from doing my job properly. Not the least of which is a lack of communication and proper orders from my superior officer.

[Sorry, was that slightly out of line?]

As I've been unable to carry out any of my duties properly, I've taken it upon myself to return to furthering my own personal projects. My apologies if this isn't to your liking.

[For a moment Archer actually considers ordering Kimblee to stop trying to do shit on his own. He's just going to keep screwing things up. If he's going to be Archer's subordinate, he's going to have to learn patience.

...But he doesn't say it. He knows it's out of line. He knows better than to use Kimblee's need for orders against him. So instead, Archer focuses on the papers and counts backwards from ten to calm himself down. It takes longer than it really should.]

Our relationship is built on the ability to trust one another, Kimblee. Yes, I haven't been giving you orders lately because I've been more concerned with my own projects. I apologize for that. That does not mean that you should do something this drastic without informing me first. I still don't know how you plan on pulling this off. I still don't know what the point of it is. I was under the impression that I could trust you to come to me before doing anything large like this. Minor attacks are fine, though I know that wouldn't be enough for you at this point.

[He absently reorganizes the papers to give himself something to do while he thinks.]

...If I can't trust you to come to me with something like this, how am I supposed to trust you when it comes to our future plans? I don't doubt your capabilities in battle, but trusting you is equally important. This isn't the first time you've done this, and I highly doubt it will be the last.

And before you say it, of course I know why you didn't come to me. I would have told you no, that this is a terrible idea. You could have made a case for it, and if there was value to it, I would have agreed. It would have given you something to focus on and keep you entertained while I'm still working on finalizing plans for our next attack. But you didn't come to me and expected me to simply deal with this?

[He sets the papers down and leans heavily on the desk, actually attempting eye contact for once.]

What good has this done? What have you gained from this outside of possibly some battles with people? Was it really worth going behind my back?

[Archer's words are surprisingly even and he doesn't seem anywhere near as angry as he was. Admittedly, if he did have something close by to throw at Kimblee, he would have done so already, but that's not the point. He's keeping calm enough for now.]

It's been a while since you've trusted me properly. Do you think I don't realize that?

[Kimblee's voice remains even, though the fact that his posture is still insanely tense says more than his tone does.]

The reason I didn't come to you is simple - that being that you've been seeking out any and every excuse to take your own frustrations out on me. I don't know if you've noticed, Colonel, but most of my discussions with you consist almost entirely of you having some sort of shrieking fit over transgressions I knew nothing about. It has nothing to do with supposedly "knowing" that you would shoot me down, and everything to do with the fact that I can no longer discuss things with you without having to spend ridiculous amounts of time calming you down after any "discussions" we may have.

[Again Archer has to take a moment to calm himself down. He's frustrated that Kimblee would use that against him.]

I would never have had any issues trusting you if you would just come to me in the first place. You don't have any excuse for that.

[That's just it, isn't it? Kimblee always has an excuse for his actions. It's always everyone else's fault.]

And do you think that the way I've been acting has nothing to do with you? No, it's not entirely your fault, but I wouldn't be under as much stress if you would talk to me about these sorts of things before you just do them.

You don't seem to understand what I'm telling you, Archer. I can't come to you with things like this.

[He breathes deeply, trying to calm himself down; his eyes slide closed for a moment as he continues.]

I'll be able to handle this; you know that I'm competent enough to manage. This is simply something that needs to be done.

Something that needs to be done.

[Archer sounds like he can't believe Kimblee just said that. He runs a hand through his hair and shakes his head slightly, repeating it.]

Something that needs to be done.

[He's never had the urge to repeat something until it sinks in, but now he can understand why Kimblee and Isaac do it.]

And why is this "something that needs to be done"?

[Archer never has that reaction, and Kimblee knows it; he's aware that that likely isn't a good sign, and for a moment he considers telling him. About the last three weeks, about the pervasive thoughts that have managed to entwine themselves around everything else he's done, about the discussion with Lust and the places his mind went immediately upon meeting with her and how much he-

It's not anything he knows how to discuss.]

...I...

[He hesitates. Shakes his head.]

It's an entirely personal reason.

[Archer recognizes that expression; it's not a favorable one. It means something is very wrong, and despite his frustration with Kimblee, he knows better than to simply dismiss it.]

...You can still talk to me, you know.

[That might sound a bit petulant.]

[His stance doesn't relax any at that, though he does tip his head a bit. Acknowledging the point, if nothing else.]

I'm aware of that, Archer. It's nothing that you need to trouble yourself with.

And yet you know I will anyway.

[Archer finally takes a seat, glancing idly at the papers for a moment before dismissing them.]

Don't act like it's nothing. I saw that expression. That's never a good sign.

[...well, at least this is decidedly less confrontational, though Kimblee still doesn't relax; his eyes slide closed for a moment, and he's clearly trying to remain casual when he speaks again, traces of the usual soft smirk returning, though it's clearly forced.

This would work much better were he not such a poor liar when it comes to this sort of thing.]

Again, it's a personal matter that I'm working toward resolving. I won't say that it's nothing, but it really is nothing to worry about; again, you have my apologies for upsetting you, it won't happen again.

[Archer is silent for a moment, studying Kimblee.]

Please talk to me.

[That's said in a surprisingly genuine voice! He doesn't sound upset at all!]

This is obviously important to you. I would like to help in any way I can.

[That seems to give him pause; he shakes his head again, though he's back to staring a bit.]

It's just a matter of thinking too much, that's all.

If that's all it was, I doubt it would be effecting you this badly.

...I met with someone I knew back in Amestris, some time ago; I suppose it's still on my mind.

[Head...tilt...]

Who was it? What was it about?

[He knows full well that Kimblee doesn't always need to tell him what he's doing, but something like this sounds important. Why didn't Kimblee bring it up before now?]

It was one of the Homunculi that I worked closely with, back in Ishval. It had been some time since I had seen her last, and so I agreed to meet with her.

I wasn't threatened by her, before you ask; she simply wanted to catch up. We weren't particularly close back then, but I still knew her somewhat better than most of the others at the time, save Envy.

So you just just caught up?

[Why is it still bothered by it then?]

[He hesitates. Why can't he just say it?]

Primarily, yes.

[He can't.]

It was an interesting discussion; I haven't had much chance to really speak to those I knew from Amestris, with the obvious exception of Isaac.

I see. I suppose it would be nice to speak with someone from back home.

[It still doesn't add up though.]

Is that all you discussed?

She wanted to know what I'd been up to; I think you should meet with her soon. She could be a valuable ally.

[...]

At the same time, there were some...unpleasantries that resulted, I suppose you'd call them. Nothing she did; simply errant thoughts. It's nothing I can't handle.

Of course. I'd like to meet with her, if you think she'll be useful to us.

What sort of thoughts?

Regarding my work, and the situation back in Amestris.

[He pauses; he's smiling again, though the expression is dissonant. Wrong.]

It was interesting work, assisting the Homunculi; I never had any doubt that it would kill me eventually - but the payoff, I felt would be worth it. I sacrificed my personal freedom and control over my own fate, in exchange for the power to change the world. I was a weapon for all of them; for some of them, there may have been the same sort of fondness that you would afford a possession that you happen to like but can always replace if it breaks. Nothing terribly important; just inconvenient if something happens to it. And yet I worked with them, for my chance to change the world.

It gave me a reason to continue fighting. I had next to nothing back in Amestris, but I had a reason to continue fighting.

What do I have here?

[He's still smiling; his body has started to shake.]

I have no reason to continue existing. I have no proper field of battle. I certainly don't have my alchemy. I could disappear tomorrow and it would mean nothing to this world - to individuals, perhaps, but then they would disappear as well, and a fair few of them won't even remember that I existed in the first place. This is all I have, and there's nothing for me here; this world is focused entirely on things I don't experience, on feelings I don't have - do you think I'm unaware that I'm different from others? That's why I require my battlefield, so I can actually exist for however long the conflict lasts, so I can have a reason to see things through.

I was better off under constant threats, working for beings who held nothing but contempt for me at best and doing a job that I knew was going to kill me, than I am here. Do you think that I don't know what that says about me?

[AUDIO - LOCKED → ACTION]

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