1st trick; (video/action for goldenrod base)

[trickyoutwice]

[Yeah, losing sucked. Losing sucked ass, especially when it involved watching a guy's miraculously recovered captain getting beaten by some snot-nosed brat. And sure, Niou didn't have anything against snot-nosed brats in the general sense. The one on his tennis team was pretty cute as far as they went — extra gullible, which made his whole determined to the point of stupid schtick endearing instead of just a headache. Niou'd been called one himself plenty of times, and the whole brat thing just meant people weren't smart enough to stop him from doing what he wanted — and as far as he was concerned, that was their problem, not his. But this had been a snot-nosed brat from another team, so he had objections on principle.

Not to mention it sucked even more when he'd gotten snatched right out of the bus on the way home from losing the tournament and woken up to find himself literally in a video game — and cannon fodder for the lame bad guys, at that. He'd have thought it was some a dream or some elaborate joke, except who would bother (besides him), and he'd figured out pretty quickly that he got hungry if he didn't eat and that it hurt if he pinched himself, hoping he'd wake up, that he'd just nodded off against his doubles partner's shoulder.

So, not a dream. Literally stuck in Pokemon Land with no way home. At least being part of a secret evil organization came with a few perks. He didn't have to worry about the usual tropes for the scenario like finding food and somewhere safe to sleep or getting chased by a man-eating monster for comic effect. It wasn't that bad — except for how having to do all the mind-numbing busywork was making him so bored he was actually thinking of the practices where they'd had to run until they puked with something disturbingly like nostalgia. Niou'd kept his head down and played by the rules, hadn't planned to make any waves until he'd figured a little bit more out about Team Rocket. That is, he'd planned to stay out of trouble, but he honestly thought he might die in his sleep just to stop being so bored if he kept being the good, hard-working grunt for one more day.

These idiots thought he'd be happy about suddenly having some drill-camp schedule and regulations and a job? Especially when that job was to go around and do someone else's grunt work because they couldn't be bothered to get off their own asses and do it? It wasn't even like he'd signed up for this the way he had for tennis club. At least with tennis, running suicides until he thought he was actually gonna die and listening to his captain's bitching meant he could play in games. This place, it was all go mop the floors, go run some sketchy as hell game center, go find a toothbrush and scrub your boots and don't even THINK about having fun, and for what?

Nothing, as far as he could tell. Just get more orders and more snooze-worthy things to do and actually be expected to do it if you let them start thinking you were an obedient little errand boy. Yeah, well, he wasn't gonna sit around anymore and play by their stupid rules like some loser. It was their own fault if they couldn't even deal with a little bit of trouble coming from inside the ranks. Sure, Niou could play the thoroughly-cowed Rocket grunt like the best of them, when he wanted to, but that didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun on the side. All he had to do was make sure not to get caught.

For being the headquarters of an evil organization, the base was really way too easy to sneak around. If he ran into someone, he just had to pretend he actually had something important to do and walk a little quickly and no one gave him a second glance. It was pretty convenient that the members were supposed to be up to nefarious deeds, really. When he asked for a few supplies that would've gotten him suspicious stares back home (well, maybe that was just because back home they actually knew him), the poor sap he'd stopped for directions had been only too happy to show him where he could find any number of very useful things. Hell, even the fuzzy fox thing he'd ended up with seemed pretty into the idea of pulling one over on these clowns.

Team Rocket thought they were the biggest baddies around? Whatever, he'd start small. Time to go have a little fun. When he was done, they'd never know what hit them.]

—

[The video that shows up on PokeConnect seems off center — or at least the guy in it is, the view tilted like the PokeGear is propped up on something slightly off to his side. He's a lot more interested in whatever he's fiddling with offscreen than addressing the Gear, anyway, and his attention's focused on whatever it is that's out of frame. If anyone happens to be walking by where he's snuck off to in the Goldenrod Rocket HQ this late at night, they'd find him with a fairly impressive array of tools spread out around him as he does... something to one of the public water fountains. Sitting attentively beside him, his Zorua is watching what he's doing with eager interest and perked ears.]

Give me that screwdriver— no, not that one, the other one— yeah.

[It seems like he's addressing the Zorua since she wags her tail and noses the desired screwdriver over to him. Niou takes just enough time to flash her a thumbs up before he gets back to making his adjustments. Absently, he addresses his Gear as he works.]

So, all you people out there trapped with me in Pokemon Land... What's with this place? Are we really stuck here like some bad Saturday morning cartoon where we've gotta go questing for truth, justice, and the way home? Gotta say, I'm really not wanting any lesson of the day crammed down my throat for five seasons.

[He pauses, momentarily distracted by the water fountain. Apparently something's gone right, because now Niou's looking quite pleased with himself. When he speaks again, he turns his head to grin at the Gear, sardonic and a little mocking.]

Come on, not everyone's drunk the Kool-Aid, right? There's gotta be someone who doesn't think this whole getting dropped off at summer Pokemon camp is all totally normal.

Comments

1/who even knows

[usedlaserbeam]

[...What.]

[usedlaserbeam]

[...That voice.]

[usedlaserbeam]

[...Okay, so logically speaking there are maybe like three options here.

#1: One of the Eevees knocked something off a high shelf, striking him in the head and sending him into a delusional fit in which he thinks he's hearing his partner's voice.

#2: He's finally had a full psychotic break from lack of exposure to everything he knows and holds dear and consequently is hearing his partner's voice on account of the fact that he's apparently just hit his breaking point and completely lost it.

#3: Niou's back.

...Holy shit he's not even sure if he dares to hold his breath for #3.]

[usedlaserbeam]

[...Well, they do say the third time is the charm...]

[usedlaserbeam]

[And yet he didn't ask for him specifically. Nor did he work in one of their usual tells. Nothing to indicate he might be signaling for Yagyuu's attention.

Which means he probably doesn't remember.]

[usedlaserbeam]

[...and maybe one day he will give a fuck about that BUT IT IS NOT THIS DAY because right now, by Federer, that is Niou and that means there is only one thing he can really say to such a kind request for information.]

[private video] | DONE

[usedlaserbeam]

[He doesn't step into view of the camera, despite turning on the video; there'll be time for that later. Right now, the audio is more than enough for his purposes.]

Sounds like you're a little lost.

Yaaaaaaaaaagyuu.

[trickyoutwice]

[Not exactly what he'd been expecting to hear — after all, Niou wasn't really in the habit of talking to himself just to hear the sound of his own voice, but there it is, coming back from the Gear like an echo. The taunting drawl to it is exactly the tone he'd have used to answer someone asking a question like that; really, the words themselves are just what he'd have said.

So it's easy to guess who he's talking to, even if he can't see them. It's not even a guess; after all, there's no one else it could be. And if Yagyuu feels like playing his role right now for whatever reason, well, he knows just what to do in return.]

A temporary condition, I hope, Niou-kun. And it sounds like you aren't. Perhaps you'd be so good as to lend a hand?

[If he feels relieved about that, knowing there's a familiar face here (just how familiar is it right now, he wonders), and more than that, having his partner here, he can't let on. That'd ruin the game.]

[usedlaserbeam]

[And suddenly it's a really good thing Yagyuu's face isn't on the camera, because private video or not, the smile he's wearing right now is so positively diabolical, it's one he'd never let anyone see in any remotely public capacity.

Although naturally Niou would recognize it at once. It's one he's seen before.]

Maybe. What's in it for me?

[Aside from the fact that he is literally yanking on his shoes as fast as he possibly can right now, that is.]

video;

[timelymaid]

What does Kool-Aid have to do with anything? Oh! I do have the newbie guide, though. Hang on, I'll attach it.
_____________
ATTACH: beginnersmanual.doc

[trickyoutwice]

Guess you've been drinking a lot of it, huh? Buying into this whole thing, the sudden 8-bit background music, gonna be the very best, right?

[He does pick up his Gear to see what she sent and spends a few minutes paging through the guide. After all, if she wants to be helpful, there's no sense shooting himself in the foot.]

Heh, that looks pretty useful. Thanks. No tips on getting out of here, though?

[timelymaid]

Kool-Aid? Not at all! I don't really like the flavor?

[ ...She's missing the reference and the point, but what can you do. ]

Ah, but if you mean how this is like a game...it's also like a game we have in my home, too. And as for tips on leaving - nope! You're sort of stuck here until you aren't. No one has figured out a way to leave or come on purpose.

I'm Aradia Megido, by the way!

[trickyoutwice]

...nevermind about the Kool-Aid, it's not worth it if you don't get it.

[Teasing someone who doesn't even get they're being teased would just make him feel kind of bad. A little. Maybe.]

Yeah, I'm Niou Masaharu. There's no ultimate boss to beat or anything like that? If it's a video game there's gotta be a win condition, right?

video

[backtobasics]

[That sure sounds like a familiar voice. Though Shiraishi doesn't get a name to his mind until the end of the feed. Ah, more people from Rikkai. Was it too much to ask for his teammates? Apparently.]

I'm afraid living in the Pokémon world is reality right now, Niou-kun. Especially since we can't really leave this place.

[trickyoutwice]

[Huh, someone who knows his name? The face is a little hard to place without the yellow and green he's used to seeing at tournaments, but after a few seconds, Niou figures it out. Not that he's gonna ruin all the fun and let on that he knows it.]

Yo. [And he gives Shiraishi a mocking sort of little wave.] Sorry, do I know you?

[backtobasics]

[He'd say Niou has a bad memory for someone who just made an illusion out of him- but he remembers the fact that he came from the ~past~ when he first came here so it's possible that he doesn't know - or just remember.]

You might or might not. I'm Shitenhouji's captain, Shiraishi Kuranosuke.

[trickyoutwice]

Oh, Shiraishi... Yeah, sounds familiar, gimme a sec.

[He makes a show of thinking, like he honestly can't remember. It's always so nice when people give him the benefit of the doubt — just makes it that much easier to get under their skin. And maybe he should be trying to make friends here, even if it's someone from one of their rival teams, but he's had it about up to here with playing nice for the idiots in Team Rocket. He just can't resist when a dig is gonna be so easy.

And this is easy. He grins at Shiraishi, mean and mocking, and lets out a little aha, like he just figured it out.]

Right, we creamed you guys last year.

[Video]

[subtlecoruscate]

It's not as if recognising how strange this is makes any difference...

[Her tone and facial expression are blank enough, but she hasn't forgotten the previous encounters with him. Even though they all took place about a year ago and through the Pokegear]

Welcome back...?

[It doesn't sound like he remembers being here...but she couldn't really be sure with this one...]

[trickyoutwice]

[He has no idea why he's getting welcomed back to a place he's never been before, but if someone's gonna be weird at him in weird Pokemon Land, hey, who is he not to roll with it?]

Honey, I'm home?

[Yeah, that makes about as much sense as being welcomed in the first place.]

It's kinda creepy how everyone's been here long enough to get used to the whole thing, you've gotta admit.

[subtlecoruscate]

...you don't remember being here...do you...?

[She's not entirely sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing...]

And accepting it is just easier than being surprised every time something unusual happens...

[Because if being dragged into this world in the first place wasn't weird enough...you also get the occasional events that make no sense and never seem to have an explanation...]

[trickyoutwice]

Not an instant, 'cause I've, you know, never been in whacky Pokemon Land before. That's the kind of thing that'd stick with you, you'd think.

[Well, he'll keep thinking that, even if it may not be true.]

Wow, I hope I don't go that native any time soon. Rolling with it's one thing, but I've got shit to do back home. Can't just wait around for a rescue, ya know?

action

[tendered]

[ Momo is a Team Rocket operative. Don't ask how. It just kinda happened. Anyways, being one of their lowest (and most incompetent) grunt for six months was grueling in some ways.

She does her nightly patrol walk. Get used to the ints and outs of the base. See if there's anyone in a similar situation with her. Not like that has ever happened, but maybe this night will be different.

Oh, who is she kidding? She goes to get a drink of water when, suddenly, she just sees a person with a bunch of tools. ]

....Um, excuse me? Are you the night repairman for this base? [ Giving people the benefit of the doubt? Momo, you sweet summer child... ]

[trickyoutwice]

[Niou jumps a little and slants a dark look at the Zorua looking equally startled at his side. So much for it being a watch dog. Well, whatever, it's not like what he's doing is all that incriminating unless this girl happens to be an expert at water fountain repair, so he tips his head back to give her his best, most trust-me-i'm-not-up-to-anything smile.]

Yeah, that's right. [Hey, if she's gonna just up and give him an excuse like that, he's gonna go right ahead and take it.] Just out doing all the fixing. [at ass-o-clock at night, but hey, it could happen.]

[tendered]

[ Momo just continues to watch, relatively clueless about what this guy's true intentions are. She's not exactly from this time period so she doesn't even know what this little machine does. ]

I mean, I guess that makes sense since people wouldn't use this in the dead of night. Do you need any help? [ She's supposed to be on patrol... but she's failing. Miserably. ]

[trickyoutwice]

[Wow, this is just way too easy. He feels a little bad, almost. Not enough to keep him from getting her involved as an accomplice, willing or not, for if he gets in trouble, though.]

You know, some help'd be great. You wanna come hold this for me?

[He waggles a pair of pliers at her, indicating a bolt that she can holds till while he fiddles with some other bit of machinery.]