003. [Voice/Action for Route 44]

[explosivecombat]

[AUDIO]

[Kimblee has been fairly absentee for the last few days; when his connection becomes active over the PGC, it...well, it might not be exactly clear as to why, but it goes a long way toward explaining it, at least in part.

The connection snaps to life suddenly, though it isn't a video feed - this is entirely sound, the Voice connection having kicked in as the Gear hits the ground hard. The audio isn't simply white noise, however, nor is it entirely the ever-present background music threading its way through one of the routes near Mahogany Town; that music is present for a brief moment after the Gear connects with the ground, only to be violently interrupted by the unmistakable sound of something blowing the hell up.

Depending on your particular point of view, however, what's possibly more disconcerting than the sudden eruption is the sound that follows immediately after it - it's a bizarre, harsh combination of laughing and shrieking, the sound pitchy and manic and completely uncontrolled. It carries on at about the same utterly deranged clip for quite some time before slowly dying down as the person in question gets a hold of himself; when Kimblee speaks, however, his voice is still shaking hard, and it's obvious he's still not...quite as in control as he'd like to be.]

...beautiful...absolutely beautiful!

[A brief pause.]

That was better...it's been quite a while since I've heard something so moving. Yes, that was much, much better. Such a beautiful sound...

[And then there's the usual white-noise sounds that are a bit hard to distinguish, rustling and footsteps and the like, followed by something that's decidedly more distinct: after a moment, there's something that's definitely singing audible over the connection - not any particular words, or any particular tune, even, just vocalized nonsyllables that Kimblee seems to be making up as he goes, but from the sound of it he's very, very content, if a bit unstable.

And then the feed cuts off.]

[ACTION]

[A short while after that audio post hits the network (the posting itself the result of a somewhat awkward grab at the Gear once he'd realized he'd dropped it), Kimblee can still be found on Route 44; he's no longer screamingly manic, but he definitely looks...rough, for lack of a better term. His hair is draped haphazardly over his left shoulder, the usual long ponytail mussed up and disheveled; his eyes are distant, holding a bit of an unfocused, wild look to them, and despite the fact that he doesn't look like he's slept in some time, there's a general sense of manic energy about him that hasn't quite faded.

This may or may not have to do with the obvious signs of those explosions in his general vicinity, as well as the fact that he's in the process of recalling a rather fainted Electrode to its Pokéball.

...well. Someone seems to have figured out exactly what Selfdestruct does; as a result, Kimblee's a bit...worked up. To put it lightly.]

Comments

[Action.] I think I can actually do it this time.

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[Gorthan had hypothesized the existence of such a side to Kimblee, just as he had hypothesized the existence of such a side to Voltorb... well, Electrode now.

With two newly evolved Pokémon on his team, Gorthan was about to set out to cross the Mount Mortar caves and get to Ecruteak, but then... that message alters his course slightly. His suspicions are confirmed when he sees - are those craters?

Gorthan approaches with a careful step, a Kirlia at his side, and a quote from the Bard.]

"For 'tis the sport to have the engineer
Hoist with his own petard; an't shall go hard
But I will delve one yard below their mines
And blow them at the moon."

Are you alright, Red Lotus?

[action] you can do this thing \o/

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee looks over as Gorthan speaks; he doesn't move from where he's standing, and once Electrode is recalled he doesn't seem terribly sure of where to put his hands; he settles for folding them low across his abdomen, and though the gesture is more casual than defensive, his fingers are curling into the fabric in his sleeves, bunching it up and releasing it.

He's still got those gloves on; there's no point in having them off, even through force of habit, when he can create satisfying explosions otherwise, though he can't say that he wasn't tempted to remove them.

He's still rather twitchy, and he doesn't seem to recognize that quote, as per usual; at the very least, he doesn't seem too inclined to be openly aggressive, though that look in his eyes is still very, very alive.]

I'm more than "all right," Gorthan.

[He smiles; it doesn't do anything to offset the general effect he's giving off. But his words come easily; that odd, shaking quality to them seems to have tapered off a good amount.]

Did I worry you? It wasn't my intention.

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

Yes, I imagined as much. So who isn't alright? I want to believe that wasn't just for the sake of it. Also, stay still.

[He quickly walks over to Kimblee and, without a warning, Gorthan will press the back of his hand against Kimblee's forehead.]

[voice]

[shellderkillder.livejournal.com]

... You are Mr. Kimblee, yes?

[So he's deranged. Good to know.]

[voice]

[explosivecombat]

[Just thought he'd warn you!

However, when he replies to that voice message, he does seem to have calmed down a bit; there's still a certain intensity to his voice, but at the very least he isn't shaking all over. At least not nearly as badly.]

...I am.

[voice]

[shellderkillder.livejournal.com]

... Was anyone harmed?

[ACTION]

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[It's been a rough past couple of days in terms of sleeping, but at least Archer is still managing to look somewhat composed. He's been out training as well - that cat certainly won't train herself, now will she? - but while taking a break and browsing the network, that voice post immediately changes any plans he might have had for the rest of the day.]

[Great, Kimblee's gone insane. Well, better go collect the crazy thing before he scares the NPCs any further.]

[So less than ten minutes later, Archer finally locates Kimblee and approaches, still carrying that kitten. He seems to have taken a page from Kimblee's book regarding Dorian; he's certainly not letting that kitten walk anywhere.]

What the hell was that? Did you have to post to the network broadcasting just how crazy you are?

[Despite the (nearly disgusted) tone and the harsh words, Archer's expression isn't quite as controlled as he thinks it is. Kimblee's crazy - he knew that, of course - but it's still a rather frightening thing to face, especially when it's this version and here.]

Is your alchemy finally working? [That's really the only explanation for this, isn't it?]

[...let's assume action forever here]

[explosivecombat]

[Well, hello there, Archer. It might be prudent to be less worried about him scaring the NPCs and more worried about that...whatever it is that he just accidentally flailed all over the network, but Kimblee's feeling a bit too completely awake to care.

He looks over at Archer, though he lets the man yell; though his gaze is still manic, the look in his eyes distant, he doesn't seem too inclined to fight with him right now. Instead, he slips his hands into his pockets, fingers toying with the inside folds of his clothing once he's done so; he's smiling when he turns to face him fully, though the expression...isn't exactly a nice one.]

Would you like me to apologize for that post, then? I can assure you that it wasn't intentional, at the very least.

[His voice is no longer shaking when he speaks, at least not nearly as badly; at the same time, there's a strangely uneven quality behind his words. Barely controlled, really.]

As for my alchemy...unfortunately not; that's working about as well as it was before. However, it seems this world is presenting other ways for me to carry out my work.

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[If there was any chance of Archer making eye contact before, there certainly isn't now. Instead he'll just be playing with that cat if you don't mind. He hasn't seen Kimblee like this before and it's creepy to understate it horribly.]

Indeed? How so?

[Archer glances at Kimblee for a moment, curious. If it isn't alchemy, then the chimeras must be capable of that sort of thing, right? But which of Kimblee's would possibly...?]

...Your Voltorb? [Well it certainly can't be Dorian or Carlisle, and it's probably not Morat. Though really, if that thing could explode it might be slightly better off. Honestly, that thing disturbs him more than Kimblee's obvious insanity at the moment.]

[Audio]

[king-of-flames.livejournal.com]

[Oh. SHIT. Roy's worst fears just came true.

Quick. Compose yourself!]

...Use it for anything but Pokémon battles and I'll hunt you down like a dog.

[audio]

[explosivecombat]

[Well, hello there, Mustang; it's been a little while, hasn't it?

As composed though you may be, Kimblee isn't exactly returning the favor entirely, let's put it that way; most of the tremors are out of his voice, at least, but there's still something...decidedly not right with him when he replies.]

Now, now - if I didn't know any better, I'd say you don't trust me very much.

[Of course you don't.]

[audio]

[king-of-flames.livejournal.com]

You don't need to be the Eastern Sage to figure that one out.

[Roy, on the other hand, has nothing but contempt in his voice.]

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

[Well then. It looks like this version of Kimblee isn't as different from the one Envy is familiar with after all, at least in regard to explosions. Envy's first thought is that he's gotten his alchemy back, but that isn't possible, is it? It isn't as though there aren't plenty of other ways to make things explode.]

Enjoying yourself, are you?

[video]

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee isn't exactly composed when he responds, though he isn't nearly as uncontrolled as he was previously, either; he's still looking incredibly disheveled (well...as disheveled as he'll really allow himself to get, anyway) and that strange, distant look is still present in his gaze, but at the very least he's holding the Gear steady and the video isn't shaking all over.

That said, that smile isn't necessarily a nice one.]

That's certainly one way of putting it.

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

Well, the singing was a hint. I wouldn't have guessed the Crimson Alchemist was musical. [He's content to be pleasant for the moment, although his expression isn't necessarily nice either. He's not alarmed by any lingering instability, or really by the original feed either. He's half hoping that this will lead to something interesting happening.]

Did you make the explosives yourself or were you just lucky enough to come into possession of an exploding Pokemon?

[Video]

[vengefulyears]

[Oh, well Clive wasn't expecting to hear the sound of an explosion all of a sudden... How on Earth did he even do that? But what's even more bizarre is his commentary afterwards. He's... not entirely sure how to feel about this, since this also reminds him an awful lot of what he should be doing in London right now... But he'll go with his gut instinct and ask the following question:]

You didn't hurt anyone, did you?

[video]

[explosivecombat]

[Well, you are getting a rather disheveled Kimblee for your effort, Clive; he isn't a complete mess by any means, but that long black ponytail is rather mussed where it's draped over his shoulder, and the look in his eyes is still a bit wild. That said, however, he sounds a bit calmer than he had previously; he's even managing to keep the Gear steady! This is...improvement...dear lord, he's having a bit too much fun today.]

I'm not that reckless; no one has been harmed.

[Audio]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

[He's not going to waste time for once.]

What exploded? And were you responsible or merely admiring?

[Because he may have work for a demolitions expert.]

[audio]

[explosivecombat]

Well, well! If it isn't our future ruler himself.

[There's something still...not right with Kimblee's voice - it's a bit too rushed, too breathless to sound normal, but at the very least most of the tremors has stopped, and he's not shrieking into the device. This is good!]

Normally I would be happy to take credit for something like that, but my natural talents don't seem to work in this place. However, this world has apparently seen fit to present me with other ways to carry out my work.

These chimeras are very useful things indeed, you know.

[Audio]

[fullmetalbro.livejournal.com]

WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!

[audio]

[explosivecombat]

[Oh just take his ear off why don't you - and given that he was just standing next to an explosion, that's saying something, Fullmetal.

However, when he responds he does seem to have calmed down some; his voice is still shaking a bit, but most of the major tremors seem to have been worked out of his system, at least.]

My, my - relax, Fullmetal. I can assure you that I haven't injured or killed anyone.

[homofuckiens.livejournal.com]

[explosivecombat]

Well, well. Shall I offer you an apology?

As it stands, it was unfortunately nothing terribly interesting.

voice; || lateylatelate

[usedrecover.livejournal.com]

Did you discover something going boom, Kimblee? [ ..... ): okay no excuses here comes the headaches. She'll just be pouring a glass of water right now. ]

voice - no worries at all!

[explosivecombat]

[Well, well, look who it is.]

That's one way of putting it, I suppose.