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

[explosivecombat]

Of course. As I've said, I don't force it to faint every time - that isn't terribly conducive to training it, after all. The higher the level, the more it improves in terms of destructive power.

[And the less it...completely hates him!]

Really, it's to my benefit to not use that move constantly; that doesn't mean I don't use it once in a while for my own enjoyment.

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

...Which only makes you want to force it to explode even more, correct?

[That said, Archer's actually relaxing a bit. He could be reading Kimblee wrong, but it seems like the other man is calming down a bit.]

"Once in a while," Kimblee? [Archer tilts his head toward the numerous little craters here and there.] It certainly looks like it has been awhile. Perhaps you should continue blowing up the landscape until there's nothing left.

[His tone is much lighter now and it's clear that he's only teasing. That sudden display of insanity was certainly shocking, but had he really expected anything else? Yes, this man is a version of the Kimbley he knew. That doesn't mean they're identical, and this one has been so good at masking his special brand of insanity. It's just times like this when he's reminded just how mad this man is.]

[...Of course he gets over it quickly; why would he want to spend the time to consider everything Kimblee has done and worry about it? He can't use alchemy here, therefore Archer is safe.]

[explosivecombat]

[You're incredibly optimistic in regards to what Kimblee can and can't do with you; there are plenty of ways to kill a man without using alchemy. And even if death isn't permanent here, that doesn't mean he isn't still capable of making your life very, very unpleasant.

But that is neither here nor there; he is, indeed, calming down, however.]

As appealing though that option may be, I'm afraid my priorities really don't allow it.

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

No, of course not. We do have things to take care of.

[That earns a smirk; as long as Kimblee's no longer so openly crazy, he should be perfectly fine.]

I take it you've been training your others as well?

[explosivecombat]

Of course, Archer. They do have a long way to go yet, after all - I'm not going to go easy on them. [...except for maybe Dorian because BATTLING IS HARD AND NO ONE UNDERSTANDS...] Don't worry, I'm perfectly capable of remaining focused - especially now that something has become fairly plain to me.

[He pauses for a moment after it's out there, reaching for one of those red-and-white capsules at his belt and releasing the creature inside.

Say hello to Mariya; she is a Bellsprout that Kimblee has trained for approximately five minutes. You may remember her; the last time you saw her, she was in the process of disintegrating while you and her trainer looked on awkwardly.]

I imagine you recall the capture that was made in your presence a while back? It seems we're permitted to have more than six after all.

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[Archer lifts an eyebrow when Kimblee reaches for another Pokéball, and the skeptical look doesn't leave even when the Bellsprout emerges. They're relatively common in the area; perhaps Kimblee decided to catch another one to add another member to his team. He doesn't get a chance to voice those thoughts before Kimblee informs him of exactly what this Pokémon is.]

You mean...? This is the one we saw...? But how? Where did it go? That's not possible!

[...Kimblee could just be pulling some sort of stupid prank on him, but honestly? Archer doesn't believe that this version would stoop to something that juvenile.]

[explosivecombat]

Are you aware of the devices in the healing centers - the ones near the counters? Apparently they're capable of storing capsules containing your captures; I deposited and withdrew one of mine several times, and it seems to work consistently.

This one was in there, when I checked.

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[Oh, that's what those people have been calling "PCs" right? Archer nods after a moment, but quells the temptation to go examine it right this moment.]

I see. That certainly does make things easier. I fail to see why we are only allowed to carry six, but it's better not to question the arbitrary rules of this world.

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee tips his head a bit at that, a smirk playing about his features.]

It's nice to see you're back to that policy, I suppose - hopefully you'll hold to it, regardless of whatever else happens to come out of those eggs.

[There's a mildly pointed tone behind his words, there, but overall he seems fairly relaxed about that little incident now; no harm done in the end, really.]

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's much better not to think about it. I'll make sure to keep that in mind in the future.

[Archer's smirk is weak at best; he is thoroughly embarrassed by that display. He's not used to losing control so easily - at least not when it comes to openly freaking out.]

I've actually purchased another egg. [The egg is actually back at the base; he didn't want to risk putting that in danger had Kimblee decided to attack or something.] Something called a "Houndour." I've been informed that it's a Fire-type.

[explosivecombat]

[Oh, come now! He's still deriving benefit from you, and you're tolerable enough on most days - he has no reason to attack you.

...unless he's given orders to, or you do something that makes it clear that doing so is necessary. At which point, yes, you're going to die.]

Oh? [So much headtilting at the mention of that egg, good sir.] Houndour...I didn't take you to be the sort to care much for dogs, Archer.

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[Well, you are another version of Kimbley, and he would attack if he damn well felt like it. Thankfully he never attacked Archer...]

[It's not something he's going to think about now, though. Instead he focuses on Kimblee's remark.]

A dog? No, I've never cared for dogs. What are you talking about?

[Somehow or other the most literal-minded person in the world has managed to miss the pun in the Pokémon's name. It takes some serious skill to be this amazing.]

[explosivecombat]

[...Ar...cher...]

...can you do me a favor and please think about the thing's name for a moment...?

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[Uh oh, there's that look again. What did he say this time?]

Houndour; I don't see--

[...Hound.]

[Hold on, facepalming now.]

[explosivecombat]

I assume we're on the same page now...?

[Because the only other explanation is that you just managed to hurt yourself somehow, though he wouldn't be surprised either way.]

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

...Yes. Yes we are.

[His life, what is his life.]

[explosivecombat]

Well, then! That's good, at the very least.

[So awkward he could die!]

I assume this purchase is to give you something of an advantage over the local gym?

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[Good, because it's awkward on this end too!]

Yes; it was the only Fire-type this person was selling. I do hope it will be useful.

[explosivecombat]

Don't we all.

[He can just imagine the amount of bitching if it's not.]