route_1065 | who the hell is even betraying who any more

Entry tags:

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."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fair is fair, they've made a deal for better or worse. Time to see it through. So Lightning nods, posture relaxing slightly in her seat.

"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.

"We've about 50 members-ah, sorry...."

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."

"Of course, Miss Altava."

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.

Lightning makes no sign that Emmy is either acting well or badly, but she does give the other woman a look that could be for the slip or something else entirely before she looks back at Kimblee, canting her head to the side.

"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.

And Emmy looks appropriately bashful once Lightning gives her that look, silently praying she's doing a good job.

"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?"

Well, Lightning was doing well until then - giving him a name by which to reach your organization, making it very plain as to what your organization does...and then refusing to show how the two are connected? Surely, she doesn't think he's that stupid.

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.

To her credit, Lightning doesn't back down at that sudden sharpness. She keeps her eyes locked on Kimblee's, peering through her bangs as she now has to look up at him and stomp on the instinct that is yelling at her to stand up and glare him down. She can't play all her cards in one hand just yet.

"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.

"Mr..."

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!!"

Catch him she does, though that's less because he hasn't the urge to just leave entirely and more because he knows better than to try to deal with Taylor when he's angry.

"What is it, Miss Altava? As I've said, I don't have time."

"Mr Kimblee, you're obviously angry; I want to help!"

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?"

"Do both of you think that I'm some sort of idiot?"

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?"

"....what?"

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."

"Tell me, Miss Altava. If that's all I have to get in contact with this group of yours and something here goes wrong before the next time I can speak to Miss Farron, how, exactly, am I supposed to notify any of you? And that's on both ends - not just for my own security, but might I ask how in hell she's expecting me to give her any information if I can't contact her?

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."

"...when did I lecture you about how you can't be trusted?! I'm trying to work for the benefit of both of you!"

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."

"It doesn't matter. I won't be getting in further contact with any of you; I'm not your concern anymore, Miss Altava."

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."

"....what? You're going to throw out our entire relationship out because of one silly mistake?!"

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.

...it's at about that moment that Kimblee is momentarily grateful for the fact that she stormed back to him and the fact that his reach is far longer than hers; his hand is on her shoulder immediately, and he doesn't seem inclined to release her anytime soon.

"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."

Edited 2012-05-13 07:55 (UTC)

"But I didn't think it was...you could just contact me, I didn't....!"

...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.

Kimblee doesn't say anything through all of that; though she's still got her back to him, it's incredibly obvious that she's going to cry. And then she...

...oh. Oh, goodness, why.

For a good awkward moment, he isn't entirely sure what to do - then his grip tightens incredibly abruptly against her shoulder, and he forces her around to face him. He doesn't try to make her look at him; that isn't what he's trying to do. He simply pulls her close once he's gotten her turned around, one hand against her back and the other shifting upwards to stroke her hair gently.

"I understand."

All traces of anger are gone from his tone; it's weirdly blank now, though that's...better than rage, at least.

"I should have explained my reasons for not wanting to go through you. It isn't that I doubt you or don't find you reliable; I came to you first, remember. However, continuing to use you as some sort of go-between is putting you in far more danger than I'm comfortable with. You've already been noted as a threat to Team Rocket; if the organization finds out that I'm using you as a contact..."

His voice remains even, a calming edge seeping into it as he speaks to her; he continues playing with her hair. "Again, I'm sorry, Miss Altava. Relax. Please."

As soon as he turns her around her hands are up, covering her face, covering her shame, so it comes as a bit of a surprise when she finds herself pressed against his body in what is unmistakably a hug. Oh. Well. This is.....rather nice.

"W-wait..."

She leans slightly away from him, then, madly scrubbing at her face.

"I-I'll stain y-your clothes if we hug while I'm like this, give me a minute..."

Satisfied that her face is clean, Emmy then proceeds to bury it against Kimblee's chest, her hands gripping the material of his coat as she wraps her arms around his waist.

Emmy has an issue with strength, an issue with appearing competent...how is she supposed to be a good assistant to the professor if she falls into despair so easily? If she just breaks down and sobs whenever things get hard? It's too much. She's filled with shame.

She continues to embrace him as he continues to speak, but when he gets to the part about his worry over using her as the go-between, that's when the anger comes back, and she pushes away.

"N-No! Don't you dare take me off this mission, Kimblee, or I'll...!!"

Apart from her outburst earlier, this is the first time she's been seriously angry at him. But the anger isn't directed at him, is it? No, it's directed at herself. How pathetic.

"I am more than capable! I can do it, you've just....you've just..."

Control, Emmy, control...!!

"You've got to give me a second chance!"

And for a moment, Kimblee just kind of stares. Okay, someone...is not communicating here. Probably him. Either way, there is no communication happening and dear god why is she so mad -

"I wouldn't dream of it, Miss Altava, and I'm not doubting your capabilities at all. What I meant was that if something major happens, like a sudden attack from Team Rocket about to happen within the next fifteen minutes or something, it would be far safer to contact the rest of this...PGC thing directly, as opposed to running the information through you.

Is that a bit more clear, or...?"

...and then Emmy's hands bunch into trembling fists at her sides, and she stamps her foot, bottom lip trembling.

".......well why didn't you just say that?"

And it's then that she proceeds to latch right back onto him, taking the earlier hug as an open invitation. It's been a little while since she's really hugged anybody, so...this is nice. He's nice to hug.

"...this trip has been such a nightmare."

...oh. Well, he wasn't exactly expecting that and it's fairly obvious in the way his hands just sort of...hover for a moment there, but he settles quickly, pulling her close with one hand and going back to playing with her hair with the other.

"I'll have to take you somewhere more pleasant next time. Just you and I for a few days, without having to worry about any of this. Anywhere you like; I'll cover everything."

She laughs, then, the sound muffled, and she turns her head so that she can talk, her cheek resting against his chest.

"Are you sure, Mr Kimblee? You're a taken man now, wouldn't that be a little scandalous~?"

That seems to amuse him; he laughs a bit at that, softly, the usual lightness coming back to his voice.

"Somehow I think Isaac will understand."

who the hell is even betraying who any more

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