017. [Locked Audio/Rocket Frequency]

[explosivecombat]

[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?

Comments

[explosivecombat]

[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.

[decrees]

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?

[explosivecombat]

[...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.

[decrees]

[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.]

[explosivecombat]

[...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.]

[decrees]

...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!]

[explosivecombat]

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]

[decrees]

What sort of system?

[Does he want to know...?]

[explosivecombat]

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

[decrees]

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/ ]

[explosivecombat]

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...]

[decrees]

[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.]

[explosivecombat]

[HE TRIED... orz]

That's always a possibility, yes.

Of course, I would be willing to train with you while we're both in town, if you would prefer; given that my creatures are high-leveled, you should have no problem getting experience for your full set.

[decrees]

That sounds excellent, thank you.

[And he does seem quite pleased with that! It's much better than trying to deal with Reaver and Barry, after all!]

[explosivecombat]

[...Logan, good lord.]

Are you that opposed to talking to your travelling party?

[decrees]

Ah, well, they're... busy now that they're in town.

[Not that he really knows for sure, he ditched as soon as he had the chance. He'd really not be privy to details on "Reaver and Barry's Quest For Hookers", thanks.]

[explosivecombat]

...still having difficulties with them being a bit too interested in each other?

[decrees]

[And for a moment there, Logan looks absolutely appalled. He manages to get his expression under control after a second but dear god, man! Have you no shame?]

That's--!

[...rendering him incapable of coherent speech, hang on.]

That isn't any of my concern. I don't care what they do in their spare time.

[explosivecombat]

[...you spend time with Reaver and Barry, and you're asking him if he has any shame.]

Forgive the forwardness of the question, King Logan. It just seemed to be bothering you quite a bit, last we spoke.

[He isn't sorry. At all.]

[decrees]

[Oh come on, he's not the one running off in search of hookers!]

It doesn't bother me at all.

[Overly defensive? Overly defensive!]

[explosivecombat]

If you say so.

[He doesn't believe you.]

Personally, I'd find it bothersome simply because I dislike being surrounded by such things in general; outside of the fact that it's sharing far too much, I find it to be highly unprofessional. But that's just my preference, really.

[decrees]

Well of course I'm bothered by that aspect of it. It isn't professional and they do share far too much.

[Ugh. But that does get him to calm down a bit!]

[explosivecombat]

[Good man.]

Would you like me to see if I can get you assigned to work with someone else entirely? If you're having that much of a problem...

[He's honestly interested to see what the answer will be here; really, every time he's told Logan to find someone else to work with, he finds some sort of excuse to dodge the suggestion. But if he's not responsible for finding the other person himself...

He wouldn't be surprised if he gets more of the same, but curiosity compels.]

[decrees]

No, it's fine. I prefer to keep a close eye on the two of them. They're troublesome and if they don't have someone to keep them in line, I hate to imagine what they'll do.

[A slight pause, then he continues.]

They're citizens of Albion. It's my job as the reigning monarch to ensure their safety. I'm more worried about them than Page - another citizen of Albion - because they'll get themselves into trouble.

[explosivecombat]

And that's very noble of you. But at risk of pointing out the obvious, you're no longer in Albion; all three of you are strangers to this world, aren't you? And you all hold about the same amount of authority - which, at this point, is likely to be approximately none. This world places the same expectations on you as it does anyone else; should they be unable to adapt to those expectations right away, they'll have to learn eventually.

Your obligations to them aren't nearly as great as you believe them to be. Not here, anyway.