Operation: Express Car; [train plot log]

[these_balls]

Who: Everyone who wants to participate!
Where: Goldenrod City, the Magnet Train, Saffron City.
When: November 23rd, 11AM-5PM
Summary: Heist on the Magnet Train!
Rating: Might go up to PG-13, possibly R if exceptional violence of swearing occurs.
Log:

They've spent the last few days preparing. He wasn't sure at first, how this was going to turn out, but the Team is confident. They are confident and now he, Archer, is also confident. He has no reason to expect failure; he tells himself, even if they fail, this will cement them back in the public eye. A threat again. It makes his collar hot to think.

He reviews the plans again, Petrel's notes and schematics, engineering details. Phase 2 will be the most delicate, but he's confident in the abilities of the recruits. The aliens, the outsiders, are strange, but useful. They have skills no other Grunt would possess. Archer recognizes he has been given a tool, and only a fool would fail to use it.

At 9:30AM on November 23rd, Archer sends a message through the Rocket Network. It is short, and simple, and jubilant.

Operation: Express Car START

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It's a nice day out, considering. Cold, yes, but the kind of cold that buries itself deep in the lungs and blows the mind into crisp clarity. Cheeks are red, movements brisk to retain heat, and around Goldenrod's white-dusted Magnet Train station, the energy is thick enough to taste. People in their thick winter coats press together, some alone, some with families and friends, most with their trusted pokémon. The larger creatures are returned to their balls, tragically fated to miss the voyage, while smaller breeds are held in their trainers' arms or scurrying around their ankles.

The station attendants are supervising while customers pass through, touching the microchipped Rail Pass to the card readers and moving in slow, sluggish trails through the gates. There is no shoving; the atmosphere seems too cheery for it, excitement manifesting in the form of loud, vigorous conversation. The train itself is gloriously slick, smooth and polished as a new bullet or a freshly-minted coin, humming with power. We ask our passengers to please mind their electric-types, reminds the stationmaster over the PA, as we seek to avoid any trouble or inconvenience during the ride.

Once you've passed the gate, find a seat and stow away your luggage. Relax, unwind; it's a long six hours ahead.

[[ ooc: I kindly ask that players please DO NOT POST until all the subthreads have been made. Thank you!

GO FOR IT! Remeber to tag yourselves in!

NOTE: YOU CAN NPC ROCKETS IF YOU CAN'T NAB A PC ROCKET FOR PLOTTY FUNTIEMS. ]]

Comments

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Sorry Merlin, she's just that type of girl. There might be some enjoyment in their future when he helps her, but for now she's fiercely independent. Once she's certain no one saw, her mood begins to calm. ]

I would enjoy your company if you would do me the honor.

[dragonspeak]

Always. [He spares her a touch to the shoulder before he slips his bag into the overhang beside hers. Then he takes a seat, letting Nineve sniff at the floor curiously.]

So...any idea what you want to do in Saffron first?

[ex_cashcow493]

I have never been.

[ Asking her to plan ahead for a place she's never seen nor heard of is kind of silly, is it not? Moving into the seat near him, she glances towards the window. ]

Merlin, I can tell you anything that happens to cross my mind... right?

[dragonspeak]

Neither have I, but it sounds like a lot of people have already heard of Saffron before this. [He turns his head against the headrest to look at her properly.] We could just...walk around and see what catches our interest.

[The question makes him sit up, though.] Of course. What's wrong?

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Well, if others have heard of this place before, maybe she can listen to the broadcasts on the network for a better idea. ]

I regret leaving my weapon behind. [ Calmly spoken, but ominous enough to not really give much insight to how she felt. ]

[dragonspeak]

Your weapon? [While he's surprised she's bringing it up now, he isn't surprised at what she said. He imagines any of the knights would feel naked without a sword by their side. Sort of like him with his magic, though he's grown used to it by now.]

It makes you feel better when you have it around, right? [A quick look down--their torsos would keep anyone from getting a clear view--and Merlin inches his hand over toward hers again, threading his fingers through hers.] Just bring it with you next time.

[ex_cashcow493]

Yes, my blade.

[ While she tries to convince herself that it's going to be alright without it, that nagging feeling deep within her gut refuses to go away. Letting her guard down around him was easy enough (despite the tension she feels), so he'll find her fingers squeezing his in return. ]

Merlin. Please do not behave in a reckless manner even if the situation calls for it, alright?

[ No matter how much she trusts him, she can't bring herself to telling him of her suspicions. No point in ruining a trip for him just because of an unnatural feeling of dread. ]

[dragonspeak]

[Much as he wants to relax once she's left her hand in his, he can't. There's a nagging sensation that something is bothering Arturia, and that it isn't about their plans in Saffron.]

Hey. [He leans in, concerned.] Did something happen?

[ex_cashcow493]

I have an ill feeling that lingers over my mind, Merlin. About all of this. [ A pause. ] Perhaps it is as simple as my inability to relax when the time calls for it.

[dragonspeak]

I don't think that's it. [He squeezes her hand reassuringly.]

If you think something's going to happen, we'll stay on guard until we get to Saffron.

[ex_cashcow493]

I do not just think it, Merlin. I..

[ How does she explain it? "I'm a nicer Morgana"? ]

Never mind it.

[dragonspeak]

You...sensed something? [That's the direction his mind takes when he thinks about it.]

[ex_cashcow493]

I implore you to dismiss my words from your mind, Merlin.

[ She really doesn't want to ruin the mood due to a nagging thought. ]