IC; Pokegear Contact Post

[grapeeater]

"Please leave a message."

Comments

[grapeeater]

I'm... okay. I had a friend here for a while, and she... left, recently. So I'm dealing with it. I... I don't regret what I did. It's made some things harder, but... I think it was the right choice.

[And he's pretty sure he's right. More sure than he usually is of his decisions. He doesn't want to hurt people. And being on Team Rocket... they hurt people.]

[rocketralph]

Yeah? How's that?

_{[He jerks his head to the side and starts walking. Blanca quickly scurries to the front to light the way. Ralph doesn't want to be seen hanging around any one place for too long.]}

Suppose I finally got up the nerve. What should I be on the look out for?

[grapeeater]

[He follows along, Isamu keeping step with them now that he's sure he doesn't sense anything off.]

Well, you're... probably going to have to turn yourself in and spend a little time in jail. But it's not that bad, just a little boring. And then... you just head out. The police here are pretty forgiving... or they seem that way, anyway. I've just been looking over my shoulder in case I spot anyone from... them... but I haven't really seen anyone.

[rocketralph]

_{[Ralph gives a slow nod.]}

Yeah, I'm not too worried about the Kangaskhank Force or whatever they're called. I've done community service before. It's the rest of Them. They're gettin' outta control. And I'm worried about the kid. I don't even know if I'm gonna do it, y'know? Once a badguy, always a badguy.

[grapeeater]

... You don't seem like such a bad guy to me. And... I'm worried about him, too. I want to get him out of there. I don't think he belongs there. Those people... they don't care about him. You do. I do. To them, he's just... another body to throw at what they want done.

[rocketralph]

Thanks...

_{[He's going to hang onto that compliment. But right now it's time to be mad at Team Rocket.]}

Right? I'm worried that if I try they'll use him as leverage or something'. I might not be an expert at battling, but I've got a pair of level one hundred fists they probably wanna hang onto.

_{[Ralph clenches and unclenches said fists. He's busted a lot of windows and doors for the team over the past year. It's getting easier.]}

[grapeeater]

Hey. It'll be okay. I... maybe we can get you both out at the same time. I think there's people from his world here... and it seems like they're okay for him. Maybe they can help.

[rocketralph]

Maybe...ugh. Thinking about it is making my head hurt.

_{[Ralph drags a hand down his face.]}

Still. It's good t'see ya again. I was worried you'd been deleted or something.

[grapeeater]

I'm okay. You can always give me a call. I'm sorry, I should have called sooner, I was just kind of busy with keeping tabs on Mai...

[rocketralph]

S'fine. An' I'm sorry about your pal. I know what that's like...

_{[They walk in solemn silence for a little ways, past shops and houses alike. He can't take the quiet though and suddenly holds his freakish meat hands up again.]}

Think they'll have trouble cuffin me?

[grapeeater]

[He holds back a little bit of a laugh, though it's hard.]

It might be a bit of a problem. They might have to put it around your pinkies.

[rocketralph]

_{[Ralph doesn't bother holding his in--it's a weak laugh but it's there.]}

Yeah, maybe...

_{[His frown quickly resurfaces.]}

I'll think about it. Thanks again' for hearin' me out. If you're planning to stick around, I'll buy breakfast. Should probably do some good with what they pay me.

[grapeeater]

Sure. I'd be glad to get breakfast with you. And... if you want, if you get out of there, maybe the two of us could travel for a bit? We'd have to get a bigger tent, but it should be fine.

[rocketralph]

_{[A small smile finds its way onto his mug again.]}

We'll see. Like I said, I could use a change of scenery, but one thing at a time...and hah! Who needs a tent? I haven't used a tent my whole life!

[grapeeater]

If you say so. Just keep me updated. I can always teleport back over here.

[rocketralph]

Will do. Hey, Blanca, you know how to find that little mom 'n pop place that has the really good coffee? The one with the wooden Spearow on the sign?

_{[The Ampharos blinks and lets out a determined cry before bounding forward, the orb on the end of his tail glowing brightly.]}

If we're lucky, we can grab the first pot of the day!

[grapeeater]

Sounds good to me.

[He follows along with Ralph, jogging slightly to keep up with his big strides.]

[Isamu tilts his head, and Micchy shrugs.]

If you really want, I bet they've got cereal. There's probably a kid's menu.

[rocketralph]

_{[Missing the short exchange between Isamu and Micchy, Ralph has to look back with a lifted brow.]}

Cereal? No, I meant coffee.

[grapeeater]

No, he wants cereal.

[The Lucario shrugs. He likes what he likes, okay?]

[rocketralph]

Oh! I'm sure they have plenty of that.

_{[Ralph looks back to Micchy's Pokemon and wonders if they have one of those connections he hears about so often.]}

[grapeeater]

He's like a little kid sometimes. He and Yuudai think they can be superheroes and save everyone. It... doesn't work like that, a lot of the time.