013. [Text/Action for Olivine City, also one other thing]

[explosivecombat]

[ACTION]

[It's incredibly rare to see Kimblee out of that fancy white suit; it's rarer still to see him not wearing it for any reason other than "If I wear it now, I'll get it filthy", "I'm in prison", or "I'm in a hospital and on life support."

While he's not on life support, however, he certainly is in a hospital of some sort - and not as a patient for once, either! Those who enter the Pokémon Center in Olivine City will be treated to Kimblee wearing general hospital scrubs, his hair pulled back in the stupidest french-braid ever to be stupidly french-braided. He isn't terribly interested in trying to mess with the human patients - in fact, he seems rather eager to stay out of the way of those who actually know what they're doing in that regard, as he hasn't been seen back there at all; given that he's filed just about everything he can get his hands on, he's working in the front today, assisting those who bring in Pokémon injured in battle.

And by "working" I mean "today has been ridiculously slow, so he's currently leaning idly over the desk, playing the hell out of the Tetris app on the 'Gear."

At least he's making no secret of his answer to the question of "working hard, or hardly working?"]


[TEXT]

[However, there are some sorts of boredom that even copious amounts of Tetris can't alleviate; at some point today - most likely after Kimblee has realized that he's going to be shifting around falling blocks in his goddamn sleep and he's going to be humming "Korobeiniki" for the next week - there's a text thrown out to the network at large.]

In my experience, there are those who exist to create, and those who exist to destroy. Neither are inherently good, nor are they inherently bad - there are those who create weapons and those who destroy barriers, after all. It's all a matter of how one utilizes their talents.

For the sake of idle curiosity, I have to wonder how many of us that were brought to Johto find themselves drawn to creation, destruction, or something else entirely.


[PRIVATE TEXT TO COBRA COMMANDER]

Position secured. Clearance and access to relevant materials likewise secured. Window of opportunity opens tonight during shift change.

Permission to proceed?

Comments

[explosivecombat]

[...gambling is fun and he has no impulse control, perhaps?]

Ah, poor Emmy. When she isn't being the complete strumpet you make her out to be, she really is a bit too good for this sinful world, isn't she?

[determinator]

[Nope, not possible. Gambling isn't fun. It's losing money. Not fun at all!]

Oh not at all, it's far more amusing watching her try to deal with this world~

[HAS HE MENTIONED HE LOVES TALKING SHIT ABOUT EMMY]

[explosivecombat]

Mmhmm, that's very true. People who are idealistic like that are really only good for such things in the first place, you realize - sooner or later, they have to come around and face facts.

[He turns then, messing with that machine used for the sake of healing those Pokémon; he still, admittedly, is not entirely sure what he's doing with it, but he'll work it out eventually - he's inexperienced, but not a complete techbane.]

Don't worry, Archer. I intend to teach her soon enough.

[determinator]

Indeed? I look forward to it.

[Archer leans on the counter, watching Kimblee idly as he continues.]

She was rather irritating in Ecruteak and I don't expect her to get any better in the future. When do you plan on telling her everything?

[explosivecombat]

Telling her...?

[He shakes his head a bit at that; he's clearly amused, though he doesn't laugh.]

No, no - I think this is the sort of thing that requires direct experience.

[determinator]

[Archer tips his head slightly, considering.]

...So you plan to betray her.

[That realization gets a very wicked smirk.]

I approve. I really can't wait to see how you pull this off.

[explosivecombat]

Don't think of it as betrayal; think of it as imparting some very important life lessons. Things she apparently couldn't learn for herself back in London.

[His tone couldn't get any more facetious if he tried.]

I've already started, Archer; just have patience.

[determinator]

Have you?

[DEETS, KIMBLEE]

Have you been meeting with her, then? What all have you been up to?

[explosivecombat]

[Ah, you can have a soft chiding noise for that, Archer.]

It's a bit unprofessional to discuss my personal affairs at the workplace, don't you think? I'll tell you more when I'm on break.

Believe me, it's just been a few...chats between friends, that's all.

[determinator]

We're the only two people here, and I really couldn't care less if you were unprofessional about this.

[Ugh, denying him deets? Rude.]

Indeed? Well, it certainly sounds like it's been interesting.

[explosivecombat]

Oh, it has.

She's been so kind to me, after all; she knows about so many of my...less-than-positive actions during the war now, apparently someone from Amestris told her - but she seemed to understand after I clarified.

I mean, my commanding officers were such wicked people, what with the crimes against humanity and all; someone had to stop them, right?

[determinator]

[Just... give him a moment so he doesn't burst out laughing. He can totally handle this; he managed to write Kimbley's escape off as something noble and justified with a (mostly) straight face, so he can totally--]

[Okay, no, he's just going to die laughing, if you don't mind.]

You're kidding. You told her about all that and she believed you?

[explosivecombat]

Oh, I can be terribly convincing when I want to be; remind me to tell you about Drachma sometime.

[determinator]

Drachma...? Oh, that's right, you mentioned fighting up there before. I get the feeling you neglected to tell me something important, then?

[DEETS DEETS DEETS DEETS]

[explosivecombat]

Drachma was a bit of a personal assignment. I've always been one for languages; my fluency level in Drachman is rather high, actually. It also helped that I knew exactly what they wanted to hear, and of course I simply didn't realize how outgunned they would be...

[And when he says it, his smile is very, very dark.]

Unfortunately, I didn't really fight too much in that particular battle, but that's because I was the one who orchestrated the conflict. In essence, I bought down a good amount of their army with words alone.

[determinator]

You... You started a war.

[Archer's expression darkens immediately; not quite to the extent of Kimblee's, but it's obvious that he's very pleased.]

Why didn't you tell me this earlier? This is fascinating. Tell me more.

[explosivecombat]

[He just smiles a bit at that.]

This really isn't the place, you know.

[determinator]

And again, there's no one here but us.

[But he'll stand back up and dismiss it with a wave of his hand.]

Very well. We'll discuss that when we return to the hotel. We'll also discuss just what you're doing here.

[The first part is decidedly calmer, and then the Tone starts. Kimblee hadn't discussed any sort of mission with him and that is making him wary. He knows Kimblee won't betray him and he knows Kimblee will only leave if Archer screws things up again (which he's certain he hasn't). Still, Kimblee didn't even inform him that he'd be working here. Archer's trying not to be overly controlling but... it's difficult, especially considering how dependent he is on Kimblee.]

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee pauses when Archer's voice shifts, the hesitation in his movements obvious before he turns back to that machine to check on how things are progressing. That tone is never a very comfortable thing, once it comes out; it's not uncommon for Archer to push him when he wants details, but there's a difference between being demanding and utilizing the Tone - that latter one means orders.]

Yes, Archer; of course.

[determinator]

[Good boy. Archer folds his arms and relaxes; he doesn't usually try to order Kimblee around without a good reason. Being insecure is totally a good reason, shut up.]

I haven't seen you out here before; what have you been doing? Work in the back?

[The topic change is abrupt and Archer's voice immediately goes back to the normal, snarky tone.]

At least you're getting paid for this. Don't spend all that money on eggs.

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee relaxes easily enough once it becomes obvious that Archer isn't going to continue to press him here; just the same, he's fully aware that they will discuss it as soon as he returns to the hotel - he isn't even going to try to get out of it.]

Of course, Archer. And yes, I've been primarily filing everything under the sun and being grateful that I wear gloves so often; I can just imagine how many times I would have cut slits into my hands otherwise.

[determinator]

Kimblee.

[...Suddenly linefacing!]

You really can't complain to me about papercuts of all damn things. My entire job for years back home was ensuring there were no mistakes in reports, which obviously was a glorified way of describing filing.

[...And then the's smirk's back immediately! He's just teasing~]

I can sympathize.

[explosivecombat]

So that was your primary job, was it?

[He'd honestly been wondering about that, since the incident during the battle with Suicune; he hadn't really wanted to ask, however, knowing that the answer probably wasn't worth the number of blown blood vessels in his eyes that it would surely cause. However, his tone isn't angry or otherwise displeased; if anything, he's vaguely amused.]

I shouldn't be surprised, should I.

[determinator]

No, you really shouldn't. I worked under Hughes, what were you expecting?

[...Speaking of Hughes... guess who missed Mustang's little public service announcement?]

[explosivecombat]

...Hughes.

[He pauses for a moment; it hadn't occurred to him that maybe Archer doesn't know, but...

...well. That can wait for a moment, can't it?]

I assume Hughes met a rather untimely demise in your version of Amestris as well; he uncovered...information, shall we say, in mine - regarding the Fuhrer. Was that the case in your world as well, and if so, were his notes regarding the matter ever recovered?