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

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

[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.]

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

If you insist, Isaac.

[Good man!]

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

[But he won't!]

Again, if you insist.

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

[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.]

...oh, come now. What's that look for?

[His words are decidedly calmer, however, and far lighter in tone; he wasn't exactly expecting that reaction, what the hell.]

Ah, it's nothing, I just...

[............]

...Are you really that mad at me?

[What is subtlety??]

[...CLEARLY NOT SOMETHING YOU POSSESS, ISAAC, GOOD LORD.]

Ah...no, I'm not angry; it's fine.

You don't usually snap at me like that, that's all!

[Oh god, there's a social cue somewhere in there he missed, wasn't there?]

Will you calm down?

[...god damn it. Kimblee is usually far more patient than this with Isaac's...issues, but there's a difference between having him panic like this outside of the base and having him do it within the organization's walls; one is decidedly more acceptable than the other, especially since he can't go around offering the sort of physical comfort Isaac tends to like when he gets like this. Not out in the open, not here; he has his own reputation to protect here.]

...let's take this to your room, all right? Somewhere not quite so public, where anyone can walk in. Will that be fine?

[There's a moment there where Isaac has absolutely no idea what to do with his expression. It's closer to blank-staring than the usual expression of surprise and anxiety. Kimblee hasn't snapped at him like this since Ishval, and they've certainly come a long way since then.

He doesn't respond to the question right away simply because his initial response is to say no and storm off. Part of the reason why he's always been so font of Kimblee is that Kimblee understands and he's patient with Isaac. He doesn't get frustrated and snap at Isaac for no reason he can see (although admittedly Isaac does sometimes miss very obvious reasons, which is what he hopes the case is here).

The fact that Kimblee is losing his patience put Isaac on edge. He's not fully aware of how tense he's gotten or just how long it's taking him to form an answer.]

...Yeah. Sure.

[He doesn't wait for Kimblee to respond, instead moving to leave the room and lead the way back to the room he woke up in. It isn't his room - it's Team Rocket's room. It's a room he's borrowing until he can figure out what to do about the organization. For the time being it seems he has nothing to do but play along and hope for the best. He's not powerful enough to take down Team Rocket on his own and even if he were to get help from the outside, Team Rocket's higher-ups could crush him before they'd have a chance to intervene. That's also assuming Isaac is socially competent enough to figure out just who opposes Team Rocket without flat-out asking.

Anyway, he enters the room and immediately makes his way to the back wall, leaning against it, arms folded. He's not aware he's mimicking Kimblee's usual stance. Isaac doesn't speak, waiting for Kimblee to offer some sort of explanation or excuse.]

[Kimblee is incredibly aware of what Isaac's doing against that far wall; it bothers him to some degree, but he tries to let it go for now. Isaac doesn't seem aware of exactly how much he mimics him, on a regular basis; now isn't the time to make him aware of that.

That said, however, he doesn't remain back by the wall himself; he approaches Isaac as soon as he's certain the door has latched closed behind them, though he doesn't reach out to try to touch him at all. He doesn't hesitate, however; he's aware that Isaac is expecting some sort of explanation, and so he just starts with it immediately.]

This isn't like Mahogany, or one of our dates - we can't be as open with each other here, not in the commonly used rooms like that.

You have my apologies for snapping at you, however; that was uncalled for. Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

[The answer comes easily, but it's incredibly defensive. Is he fine? Kimblee's explanation makes sense, yes; of course they can't be as open here as they could be back in Mahogany. He understands that much, but that doesn't explain why Kimblee snapped at him in the first place. If he's right (and he's usually right about this sort of thing), then Kimblee's finally gotten sick of his inability to pick up on simple social cues and will tell him that he's not interested in dealing with that anymore. At least Kimblee has the decency to tell him, unlike some of the people Isaac's dealt with in the past. Ironic, Kimblee having the decency that others don't? It's almost funny.

This was a really bad idea, he shouldn't have brought Kimblee back here. He can't escape here, which is looking more and more appealing. He tenses a bit, trying to come up with some excuse to get out of here so he doesn't have to deal with the inevitable rejection that he's only managed to avoid due to sheer luck and Kimblee's patience. It figures that he got too comfortable with this only for it to fall apart. It figures.]

It's alright. I'm fine.

[Not really.]

[Sensing the general feelings of others has always been something Kimblee is innately good at; it had started as a simple defensive reaction - he had no empathy for others, he had no way to understand why they thought and felt as they did, and so about the only thing he could do was try to figure out when things shifted in an unfavorable direction and work backwards from there. Over the years, that...talent, if it could even be called that, had developed into something far more useful; the ability to sense intent has been something that he's been utilized for here more times than he can count.

Basically, Isaac, if you think that he's not going to pick up that something is seriously wrong with this, then you have another thought coming to you.]

...come now, Isaac, don't do that. You know there's no need for that.

[His tone is careful; it's softened a good amount, but that's because he's forcing it down. Again, he's aware that Isaac probably won't be able to tell; he hopes Isaac won't be able to tell.]

Talk to me?

[As usual, Isaac doesn't realize that Kimblee is forcing his tone into something calmer; as far as he can tell, it's completely natural. He does relax a little, but doesn't unfold his arms or step forward.]

...I guess I'm just a little nervous about why you snapped at me. Are you... are you bothered by... how I am?

[He frowns, trying to come up with some way to better explain it.]

I mean, my... inability to pick up on social cues. I get why you'd get sick of it; believe me, you wouldn't be the first.

[Another pause.]

I don't mean to make you feel bad about it or anything like that! I just want to know if that's what's happening.

[It takes all of Kimblee's effort to not allow himself to visibly display how relieved he is that that's literally the entire issue here; he really can't afford for anything with Isaac to go south right now, especially not now that he's in a position to follow Kimblee's actions and know what he's doing. Having Isaac here means that he'll be able to oppose Kimblee far more directly; there will be less of a chance for true secrecy.

The thought doesn't sit well with him, but he can work with it; it's not like he hasn't improvised his way out of situations before.

As it stands, his expression flickers a good amount but he keeps it under control; he moves closer, not quite invading Isaac's space, but more than close enough to touch if Isaac feels so inclined. It's a physical cue Kimblee's grown accustomed to using with him; it's an invitation, not a demand, but it's extended just the same.]

That isn't the case at all, Isaac; you know I would tell you if it were something like that. All of this is just very unexpected, that's all - I wasn't expecting to see you here. There are many things that need to be taken into account; I suppose it's making me more on-edge than usual.

But it's nothing you've done, I can assure you of that much.

[Isaac brightens considerably at that. Kimblee wouldn't lie to him about this, right? Of course not.]

You mean it?

[He finally unfolds his arms, reaching out to take Kimblee's hand rather than pull him into a hug.]

That means a lot to me. Thanks.

[Kimblee is more than willing to accept that grip on his hand, though he has to admit he's surprised at it; he arches an eyebrow a little, though he's clearly more amused than anything.]

Don't mention it, Isaac - though there's hardly any need for you to be so distant with me.

[Well, that's all the encouragement he needs. Isaac pulls Kimblee into a tight hug then, grinning. He can't help but feel relieved; everything is okay. He wasn't misreading this at least! There aren't any words for how happy he is to just get to do this again, even though it doesn't feel like it's been very long for him.]

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

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