007. [Text/Action for Violet City]

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT]

I ask that you forgive the morbidity of the question, but I find that there are some things that can't exactly go unasked -

I've heard rumors that if one dies in Johto, one doesn't exactly remain that way; has anyone actually proven this? If so, whom, and by what means?

[ACTION]

[Early afternoon in Violet City will see Kimblee dressed like quite possibly the world's most pretentious horseback rider, what with the black pants tucked into the pale grey knee-high boots, an amber shirt that's perhaps far too nice for the occasion, and the usual thick gloves over his hands, the ends of which disappear neatly under his sleeves. It would look halfway appropriate were he in the company of...I don't know, a Rapidash or something similar, but instead he's got Carlisle out in front of him. Kimblee seems to be checking over his murder mammoth, who's been at a bit less than 100% after almost a week of constant pushing to get to Violet City in the first place; however, after several days' rest, he seems to be doing fine. Kimblee is singing to himself as he circles the creature; it's not entirely perfect, but it's a decent mimickry of the tune Emmy was singing a few days ago.

Either way, he doesn't seem to be bothered by the fact that holy balls it's cold out here; hell, he's not even Blofelding it up with his Pineco right now. Obviously, whatever it is he's doing, he's a man on a mission. Or something.]

Comments

[determinator]

Who?

[There isn't anyone Archer saw on the network of any interest recently, it's possible they sent something filtered to Kimblee though. If this is anything like what happened with Emmy then hell no he's not going to let Kimblee meet with this person.]

[...You shut up, you'll listen to his orders if he gives them.]

I actually need to meet someone there as well; I was going to ask if you wanted to come with me.

[explosivecombat]

No one that's of any interest to you, I'm sure; he's from my version of Amestris - someone I knew in the military, back in Ishval.

[you are so mad, holy shit -

...OH JUST INVITE YOURSELF ALONG WHY DON'T YOU]

...and in other words, you wanted to use Carlisle for this expedition of yours.

[determinator]

I see.

[Well then, it's best to go with Kimblee to keep an eye on him and make sure this isn't another Emmy, right? Of course he's right, he's always right!]

[And he is the epitome of subtlety, you shush.]

Oh of course. I figured you wouldn't mind.

[And if you did, he'd just drag you with him! ...Actually he was planning on that from the start, but you don't need to know that!]

[explosivecombat]

[...oh my god why are you so mad

jfc he can tell that you're mad from here]

...if that's the case, then I have something for you; I was intending on giving it to you before I left as it was, to ensure that you wouldn't have to rely on me.

[+1 Pokéball, Archer, it's yours.]

That's one of the giant snakes from the caves; it's only level 11, but it should serve transportation purposes well enough.

[determinator]

[Oh my god, you got him something? You're the best bro ever--]

[WHY ARE YOU GIVING HIM ONE OF THOSE HORRIBLE SNAKES DID YOU FORGET ABOUT THE SCREAMING AND RUNNING IN FEAR THAT HAPPENED]

[Anyway, Archer will pale a little at that and examine the Pokéball like the snake will come out of its own free will and eat him.]

Yes, well. Thank you, then. If we're headed in the same direction, I fail to see why I'd need this.

[Because he's going with you whether you like it or not. :>]

[explosivecombat]

In case it becomes necessary in the future, for one thing.

I hardly plan on trying to figure out how to get four people on Carlisle, for another.

[determinator]

Yes, well.

[Well. That's a very valid point.]

I suppose it will serve its purpose.

[...And probably horrify Sheska. Whoops.]

[explosivecombat]

[Hopefully she'll do less running and screaming than you did, Archer...although really, he kind of wants to see if she runs less like a girl than you do.]

I don't doubt that it will. Now, do you want to tell me why you're so determined to drag me along with you? We can't train on the routes, and were it simply a matter of borrowing Carlisle, I would hardly have to come with.

[determinator]

[Oh you shut up.]

That should be obvious, Kimblee. Do you really think I can leave you alone here? I'd much rather keep an eye on you.

[...That's not answering your question at all and he knows it. Just let him get away with a non-answer for once, will you?]

[explosivecombat]

[...well, it actually does answer the question in a horribly technical sense. It just isn't a very good answer given that it begs more questions.]

And why is it that you suddenly can't trust me alone?

[determinator]

...You've already obtained the badge. There's nothing else for you here in Violet. You might decide to leave me.

[That's... admittedly part of the issue. It's easier to give Kimblee an answer he'll (hopefully) accept than to try to explain what the hell it is that's bothering him about Emmy. He knows how most people work - they tend to hate it when he gets possessive and clingy and refuses to let them even speak to anyone else. Kimblee's not like most people, but even so... there's no way he'd be okay with something like that.]

[So the solution? Simply refuse to acknowledge it.]

[explosivecombat]

[Wh...]

I believe we agreed that this arrangement remains to our benefit?

[determinator]

Yes, well! I'd rather not take that risk!

[CAN'T YOU LET HIM GET AWAY WITH THIS FOR ONCE]

[explosivecombat]

[oh jesus take the whole fucking garage]

Why on earth are you so angry all of a sudden?

[determinator]

I'm not angry. I don't know what you're talking about.

[WHO ARE YOU CALLING ANGRY, HE'S THE CALMEST FUCKING THING RIGHT NOW]

[explosivecombat]

Defensive, then. Don't change the subject.

[determinator]

There's nothing to talk about, Kimblee.

[explosivecombat]

You're suddenly accusing me of being untrustworthy. Such allegations are expected from just about everyone but you; given that we're expected to work together for the same organization, and we have a mutual agreement for how everything about our particular arrangement is supposed to work, I'd say that we have plenty to talk about.

[determinator]

[That... actually will get him to pause for a moment. Does he trust Kimblee? The answer to that is rather obvious. Of course he does. He trusts Kimblee more than he trusts anyone else. So it's not that he's suddenly finding Kimblee untrustworthy, it's just that someone else has entered the equation and unbalanced it.]

...I don't trust her.

[That sounds really sulky, hang on.]

I do trust you, Kimblee. You know that. It's that she's suddenly here and she's interested and...

[Nope, okay maybe he doesn't really trust you, because he's back to screaming at you.]

And you're going to leave me for her, aren't you!?

[explosivecombat]

[WHAT

NONONO WHAT]

...Archer, do I want to know what you're going on about?

[determinator]

[...Probably not.]

Never mind, Kimblee.

[At least he stopped himself from saying "It's not important"?]

[explosivecombat]

Do you really think that I'm going to allow you to tell me "Never mind" after an outburst like that?

[determinator]

...It would be nice if you would.

[explosivecombat]

...Archer.

[determinator]

What.