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

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT]

[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.]

Comments

[glaciates]

[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.]

[explosivecombat]

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.

[glaciates]

...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?

[explosivecombat]

[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.

[glaciates]

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.]

[explosivecombat]

[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.

[glaciates]

...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.

[explosivecombat]

[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.

[glaciates]

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.

[explosivecombat]

[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?

[glaciates]

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!]

[explosivecombat]

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.

[glaciates]

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!]

[explosivecombat]

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.

[glaciates]

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.]

[explosivecombat]

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?

[glaciates]

[...

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.]

[explosivecombat]

[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.

[glaciates]

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!]

[explosivecombat]

[...oh, come the hell on.]

That wasn't quite what I meant, but suit yourself, Isaac.

[glaciates]

I can handle it myself.

[Hey, come on, he's good at sneaking up on people, that has to count for something, right?]

[explosivecombat]

[...look, he is not arguing this with you, all right?]

If you insist, Isaac.

[glaciates]

[Good man!]

I do. If I really need help, I'll come to you.

[But he won't!]

[explosivecombat]

Again, if you insist.

Was there anything else? I have my own training to return to, after all.

[glaciates]

[Ouch. That's not exactly what he was expecting. Is Kimblee really all that upset with him?]

No, I guess not. I'll see you later...?

[It sounds more like a question than anything else.]