Brave New World Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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bravenewworld2015-01-24 04:39 pm
bravenewmods) wrote in bravenewworld2015-01-24 04:39 pm
Familiar Guests
[Odd environmental effects aside, Union has obviously dealt with much worse in the past. There's probably not much to be concerned about. Around mid-afternoon, the Warp Band network flickers on to display the faces of some guests who will surely put Union's mind at ease. They may be vaguely familiar to those who have been in Union for a while: one, a fiery-haired man in a well-pressed suit, and the other a young scientist in a lab coat bearing an expression liable to curdle milk.]
Good afternoon, Union.
[Crystal tries to appear generally congenial, although it looks just a bit forced. It seems someone didn’t realize the feed started a few seconds before it did.]
It’s been a long time. I’m glad to see this city is just as charming as I remember it.
For those of you who don’t know us, I am Rory Donnachaidh, and the two of us represent Team Evolution. We were conducting experiments in this area around a year ago and stumbled across your fair city.
[Yes, thank you for not introducing her, Rory. She gives her colleague a cool smile before engaging the feed again.]
And I am Doctor Crystal Verdine. We are here to make sure there haven’t been any further repercussions after the accident so many months ago. The likelihood of that happening is very slim, of course, but it’s better safe than sorry.
Yes - just ensuring that our… activities did not result in further harm to the area around Union. We’ve received permission from your Council, of course.
Unfortunately, that means that we will be inconveniencing you for a little while.
We’ll be staying a few days. Of course, we understand your sentiments about our technology, so we’ll do our best to refrain from using it openly while we visit.
[Rory tries to look sympathetic, though it seems he’s smiling faintly.]
Rory and I enjoyed our brief stay the last time, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to find one of us. Unfortunately, we don’t have any plans for more flashy displays this time. [Said a bit pointedly to her colleague. Someone was a show off the last time they were there.] To that end, if you notice anything odd in or around the city, please let us know. Thank you so much for your hospitality.
[And the feed flickers off. Rory and Crystal can now be found around Union or addressed directly through the band.]
Good afternoon, Union.
[Crystal tries to appear generally congenial, although it looks just a bit forced. It seems someone didn’t realize the feed started a few seconds before it did.]
It’s been a long time. I’m glad to see this city is just as charming as I remember it.
For those of you who don’t know us, I am Rory Donnachaidh, and the two of us represent Team Evolution. We were conducting experiments in this area around a year ago and stumbled across your fair city.
[
And I am Doctor Crystal Verdine. We are here to make sure there haven’t been any further repercussions after the accident so many months ago. The likelihood of that happening is very slim, of course, but it’s better safe than sorry.
Yes - just ensuring that our… activities did not result in further harm to the area around Union. We’ve received permission from your Council, of course.
Unfortunately, that means that we will be inconveniencing you for a little while.
We’ll be staying a few days. Of course, we understand your sentiments about our technology, so we’ll do our best to refrain from using it openly while we visit.
[Rory tries to look sympathetic, though it seems he’s smiling faintly.]
Rory and I enjoyed our brief stay the last time, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to find one of us. Unfortunately, we don’t have any plans for more flashy displays this time. [Said a bit pointedly to her colleague. Someone was a show off the last time they were there.] To that end, if you notice anything odd in or around the city, please let us know. Thank you so much for your hospitality.
[And the feed flickers off. Rory and Crystal can now be found around Union or addressed directly through the band.]
[Video]
How come, what do you think you might have messed up this time?
[...And this is why Feliks wound up on the attack team instead of the diplomatic one back in Caldera. He's awful at keeping a civil tongue in his head when he doesn't trust someone.]
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[Even despite the evolutions, there is no mistaking that particular tone of sulky contempt. Rory pretends that he has just received a warm greeting.]
How very nice to see you again.
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Yeah, you know how seeing you just totally makes my day.
[He's not sure how to bring up how that totally doesn't answer his question without just... yelling at him, which is at least beneath the tiny hint of dignity he's grown over the last year. Barely.]
...How's Caldera?
[He likes Caldera a lot more than he likes Team Evolution, so that's the closest attempt he can manage at being polite.]
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Better.
Since the reluctant armistice, I am pleased to say that Gigas has been perfectly well-behaved. Not that I believe this is the end of the matter, but there's time enough to enjoy what we have.
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I mean, not things being better, them actually backing off after all that big talk.
[Feliks wouldn't know anything about talking big, right??]
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[His tone is light, but the smile has gone from his eyes. But there is nothing more to say along these lines while he travels with a prominent citizen of Gigas.]
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[Weirdly enough, while he notices it, it doesn't ping his distrust. He frowns for a moment, then puts on a bright smile.]
I guess we'll see!
I'd want to get a rematch from you, but like, I'm not really in shape for one right now.
[Which is to say, he's in his pajamas, and his glassy eyes and feverish complexion are noticeable even over the Warp Band, and Jadwiga just teleported to his side to give him a dammit Feliks don't you dare right now look at the sound of the word "rematch".]
If you wanna drop by for tea sometime, though, it's not like I have much better to do until my Pokemon friends decide I can go out again!
[Rory's not dumb, for all that he dislikes about him, so hopefully he'll pick up that Feliks is offering to talk in private.]
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How charming. I haven't been invited to tea in years.
I believe we have no plans this afternoon, if that should suit you.
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Yeah, I'm totally known for my charm.
[...That's not actually always untrue, as unconventional as his charisma can be, but he's unaware of it, so it sounds entirely like a joke.]
Sounds cool -- like I said, I'm not going anywhere.
What time? I'll text the address to your Warp Band. Top floor.
[He sends the address along a few moments later.]
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Very well. Perhaps about... half past two, then?
[Time and address set, he'll sign off shortly.
And at precisely half past two, there will be a knock on the door of the room.]
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No, I can -- just let me -- oh, for the Savior's sake, I'm not dying, and you don't even have hands, just let me!
[And Feliks opens the door, with Huzar lingering next to him, still sulking a bit about the hands remark. She'll get them soon! All the other Dragonairs have been!]
Hey! Come on in.
[He opens the door to a large, rather modern, tastefully decorated flat with huge windows. No one else appears to be home besides the Pokémon, a few of whom are milling about.]
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[Rory is holding a small gift bag which he offers as he steps in.]
I thought perhaps you might be able to use this.
[It's teabags and honey. Whether or not it's mind-controlling tea that makes Feliks think Pokeballs are super awesome is a question he'll have to figure out by himself. Rory will walk towards the windows and take in the view.]
How is Jadwiga?
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[He grins as he takes the bag, if in part because he trusts that Jadwiga would feel it if someone was actually scheming to kill him. Speaking of her, she peers in from the kitchen, sings out a little greeting, and disappears again. A moment later, she comes back, carrying a tray of little finger sandwiches and heading for a nicely-set table near the window with them.]
[Feliks heads into the kitchen and grabs a tray of little berry tarts, following suit.]
She's good! Huzar, too, and Emilia, and I guess you didn't meet too many of the others before, right? [He hasn't been bonding much lately, but the fact remains that he has kind of a lot of Pokemon friends.]
[As Feliks gives Jadwiga a grateful hug, it might be noticed that they're about the same height -- but only with Feliks wearing some pretty tall-heeled boots.]
How about your team? Are they handling the winter OK?
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[The real reason Rory is here is because he needs somewhere to stay with restaurants.]
A pleasure to see you all again. ...What a difference a year of maturation makes.
[He will nod politely to Felik's collection of friends as he seats himself at the table.]
We have no complaints. Ioke becomes very popular in the colder months - though the others do have a temperature-regulated environment to retreat to as they please.
[An oblique reference to the Pokeballs.]
I have heard, of course, that your winter is much milder than it was the previous year?
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[To say nothing of the effects the year's had on him personally. He hasn't gotten any taller, and in fact, has gotten thinner and more frail-looking than before. There's some bittersweet hint of greater maturity than before in his eyes, though -- however difficult the past few months have been, there's no denying that he's been doing some growing up.]
Here, eat. The city hasn't had it too bad this year... We're still kind of figuring out what it's usually like outside the walls, though!
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I expect the Valkyries don't take well to the season, given they live in a tree...
[Though he wouldn't really know. ...He turns to eye Feliks critically.]
You do look rather unwell, if I may say so. Are you sure you're up for this?
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You know what? I'd kind of appreciate you of all people acting for like, two seconds like I'm not made of glass. You know I'm not.
[He's getting a little bit sick of half the people he talks to worrying or pitying him, and isn't really prepared to deal with it from Rory. Jadwiga gives a worried little sound at his agitation, though, and he backs down a little.]
...Whatever. Anyway, I had some stuff to ask you without the Warp Band a bit, so I promise a few minutes of chatting and tea aren't gonna kill me or anything. I'm still resting at home, see?
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I merely think it more sporting to conduct battle when my opponent is feeling his best. My apologies.
[He seems to be under no pretenses about what this is about.]
Very well, then. Fire away.
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[A Numel comes up to them, wearing a custom tray that allows him to warm the tea as he carries it on his back. Feliks reaches down to take the pot, and pours Rory's before his own.]
Ok. Well.
You don't think Gigas is done stirring up trouble.
[He was willing to go as far as to say that in public, even if he was more tactful about it.]
Why?
[He doesn't doubt it at all, but wants to know Rory's reasons.]
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Gigas is... a curious place.
They are a valuable ally in many ways... but I fear perhaps there is the misconception that Team Evolution and Gigas are the same entity. I cannot blame you for that, for much of our technology is indeed funded by the same, and many prominent scientists from Gigas cooperate closely with us - the... talented Dr. Verdine included.
But recall Gigas's reasons for attacking Caldera. They believe that it is "rightfully theirs".
[He eyes Feliks thoughtfully.]
...There is a certain danger in that philosophy that extends beyond the concept of war. I wonder if you should understand.
[He'll take a sip of his tea.]
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...I think I might, a little.
So where do they get the idea it's "theirs", anyway?
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Political details aside, the people of Gigas claim descendence from the kingdom or empire that held this land prior to the conflict of 500 years ago. I would not comment on whether or not this claim is true.
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Also? Wouldn't we all have been descended from people in that empire?
[Honestly, this all sounds pretty dumb to Feliks, and he's not exactly known for his logical aptitude.]
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Any other questions?
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...Fine. Okay.
So you told me what they think about Caldera. None of us have ever been there, so... So, what's getting said about us up there? About Union?
[He turns his tea cup around in his hands, in spite of his efforts not to fidget.]
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