|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:23 pm
 A hiss as the Hydraulic locks on the cell door released and spun snapped him awake. His cold blue eyes narrowed in the dark toward where the location of the sound as he slowly rose to his feet. It had been over a month of solitary confinement for him due to the incident at the lab. The incident that was blamed on his beloved Azra, his Azra, who knew far better than to go causing that sort of trouble. It was inconceivable to him that his Absol would ever do anything to jeopardize their position anywhere, in any form. He knew there was a true culprit, one who his Absol would be able to point out when the time came. The thoughts all rushed and melded together and sent him into a seething rage that was only matched by the rage he flew into at the sight of a Charizard.
As the door rumbled open, light streamed in, stealing away his vision and wracking his mind with pain. While they'd kept him fed, they had kept him in darkness. He was physically weaker than he had been, and probably in far worse overall health. It'd take him a little time to recover, but he had no intention of being isolated like that again. There were many things to do now, at least there were things to do once he stepped beyond that infernal door.
"Times up pal, get a move on. I ain't got all day...", Came the voice from within the light. A voice that Claris had come to associate with the guard for his cell-block. Claris had only ever seen the man once, and he had no desire to seem him ever again after this day. Once Claris had stepped out, the man led him down a corridor and into a set of showers, where he was permitted to bathe and redress in his uniform, then he was taken to another room to reclaim his belongings. A pair of pokeballs were all that he would retrieve, as he had no other belongings of note. After that, he was released back into the central portion of the building and left to his own devices. It had been some time since he'd seen the central 'lobby' of the building and it was as he first remembered it; Far too busy, and far too noisy for his tastes, not to mention rather hideous from a decorative standpoint. He stood there for a few moments, gathering his mind for what lay ahead.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 4:43 pm
 Someone happened to be passing through the halls at that exact moment when Claris emerged from the brig. "Well well... look who's out of the slammer," Nikki said smugly. Everyone had heard about the incident with the Pokemon getting released. Seth had been ranting about it for an entire week. The Pokemon had caused quite a bit of damage and were a pain in the butt to recapture. The blonde certainly had no shame when it came to taunting her peers. But then, she didn't really care. She was already a full rank over this idiot, and he couldn't touch her anyway since she was technically his superior now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:17 pm
One thing he noted immediately, was that Nikki's demeanor had changed slightly, and it was in the regard that she was more arrogant than before. He didn't forget voices and he turned to her, his hair longer now than it had been due to obvious reasons. His eyes and facial features remained as emotionless as they had been when they first met and he shrugged at her.
"Hmph... You know, Rockets brag about the things they do, not the things that they haven't done. I know Azra wasn't responsible, so think what you will Nikki."
There was much to do, many plans to make, and a great deal to resolve. While he couldn't get the time that he spent in the cell back, he could definitely accomplish things now that he wasn't sitting in the dark, waiting for the scraps of food that they brought him and seething with rage and the desire for vengeance on those that were responsible. He turned from her and started to walk away, but then stopped and looked over his shoulder at her.
"So... How's your 'Hunt' going?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:25 pm
"Your Squirtle was found at the scene. I'm not sure how you can be so certain that it wasn't responsible. Besides, its irresponsible to let your Pokemon just wander around by itself in the first place." When he asked about her "hunt" though, she snorted and folded her arms indignantly. "Trust me... if I had that blasted bird, I would be rubbing it in your face right now." And that was the truth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:34 pm
HIS Squirtle?! That was the most ridiculous and inane thing he had ever heard! He never would even dream of owning a Squirtle, much less actually claim to be the trainer of one of the pathetic little pests!! With that statement he whirled, eyes narrowed and teeth clenched.
"I don't own a Squirtle, nor would I ever. If a Squirtle was involved, then my Azra was probably trying to figure out what was going on. He never leaves my room unless he senses something is going to go horribly wrong... He's an ABSOL. Do I need to spell that out for you? Disaster Pokemon, they appear when disasters are imminent, normally natural but man or pokemon made are applicable!"
It was the first time he had actually shown emotion in the HQ, and it was evident that he was very good at expressing it. He no longer cared about his previous question to her, and he still retained his grip on the knowledge that it was a 'secret' between them.
"Azra has been with me since I was a child, I know his personality and behavioral patterns better than anyone. He never would have gone into the lab, released all the Pokemon and let that much damage be caused. It goes against the fundamental nature of his being...."
He snarled and turned his head away from her as he recomposed himself. As quickly as the anger had taken hold of him, it vanished and he was as cold as ice again, his voice returning to the somewhat eerie monotone he normally kept it at.
"So then, did this Squirtle's trainer receive punishment?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:43 pm
Nikki bristled indignantly as Claris began to start yelling all sorts of nonsense. Gritting her teeth, she stomped right up to him and shoved her face merely centimeters from his. "Do I look like I give a damn!? An ABSOL then or whatever the hell it was! Your Pokemon are not important enough to me to keep them straight, and nor will they ever be! So get off your ****in high Rapidash and get over it! I don't even know who owns the damn Squirtle so don't even ask me!" Nikki stopped screaming for a moment to draw in a breath before continuing. "AND ANOTHER THING! If you hadn't noticed, I outrank you now! So you better watch yourself, or you might end up back in that cell!" Her finger proding at his chest as she went.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:52 pm
As she started poking him in the chest he looked at her with a shake of his head. So she was an agent now, hooray for her. While she did outrank him, it was her on the high Rapidash, not him. She was waving 'Rank' in his face as if he cared. As far as he was concerned, they were all just tools and means to an end. He had however, thought she was smarter than that. The night they spent hunting for signs of the Articuno had set her apart from the rest to him, and while it wasn't anything romantic to him, it was a step. Now she was slipping into the hole that he viewed everyone else to be in.
"Oh no, another extended stay in a cell with no light and hardly anything reasonable to eat. Whatever will I do, AGENT Nikki. If you hadn't noticed, we're both making complete asses of ourselves in front of everyone."
He motioned to the gathering crowd of younger rockets who were all curious as to what was going on. To them it appeared to be a disagreement between a grunt and an agent, but who knew what it all meant. Even if he was the grunt, an open and public display of her losing her cool would not assist her reputation and he was now pointing out what should be obvious so she could save face, and he would assist, since they hadn't yet caught wind of the reasons behind the conversation. He suddenly took on the appearance of a frightened and shamed child and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry Ma'am.. I overstepped myself and I won't do something like that again. You were right to scold me, and I should have listened in the first place."
He hated himself for trying to cover things up so she could keep a 'clean' reputation, but he figured, if anyone would listen and be able to assist him, it would be her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:59 pm
Funny how quickly Claris has forgotten that he'd been the first one to lose his cool over something petty. Nikki was merely responding in like kind. She was the type that stood up for herself, even if it meant screaming at the top of her lungs. She wasn't here to make friends though. She was aiming for the top, and she didn't care who she trampled on the way. What had started as, for her, good natured ribbing, had now turned ugly and her opinion of him had lowered as well. Especially with his sarcasm, and his attempt at submission... which she viewed as a double insult. Grinding her teeth angrily, her hand lashed out to slap him across the face. "a**," she muttered, before turning on her heel and marching away as fast as she could. Who needed him. Certainly not her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:06 pm
Well, that hadn't gone as hoped, and the jeers he got from the younger agents made his head hurt. It didn't matter though, he took a moment to revel in his 'Punishment' as if it was something he was supposed to think about before slowly going after her. If he was going to have to make a fool of himself, it might as well be in front of someone he felt he could trust, even just a little. After he was away from everyone and the hustle and bustle of the rest of the compound he called out to her back.
"Nikki! Wait, seriously though, I need to talk to you."
He couldn't help his situation without a little assistance, and if it meant indebting himself to her, well, so be it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:15 pm
Stomping down the hallway, seething, Nikki eyetwitched when she heard Claris' voice behind her. Didn't he know when to quit?! "What the hell for?!" She shouted without stopping or turning around, throwing an arm in the air as well. "Go away." She obviously wasn't in much of a mood to discuss anything at this point. If he needed something so bad he should have thought about that before having a conniption about her mistaking his Absol for the Squritle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:21 pm
He sighed and stopped a few feet from her, actually looking somewhat glum. He honestly felt bad about the current situation for some reason, it hadn't been his desire to set her off in the first place. The lab subject was touchy for him still and he'd not kept his composure over that.
"Look, I'm sorry I was sarcastic, I'm sorry I pissed you off, I'm sorry I blew up on you... I did what I thought would save face for you back there, it was my mistake and I didn't realize it would upset you further. I really am..."
He hesitated for a moment as he thought of the appropriate word to use next, he wasn't use to complimenting people, especially people who were already furious with him.
"I'm really glad they chose to promote someone with brains, let alone talent. So I'm happy for you in the regard that you're an Agent. I... Don't normally say this but... I need your help."
At that, anything that could be possibly conceived as sarcasm was gone, his entire demeanor was serious and unwavering. If she slapped him again, or yelled at him, or whipped out a Pokemon and challenged him to a battle, so be it. He'd take whatever was coming to him for pissing her off to begin with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:39 pm
Nothing would please her more than to have Darkfeather EAT him right about now. But you know... that might look bad, unfortunately. When he started issuing out a string of apologies, Nikki grunted in annoyance but finally stopped and turned around. Arms folded and brown eyes glaring, she heaved an impatient sigh. "Don't even bother trying to suck up now. Just tell me whatever the hell it is you want." She had a feeling it had to do with what got him into solitary confinement, and already knew his words were not sincere. Maybe if she listened he would leave her alone and she could go brood in her quarters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:58 pm
He frowned, she couldn't tell he was serious. He'd upset her enough that she couldn't hear the sincerity in his voice. It didn't matter then, anything he had to say would go in one ear and out the other. A sigh escaped his lips and he shook his head.
"... Forget it. I can tell you wouldn't listen to what I have to say right now. I'm sorry Nikki, I'll leave you be."
With that he turned, walking back down the hall the way he had come. He would have saluted her, but he figured she'd take that as insult now too. He'd have to find someone else to help him, even if he didn't think anyone else could.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:03 pm
Agent panther heard the shouting match from down the hall and came to investigat long enough to see the shouting match. One was Nikki, and the other was the trouble maker who's Absol has torn through the lab. He couldn't help but grin as Nikki slaped the trouble maker across the face. He proably deserved it showing disrespect for a higher officer.
but then the agent followed her after she had clearly ended the fight. he frowned a bit starting to fallow the two down but tried to jump out of the way as the trouble maker suddenly turned and came strait back down the hall.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:27 pm
As he walked away from Nikki, he saw a Rocket he had not yet met jeering at him. Obviously this newly acquired fool was aware of the 'Incident' in which his Azra had been framed. A month of solitary confinement had made him more than ready to actually kill the person who'd caused the whole incident, if he ever found them. His eyes narrowed on the new rocket as he snarled at him as he passed.
"The hell are you looking at?"
He was only upset at this point because he'd screwed up one of the only 'Truces' he had with another agent. The lab incident was not his fault, so that really didn't concern him aside from the point of clearing his name. Even if he could, he didn't expect the higher-ups to issue a formal apology to him anyway. Didn't this place have cameras, couldn't they review video to see what actually happened? If he wanted to accomplish anything, he'd probably have to find Seth, and that arrogant jerk was the last person he wanted to talk to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
