silph_co | [video] some time earlier this week because what even is time

((OOC: Putting a big ol' content warning for discussion of parasites in here, because Doppio is very upset about Parasect.))

[The familiar scenery of Violet City is visible behind Doppio, who is in clear and visible distress. He speaks in a hushed tone -]

T... This is terrible! How is this normal? This can't be normal! Rosso... Rosso is dead!

[And then the scenery is mostly obscured by the Pokémon Doppio drags in front of him, a large Parasect. It stares into the PokéGear with its blank eyes, softly pinching at Doppio's sweater.]

Do you see that? He just evolved. So I checked the Pokédex, and it says... it says the mushroom is in control now? And if that's in the Pokédex, that means it's normal, right? But... But doesn't anybody else think that's awful? Isn't this place supposed to be family-friendly?! Rosso had a personality... He had likes and dislikes! And now this mushroom is just puppeteering his body around?!

[He seems to let that hang in the air for a bit, hugging Rosso close to him. Then he adds, in a tone that's more self-conscious than panicked:]

By the way, uh... Does anybody know if [Quieter still.] the higher-ups can cover for accidental damages while you're [And quieter again.] in plain-clothes? I... Pesci evolved right next to one of those bridges to that big tower.

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Jesus Christ. [This guy is probably someone's mole... but he really does seem freaked out by all this.]

I. Hell. I don't know what to do about him. If there's anything to do about him. If the mushroom doesn't take over until he evolves... maybe we could give Paras everstones to keep that from happening? But even so, this is. Ugh

You can keep Pokémon from evolving?!

[HOW IS HE SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITH THIS KNOWLEDGE NOW]

[Okay, now Steven feels slightly awkward. He knows that this guy works for someone already, but he's really starting to think he's not a native—he just got suborned by the Boss or the Admins before Steven ran into him.]

Yeah. They don't always tell you about special items in training—I should have before. But there's this thing you can buy at the department store called an everstone. If a Pokemon carries it, they won't evolve.

Rosso...!

[Doppio turns his Parasect around and speaks directly to it, holding it firmly. Steven just has to watch this, unfortunately.]

If there's anything left of you in there, I'm so sorry... I had no idea! I'll keep giving you your favourite berries, I promise!

[Steven doesn't feel guilty, exactly, since it's not his fault that Parasect is such an objectively horrifying evolution, but the enduring awkwardness of this all is enough for him to want to say something to Doppio, mole or no mole.]

Hey, [he says, gently.] Doppio, it's not-- well. Not exactly okay, but it's really not your fault. You didn't know. I didn't know either until you told me about Rosso. And-- maybe we as a Team can do something for any other Paras we meet. Get a bunch of everstones to give out to them. I'll help you bullshit something on the requisition forms.

... Really?

[Doppio's head turns back to the PokéGear.]

Are you sure that's a good idea? It doesn't really sound like the kind of thing Team Rocket would be into.

It's not traditionally Team Rocket's thing, no, but, but the first thing you learn on the Team is that if there's a way to expense things to Team Rocket, you take it.

Which means we'll just have to think of a plausible reason for you to put all those everstones on your company card. Perhaps something to do with planting everstones on the pokemon of anti-Rocket activists, keeping them from ever evolving...?

... I am looking into this business about Pokémon going out of control... Maybe I could find a reason to tie it to that, too. It'd probably be less suspicious.

Oh hey, good point. Maybe it's an experiment to see if everstones have any effect on the Pokemon going berserk.

Great!

[Except--]

I haven't seen one of those for myself yet, though... so that excuse might not fly.

Hm. Well, I did. I was at that whole crazy thing at the safari zone. Maybe you could say I suggested it. It would even be true.

[He pauses for a moment, before adding,]

Actually, you know who I should introduce you to? There's this kid from back home, Shinobu Tsukuyomi--in the sense that he's college age, not a minor--and he can... not exactly talk talk to pokemon, not in full sentences or anything, but he can understand them? Maybe he can check on what's left of Rosso and talk to some Paras and ask them about the whole mushroom thing they have going on.

Gimme a sec. I'll send you a text with his contact information.

[And... sent!]

Depending on what the Paras say to him, I might be able to find some other guys outside the Team to help us too. I've got a couple friends who are, hm, budding Pokemon rights activists? [Also budding ecoterrorists but ssshhhh.] If we can convince them this'll help the Paras, we could potentially have a couple more people on the project.

[... Wow. This is... a lot more help than what he was expecting. Not that Doppio distrusted Steven - at least, not beyond the reasonable caution he holds towards most people - but... he's really going out of his way to do something about this, huh?]

Thanks. I think... this might be worth a try.

[But now he has his Serious Face back on.]

Still, we both need to focus on our jobs. I really appreciate the help, but don't slack off when it comes to what you're supposed to be doing, okay?... Er, not that it's any of my business! [His expression softens.] I just don't want you to think I'm slacking off...

No, no, I don't. I just--

[Steven sighs.]

It's the whole Fuschia City thing, I guess. Intellectually I know the best thing to do is lie low until the Jennies get complacent again, but I really kind of miss planning out heists.

Like, I love my cover job? It's great. But I've learned since I woke up at the base that I really love running capers too and while this isn't quite the same thing, it's close enough.

But yeah, no, I won't slack off on my shit to do this with you. I'm capable of juggling a lot of balls, don't worry.

Edited 2020-10-22 18:59 (UTC)

[And now he's outright smiling.]

So you kind of found your calling here, huh? That's pretty good!

I mean... I kind of figured that the news was my calling? Or, well, at least broadcast media. And I did that for years, but I lost that when I was stuck-- elsewhere. And now I'm finally getting a chance to do it again and it's rewarding to be in the newsroom and it'll be even more rewarding once I'm on the air regularly--

But. Well. I also can't deny that I'm pretty damn good at being a criminal and it's every bit as rewarding as being on the air.

So-- I guess maybe I found my other calling. If you can have two callings.

I don't see why not! So you like your cover job AND your real job... Now that's lucky!

It is! And I love the side-business that Tyler and I have as well.

Honestly, the 'cover job' feels like just as much of a real job as this one. I suppose this means I have multiple real jobs, but then none of them are full time, so that tracks.

[video] some time earlier this week because what even is time

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