lieutenantantichrist | [3] Video/Action for Violet City

[The camera is pointed at a Munna sitting on a picnic table. It stares back with serene, unblinking eyes.]

[It turns to show Blake, who has strain showing around his eyes and does not look real fucking happy.]

I have this aardvark piggy bank thing and it doesn't make any sense.

Whenever I let the damn thing out, it keeps floating off and then coming back in the middle of the night and chewing on my head. It's-- [his eyes avoid looking directly into the screen] It's goddamn weird.

[There's something else, but he can't go announcing it. The last thing he needs is people thinking he's a nut.]

Does anybody know anything about these things? The phone doesn't say much useful- [he breaks off and shouts offscreen] Hey! Get out of there!

[The phone is tossed down on the table. Sideways, the screen shows the Munna diving into Blake's backpack where it's sitting on the bench. Cheerfully ignoring Blake swearing at it and trying to grab it, it scatters things all over the place with its stubby legs until it finds what it was looking for. It floats up with a spoon floating in front of its face.]

[It stares straight at Blake as the spoon bends at a ninety-degree angle.]

[Blake growls at it] And stop doing that!

[The spoon unbends itself.]

[Blake crosses his arms and nods firmly.] That's better.

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[That is a whole lot of excited little girl talking. Blake can't compete with that.]

Slow down, kid-

[He gives up pretty quick and just lets her go. She sounds a hell of a lot better than before. He's a little bemused that she has the same job as him. Does this place not have child labor laws? Eventually, she runs out of breath and winds down.]

Found your feet, huh. Smart girl.

I thought you said your guy Corvo wasn't here?

Don't ask me how, but these things always get up okay even if you beat the-- if you beat them up a lot. They don't care about being hit with those balls, either. Weird, huh? They pop right out ready to be your friend. Eggs're more work. Gotta carry them around.

[Blake doesn't have the heart to tell her magic's fake.]

I sure did! At first I didn't know what to do, but I'm figuring it out.

[Hmm? She looks confused at the Corvo comment, and then realizes-]

Oh! Sorry, I named my little Pokemon Corvo! The real Corvo isn't here, still...

and I don't mind carrying them around! I'm still trying to convince myself that they don't mind being in the balls, but it's hard, because... I don't like being locked in small places, so... I don't think they would either? But people keep telling me it's okay, so I guess I'll have to do it sometime? For now though, I'll stick to eggs.

Edited 2013-03-04 09:13 (UTC)

[Blake smiles slightly] The same goes for all of us.

[Naming Pokemon after real people could probably get confusing. Blake'll keep that in mind if he ever runs into the real Spiro Agnew here. Wait, is Spiro Agnew dead?]

It's one of those weird magic things that takes some getting used to. They don't care, see?

[He takes out a ball and zaps Steve in and out again. The Snubbull barely notices. She sits on her haunches and scratches her ear.]

[Something Emily said activates Blake's cop senses.] Who's locking you in small places?

[Emily watches him take the Pokemon in and out of the ball curiously. Despite the fact that Snubbull doesn't mind, she's still a little weary. It will take her some time before she's ready to do that herself, but she's getting there.]

I guess so...

[At his question, she pauses. She hasn't really talked about it since getting here, and... She isn't sure it would be all that good to talk to anyone about it in general. Then again- well, he is a lieutenant... Surely it would be a good idea to tell him, of all people?]

Well I- Er... I was taken, away from my mother... Th-they stabbed her, and then suddenly we were gone. It was like magic. They locked me in a room at this place called the Golden Cat. It wasn't very big, and they would not let me out, and I saw lots of weird women there that did not wear very many clothes. And They told me that Corvo was dead, and I didn't believe them. I still do not believe them! Corvo can't be dead... I don't want him to be, just like I don't want... mommy to be dead either...

[Suddenly, a whole lot makes sense. Murdering the kid's mom in front of her and kidnapping her. Just like the real world. Christ, no wonder she was adjusting to here so well, if that was the alternative.]

[She looks like she's near to bursting into tears. Blake has to calm her down.] It's okay. You're safe here.

[Maybe not technically true, but monster things are better than murderers.]

[Cop Mode On.]

Listen to me, Emily. This is important. Who's "they"? Can you describe them?

[Emily nods after a few moments, wiping at her eyes. She's trying not to cry, but she hasn't really talked about this since getting to Johto. It's been 6 months since she got taken, she hasn't had the chance to talk to anyone about it. But... well, he really is the best person to tell, isn't he? And if he can protect her from them if they do end up here, then even better.]

I... I can draw them, hold on.

[She sets the gear down and rustles around in her bag, before pulling out some coloring tools that she bought from the Pokemart. It takes her a little while, and Blake can see her working intently on the drawing the entire time.

Finally, she holds up a drawing very much like this for him to see.]

[Blake looks it over. Obviously not accurate, being from a kid's perspective, but there was information that came through. Two Caucasian males in some kind of priest robes and collars. Even discounting for artistic license, those were distinctive faces] Was it these two men alone? Did you hear any names? Try to remember.

[He's been thinking about this for a while. He's no good with kids, but he can't just leave her to fend for herself.] Look, Emily, how far are you from Violet City? I'll come find you. You shouldn't be out here on your own.

[They were always so careful to keep sensitive information from her, but it was easy to figure out their names. It does take Emily a few moments to recall the names, mumbling under her breath as she tries to remember.]

I...Pendleton! Their last names were Pendleton, and they're brothers. Twins, I think.

I'm in Cherrygrove right now, but I'll be okay! You don't need to find me. I have my Pokemon...

[Blake leans toward the phone, but doesn't interrupt. She's getting there.]

[He nods sharply.] Pendleton brothers. Got it.

[Blake is unaware of the look of dark promise on his face. When he finds these guys, they'll regret it. "It" meaning getting found, kidnapping the girl, being born...]

[The animals here are tough and smart enough to look out for her for a while, but a kid can't be left on their own forever.] Head towards Violet, okay? There's not a lot of other places to go from there, anyway.

[there's a yip from the side, and a pink Snubbull head pokes into frame.]

[Blake looks away slightly and mutters, wondering when the fuck he started talking for a dog] Steve wants to meet you.