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[conniemaheswaran]

So when does basic training get hard?

Comments

TEXT

[insidescoop]

Well, it's called basic for a reason!

It's nice to see that we have someone new again though! Well, someone who isn't...from this place anyway.

I'm Carly! It's good to meet you!

[She's in a good mood, because she's back on track and also she's not dealing with Someone's Nonsense again.]

[conniemaheswaran]

Hi, I'm Connie!

I hate it here!

TEXT -> ....VIDEO??

[fortuneglass]

Oh! Um...

That's...unfortunate...

D

hm

[Connie has...an incoming video call??? It's private...]

[conniemaheswaran]

[Connie accepts the call. She's flopped in her bunk, with a Luxio and an Alolan Vulpix curled up next to her.]

[Connie is... young. Fifteen, maybe sixteen if Carly is being generous. And she looks very disgruntled.]

[She doesn't say anything. Your move.]

[fortuneglass]

[Ohgodshe'sbaby

Carly for her part...is in her camper. So that's some interesting colours behind her already. She's got a Lot of pokemon with her, consequences of how she sleeps in general, but the lights are bright enough that she's at least...well. Visible.

She also seems quite surprised to actually See Connie, or at least.

Well.] Oh! Oh my god, you can't be older than-

[wait shit heck-

She coughs.] Um-

Well, thank you for answering at least, I didn't really...give warning but.

Are you going to be okay? Do you...need someone to talk to, I know the Rockets aren't...mmmm...

[Hffffffff...] I mean some of the others are okay, but not really...talkers...?

[This is the gentlest way to say none of them are sympathetic to someone hating team rocket ever-

Baby-Boo and her doublade both are now trying to crowd the screen.] AH!! Hey, hey, no, no- give some space..!!

[conniemaheswaran]

No, do go on. Please. I'd love to hear your opinion on Team Rocket pressganging a teenager into their criminal organization.

[Someone's clearly bitter on their first day. Connie sighs, dragging a hand down her face.]

Sorry. It's not your fault.

I'm guessing you got... recruited the same way as I did. So you probably understand better than most people here why I'm frustrated.

Being some thug harassing other kids to take their beloved pets is really not a career I would've chosen if I had any say in the matter.

[It looks like some damage control can be accomplished here if Carly disabuses Connie of the notion that all Rocket work is like that.]

...wait, hold on. [Connie gets closer to the screen.] Are those swords? Pokémon can be swords?

[fortuneglass]

Welllllll to be entirely fair to Team Rocket on that, they...don't really pick us either? We just kind of...wake up here.

I'm pretty sure it's an isekai but don't let Dirk hear me say that... Uh!

Oh, yeah, this is...Red Buster? Red? [The doublade tilts side to side a bit.] They're actually from a friend who...vanished, [she coughs awkwardly.] I really don't know how it works...

But uh, you know! They don't have to know you aren't stealing things if it helps...~

Actually, for a little bit I knew someone who just worked in research. I guess that could have been neat, but I don't think I have the degree for that sort of thing...

[Ahem. Anyway.] T-That said...I know it's a lot, really! It's...a lot, but it isn't all bad!

I mean, they got me a whole wardrobe- and glasses- on company dime! Having a job that guarantees what they do in exchange for mailing in a pokemon every two weeks is a lot more than I'd ever dream of ordinarily! And I was top reporter you know...

text;

[breakyourlife]

no1 likes a smart @$$

[Yeah, guess who sucked at basic training?]

[conniemaheswaran]

It was a genuine question. If there's a sudden difficulty spike, I want to be prepared for it.

[breakyourlife]

is it tho? 🙄

Look newbie. Im gonna b real here.
Training sucks, but being a rocket 4 real is even worse.
u got 2 steel even if u dont like it and ur starter pokemon is gonna make sure u do it.
The pokemon u get given r mean and its there job 2 keep u in line.
Dont think this is easy bcuz u got lucky at boot camp. u could b in jail this time next week.

[conniemaheswaran]

[is it so hard for these people to believe that connie is asking an actual question,]

Look. I'm not gonna lie. I hate it here, and I hate the prospect of stealing as much if not more than you do, and frankly I'm considering getting a job in data entry just so I can avoid it.

Don't assume that just because I'm new here doesn't mean I don't understand the kind of risks I'm being forced to take. Do you have any other problems with me?

[breakyourlife]

[LOOK. This main post sounds snarky as heck, and Steve is over defensive.]

Y do u think u hate it more? U just got here. u havent even finished training yet.

besides I never said I had a problem with u did I? Ur the one making A$$umptions.

[conniemaheswaran]

You know what, I'm just gonna. Stop talking here. Because we're just going to argue ourselves into circles otherwise.

[thedifferencebetween]

oh thats kewt

basic trainings a breeze but well c how u do out in the field

hi kiddo, im ur direct boss

[conniemaheswaran]

I

I wasn't joking?

It's a legitimate question, if things are going to get harder soon I want to be ready for it.

[Connie really, really hopes that he didn't see her complaining to Carly.]

[thedifferencebetween]

yea and the implicit 'i'm not having trouble w/it' thing is kewt

luk the top brass assumes ur an idiot

its friggin How 2 B a Cartoon Bad Guy 4 dummies

half of wut u learn? isnt even gonna mean shit in the field

but its kewl, thats why im here

[conniemaheswaran]

[On the one hand, Connie is feeling crabby and wants to tell anybody remotely associated with Rocket higher-ups to shove it.]

[On the other, she's smart enough to know that's completely pointless and she can just blow off some steam by practicing her sword skills later.]

[So she chooses to be respectful. By a small margin.]

Maybe I be frank, sir?

[thedifferencebetween]

sure i like a grunt with a set of balls on'em

2 an extent

[conniemaheswaran]

I am really not surprised command treats all recruits like babies, considering that most grunts native to this place are too busy stewing in a broth of machismo, stupidity, and arrogance to be halfway competent, at least from what I've observed. There are a few exceptions, but I think they prove the rule.

Sir.

TEXT

[uber_marionettist]

Is this meant to be some kind of flex?

[conniemaheswaran]

No?

[uber_marionettist]

Sure sounded like one.

My bad. I guess.

Better be careful what you ask, and where.

[conniemaheswaran]

[Connie literally laughs out loud when she sees Dirk's comment.]

I know you meant that advice in at least semi-good faith, but the way you phrased it is so funny oh my gosh.

It sounded like you were trying to give off the impression of some husky-voiced mysterious anime character who gives the hero some advice before turning around, swirling their cape, and vanishing into the darkness.

Also, can you. Please. Change your text color. It's getting kind of hard to look at.

[uber_marionettist]

[There is an extremely LONG pause on Dirk's end. Then:]

If you insist.

However, I'm afraid black is a hue reserved for special occasions.

[conniemaheswaran]

Oh, that's clever, but extremely insufferable.

Bravo.