route_1065 | A Frank discussion about Archer

The call had come as a bit of a surprise - Kimblee honestly hadn't realized that Emmy had returned from Cianwood so soon - but it wasn't an unwelcome one. The meeting place was comfortable, familiar, and an invitation like this was nothing unusual - after all, they tended to meet up after one of them had been away from town for a while, and Emmy had been gone for about a week and a half now. She had seemed strangely insistent, but that was something just as easily attributed to excitement than any sort of problem; it was entirely possible that she simply wanted to catch up.

As such, he had Thetis out with him when he entered the café, held close to his chest like a cat of some sort. The Flareon had taken to his...change of ownership rather well, all things considered; he was trying to use the momentary pause Kimblee was taking to locate Emmy to squirm his way upwards for the sake of giving Kimblee a tremendous broface when Kimblee spotted her.

His approach was a brisk one, causing Thetis to sink back down into his arms in something best described as a pout, if Flareons were capable of such things; Kimblee set him down into his lap as he joined Emmy at the table, the general sentiment that he was pleased to see her present in his own expression.

"Ah, Miss Altava - hopefully I didn't keep you waiting for too long. I trust your trip went well?"

"Quite well, Mr Kimblee; I've got 6 badges now!"

Emmy smiled warmly as Kimblee seated himself at the table. She was happy to see him, as she always...was...

"...ah, is...that a new Pokemon?"

It was a beautiful creature; red and orange fur, lovely black eyes. A...what was it, a Flareon! She'd read about them before she'd headed up to Ecruteak.

One of the Kimono girls trained one.

"Where did you get it?"

Kimblee knew very well that one of the Kimono Girls trained one; however, this wasn't that particular creature. Any of the higher-leveled Pokémon they had managed to steal had been turned over to Team Rocket directly; this one had been one of the Eevees from the photograph sent out to the network.

The other was a Leafeon now; Kimblee had left it sleeping on his bed when he had left the base that morning.

Either way, he ran a gloved hand lightly over Thetis' head; the question wasn't one that he liked, exactly, but it was one that he had expected, and the answer came easily.

"Ah, Archer gave it to me - he has the means to breed Eevees, you see, and he recently allowed me to have some of them. He pointed out this particular evolutionary form as one that I would like a while back, and he certainly wasn't wrong in that regard. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, just curious! I mean, it's rather pretty, something I maybe wouldn't mind catching myself, one day!"

The lie is weak and she knows it, so she takes a moment to collect herself by dropping another berry to Bug, who clicks happily and proceeds to devour it.

She knows she needs to move the conversation towards the real reason she called Kimblee out, today, but it's...difficult. They haven't discussed Archer in weeks, almost months, and she doesn't want to look as if she's trying to drag up the past for no reason other than bitterness.

She has to be careful.

"Mr Kimblee....."

But she has to know.

"....do you...know that Archer is a member of Team Rocket?"

Kimblee's eyes widened a good amount at that; of all the ways she could possibly have gone about this, she was asking whether he knew about Archer?

He fell silent for a moment; judging by her wording, she didn't know about Kimblee's own involvement with the organization...but there was really only one way he could answer that. Logically speaking, whether he was involved or not, he would have to know about Archer.

"Yes, Miss Altava. I know. Given how close we are, it would be impossible for me not to know."

"....you know?"

Why is she surprised? She shouldn't be surprised. But still, it's....disappointing, considering what Descole told her. Why would Kimblee give Archer information about her Pokemon if he knew the man was a member of Team Rocket?

"It's just....there's this...this list circulating around....a-and my name is on it...."

She's trying to control herself, keep calm, keep calm, but the words are falling out of her mouth and she can't do anything to stop them. To her credit, at least she's not raising her voice.

"And I think Archer must have done it!"

Kimblee leans forward at that, prompting Thetis to jump down from his lap and resettle himself on the floor; he rests his hands lightly on the table in front of them, folding them around each other, but he doesn't seem agitated. Rather, his expression is composed; his voice is even, but in a way that's closer to calming than cold.

"Relax, Miss Altava, please. I'll try to help you in any way that I can, but I can't work miracles, nor can I read minds. Let's take this one thing at a time."

Well, as long as Thetis doesn't try to steal Bug's berry, everything should work out nicely down there!

...which might not be what can be said for the discussion going on above the table.

"I....I don't know, Mr Kimblee, but...I was informed about that list, and....well, who else would have reason to put me on it? Especially since Archer is a member of Team Rocket, and..."

Sighing, Emmy rests her head in her hands.

"...I'm sorry, I just....I've never had anything like this happen before. I'm still trying to process it."

Kimblee pauses for a moment, thinking that over; his expression has gone...rather serious, really.

"How did you find out about this list in the first place? I won't press you for names if you're unwilling to share them with me...but someone within Team Rocket must have told you, and I doubt it was Archer himself."

He already has a very good idea whom it might have been; Cobra had flat-out told him that Jean Descole had arranged to deal with Emmy. While it was possible that Descole had actually kept his mouth shut, that was one of the arrangements that had struck Kimblee as incredibly suspicious; Emmy and Descole knew and didn't seem to like each other, but from the sound of it, Descole was more interested in...well, harassing Emmy somewhat and trying to annoy her, as opposed to being out to kill her. Really, if anything the incident at the masquerade that Emmy had told him about could have been seen as a way of expressing some vaguely creepy, socially-awkward interest.

Admittedly, Emmy had described Descole as a horrible person...but then, Emmy is currently doing a stellar job of proving that she wouldn't know a truly horrible person if she was sitting less than two feet away from one.

Edited 2012-04-28 03:43 (UTC)

"Just from a...someone I know."

Emmy trusts Kimblee. Kimblee has been a friend to her ever since she arrived in Johto all those months ago, clutching her Machop and Pokegear. So why can't she tell him about Descole? The fact that he had gone out of his way to warn her about that list was....well, it was very....gentlemanly, really. So perhaps, for now, it was best to return the favour and keep his part in it to herself.

"It definitely wasn't Archer, no. But it was someone I trust."

Does she trust Descole? She'd believed him without a second thought. Could he be lying to her?

...something tells her that isn't the case. What would he gain from it? The Professor isn't doing anything against him, and the only thing that's really happened between the two of them were the incident at the Masquerade and the battle, and the latter had ended on good terms.

So yes. Maybe she does trust him. Londoners have to stick together, after all!

"...I see."

Kimblee leans back in his chair, tipping his head a bit in acknowledgement of her words; he's not surprised that she isn't giving him any sort of confirmation. He has to wonder if she suspects him of being in Team Rocket himself, if she's questioning his involvement and bothered by his closeness with Archer -

...wait. This...it's possible that he can use this.

"Miss Altava, there are some things I need to tell you; I had been trying to avoid it, as I hadn't wanted to get you involved, but there's no way around it now - however, due to the nature of the...confession, as it were, I can't do so here.

I know this sounds as though it's leading somewhere horrible, but I'm going to have to ask that you trust me, as it isn't anything that can be said in such a public location - can we go somewhere a little more private in order to discuss this?"

Emmy almost braces herself for when Kimblee starts speaking again, praying he isn't angry with her for refusing to tell him who informed her about the list. She really doesn't want to risk losing his friendship; it means a lot to her.

So when he does speak, the serious tone and words do make her somewhat nervous, but it's better than anger or indignation.

"Ah, well, we can go back to my room if you like; I'm renting a small apartment here in Goldenrod. There's tea and milk and all that good stuff, so we can sit and talk comfortably, if you like!"

His expression does seem to lighten at that; he relaxes quite a bit, really, the shift in his posture visible.

"That would be lovely; I appreciate it."

With that, he moves to pick up Thetis, who has been curled up on the floor at his feet; the Flareon had been interested in Bug for about...ten seconds before deciding that waiting for Kimblee to start lavishing attention on him again was a decidedly better pastime than trying to get to know the Pokémon.

"Shall we, then?"

"We shall!"

Emmy leads Kimblee out of the cafe, Bug happily scampering after her like a puppy, if puppies looked like giant red spiderbeasts.

The apartment is located behind Goldenrod gym, in a smallish building with three floors. Emmy was lucky enough to score a room on the third floor, and after fighting off Bug (who was trying to insist she ride on his back up the stairs), opens the door and beckons Kimblee inside. It's only one room with a bathroom off to the side, but it's cosy and quite comfortable. Her Emboar looks surprised to see her home so early; she's been lifting weights. Or the bed, as it were.

"It's small, but it's become quite a home away from home, really. You sit down at the table; I'll put the kettle on."

Said table is a modest wooden thing with two chairs, but Emmy's covered it with a colourful tablecloth, brightening up the atmosphere. Bug scuttles over to the bed (after Teppi sheepishly puts it down) and leaps onto it, immediately falling asleep.

"I'm sorry I never offered to bring you here before; it probably would have been much easier than the cafe, but I do so love those little cakes they make."

...this is probably the quaintest apartment he's ever been in. Kimblee takes the seat she indicates without complaint (though he does shoot Teppi something of an alarmed look at the sight of what she's doing to the bed), and sets Thetis down on the floor, flicking his hand down once at waist-level to indicate that jumping up onto his lap isn't going to fly.

Thetis headtilts at him for a moment before curling up at his feet again; Kimblee returns his attention to Emmy, content with the knowledge that Thetis intends to stay put.

"Don't apologize, Miss Altava, I understand; it is a rather lovely apartment, however."

He intends to wait until she's joined him to begin; there are several reasons for this, the most pressing being mentally solidifying what he's about to say. He's currently weighing the options here, looking at it as a matter of probability - he wants to maximize his chances for a good outcome while keeping the risk down.

He's fairly sure that he knows what he's doing; he's confident that he can keep it up, but there won't be much going back once he starts.

Emmy promptly returns to the table, placing down a tray with a teapot and two cups, making sure not to step on the Flareon's fluffy tail. She'd rather not have the place burned down, after all.

"Teppi, could you grab that other plate? The one with the biscuits? And no sneaking any of them, I'm watching you!"

With a pained expression, the Emboar does as she's asked, happily clapping her massive hands together when Emmy gives her one afterwards.

"Now, Mr Kimblee," Emmy begins, placing a strainer over his cup and beginning to pour tea into it. "What did you want to tell me?"

Kimblee averts his gaze a bit, keeping his attention on the cup she's pouring rather than her face. "I intend to tell you everything, but I have to ask that you give me a chance to explain myself; I'm going to tell you some things that you may find abhorrent, and I would like for you to express your opinion as you more than have the right to do so, but please, if you find yourself tempted to end the conversation, I ask that you allow me to finish, as there are reasons for all of it. I promise you."

He pauses for a moment, closing his eyes for a moment before returning his gaze to her face. "I told you that I'm aware of Archer's involvement in Team Rocket - that it would be impossible for me not to know.

Part of the reason I know this for a fact is because I'm a member of Team Rocket as well."

There's a good amount of hesitation in his voice when he says it; he averts his gaze quickly after it's out there, shooting it back toward the table. He'll let her respond to that however she sees fit; see how she takes it before he gets to the rest.

It's now that Emmy is glad she bought small teacups; it means that when Kimblee drops that little bomb, she's already finished pouring his cup and avoids spilling tea everywhere in shock.

"...you're a member of Team Rocket?"

To her credit, she doesn't drop the teapot or have any undue reaction to the revelation; she places it down on the table, her own cup forgotten as she stares at the man seated across from her.

"....then you already knew about the list."

She can feel the shock giving way to anger, rising up through her body to be expressed in the tightening of her hand around the handle of the teapot. As if sensing her sudden change in mood, Teppi turns to look at them from where she's seated against the wall, munching on her biscuit, and Bug opens one eye.

It's hard to keep herself together, but Emmy thinks about how the Professor would act in this situation; calm and composed, allowing Kimblee to finish. So with tight control over her emotions, she indicates for him to continue speaking.

"Go on, Mr Kimblee."

"I knew, yes."

He reaches out one-handed, tracing along the rim of the cup with his fingertips; he keeps his gaze averted.

"I found out about Archer's involvement shortly after we became friends; he had been pushing me to join him since then, but I refused. He had been recruited upon arrival in Johto - apparently some of us simply show up within the base, already considered a member of the crime syndicate, as opposed to starting in New Bark Town; he wasn't terribly interested in the organization itself back then, being more fixated on collecting the Badges and returning to Amestris. He confided in me early on, telling me that he had experienced a great personal loss; he seemed desperate for companionship, and was greatly bothered by the fact that I wouldn't join him as a member of Team Rocket. I know that your impression of him hasn't been the best and he's incredibly prideful, but Archer is a terribly lonely person, Miss Altava; as such, I told him that I would remain friends with him, and spend time with him as his battling partner, but I wanted nothing to do with the organization itself.

This is why the masquerade worried him so much, and why he was so concerned about losing me - outside of the attraction issue, I was turning him down in another way by refusing to join him in this organization he was affiliated with. It looked to him like I wanted nothing to do with him anymore; my leaving only cemented that. I'm afraid that was my mistake, and it seems that in leaving him behind here, I may have painted a target on your head."

"So it's just a misunderstanding, then."

Emmy pours herself a cup of tea while he speaks, her hands steady. She's going to need a few more after this one, but what Kimblee is saying makes sense. Archer obviously has a host of issues, and she wouldn't be surprised if he'd press-ganged Kimblee into joining him through some feeling of isolation or loneliness. Her anger towards him is quickly giving way to pity.

"So I take it you became a member of the organization later? Since you said you're now a part of it."

The gears in Emmy's mind are turning; Kimblee and Archer are incredibly close, and they're both members of the organization. If she was put on that list for a stupid, jealous misunderstanding on Archer's part, then surely Kimblee could convince him to take her off!

"Well then the answer is simple, Mr Kimblee; you can tell Archer that his rage towards me is misdirected, and get him to scratch my name from that horrible list! Puzzle solved, I do believe!"

And with that, she takes a happy sip of her tea.

"Ah...I'm afraid it isn't that simple. You see, Archer isn't the one circulating the list."

His gaze flicks back up to meet with Emmy's.

"Your name has been given to someone higher up the chain of command - someone I don't have access to. Now that you've been flagged as a threat, there's nothing to be done about it."

He pauses for a moment after that's out there; that was an...interesting conclusion, he must admit, but it hasn't thrown him off too far.

"That list consists of possible targets for the organization. I believe you have the right to know that your name has already been claimed; I need to confirm something with you regarding that. What's said here won't leave this room, but I have to make sure that you aren't in danger and that the person in question can be trusted.

Jean Descole is the person who claimed you as his target. Is he the one who told you about this list to begin with?"

"Jean Descole isn't a threat to me, and if he becomes one I can handle it."

It's not answering the question; Emmy knows that, but Kimblee can draw his own conclusions. She's too busy seething with anger at Archer.

"How can you stand to be around a person like that, Mr Kimblee? I've done nothing wrong, nothing, and he's put me on a list that instructs people to....to kill me without even caring if I'm innocent or not!"

Emmy doesn't even realise she's yelling until she notices her chair is lying on it's side behind her, she's standing up and leaning on the table and her Alazakam has appeared behind her, looking concerned.

"It's alright, Abbie. Go meditate."

She's not usually so blunt with her Pokemon and Abbie knows it, but she doesn't argue. Frowning, the Alakazam disappears back into the air, leaving Emmy staring angrily at that plate of biscuits like she's willing it to burst into flames before her.

"That's precisely why I joined the organization in the first place. It's the best way to keep an eye on Archer, to know what he's doing; the incident at the masquerade proved to me that he couldn't be trusted. As far as I'm concerned, our friendship hasn't been a genuine one since then. I'm allowing him to think that it is, because I can continue to gain information on him and what this organization is doing this way; I allowed him to recruit me in recently, and I can't say that I'm not grateful for the fact that I joined when I did, as it gave me access to that list - I don't know if you're aware, Miss Altava, but Isaac's name was on that list as well.

I'm sure you know exactly why this would have been distressing for me. Fortunately, I was able to claim him as my target before anyone else could; I would have done the same for you, if possible."

He pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath before he continues. "I had hoped that by joining, I could stop Archer from continuing down whatever destructive path he started down in February; I tried to get him to see reason. While I'm still incredibly concerned for him, I have to admit that this is completely beyond my control. I don't know what course of action to take anymore.

Miss Altava, two people who are very dear to me - my...boyfriend, and you, my closest friend in Johto - have been put on this list. As it's has been sent so far up the chain of command, my priorities now have to be aimed toward preventing anything further by any means possible. If that means doing what I can to bring down this entire organization by myself, then so be it...but as much as it pains my pride to admit this, I know that I'm not going to be capable of succeeding. The most I may be capable of alone is putting a divot in it; perhaps you and I together could manage a dent. This requires more power than both of us have."

His hand stills against the rim of that cup; he still hasn't touched his tea.

"Do you know of anyone else that we can trust to help me in this endeavor? I trust your judgement entirely."

Edited 2012-04-28 07:06 (UTC)

Abbie has righted her chair, so Emmy seats herself back down in it, wrapping her hands around her teacup.

"There is....someone."

The Guardians. If anyone could help them take down Team Rocket, they could. But the group is sworn to secrecy. What if they kicked her out for revealing them? Especially to a current member of Team Rocket....the leaders would be furious! No, there's no way she can bring them up now. At least, not without checking that it would be okay. She doesn't want to risk her spot in the group. Not now, when Team Rocket is becoming steadily more active.

"But I'm afraid I can't say anything about them. At least...not now. Please...tell me you understand, Mr Kimblee. I just...I can't risk it."

It's killing her, having to keep this from him. It really hurts. What if he thinks she doesn't trust him, or find him worthy of the information?

"Please don't think I'm doing this because I don't trust you, I just...I need to check it's okay first. Then I'll tell you everything, I promise."

What he said about her touched her quite deeply; his closest friend in Johto. What a lovely thing to say. It's now that she realises she considers him the same.

"I'm flattered you consider me so highly, Mr Kimblee. Really...really flattered."

Kimblee nods a bit at that, though the action is slow, almost uncertain. "Of course; I understand entirely. However, I'm sure you understand that the situation is incredibly dire - I..."

He trails off a bit at that; something's occurred to him.

"...these...people you're referring to - I'm assuming it's a group, not an individual, though if you were using a singular 'they' I apologize - this wouldn't happen to be a group run by, or at least involving, Lightning Farron, would it? I don't know whether she's in charge or not, but she was suspected of working with some sort of counter-Rocket organization. Her name was likewise on the list; she's an extremely high-priority target. I realize that it's entirely possible that you don't even know what I'm talking about, but Miss Altava, if she's involved with this person or persons that you're referring to, I need to get in contact with her right away. I'll give her any information she may happen to request in order to prove that this is legitimate, but I need your assistance."

Lightning. The leader of the Guardians. Emmy's very familiar with the name, even if her and the girl (...how old is she anyway, she looks so young...) have only spoken a number of times.

"I...."

Her hesitation should be enough to confirm his suspicions, but...even to him, can she give out the information? The Guardians are always so clear on keeping information inside the group; what if this got her kicked out of it? And what if the group turned out to be similar to Team Rocket, in that they didn't just kick people out, they made sure they weren't around to get in the way...

Argh! What a mess; sighing again, Emmy massages her temples, wishing vainly that she could have a hint coin for this mess.

"....let me talk to her first."

Kimblee pauses for a moment; it's brief enough to look like hesitation, at the very least, and his gaze has shot back down to the table. He's close; he can tell. It just isn't enough yet.

Damn it.

Well...there's not much he can do for the moment; it's best to back off for now.

"In that case, I ask that you don't mention my name to Miss Farron; bear in mind that I need to still appear loyal to Team Rocket, and I can't trust someone I haven't spoken to personally. Let her know that I would prefer to meet with her in person, if at all possible - she can bring whomever she likes with her to the meeting, but I suspect that Team Rocket may monitor the conversations I have over the Gear.

I would also like to ask that you not mention Archer. I confronted him previously about the list, and he knows I'm incredibly displeased. If his name is released to this group and he's suddenly targeted, or people begin treating him strangely..." He trails off, the pause heavy and awkward, before continuing. "Several of his Pokémon attack humans, Miss Altava, and he's become increasingly unstable since February. He may take his anger out on me; call it cowardice if you like, but I would prefer to not bring that sort of risk on myself until I can speak with Miss Farron myself regarding this group."

Another pause; when he speaks again, he seems...much more relaxed. Relieved, even; there's a slight smile crossing his features.

"Thank you so much for your help, Miss Altava, and for your understanding. It's...greatly appreciated; words can't describe how much it means to me."

"I'll keep all that in mind, Mr Kimblee. I'll try to get in contact with her as soon as possible."

Kimblee may be relaxing but Emmy is not; she's staring into her teacup with an expression almost bordering on pain. This conversation has her rather depressed. She almost feels....alone, somewhat; she's never had to deal with a problem (and it's not a puzzle, really; it's a problem) of this magnitude before. The issues in Misthallery were intense, but this...it just feels on another level entirely.

She finds no answers in her tea, however.

"I'm glad I was able to help, Mr Kimblee."

And she forces a smile to her face, reaching out and grabbing one of those biscuits. The sugar might help.

Kimblee reaches out when she does, laying his hand across hers gently as her fingers close over one of those biscuits; his expression is a gentle one.

"I understand that this is a lot to handle, especially all at once. I owe you an apology for that; even though I'm no longer in Amestris, I've always been a soldier first and foremost. I tend to not necessarily be aware of where the boundaries are between 'normal' and 'overwhelming' for most, because of that; to understate it entirely, I've been hideously insensitive and unfair to you, and I'm sorry for placing this much on you so quickly.

You've been good to me, Miss Altava; I want you to know that you're taking this with the grace of a true lady - I won't forget your kindness."

O-oh. He called her a...lady.

Blushing ever-so-slightly, Emmy replaces the forced smile with a genuine one, placing her hand over his.

"It's very kind of you to say that, Mr Kimblee. I'm sorry I can't be of more help, it's just....a little overwhelming, you know? I don't...want to do the wrong thing by anyone. Trying to be a good assistant, and all that good stuff!"

She's never really noticed how darn fascinating the colours of this tablecloth are! Let her stare at it for a bit, won't you.

"I'll do my best. I promise."

....but she will look him in the eyes when she says that, continuing to smile happily.

She's so lucky to have found such a wonderful friend.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, in that horribly broken spot where he suspects his conscience should be, Kimblee knows that even if he had never thought twice about it before - even though he's lied and manipulated and set everything up for this to go down in a rather impressive display of pain - he knows that he should stop. That he should come clean to her, or - if he can't do that - that he should cut ties completely after this conversation. She would be hurt, surely, by the knowledge of the lies he's told her. It would be sacrificing his friendship with her. But what he's planning to do to her is going to hurt her so much more than anything he's done so far, when it finally comes out into the open. And really, he knows better than to assume that it will never come out into the open.

If he has anything resembling a shred of decency left in him, he would stop now. He knows this. And when she blushes and smiles and makes it so obvious that she trusts him completely, despite the fact that he's done nothing to deserve it...when she apologizes to him for not being able to do more to help him through a situation she's emotionally invested in and he completely made up on the spot, he knows that he should feel horribly guilty. He knows.

When he meets her gaze as she promises him to do what she can, he doesn't feel a thing.

And when he returns that pleased expression she's giving him, the response is so practiced it's seamless; his body smiles, even though he, himself, does not.

"You really are too kind."

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