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[When the feed cuts on, it's later in the evening, well after the first day of Rocket training, and thus Emet-Selch is not wearing his uniform while in his little dormitory. What he is wearing is far more extravagant. Yes, he took the time to put that thing back on, he wasn't about to suffer the alternative longer than what was necessary. Of course there are likely those who saw him in that most abhorrent uniform, if others were in training or aiding in the training that is. All of which he's been entirely quick in mastering, almost as if he's already...mastered such trivial skills. He has, and plus some.

Regardless, that's not what this is about. Well, it kinda is, actually.]

Good evening, I am Solus zos Galvus—your newest recruit to this fine organization of unscrupulous villains. Certainly prompt with the training, aren't they? That sort of rigid discipline I can most certainly respect—after all, with poor foundation, you cannot expect aught else but for everything to come crumbling down around you.

[He settles back in his seat, resting his elbow on the desk he's clearly sitting at, cupping his cheek with the palm of his hand as he lazily gazes into the feed.]

Regardless, such training is wasted on one such as I, but I understand rules are rules, and even I am no exception. [There's the slightest edge of annoyance to his tone, but it disappears as he continues.] Regardless, 'twould do us well to know each other properly, wouldn't you agree? So come, introduce yourselves to me. For I will know each and every one of you, as well as what rank you hold—what skill sets you have, and so forth.

If I am to familiarize myself with this team, to know which holes my expertise should rightly fill, then I must take your measure.

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Yes, and little would I dream of stealing you from him.

[Mainly because he finds mortals disgusting, but look, he's not about to just say that!]

The more I hear of him, the more I find myself intrigued.

[Thank you!]

Well. He'll be around in this post shortly.

So I heard you tell Lydia that they gave you a Yamask--I'm intrigued. They're one of the ghost types that I still haven't interacted with much. Do you mind introducing me when we meet in person?

I shall await him with baited breath.

[Look, if he sounds like he's just flirting with everyone, that's...just how he talks.]

Hm? Oh, certainly. Perhaps you can tell me more about it than what I can surmise, even if you are unfamiliar. I imagine they share close enough approximates to others of their types.

They might, yeah. I'll definitely be reading up on them tonight if I can--as it is, I know there's a regional variant from Galar. [He'd thought of asking for one of those as his prom prize egg, but then he'd seen Galarian Corsola on the list and he'd wanted one of those ever since he'd first learned they existed.]

Galar? I take it that is the name of the province it hails from? Or perhaps the continent?

[At least the Galarian Yamask won't leave him bitter when he looks at it. Not that such bitterness is his current Yamask's fault or anything, but...he's a petty bitch at the best of times.]

'Region' is the general local parlance for any large geographical area. For instance, we're currently in the Johto region, but we could take a train to the Kanto region.

... most regions aside from Johto and Kanto won't let us transplants from other worlds visit them, I'm afraid. It's just these two and the Sevii Isles.

Regions it is, then.

[At the news of the clear xenophobia, he shrugs with a dismissive wave of his hand.]

I suppose I cannot blame them. Were I them, I likewise would not want such foreigners running amok within my country's boarders.

Ah. Well.

[He's going to have to disagree with you there, being the grandson of immigrants himself. But he also knows better than to pick a fight.]

At any rate, Galar seems to be home to a lot of the newer species of pokemon we've been seeing around. One suspects that they were recently imported here. [Probably by the stupid hair brothers.]

[The response is telling enough, and that's the sort of reaction he looks for. Clearly a place of disagreement, perhaps a bit of a sore spot. Something to dig into later. Unfortunately, Emet's specialty over the last...several millenia has been to create imperially inclined nations, help lead them to conquer foreign lands and subjugate the people there of and...yeah.

Emet's bad, actually.]

Is that often a trend? The importation of Pokémon from new regions, that is. I do suppose it makes things easier on us, when one considers our unwelcomed status within those other regions.

Edited 2020-05-05 09:05 (UTC)

I wasn't here for the last wave, but I would not be surprised.

Nevertheless, 'tis helpful that such creatures are brought here at all, and such variance broadens their potential worth. 'Twould seem I have my work cut out for me, in terms of research and study.

I shall look forward to our luncheon tomorrow, and all it may bring.

So will I.

[It's his last week doing receptions desk, which means it's also his last week where he can easily schedule doing lunch, given that his shift's over at noon. But for now, his afternoons are (unfortunately) his own.]

Fare thee well, friend. Til the morrow.

[And with a languid and decidedly limp-wristed wave of his hand, he cuts the feed. It would do to focus on the others who have contacted him, since what they can discuss will be better served in person.

As such, by the following day, Steven will find Solus where they had agreed. Of course, not dressed in his grunt attire, for that would not do ordinarily, but likewise he refuses to be made to suffer such drab uniform more than what is entirely necessary. Brandishing his most flamboyant outfit, that upon closer inspection almost looks like a dress...

He stands around 6'—though it's clear he'd be taller than that if not for the notable slouch to his posture, and the deep slope to his shoulders. When he takes notice of Steven, halfheartedly he raises his gloved hand in greeting.]

Punctual I see, you do continue to impress.

[He's such a dramatic old queen. Steven finds himself grinning a bit, even as he goes to grab a copy of the paperwork he'll need to bill Team Rocket for the night's coming purchases.

He's well aware that Solus has been flirting and flattering him to get information, of course--he's not an idiot, Lydia, he knows the man doesn't truly respect him yet. But going along with it had been all part of the game. And honestly... he knows Solus' type. Or, well, the type Solus is presenting himself as, at least. And there's-- something pleasantly homey about him.

(As much as Steven loves the fact that nobody cares who people fuck in Pokeworld, sometimes he misses the lack of a real gay subculture here. Whether or not Solus does fuck men, he's got enough mannerisms that remind Steven of some of the older queers, the survivors, that he met in his twenties.)

When he meets Solus the next day, he brings with him a bag from the Goldenrod Department Store, which he set down on a nearby table. His briefcase soon joins them on a chair. Once again, he's dressed in a button-down shirt of a light color, underneath a darker coat. He too stands six foot or so, although there's no slouch nor slope to his posture--although he does hold himself in the manner of a big man who is trying not to seem quite as large as he is.]

I try to, [he replies wryly.]

The bag is for you. I took the liberty of getting your size from the quartermaster's office. I love what you're wearing, but you'll probably want to wear something other than the Team Uniform while it's being cleaned.

[And indeed, inside the bags are a pair of black trousers, of a quasi-military cut, as well as a pair of shirts to go with it, one in white and the other in red, and a matching black waistcoat.]

I thought about a coat too, [he adds,] but you seem to have that well in hand, Solus.

[If anyone could bring gay culture to the Pokéworld, it would absolutely be Solus. Dramatic old queen does indeed fit him quite well, because he is exactly that, even if he had to play parts that might seem contrary, when free from those roles he leans hard into his true nature: dramatic, theatrical, and effeminate.

And if it were such a choice or uncomplicated, he'd likely settle himself with a male partner, but it is what it is. Little room for such romantic notions when the burden upon his shoulders is as daunting as it is.

With Steven's approach, Solus takes in his body language, noting his larger frame, yet how he seems to not want to take up more space than he has to. An eyebrow quirking with curiosity at the bag placed on the table, and with Steven's explanation, he takes but one finger to curiously open the bag to peer inside.]

Well now, aren't you just the thoughtful type. [His tone sounds both amused and sarcastic, but there is a hint of genuine appreciation. Almost flirty, but that seems to be something ever present.] If I didn't know you were already spoken for, I'd assume you were quite taken with me, what with going to such lengths to ensure I did not go without some measure of comfort.

[Oh no, he is flirting. Hm.]

But little does that matter—I appreciate the gesture all the same.

[Steven laughs. It's a pleasant, open sound. He's a pleasant man. It fits him.]

Ah, no. I just believe in doing well by one's coworkers and subordinates. I did much the same for Lydia and she's a woman. And, ah, speaking of which, I do apologize for not taking the discussion with her somewhere private. She's a dear friend, usually, but sometimes she can be a right bitch.

[Most of the time. That's usually what Steven likes about her, but when it's turned in his direction, it's a bit more irritating.]

As I think I mentioned before, she and Tyler are your fellow Grunts, though perhaps not for very much longer. [By which he means that Lydia and Tyler are definitely going to be requesting promotion on their next heist, which Steven's in the process of planning with them, but if Solus wishes to be flattered, he can be.] Connie is as well--she was press-ganged shortly before I was--and Spinel, who is our last recruit but you. Steve Palchuk was a Grunt as well until-- mm, actually, yesterday. He'd only just made Private, mostly on the strength of Dirk advocating for him. Ah, Dirk is next in rank after Jack. He made Beta the same time Steve Palchuk made private. I'm sure you'll meet him soon--if I know him, he likely didn't sleep for the few days before the heist that earned them their promotions, so he's likely sleeping now. And Carly's another Private, like I am. With you, that's the extent of our particular crew.

Well. Sometimes we liaise with Benni and Claude--they're two of the native Grunts--but I wouldn't exactly call them part of the crew. More like-- Jack's minions. Mooks, even. They're in Olivine right now anyway, guarding the haul from Dirk's heist.

Edited 2020-05-05 23:18 (UTC)

[It is indeed pleasant to hear such a genuine laugh. A hearty and happy sound from a man who has so far proved himself the genuine sort. Idly, he wonders what a man like him is doing with a criminal organization, but then again, it's not like he had much of a choice. Perhaps the man was too cowardly to break away, kind souls had a habit of that.]

You need not apologize, I understand well women with...strong personalities.

[What he means is bitches. He gets bitches. But with the rest of what he explains, he takes mental notes of. Each name, their ranking, how long they've been here, even that bit about Dirk and his sleeplessness is noted. One of the benefits of his mind is that it's nigh endless with being an immortal. The amount of detail he can remember is honestly horrifying.]

...So, a modest group, are we? Though, with the impression I haven gotten thus far, our size has not hindered the success of operations. That speaks well of competency and skill, as well as unity.

[Sometimes it takes a small group to achieve great feats, this he knows well. After all, even a million idiots are still nothing more than idiots in the end. Their increase in numbers does not negate their incompetency.

He gestures with his white-gloved hand as he continues.]

'Tis rare indeed to have even one of those traits, but to have all three...is impressive. Mayhap my talents will not be wasted after all.

Oh, I don't think they will be, Solus. Not in the least.

[There's an amused quirk to his lip at the statement.]

And actually, our little group within the team has doubled in size from what it was prior to my arrival. But really, I daresay we're the most competent crew in Team Rocket as things stand. We certainly seem to bring them results regularly. And we're all of us, even Steve Palchuk, smarter than your average Grunt.

[Which is less of a compliment to Steve P as it is an insult to the average grunt.]

Ah, but considering what you said about your previous history, I should probably warn you that your ability to do violence will be unfortunately curtailed in this world. The Jennies--the local constabulary, they're disconcertingly identical women--have a tendency to throw anyone caught with most enemies into jail for a week. And for whatever reason, attempts to kill your fellow transplants with your bare hands result in them being teleported to a Pokecenter to be healed--with half their available funds gone as a result. [He examines his own long-fingered hands for a moment, before looking back to Solus.] Rendering someone unconscious, however, is perfectly doable.

Edited 2020-05-06 04:02 (UTC)

[Again he listens to the lengthy explanation, nodding his head with each point given, but his eyebrows raise with curiosity when he leads into the accusation that he might inact violence upon these people. Well, it's honestly an understandable assumption, what with the fact he's openly admitted to being an Emperor, but he can't help the tinge of dark amusement that clouds his face.]

Awful presumptuous to think I'd so readily take to violence, aren't we? I know I told you I was an imperialist, but you need not make such snap judgments, friend. Besides, do I look the sort that would bloody a man for the thrill of it?

[Don't answer that.]

Regardless, I must admit such news is...troubling. Not because I want to kill anyone, of course, but rather I am left to wonder what magics are at play to cause such a bizarre teleportation from harm.

Truly fascinating, if mind boggling.

[Steven only looks back at him with a mild expression.] I don't know, Solus—do I? It's a practicality that ought to be addressed. Crime often turns violent, after all. It's better to be prepared for it to.

[Don't be like him, who had a minor crisis of conscience when he realized just how much he enjoyed ~~choking out~~ strangling a security guard into unconsciousness. Even if his space tyrant boyfriend did help him get his head on straight about that one.]

It seems to be more divine powers than magics—the space llama god that summons us is said to be the one who does it.

Yes, you do. [He says rather plainly.] But if one is clever enough, fisticuffs can yet be avoided entirely.

[Of course he will deal with violence should it come to it, but he does avoid it when he can. More because of the energy behind it, than anything more morally inclined, or so he'd pretend, anyway.]

...This is the second time I've heard of this creature, and ever is my curiosity piqued. Though, be no fool, divinity is all its own magic, only fools believe otherwise.

[Considering that he himself is more or less a god, and his people created the first actual god of sorts. He knows a bit about divine powers.]

Ah. [There's a bit of mixed emotion in that single sound. As if he's not sure whether he is disappointed to be pegged correctly.] Well. I suppose having brought up the subject would prejudice you. And it's true, they can be. [But they're so much fun, that sometimes you just have to indulge.]

You would have to ask Jack more about the god, I'm afraid. He knows the most, having been here longest.

Worry not, friend, this judgment is not personal, merely I believe all capable of such savagery till proven otherwise. [It's okay, Steven. You still have the chance to prove you're good!] Mm, I am not offended by any assumptions of my character, little do you know me, but mayhap you will shed any unsavory preconceptions as you do.

[Or so he says, but it's just as likely that Steven will learn how wicked he can rightly be.]

Well, perhaps I will have to take him up on his offer concerning where to get a proper drink, if he's got information worth seeking. With that being said...how long has he been held captive in this realm?

Edited 2020-05-06 19:36 (UTC)

Ohhhh. Well, then. You'd be right, of course. Humans are just as much animal as any other and we're all capable of getting bloody when backed in a corner. It's usually best if we admit and accept that.

[It's helped him to, definitely.]

And yes, I do look forward to getting to know you, Solus. [Said without a hint of flirtation, though perhaps with a trace of amusement. He suspects, and rightly so, that Solus is his kind of person.]

And-- it's been years for Jack, I'm afraid. And he isn't the only one who's been here for that long as far as otherworld transplants go--although he is the only one who has in Team Rocket.

You understand, of course, that there are more than just our crew here from other worlds, yes? There's another channel on the pokegear where everyone may be reached, not just us. The others all seem to awaken in New Bark Town, in the house of the false mother. You'll want to pretend you did too if one of them asks.

Mm. [A sound of agreement on that, though he doesn't believe being backed in a corner is the common impetus for such violence. More just the nature of incomplete beings in general.]

I am sure we will become fast friends.

[He flashes him a coy smile at that, not reading the admission to mean more than what he said. He's incredibly skilled at reading people, and so that sort of familiarity between them that Steven is getting is certainly noticed. Though, the exacts of what it is are not so easily gleamed.]

But years for Jack, is it? How troublesome. It would explain why he's been able maintain such a strong presence. As for the others not involved with this organization...I had indeed surmised as such. There is a man here from my own world who seemingly arrived at the same time as me.

But, he must have suffered that false mother, seeing as he is decidedly not with the Team. A fact I find...rather curious. I'll be sure to keep to the script, I have little interest in my affiliation becoming general knowledge.

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do you want to switch to action or go to an inbox to play the thread out?

video -> action!

action

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benni and claude = faye's created rocket npcs from when jack was the only rocket pc

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'most weapons' not 'most enemies' omg

haha welcome to my world, always seeing typos too late...

Re: haha welcome to my world, always seeing typos too late...

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