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Brave New World Mods ([personal profile] bravenewmods) wrote in [community profile] 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.]
niepokonany: (I think I'll try defying gravity)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-27 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Not that that wouldn't be a perk, but...]

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.]
naturaldissension: (Default)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-27 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
[Rory will discreetly make no comment on his charm or lack thereof, given that Feliks prefers to turn on the full force of the... less amicable parts of his personality the vast majority of the time he's in the vicinity.]

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.]
niepokonany: (It's time to trust my instincts)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-27 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
[From behind the door, there are a few footsteps.]

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.]
naturaldissension: (Default)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-27 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
Feliks. How good to see you in person again.

[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?
niepokonany: (Take a message back from me)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-27 02:11 pm (UTC)(link)
It's not poisoned, right?

[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?
naturaldissension: (Smile)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-27 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
If I wanted to poison you, I would have brought you something hand-made.

[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?
niepokonany: (I just can't keep my fingers)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-27 03:54 pm (UTC)(link)
It's... definitely been a busy year! A lot of them have grown up really fast...

[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!
naturaldissension: (Default)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-27 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
The weather in Citadel is tempered by the presence of the volcano. It's intolerable in summer, but pleasant enough in the fall and winter. Gigas is further north, of course, and the winters are generally brutal.

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?
niepokonany: (I'm so thrilled)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-27 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Feliks gives him a big smile. There's not even a hint of sparkle around him.]

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?
naturaldissension: (Smile)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-27 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rory shrugs slightly.]

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.
niepokonany: (Don't for one minute think that you)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-27 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[Part of Feliks is tempted to try to joke about how he might be waiting a while for him to be "feeling his best" if that's the case, but if the past month has taught him one thing, it's that self-deprecating jokes when you're obviously not well maybe kind of only make people more concerned sometimes. And anyway, Rory isn't privy to his personal life, and it would be a little awkward to explain, and things are awkward enough already.]

[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.]
naturaldissension: (Default)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-27 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, dear. Rory will laugh slightly - almost... self-deprecatingly - at this initial question before he shakes his head.]

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.]
niepokonany: (of someone else's game)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-27 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[Feliks glances downwards, thinking about the Pokeballs again. He reaches over to scratch behind the Numel's ear in wordless thanks.]

...I think I might, a little.

So where do they get the idea it's "theirs", anyway?
naturaldissension: (Default)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-27 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't quite think Feliks can fully appreciate it at this point... though doubtless he will, soon enough.]

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.
niepokonany: (Are there any stalkers on my grounds?")

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-27 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, but who actually cares if it's true? That was ages ago. Like, "centuries before anyone's great-great-grandparents were a twinkle in their great-great-great grandparents' eyes" ages.

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.]
naturaldissension: (Smile)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-27 06:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rory just smiles. ...That's probably all Feliks will need to draw his own conclusions.]

Any other questions?
niepokonany: (Another sign of tragic space dementia)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-28 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
[What he's tempted instinctively to draw from that is "Rory thinks you're too dumb to talk with honestly", but he at least entertains the possibility of it meaning "yeah, we tried saying that, too." It hard for him to figure out which, with his emotions pulling him so strongly towards the first one.]

...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.]
Edited 2015-01-28 01:41 (UTC)
naturaldissension: (Thoughtful)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-28 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
[It was meant to be the latter, though Rory isn't going to elaborate. It's a topic he's decided he'd prefer not to get into again unless absolutely necessary.]

Hm? Gigas's opinion on you?

[He seems thoughtful.]

I can't say I know. I am not, of course, privy to the conversations of, say, Valeria or General Cassius. However, popular sentiment amongst the citizens appears to be curiosity.

Gigas strives for progress - that is a trait it shares with our team and why we have allied so readily. They are exceptionally interested in your Warp Band technology.
niepokonany: (...And now I guess she's on crack)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-28 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
[Feliks thinks that over, sipping at his tea.]

...So what if they decide that's theirs to take, too?

I kinda can't imagine Valeria isn't pretty pissed about us helping Caldera, at least.

[Not that he regrets it, or wouldn't do it again in a heartbeat.]
naturaldissension: (Default)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-28 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
I wouldn't have much fear of that at the moment. Incidentally, Union wasn't easily found due to the difficult terrain to the north and the west - your people had some difficulty progressing past those barriers as well, I believe.

Marching an army across the desert or miles of swamp would be madness; Caldera also stands in the way. You are quite well protected.

[Though it'd perhaps be possible if Caldera was out of the equation.]
niepokonany: (Close my eyes and leap)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-30 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
[With warp technology, he thinks, they wouldn't have to march across the desert at all.]

[Feliks smiles, quite sure he's not ready to share a thought like that with Rory -- which is to say, he's not ready to let Rory know he's capable of thinking that so immediately.]


So basically what you're saying is we've lucked out so far?
naturaldissension: (Default)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-30 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Rory would not recommend helping Gigas develop warp technology for several reasons, no.]

So far.

[He will echo Feliks's last words.]

Though I hear you've been having... other issues in the last few months.
niepokonany: (She's a young girl talking about herself)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-30 11:45 am (UTC)(link)
[For a moment, he looks a little nervous -- but he's talking about Union, not him specifically, right? He doesn't seem like he has the leisure time to be hanging around, gossiping about minor nobles' unfortunate circumstances.]

Well, you know. Like, the thing with Heatran was really just Citadel's thing, we just kinda stepped in to help. And then there was the deal with the Dream World, but that got worked out in the end!

[With song.]

I don't think too much else has really been going on, not that it hasn't kind of been a crazy year even just with that...
naturaldissension: (Smile)

[personal profile] naturaldissension 2015-01-30 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rory is indeed too busy to eavesdrop upon Feliks's daily life, so he can't say he knows why Feliks looks vaguely alarmed.]

I would call it a certifiably crazy year. We have not seen hair nor hide of 'gods' in 500 years, and here they are descending from the heavens at random.

I suppose they must see something special about you.
niepokonany: (I think I'll try defying gravity)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2015-01-30 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Even the gods just totally can't get enough of us!

[He sparkles, more relaxed than he's been in a long while.]

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