IC Contact

[rocketman]

✆ Crystal | Messenger Bird | In Person

Comments

[broceanic]

Yes, I understand that. James, where are you? I'd like to talk. I'm concerned about you. I suppose Mareanie should also meet Muk, a fellow poison type.

[rocketman]

I'm by the lake but...

Why are you concerned?

[broceanic]

You just casually said you wake up screaming. Still? Well, that and we're friends.

I'll be there soon.

[rocketman]

Oh, I let that slip did I?

These crystals really are awful.

[broceanic]

They are.

[he'll be there soon, sending out sharpedo the moment he gets close to the water. archie saunters over and sits next to james.]

Well, then.

[rocketman]

Ahoy, Archie.

Having a rotten day, are we?

[He frowns and a little squid-like creature floats up from beside him, waves at Archie and says

"INKAY!"

Mareanie is playing with a shiny pebble in the shallows.]

[broceanic]

Muk isn't sick as I'd worried, so it could be worse. I think he's just changing with the stuff he's eating here.

[archie waves back at inkay. it's been a while since he saw one... sharpedo floats as close as he can to marenie, calling out to her. that's a nice pebble!]

You've another friend?

[rocketman]

Oh, yes, this is my good chum Inkay.

[Inkay trills and floats back to James, getting close enough for a quick hug.]

Inkay, this is Archie--

--Oh, be, nice, Mareanie!

[This is aimed at his other companion who rushes back to the shore to protect her new pebble.]

I think the big crab fellow gave me Inkay. I wonder why?

[broceanic]

Hello, Inkay. I've met several Malamars before, they're very powerful. You'll be strong when you evolve.

[he just looks over at mareanie and the dejected looking sharpedo. he'll never befriend this weird little octopus...!]

Big crab fellow...?

[rocketman]

Yes, the mountain. Piff something...

Piphron?

He's an Arehtei! My Arehtei!

[He spreads his hands to suggest size.]

The big lug is supposed to be powerful, but how he pulled Inkay from Headquarters I'll never know...

[broceanic]

I've not heard of that one...

[he frowns a little.]

Mountain? --Wait, headquarters?

[rocketman]

Yes, Team Rocket Headquarters. That's where Inkay was!

[He thinks back on home and an image will flash from the crystal into Archie's mind: A massive complex tucked away in the mountains with red "R"s emblazoned on the walls.]

[broceanic]

[he blinks at the sudden image, frowning... not very conspicuous, is it?]

Why was it there? Did you not have it with you? Or in your PC?

[rocketman]

Of course not.

When we got deployed to the Alola Region we were told we had to use the native Pokémon. Something about not standing out or some such.

I had to leave my poor pal behind.

[broceanic]

Tch. You should be allowed to use whatever Pokémon you want. The only thing that would make you stand out is if you sent out Rayquaza.

[he crouches, holding a hand out for mareanie. come get pats...]

How have you been? Aside from screaming.

[rocketman]

Oh, I'm fine.

[At the name "Rayquaza" another memory is transmitted across the crystals as it comes back to him: Him manning the controls of a rocket while the serpent in question launches itself into the stratosphere in pursuit.

The vision ends.]

[broceanic]

[SLOW INHALE.]

James?

[rocketman]

What?

[Then, cautiously...]

Why does everyone look at me like that when I say I'm fine?

[broceanic]

Did you... FLY A SHIP WITH RAYQUAZA IN TOW?!

[rocketman]

I...flew a ship and got knocked down by Rayquaza?

Are you still seeing my thoughts?

I hate this.

[broceanic]

[he presses his hand to his face.]

And I thought I was involved with too many legendaries! Why?!

[rocketman]

Because it's intrusive!

I don't even like knowing my thoughts, I don't need anyone else knowing them!

[He huffs and folds his arms over his chest.]

[broceanic]

No, why were you-- why were you screwing around with Rayquaza?!

[he can understand that mental sharing part perfectly well without needing to ask!]

[rocketman]

Oh, that.

I didn't mess with Rayquaza, it messed with me!

That big brute came soaring straight at us and sent us spinning. I needed to hop on the manual controls.

[He scratches his head.]

[broceanic]

It hasn't been seen in thousands of years.

And it just showed up to ruin your day like that.