Welcome to Gaia! ::

Mission Royale: Pros and Khans Pt. One

Acacia fumed loudly, it was an outrage that she had to go on some sort of bookworm mission out to the middle of nowhere with two other grunts to gather 'information' on a species of pokemon that was already known and completely detailed in texts books. What was the point? There had been something in the debriefing about having to track the beasts down, what was the word the higher ranking Rocket had used; reconnaissances she faintly remembered.

'Can we take samples of the pokemon?' She had asked during the exchange of dialog between her and the unnamed agent, the thought of catching a kangaskhan amused her greatly however the older team member had dashed away her hopes in that endeavor rather bluntly. The comment was borderline rude, something about the only samples she was authorized to take was that of stool and other excrement; though as she reflected on it later the statement was humorous and the way the agent had delivered it wasn't at all snide or condescending.

She had found herself assigned to a group of three, someone from the research division, a field scout and herself, a rather odd group but regardless it was her group. She might not have gone on the latest raid but going on this specific mission was her destiny. The specifics of the operation were rather basic yet exciting all the same, the group would be headed out to a location where the normal-type Parent Pokemon had been spotted a few times before, they were to gather detailed information; diet, behaviors, things of that collective nature.

Grinning wasn't exactly the proper term used to describe the low-level field medic facial expression, she was simply beaming ear to ear with jubilation. Within a few moments she would meet her group where they would discuss all that would be needed for the trip, personal effects in mind Acacia had already deciding on a few items of her own; hand sanitizer and if she could manage a portable camping shower. They might be gone for a week or longer or so the agent had state several times during the briefing. Shaking her head to escape her own thoughts the white-haired twig proceeded to the meeting location, a stride of urgency keeping her pace brisk as she refrained from skipping.

A mechanical lock held the durable doors sealed tight, hammering out a rather simple code Acacia peered into the mission distribution room that had been reserved for her group; again a wave of excitement distorted her professional demeanor into something more childish and perky though her attire helped to keep her exterior from crumbling into total incompetence. Smoothing out her long crisp lab coat that was embossed with a red medical emblem Acacia found herself to be the only member of the group to arrive, a quick glance of her analog watch explained to her the reason for that matter; an hour early as usual. Sinking into one of the large armchairs in the room the slender figured grunt crossed her legs at the knees while making herself comfortable for the wait, it wasn't that she needed to be early however she simply had to be first; a matter of pride for promptness she had always relished about herself.

Idly stroking the single pokeball attached at her hip Acacia debated with herself on whether or not to allow her totodile to accompany her while she waited, heaving a deep sigh the 'blonde' trailed her well-maintained fingernails from the white and red capturing device to the overly laying fold of skin and fabric near her pantywaist. Prodding the relaxed muscle Acacia sneered at the sight, she knew that she wasn't fat; not by any means but the way she was sitting caused what some would call a 'muffin top' to reveal its self. Shifting once again the rookie medic ignored the pudgy lump that didn't really exist, she was hot; at least that was what her best friend Tambrey Greene continuously told her again and again. Indeed she herself was beginning to believe what the dark-haired woman was telling her however ever the stickler for proving a point she would never admit that she was starting to buy into the mantra. Regardless if it was true.

Flicking her tongue against the back of her teeth rhythmically in check with the wall mounted clock, the monotone tick tock, tick tock of the second hand invoked a shudder from the petite built grunt; she hadn't even realized there had been a clock in the room up until the point that she gleeked a stream of saliva half-way across the small room.

“Oh heck no, that was gross! That thing has to go before it drives me batty!” Exuberantly declared the white-haired woman in a shrill pitch. Standing up from the comfy armchair Acacia approached the time device then with careful motions pulled the low-voltage power source out of the back. Smirking wolfishly she sat the still mechanical object on an oak stand which held a metal lamp and bookends.

Relieved to have the annoyance resolved for the time being Acacia settled back into the overstuffed leather chair, drawing her knees to her chest the twenty-four year old operative set her chin on her kneecaps while reflecting on everything else that the agent had gone over already.

Lets see, we have to go over equipment, I will bring up weather conditions cause I think it is gonna rain, gawd I feel sort of useless. I don't really now what I have to contribute to the group, maybe the researcher will want me to help them catalog things. That is about as helpful as I could be. Hm. Oh . I will have to let Tamie know I am gonna be gone for a while, I will have to give her my gift either before I leave or after I get back. I really hope she likes it, cost me a bundle. I can't wait to see her face. Okay getting back on track---

Pinching the bridge of her nose Acacia could feel herself drifting off as her light frame sank deeper into the folds of the armchair, eventually sleep fully claimed the slender figured medical grunt regardless of how hard she fought to stay awake; even though the clock had long since stopped, time still ticked on until the appointed hour approached.

>>*BEEP!*<<

>>*BEEP!*<<

The computer let out it's shrill, obnoxious, but thankfully short little noise of warning, until Tambrey's finger found the mouse and clicked the alert off.
She found the alert was the best way to keep up when tasks were uploaded to the computer in her work space- but she did hate that sound; luckily hating it was a good way to ensure she dealt with the noise and thus discovered the reason for the noise.

She had recieved a similar noise for a notification earlier; it had been vague as far as she was concerned, but clear enough for preparation anyway.
The in-house email had told her to meet two team-mates (unspecified beyond their specialties and rank) at a specified time in a certain mission room.
That had been a few hours ago and now this second alarm was the prompt that the meeting time was soon.

Tam' had spent the hours since recieving the first email getting ready.
Her first concern had been the eggs; Palu was still her only pokemon, and though she'd agreed on the fate of one as long as Tam' kept one with the motherly bird, the dark-haired grunt knew that there'd be no way that the Pidgeotto would want to leave either beyond.

'Oh well, maybe I can catch her before I have to leave or something...' Tambrey had thought while she packed a couple of towels around the eggs that were to occupy one sturdy rucksack. She'd noted the mission brief and understood that she'd most likely be sleeping rough for such a task, thus the egg rucksack was a durable dark blue affair, capable of holding a sleeping bag and roll mat in it's clutches.
She'd quickly decided that she'd have trouble fitting everything she needed alongside the eggs, towels and sleeping bag gear, thus a satchel had been retrieved from the closet in her room (fittingly grey, suiting her uniform) and had been the designated carrying item for clothing changes, a couple of small books and some notation equipment.

After clicking 'off'', Tam' realised she'd have to run a little to grab the issued camera assigned to the mission.
She set off at a brisk trot, grabbing Palu's pokeball and clicking it to her belt as the bags swang a little; they were only a little impeding but enough to make Tam' realise she'd have to rearrange some items and taughten the straps of her rucksack.
The sooner she could gift the extra egg, the happier she'd be.

....
..
...

In every group, someone's usually last, late or just the odd one out; today Tam' was certainly last. And late by 30 seconds.
The camera safely stowed in her bag alongside her notepad, she reached the room finally and grinned sheepishly at those already inside, before she'd actually managed to take a note of who they were.
".. Sorry.." *huff.* "I'm late... Traffic was murder." She joked as she held a hand up to catch her breath and then smiled after just a moment, looking up properly.

"Ace!" She grinned properly, greeting her friend and then looked to see if she could place the man here too.
She didn't think so, but it looked like he knew Acacia and they were to be team mates so her recieved a pleasant smile as well.

"And team mate the second!" Was her friendly, if odd, greeting for Alexander "Er. Sorry. 'M Tambrey, or Tam'. And I'd like your name, otherwise Team Mate The Second's gonna stick and I'm thinking you probably like it even less than I do..."

Alexander had taken a step back when Acacia had tried to push him away in her dazes state. He chuckled and was going to poke her again when she, instead of going back to sleep, opened her eyes. "Morning sunshine." he drawled in amusement before he question brought him to look down at his leg. While he was out of the first cast and the wheelchair, they doctors still were making him wear a softer cast that aloud him to move around and stand on it. Before he could answer he question though the door opened and in came another grunt.

Alexander looked over at the newcomer, not recognizing her in the least until Acacia joked back with the womans first comment. He made a silent 'oh' in amusement, now knowing who the other was. "Nice to meet you, I'm Alexander." he said ant tipped his hat, eyes sparkling in playfullness at the fist name Tambrey gave him. "It is a most, um, descriptive name but a nickname from my actual name would work better." he joked with a wink.

His attention was brought back to Acacia when she started to ask about the packs. "I don't think you missed any memo's 'Cia. I was told to pack then help my teammates pack if I believed they needed it." This was particularly amusing seeing as it looked like the higher ups didn't think Acacia could pack right it seemed.

Aww, she is rambling. My poor Tamie is probably nervous.

Nervous. She too definitely could feel the uneasy weight on her shoulders due to the sudden spring of the operation, she had been busy the last few weeks with taking care of the injuries from the last raid. Laughing at the rushed wording from the dark-haired researcher Acacia found herself slinking behind Tambrey and wrapping an arm around the woman's shoulder affectionately.

“Take a chill pill Tamie, we aren't gonna headed out until a bit later on, the estimated departure time is around ten o'clock tonight. So we still have plenty of time to get everything together. Why don't you sit down for a bit.” Cordially offered the white-haired rookie grunt while she resisted the urge to hug the woman from behind yet her hands now gently guided the woman towards the chair that she had only moments ago been claiming for her own absentmindedly. It was a relief to know that she didn't have to impress anyone on the trip; she could just be herself.

“So, um, first order of business. What are we doing exactly? Cause I know we are doing research on Kangaskhan, I think the agent gave you,” she turned towards Alexander fully with a cheeky smile lining brightening her features. “the locations that we are supposed check out? Oh also, the forecast for the week ahead doesn't look to pleasant. At least three days alone predict rain. Also, Xander, please, please, please tell me we are authorized to use a vehicle on this mission.”

Acacia was already well aware that more than likely they weren't. A vehicle would draw too much attention to their covert operation, it was a hopeful thought but no amount of hoping was going to make it come true.

I am totally gonna have to walk, and carry stuff. Oh my gawd my hair is going to get all puffy and I am gonna get all damp. Or soaked. Ugh.

(Question: Did we want to keep to the Ane, Natsu, Gwen order during the whole duration of the RP or do you all want to just post out of order. Especally if it makes it easier for you. I don't mind if you both want to post in any order. <3 )

Nervous.
Nervous was certainly one of the things that Tambrey was feeling as she stood there in the mission room.
Did she have the right equipment? How long had she kept the others waiting? Had she read her job alerts right?
She didn't think so about the latter; after all, Alexander knew they had a vehicle and both he and Acacia knew that they weren't to be leaving quite yet whereas Tam' had somehow been sure she might be late for a departure time.

"Oh." She blinked, and was easily guided into the offered chair. "Um. That... makes sense. Mission nerves and excitement and stuff... I didn't think about briefings and prep times or anything like that... Still, it means ya can both tell me if I'm missing anything in my hoard of packing... I can -assure- you that I remembered to go pick up the camera at least!"

She grinned, deciding that the remembering of the camera was a small triumph in her whirlwind of preparation; the one thing she was -sure- to forget and she'd remembered it.
She began to feel confident in what she had packed after all.

Tambrey then managed to zone out for a couple of minutes while listening, imagining and plotting Kangaskhan research notes and vaguely wondering over food provisions as her thoughts took a random tangent. She snapped back to the present and checked off the things she remembered at that moment; One- calling Alexander 'Lex' was allowed, Two- She'd stolen Acacia's chair, Three- They were allowed limited use of a vehicle... Ooh! Yay! Even if it was only limited, she did like that part.
"Pity we have to give it up... Ah, well. I'm glad someone's feeling prepared about weather... I always used to end up camping in a rain or windstorm when my family did that sort of thing..."

Alexander chuckled when they both admitted to not having quite the right experience for the trip, not really worried as he figured they would catch on quickly when the time came. "Good job picking up the camera Tam." he nodded to her with a smile. Positive reinforcement was the best kind after all. "I'll go through most of your stuff that you are taking and sort out what has to go and what would take up too much room or just plain weigh you down too much." He then looked at Acacia who still had a bit of a apprehensive look on her face. "I'll pack your equipment for you and I'll give you both a list of clothes you should bring so you can pack your own unmentionables."

He waved his hand dismissively from where he stood at Acacia. "I have no problem with you sitting with her in the back, it just means I can use the front seat to keep the map open." He smirked knowingly at her though. "We will actually sleep in the vehicle tonight if it is raining because it will take us twelve hours to get to the midway point. We will be leaving here in five hours at ten like 'Cia said and we will stop four hours into the drive." He knew if he had to sleep in the vehicle he wouldn't get much sleep so he wasn't planning on telling them his estimated time of leaving. If they slept outside then the time they would get up and leave would be eight a.m. but if they slept in the vehicle he would let them sleep on and drive to the midpoint when ever he had enough trying to sleep. "Any questions so far?"

“I'm not a baby,” she whined, not at all playfully. “I can pack very well on my own Xander. But I will listen to any suggestions you wish to make, in the form of a list. In descending order of importance please.”

She didn't mean to come across as pompous or snide but the fact that the man wanted to pack for her simply did not sit well with her, she was not incompetent and didn't wished to be babied especially by her friend. Brushing her fingertips through Tambrey's hair the delicately built woman tucked a stray lock behind the researcher's ear tenderly. “I don't have any questions Alex but I do feel I reserve the right to pick some additional medical supplies. Just in case. It is better to be safe than sorry,” trailing off for a moment Acacia smiled at Tambrey as she rested rather comfortably in the woman's lap. She had to admit being with the dark-haired grunt was something that she relished and when she was near her everything just felt perfect. Flushing with embarrassment the rookie field medic turned her head quickly back towards the scout of the group. “I kinda get motion sickness, so I will have to take some dramamine before we head out. So more than likely I will be out like a light during the drive.” Sheepishly squeaked Acacia in a dry tenor, resting her head against Tambrey's shoulder the boyish grunt relaxed with a puff of a sigh.

There were so many things that she was inept at, she didn't even know how to drive, a building wave of uncertainty swept over her emotions. Ever since the battle with Faleen, she was not as confident in herself and her body language and mannerisms reflected that greatly; even now especially with the way she was clinging onto the shorter woman for comfort.

"Oh, yes. Definitely a must-take sort of thing." Tambrey confirmed, biting on the inner side of her lip very gently; a must-take unless anyone actively enjoyed being attacked by an enraged, parental Pidgeotto, she was thinking to herself. Palu's behaviour had been rather more difficult to predict ever since she'd had her eggs. Often Tambrey now found herself hesitating before she used the bird- and with only the Pidgeotto available to her, this was not an ideal situation at all.
She couldn't wait to gift one egg and really couldn't wait for the eggs to finally hatch; the dark haired grunt was sure Palu'd calm down once those two things had happened.

"Oh. My. Well, I'll look after you in the back then. Travel sickness is an awful thing t' put up with..." Horrid memories niggled at the back of Tambrey's mind and she winced a little. "I'm sure we can always persuade Lex here to pull over for a moment if you felt really bad at any point, too." The dark-haired grunt tried to reassure the woman across her lap and hoped she wasn't lying accidentally; she of course knew they'd be working to a schedule, but she remembered how incapacitating something like nausea could become and was sure it'd be no good for such a mission.

"No objections from me; I'll vote for getting this started. Sooner we're ready, the more sure we'll feel about our prep', right?"