paper faces on parade

[maskedevolver]

[Teleport usually gets her back to where she needs to be, but today it's only transporting her to various parts of the lab. She's growing more and more frustrated - she had to get back to the Mask of Ice, dammit, she couldn't waste time here! - with every false hope.

She grows quite a bit cheerier when she finds people, because people have information - and that's exactly what she requires.]

Excu~se me! [She'll call, when she and her Abra teleport in sight of another person. Or Pokémon. Whichever comes first.] Do you have a moment to answer some very, very important questions of mine? I promise I'll make it worth your while!

Comments

[soulknight]

[That's... That's Blue, isn't it? ...But she sounds different. Younger? And something about her tone is off...

It would be nice if he could actually get a look at her, but all he can do is rhythmically tap his cuestick on the nearest surface and hope that Weavile can see for him.]

Depends on the question.

[maskedevolver]

[That's Silver, isn't it? He sounds older, he has a Weavile, and there's something way different about him, but it's been a few years - more than a few years.

There's really only one way to find out.]

First of a few for you! Is your name Silver, or am I mistaking some other cute red-head for a friend?

[This clearly isn't the question she wanted to ask, going by her tone change - from light to teasing, a disguise for loathing. It's important that she asks it, however, because Silver is a topic she needs to handle with care.]

[soulknight]

[...It sounds like Blue, but sounds like anything but Blue. Her tone doesn't match her words. Something's off.

You know, because there wasn't enough off about showing up in some place he hasn't even identified anyway.]

You got it, Blue. [Just take it easy and keep casual...]

[maskedevolver]

[On one hand, she's happy to see him. He's alive and well, just like she had hoped he'd be. On the other hand, he abandoned her. Hadn't he? Never returning to help her out of that bastard's clutches, when he had started gripping tighter to keep her in. When he had assigned Will and Karen to "keep her in line," so she wouldn't try to get away again.

Blue takes in a deep breath and decides she needs to act as happy as she can manage. She's used to wearing masks.]

I'm so glad! I've been looking everywhere for you, little brother. [It tastes like ash on her tongue, but it's a sugar sweet confection. It's the first time in two years she's thought about calling him it.] Second question! Do you know where we are? I mean, there's a lot of rooms and they've seriously got a lot of Pokémon, but it's nothing I've ever seen before.

[She's rushed, obviously. She needs to get home.]

[soulknight]

[...He'll avoid the first part. Something's definitely wrong, but if it was Blue, she'd either have a good reason or tell him when she needs him to know.]

Your guess is as good as mine. I'd say I've never seen it before, but I still haven't exactly seen it.

[Haha. Blind jokes. They keep him at ease, anyway.]

[maskedevolver]

[Oh sheesh.]

I didn't help you get out just for you to go and blind yourself, you know. [She wants to touch his cheek, but she might slap him if she does. She keeps her hands to herself and to the Abra she's holding instead.] Well, I guess that's the only really important thing, other than if there's a way to get back to where we came from.

[soulknight]

[She helped him get out? She makes it sound like...]

...You were worried sick and fussed for hours when you found out. [He grips onto his cuestick- it's become a nervous habit- but otherwise keeps calm. If only he knew about the doubles of this place.]

Who are you?

[betabangs]

[Woah woah what --?? Oh, behind her!! Blue turns, putting her hands to her mouth to call down the hallway. Not that they're... really that far apart, huh??]

Sure, sure!! I haven't been here very long, but I can really try to help you!

[maskedevolver]

[How wonderful. Someone who looks similar to her and one she can already tell is unabashedly cheerful. Blue waves anyway, putting on a smile, and closes the distance between them.]

That's alright, that's alright! Do you know where I can get some food? I'm a little hungry, and we can talk easier while we're sitting down.

[betabangs]

I passed a kitchen on my way here! [Uh, at least she thinks she did.] We could see if there's anything in there!

[maskedevolver]

[She could do worse than a kitchen, she supposes.]

Sounds perfect! What's your name, by the way? I'd like to know who I'm dining with on this fine, er... day.

[betabangs]

[She'll start walking then! It was... this way, right? Yeah!

-- Oh she got asked a question, um. Over her shoulder:]

I'm Blue! B-L-U-E! Blue! It's nice to meet you!

[maskedevolver]

[No way. Blue only hesitates for a moment before she's after her, keeping close by her side. Abra sleeps in her arms, and she smiles too wide for her tastes.]

Blue, huh? My name's the same! That's pretty cool, isn't it?

[subharmonics]

[She and her Gallade almost simultaneously jump, but not quite. She relaxes a fair bit. Just some girl and an Abra? Okay, cool. Gallade's eying Blue a bit critically, however, stepping closer to his trainer.]

Sure thing. What do you need to know?

[maskedevolver]

If there's a way out.

[It's very simple. She eyes the Gallade curiously; he's a species she's never seen before, but Abra doesn't seem to mind him. Despite that, she'll keep her guard up.]

[subharmonics]

If there is, I haven't found one. Sorry. I've been stuck in this place for... about two months now? I'm not sure, I've kind of lost track of time.

[maskedevolver]

Have you searched thoroughly? [She steps closer. Abra yawns in her arms and she presses her lips into a fine line.] From top to bottom? Every nook and cranny?

[subharmonics]

Checked, double-checked and triple-checked everything. I haven't been the only one looking, either. [Gallade tenses, putting an arm out in front of his trainer, his gaze turning sharp.]

[maskedevolver]

You haven't given up, have you? [Another step. She'll stop there, because she'd rather not battle right now. Abra wasn't fit for it.]

[championfire]

{ Oh hey you sound like Leaf...! wait why bother getting excited, it's never the leaf he knows so might as well go in with low expectations.}

What kind of questions?

[maskedevolver]

[She already had her question about this place answered: if there was a way, which was a resounding "not yet." With the added bonus of an unpleasant face of the past... At least this one isn't a boy she knows, or a girl who looks like her, or an entrepreneur.]

Easy ones, especially for a cutie like you. [She doesn't mind laying it on thick this time; he isn't Silver, after all.] Ready to answer?

[championfire]

{ He'd look off not exactly used to any kind of nickname like that. Attempting to hide the faint embarrassment creeping upon his cheeks.}

Y-Yeah. Alright.

[maskedevolver]

[What a sucker.]

Do we have a place to sleep? Poor little Abra here's all tuckered out from helping me explore, and I'm tired of asking questions with answers I don't wanna hear.

[championfire]

{ The biggest sucker really.}

...I'm pretty sure there's a bunch of houses you can stay in. Or you could just go camp in one of the domes. Though you don't seem like you'd enjoy that option.

[maskedevolver]

This place is bigger than either of us thought, huh Abra? [It yawns, and Blue giggles.] Would you mind showing us to it?