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[quickattackjack]

Hi there! Wanna thread but don't have time/want to set up a whole post for it?
Does your character just wanna call and shoot the breeze? LET'S DO IT.

[Psst, if you need OOC contact, try here!]

Comments

[11121_assumption]

Walter didn't look up, focusing on Assumption in his lap. "Running away doesn't work. When I was alive, I tried to run away from the people who had taken me in. I could never escape." Team Rocket didn't ask as much as the Order but there were enough similiarities. We provide for you. You will give back to us. There will be consquences for failure.

Do not tell anyone what happens here.

"They gave me my Pokemon when I first came here. I owe them for that. In the labs, I don't have to hurt any of them."

[quickattackjack]

Jack's endless curiosity bubbled in his chest. He wanted to ask Walter so many things about where he was from and who had captured him. He wanted to know his plans from here on out but...he withheld.

You don't stay in Johto for over five years without learning a little tact.

And there was always the possibility of Walter having other reasons, just as Jack had reasons of his own.

"Ah, you're in the labs! That would explain why I haven't seen you too often."

And that meant that Walter wasn't doing any harm. There was still a chance he could eventually convince Walter to join him in his uprising some lofty day far away.

"You couldn't show me the lab sometime, could you? They put me in the field so I don't have a pass..."

[11121_assumption]

Walter lifted his head, considering Jack. The labs were almost his 'safe place' in HQ, away from the other Rocket recruits. Nobody else he knew was currently employed down there, so it made it a great way to avoid others. Granted the only Rocket he currently actively avoiding was Felix. But it was a place were he knew Manaka or Wrath wouldn't suddenly appear by his side.

"I could." He wasn't promising to however. He paused, considering his next words. "They're...not always kind, to the Pokemon there." He let the words hang, waiting to hear Jack's reaction and watching him very carefully. Would he brush off their suffering?

[thedifferencebetween]

[Lucky for Jack Skellington, Handsome Jack loves to talk about himself. He's more than happy to chatter away while salon attendants hover about and do their thing.]

Wouldn't be as successful as I am if I didn't! See, you can't spread yourself too thin. You gotta know what you're good at and go with that! Back home, I got started in computers. Programming and design, I was kinda a prodigy. Did I want to be a badass space adventurer hero from the start? Sure I did! But my strengths were coding and circuits, so I rode that to a pretty sweet job where I was set to shoot up the corporate ladder. And I'm also good at learning, so I learned how to be the badass superstar you see before ya now!

[Really, it was more of a complete reinvention of his self, but whatever. He likes to think of it as finally coming into his own.]

Here...here things are different, I'm at a different place in my life, so I'm relying on different strengths. You gotta adapt. Another of my strengths! I'm an adaptable guy.

[quickattackjack]

Jack's reaction was an understanding but unhappy humming sound. Of course they wouldn't be...but if he could learn something--anything about what Team Rocket had planned...

"They aren't kind to any Pokemon." He glanced back to his fox who was furiously trying to dry off and shooting the giant fish evil eyes every chance she got.

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack nods and follows along--or nods as much as his hairdressers will allow him. So Jack here was a computer whiz? The skeleton didn't know much about computers himself. He knew how to send people those cute animated greeting cards online and a few other things but. Hmm.]}

That's so inspiring!

[11121_assumption]

Walter relaxed a little. It seemed like Jack was similar to himself in that regard. They didn't like it, but they understood that it's simply what humans do to anything and anyone around them. He pulled Assumption closer, idly petting him as he considered the Vulpix. It sounded like Jack suspected cruelty in her past. Would...could Team Rocket have had a hand in Assumption's past? He knew his starter had lost his mother. And...he remembered in his childhood, hearing some of the other 'orphans' cry out for their parents until they learned better.

The comfort quiet was broken only the soft crackling of the fire as Walter lost himself in thoughts and the slow rhythm of petting Assumption.

Then Radio burst out of his Pokeball again. Walter sighed heavily. "Radio. Why."

action;

[gainedlove]

[As big as Goldenrod is, there are plenty of things that Frisk hasn't found yet. One such thing is a stately old mansion with a wonderfully spooky atmosphere and plenty of ghost Pokemon wandering around the grounds. And a setting like that, well, Frisk can hardly resist poking in to look around!]

[With a Honedge floating along behind, Frisk doesn't even pause for a moment before walking right into the building, and seeing a desk of some sort, they wander right on over.]

Hi there! Um, do I hafta buy a ticket?

[quickattackjack]

<sub>[As soon as Frisk enters the house, they would feel dozens of unseen eyes on them. The desk is worn and draped artistically with spiderwebs (all Jack's doing, he's only been here a few years after all) and is outfitted with a bell and an old-style telephone that Edgar the Murkrow is perched on.]

[The old bird turns and gives Frisk a low croak before turning her attention to the floating sword behind them. She lets out several caws.]</sub>

"Tell your little human that the master of the house is in no state for guests."

[gainedlove]

[Frisk frowns and cants their head to the side in confusion, trying to decide if the Murkrow is asking for scratches or just tired. Soul, however, rattles in her sheath and floats a little closer to Frisk.]

"Your 'master of the house' can come out and tell them theirself!!"

[quickattackjack]

<sub>[Edgar just lets out a dramatic sigh and shifts around on the phone she's perched on before leaning down and pecking the bell once.]

[In a flash, Jack appears, disheveled and wide-eyed. He is a man who has more coffee than blood coursing through his veins and it really shows. His hair isn't pulled back nearly as neatly, the buttons on his suit are a little out of sorts, and his glasses are perched atop his head. Where could they have gone?]</sub>

Well! If it isn't my little warrior! Come back for a rematch, eh?

[gainedlove]

[Frisk's expression brightens when Jack pops out seemingly from nowhere--they recognize him, the sleepy man that sent them gifts before! They giggle and bounce on their heels, beaming with delight.]

I didn't know this is your house! It's so cool, it's all spooky an' fun! --oh, um, I think you...on your head!

[Those glasses look like they might fall at any moment!]

[quickattackjack]

It is! It is! You're in Skellington House! I cook up fresh scares for anyone who asks and if you really want a fright you should come back in the fall! Oh--?

_{[Distracted, he pats his forehead and freezes.]}

THERE you are!

_{[Edgar sighs again as Jack puts his glasses where they belong. Jack gives Frisk his biggest most good customer serviceist face. He feels like his skin is trying to escape. DAMN THIS POISON TYPE BOTOX.]}

Thank you! What can I do for you two today? I--ah if you're looking to stay longer than a night, I'm afraid I'm going to be away on--business--very soon.

[gainedlove]

I jus' wanted t' see today--I'm goin' t' a party tomorrow! Me an' Dad an' Asriel all got invited, I never got t' go t' a big party like this before! We even gotta dress up all fancy!

[Oh--oh dear, he does look rather tired, doesn't he? Frisk steps forward with a small smile, their expression shifting a little calmer.]

Um...um, are you tired? We could sit...I can make tea really good! [Frisk please, this isn't even your house. Soul rolls her eye but settles to float behind and a little to the right of Frisk, keeping an eye out for them just in case.]

[quickattackjack]

_{[He steps out from behind the desk and gestures to the grand living room with the sweep of a arm.]}

Explore all you like!

_{[Their question catches him off guard and he blinks down at Frisk and their floating sword.]}

Not at all, why do you ask? And ah ah! I should be the one making tea for you two. You're my guests after all if you aren't my customers.

[gainedlove]

I...um, well...

[Frisk tugs on their sleeve nervously, glancing around for a moment before looking back up.]

Can I help, at least? Um, if it's okay! I like helpin' out, so...

[quickattackjack]

_{[The War of Niceness concludes in a happy draw.]}

Of course!

_{[He waves for Frisk and Soul to follow him and Edgar takes her cue to perch on his shoulder. Jack leads them into the kitchen which is an absolute disaster. Jack has never been an overly tidy man--he's a messy and rapid thinker--but you could at usually find the stove. Ever surface was covered in stacks of drawing paper, books, pots, pans, pokemon treats, pokemon, old ledgers for the Goldenrod breeding center, tea pots, clothes clothes clothes clothes, gallon jugs of fake blood, spools of false cobwebs, three different cardboard cut-outs of Actual Cannibal Shia Lewabuffet and one open bottle of wine.]}

March 30th | video

[exeggutorhead]

[The video doesn't open on Envy's face. No, the video opens on this, sitting on a store shelf.]

Look at this thing. This should be in the haunted house.

[Envy sounds some mix of delighted and horrified.]

[Action] 4/6, Rocket Base Cafeteria

[rosehecate]

[It is very, very difficult for Anthy to put the encroaching prom out of her mind. It looms over her head like a storm cloud, rumbling in anticipation of battles and faces and doubt. She had grown to be accepting of her mandatory alignment in this world - a Rocket Grunt was leagues more free than a Rose Bride - and she had stolen a Pokemon once before. Calyx was strange after evolving, sure, but still a friend. Still good. Could she really take friends away from trainers who'd been pulled here from other worlds? Trainers she might have spoken to? Could she do that to Ash or Angel?

She doesn't know. She really doesn't know.

So, while she's quiet, it's not hard to notice the purple head of hair in the sparsely populated cafeteria today as it bobs down. She's leaning on her folded arms, frowning at her untouched lunch like it's a puzzling mystery and not a soggy grilled cheese sandwich.

...Well if that doesn't catch Jack's attention I don't know what will.]

[quickattackjack]

<sub>[It certainly catches somebody's attention.]

[A purple head dusted with yellow spots slowly peeks over the edge of the table. The Purrloin twitches his ears and watches the unhappy grunt for a time before reaching, reeeeeeaching out with a paw, claws extended. He hooks the very tips around the lip of Anthy's tray and starts tugging it towards himself.]

[Sadly he is not as stealthy as he thinks.]</sub>

STICKY PAWS!

<sub>[And here comes Jack, making good time on long scarecrow legs, closing in on them.]

[Sticky Paws lets out a hiss of frustration, scrambles up onto the table, bounces off poor Anthy's head, and scurries away under another table by the time Jack reaches her.]</sub>

Ah! That--! I am so sorry, miss. I don't know what's gotten into him today.

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack is cleaning out one of the storage closets in the mansion when his 'gear goes off. When he appears on the screen the old man is grinning from ear to ear.]}

She's perfect! I'll pay you back if you pick it up for me--no matter the cost!

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy turns the camera back to himself, sporting a wide grin of his own.]

Can do, if my travelmates don't smash it in horror before I can send it back to Goldenrod.

What do you think you'll do with it?

[rosehecate]

[The sound of the tray moving catches Anthy's attention, and she perks up, a little lost as she watches it moving away from her. Just as she's about to reach out and stop the tray, the voice that calls out startles the cat, and she makes a small "Oh!" sound when it bounds up and on her head. She leans over to try and see where the Purrloin ran off to, but no dice.]

Oh...it's alright. I should have been paying better attention.

[When she looks back to Jack, her smile is...tired. Not even empty - she doesn't have it in her to make the effort.]

Does he always do that?

[quickattackjack]

Hmmmm

_{[Jack taps his chin, thoughts suddenly drifting elsewhere as a sly smile crosses his face. Leaving it in random places around the base sounded like GREAT fun.]}

Keep her by the front desk, I think.

[quickattackjack]

It wouldn't be the first time.

_{[Anthy not yelling at him already gets her a point in Jack's book so he is inclined to inspect her a little further. He adjusts his tiny glasses and tilts his head. She's not the usual picture of a crabby grunt.]}

Are you alright?