route_1065 | hold down your head now, just let me pass by

Entry tags:

hold down your head now, just let me pass by

Who: Itachi and any Rocket at headquarters (sorry it's limited)
Where: Goldenrod City, Team Rocket base
When: November 3rd
Summary: A certain ninja is having a difficult adjustment period, but you can't say he isn't trying.
Rating: PG, most likely.

In one of the lounge areas, a thirteen year old boy with long dark hair was sitting up on an armchair with his legs crossed, reading the manual every Team Rocket member was given when they first arrived. Both of his pokemon were free of their confinements - the lunatone hovering in a circular pattern around the boy while the zubat chewed harmlessly on the pointer finger of Itachi's free hand, as he has it held out for just that purpose as he read.

He hadn't yet changed into the Team Rocket attire, still wearing his ANBU attire, filthy and bloodstained. It was another red and black uniform that he'd expected to be in soon, not that one. His mind had settled into a state of numbness, taking in everything here by necessity rather than interest. He'd chosen to let his scattered thoughts settle on contemplating what made the creatures he'd been given here so docile and willing to follow orders from him. It was better than thinking he might be going mad, as strong of a possibility as that was.

Should anyone pass by him, his eyes would lift from the book and follow then, unabashedly, until they left the room or decided to respond to the attention.

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If there's ever been a sign that Akira needs to get out of this place, surely it's this! There's every possibility that those stains on the other boy's clothes are just from a long day working in the kitchens, but he's not sticking around to be proven wrong. He'll just usher his two Vulpix through the lounge quickly, steadfastly ignoring the eyes following them across the room.

Or, he would, except...

"Vulpix-san!" he hisses, calling out to the young Pokemon that's now bounding over, "Come back here!"

It ignores him completely, of course, heart set on chasing that Lunatone around and around the chair.

Itachi's gaze never once moves from the other boy to his errant animal, cold stare taking in everything about him. He needs to know who else is working for this organization, and whether or not they might represent aspects of his own psyche. Anything that might give him some cliched hint that this isn't real. Barring that, it's at least good to know the company he'll be keeping, criminal or otherwise.

The book is lowered as the other gets closer. He won't let him follow the vulpix around behind him before speaking up. "You could just return them to their capture devices and save yourself the trouble." The advice isn't given in a friendly manner, it's simply given, the boy's expression stoic.

The irony of the comment isn't lost on him, but then he isn't worried about keeping his own in check at the moment.

"I didn't bring them with me," he admits sheepishly. His Pokemon don't like being confined, and he hadn't thought it would be a problem to let them wander free around the base.

"S-Sorry for disturbing you! I didn't mean to distract you from your reading..." He approaches slowly, but looks wary of getting too close, as though if he turns his back the other boy will pounce on him. Hopefully the little Vulpix will come back to him of its own accord. In the meantime he flashes Itachi a nervous smile. "Is that the Team Rocket code of conduct?" By contrast, Akira does his best to sound as friendly as possible, hoping it will dispel a bit of the tension.

"You should plan better." Leaving their pokeballs elsewhere was just irresponsible. One never knew when it might be necessary to call them back. He's only just arrived, but he can figure out that much.

And here he is, already too easily taking in this reality.

Itachi snaps his books shut, holding it up for inspection. Anyone who could read the cover should be able to tell what it is, and he doesn't believe the action is even necessary. At the moment, he questions how a kid like this had become a member of this organization in the first place, as he doesn't seem the type they'd want to make use of. Then again, he's also seen some very convincing 'innocent' covers from people.

He jumps ever so slightly as the book snaps shut, recognition dawning as the cover is held out to him.

"Isn't that the same one you get when you arrive?"

For that answer, Akira receives the most deadpan of looks. The book is set aside, and Itachi regards him through dark, matted bangs. Without looking away, he clicks open a pokeball and returns the lunatone to it, leaving the vulpix with nothing to chase.

"Are you usually this dense?"

The Vulpix stops, looking confused for a moment before seeing the pokeball in the older boy's hand. She barks indignantly, causing Akira to rush forward and scoop her up, trying to quiet her. From first impressions he doesn't think Itachi will be kind to them if they get on his nerves too much...

"I-I thought you might be new, that's all! I know it can be hard to find your feet when you first get here."

"You shouldn't need to wonder. It should be obvious. You're too hesitant." He taps the cover of the book with one finger. "I'm reading a guide meant specifically for new arrivals." He then tugs slightly on the vest of his ANBU uniform. "I'm wearing dirty, and what I assume to be unfamiliar, clothing. On top of that, you clearly don't recognize me."

His zubat is returned to its pokeball as well, and he stashes both of them in a pocket. "You have to act on educated assumptions, not wait for someone to fill in the blanks for you."

Akira is, in fact, getting a lecture. This might not have happened if Itachi was in a better mindset.

What - Why is this happening?! He's supposed to be explaining things to the new arrival, not the other way around!

"I'm sorry! I'll be more decisive next time!" he backs up a little, bowing deferentially with every couple of steps.

"Please don't tell our superiors about this..." He just got out of training, he doesn't want to go back in!

Itachi watches him back away for a few moments, saying nothing. If this is what he has to expect as far as fellow Team Rocket members go, then the organization isn't shaping up to be particularly menacing.

Finally he sighs, posture relaxing somewhat even if he still isn't ready to lower his guard in the slightest. "I'm just a new arrival. I have no reason to report anything to our superiors about my fellow team members."

He didn't rely on ratting others out to ascend the ranks in his village, either.

"Oh, thank you!" Akira relaxes a little, too. If Itachi weren't a new arrival, he might not have been as lucky. Best to be grateful.

"We'll leave you alone so you can read, then."

"I'm fairly sure this lounge belongs to everyone." He shakes his head. "But I'm not going to stop you."

Itachi does prefer to be alone, after all, and he has a feeling he's not going to be getting a whole lot of that for a while. "Try not to trip as you back out."

That isn't very nice (but probably fair). Akira nods and high tails it out of there, still carrying one protesting Vulpix. The other watches Itachi for a moment, before following her trainer out.

Denzel is minding his own business per usual, as the man pushes a dolly though the Rocket Base. Although, he's not wearing his Rocket uniform but his typical outfit. On the dolly are various tools, as Crocker pushes the dolly with one hand the other hand is holding a long print-out of papers that drag on the floor. Growithe follows loyally along Crocker’s side. If someone catches a glimpse of them, they’re about Pokemon and genetic analysis on the types of fire, poison, normal, water and psychic. Crocker himself is mumbling indescribably under his breath;

"Mmmm getting close."

For a moment Crocker pauses in thought, as his head tilts up spots the Lunatone, there's a double take before the man jumps in spot for a moment and exclaims;

"Is that the moon? INSIDE?! This most be the work of – FAIRY GODPARENTS!"

The man spasms in spot and somehow ends up in an awkward position of his foot caught on the dolly. Growlithe on the other hand saw that coming and tried to comfort Denzel but to no avail. The dog Pokemon looks as if she’s facepalming.

"Wait a second..."

Pushing his glasses back onto his face, upon further inspection and less of an automatic response, Denzel has a change of mind and one can see the answer hit him. As Crocker recalls the Pokemon that appears to be a snowflake hits the man’s mind,

"That’s a POKEMON!"

Following a brief maniacal laugh, following up with a groan.
One of these days Crocker will memorize all the Pokemon. In the meantime just stares at the Lunatone in fascination. After all, that is a moon with a face!

Edited 2013-11-07 22:02 (UTC)

At this new arrival - this loud new arrival, Itachi's eyes narrow instantly. The boy earlier, while relatively incompetent, hadn't been outright obnoxious. This man here, on the other hand...

He has a feeling that simply glaring isn't going to get the other to leave, which means he might as well put up with him as long as it takes to learn a thing or two, since he seems so willing to speak his thoughts. Whatever fairy godparents are, he frankly has no interest in asking at this point in time.

The lunatone stops, hovering near Itachi's head, eye drooping in a deadpan manner similar to its master's own.

"Am I surrounded by coworkers with poor deduction skills?"

As Denzel goes to remove his foot from the dolly, and has spend this entire time since the spasm balancing at a ninety degree angle with his feet, there's a voice. Which Crocker hasn't seen till now and as the man releases his foot, hops backwards, in both the shock of someone being there and just the release and finally finds his balance.

Crocker frowns deeply and replies rather annoyed,

"Yes, I'm aware that my deduction skills aren't what they use to be at home."

However, the man still does know something is strange even in this world.

Peering though his glasses, Crocker raises-a-brow at the red stains, and thinks this other is a messy eater and does spot the Rocket trainee book,

"You're new."

Making the outright most obvious statement, it was between the book and just not having seen the other before.

"And what makes you think your deduction skills are any better, mmm?"

There are a great many reasons Itachi could give as a means of answering the man's question, but he sticks with giving out as little information about himself as possible. Instead, his eyes stray to the growlithe at Crocker's side.

"Because I did not question what either you or your companion were after you entered the room. The animal at your side is a pokemon, rather than a stray miniature tiger, and you are a member of this organization's science division." He sits up a little straighter, and the lunatone resumes its earlier movement pattern.

"But you're right about me being new, and there's no need for us to further compare ourselves. You were clearly in the middle of something."

True where Crocker had been distracted in his own thoughts, his teacher eyes behind his head weren’t alerted. Crocker starts his tone off rather annoyed,

"Now, look just because the eyes in the back of my head weren’t looking doesn't mean I'm not observant."

To be fair very few things usually slip pass Denzel and why Timmy has such a hard time hiding things from Crocker. That said when Crocker is distracted he's distracted.

"Obviously that's a - POKEMON!"

The man slightly jerks his body in the space, Growlithe dog whines.

"What are you kidding me? That's a dog!"

Growlithe barks in response. Crocker stares at Growlithe for a moment before replying with 'do you have any brain cells tone,

"Even I knew that when I first magically appeared here."

But Crocker can see how the color pattern could be confusing for someone who doesn't spend a lot of time with dogs.

"Alright, I suppose you pass with a two out of three."

Crocker can't say he's not part of the Rocket Science division but that doesn't mean he's working on science either...

There's an angry shout that sprouts about the science department,

"BUT DON'T SAY I, MR. DENZEL CROCKER AM A SCIENST!"

There's a pause and the man mumbles to himself,

"Oh, well. Even if I do hate my job at least I'm not the one teaching the new Rocket recruits."

"I assure you that there is nothing wrong with my hearing. There's no need for you to yell."

He doesn't even bother responding to most of Crocker's other statements because he simply doesn't see the need. Dog, tiger, mix of the two, it didn't matter. The point was that he hadn't thought anything ridiculous of it. Arguing the case would just be a waste of time.

The comment about the eyes in the back of his head are a little odd, as he makes it sound as though it's more than just a saying. Though given the way he goes on it's hard to take much of what he says all that seriously.

"I am Uchiha Itachi," he introduces himself, as the other man had seen fit to do in his own way. "Since my guess was incorrect, I suppose I might ask what your job actually is."

Denzel just stares in silence at Uchiha. Crocker wasn't yelling because of that reason the man is just out of his blasted mind,

"Yes, I'm well aware that I'm out of mind!"

The man doesn't seem to have an issue with that.

"I was wondering when you were going to stop being as quiet as a ninja about yourself."

That was entirely irony, Crocker hasn't actually figured out the other is a ninja per say but you never know either.

Crocker groans in distaste how he hates this job so much. Almost to the same degree that the man hates teaching back home. At the very least being able to access the data base the man can find information for the most part.

"Data base entry."

Itachi has no idea what that sort of position actually entails, as most of what the science division does is out of his field of expertise, but he nods anyway. It at least sounds boring, so he can understand why Crocker might not be interested in it on a very basic level.

And that's about as much as he cares to learn about the other's job right now.

There's a lot that's clearly lost in translation, their two lifestyles being so different from each other. Whether or not Crocker is actually out of his mind is still up for debate, as the ninja doesn't see himself as the best judge of that at this particular moment - not when he feels as though he's leaning in that direction himself.

"Is there a reason you remain, if you despise it so much?"

Itachi may wonder however, despite Crocker saying he's not a scientist the man was pushing a dolly filled with what appears to be parts, wires, metals, etc in order to build something.
Although, Crocker could just be delivering those but the man isn't. Denzel just won't confess to be a scientist, until the man meets one that is Ghostbuster type like Crocker and say they are also a scientist.

"Well, it's the only job offered here for my level that I, least hate or have the capability of performing."

Cleaning, cooking and laundry are not the man's strong suits and working in the public wouldn't be happening since the mishap in July and Crocker's and two other Rocket's faces becoming widely known by the public.

Not that being a data enter doesn't grind Crocker's nerves to tears, it does. Considering, Crocker is a computer hacker.

The man mumbles to himself,

"That and I have access to information I otherwise wouldn't."

Without hacking the system at the very least.

"I see." Information gathering he can understand, but the rest doesn't tell him as much as he'd like. At least he's learning a fair amount about this employee in particular, and that can always be filed away to make use of later. He should feel bad about considering how to take advantage of all those he runs across today, but he knows he can't afford to now. Sympathy isn't for villains.

Though he can still fake it. "Hopefully you won't be in that position much longer than necessary, given that you're diligent enough."

He looks down to the Growlithe. After a moment, he pulls out his pokedex from where it was sitting nearby and flips it on to get a reading. He's used it on his own pokemon already, but he might as well figure out what exactly this one is since he failed to properly guess a related species.

"What about you? What do you think you'll start off doing here, mmm?"

Denzel shoots Itachi a look of surprise. A look which reads,

"YOU'RE GIVING ME SYMPATHY?!"

Unfortunately, Denzel isn't the best at reading past others when they're really good at hiding their true intentions. The man blinks for a few times and peers over at Growlithe.

"Did you hear that?"

Crocker rejoices by dancing in place, rather nerd-like and a few evil nerdy 'ha ha's' before his mood turns south.

"Bah! It's not a matter of diligence. It's a matter of not messing up like we did... Although, I still think outside of having been idenified we did well - but that's besides the point!"

However, that was not something Crocker was going to agrue with the superiors. For fear Crocker will end up with laundry duty and destory everyone's clothes.

"The sympathy is appreciated however."

There's something creepy about how Denzel smiles.

Growlithe on the other hand sort of suspects fowl play but isn't going to take the creepy smile off of Crocker's face. However, Growlithe shoots Itachi a beware look slightly with her teeth.

Growlithe tilts her head as Itachi points the Pokedex at her which states,
Growlithe, the puppy Pokemon. A Pokemon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.

Edited 2013-11-10 19:19 (UTC)

Itachi is less interested in the small description provided than he is in other details and statistics, as little as the device can provide when he doesn't own the animal. The look the growlithe gives him is taken in stride, the ninja remaining as stoic as he has been from the start.

Crocker's smile would throw him off more if he considered the man a threat. Currently he does not, though he does leave open the possibility of that changing, as one can never be too careful. He takes in everything the other gives away about himself, not surprised to learn that Crocker had made a mistake that had apparently led to his demotion.

"I imagine having yourself revealed while in uniform is rather taboo, then." The manual had said as much, but actually seeing the repercussions is different. "Have you been given a time frame for how long you're to lay low? Or is that simply based on the whims of our employers."

"Gee, you think? Speaking of which that was sarcasm."

There's a short beat change as Crocker mumbles in disgusted to his own self, "If you want something done right. You have to do it yourself."

Denzel begins to appear to look weirded out. Which is due to the fact the other person hasn't changed their expression this entire time.

"Based on our employers."

While Itachi is not unfamiliar with sarcasm, he doesn't feel the need to point this out.

Despite their differences, the two of them do seem to have one thing in common - they both apparently prefer to handle matters on their own terms. He won't pretend for a moment that this makes them in any way kindred spirits, but at least he understands the sentiment.

"I figured as much." And being used to making other uncomfortable, Itachi doesn't do anything to dispel Crocker's unease either. "Should I let you get back to your work, if that's the case?"

The only reason Crocker states that he was sarcastic because the man can't distinguish, otherwise.

Whereas, Denzel prefers to work on his own the man can be a team player as well.

Although, being kept inside was not something Crocker was fond of at all. Oh, well. At least the Rocket base was more roam-able than the insane asylum.

"Huh?" Crocker replies as the man got tried up in his own train of thoughts, "Oh right!"

The man continues on to himself as he walks back over to the dolly, "I finally have all the parts I need for my - POKEMON TRACKER!"

The man exclaims, "I'll find Turner and his -FAIRY Pokemon.

Crocker hits Turner rather harshly like this is some kind of revenge, "And my Anti Mind Reading Helmet will need some modifications."

Denzel looks back over at Itachi, "You wouldn't happen to know if that looking over at Lunatone, "Is a psychic - type Pokemon would you?"

The ninja glances briefly to the still-hovering lunatone before looking back. "Psychic and stone." Or rock, but he doesn't see much importance in the distinction. This is what the device he'd been given told him anyway. Of course it doesn't matter in the end unless Crocker is going to get his own.

"But it is not on loan." And should the not-scientist try anything, he would order it to retaliate without hesitation.

Whatever he's working on sounds a little far-fetched, though he can't call anything impossible at this point. Anything from his world that might compare involves ninja techniques.

"This individual you're looking for... Have they been brought to this place as well? If so, tracking him should lead you to the creatures he owns." He would suggest that he ask someone else unknown to ask for him over the network and reveal his location if he knew much about the network at this point.

Edited 2013-11-24 02:14 (UTC)

Denzel a bit of nerdy jig in place with part success the man is learning these Pokemon slowly.

Crocker eyes around, wondering how the other even brought that up.

"Yes he has -" Before breaking into a maniacal laugher.

"If only it was that easy to know the locations of others..."

"You have a dog. Or at least a dog-like creature." He glanced back to the growlithe, who really didn't look much like a tiger at all aside from the stripes now that he could see it better. "Teach it to track by smell, if it can't already."

A good nin-dog could find someone a country away. He didn't know what these could do.

"The only flaw in your plan is that I haven't any scent to work off from."

Training dogs wasn't something that was new to Crocker, actually he trained a few vicious hounds back at home.

Growlithe watches between the two of them knowing very well they're speaking about her.

"Besides I already have a plan."

It's just the matter of a Clefairy hair...

Getting the scent of an enemy would have been top priority, at least in Itachi's case, if he had tracking animals available to him. But he was a ninja, and he couldn't expect others to think the same way.

"That's something, at least." He didn't care much about hearing the actual details of this plan, as his curiosity only went so far and he didn't know anything about the person this man was after. He wouldn't wave off the details if they were given, however.

Denzel's lip curl and his fingers seem to clench in his own frustration on how easy it had been to get Turner's scent in his home world, after all his school desk but here, Crocker still had to figure out where new non- Rocket arrivals appeared. Denzel scoffs and mumbles, "Be so much easier if he had his desk."

There's a moment of silence as Denzel thinks about his old life working in the classroom as much as he despises children, the man did miss tormenting them and being around... her. Crocker glances at his Growlithe, even if Geraldine didn't approve of Denzel did as a teacher and got angry at Crocker on more than one occasion. Just being around her even with her negativity towards him - the man shook his head and sighs heavily as he wonders why he still loves her even here.

"But I won't let Turner mock me here as well and keep the power of his - FAIRIES away from me."

"You keep mentioning these fairies." Itachi wasn't even going to begin to ask what he meant about the desk. The history those two had was really none of his concern, and his interest in helping Crocker with his problems was next to nil. He might as well attempt to sate his own curiosity on some things, however.

"I'm assuming that has more to do with your world than it does this one." Unless there were pokemon that were particularly fairy-like. He wouldn't be surprised, as he hadn't finished looking over everything available in his pokedex. (Not to mention that the information seemed oddly incomplete to begin with.)

"Why did you see them?" Denzel flips around in a circle a few times. Meanwhile, Growlithe just shakes her head.

"Yes, my world does but-" Crocker's voice turns more ominous, "This world also has them..."

"And my moral enemy, Timmy Turner when he came here, his first - POKEMON!"

There's a slight exclaimation and body twitch with Pokemon.

"Is a fairy type."

The man's fingers plot in the most plottist of ways, outside of proving those fairies are real, it was also a hunger lust for power.

"Although they don't look like the fairies back home. The other Pokemon are just as magical!"

He hadn't seen any such creatures yet, as he'd only just arrived, but he wasn't going to bother pointing that out. Instead, he just continued to listen as the man babbled. (And it couldn't be called anything else but that at this point. Crocker was clearly not all there.)

Itachi wasn't even sure the pokemon the man was talking about were even of a 'fairy' type, though there had to be some truth to what this fellow Rocket said, sane or no. He just had to pick out what information was worthwhile to him.

"I see." He didn't, but he'd seek further answers elsewhere.

"I'm sorry I don't know enough to be of further help in this situation."

Denzel just stares for a moment a bit surpised,

"Why would you want to be of any help, mmm?"

After all, it is not often someone states that to Crocker.

Itachi's lips quirked upward into the slightest of smirks.

"If we are to be working for the same organization, then there is no reason why I shouldn't try to offer you assistance as long as I am available to give it. After all, our general overarching goals should be the same." If he was going to go along with this whole set-up for the time being, anyway.

He couldn't care less for the man in actuality, but he had to make his way in this place somehow.

Crocker side-eyes this, more than likely only because his first mission as a Rocket for a lack of a better word didn't go over very well and quite literally blow in his face and in the faces of his teammates.

"That depends only if you're going to do things my way."

"Assistance. Not servitude." He made sure that distinction was clear. Itachi had something of a solo mindset, though he did know how to be subservient. He simply didn't owe any allegiance to this man. They were on equal footing.

"I'm offering you a hand if it's needed. I'm sure if the project is yours then it will be done to your specifications." The insistence did beg the next question: "Have you had trouble working with others here before?"

Denzel begins to laugh maniacal for a brief moment, "Gee, whatever gave you that idea? Speaking of which that was sarcasm. Yes, his name was Norm and he was a magical genie who I thought was there to help me destory Turner with him."

Crocker lowers his voice and remarks bitterly; "Instead he goes to my moral enemy and wishes me to Mars."

"Mars?" Itachi frowned. He was unfamiliar with the galaxy by the standards of Earth as it was usually known. It doesn't matter much, as Crocker's point still got across, but he asked regardless.

"I'm assuming that's a place?" Such knowledge was more interesting than the man's woes.

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hold down your head now, just let me pass by

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