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While that was briefer than Kratos had expected, he couldn't say that he was entirely surprised with the subject of the announcement. It would be unlike the league to simply let Team Rocket hold sway over a region, and with the number of incidents in the past, their thinly-veiled threat wasn't at all unexpected. Clearly this gathering was intended to draw rockets out of hiding so that they could issue their warning... but did they actually know how many rockets were likely to be in attendance tonight?

Kratos wasn't sure, but he knew that he, personally, would be sure to have an idea of his opponent's numbers, strengths, and weaknesses before daring to make a pronouncement like that. But then, he wasn't part of an organization that sent children off into the wilds without a guardian around to ensure that they stayed safe. Team Rocket, at least, waited until their recruits had at least hit puberty.

But Tambrey was addressing him, so he pulled himself out of his thoughts. "Indeed. But the length of the wait increased anticipation - which ensured that everyone here hung on every word that was said." He furrowed his eyebrows in thought for a moment, then turned his gaze out over the crowd. "If the announcement had been too long, they would have started losing attention - as you said, there are children here, and not many can focus long enough to listen to a lengthy presentation."

[Ivory + Pokemanz]

At the request, Repede looked up at Ivory. He seemed to understand and gave a bark of affirmation for her benefit before trotting off to go find Opal again. It didn't take him long, for she was still playing with the other Pokemon. While she had changed her form again, it wasn't hard for him to pick her out. She was always the white one, and he was familiar with her scent. Coming up to the group, Repede approached Opal with a series of huffs, barks, and whines. It was time for Opal to go, Ivory was worried, and wanted her to return.

As Repede marched off, Yuri looked to Ivory, recognizing her worry and why. He had shared in the assumption of the speaker, in that there was probably some of these Rockets hanging around.

"Don't worry, Repede'll bring her back." Although he kinda doubted that Team Rocket would try anything tonight, anyway.

[Luke]

As their gazes met for that brief moment, it was almost as if Asch knew what his brother was thinking. Thus he wasn't concerned that Luke had noticed him, and they were here just to observe anyway. There wouldn't be any trouble. He just had to steer clear of Rosie. However, Asch remained where he was with Natalia, just to keep an eye on his brother and the others with him.

Emil looked up at Luke and blinked once. "Oh, yeah I guess you're right. There's no water here."

[Catherine + SHIZUO]

As her "friend" went off to get her only a "little" something to drink, the pink haired girl scoffed aloud "...yeah... only a little... to a Mamoswine!" Obviously her current character didn't approve of the restriction to her alcoholic beverages. Catherine was showing quite a bit of promise with how she held herself and maintained character. Even now as she departed, she maintained character even in the simplest of movements.

For the moment, the Elite trusted in the Grunts abilities and began to take a good look about them as well. She had already noticed that the security was not as amazing as it could have been, but the girl was certain it had everything to do with the fact they didn't want to scare everyone with metal detectors. It was still strict, since it did have a weapons check-in area. Various guards seemed to also be spread about the premises, which suggested that fighting was not encouraged during this gathering. Perhaps suspicion on the part of the League that Team Rocket would indeed be ready to stir up some sh*t.

"Angie" returned soon enough, offering her a glass. Her own eyes squinted in a seemingly happy manner as she reached out and snatched up a glass. In a cheery manner, she clinked her glass against the one Catherine held. "To girls night out!"

As one would expect, when the voice began speaking on the microphone, the pink-haired girl paid some attention. In fact, despite how she seemed to distract herself with her drink, chugging half a glass as gracelessly as she could, she was paying almost full attention. The speaker was baiting with some of the bold statements. He masked it well amidst a jovial tone and attempted casual demeanor, but the statements were definitely challenges to any Rocket that might have been present. She had a seemingly carefree expression to her face, but she took all of these important factors into mind.

Eventually her green eyes picked up on an blonde individual by the desserts table. He had nobody to talk to, which could be seen as a sign of a loner. Sometimes the loner was eager to share information in an effort to receive attention. Sometimes not. It was a gamble in all honesty. Kunai formed a mischievous smile on her face before she wrapped an arm about "Angie's" waist.

"I spy something yummy at the desserts table..." The girl licked her lips before tugging the Grunt along again. Eventually they stopped in front of the man.

Putting on a seemingly confident smile, the pink-haired one stated "My friend thinks you're cute!" There was a pause before the girl rolled her eyes at what one could assume was the person on the other side of her headset.

"Damn it Robbie, shut up! It's your own fault for not coming in the first place!"

She smiled to the blonde man, brows knitting slightly as if she was trying to apologize. Without any shame, she took another large sip from her glass before gesturing at "Angie" to talk to him a bit more.

[Ivory]

As Ivory's tone grew more serious and worried, Yuri paused mid chew and looked down at her in silence for a moment. He then pulled a chair out from the table Ivory was sitting at and turned it backwards before seating himself, his arms folded over the back.

"Yeah, I've heard," Yuri said after finishing the food that had still been in his mouth.

"Don't let those Rocket guys get to you. Life's too short to spend it worrying all the time. And if anything happens, Repede and I will kick their asses."

[Tambrey]

...Bruce? Where had that come fro-- oh. Well then. "Hn," Kratos murmured, not entirely pleased with the allusion but unable to escape the ironic accuracy of the statement. The gathering was at least... tolerable, he supposed, whether or not the presentation was truly so short as to not warrant it. "We'll just have to wait and find out," he said.

Truthfully he was still rather suspicious. This was either a very competent trap or a very incompetent attempt to scare Team Rocket out of Kodo. Or perhaps even a mix of both. Regardless of which it was, he was going to be paying closer attention to the crowd now. Just in case.

[Everyone]

"Oh! Oh my!" The mayor fumbled momentarily with the microphone before getting a more solid grip with both hands. Whatever the poor man had been expecting from a member of the League, that definitely had not been it! But now he had the microphone back, and something needed to be said.

"Y-yes. Thank you for that... enlightening... Er, yes, thank you." When it was clear Weidman wouldn't be returning to steal back the mic for an encore, the mayor turned his attention to the waiting crowd. He quickly ran a nervous hand over his head to smooth down the thinning hair and comb-over. "On behalf of the city of Camphoreon, and I hope I speak for the other cities when I say, 'Thank you, Pokemon League,' for coming here, to Kodo, in our time of... need." That last word sounded dangerously close to coming out as a question. What, exactly, had the League sent to them? "We look forward to working with you in this partnership.

"Now! I'd like to also say, 'Thank you,' to all of you who are in attendance tonight. Camphoreon has had its share of difficulties lately," he should know, he had to sign all the paperwork on it, "and you have stayed strong through those difficulties. Now we must continue to uphold that strength. Today, we welcome our friends in arms as we fight back against a common threat. Many of you may have received cards with contact details or other directions in how you can help. If you haven't, there are still plenty more available. Please, if you see something suspicious, do not hesitate to call in and report it. If you see something, say something. Together, as a community, we will get through this." Arceus willing, they would also forget the odd man's speech in the process. "For this evening, however, please, relax and enjoy yourselves. Thank you!"

[Claire]

Aulus inclined his head slightly to Claire in agreement, not responding aloud as it seemed the speech was about to start. It was not quite what he had expected. He didn’t know what he had expected, but not that.

‘part of our little pest problem.’

He’d never meant it to end up like this. He’d never wanted... he’d just been looking for somewhere to belong, for adventure and excitement. He hadn’t meant to end up part of a massive criminal empire. He still felt guilty for not feeling more guilty. He had found somewhere to belong, along with a good deal more adventure and excitement than he had been expecting. He’d found more even than that, in fact. He looked down at Claire and smiled to himself. Between her and Alex how the hell could he regret what he’d done? What he was doing was wrong, he knew, and he did feel some remorse but he’d never been happier in his life.

“Weird bugger, that one,” Aulus murmured as the strange man hopped back off the podium, “D’you think he was supposed to do that?” There wasn’t very much of a pause before somebody else stepped up to speak though so he didn’t have much of a chance to speculate about tiramisu man much. He did however make the decision that he wouldn’t try the tiramisu; he hadn’t been able to look at the stuff since he’d ended up face down in it up on the Executive floor.

This next speech was considerably less interesting, this was what he’d been expecting; useless city officials blathering on nervously. Aulus raised his eyebrows at Claire; “Just fills you with confidence, doesn’t he?” he muttered.

*****

[Xander]

“Mmmh, well, I hope you are not disappointed,” Frost replied, peering over at the stage. “I think we should probably see what this man has to say....” Well well, interesting. There was a lot about the man’s manner to analyse, he was certain, he just wasn’t capable of it himself. It was clear however that the flippant man was a more serious opponent than they had faced from the law abiding sectors of society before.

The mayor’s speech was the mayor’s speech; Frost registered it but didn’t pick out anything important.

Well, this speech was conventional mayor-speak really.
Very different to, uh...
They had to get one of those cards; she didn't remember that weird man saying his name...
Tambrey listened to it, noted the part about cards- that was good- and wondered just how much contact the mayor had had with the League before this; he seemed so flustered.
She smiled, politely, in lieu of applause, when the mayor stopped talking and took another sip of champagne before turning back to Kratos.
"I guess that was it." She shrugged, trying to sound like a casual 'party-goer' and trying to suggest with a question.
"Are the cards really worth having, d'you think? I mean, is it goin' to be any different than just calling the police?"