Fourteenth Move - Check

[king_of_flames]

[Video]

[The video feed comes on showing Roy holding something between his fingers:]



And then there was one.

I may stay here a little while longer and get some extra training in. The wild Pokémon around Mahogany Town are stronger than those around Goldenrod City.

Additionally, I could use someone to help me evolve my Magmar. Just one trade and a tradeback is all I need. Any takers?

[The video feed ends.]

[Video; a few hours later]



[This time, Roy looks more serious when the feed comes on.]

Lust. I know you're here, so don't bother trying to hide. Pick up.

Comments

[dreamsofahero]

Ah, is that a badge?

[king_of_flames]

That it is. This one in particular was awarded from the second-strongest gym leader in the Johto region.

[dreamsofahero]

Oh? Does that mean you've already won against the others?

[king_of_flames]

Yes, it does. The only gym leader left is the strongest of the bunch.

[dreamsofahero]

That sounds like it must be quite the accomplishment.

[king_of_flames]

Especially at the rate I've obtained the first seven badges. I should have the last one within the next two months.

[dreamsofahero]

Oh? How quickly did you get them, then?

[king_of_flames]

I arrived in June, and got the first five before winter set in. I've only slowed down since then because of the weather.

[dreamsofahero]

I see... That does seem rather quick.

[militarytactics]

The Pokedex is proving itself to be extremely useful here.

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[licentious]

[ Oh. Hey. She now has to face the music. ALL RIGHT. Impersonating her other self right now. She'll hate herself for this later. ]

Hello there. [ She sounds perfectly composed, and, a little happier than Roy may recognize. There's also a completely complacent facial expression which seems to imply that she has nothing against him, or any type of history with him. ]

[king_of_flames]

I would hope so. After all, it's a source of information on creatures we're supposed to be raising.

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[king_of_flames]

[Roy narrows his eyes. He'd think he'd see some level of discomfort in her expression, and the lack of it is worrying him.]

So, we finally meet here, face-to-face -- in a manner of speaking. I don't know how long it's been for you, but for me it's been a long time.

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[licentious]

I don't recall ever meeting you before. [ Does this mean everything is doki doki? If so! STILL FAKING IT... ] Do you know which one of the two worlds you're from? [ Is it the world where Lust and Envy are burnt to their core, or is it the world where Pride is burnt to his core?! Oh, variety! Variety! ]

[ OOC: My apologies for the lateness! I've been swamped with irl stuff lately! ]

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[king_of_flames]

[The look on Roy's face, meanwhile, remains impassive.]

Me? I'm from the world where "Father" got his ass handed to him on a silver platter.

[militarytactics]

It's good to know that the technology here works.

...And how have you been, Brigadier-General?

[king_of_flames]

Can't complain. I've busied myself with training. What about you?

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[licentious]

[ She wasn't aware that Father lost. However, she remains stoned cold at his casual mention, despite some inner shock. She just moves her hand to her hair and twirls it a bit as she manages to pull every ounce of shock into a confused expression. ]

Father? [ She'll deal with the MY PARENTS ARE DEAAAAAAAAAAD angst later. ]

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[king_of_flames]

[Either Lust is from the other world, or she's faking. Roy still can't determine which it is.]

Just some guy who thought he could become a god. He spawned all of you homunculi.

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[licentious]

That is not how you make a homunculus. [ Okay, well, it is. But, still, she'll keep up this persona until she dies. ]

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[king_of_flames]

Oh, but you were the one who explained it to me. Your core is a Philosopher's Stone -- and I exhausted its regenerative capabilities by roasting you. Repeatedly.

[He's determined to see a crack appear in the facade -- assuming there is one.]

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[licentious]

[ Well, she wouldn't explain that period unless they were moments away from dying. Something is odd here. There's just something she can't put a finger on or properly see (like her own overconfidence getting her roasted). She offers a brief sigh. She knows she's not made the philosopher's stone. ]

Then you must have encountered a different Lust. [ Oh god. Why does her life suck. She's a good person that evades her taxes and shanks the police. ]

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[king_of_flames]

...If that's so, that doesn't change too much, you know. I still have plenty reason to be suspicious.

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[licentious]

I never said you couldn't be. You only have my word to rely on, after all. But, where I'm from, Father isn't a word spoken. The homunculi have no family, by blood, at least. [ She shrugs. ] I suppose it doesn't matter. That organization is long since behind myself anyways. [ Lust defected in return for being made into a human. ] And this place has given me just about the only thing I really wanted.

video/filter

[king_of_flames]

So you say. But I'm still going to keep an eye on you. Step out of line, and I'll know.