NOVEMBER - DECEMBER TEST DRIVE MEME

[indigo_events]

➞ Post with a character you wish to test drive in this game's setting.
➞ Tag other people's starters and thread out shenanigans!
➞ Invite your friends! Try out new characters! Come play with us!
➞ Have fun!

NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN YOUR TEST-DRIVE JOURNEY?
CHECK OUT ALL THE LOCATIONS WE HAVE AVAILABLE IN:

JOHTO | KANTO | SEVII ISLANDS

Feel free to make various prompts in multiple locations!

✭ ✭ ✭


OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
NAVIGATION | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS

Comments

as is properly neville

[ohmylord]

Yeah! This is Johto. Unless you took the ferry to Kanto after you woke up with Fake Mom.

homf

[thenotchosenone]

[Neville had fallen for it hook, line and sinker. He'd been wandering about the streets, feeling rather lost but still enjoying the sights nonetheless. When he'd seen the poor thing looking so helpless, he just had to.

So of course he's gone and lost the Pokeball containing his starter, Togepi, whom had sheltered away in his ball to stay warm.

He's out of breath by the time he catches up, doubling over to try and recover.]

That's- he- Togie...

[Not so eloquent, but he's struggling.]

[thenotchosenone]

Wonderful! That means I'm already at least sort of on the right track.

[He looks a bit uncomfortable at the mention of fake mom- that had been a weird day.]

She's a strange one, that lady...

rocket base

[fingersandteeth]

[Oh look. Team Rocket's taking its cue from Pokemon and recruiting teenagers with attitude. How nice.

The man who approaches Lanque after handing in his quota pokemon, is middle-aged and dressed in a suit and tie. He's got wire-rim glasses perched on his nose and carries a briefcase. Despite all that, he moves and holds himself like he's the biggest cat in the jungle and knows it.]

New recruit? [he asks, tone sympathetic.]

[ohmylord]

She really is. My theory is that she lost her kid somehow and now she's crazy and thinks everyone she finds lying around is her kid.

[thenotchosenone]

Oh my god, that's terrible.

[Neville looks suitably horrified at the idea, feeling even more creeped out in hindsight.]

You didn't... read that in a book, right? Most of the stuff I read here ends up being true, so...

[ohmylord]

No! No! It's a theory! Just a theory! I like mystery novels and true crime and stuff, so sometimes I make up theories about things like that. I have absolutely no proof that's even what's wrong with her. It's not like she lets you back into her house after she ushers you out.

[thenotchosenone]

Oh! Oh good. Hoo, that's a relief.

[He's laughing it off like he hadn't totally believed it, but. He totally believed it.]

That sounds like a fun hobbie, I... er, I like plants

[ohmylord]

Oh. Like gardening?

[It's a slightly boring hobby, but she guesses he's probably in 4H?]

[trampire]

[For Lanque's part, he looks no less moved by Neville's struggling than he did moments prior to his attempt speak. Instead, he rolls his eyes, looks to his 'gear. For a long moment, it almost seems like he's going to outright ignore the other man as his Salandit scurries over to his trainer, the ball still clutched in his little hands.

After the long beat of that moment, Lanque pockets his gear and resumes his attention to the breathless man.]

Look, whatever it is you're trying to sell me, I'm not interested.

[thenotchosenone]

Yeah! Exactly! Except, usually the plants are a bit more dangerous, but...

[He shrugs, realizing that's probably a bit too telling as far as tiptoeing around the statute of secrecy... oops.]

Anyway! What can you tell me about this "Shaymin" you mentioned?

[ohmylord]

[She's gotten used to pokemon world plants. She doesn't bat an eye.]

Oh! Um, she's like a little white hedgehog, only instead of spikes she has a bush on her back! And a big pink flower by her ear.

[trampire]

[Lanque knows posturing when he sees it, and he'd certainly say Steven is doing just that. Regardless, he also knows opportunities when he sees them, and so with the older man's approach, Lanque's expression softens. Only a touch. Can't give him too much too quick.]

You're much more astute than the others around here, aren't you?

[The words are seemingly sarcastic, yet his tone would contend with that. Seeming almost genuine, but not overly so. Just enough to leave one questioning. His gaze falls to the briefcase for a moment, before flicking back up to meet with Steven's as he crosses his arms over his chest.

As he speaks, however, it's pretty easy to see his canines are remarkably longer than average for humans, though sadly not as long as they once were...]

And you are?

FROM POWER RANGERS not pokemon omfg

[fingersandteeth]

I try to keep track of when people show up from other worlds, yes. [And he's cultivated a shitton of friendly acquaintances throughout the Team to do it.]

Steven, Rocket Beta. [And he offers his hand to shake.]

[trampire]

[As Lanque's gaze falls to the offered hand, his thick and perfectly shaped eyebrows raise in contrast. He smirks with an amused snort, before letting his gaze go back to Steven.

Handshake: rejected.]

Lanque Bombyx. I must say, you really do look like a Beta.

[Does he mean the rank, or is he calling Steven a beta in a different sense? Who knows!]

Guess you've been here a while then. I'm sure you're full of advice for someone like me.

[fingersandteeth]

[Jesus, what a nasty little asshole. Reminds him of some of the guys he fucked at college. Or perhaps his own teenage self, if he'd been less of a compulsive people pleaser and had actually said the things on his mind.]

For a while, yes, [he says, keeping his tone even and polite.] And I am, if you're willing to accept it.

[trampire]

Oh, I'm more than willing to take what you're giving.

[He says with an almost flirtatious tone. Though, it's hard to tell if it's that or simple teasing.]

Even I know when I'm in over my horns. [He pauses for a moment, before a brief shake of his head.] Figuratively speaking, of course.

[fingersandteeth]

[Steven's expression shifts to one of amused tolerance.]

Oh Lanque, you're a good fifteen years too young for what I have to give.

[He's completely sure that's not figuratively speaking, but isn't going to argue.]

To start with, you'll want to get good at creative accounting. Team Rocket does give a signing bonus, as well as a a weekly stipend, but that only goes so far. They will, however, pay for or recompense you for any money spent on a heist or any other Rocket mission, so my recommendation is to take that fact and run with it. Justify everything you can as a crime expense. Clothes you bought at the department store? Plainclothes for infiltration. Train ticket to Saffron City? Steal some pokemon in the city and you're good. If you can justify it on the paperwork, you will get compensated.

[trampire]

Can't keep up with someone my age? Fine, I can respect a man who's aware of his shortcomings.

[Lanque listens, though the way he watches Steven is almost more like a cat sizing up a helpless bird, than someone truly being attentive. Not that he doesn't retain what Steven's telling him, though he already had designs to do just that.]

You really think I haven't thought of that already? That's pretty standard and obvious for anyone with a working sponge in a situation like this, dear.

Got anything else, or would I be better off just relying on my instincts?

[fingersandteeth]

[Steven casually studies his own (well-manicured) nails, rather than look at Lanque. His tone of voice is very nearly bored.]

Mm. They don't actually check to see if your quota pokemon are stolen. If you're having bad luck in that regard, just go out and catch one in the wild.

[trampire]

[Looks like he struck a nerve. Which is just as well, because despite it, Steven is still giving him information.]

That makes sense. What they want are the Pokémon in the end, it'd be fucking stupid to worry about whether or not they were actually stolen.

[Bringing a hand up to cup his cheek, his other arm stays crossed over his middle.]

So, what's it take to become an Alpha? Can't say Beta really suits me, sorry if you can't relate.

[fingersandteeth]

Time, [he says in that same bored tone of voice.] I've never heard of them promoting anyone to alpha who hasn't been on the team for well over a year.

[trampire]

Oh.

[He says a little boredly.]

Is that how the promotions work? Mere participation prizes.

[fingersandteeth]

Mm, no. But they do expect you to have been with the team for a certain length of time before you achieve a high rank.

[Is this a bored tone-off? Why yes it is.]

[trampire]

So, then is it some sort of competition? Whoever turns in the most little beasts gets the highest rank once they've been here long enough?

[He sighs, rolling his eyes. A touch impatient.]

You really aren't giving me much to work with here, sweetheart.