route_1065 | Even though it's still dark, damp and musty

Entry tags:

Even though it's still dark, damp and musty

Who: Page (

atrueheroine) and Lightning Farron (

soggypastry)
Where: Union Cave
When: Backdated a couple of days
Summary: Page and Lightning doing what revolutionaries do best; meeting in a dark place to discuss plans.
Rating: PG-13 at the very worst
Log:

It was really quite bizarre how comforting it was to be in Union Cave. As much as Page had enjoyed spending time in Violet City, it was nice to be able to have some peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle. From what she'd heard, Violet City was actually fairly small in comparison to some of the others in Johto, and even though Page was looking forward to seeing the massive Goldenrod City with her own eyes, the opportunity to have some alone time in the stillness of the cave was much appreciated. It helped to ground her, put things into perspective. Closing her eyes and leaning back against the wall at which she was currently seated, Page sighed softly, running her hand down her Umbreon's smooth back as he peered around the cave, eyes alert.

For Page couldn't relax too much; there was still work to be done. That, however, was comforting in itself. She'd spent far too much time being idle in Johto; it was time to start making a difference.

From the way her Umbreon promptly tensed and stared down into the darkness, the sound of a person approaching permeating the silence, it sounded like things were about to start getting interesting.

Well, more interesting than usual, anyway.

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[More interesting than usual was one way to put it, but Lightning wasn't the only one approaching Page's location within the caves. No, she was accompanied by a little protection...or a lot of protection, judging by the size of the Luxray padding along at her side. Still, both were quite calm in the gloom and darkness, the glowing eyes of said Luxray serving as extra warning that someone was there. Hard to miss, too, especially when they got closer.]

Been waiting long?

[[Edgar the Umbreon rose to his feet as the Luxray came into view; not in an aggressive manner, merely a cautious one. Page also stood up, lightly brushing off her clothes, crossing her arms once finished.]]

Not at all; I've been enjoying myself. There's something very peaceful about this place.

[[Now that she was finally meeting Lightning in person, Page gave her a quick once over. She looked quite strong, and there was a intensity to her that she approved of. Not to mention her Pokemon; it looked exceptionally powerful.

This would certainly be enlightening.]]

[Zan the Luxray was normally a playful creature, but today was a little different. Today he was a cautious one, slowly padding over to Edgar to greet the other Pokemon while Lightning nodded at his trainer in her own greeting.]

There is. So long as you don't wake the Zubat, at any rate.

[She casts a glance up at the ceiling, but then looks back down at Page. Strong looking woman, and clearly willing to do dirty work if she finds caves peaceful. Good. The less trouble with travel, the better.]

So. What do you want to know?

[[Watching the approaching Luxray warily, Edgar slowly padded closer, sniffing the air slightly as the other Pokemon came near him. His trainer wasn't wrong about its power; should a fight break out, it was unlikely he'd come out the victor. But Page wasn't concerned.

Her suspicious nature had not abated despite the peacefulness of Johto. Deep below her, she had a back-up plan should this meeting turn out to either be a trap, or turn sour; her Excadrill awaited a signal, and if he got it, he'd waste no time in causing an earthquake and allowing his trainer time to escape.

But something about Lightning's demeanor told Page this wouldn't be necessary. Hopefully not, anyway.]]

I suppose my main question revolves around Team Rocket, and just what exactly is being done to fight them. How dangerous are they?

[Zan was more likely to cause a problem by being too rough with playfighting, but he wasn't about to let on about that. Nope. He was just going to sit down right where he was and watch Edgar with still glowing eyes, like a hunter watching prey.

But Page would have been right anyway; unless Lightning saw Page or her team as a threat, this meeting wouldn't go sour. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.]

Dangerous enough to cause a problem. I told you what they did already, but I don't have any doubts those are the only things they'll do. They'll attack again. They're probably already planning something else already.

[She just...doesn't know what. Not yet, anyway.]

[[Frowning, Page crossed her arms and looked off to the side, thinking. That wasn't good news. Slinking away from Zan, Edgar began to rub himself against his trainer's leg, never taking his eyes off the Luxray.]]

What exactly is their purpose? Are they just a gang of common criminals?

[[Bowerstone had a similar problem, after all, and taking down a gang of thugs sounded like excellent, satsifying work.]]

[Zan stares for a moment longer, then returns to Lightning's side and...lays down with a huff of air. Lazy cat is lazy but clearly calm. No threats here.]

Hardly. They're after something, and I'm assuming it's power. Controlling the people of this world and taking their pokemon seems to be a means to an end, but we still don't know much. All we do know is that they've gotten more violent over this past year.

[She'd kill for a roster right now...among many other things.]

[[Pursing her lips, Page contemplated what Lightning was telling her. Perhaps she had been wrong with her initial assessment of Team Rocket; this didn't sound good. At the same time, she still wasn't sure if she could completely trust Lightning. Page had never been one to give her trust away easily; it had to be earned. But that was another time, in another place...here, she was a regular citizen, not a rebel with a bounty on her head and wanted posters bearing her name and face littering the streets. Perhaps it couldn't hurt to give Lightning the benefit of the doubt; there was a vibe to the woman that Page liked, a certain seriousness, a focus.

After all, what did she have to lose? Besides, her Pokemon were growing stronger every day, and while she wasn't sure if she'd be able to take on an experienced trainer, she was sure she could hold her own in a fight. With a bit of creative strategy, anyway.]]

Tell me more about yourself, and the people fighting their influence. I...I want to help.

[Lightning shrugs faintly at that. About herself? That's far too personal for a near total stranger. For now, what Page sees is what she's going to get, even if that may change someday. As for the rest...]

There isn't much I can tell you. Not until I'm sure doing so won't put them at risk. [she pauses. She doesn't know if she can trust Page, not for sure, but she has to give this woman something. Trust begets trust.]

But I can tell you there's around twenty of us, and a lot more of Team Rocket. We're outnumbered, and need all the help we can get.

A fairly small group, then. That has its merits.

[[Page isn't surprised that Lightning chose not to talk about herself; she didn't really expect her to. She'll just have to find out about the girl herself. Somehow, anyway.]]

Do you require me to prove myself in some fashion?

[[The irony isn't lost on Page; she's used to being the one in Lightning's position, demanding potential recruits prove themselves to her. It's an odd feeling.]]

Not when you're dealing with a group that's probably more than three times the size of yours. Fighting superior numbers almost never ends well.

[Experience colors her tone, but they'll get into that later. For now...proof. Yeah, that would be nice.]

All you have to prove is that you're not going to sell us out to Team Rocket if they try to recruit you at some point. We don't have room for people with torn loyalties.

[Her tone is firm; she's not saying this to be cruel, but with people relying on her to keep them safe? She can't take chances. How Page reacts to this will be a major tell of how things are to proceed from here.]

[[Around 60 members of Team Rocket, then. Hardly a massive force; at least, not compared to Logan's armies. Page smiles grimly.]]

That depends on your strategy. With the right resources and careful planning, a small band can defeat an army.

[[But this is a different world with different rules, different people and, most importantly, different weapons. She looks down at her Umbreon, seated comfortably on one of her feet, eyes alert. To think they're expected to fight using just their Pokemon...what she wouldn't give for some explosives....]]

I know you don't trust me and you have every right not to, but I promise you that I could never join a group determined to hurt innocent people for nothing more than their own gain.

[[Another look down to her Umbreon, and then...]]

Pokemon too.

[Lightning shrugs at that; strategy is all well and good, she knows that, but if the people you have to work with don't even pick up the phone and listen to someone who's got military training under their belt? Strategy's only going to get you so far.

Not that she says that. Page seems trustworthy, but revealing weaknesses isn't a good thing. Not until they're ready and Lightning's sure she can trust Page. Which will happen at some point, surely.]

You'll have to understand that I can't take you on your word alone yet. I'm going to be watching to make sure you mean what you say. If you do turn on us, it's not going to end well for you.

[She means that. Still, she extends her right hand. Shake on it or back out right now. That's where this is going.]

I wouldn't be able to face my men if I went back on my word.

[[That right hand is met with her own and shaken firmly, Page smiling slightly.]]

You're free to keep an eye on me, although I can't promise anything too exciting. At this stage I'm just focusing on strengthening my Pokemon and investigating this world. Mostly how to leave it, but Johto is a fascinating place in its own right.

[[She didn't think bonding somewhat with her enemies from home would be on the agenda, but it seems to have wormed its way in there. She'll have to deal with that...]]

You're heading on to Violet City, then?

[Men, huh? A leader, then. Hopefully they don't end up in a power struggle at some point, but there's no sense in worrying about that now. Lightning withdraws her hand after that shake, nodding slightly.]

That's one way to describe this place, I guess. Though I wouldn't go looking for a way to leave. It's just a waste of time better spent else where.

[She's seen a few too many people try and fail to force their way out of this world. Shame it doesn't work that way.]

That's the plan. No idea how long I'll be staying, though.

I've heard that it's a rather futile endeavour, but I won't be satisfied until I've investigated it myself. It's just how I am.

[[It's a rather honest thing for her to say, as Page prefers to keep information about herself...well, to herself. But it's the truth; she can't just take people's word for it. Once she's found out her own way, she'll stop searching, but even then she'll refuse to lose hope.

There are people waiting for her, after all.]]

I intend to head on to Azalea Town, and then Goldenrod City. I've heard it's...quite the metropolis.

[[Spoiler; her body is not ready.]]

[A shrug. She's done her part and warned Page that it's a waste of time, but there's nothing else she can do about it. No point in trying. As for the rest...well. That she can do something about.]

It is. Goldenrod's the biggest city in the region, though there are larger cities in Kanto.

[In comparison, Johto has more small towns and holes-in-the-wall areas. What little she's seen of Kanto was huge.]

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Even though it's still dark, damp and musty

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