best_laid_plans | Turn 004 // Video/Action

[Malik's learned a few things about being a proper Rocket in Johto. One, the region's inhabitants are well-intended souls - useful for leading them on. Two, he alone can't possibly execute the maneuvers necessary for his revenge.

Malik Ishtar, aspiring Pokémon "trainer", needs to make some friends. And he knows just the place he wants to do it.

Taking advantage of Yuugi and Bakura's journey, Malik spends his weekly Rocket allowance on a shiny red bicycle (plus a bit of last week's on a ~~Moltres~~ phoenix decal). He then gathers supplies and heads for Violet City, to witness the aftermath firsthand. The music changes when he rides the bike, which intrigues him (and gives rise to a theory) - but he doesn't have time to ponder metaphysics.

Travel, he finds, sounds much better on paper.

Malik pedals into Violet tired, cold, hungry, and disgruntled: he'd picked up a new Pokémon, but it doesn't seem interested in cooperating just yet. In fact, it's actually prancing ahead, so all Malik sees of it is

Nonetheless, he switches on his Gear and broadcasts.]

Ah, good morning, everybody. I have a favor to ask.

I've just come into Violet, to check up on things - late, I know, I'm sorry, I hope everyone's all right - but since I got teleported away from this area before, I don't know my way around. Could someone spare an afternoon, or an hour or two? I shouldn't need much.

Thanks. I'd be happy to help anyone out while I'm here in return!

Here's where I am.

[He pans the camera around his surroundings and lets it scan across his new Pokémon, too. Maybe someone knows what these can do; he's heard he'd had one on his last stay. So far, however, he's not impressed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

["Help anyone out"? Sounds like a job opportunity. The lucky, impoverished assassin comes out to help.]

Not asking for much, are you? Hell if I'm complaining, showing a guy around town is an easy enough job. Easier than, say...

[Murdering, pilfering, smuggling, pickpocketing, etc.]

... well, easier than something harder. Nyeheh.

[Malik chuckles, but keeps his tone light.]

Undeniable logic, there. I really do appreciate the help.

[He was always a logician at heart. Raising a gloved finger, he wags it in front of the camera.]

That aside, that aside now... I think I would be willing to offer my services. And why not? I'll throw in a little music into the deal.

... if I can just find a flute in one of these stores.

Ah, you play? Can't help you there, sorry....but it'd be nice to hear something besides the city's soundtrack!

[The neverending BGM is one of many things about Johto Malik could do without.]

[... wait, so that wasn't some exceptionally lively (and redundant) orchestra? He'll just shake this off. Gotta blend in. Gotta blend in.]

Bah. Forget it. Not my fault these towns don't appreciate any other song besides-

[And he tries singing Goldenrod's theme with a series of "lalala's" in his hoarse voice. Please don't try imagining this.]

... ahem. So, then. Services.

[Oh, he knows that tune (once decoded). And if the only one you know is Goldenrod, then that's where you started - which means you're a Rocket like him.

Interesting. He keeps his face ~~far friendlier than his icon~~ pleasant, however.]

Yeah, preferably someone who knows "Violet City". But I'm so new to traveling that any tips you have would come in handy!

[Like hell he knows about Violet City, but the man has always been good with directions. In his occupation, direction's the one thing you have to be good at. The rest is finesse.]

Well, my boy, you've come to the right person. As it turns out, I've got a keen sense of direction. It's only gotten better after all these decades.

No doubt I'm the right person to show you the ropes, eh?

[He notes you haven't addressed the city in particular, but that's fine. It's not really Violet he's interested in so much as getting to know lots of different people.]

If it's something I can learn, then I'm all ears!

You're used to traveling?

These feet of mine have taken me all across the world ten times over.

[Not really, but it is true, he has walked around for quite a long time.]

I know the in's and out's of surviving. A life in cold and poverty tends to give a few good lessons on that.

[Malik would like to think he knows a few things about cold and poverty himself, having run away from home into a world he barely understood. But he'll keep his need to always be the most miserable out of this.]

Sounds like it would....I hope things look up for you here in Johto. That must be harsh.

Of course they're harsh! Cold. Hunger. Poverty. Everyone cries, a grown man cries, at the face of 'em. That ugly, toothless face. ... and what about you?

Would you know about those? And more importantly, what any of 'em can drive a man to do?

[You're an intriguing fellow, all right.

And seeing as you seem to share an employer - Malik lets himself smirk a little.]

Plenty, actually. The human mind is such a fragile thing. Ruled by the body, in many cases.

Though I hope nothing that serious happens here.

Turn 004 // Video/Action

no subject

is this video or action, btw?

... Video. Wow, did I really forget to put that..?

[Video] NP~ Thought it was, but wanted to check :3

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