TEAM ROCKET'S ROCKIN'

[fauxtographs]

Who: Emmy Altava (fauxtographs) and Solf J Kimblee (explosivecombat)
Where: Goldenrod Rocket Base - Emmy's room
When: Soon after their conversation in his recent post.
Summary: Emmy and Kimblee meet up in person for the first time since she returned to Johto - and ended up in Team Rocket.
Rating: PG-13, will edit if necessary. Spoilers for Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy.
Log:


[It was a fairly typical day in the Rocket Base, and yet Emmy Altava was, presently, a mixture of excitement and nerves.

Pacing around her room, she adjusted the two mugs she'd placed on her desk for what felt like the umpteenth time, and made sure that there were no stray items sitting around the place (there weren't, because she'd already checked more times than she could count). Really, the place was probably cleaner than it was before she moved in last month. Her bed was neatly made, her desk was tidy...there was nothing to worry about.

So why did she feel so nervous? Kimblee was due to knock on her door at any minute, and yet...she couldn't shake the butterflies from her stomach. He'd been one of her closest friends when she was last in Johto, and their relationship had hit very few snags...there was really no reason for her to feel nervous about his arrival.

Sighing, she pulled absently at her uniform, frowning at the bright red 'R' splashed across her chest. If she thought about it properly, she knew exactly what the problem was. It was this place, this...room, and everything it implied. She'd put a lot of work into fighting against Team Rocket the last time she was in Johto, so it still felt...wrong to be wearing the uniform and living in the base. But what could she do? She was a member now, and tended to wear the uniform more than her regular clothes.

...even though she still insisted upon wearing her white tights and normal boots. But she was yet to be properly chastened for it, so...maybe it was alright. Anyway, she had bigger problems right now! Adjusting her skirt again, she ran her hands up the sides of her legs and sighed.]

Well, that...should be it. I hope he doesn't mind sitting at the desk...should I offer him the bed? What do you think?

[On said bed, Lily the Lillipup tilted her head curiously and wagged her tail, prompting another sigh from her trainer.]

That's what I thought. I'm sure the chair will be fine. Now, should I...right, is the kettle full? Simon, could you check that? Do you think it would be odd if I hugged him when I saw him? Would it be odd if I didn't? Oh, I'm thinking about this too much...

[Running her hands through her hair, Emmy collapsed on the bed next to Lily, who promptly gave her face a friendly lick.]

I'm sure everything will be fine. I'll just...have to be careful about some things, that's all.

[And there it was, wasn't it? The heart of the reason...Kimblee had specifically requested to meet her in her room, here in the Rocket Base. Where they couldn't be overheard by the, ah...regular citizens. While she was honestly looking forward to being able to get some tips about Rocket life from him, a part of her worried about what he was going to say.

Well. No sense in stressing now - the clock had just flicked over onto the new hour, and Kimblee tended to be punctual.

Time to put the kettle on.]

Comments

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I'm...!

[...was it really that obvious? Oh, how terribly embarrassing...]

...right, yes, let me...make myself a cup of tea...

[Apparently her need for tea has already been decided, as her Scraggy quickly waddles over and presents her with a cup of it.

...some of it has spilled on the floor, but...well, he tried his best.]

Ah, thank you, Simon...sorry, Mr Kimblee, it's been an interesting month. To put it mildly, anyway.

[Seating herself next to Lily, Emmy mimics Kimblee's pose and sighs, resting her cup on her thigh.]

Thanks so much for coming to see me, though. It really is good to see you again. You look well!

[explosivecombat]

I've been all right; I can't complain, at any rate.

[And really, he doesn't seem bothered by the...everything that that attempt at tea has decided to be, nor does he seem too worried in general by the prospect of discussion; he imagines it's not going to be terribly pleasant discussion, but he's curious as to exactly where it's going to go.]

I understand what you mean with regards to the month being interesting, however, since waking up here tends to be. I assume the others here haven't been giving you much trouble...?

[It's a carefully-measured question; the sort that comes with the implication that the person asking actually has the authority to do something about it if the answer isn't one they find acceptable.]

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[Emmy notices Kimblee's tone, and it surprises her somewhat. Making a mental note of it, she scrunches up her nose as she ponders his question, taking a sip of tea as she thinks.]

Well...they haven't been too bad, no. I get the occasional dirty look because of the, ah...alterations I've made to the uniform, but my training instructor seemed content to let me wear them when I showed him why I have to.

[Frowning slightly, Emmy taps her foot on the ground a few times in annoyance.]

You can't fight as I do in a skirt like this without something on underneath. Honestly, I don't understand why the women have to wear this stupid thing, but! I'm not going to complain unless someone tries to get me to take my tights off.

Other than that, things have been surprisingly pleasant. People tend to leave me alone when they realize I'm no pushover, despite my size.

[Seriously, why are all the people here so tall...]

Anyway, how do you find things here, Mr Kimblee? What sort of work do you do? Are you a grunt, like me? Goodness, I have so many questions! Maybe I should have bought two packets of biscuits...

[explosivecombat]

[He shakes his head a bit at that, though it seems more to settle himself than it is to indicate that he doesn't want to answer.]

I've been here for quite some time, so I'm not a grunt anymore, no. In terms of assignments, I mostly do field work, though all that really means is that I receive orders and I carry them out. I have a reputation for being efficient in my work, and I do what I can to maintain that reputation; I ensure that people like me, because one of the greatest assets one can have around here is a network of connections with the right people.

There are several here who will hire me for the sake of their own personal projects, which I typically don't refuse unless I find the assignment particularly distasteful; there are others where it's best that I stay out of their way and allow them to work.

[He pauses for a moment once that's out there, as though considering.]

Because I know he's of personal interest to you, Seth falls under the latter category - he works alone, he doesn't seek assistance with anything he does, and when he strikes we don't get any more advance warning than the general population does. He does what he likes, and I don't interfere with him.

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[She fall silent for a moment, once that's out there, wrapping her hands around her cup and looking off to the side.]

I see. I haven't run into anyone using that name, as of yet, so I'll have to keep an eye out. He's the last person I'd like to run into around here. I hope he doesn't know I'm here...ugh.

[Pausing again, Emmy sets her tea aside and furrows her brow, returning her gaze to Kimblee.]

Mr Kimblee, I...I know I must have come across as rather naive the last time I was here, but the truth is this sort of job isn't all that foreign to me. I promise I wasn't keeping that from you on purpose; I literally couldn't remember that part of me. But now I remember everything, so...I'm not afraid to...do what is required, to ensure I come across as useful.

I just need a bit of guidance, if you'd be willing to give it. I promise I would be worth your time.

[explosivecombat]

...You haven't run into anyone using that name because there's no one with that name employed here. His identity is another thing he keeps to himself; most here just know he's one of ours.

[That said, however.]

As for the rest, that depends on what sort of guidance you're requesting.

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...I had a feeling that was the case. So he could be anyone.

[Well, that makes things all the more exciting, doesn't it? Running a hand through her hair, Emmy sighs.]

Well, I'll keep an eye out for anyone with particularly violent tendencies.

[...not that that really cuts the list down, but details...]

And as for my request...I just want to know how things work around here. If...

[Pausing again, Emmy digs her fingers into her legs, bunching the material of her tights into her hands.]

If...this is really going to be a problem, I'll wear the stupid uniform properly so I don't stand out so much. I know what big organizations are like; there are the rules in the guidebook, and then there are other, unwritten set of rules to follow. Which senior members to avoid, which ones to cozy up to, which orders to obey immediately, which parts of the base to stay away from...that sort of thing.

If I'm going to be in Team Rocket, I'd really prefer to just...exist, rather than standing out as a potential issue. Stay under the radar, and what have you.

[explosivecombat]

[And he actually takes a moment to think that over; there are a lot of options here, aren't there. Most of them aren't actually options, not in terms of the long game, and some of them are clearly stupid, but some...well, they have potential to be interesting, don't they.

When he speaks again his tone is a bit clipped; more like a recitation of information as it comes to him rather than direct orders, but it's...different, anyway.]

...Request the male uniform; it'll be more to your liking. If anyone gives you trouble about it, tell them that Caroline was allowed to wear it; if they feel particularly persistent, tell them that I gave you permission and that should be the end of it. If it's one of the Executives questioning you, tell them that I'll report in to them with my rationale at their earliest convenience.

One of our senior members tends to succeed via sheer audacity in what he attempts to do; I'll point him out to you later. Don't insult him regardless of what nonsense he throws at you and you'll get along with him well enough.

The science division is full of incredibly flamboyant people that are also incredibly dangerous, so you would do well to avoid bothering them unless you're interested in joining that division. They may approach you, because they're also narcissistic and can't stand it if people aren't noticing them; be friendly and stroke their egos whenever possible and they'll get along with you just fine. Show interest in their projects and they may end up deciding that you're worth allying with. There's one that's an exception to this, he tends to be standoffish at best and unpleasant at worst; from what I've seen, discussing large amounts of violence tends to get him to open up, but very little else does. Again, I'll point these people out to you.

The grunts...they tend to come and go. Use your own discretion when it comes to them.

You can be assigned to work for me directly, if you'd like; I can arrange something like that if it'd interest you.

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[Emmy's face had noticeably brightened upon hearing that she was allowed to wear the male uniform (pants!), and she paid careful attention to the rest of Kimblee's lecture, nodding at various interludes with a focused expression on her face.]

Got it, Mr Kimblee. I might stay away from the Science Department, then; it was never really my strong suit, anyway. I think I'd probably do better as a field agent. Maybe a bodyguard, or that sort of thing? Although honestly, I'll do whatever you think is best. Working under you would be wonderful!

[Visibly relieved, her former traces of nervousness seemed to have evaporated for now. Smiling, her next comment was playful, but slightly guarded.]

Shall I start calling you 'sir', then?

[explosivecombat]

[He isn't seeing much need to guard his own.]

Some around here do; I don't require it.

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[And with that, Emmy finally seems to relax properly.]

Excellent! I'll only do that if we're around other members, then. You know, to be a good recruit, and all that!

[Maybe with a salute...? She should double-check the guide-book...]

I really do appreciate this, Mr Kimblee. I'll do my best to follow your orders, no matter what; I'm rather good at that!

[Work is work, after all!]

I'm just thrilled I can wear pants!