Emmy Altava (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
snapandscoot) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
route_10652012-05-13 09:52 am
snapandscoot) wrote in route_10652012-05-13 09:52 am
who the hell is even betraying who any more
Who: Emmy Altava (snapandscoot), Lightning Farron (soggypastry) and Solf. J. Kimblee (explosivecombat)
Where: Olivine City
When: Back before the Spring Cleaning plot! Ideally, right after this.
Summary: Emmy convinces Lightning to meet with a certain Rocket member.
Rating: PG at most, I'd say.
Log:
Sighing, Emmy made her way into the little cafe that was serving as her rendezvous with Lightning. As much as the ride on Kimblee's Steelix had thrilled her, she'd come crashing back to earth very quickly once they actually made it to Olivine.
They had decided that she would enter alone first, in order for Lightning to brief her, and her to return the favour. So, after requesting that Kimblee wait for her signal to come in, she pushed open the door and scanned the tables, searching for the enigmatic leader of the PGC.
With any luck, things would go well. Oh, how she hoped they would go well!
Emmy spotted her quickly; it was rather hard to miss that pink hair, after all. Briefly, she wondered if it was natural. But that wasn't what she should be concerned with, right now! Honestly, this entire affair was doing her head in.
Making her way over to the table, Emmy stood in front of it rather than seating herself, greeting Lightning with a small smile.
"Thank you for agreeing to this."
snapandscoot), Lightning Farron (soggypastry) and Solf. J. Kimblee (explosivecombat)Where: Olivine City
When: Back before the Spring Cleaning plot! Ideally, right after this.
Summary: Emmy convinces Lightning to meet with a certain Rocket member.
Rating: PG at most, I'd say.
Log:
Sighing, Emmy made her way into the little cafe that was serving as her rendezvous with Lightning. As much as the ride on Kimblee's Steelix had thrilled her, she'd come crashing back to earth very quickly once they actually made it to Olivine.
They had decided that she would enter alone first, in order for Lightning to brief her, and her to return the favour. So, after requesting that Kimblee wait for her signal to come in, she pushed open the door and scanned the tables, searching for the enigmatic leader of the PGC.
With any luck, things would go well. Oh, how she hoped they would go well!
Emmy spotted her quickly; it was rather hard to miss that pink hair, after all. Briefly, she wondered if it was natural. But that wasn't what she should be concerned with, right now! Honestly, this entire affair was doing her head in.
Making her way over to the table, Emmy stood in front of it rather than seating herself, greeting Lightning with a small smile.
"Thank you for agreeing to this."
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"I'm a former military officer, Miss Farron; my experience with engaging the enemy has always been on the front lines. Allowing others to fight my battles for me is something that I've always found to be personally humiliating; this would be why I attempted to assist my friend alone in the first place. I understand that pride has no place in this, but I believe that I can be an asset to you; I'm more than willing to serve as an informant for your organization.
At the same time, I'm sure you understand the risk that I'm undertaking in my willingness to do this. I don't require compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for information; I simply ask for your organization's protection, should it come to that, and a few details regarding exactly whom I'm working with. I can better assist you if I know whom I'm assisting and what they're doing in order to make strikes against Team Rocket; at the same time, I'm neither a fool nor an idiot. I don't expect full disclosure at any time, much less immediately. I simply ask for a chance to gain your trust over time."
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"Then how about this: you give us information on attacks Team Rocket is planning. In return, we'll let you know what we plan to do about the attacks ahead of time, so you have a chance to get the people you're trying to protect out of the line of fire. You don't get any names until I'm sure you can be trusted to not rat us out to the people in charge, but you do get the name of our organization so you know who to contact. Sound fair?"
It's a lot more than she's used to giving, but negotiations happen because both parties can walk away just a little unhappy. It's going to have to do.
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"I think that sounds very reasonable. What do you think, Mr Kimblee?"
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However, Kimblee also must admit that this is going much better than he had expected; he seems to relax quite a bit at Lightning's terms.
"I think it's perfectly fair, Miss Farron, thank you."
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"Don't thank me yet. If the information you get us ends up being false, or made to lure us into a trap, I'll know who to come after. I'm sure you understand me."
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"Lightning, we should probably give him some contact details. He can go through me for most of it, but...can we tell him the name of our group, at least?"
Alright Emmy, it's time to get your actress on! She takes a sip of tea to calm her nerves. As much as she cares about Mr Kimblee, she owes it to Lightning to go through this properly. Besides, it's not even that big a deal! He can get the real information once he's proven he's trustworthy.
Which he is, of course!
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"Interesting that you say I shouldn't thank you yet, Miss Farron, as you've given me no reason to not appreciate your generosity. I understand you perfectly; just the same, my gratitude is warranted for the time being, I think, if for no better reason than you're being incredibly fair about this.
Now, this information you mentioned?"
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"PSICom. That's the name of the group."
Whether it actually stands for something or not, she doesn't say. It obviously means something to her to have chosen that name instead of giving him the real one, but her face betrays no sign that this is a lie. The only way he'll find out is if Emmy slips up, which Lightning sincerely hopes she doesn't.
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Emmy looks at Lightning, apologetic...and hoping that she's doing a good enough job of pulling this off.
"But I'm really proud of the work PSICom does, and I just know you'll be an asset, Mr Kimblee! I should thank the two of you for agreeing to meet here today."
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PSICom, is it...
"That's a rather unusual name, I must admit; might I ask you what it stands for?"
He's actually not pressing due to anything seeming amiss, but more through sheer curiosity; it is a bit of a strange name, really.
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"You can, but I'd prefer to keep that under wraps for the moment. Maybe I'll tell you next time."
Or rather, when she actually comes up with a name that fits this world and not Cocoon. She had no time to think on it before and just grabbed the first thing that came to mind.
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"Well, I think that's mainly covered everything!"
Clapping her hands together, Emmy widens her smile and looks at her two dining partners.
"Unless either of you two want to add anything more?"
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Kimblee doesn't comment directly, however, but the look in his eyes is suddenly rather sharp, intense in contrast to the vague wariness that's been there through this entire discussion.
"No, I think that's all, Miss Altava; I'm afraid that I really must be going, anyway. If I'm away too long...you know how he gets."
Despite his words, however, Kimblee still isn't looking at her; as he stands up, his gaze is focused directly on Lightning.
"It's been a pleasure, Miss Farron, and again, I would like to thank you for your generosity, and for taking such a risk in meeting me here today.
I just ask that you keep in mind that I'm not the only one who needs to earn trust here. If you expect me to give you valid information, I would like to ask that you not disrespect me by refusing me the same courtesy.
In future, of course."
That polite expression hasn't left his features; however, neither has that look in his eyes. He'll take his leave, however.
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"Trust has to be earned, Mr. Kimblee. Considering the risk we're both already taking, can you blame me for not wanting to add to it? You know it isn't just my safety at stake here. Besides," She pauses, reaching for her mug and taking another sip of her coffee. "PSICom is less of a mouthful than what it actually stands for. I'd have thought you'd appreciate it being easier to say."
Because it will be a mouthful when she's done with it, that's to be sure.
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Emmy watches, dumbfounded, as Kimblee storms out of the cafe. She hadn't missed that look in his eyes; he's furious.
"Lightning, thank you so much for coming-I'll take care of him, I think something's rubbed him the wrong way. Call me if you need me!!"
She's outside in seconds, running, praying that she manages to catch him before he flies away.
"Mr Kimblee!!"
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"What is it, Miss Altava? As I've said, I don't have time."
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Emmy is panting slightly, but it's more from stress than any real sort of fatigue. Looking up at him, she frowns sadly.
"I...thought the meeting was going quite well. What did she say that upset you so?"
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He takes Taylor's Pokéball out, toying with it between his hands; he isn't looking at her when he speaks, but rather off to the side, somewhere down the street.
"I didn't come here to give you confidential information and then get stabbed in the back for my effort. If you're going to feed me lies, they'll have to be better-constructed than that; as it stands, I'm not going to allow both of you to give me false information on how to contact a group that I'm supposed to trust to protect me.
You've stabbed me in the back, both of you; your hypocrisy in this situation disgusts me. Do you understand?"
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Emmy is genuinely shocked at his response; stabbed him in the back?! How....?
"Mr Kimblee, I....Lightning had no intention of trying to betray you or play games with you, she was just..."
The situation dawns immediately on her at that point. Oh, she had an inkling, but now she's very sure.
"...I understand. This is about the name."
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I've given you information; you've chosen to completely disrespect me by lecturing me about how I can't be trusted and then betraying me. That's absolutely hideous."
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Deep down, Emmy knows Kimblee probably didn't mean her specifically, but it still hurt.
"Lightning got me to lie about the name because she wanted to see if you were trustworthy. I admit, in hindsight it wasn't the best idea and if I'd thought it through properly I would have said something to her, but I need her to trust me too, Mr Kimblee! Neither of us will have any access to the group if I'm not considered trustworthy enough to be a part of it!"
She pauses, there, looking down at the ground, catching her breath. Gathering her thoughts. It's a puzzle, Emmy. You have to calm Kimblee down while still maintaining your stance. 50 picarats. No hint coins.
"In all honesty, I just...thought you'd go through me, with your information. Contacting me has never been a problem before, really, so that's...the reason why I didn't think Lightning's test would cause a problem. I was wrong."
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He's not looking forward to explaining this to Archer. He's aware of the irony of that; he's aware of the irony of the whole goddamn situation. At the same time, he has every reason to throw this; it's not as though they got very far into this operation, certainly not far enough to matter. Cutting ties now won't hinder them any.
"You can explain that to Miss Farron as well, if you like. We're both aware that I can't."
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She tried. It didn't work. Emmy feels herself freeze, her heart sinking.
"W-Well fine, then, you...! I can't believe you! I tried so hard to get this to work and you don't even give me a second chance for something I didn't even do on purpose?! I've known you for months; what's wrong with you?!"
Emmy turns quickly, then, marching away so he can't see the tears spilling down her face. But she pauses, quickly scrubbing at her face and striding right back to him, not bothering to get rid of the fresh tears that quickly replace the old ones.
"Since it's so damn important to you, the group is called the Pokemon Guardian Corps, or PCG for short! I hope you're satisfied! I'm sure Archer will be damn pleased with the intel!"
And after that, Emmy turns away again, making a quick hand movement. Her Alakazam appears immediately, reaching out an arm to touch her and Teleport her away.
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"Miss Altava." His voice is even. Calm, despite the fact that the anger in his eyes hadn't subsided. "This wasn't a matter of a simple mistake. This was something that had potential to get me killed.
Don't you understand? It's because our relationship is so close that made lying to me about something like this so severe. I've no doubt that Lightning Farron doesn't care whether I live or die; do you understand what it's like watching you side with her? To hear you tell me that you would have me die because you want her to trust you?"
He's shaking badly and it's obvious; it's difficult to tell, outwardly, if it's through being upset or being furious - his expression is a bit hard to read.
"Miss Altava, please. It's as I've told you before; I have many shortcomings, the first of which is my lack of...understanding, I suppose, when it comes to boundaries. I don't like admitting this, but trust and friendship are still incredibly new to me; back in Amestris I couldn't afford any of that. I was frequently in a position where I had literally nothing but my intuition and ability to tell when I'm being lied to keeping me from being killed. This is why I reacted as I did. It was incredibly inappropriate and I'm sorry. I...don't know what to do outside of apologize to you, and I know that I can't do that enough."
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...oh no. No no no no, this isn't good, she's losing it-
"...do you really think I'd risk your life over getting her to trust me, you can't seriously think that, I don't..."
-got to stay in control, got to...oh, dammit, more tears, more tears are coming and her bottom lip is trembling no no NO-
"I suppose I misunderstood the situation, I'm not a bloody soldier or a spy, Kimblee, but I'm t-trying..."
-she has to stay strong, what the hell would the Professor think if he....
...saw her weeping like this.
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