explosivecombat | 025. [Text/Action for the Rocket base in Goldenrod City]

025. [Text/Action for the Rocket base in Goldenrod City]

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[It's been something of a long day, really, though Kimblee really can't say why - there have been frustrations, surely, but nothing more than what he's accustomed to dealing with on a daily basis.

That said, however, there have still been frustrations. Whether he wants to deal with them or not. Right now there's currently a very large frustration that's been locked up in his closet again, just because the damn thing has neither psychic powers nor hands and it's taken to zapping the Pokéballs out of his grasp when he tries to recall it. Hopefully neither he nor Archer will need anything in that closet anytime soon, because this is just getting ridiculous...]

For those of you who have experience dealing with more...ah, difficult companions, how would you recommend dealing with them? Mind you, I'm not talking finicky, I'm talking about nigh-on homicidal; is there a way to repair one's relationship with them when it's that far gone, or should I just not even bother?

[Not that he knows what to do if the answer is "don't bother" because he suspects releasing a microchipped starter will go over like complete and utter hell, but that is beside the point.]

[ACTION]

[Kimblee isn't straying far from the base today; if anything, he's taken to holing himself up harder into it when he's not dealing with his psychopath of an Electrode. Letting the damn thing evolve had been a mistake; between that and all the other issues that he's very decidedly not wanting to discuss with anyone, he's more than happy to just shut himself in one of the training rooms and set it up to his liking.

Admittedly, the thing looks less like a proper training facility and more like the world's most suicidal parkour-based obstacle course; anyone who comes in to see what on earth's going on in here today may take a moment to find him, but that's likely because they just aren't looking high enough - he's settled on one of the world's most precariously-positioned ledges near the damn ceiling, legs crossed at the knee, and he's taking a moment to get his breath from whatever it was he was just doing.

Yes, he's still wearing the three-piece suit, complete with gloves, though his tie has come undone somewhat and his collar is slipping open; if you can get him to come the hell down from his position (and he'll be easily convinced, if he notices you) it'll become plain quickly enough that there are bandages wrapped around his throat, though there isn't any blood on them.

He seems pretty keyed-up there, though; outside of the vaguely unkempt appearance of his clothing, he's shaking somewhat and those two loose strands of hair at the front have been joined by a few others that have slipped loose from that long ponytail. His gaze is pretty manic-looking, though not to the point of looking like he'll bite anyone's face off just yet; at least there's that to be thankful for.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Isaac never would have imagined he'd get to set foot in Team Rocket's base. He's almost insulted that they were hiding in such plain sight and no one noticed them. But now that he's a member of the organization, he can't give up their location without being thrown in jail, if not pursued by the organization for quite some time afterwards. Well, he has no intention of making a target out of himself - not yet, at least. He does remember what he's been told about that, and he doesn't want anyone to worry about him.

Though really, the only person left in Johto who would worry about him is Kimblee, and even that's something of an odd relationship.

Isaac arrived not long ago, waking up in the Team Rocket base instead of back home or in New Bark Town. It didn't take him long to put the pieces together and he immediately called Emmy for confirmation. It would be easier than talking to Kimblee, but Emmy had left Johto. He did try calling Kimblee after that, but he hung up before he could even leave a message. He wasn't sure what to say. It had been awhile, hadn't it? What if Kimblee had moved on? What if he didn't want anything to do with Isaac anymore?

But those thoughts weren't what he was focused on today; Isaac had discovered the training facility and was making damn good use of it, usually in the early mornings and late at night to avoid anyone else. Today was the exception, and that was only because he was ridiculously wound-up for some reason he couldn't quite explain.

It looks as though someone else has been using the training room though. Isaac glances around, wondering if there's still anyone else in here. It certainly doesn't look like it. Huh. They should have put away their stuff before leaving, but Isaac can't really complain. Suicidal parkour-based obstacle courses sound fun as hell right about now!

Clearly you won't mind if he makes use of this, right Kimblee?]

[Kimblee had heard the call a few days ago, surely, though he hadn't been able to answer it at the moment; he'd not been in too much contact with too many people for the last several days, really. He'd spoken to Locke, of course, and he'd responded to a few of the lost ones who had just recently arrived, but otherwise? He wasn't exactly in the mood for the device and the people on it; he was a bit too worked-up for that, and there was no sense in making a bad impression immediately, was there? Of course there wasn't.

For the time being he's content to stay where he is, even after he hears someone come in; with any luck they'll leave so that he can be left to his own dev-

...oh.

For a good long moment he doesn't say anything; he can hear himself humming something softly, just under his breath but more than enough to resonate in his own head - it's just enough to confirm that no, this is something that's definitely happening, not something his mind is making up.

It's undoubtably Isaac. Here.

And after a moment of staring and trying to figure out what he thinks about Isaac showing up in Johto again, he's hit by the sudden realization that shit, Isaac is here, in the base, and there is literally no way that this can end in anything but horrific disaster and - ]

Isaac - !

[...and he's going to be calling to him anyway, at least as much as he's capable - yelling has never really been his strong suit, it still isn't now, but at least he manages to get some volume behind it.]

[It takes Isaac a second to register that the voice he's hearing is Kimblee's, and it takes him even longer to realize that of course it's Kimblee's. Who else would set up an obstacle course like this? Isaac finally stops what he's doing and turns in the direction of the voice, glancing upwards to finally see Kimblee.]

Ah, hey, Kimblee. I didn't see you there.

[Obviously...]

It's... nice to see you again. How are you doing?

[Right, just talk like everything is perfectly fine and dandy, good job.]

[It takes Kimblee a moment to get his face to stop doing...whatever his face is surely doing; that wide-eyed staring takes a second to fade. However, when it does it leaves the usual placidity in its wake.]

Mm...I can't complain, really.

[He uncrosses his legs and jumps down from his current vantage point, finding purchase on one of the more solid landing points and folding his arms low across his body, the gesture idle.]

It's been a while, hasn't it?

[The question, too, is casual enough, when it comes to the way he says it; there's nothing overtly pointed in his tone. Just the same, he wants to see how Isaac responds - just how long has he been here? Hopefully not since the end of last month...]

Ah, yeah, I guess it has been.

[Isaac absently reaches up to tug on the stray strand of hair before he can stop himself. Once he realizes what he's doing, he's quick to stop and fold his arms. He shouldn't be nervous around Kimblee of all people.]

I mean, I only got here yesterday, but apparently it's been a long time. Sorry about that. I mean, it's not my fault but...

[Ugh, he's so eloquent today.]

Yesterday...?

[His expression flickers a little at that, but he's quick to settle again; there's no sense in getting worked up about it, he's dealt with that enough today.]

I'm rather aware that it isn't your fault - I was taken from this place a while back as well. In March, I believe it was; I returned toward the beginning of May.

[He notices that odd flicker in Kimblee's expression, but Kimblee does a good job covering it and Isaac simply lets it go. What Kimblee has to say is far more interesting anyway.]

So you weren't here on your own this whole time? That's good. Well, I mean not good since you were--

[...dead - yeah, let's not go there.]

Right, well. I'm glad to be back.

[...He might be purposefully avoiding talking about Team Rocket.]

It's good to have you, believe me.

[And it is, really; that doesn't change how awkward this is.

It's not going to get any better, either; there is the matter of that elephant in the room and all.]

...So you woke up...here.

...Yeah, here. Not in New Bark Town.

[Isaac shifts a bit, but he doesn't break eye contact with Kimblee.]

I don't know why I'm here or why I'm a member of Team Rocket, but that's what the note said. I'm guessing it was the same for you?

[God, this is only going to end terribly, he can see it already.]

...Yes, exactly. Archer's here as well, in the same situation, though I doubt that much surprises you.

No, it really doesn't.

[If anyone deserves to be in this organization, it's Archer.]

Is this where you woke up the first time you showed up in Johto?

[It's something he's been suspecting for awhile now, but he's never actually asked Kimblee about it. He wants to believe that Kimblee was a trainer and just joined the organization to stop Archer from doing anything too stupid, but he's not naive. He knows Kimblee's not as good as he'd like to believe he is. But Isaac can't see Kimblee willingly working for Team Rocket. It just doesn't seem like something he'd do. So he does believe that Kimblee is trying to take down the organization - why else would he be here?

The obvious answer goes sailing straight over his head, like always.]

[Kimblee freezes a bit at that; Isaac had never questioned this before, and he can't be sure why he's starting now - he'd always been content to go along with the story that Kimblee had given him, that he'd been brought into the organization by Archer. Why is he questioning it, that's not good, not good at all - ]

...it isn't.

[He knows he could just leave it at that and Isaac likely wouldn't press; Isaac's never been good at reading social cues and Kimblee knows it. But now that he's in the damn organization, it could just be a matter of asking the wrong person...]

Archer and I both woke up in the organization last time, but it was different then. It was far less organized, for one thing; we were also in a different location entirely, another base that's since fallen into disuse. So...yes and no, I suppose.

...I see.

[Isaac's expression doesn't alter any, nor does his tone. He still sounds vaguely displeased and disappointed, but in reality he's somewhat relieved. Kimblee wouldn't lie to him about this - not if he wasn't in the organization to begin with.]

So you've been in Team Rocket for awhile.

[He decides it's better not to talk about this while they're in the organization's headquarters itself, and shrugs a bit.]

I appreciate you telling me the truth. I would've preferred to hear it earlier, but there's no changing the past.

[He sure as hell knows that.]

We'll talk about that later. I'm just glad you're still here. Or, well, that you came back.

[Isaac doesn't seem to realize it, but he's given Kimblee time to come up with something to tell him - to try to find some way to explain away all the issues and reconcile them with what he told him last time they were both here. He has to admit he's relieved; if he were a better person, he'd probably feel guilty about it.

However...

But all of that can wait, can't it? Obviously, Isaac seems content to move on, and Kimblee is more than willing to allow it.]

Consider the sentiment returned, Isaac; it really is good to see you again.

I'm glad to hear that.

[And judging by how quickly he's relaxing, he really is. He even offers Kimblee an awkward smile after a moment.]

Shame we're so far from Mahogany now. I guess it'll be awhile before we've got enough funds - and strong enough Pokémon - to get back up there.

[Mahogany. He'd met Isaac up in that area just a few weeks ago...

Shame he doesn't remember any of it, really; it was a good time.]

Indeed; I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it. I imagine you'll be wanting to see those caves again, when we return?

Yeah, of course! Hopefully no one else has settled in that area while we've been away.

[Though judging from the half-smirk, Isaac knows no one else would ever want to set foot in Mahogany. Oh well, their loss!]

Somehow I think we'll be left alone. Of course, there's still the matter of Archer to contend with, but that was more or less a given; most others don't seem too fond of the place for some reason.

[Most people just want to get the hell out; Kimblee can't say he blames them. He and Archer were the same way; sometimes he suspects Archer is still the same way.]

At least this particular building is reasonably secure; I know you're not too fond of the large cities, but we'll know if anyone tries to get in here that shouldn't be, believe me.

I can't wait to get out of here.

[It is somewhat comforting to know that this place is secure, but it is in the middle of a big city and Isaac's never been fond of that.]

Of course, I can't leave until I'm done with my training, and even then it's not like I can really go anywhere. I've got a lot of training to do.

[He actually sounds kind of excited about that, though! Training is always fun!]

Oh?

And what are you planning on doing, once that training of yours is done? You can't get away with providing nothing for this organization, as long as you're in it.

You think I don't know that? I figure it'd be easier to get away undetected in a smaller city.

[He doesn't like the idea of stealing from people, but if he has to do it, he's going to make sure he isn't caught.]

By what logic? There are fewer people to suspect in a smaller city, especially if there aren't many "foreigners" there to begin with - what do you think their first thought is going to be, if a few show up and then a rash of thefts takes place?

[...

you know

he really hates that you're this good at this]

Yeah, well...

[.............shut up.]

Alright, alright, you've got a point. I guess I've got no choice but to stay here for the time being.

[Ugh.]

[Honestly, he hates that he's this good at this - petty thievery has never been his thing, and now he's starting over again with that as his only option.]

I'm willing to assist you if you need it, but you're going to have to come up with things that are more thought-through than that.

Yeah, I guess so. I'll run any future ideas by you first, alright?

[The last thing he needs is Kimblee's help with this. He does have some pride left, after all!]

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