Mom And Son Have A Chat

08:38:13: <Klaus> In the Mirasol pokemon center! It's nearly silent, save for the EKG in Klaus's room beeping softly. The reckless engineer himself is laying in bed with a tired expression, lightly tracing the path of a small spark that is Babbage racing through the lights above his bed. If Revas enters, he hardly notices at first.
08:38:53: Revas shows up out of the blue, scowling once he spots Klaus. "Oh. THERE you are."
08:39:59: <Klaus> "Huh?" Klaus turns his head to the side, facing Revas. "Oy, I was wondering where you were. You caught up on the hellish mess we're apparently in?"
08:41:40: <Revas> "No, I haven't been. By the time I got to you you were gone and I had to chase you -back- across town to here." He doesn't seem thrilled at that.
08:44:12: Klaus sighs and pushes himself to sit up in his bed. "Well, it's not like I chose for this to happen, just got a bit reckless working with some electronics and the next thing you know I'm sprawled on the floor and hit my head. It all goes black and I wake up here."
08:45:58: <Revas> "Yeah, yeah. ...Christ, you kinda scared me for a moment with the whole disappearing act though. Bad timing."
08:46:40: Revas rubs the back of his head nervously. "Was worried someone else had gotten to you first or something."
08:47:07: <Klaus> "Sorry. I...fuck, this is just the worst time for me to be causing people to worry. Listen, there's another attack coming. Soon. Where? Got no clue, but the Ronin and I set up what observations we could."
08:48:55: <Revas> "That, I figured. As much bullshit as it is," Revas grumbles and leans on the wall - though there's just the slightest stumble to it.
08:50:53: <Klaus> "You alright? I know you're taking it badly that you still can't find your sister..." Klaus looks down, not sure where to continue now that he said that. He flexes his fingers, testing his mech arm.
08:51:59: <Revas> "Badly... might not be a strong enough word, Klaus. I fucking hate having to just wait around, and just when I'm getting myself something I can actually -do- all this nonsense starts."
08:54:01: Klaus nods and rests his head on his hands. "We have quite a fighting force already, between the ronin, Mia and...well, the rest of our band of unlikely survivors and tagalongs. If there's something you can be doing for your sister, I...like to think I've got it covered when it comes to protecting my god damned hometown." He attempts a small smile.
08:55:28: <Revas> "...Probably. I'm too drunk already to be travelling tonight, though," Revas scowls a little more. "I'm not a nigh-infinite well of energy like you, you know."
08:57:48: <Klaus> "That was desperation working you know. I crashed for a good while once it was clear nothing was blowing up here. So what do you plan to do then now? We still don't know much about what the Criterion are doing or...hell, you said you found something you could do, right? You find out something new?"
08:59:24: <Revas> "Lots of things, and found out where to find out more," Revas sighs. "Cail tracked down... 'our man' over in Safoulk, but can't get ahold of him. So I'm gonna go do it on foot, 'cause he's been our link to Criterion."
09:00:33: Klaus raises an eyebrow. "Someone on the inside? Sounds risky, trying to track him down in person."
09:01:44: <Revas> "Of course it is. Won't be the first time I've done something like this, though, it's just business," Revas shrugs.
09:04:15: <Klaus> "So I guess it's your turn to run off ahead, huh? I mean, fuck, I've got to stay here and see this attack through, try to mount some kind of defense. After that..." Klaus ponders a moment. "Well, if it's going to be as bad as Clodberg, I have to be here, you know? Hometown, gotta help rebuild, gotta be with my family...Shit."
09:04:27: <Klaus> "...and they're after my father."
09:05:11: <Revas> "I know. ...I don't exactly want to be leaving you to do that alone, either."
09:07:44: <Klaus> "Thanks. I appreciate that...I really do. And I don't want to leave you alone in finding your sister either. But..." Klaus sits up straighter and carefully stretches. "I can't be in two places at once. And...well, first of all I need to get out of this bed and start doing something about the hell about to rain down on us. I don't suppose the Ronin have told you any more since I've been out?"
09:09:03: <Revas> "Honestly, I don't even know if it's gonna help me track down my sister, but it gives me something to do," Revas sighs. "So, I'll be here for tonight at least," so many things to respond to, he has either forgotten that last bit or is avoiding it
09:13:04: Klaus closes his eyes and traces his finger over his blanket, attempting to recall the layout of the region and the distances between cities. "Well, I can't *quite* recall where Saffoulk is, but if it's not too far, I could probably send you off with Sierpinski for a quicker ride there. But we have to survive the next day first. Without knowing what the fuck is going to hit us..."
09:14:44: <Revas> "I know," Revas sighs. "Saffoulk is out east of here. It sounds like my kind of town," he shrugs, then stares up at the cieling a little. "...Wonder what it says about me that I'd rather be in a town supposed to be full of thugs and troublemakers than a quaint little place like this."
09:16:45: <Klaus> "What indeed." Klaus would look amused at the comment if he weren't so obviously worn out. "...You sounded like you had something important to say before you left for the factory. What's up?"
09:18:00: <Revas> "...A few things, but if you already know they're after your father... well, I guess you finding it out elsewhere means the chance it was just a trap is lessened."
09:19:42: <Klaus> "I found it out from Melinda. She...interrogated a pokemon that belonged to the Criterion. It was apparently privvy to their plans." The look on Klaus's face reveals the sense of absurdity he feels just saying that.
09:20:31: <Revas> "Well, that's okay, some random dude I think I saw back in Clodberg apparently knew who you and I were and was trying to warn me or something, but... fucked if I know who the hell he is," he shrugs
09:20:59: <Revas> "I'd take him for being a Criterion spy trying to launch a trap or something but if he was they're a lot dumber than I thought they were."
09:21:50: <Klaus> "I...what the fuck? How long has it been since we survived Ramtaban? You're right, it's extraordinarily fishy someone would know who we were so quickly. I mean, my family's well known, but not for my part of things..."
09:23:01: <Klaus> (and hold on, I need a few minutes. maybe 10 max)
09:23:18: <Klaus> (Feel free to say next message though)
09:23:52: <Revas> "No clue, really. He just took off when I asked him who he was, so... whatever," Revas shrugs. "Rule of thumb, though; people who know my name but I don't know in return are bad news. S'how it gets in my work."
09:25:35: <Revas> "Though... guess that might change if whats-her-news goes public," Revas sighs. "Though I don't think she took any pictures and I asked not to be named, but such is the risk I took."
09:28:31: <Revas> "...Not that I'd mind," he seems to add it as an afterthought.
09:31:24: Klaus nods along until the 'goes public part'. "Wait, goes public with what? I put up what I knew about the attack online the day we crawled out of that mess. This something else I'm missing?"
09:32:29: <Revas> "Found a reporter working for some independant network. ...I took some initiative, even if it was risky."
09:33:01: <Revas> "I am fully expecting the Egondra government to turn against us soon, and I'd rather not have been quiet up to that point."
09:34:50: <Klaus> "What, they'd claim we were collaborators? I'm not sure how credible the citizens of Egondra would find such a claim. If we're going through independent channels to throw out our news though...I hope you didn't just find some conspiracy nut who's going to make us look like shit to the rest of the nation."
09:35:34: <Revas> "We'll see," Revas shrugs. "Klaus... anything is better than being shut up and unable to speak by the time everyone turns against you."
09:35:51: <Revas> The general scowling turns sadder for some reason.
09:37:32: <Klaus> "Oh we'll speak all right. And actions speak louder than words." Klaus fumbles with his bag and produces a robotic hand that he holds out to Revas. It looks kinda creepy, but the most noticeable aspect is an obvious camera lens set into the palm. "When this attack happens, I plan to record every bit of it. Let there be no ambiguity whose side we're on."
09:38:52: <Revas> "...Well, good." Revas nods, managing a bit of a smile, though it's sinking - and so's he, down the wall. "You know for once I'm hoping everything I've heard in the past while is dead wrong. This region's gonna turn into hell and I can't get out of it fast enough."
09:41:34: <Klaus> "Yeah, we're fighting on behalf of a government that doesn't have a single fuck to give about its people. I wish it were so easy to just leave, but..." Klaus gestures out the window. "My family's business is the biggest thing here. We've sunk so much into operating out of Egondra. I mean, it sure as hell makes sense to get the fuck out now, but..." He trails off and closes a fist tightly.
09:42:01: <Revas> "...Klaus, we're not fighting on behalf of that government. They're our enemy."
09:42:27: <Klaus> "What do you mean? We're doing their dirty work taking on the Criterion for them."
09:43:48: <Revas> "In a way, yes, and yet... well, I don't know if I can even convince you. I don't really have the evidence... at least, not yet, but..."
09:44:57: <Klaus> "Convince me of what? I've had to believe a lot of weird shit lately. And what I believe won't exactly matter come tomorrow when the goal's just to fight off whatever attack comes in whatever way possible."
09:45:35: <Revas> "Criterion and the military aren't really opposing forces."
09:46:49: <Klaus> "That...would explain why grunts in military garb were apparently attacking the gym leader back in Clodberg." Klaus frowns as he recalls the bloody scene. "Though the conclusion I had come to was that they had stolen military equipment and gear when they sacked Ramtaban."
09:48:10: <Revas> "...It's possible," Revas, by now slunk down completely against the wall, kind of hides his face down by his knees at recalling it. "There's still room for error. That's not the only evidence I have, but it's all... what's the word? Circumstancial. It can all be alternately explained."
09:50:20: <Klaus> "Well, lay it on me. It's at least something." Klaus shifts to get a better look at Revas as he slides down. "...Or not. Shit, I'm sorry, those are bad memories...Take your time or rest or...whatever it is you need right now."
09:51:53: <Revas> "...Just need to stop thinking about it," Revas shakes his head clear of whatever's been getting to him. "I'd be willing to buy that it was an accident. However... the military's commander, Reinguard - who is a complete bitch, by the way," back to scowling! "happened to have... conveniently disappeared during the attack."
09:52:07: <Revas> "Despite having been in the area and in contact with Malahn's squadron just prior."
09:54:04: <Revas> "Speaking of which, there was supposed to be two squads in the area. Malahn lost all contact with the others and we haven't been able to verify what's happened to them... so there's a very real possibility that it was them."
09:55:11: <Klaus> "...Well, shit. Okay, let's say..that's a possibility for now. Whether or not it's true though doesn't help us a lick when it comes to what's about to happen to us. Unless, of course, we're thrust into a position where the military arrives as well and we've gotta figure out whether to trust them..."
09:55:40: <Revas> "It does if it's true that Ramtaban is acting as a construction ground for Criterion."
09:55:58: <Revas> "Because it means that whatever big thing they're planning that we still have yet to pin down... they're being essentially protected by the government by the blackout."
09:56:36: <Revas> "Plus, we've got reason to believe they're attempting to pin some blame on damages on the Ronin actively fighting Criterion... and guess who we're with."
09:56:37: <Klaus> "Oy...this is news to me. Well, at least what specifically they're building. I can't imagine they're put more than fuck all together by now though. I mean, how long would it take to just clean up the city enough to build anything at all?"
09:57:04: <Revas> "Hopefully long enough."
09:58:41: <Klaus> "Not the most comforting answer. Alright, so they're gonna blame the ronin. We can't well do shit without them, so we've got to secure proof all the collateral damage is Criterion's fault. The video should help with that. hell, I've got some footage of the Clodberg attack too."
09:59:11: <Klaus> "We'll...wait and see what this reporter you met does. If he proves reliable enough, then we can release some videos through them."
09:59:38: <Revas> "Yeah, I know," Revas nods. "S'why I'm laid the groundwork with her. Don't wanna go through all that shit again."
10:01:57: <Klaus> "Ah, she. Sorry. This all does put some of my longer term plans on hold." Klaus frowns and rubs his chin. "...Say." He stops and slumps back into his bed. "What do you make of the tagalongs we picked up? The young guy and the crazy old man out to play hero or whatever shit."
10:02:54: <Revas> "...What young guy?" Revas headtilts a bit. "And the only old man I remember was that nutjob in the mountains... what, did he follow us out here or something?"
10:04:41: Klaus nods. "The young guy, name's Jarold, he followed Lewys out here. Eadoin, the old man, just stumbled out here as well. I don't even fucking know, but they were all up there when we fought that...monstrosity in Clodberg. And they're with us now and apparently the ronin have taken them in to help. It's all going so fast I don't even know how it all came to this. 'Cause you know, I was asleep."
10:05:23: <Revas> "I don't really know any bettbut... whatever," Revas sighs. "More targets that aren't me, I guess."
10:06:33: <Klaus> "I guess. The young guy reads minds though, and that's just a tad unsettling, you know. And Eadoin...well, he has abilities similar to Mia. I guess I'm used to that."
10:06:33: <Revas> *any better, but
10:07:09: <Revas> "...Mindreaders," Revas scowls visibly. "Thanks for the warning."
10:08:05: Klaus nods. "Seems...harmless enough though. Well meaning at least? Though as far as I can tell, neither's got any personal stake in this conflict. They're just here to be the big god damn hero I guess."
10:08:54: <Revas> "It's the face I'd be putting on too, you know, if things were going any better. I just take it as meaning you've gotta watch 'em even more."
10:09:28: <Revas> "I don't think we're in the process of making any friends with Criterion right now. Doubt it'll be long before they try to infiltrate us. Might already have happened, who knows."
10:10:48: <Klaus> "And yet we're really not in a position to refuse help, are we? Shit sucks, but yeah, all we can do is watch them. I guess I'm a bit less worried than I perhaps should be, because they've had plenty of opportunity to screw us by now."
10:12:03: <Revas> "Maybe," Revas shrugs, head going down onto his knees again. "...Damnit all."
10:14:10: Klaus lets the silence stew for a few moments before settling on something to say. "...Say Revas? I won't judge you or anything, but what's your plan once you've got your family all together again? Just gonna leave the country and not turn back? Or are you going to see this absurd fight through?"
10:16:05: <Revas> "...I don't know. Right now, though... I mean, maybe it'll change, by the time it happens but... I just wanna run."
10:16:10: Revas doesn't sound so happy admitting that
10:18:38: Klaus nods. "The thought has crossed my mind as well, I'm not afraid to admit. That I have family here who have little choice but to stay and fight though. Financial dependencies. League obligations. It's not really an option for me." In contrast, Klaus speaks with a tone of pragmatism, comfortable with his stance.
10:19:57: <Revas> "The fun of having a home, huhn?"
10:20:11: <Revas> Somehow it just seems to make Revas sink into himself a little more.
10:22:27: <Klaus> "...I'm sorry. That wasn't..." Klaus pauses to mull over his words. "You have a family that loves you, same as me. Wherever they are, that's what home is. I just have family that can't very well afford to run from this."
10:23:33: <Revas> "I know, I know," Revas answers half like he has heard it before and half like it doesn't really help. "I wouldn't... ask you to abandon them."
10:24:33: <Klaus> "That's not what I meant either. I just...well, you have the freedom to escape from this mess. I don't. I was just wondering what kind of decision you would make with the choice that I don't have myself."
10:26:44: <Revas> "It's not a different decision. I just wanna keep them safe... and doing that means getting them the hell out of here, for me."
10:28:03: <Revas> "I don't think I could take losing them all again."
10:29:59: Klaus nods. "It's a pragmatic choice. Don't ever be ashamed of it. But...if you ever do feel you want to fight the good fight here, no matter how fucked and stupid the situation is, well, I'd welcome your help. You are eerily well-connected for someone who looks so unassuming, you know." Klaus manages a half-hearted laugh.
10:31:20: <Revas> "Mmm," he manages a hollow laugh on his own. "It's most of what I'm good at."
10:34:29: <Klaus> "Right, right...So." Klaus waves his hand toward the ceiling and a bolt of light jumps from the lamp into his arm. For a split second, Babbage is visible as a Porygon2 before turning into electrical energy. "Is there anything else I should know about the situation before I set up my amateur sentry network?"
10:35:15: <Revas> "...Wish I had more for you, but no. ...Wait, yes. Remember... what we were talking about before this?"
10:35:46: <Klaus> "My father being targeted? Or after that?"
10:36:01: <Revas> After that. Before you got yourself electrocuted like a moron."
10:36:56: Klaus grimaces. "Uh...your theory about the government? Sorry, that electrocution thing may have turned me *into* a moron temporarily. I can't recall."
10:37:17: <Revas> "...No. I mean, about Criterion trying to develop Pokeballs that can capture humans."
10:38:13: <Klaus> "Oh that. Yeah. That's what they wanted my father to help them with. It's...possible now to capture a Ronin or Criterion member with special balls. Hell, anyone who's been operated on to have pokemon DNA."
10:39:12: <Revas> "Yeah. Not that that surprises me," Revas shakes his head. "To be honest, I wouldn't have an issue Snagging them~" he waves his right arm around, drawing a little bit of attention to it as he stands back up - it's mostly covered by his jacket but why does he have a glove on apparently?
10:39:51: <Klaus> "What...is that?"
10:41:16: <Revas> "But that's not my point, even if I'm not sure how to make it--oh, you noticed." Up he rolls his sleeve; his arm's surrounded in bands and wires that lead up to something underneath even his shirt. "Snag Machine."
10:42:05: <Revas> "I figured I was done being unequipped for fighting if it came down to it... but I'm no trainer. My skills are for capturing Pokemon, so I chose a more..." he trails off instead of finishing that thought.
10:42:12: <Klaus> "I'm afraid I'm not familiar." He smirks. "But I do know you sure as hell aren't gonna be making fun of me for my arm anymore if you're gonna wear something goofy looking like that."
10:42:23: <Revas> "Your arm can't steal people's Pokemon, can it?"
10:44:00: <Klaus> "...No." Klaus frowns, clearly upset. "I...can't say I like the idea of a machine that can. But..." he shakes his head. "Theoretically, all of the Criterion members are 'owned' by a particular ball anyway, so...fuck. I didn't even think that one through when I had the balls produced. I guess you solved that though."
10:44:12: Klaus eyes the machine with apprehension.
10:45:14: <Revas> "These are... pretty much internationally forbidden, but so few people would be able to recognise one anyway," he shakes his head. "They were first developped in Orre, back where I came from, by a team of Pokemon thieves."
10:46:45: <Revas> "...And then one went on to save our little hellhole by using it against a group way more dangerous than them. It got used... seven years again later for the same kind of purposes," Revas' tone has gone from any kind of sad or angry like it has all night, to... something kind of wistful.
10:46:53: <Klaus> "Well, you're right on the recognition point. I've worked with pokeball technology most my life, and I have never seen that."
10:47:46: <Revas> "There's very few of them out there... most in the service of various international peacekeeping agents. I just happen to have the right connections~"
10:47:58: <Revas> He's kind of looking at the thing with a smile now, for whatever reason.
10:48:20: <Klaus> "So stealing from the thieves huh? And I suppose you aim to do something similar here in Egondra with yours now?" Klaus leans back with a what-the-fuck-have-I-gotten-into look on his face.
10:48:52: <Revas> "Maybe. If nothing else... it'll give me a weapon I can use," Revas shrugs, "And if I can capture Ronin with it, all the better. But... yeah, I guess this brings me back around to my original point."
10:49:16: <Revas> "If you're so bothered by stealing Pokemon... what about stealing humans?"
10:50:22: <Klaus> "You shouldn't even need to ask that. But if it comes to the Criterion - I hope that's what you mean by Ronin - then...there's a reason I repaired Lexi's ball I found and set ourselves up to have it mass produced."
10:50:51: <Klaus> "But *only* the Criterion."
10:51:26: <Revas> "I know. Andi f you can get me those that'd be great, BUT..." Revas sighs. "While I'm fine with just capturing the bad guys... well, think about who I work for."
10:51:53: <Revas> "IF Criterion were to actually succeed... it would be a weapon. A dangerous one, one that would inspire fear simply by being posessed."
10:52:12: <Revas> "And I doubt it would be long before one way or another... the entire world descends on this place."
10:52:58: <Revas> "Military forces from other nations deeming this too major a threat to be stopped... and spies - or free agents like myself - looking to snag themselves the keys to their country expanding its influence... or just to sell for a fortune to the highest bidder."
10:53:35: <Revas> It's surprisingly dark thoughts from a kid his age, but given what business he works in...
10:55:04: Klaus just nods through the more morbid bits at the end and cuts straight to the chase on what he can handle. "Talk to Clayton. He assured me he could have more of the balls manufactured, back when we were in Jabota. By now, there should be enough for you to be stocked for any incoming attack."
10:56:16: <Revas> "I will," he nods. "Try... to keep the information about the Pokeballs under wraps. Even if it's just rumours right now... there are those who'd come chasing after rumours alone. The figurative Missingno's Box."
10:57:44: <Klaus> "They can only capture modified humans. There's no gain to be had in them for most people. That said, I do understand how rumors can become distorted and how people make act desperately on a sliver of a hope."
10:57:53: <Klaus> *may act
10:59:09: <Revas> "Not just that, but the possibilities of a pokeball that -can- succeed on normal humans," Revas nods. "It's a situation we don't need any more complicated than it already is."
11:01:18: <Klaus> "Right. Though I like to think that's farther off than some think it is."
11:02:12: <Revas> "...I'd like to think it'll never, ever happen, Klaus." Revas sighs, finally getting himself away from the wall.
11:04:00: Klaus shakes his head. "The 'nevers' you find in science are never the ones you want. And the ones you want are mockingly elusive. That said, I imagine it's far enough off to be irrelevant to our current dilemma."
11:07:37: <Revas> "Mmm," Revas nods a little, crossing his arms in thought.
11:07:56: <Revas> "So you said... we're expecting an attack tomorrow?"
11:08:30: <Klaus> "Unfortunately, yes. And we don't have the intel to know from where. this...is something we're going to have to fix in the future."
11:09:01: <Revas> "Well, good, that means I might not end up fighting for my life half-drunk, then," it's a slim sort of smile.
11:09:41: <Klaus> "And I won't have to direct my pokemon from a hospital bed."
11:11:18: <Revas> "You could probably pull it off. You're better at that nonsense than me."
11:13:18: Klaus laughs nervously. "Well, I sure hope I can tomorrow. This feels a lot different than when we were in Clodberg. I wasn't as worried as I am now."
11:13:40: <Revas> "Well, I guess you've got more to lose out here," Revas shrugs, though he's staring down at the ground a little.
11:13:48: <Revas> "...I'll do what I can to help you, though."
11:14:25: <Klaus> "Yeah...yeah, definitely. Thanks. And once we're done with this bullshit we can look into where the Criterion took your sister."
11:15:26: <Revas> "Mmm," Revas nods. "I guess... I'll go see where the night leads me in the meantime."
11:16:31: Klaus nods, wondering to himself whether Revas will be off getting plastered again...but also realizing that oh well, not like he can do anything about it if that's what he intends.
11:17:45: <Revas> "Not like there's much to do in a quiet little town like this," Revas laughs a little, almost answering Klaus' question as he makes his way out. "I'd invite you along, but... I doubt you want to."
11:18:59: <Klaus> "Nah, I'd probably just ruin your fun being worried. I actually have a lot I could be doing to prepare for this. I just have to get my shit in order and talk to the Ronin about it all."
11:20:30: <Revas> "Mmm... alright. Sometime, though," Revas smiles a little back at him, then waves. "Guess I'm off, then. See ya."
11:21:14: Klaus tiredly waves with a smile. "Have fun then. Don't die. We'll need you tomorrow."
11:22:26: <Klaus> (/session?)
11:23:25: <Revas> (Yeah, I guess)
11:23:47: <Klaus> (and then Team Mom gave up hope of ever getting Revas to stop drinking)