best_laid_plans | Turn 004 // Video/Action

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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.]

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["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.

[The Commander has a hard time believing this is the same person he's been in contact with.]

Doesn't it sssicken you to act like that? How can you stand it?

[Malik chuckles, but keeps his tone light.]

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

[He's actually glad to speak plainly with someone (and that you're intrigued enough by him to comment), but like hell is Malik going to act it. Instead he just switches to his normal tone after a brief, villainous chuckle.]

People don't trust who they don't like.

Trust? Why on earth would you waste time getting these idiots to trust yo-

[Never mind, he figured it out.]

Wait, you plan to use them, don't you?

[Congratulations, you win! Malik sounds amused.]

They're all too eager with the right encouragement.

And once they've exhausted their worth....

[He snorts, since you can't hear a shrug.]

Disposal's cathartic.

[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, I completely understand the disposal part, but wouldn't it make more sense to hire someone to use these people for you? That way if ssssomeone were to catch on, they wouldn't be able to get their hands on you!

[Which is what he does back home. Zartan and the others can spend time in jail while he escapes to plot some more.]

[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!

[Maybe you're not as inept as he thought. That could actually be handy.]

Of course - in an ideal situation. But one has to find those people at some point, as well.

Unless you're volunteering, which I somehow doubt.

[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?

-wait, you're in Violet right now?

We were just over back there!

[How could he have missed him on the path... did he take the other path? Or is it something else?

Curious, innocent housemates looking surprised.]

[Oh look, you haven't gotten yourself drowned in a river or stampeded in a forest. That's good. ~~He'd never forgive nature for doing his job.~~]

Really? I bought a bike to speed things up. Worked pretty well.

You must have been all over the place by now! How is everything?

[Purposely not addressing anything like "we should totally meet up and hang out!" Nope.]

[How sweet. And since he's being so nice, how can he not at least mirror the friendly.]

Wow- That's a pretty good buy, if you're planning to explore Johto. I've read the 'Fly' move only gets you to places you've been, after all...

But, we haven't been that far! We just circled around to south of Violet, and are now on our way back... But I did get to add a few to the team.

[Of course, that gas-ball of a ghost eying and sticking its tongue out at Malik must be one of Bakura's. Surely.]

[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?

[What an irritating limitation. He'll be getting mileage out of this bicycle. ~~Unless and until he finds a motorcycle shop.~~]

Oh, really? I'm glad Bakura's been lots of places, then....handy for him and his Pokémon!

[At which point he glances at the - thing - floating in view of the feed.]

That's a new arrival? Doesn't quite seem your type.

Yeah, it's been a lifesaver already.

[But, his actually-relaxed grin turns to a grimace as he follows Malik's glance being him and- Scrunches his neck down.]

Ah, no, not really... I guess she likes me or something. She kind of caught herself.

[And so Malik, meet Yuugi's personal ghost troll... in pokey form.]

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.

I'm not. And while I had a number of people willing to do ssssuch a thing back home, none of them are here. It's sssimply something one should keep an eye out for.

*here's a trainer accompanied by an Absol, as well as a bickering Flaaffy and Servine duo trailing behind, pausing when he spots that Vulpix*

Ah, I don't think I've seen that one yet.

[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.

And I've been doing exactly that.

In the meantime, there's always someone willing to "help".

[He gravitated towards established criminals for minions back home, since their desires were easier to read and manipulate. But if Johto's handing him good guys, he'll make do.]

[You've got it, too. You've got that frustrating charisma that draws others towards you. Malik hasn't run into many people he shares that with.

And he really could have gone his whole life without realizing he had anything in common with you. Urgh. Why couldn't you have stayed a meaningless vessel?]

That's you, though, isn't it? You've got the power to bring others together.

It's what will make you such a great Breeder!

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Turn 004 // Video/Action

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is this video or action, btw?

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

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

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[video] not that exact location is set!

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