pokebox | Locked to explosivecombat

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[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

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.

Well you certainly are helpful.

[But whatever! He'll just go figure out what he's supposed to do on his own, no big deal!]

I do appreciate the information you've given me, however.

[...That's not really sarcastic...]

[No. No, no, don't do that - ]

Do you?

[His hand twitches again, though he's quick to force it into a fist; he's suddenly aware of the fact that his hands are shaking.]

Well of course. I would have been horribly confused otherwise.

[Wait, wait, hang on, why aren't you mad at him anymore? He knows how to deal with people when they're mad, but this... blankness isn't something he knows how to approach.]

[Well, he would suggest you get used to it, Archer; it isn't going away anytime soon.]

Of course, Archer.

...I suppose that's all, then.

[He's still shaking.

That had better be all.]

Is it?

[He folds his arms, frowning at Kimblee.]

I get the feeling you're keeping something from me. You've been quite informative about our own world-- worlds, I suppose - but you seem intent on leaving me to my own devices here. Are you sure you didn't know me back in your world?

[That would explain the anger here...]

I didn't.

[That blank tone is still as present as ever, though his expression has shifted into something almost dissonantly calm. He unclenches his fists, flexing his fingers for a moment before clenching them tightly again; he's sure his knuckles are going white under those gloves of his. Fortunate, then, that he never takes them off anymore.]

As I said, we never met in my world; we didn't know each other.

[A pause. That's not all there is to it, is there?]

You said you've been here for a year.

[It dawns on him all at once and his immediate reaction is to hope that he's wrong.]

...Did you meet me here?

[He freezes entirely at that; his expression darkens momentarily as he finds that he can't make eye contact any longer, glaring instead at some vague point between Archer's shoulder and the floor behind him.]

...yes.

[It's all he offers; from the look of it, he's not pleased to be offering that much.]

[Archer is silent for a long moment, thinking. There really is no reason he can see for Kimblee to admit to that. Kimbley never had any issues with lying, does this version?]

Were we close?

[The question seems to surprise him, but Archer relaxes after a moment. Kimblee has seemed incredibly tense this entire time - Archer has noticed the way he keeps clenching his fists. He's upset about something at any rate.]

[And for a reason he doesn't understand, that hurts.

He sees no reason for the pain - of course Archer doesn't know, he doesn't remember his previous time here in Johto. Hell, what with all the different timelines that have been proven to exist here, this might be someone different entirely.

But the fact remains that it hurts.]

...I'm not discussing this with you.

[That comes out in the same cold tone; he's quick to turn around, to give him his back even though he knows that's likely a mistake, and he has every intention of leaving, of storming down the hall and trying to disregard this ever having happened.

He doesn't understand what's happening - why Archer has come back, why he's come back like this, why it's hurting him so badly - but he wants no part in it. None.]

Kimblee.

[His voice is commanding, but not cold. It's the tone of voice he usually takes with Kimbley when he's trying to get him to be serious (not that it ever works, but that's not the point); he takes a few steps forward but still remains behind the alchemist. He has no interest in touching him, but something about this really isn't sitting right with him.]

Why won't you discuss it? Don't I have a right to know what happened? If I was here before I certainly don't remember it, but those were my actions and I feel I should at least know what I've done here in the past. That's all I'm asking of you.

[That tone gets him to stop immediately; he folds his arms across his chest without seeming to realize what he's doing, his fingers kneading tightly into the fabric of his coat.

He would recognize that tone anywhere; just the same, he isn't going to turn around.]

You were my commanding officer here. We worked together on a number of missions. You...

[You were my best friend, goddamn it.]

You were very good to me. That's all.

Your commanding officer...

[He muses on that for a moment, rather pleased with the idea. Kimblee's hesitation is definitely noted, but he says nothing about it for the moment.]

...I suppose you'd like an apology for my behavior then?

[It's not sarcastic, surprisingly. He's not sure what else to say.]

...May I ask how I was good to you?

[This is far easier if he doesn't have to turn to look at him; he closes his eyes for a moment, collecting his thoughts, and he doesn't open them again until well after he's begun speaking.]

I may not be in the military anymore, but I still exist to fight. You gave me orders, and something to do; when we weren't actively on missions, I...suppose I found your company to be pleasant from time to time.

...We were friends, then.

[He's silent for a moment, taking that thought in. Then suddenly he laughs, though it's not mocking at all.]

Well, I suppose I need some version of Kimbley in my life to keep things interesting no matter where I am.

[He goes back to being more serious though, frowning.]

I don't remember any of that, obviously. If you would like, we could try to forge that friendship again.

[Another pause.]

...But I understand if that would be too difficult for you.

[...Not meaning to sound offensive...]

[That strange, tight feeling grips his chest again; he's gone very, very rigid all of a sudden, and it takes him far longer than he'd like to even begin to shake it off.]

...let me think about it, Archer.

Of course, Kimblee. I do need to get adjusted to this world, after all. I suppose you can use this... 'Gear-thing to contact me?

I can, yes.

[His hands tighten again, bunching up the fabric of his sleeves in his fingers before he finally allows them to drop back to his sides; he turns to face him again, almost as though searching for something.]

I've never been one for friends; from what you've told me, that's another thing I have in common with this version that you knew. I allied myself with the Homunculi, back in Amestris, but you were the first...human to actually know what I...am, and what I'm like, and -

[He shakes his head; this is stupid. Oversentimental. Why can't he stop?]

You understood me, more completely than anyone else ever has. And you continued to offer me friendship, regardless of how abnormal everything was, and no matter how terribly I treated you.

That's how you were good to me before. If you must know.

[Archer is silent all through that, listening carefully. He understands. Well, maybe not entirely, but if it's anything like his relationship with Kimbley then yes, he does get it in some ways. Kimbley is the only person he can be himself around. It sounds like much the same thing for this version.

He's not sure what to do with the fact that Kimblee is so troubled by this. After a moment he approaches, carefully reaching out to touch Kimblee's arm, as if he's not really sure if the gesture will be allowed.]

I understand. I thought there was only one person like that - someone who could understand me better than everyone else - but I suppose another version of him would provide the same benefits.

I'm certain you provided me with everything I provided you. I wouldn't have remained your friend if it was detrimental to me.

[He's not sure if that's any comfort, but it's the only thing he can offer.]

[Kimblee's gaze darts down to that point of contact between Archer's hand and his arm; he doesn't relax, but he doesn't move to pull away, either.]

We're both like that, it seems; I often said the same to you. That I wouldn't stay if I believed the relationship to be detrimental.

[He smirks a bit at that; again, not quite a smile, but...approaching it, maybe.]

Hopefully you won't find this terribly odd, but I'm...rather aware of your issues with insomnia, and how you tend to handle them. Should you have difficulty sleeping here, I'm not opposed to being sought out.

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