explosivecombat | 017. [Locked Audio/Rocket Frequency]

017. [Locked Audio/Rocket Frequency]

[AUDIO / PRIVATE - TEAM ROCKET FREQUENCY]

Good evening.

[The voice that comes over the 'Gear tonight is calm, at least; soft and open, a bit high-pitched perhaps, but generally not unpleasant to listen to. Confident, in a bit of a self-satisfied way. So it goes.]

My name is Solf J Kimblee; I hold the rank of Beta within this organization. I suppose I owe you all an apology for being away from the organization itself for so long.

I think it's time to remedy that a bit.

As one of the field agents in charge of assisting with the training of the new recruits, I would like to extend an invitation to all of you - particularly the new ones that I have yet to meet, although I would like to see those I'm already acquainted with as well. It isn't an order; again, it's just an invitation to talk. I would like to get to know all of you, and to have a fuller understanding of your talents. Should you require orders or simply want something to do, I may have a proposal for you; we'll see.

I would prefer meeting you in person; I'm in the Goldenrod base for the time being, but if you're currently elsewhere, neither time nor money is a problem for me. Let me know where you are; I'll meet up with you.

I must say that I'm pleased with the work I've seen so far, however. Do keep it up, hm?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh... my. That certainly is an... interesting expression...]

Ah, right, the base.

[Well, at least it's free housing... still.]

Yes, I'd prefer to meet outside. I believe there's a train station in town? I'd be interested in seeing that. From the sound of it, it isn't a monorail.

[And just imagine how fascinating it would be to study that! Perhaps it's technology that could be put to use back in Albion!]

...I'm afraid I don't know what this 'monorail' you're talking about is, but the train is most likely not one of them, no.

I'll meet you there in a few minutes; you'll likely arrive before I do, but it's a bit difficult to miss. Until then~

[And he will show up at that train station as promised! As he usually does when he's in Goldenrod and actually out in the city, Kimblee has one of his high-leveled Pokémon out with him, and several more on his belt; Dorian is trotting alongside him, trying to pretend he's not interested in wherever it is they're going - the last time they had gone to the train station, it had been to meet someone in one of those blue uniforms. Since his trainer seems far more relaxed today, he isn't sure if that's the case; it's either a person in a blue uniform that his trainer likes, or it's someone else entirely. ...hopefully someone with food.]

[Oh Dorian... you'll never change, will you?

Anyway, Logan did find the train station before Kimblee, and he's currently staring at the train in awe, with Prince the Snivy sitting on the ground, bored half to death. He doesn't see what his trainer is so fascinated with - it's just a train man. It's boring-- Oh hey, that's the man on the 'Gear! The Snivy tugs on Logan's pant leg, trying to get his attention. The king turns after a moment to notice Kimblee and nods in greeting.]

It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Mr. Kimblee.

[Ruby is sitting with Logan's stuff - including that Dratini egg - and she tilts her head a bit at Dorian. Oh look, that's what she'll turn into once her trainer buys that Fire Stone! Logan returns to retrieve his things, pretending he wasn't as entertained by that train as he really was.]

[Kimblee seems more than a bit amused at that; it's interesting to see Logan so...well, interested in something, rather than linefacing or seeming vaguely depressed for some reason.]

The pleasure is mine.

[He glances up at the train, tipping his head slightly to indicate it.]

Does it interest you? You seemed rather taken by it.

Ah, well. We don't have these in Albion.

[He seems rather flustered by that. Thanks for pointing out his interest, man. >:| ]

It certainly is more convenient than the monorail. It seems much safer as well. I doubt something like this could be built in Albion, but a more simplistic version would be possible...

[He's always thinking of how to better his country, after all!]

Have you taken it before? Where does it go? What is it like?

[Dorian has had a few moments to look over the newcomer; other than the fact that his clothes are all kind of ridiculously shiny, there doesn't seem to be anything too special about him. He kind of huffs for a moment before wandering over to go size up Ruby over there. Hey there, you.

Kimblee doesn't seem to be paying him much attention; Dorian knows better than to do anything inherently horrible to the bbmon over there - at least not without explicit orders to do something horrible.]

Ah, I believe it leads into the neighboring region - a place known as Kanto. I'm afraid I've only taken this particular train once, and it was for business purposes, not pleasure; it's incredibly fast, however, and very smooth-riding. We have trains in Amestris, though nothing quite this fast or this powerful; they're steam engines, not electric.

[However...]

These...monorails you keep mentioning. What are they, exactly?

[Because if he tries to work out the word, it...sounds like a train? With...one...rail or something? But then you wouldn't be this interested in this train, so...what is he looking at here, bro...]

['Sup Dorian! You're a pretty cool dude if Ruby says so herself! She'll just jump down to examine you, no big deal! Prince sighs and goes to sit with Logan's stuff. Just to watch it, of course. Logan doesn't notice.]

They sound fascinating. We don't have electricity at all in Albion.

[Ah, but the monorail... Logan pauses for a moment, trying to think of how best to describe it. Then he moves to retrieve a pen and paper from his belongings. It's much easier to draw it out than it is to explain it. He speaks while he sketches, however.]

It's a bit misleading, it actually has two rails rather than one. I believe the initial design was supposed to have one rail, but two seemed much safer. Anyway, it's a transportation system that goes from Mistpeak to Millfields. There was recently an accident that resulted in the loss of one of the cars and numerous passengers - it's obviously not a very safe device. Reaver Industries is supposed to be working on that, but considering that it's Reaver's job...

[He rolls his eyes and holds out the notebook for Kimblee to take. The sketch isn't all that bad, actually, and it does a good job of capturing what the monorail car looks like from the side.]

I've never been on the monorail either, but that's because I'd really rather not be dangled in a steel box above an abyss.

[Kimblee accepts the notebook from him, and...huh, that actually isn't bad, no. He kind of headtilts at it a bit, before he realizes what he's doing and corrects it; that last statement gets him to look up, however.]

Well, I certainly can't say I blame you there.

[He passes the notebook back to Logan, glancing over to check on Dorian as he does so; he certainly seems amused by your bbfox over there...

...but there are more important things to discuss, aren't there.]

Well, it certainly is a pleasure to see you back in town, although - and forgive me for asking - is there a reason you're taking the long way to Azalea Town? I assume you're referring to taking the path through Ilex Forest, rather than Union Cave; did something happen in that area, or is it a matter of personal choice?

[Well, hopefully they don't get too friendly...]

Ah, no, nothing happened there, exactly...

[Is it obvious this is awkward? Because it's really awkward.]

I'm not particularly fond of caves. There was... an incident in a cave back home and I've been wary of them ever since. I'd rather avoid them if I can.

[Kimblee is quiet for a moment, though he doesn't seem like he's judging or looking for something to press; he's just considering.]

...I understand. I find myself in a similar situation, actually; is there anything else that I should avoid, should we find ourselves working in close contact with one another?

[Because he gets that, too. Ghosts, man.]

...I'm not particularly fond of Psychic-types or... Ghost-types.

[A pause.]

Dark, enclosed spaces in general as well.

[That's it though! Admittedly it's far more than most people have issues with but... that's not the point.]

It was a rather... traumatizing experience.

[Logan absently reaches up to touch the larger scar over his lip - he's quick to pull his hand away and clasp his hands behind his back.]

I do have to ask what you mean by working together, though. Do you mean for this organization?

[...he will forever be amazed at the amount of similarities he shares with you. Perhaps that's why he likes you so much.]

...I don't train Ghost-types in general, and I avoid enclosed spaces where I can, particularly darkened ones; you don't have to worry about being forced into such situations on my end.

As for the organization...once in a while we're asked to work with people that aren't our usual partners, seemingly at random, on some large assignment or another. It's also possible that I'll be asked to accompany you on a mission, given that my rank is far higher than yours and we would like to avoid mistakes. I realize that you've said you have no interest in such things, but oftentimes we don't have much choice. It's just good to know what I should avoid, should such a thing come up.

Ah, indeed?

[Is it possible that Kimblee's had an encounter with something like the Crawler? If it wouldn't involve reliving that experience in detail, Logan would ask. He doesn't wish to recount his experience though - he hasn't ever done that in full, after all - and he settles for focusing on Team Rocket instead.]

I see. I have taken your advice, however; I have been sending my captures to Team Rocket instead of relying on Reaver's. I don't have any interest in aiding this organization, but should I be forced into some sort of situation, I would prefer to work with you.

[The only other people he knows of are Barry and Reaver - the former would likely want to watch him suffer, and the latter wouldn't bother to help him at all. Lovely.]

[Oh, that's amused him, actually.]

You flatter me, King Logan. I enjoy working with those who are new to the organization, or with those who need direction in general; I personally find it rewarding. You've been quite the interesting one - it's been a pleasure.

You've been quite helpful, Mr. Kimblee. I've enjoyed our conversations.

[That's all said with the usual lineface, because what is smiling.]

Might I ask you a question?

[Ignore the fact that that's a question.]

My Pokemon have refused to evolve; have you ever dealt with something like that? I have two who refuse to evolve. The Snivy there, as well as a Torchic. I spoke with a young lady by the name of Fluttershy who could communicate with my Pokemon; she said the Torchic didn't want to evolve because she's scared I'll expect more from her. The Snivy simply doesn't want to evolve.

[What? He won't be cute and tiny anymore! He folds his arms and huffs.]

Have you had any difficulty dealing with your Pokemon?

[...you do seem pretty allergic to smiling, Logan; he hasn't any idea why, though given that you've mentioned trauma, he supposes he shouldn't be surprised, exactly - that has a way of subduing people, he's noticed.]

Well, I've never had that specific problem; my Pokémon all seem to have taken well to the evolution process, inasmuch as they've actually gone through with it without too much fuss. A few of them were happier unevolved, I will admit - [...and he glances at Dorian again, before returning his attention to Logan] - such as that one, for example; he was rather upset with me for quite some time after evolving, because with the stronger form came more expectations in terms of battling...to say nothing of the fact that he was decidedly easier to carry as a Vulpix.

I've had other difficulties with mine; one is permanently boxed because it came to hate me deeply, I have quite the personality clash with another and she refuses to do as I say without involving some sort of backhanded disobedience first, I've released a few because I simply couldn't work with them, and some I've ended up giving to my partner because they simply meshed better with his personality. It's a lot of trial and error, I find. Some compromise is often involved; generally treating one's Pokémon well helps smooth things over - some of them prefer to be treated like pets rather than weapons, and if you're looking to get them to evolve, treating them as such often helps. You're more than free to go back to treating them as weapons afterwards, of course; after all, the process isn't reversible.

[Oh no, it's not that. He's never been a big fan of smiling. That's all.]

Just how many of these creatures have you gone through?

[It sounds like it's been an awful lot. Logan frowns after a moment, watching Ruby and Dorian for a moment in silence. Treating them like pets? But that would involve being more physically affectionate, wouldn't it? He has a hard enough time carrying that egg around (and not only because it makes him look foolish).]

That's certainly one way of looking at it. I don't consider them weapons, exactly... Though I will agree that it would be better to treat them as pets rather than injuring them to get them to obey.

[If he didn't have to deal with the Crawler, he would rather be a beloved ruler, after all. But Albion is at stake and keeping order is often easiest through fear. He doesn't have to worry about that here.]

[...Logan...]

I've raised over thirty; twenty-five of them are currently at their maximum level. And I really wouldn't suggest trying to beat them into obedience; that's how the permanently-boxed one came to be that way.

[...he says, with no remorse whatsoever. Um.]

...Did it attack you?

[Uh oh, he might need to warn Reaver about that...]

That's certainly a lot of Pokemon. How did you manage to raise so many?

[He only has four and it's difficult keeping them all in line!]

It did, yes; my partner managed to keep it from injuring me, but it did turn on me eventually.

And it wasn't terribly difficult; it was just a matter of setting up a system to train them all.

[...and give no fucks about any of them, obviously, but that's not a big deal, right]

What sort of system?

[Does he want to know...?]

I believe I told you in the past to use your travelling party to level your Pokémon; have you been doing that?

Sometimes. I've been setting my own Pokémon against each other when we're in towns, however; I find it's much easier to train that way.

[And then he doesn't have to deal with Reaver or Barry! \o/ ]

Ah, I see; my partner and I happened to work out a system that works best with what we specialize in.

Although, now I'm a bit curious - don't your Pokémon mind being set against one another? I'd think that having to fight those they regularly associate with would be a bit distressing for them, given that they're intended to be used as a unit.

[SEE, ARCHER, HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION DURING THOSE LECTURES...]

[HE IS SO PROUD OF YOU, KIMBLEE!!!]

That... is a good point. I hadn't considered it.

[Logan glances toward the Snivy, who merely shrugs. Okay, so he doesn't give a fuck, no one was surprised. Ruby is still ignoring him in favor of chatting up Dorian over there. Logan frowns; he really hadn't considered that. What if that will prove detrimental in the future?]

I suppose I could attempt to train with Reaver more often...

[But ugh, trying to get him away from Barry is torture.]

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