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

*"Sol" the Absol returns the friendly greeting, while her trainer crouches and reaches out a hand to pet the Vulpix*

Oh? And I suppose he just started following you?

*meanwhile, the Flaaffy and Servine continue to posture and bicker at each other, but Sion pays them no mind*

Dogging my footsteps, to be honest. Though I can't say I mind....

[If he were being more honest, he'd add that it started yipping at him and wouldn't stop, in a very "get off my turf" fashion, and he'd captured it in part to show it who's boss.

Not that one could tell from Vulpix's behavior now; it tilts its head up into the pettins, purring a little happy "pix".]

I'm glad he's good with people.

*will happily indulge the Vulpix with pettings*

He's certainly quite friendly, yes.

[Malik watches these pettings with amusement, but his eyes drift to the squabbling Pokémon behind the newcomer.]

...and how about them?

*glances back at the pair, who are apparently currently trying to see which can stretch himself taller than the other*

Ah, they can be a bit troublesome at times, but I think they mean well.

[So you're an easygoing trainer. Malik chuckles, and Vulpix trots back to "vul" hello at the pair.]

Most Pokémon do. At least, that's my experience.

I - don't think I know either of those, however. Still pretty new to this....

Oh? You can find Mareep- the type Fen was before he got bigger- near the city, actually.

[His eyes light up.]

Ah, so this is what Mareep becomes!

One of my friends just caught one. What are they like?

[And he drifts back to try and say hi to Fen. Would interrupting the squabble be acceptable if there are pettings involved here, too?]

Well, they really are as soft as they look, but you have to be careful not to be shocked accidentally...

*oh hey, a distraction! Fen will gladly accept the attention, though Flourish may look a little put out if Fen gets ALL the attention....*

[He'll give Fen plenty of time to notice the hand descending to pat all that wooly fluff, then.]

Electric, hm? Do they have any special abilities? Outside of battle, I mean.

[Sorry, Flourish. Advance warning about his "friend's" new Pokémon beats out equality.]

Other than being prone to shocking the unwary, I couldn't say. At least, I'm assuming that having a bit of an attitude is just Fen...

*"Flaf!" Fen makes an indignant response and turns his attention to Malik; forget the rest of you guys, he's the one getting patted here, after all*

It's sometimes hard to tell, isn't it?

[To the Pokémon.] Pleasure to meet you. My name's Malik.

[While Malik greets Fen, Vulpix tires of saying hello and attempts to sit down on Sion's foot.]

It certainly can be.

*"Flaaffy flaf!" Fen seems pleased to meet you too! Sion doesn't seem too troubled by the Vulpix, though, continuing to pet the fox's soft fur

....his Absol, Dusk, meanwhile appears to have simply sat down in the grass nearby to calmly watch over things for now*

[Malik attends to the Flaaffy in silence for a moment, then looks over. Making a new "friend" is all well and good, but he has to be sure he can rely on them - and reach them - later.]

Ah, I'm sorry. How forward of me. I don't believe I ever got your name.

Ah, I'm Sion Astal. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Same to you.

As mentioned to this - fine fellow - I'm Malik.

[And Fen gets a couple final pats.]

I don't suppose you know your way around this town?

I'm a bit familiar with it. Not as much as some people, though...

I see....Would you be able to point me towards the best places to visit? Whether that's a landmark, or the Gym....

I'm also concerned about the kids at the Academy.

Well, the best place to know is probably the Pokémon Center, over toward the east side of town.

*aaaand giving directions to a few landmarks the player is too lazy to write out |Db*

Turn 004 // Video/Action

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