victory_road | [Video, action?]

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[Video, action?]

[The familiar sight of Goldenrod's streets is the first thing that's being seen before it shifts to the face of a salazzle before it finally focuses on Speedwagon's back. Where he's putting up what seems to be some sort of paper.

He doesn't look back, but he's well aware of what's going on.]

Thank you, Candalera. [There's a soft noise from the lizard before he speaks again.]

Isn't it funny how when you've been burnt more than once that you finally learn to not touch the iron? Or that you decide to get away from the situation that caused the burn in the first place? [He backs away, there's a clear sign of sorts that's written in pretty scrawly handwriting that says something to the effect of "Team Rocket is the most incompetent criminal gang in existence" with some other details that merely call out how street urchins could steal more competently.

Speedwagon can't help a small sort of a grin as he turns around to address the camera properly, a good stack of paper in his hands.]

It's almost as if there are consequences to actions. As if it's a terrible idea to pretend to be knowledgeable in something when you clearly are not.

[He motions to the side and heads off, the lizard pokemon following after with a bit of stuttering camera feed as he works on putting up another.]

You know, I used to be a criminal back home. Though long since reformed, it's honestly rather pathetic to watch amateurs pretend to be some criminal syndicate when they can't even steal from a child. It's an embarrassment, really. Maybe they should give up on the whole thing and stick to their little... gambling den as that seems far more their speed, don't you think?

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[... Well. That's bold. Of course, this guy makes some good points, but...

Well, it's in Doppio's best interests to be a good member of Team Rocket, now isn't it?]

Isn't that kind of a risky move...?

[Don't think he doesn't remember who you are, Doppio. Which is precisely why his outward attitude does not change in the slightest other than a brow slowly raising.]

A risky move? As if I'm afraid of people that are more incompetent than children. Those from other places brought in, perhaps, but the natives aren't worth worrying about. Nor do they frighten me in the slightest.

Sure, but there's plenty of people from other places, right? What if they side with Team Rocket rather than you?

[And of course this guy had to put this on the public network, to pretty much FORCE him to be indirect instead of having a straightforward threatening conversation, from one criminal to another...]

[He slowly shrugs in turn, not seeming bothered in the slightest.]

Then I suppose I'll have to defend myself, which is hardly nothing new for me. [In other words he might be exactly challenging him if he's trying to low-key threaten him.]

Though I should warn that I do not live alone anymore and I highly doubt that one of the people I live with would be particularly inviting. [And Jonathan's a hell of a lot more dangerous in sheer size, both height and width than he is. Oh well, no need to give everything away right about now.]

If you have something to say, then do feel free to say it to me in person, here, or in private if you'd prefer. I welcome the conversation. [Bring it, Doppio.]

[TRYING TO BAIT HIM, ARE YOU. Doppio's poker face isn't the best, so his eyes narrow quite noticeably for a moment, but then it turns into a sort of dismissive pout.]

Why would I? I'm just saying some people in Team Rocket might be dangerous. Team Rocket wouldn't be a problem if it was full of "amateurs", right?... But then again, what do I know?

[He absolutely is baiting him. And he cannot help the shit-eating grin as he notices him narrowing his eyes. Aw, did he hit a nerve?]

The ratio of dangerous to not is one I'm willing to take. And, honestly, considering how everything works here? I don't have a single reason to be afraid of any of them. I, again, welcome the challenge.

So you think the worst they can do is annoy you, huh...?

[... Yeah, the whole "you can't die here" deal makes it a bit harder to take threats seriously, he'll give him that. But... Doppio is sure the Boss will find a way around that eventually!]

I see you are bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Feeling a bit dramatic, are we?

Some call it dramatic, some call it petty.

I prefer to call it venting my frustrations.

I suppose that is fair, but do have a care; remember what we spoke about.

What on Earth would they even manage to do to me or us, Erina?

They truly are as useless as I say.

Well, we don't know for certain, do we?

Though I appreciate your honesty in this matter.

I suppose we do not.

Though I still maintain my position on the matter.

Well, I cannot stop you, only forewarn you to have a care, Robert.

When will you be returning? Soon?

[No, she doesn't miss him, whatever gave you that impression?]

I know what I'm doing, Erina, I promise you that.

And... probably within the next hour or so? I may take a look at the department store while I'm out here, simply because I doubt I'll be out here again any time soon.

[He knows better! Even if they're all still being weird in public.]

Good, we shall see you then. Truly, this does require some more talking out, privately, on all of our parts. See: Jonathan's surprise.

[ Even though Rainer is no longer on track to become a villain, she's still trained to be aware of villainous acts and the people who commit them. She's heard whispers of this criminal syndicate, but nothing that actually tells her whether they're worth investing any extra effort into finding out more about them.

So, color her curious. Not curious enough to show her face to a stranger, but... Curious enough to engage with voice alone. ]

I keep hearing about this so-called gang. Nothing that's impressed me so far, of course, but they do seem to be... persistent.

[Ah, he can certainly respect voice at least. Just ignore the little complaints from the salazzle in the background every-so-often.]

Persistent is about the only thing going for them, to be perfectly honest. Though the majority of any criminal acts that do go off without a hitch are certainly not due to the native populace amongst them. That much I know for certain.

Where I come from, we might say that's to be expected... Heroes foiling the plans of villains. That's what heroes are for, after all. The whole process is about spectacle more than anything.

So I guess in that way, they're successful.

Edited (phone typo) 2021-06-19 21:46 (UTC)

[That sounds... stupid and cliche and he hates it, actually.]

That sounds performative. Supposedly they're a serious criminal organization, but when actual children can run circles around you, I'd say you failed in that regard. The only reason they're known at all is that they're the only real "criminal organization" in the game, as it were. I could run rings around them with a bunch of trained street urchins, to be perfectly frank.

Then why don't you?

[ Blunt? Maybe. But it's Rainer's way. ]

If it would be so easy for you to do better, why not put your mischief where your mouth is?

[Ah, yes. This chestnut. He can't help the actual smile that crawls to his lips, too bad this isn't video.]

Because I'm a reformed criminal. Meaning that I did promise a rather lovely friend of mine that I wouldn't get into that sort of nonsense again, even if the idea has been rather tempting. [Though... Hm.

Actually, let him make this private for a moment.]

Private

I wouldn't be above teaching if someone else wanted to take up that mantle, however.

[ Ooh, fun! Secret conversations! That's always interesting. ]

Also tempting, but I'm reformed, too. By virtue of my world not needing heroes and villains anymore, anyway. And I have a lovely friend of my own who I'm sure would be pretty put out if I tried to get something started here.

But I do appreciate the offer!

Could you maybe tell me more about these Rocket fellas instead?

[Oh well, it was worth a shot.]

I see. That whole pesky morality thing, innit?

Anyway, I'm sure as you might have guessed that I used to be a... part of that group. There are some that end up in this world in their clutches for better or for worse, though others may have gone so willingly. Obviously I'm not keen on giving up names as I'm not entirely sure who does and doesn't wish to stay with them, though I haven't the foggiest as to why.

They are, legitimately, the only criminal syndicate I have seen in this place and control everything from your mundane little thefts up to... well, there's some businesses that they either outright own or have their hands in. But for the most part, other than the business front, they're laughably pathetic at what they do.

If you want specifics, then, well, do be specific.

Don't worry, I won't make you snitch. I'm fine keeping things as vague as they need to be.

[ Well, aside from the specifics he's asking for. ]

The only thing I've heard about them doing so far is crashing a party. Doesn't exactly strike any fear in the heart of this necromancer, if you know what I mean. Sounds more like they're just trying to be a nuisance than any sort of actual criminals.

I'm sure they'll be after my head soon enough, anyway.

[Ah, right, the party. He's letting out a soft huff of breath, that whole... thing.]

There's been more than just that, though that party thing was... Honestly, I didn't pay it much attention as I was already on my way out at the time. There has been a number of other things they've gotten up to, there's been heists of things like banks, mines, that sort of nonsense. But in general it does seem more to favor being seen as a nuisance than actually qualified. Which works in their favor, when you think of it. Who's going to be looking over their shoulder for those who crashed a party?

Ah, the good old bank-and-mine heist. That's classic villain fare. [ Speaking in terms of the villains of Rainer's world. But then, weren't the villains of Nua's old system mostly just there to be nuisances, too? ]

Are they even planning anything deeper? It's fine if the party-crashing is a cover for their true intentions, but if those intentions are just... more of the same, then... What's the point?

[Jonathan turns on the camera. He blinks. He chokes.]

Speedwagon just what are you doing?

[Actually, hold on-] ...Where are you?

[Well, this is the worst case scenario.

Remain calm, even if the snickering of a particular lizard is evidently in the background.]

Oh, nothing of particular importance.

And Goldenrod, why? [PLAY IT CASUAL.]

Speedwagon, I suspect given the manner of dear Candelera, that it is of greater import than you imply.

[Shit. Well, he supposes this would show up one way or another.]

It's exactly what it looks like, I cannot say much more than that? [Deflect, deflect, deflect.]

[EXAC-]

Speedwagon, it quite looks like something you should not at all be doing!

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VIDEO

OH NOOOOO, sneaks this in as a treat

HAHAHAHAH

HE'S IN TROUBLE

BIG TROUBLE