pokebox | Locked to explosivecombat

Locked to explosivecombat

[Archer ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. He had woken up that morning in a strange room that definitely wasn't in the base outside of Liore. He had found a strange capsule with an even stranger metal beast inside it along with a dreadfully ugly uniform and a note, claiming he was now a member of "Team Rocket," whatever the hell that was.

Needless to say, the Colonel was furious with the interruption. He was to crush Liore in less than a day and he didn't have any time to waste in... wherever this was. Xing? It sounded like it was Xing, though he had no idea how he could have gotten here.

One of the "Grunts" he had spoken to told him to use the "PokéGear" to get information from the others. What others? Had other soldiers been brought here for some reason? The device was far too complicated for Archer and a second Grunt took pity on him and helped teach him the very basic functions. That was how Archer managed to get the feed going.]

--Is it on?

[An affirmative answer from the Grunt. The 'Gear pulls up from the lovely view of Archer's feet and is pointed at the wall. A gloved hand comes into the shot and turns the 'Gear so it's looking at Archer.]

Ah, there we go.

[The Grunt leaves Archer to his message, and Archer is quick to deliver it.]

I'd like to speak to my kidnappers. I'm certain we can come to an agreement regarding my return to Amestris. That's all.

[He fumbles with the 'Gear for a moment before finally getting it to shut off. He pockets it and moves to explore the Team Rocket base, searching for a way out.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Tell me, then. Am I the person you remember or not? Honestly this time.

[There's a long pause. A really long pause.]

...You're different. Taller. You don't have that horrible haircut and you're older.

[It's spoken softly though; he doesn't like admitting that he was wrong, or acknowledging that this is a perfect stranger when he looks kind of similar to Kimbley.]

Who are you?

I -

[He cuts himself off abruptly; he doesn't know what to do with the knowledge that he isn't sure how to answer that. He almost never has difficulty speaking; why is this so different?]

You were right when you said that I'm a different version of the person you know. I'm an alchemist from Amestris; I was formerly in the military before I was...forcibly removed and imprisoned for insubordination. I specialize in creating explosions.

There are similarities, but we aren't the same person. "Different versions" is about all the explanation we have.

[He wants to tell him about Johto; he knows it's a terrible idea.]

And your name? Is it also Kimbley?

[This is ridiculous. There's no way this is actually happening.]

How do you know about this other version of yourself anyway?

...it is, yes. Spelled differently, however.

[And that...that's a very valid question, isn't it; for a moment he considers saying something. But that will just unnecessarily complicate things, won't it?]

And surely you don't think that we're the only two from Amestris here.

[He would comment on the spelling - how is it spelled differently? why is it spelled differently? - but it's irrelevant in the face of what he's being told.]

...No, I suppose not. Who else is here?

...they come and go. Major Armstrong and Miss Rockbell are both still here, as are a few others that I don't believe you know. For a time, Colonel Mustang was also present, as was Lt. Colonel Hughes.

And I take it one of them told you about Kimbley - the other version of you?

[A pause.]

...I assume they told you about me as well?

[It certainly looked like this version of Kimbley recognized him.]

[There's no way to say it. There's no way to tell him anything that's happened over the last year and a half - the stupid thing is that it should be easy. This is just something that Johto does, something he could easy find witnesses to back up; several of the people in this base have experienced this. The answer is right in front of him; it's simple, isn't it?

Something in his chest tightens sharply; he doesn't understand why. This shouldn't bother him. It shouldn't bother him.

He doesn't let...whatever that was register on his face, however; he shoves it aside for now. He doesn't want to deal with it. He isn't sure he can.

So he simply smirks a bit, the expression easy. Not quite a smile, but close.]

They did, yes.

[Archer eyes him skeptically for a moment - something about the answer is off but he can't quite put his finger on it.]

And how do I return home? I have things to attend to; I can't afford to waste time here.

[Thank you for letting him get away with that; this is...easier. Much easier.]

...tell me, did you receive one of those red-and-white capsules upon awakening here? There should have been at least one with the belongings that were with you in that room; do you have it still?

This is relevant, I assure you.

The thing containing the metal beast?

[Archer holds it out, frowning. He somehow or other got the thing to go back into the ball, but it's something he hoped had been a dream.]

Yes, I have another one like this, but I didn't bother to see what was in it. The first one was bad enough.

I take it you've been in this world for quite some time?

I'm sure you're not going to like the answer, but I have, yes; it's been over a year.

Over a year? What on earth have you been doing this whole time? Surely there must be some way home...?

[Something about that doesn't strike him right; it's likely the implication wasn't intentional, as Kimblee knows that Archer tends to open his mouth without thinking, but he can feel himself tensing up at it regardless.]

Believe me, if there was a way out of this godforsaken region, I would have found it by now; don't assume that I've simply been content with my lot and done nothing.

If there's no way home then what can you do here?

[That's more genuine curiosity than a pointed question.]

You're going to have to find your own answer to that question; I'm afraid I don't believe in charity.

[He's not sure where this amount of anger is coming from, or why he's lashing out; he just knows that he is, and he can't exactly stop himself now that he's started. Were he more generally prone to fits of immaturity, he would at least recognize the thought that this isn't fair - but that's something else to shove away, something to deal with at a later time. This is getting very quickly into "I can't handle this" territory again; he knows this isn't Archer's fault, but at the same time, Archer is the only one there for him to take this out on.

He's starting to understand why Archer did this to him so often before.]

What on earth are you so upset about? You've been offering me quite a bit of "charity" so far today.

[He arches an eyebrow at that, curious about the anger. Clearly the best idea is to poke it until he gets an answer!

...He's just as dense as ever.]

I'm not upset, Archer.

[Oh, you're going to have to do better than that, poking-wise.]

Don't play dumb with me, Kimbley. It really doesn't suit you.

[The sarcasm is thick, but it's more defensive than it is an outright attack.]

Am I to assume it did suit the version you know?

[Take the bait, damn you. It's low if you're from the same point in time as you were when you first arrived, but c'monnn.]

Oh of course he is. But surely a classier version like yourself wouldn't be so stupid.

[The sarcasm here really can't get any thicker.]

[His hand twitches a bit at that; you want to keep trying to test him? You'll take consequences.]

Keep insulting me, Archer, and see how far it gets you.

Fine, fine.

[He waves a hand airily; he's not interested in getting killed today, thanks.]

Do tell me what there is to do while I wait to be sent home, then.

[No.]

As I said, I'm not here to hold your hand through this.

Locked to explosivecombat

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject