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

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.

[fingersandteeth]

Your quota has very little to do with if they choose to promote you, Lanque. [Said with exaggerated patience.] It's what you do for the Team above and beyond what's required. I'm sure you'll think of something eventually.

[trampire]

Please.

[Eye-roll.]

Anyway, you didn't need to beat around the bush so much. Believe me, I have nothing against edging, but there's a time and place for it, and this isn't it. When I ask you something, you should get to the fucking point.

[fingersandteeth]

Oh. I didn't realize I was beholden to the whims of children. My deepest apologies.

[Eyerolls all around.]

[trampire]

[That gets an upward quirk to the corner of his painted lips as he lowers his hand from his face, to join the fold of his arms.]

Envy suits you.

[And then he unfolds his arms, closes the distance between himself and Steven, and reaches over to pat him on the cheek, before aiming to strut past him.]

I'll see you around, babe. Maybe by then you'll have a thicker husk.

[fingersandteeth]

['Babe.' God, he hates being called that now.

But his disgust at the pet name is enough to distract him from grabbing the kid's wrist and purposely sprain it, which is perhaps just as well. He knows this kid's type. He knows that they grow out of it eventually—and are utterly annoying until they do.

He lets the damn kid leave. Let him be someone else's problem.]