023. [Anonymous Text + Images/Video]

[explosivecombat]

[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.]

Comments

[determinator]

[So you were planning on using a team of only five...? Well, this does solve that problem!]

Of course. He listens to you and knows better than to mess around with something so serious.

[...Hopefully.]

I'll have him remain hidden unless you absolutely need him to battle. Again, I don't believe that will be an issue, but it's better to play it safe.

Besides, we wouldn't be very good Team Rocket members if we didn't stack the decks a bit, now would we?

[explosivecombat]

I've no intention of battling with more than six, if that's what you're getting at; just ensure that I can issue commands and I'll be fine.

The outcome of these battles matters very little to me, Archer; at the same time, perhaps something useful will come of them yet.

[determinator]

Well you're no fun.

[That's said teasingly though!]

What are you expecting to come of this? Obviously you'll see some teams and some of the people who will pose a threat to us later, but is there anything else?

[explosivecombat]

This is just as much to test myself as it is to test them. Training against you has been valuable, as was that tournament, but those sorts of situations will only get me so far. It's the difference between combat and a shooting range, basically; one will give you practice, but it won't prepare you properly.

Even if I were to face random opponents, they would likely use the rules set in place by the League; in facing them as Seth, they'll know they're facing an enemy, and they'll be more likely to treat me as such.

It's both a matter of seeing who's most likely to provide this sort of opposition, and something I need to do to ensure that I'm prepared for what tactics they'll be willing to use.

[determinator]

I see. That's a valid point.

[It actually is. Archer tips his head a bit in acknowledgement.]

Hopefully you won't have any issues. What do you plan on doing if you do lose somehow?

[explosivecombat]

That's a bit of a moot point if Alekhine is going to be present, isn't it?

[in other words GUESS WHO DIDN'T THINK THAT PART THROUGH]

[determinator]

...Well, it's good to see you had everything fully planned.

[But it's just teasing rather than sarcastic.]

[explosivecombat]

Said as though I usually don't...?

[...you weren't even there for the fiasco that was LET'S TOTALLY TRY TO BATTLE THIS RIDICULOUSLY PHYSICALLY ADEPT FUGITIVE ON A MOVING TRAIN AFTER SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON

oops]

[determinator]

[SIGH...]

This is why you need me. Don't worry about it; Alekhine will assist you.

[explosivecombat]

Excellent.

[He pauses for a moment after that's out there; it's awkward, but...]

I appreciate your understanding about all of this, by the way.

[determinator]

You've been very understanding with me. Don't worry about it. I do what I can for you, you know.

[explosivecombat]

[He nods a bit in acknowledgement, though he doesn't respond verbally; that...isn't all there is, is there? There are things between them that still need to be addressed, or at the very least will need to be addressed soon - but they're getting on well now. Should he bring it up now? It would certainly kill the mood entirely, which he can imagine Archer won't be too pleased about; at the same time, wouldn't it be better to discuss unpleasant things when they aren't already angry?

Ugh.]

I'm aware, Archer. However, there are things that I'll need to discuss with you eventually, whenever you have time.

[determinator]

[Archer tips his head a bit at that, frowning a bit. There is something they need to discuss, isn't there? This is the first time they've really gotten along in awhile though, he doesn't want to ruin it.]

...I suppose we should probably discuss things.

[explosivecombat]

[...well, that doesn't sound good.]

You sound as though you have something on your mind as well. Would you like to start...?

[determinator]

I... apologize for reacting so harshly to your little message.

[Apologies never come easy, after all.]

[explosivecombat]

[...here we go.]

"Harshly" is one way of wording it, yes.

[determinator]

[....orz]

I didn't realize what you were going through.

[explosivecombat]

That isn't what I'm concerned about.

What concerns me is the fact that every time anything happens that you happen to not like, you seem to forego rational discussion entirely in favor of screaming at me, mostly about how little you trust me and how right you supposedly were in thinking that I was untrustworthy from the start. I shouldn't have to explain every insecurity I might happen to have simply to get a reasonable conversation out of you.

[determinator]

And do you really think it's that easy for me? That I'm simply doing this to manipulate you or something? Do you think this is easy for me?

I don't handle things well, you know that. I'm a paranoid wreck most of the time, Kimblee, and if you expect me to magically get better then you have another thing coming.

[explosivecombat]

You're avoiding the issue.

[determinator]

What do you want me to do? This isn't something I can control.

[explosivecombat]

So you legitimately think I'm untrustworthy. That's what you're saying to me - that everything I'm saying is a lie or manipulation, intended to harm you or otherwise get at you somehow. That's what you believe our relationship is?

[determinator]

No. That's not what I believe. What I believe is that you're only interested in your own needs and what you'll get out of it. When I get angry, I lash out. I need to establish control and hurt you as badly as you hurt me. No, it's not healthy. No, it's not a good way - or even a decent way - of handling it. But that's how I deal with things and I can't change that. You think I haven't tried? Do you seriously think I haven't tried to be good to you? That I would continue to do this even knowing that it's hurting you? Do you really think I'm that cruel?

[explosivecombat]

...would you have me tolerate this sort of behavior from anyone else?

If someone else were to tell me exactly what you just told me - that they "needed" to hurt me for reasons that they admit are paranoid and don't always make sense, and that I need to simply deal with it because that's how things are, and that they were going to continue to harm me with the full knowledge that that's what they were doing - would you have me tolerate that, or would you tell me not to?

I'm legitimately interested in your answer.

[determinator]

Of course I wouldn't. Things are different between us; they always have been. Normal people don't react like this; do you think I don't know that? We're the furthest thing from normal, Kimblee. If you're expecting me to just adapt like you can, then I'm sorry, but it's not happening. I've tried. I've tried everything short of simply leaving and nothing works. I can't control it, it just happens.