the hanging edge

[soggypastry]

Who: Lightning (soggypastry), Atsuro(babel_hacker) Judith(bewilding), Ondorus(grapecape), Charles(papasmellslikethis)Where: Goldenrod City
When: September 20
Summary: Recruitment effort number two. Much smaller than the last one, that's for certain.
Rating: PG
Log:


[The meetings had gone surprisingly well, in Lightning's opinion. No one had tried to jump her, and they'd all agreed to wait a couple of days until the storms could blow over. So here they were, in the ground floor of a back alley building, just like the last time she did something like this. Only this time, she's much tenser as she stands before this small group of people. There are things they need to know, things that she needs to tell them, and so she takes a deep breath. At least her voice is steady.]

You've all seen or heard about Team Rocket by now. I've told you who they are and some of what we know they've done, and you all decided to come here. But what you should know before you make any sort of decision is that Team Rocket isn't above attacking you directly. If they see you as a threat, chances are that they will go after you and there may be no one around to help you. You'll be assigned to squads, but I can't force you to stay with them, and even greater numbers may not help you. [she pauses, looking at these people, one after the other, with a stern look in her eyes.]

I'm not going to lie and say this is going to be easy, or that we'll be able to do any good. They outnumber us at least five to one at this point, and if you think you could do more on your own, or you want to leave, there's the door. What you do from here is your call, not mine.

[And with that, she crosses her arms over chest with a quiet sigh. Fielding questions? She can do that.]

Comments

Mingle!

[soggypastry]

Mingle with each other, get to know one another, discuss the pros and cons, etc. etc. No food this time, sadly; Lightning's in a bit of a rush to get this done so there was no time to get a caterer.

[grapecape]

[At this moment, Ondorus' mind is on the two new Pokeballs on his belt more than anything. If it weren't for them - and the others beside them - this decision would be easy, over in under a minute. But as long as he's responsible for their safety...

Olivia is at his shoulder, pressed firmly against the side of his head. When Lightning finishes, he steps away from the group to speak with his Pokemon, letting out his Sandshrew and Metapod and talking to them in a low voice as Olivia relays their side of the conversation to him via telepathy.

Afterwards, when he's spoken to Lightning to confirm his membership, he'll be looking to approach and greet the others when they have a free moment.

(He is approachable at either point.)]

[bewilding]

[ oh... look who it is! after handling what she came here to do, she's... going to go for a friendly approach. she's not particularly surprised to see him here, but that's an afterthought.

she's offering a wave as she comes closer. ]

Hm... Isn't that a familiar face?

[grapecape]

[Ondorus, on the other hand, is surprised to see someone he knows...but that's mostly because he's seen strangers in the thousands these past few days and is experiencing a bit of culture shock.

His surprise shows for a brief moment, then he gives a warm nod.]

It is indeed. Good day, Judith.

[Handshake?]

[bewilding]

[ handshake indeed. a firm shake, even. ]

Good day to you too, Ondorus. [ when that's done, she's letting go of his hand and lacing her hands together behind her back. ] You're interested in helping?

[papasmellslikethis]

[ This was... a much smaller turnout than he'd expected. Was this all? Then again, apparently there's more out there. In these 'squads' or whatever.

Charles isn't sure what to make of the others. But now isn't the time to hang back and observe. Not in this size of a group, anyways. So he approaches one with an enthusiastic wave ]

[grapecape]

[Well that's a friendly gesture.

Ondorus puts a hand to his chest and gives a little bow back. His shoulder Natu copies the motion.]

[papasmellslikethis]

[ Oh. That's... cute. ]

Name's Charles

[ Sticking out his hand for a shake. He doesn't really do bows... ]

[babel_hacker]

[After the end of the meeting, Atsuro's thinking about his decision again. Even if he talks with his Pokemon or Kaz, he already knows what to choose.

With his Lanturn by his side, after talking with Lightning, he glance around at the other people. He'd probably have to work with them in the future.]

Well, Antec. I guess this is it.

[His starter and closest Pokemon nods. Yep, yep, let's do our best, Atsuro.

He knows him very well, easily reading most of the Lanturn's body language, expressions and vocal intonations easily. Atsuro just smile and lean down to pet the fish.]

Ask the Boss

[soggypastry]

Any questions for Lightning? Go ahead and ask her! She'll answer to the best of her ability, but she's not one to sugarcoat things. Whoops.

[grapecape]

[Alright. They've discussed, they've deliberated, and they've come to an agreement. Now all that needs to be done is to ask for a place in the group.

He comes up to her with his Natu in her usual place, looking still nervous but now cautiously determined, and his Sandshrew scampering a few paces ahead of him, chittering with furious energy.]

Miss Farron.

[He tips his head forward slightly, then raises it again and looks her in the eye.]

I have very, very little experience in combat. But I do have experience in being devoted to the safety and the well-being of my charges and my comrades. If that requires that I raise my hand against what threatens that well-being, then I cannot in good conscience refuse that requirement.

That is how I see this situation. If it satisfies you, then I and my Pokemon would like to pledge what strength we possess to your cause.

[The Sandshrew chitters loudly, lifting its little fists over its head, and the Natu stands up very straight and bows with its eyes closed.]

[soggypastry]

[For a moment, she doesn't answer. It's clear that she's giving this hard thought, since her warning of the threat was in no means an overstatement. If, or when, Team Rocket comes at them, everyone will need to be able to defend themselves. She'd understand a distaste for combat, but simply not knowing? That needs to be solved.

Even if his visible teammates certainly seem...enthusiastic.]

Would you be willing to learn how to fight? Being devoted to keeping your friends safe is fine, but being a martyr won't help them out in the long run.

[grapecape]

Absolutely.

[He doesn't even hesitate with the answer.]

If I resigned to limit myself to only past experience, I couldn't do much at all.

[soggypastry]

[No hesitation. That means he's either reckless or sure of what he's doing, and while reckless only invites trouble...well. She'll keep an eye on him anyway.]

Then train your team, and yourself, as much as possible. I'll get you on a squad as soon as I can.

[For now, however, she extends a hand in his direction. A handshake to seal the deal.]

[papasmellslikethis]

[ He raises an eyebrow at her words, and approaches after the speech. ]

They're that powerful? Even with these things [ He holds up one of his Pokeballs ] to fight for us?

[soggypastry]

[nod.] They are. What they have in their favor is numbers. We can only carry six Pokemon with us at a time, and so can they, but if you're facing three of them? That's twenty-one threats right there. [frown.] You don't want to take something like that lightly.

[papasmellslikethis]

[ He thoughtfully rubs his chin. ]

And they always fight like that?

[ No reason why they wouldn't, actually. ]

And... the people in this organization?

[ He glances around at the small group ]

How strong are they?

[soggypastry]

As far as I know, yes. They rarely work alone.

[And she can't blame them. If she had those kind of numbers to throw around, she sure as hell would.]

Are you asking for an average or for everyone as individuals?

[babel_hacker]

[It's a big step and he knows he can always leave. But Atsuro knows himself well enough. He make a decision and stick to it.

With his Lanturn by his side, Atsuro went up to Lightning. Yeah, he's nervous but...he have no doubts about this.]

I thought it over. Me and my Pokemon will join and lend you our skills.

[soggypastry]

[Lightning glances up from where she's tapping through something on her Gear before closing it, giving him her full attention. Here we go...]

You sure about this? You can leave if things get too hot later, but that won't take the target off your back. There's no backing out from that.

[She's just making sure you're sure about this, Atsuro. It's not intended as an insult to your bravery or anything of the like.]

[babel_hacker]

[That thought was on his mind when he's thinking over his decision. By joining and fighting actively against Team Rocket, they'd know who he is. Recognise him at least. He'd be shedding that 'protective' anonymity he enjoys.]

I'm sure, Miss Farron.

[It's risky, but he doesn't want to look away. Not when he can do something.]

[soggypastry]

[Well. Alright then. She's warned him more than once, has given him more than one out, and he's still here. That tells her enough, tells her he's not going to bolt the first time there's trouble, and so she extends her hand. Shake on it to seal the deal.]

Then train your team, and yourself, while I get you on a squad. You'll need to be ready for anything.

[bewilding]

[ she's kept a pokerface throughout the entire conversation, as she usually does. how public the danger has been recently makes her think that maybe things have changed, and that this is necessary. she can't do nothing, and so-- ]

It seems like they've gotten more dangerous.

[soggypastry]

[A glance up at Judith, and Lightning shuts the gear she was tapping at. Hope's perimeter sweep gives them the all clear, so they have time.]

It's more that they've started acting instead of just staying the background the entire time. They weren't so active two years ago.

[bewilding]

Mm. I can't quite recall a time when I've seen them, back when I was here last. [ but, that's idle talk. she's one to get right into it, so: ] I'd still like to help.