♕ FIFTH COMMAND | TEXT / ACTION [ILEX FOREST]

[determinator]

[An anonymous text has been sent out to all of Johto. All replies will be anonymous as well unless he screws up and anonfails which is highly likely.]

How do you deal with the loss of a close friend?

[For those of you in Ilex Forest, Archer is currently busy training his Pokémon. Or at least, that's what he'd like you to think he's doing. Every so often he'll check the Gear to see if there's a response to that anonymous text.]

[Today really isn't a good day. Archer definitely seems more distracted and agitated than usual, and he's been snapping at his Pokémon all day. Why? It's January 28th. Kimbley would have been twenty-eight today.]

Comments

[explosivecombat]

Normally I would question how much of a challenge we're in for...but given that Mustang was able to defeat the first five gyms in as many months, I doubt that the first few will give us much trouble. As ambitious as Mustang is, he isn't a miracle worker; given the length of time we've been here, it shouldn't be too difficult for us to take on the first several.

[determinator]

The majority of our time will be spent on the routes, then. We really shouldn't have any trouble at all.

[...Oh that's funny.]

[explosivecombat]

[...oh, god, the routes. Can we not with the routes.]

I should imagine not.

Ah, though I do have some business in Violet City or thereabouts to attend to - someone I've agreed to meet up with. It shouldn't hold us back any, however; a quick meeting, nothing more.

[determinator]

Indeed? Who are you meeting? It shouldn't be a problem, as long as it doesn't hold us up.

[They've been here for four months and haven't gotten a single badge. They're just a bit behind Mustang here.]

[explosivecombat]

[Who cares? Maybe Mustang will complete the challenge first. Then they'll know if it does anything, and if it does, they get a bonus - Mustang will be gone.

Really, Archer, you need to look at the bigger picture here.]

Her name is Emmy Altava; we met over one of her posts on the network. A rather charming girl, actually - she wants to have a battle whenever we meet up, and coffee afterwards. As I've said, it shouldn't prove too much of a distraction.

[determinator]

[But then that means that he'll beat them to getting home. He'll win. That's not acceptable!]

Ah, the young lady who was talking about a professor of some sort?

[She seemed nice enough. Well that's perfectly fine--]

[--Wait.]

...Is this a date, Kimblee?

[The most condescending thing ever, dear god.]

[explosivecombat]

[...is it a...what]

No...?

[determinator]

Really? It certainly sounds like a date.

[explosivecombat]

It's just a bit of friendly competition, Archer, that's all.

Besides, I don't see where it would be any concern of yours even if it were a date.

[determinator]

I'm merely curious, Kimblee. I'd hate to see you get distracted.

[explosivecombat]

Do you really think I would be that easily distracted by a woman's company? Honestly, Archer, I'm almost offended.

[determinator]

[...Oh, he sees what you did there.]

I suppose I wasn't entirely sure. Most people tend to be distracted by that sort of thing. It's good to know you aren't one of them.

[explosivecombat]

[...wait, wait, what did he just do]

I'm perfectly capable of staying on task despite any supposed temptation being thrown my way, I can assure you.

[determinator]

You certainly are the perfect soldier.

[explosivecombat]

I do have a reputation to uphold, after all.

[determinator]

Oh, of course. We wouldn't want you to ruin that, now would we?

[explosivecombat]

I don't see why you would.

[determinator]

You're far too valuable an asset to lose to anyone, Kimblee. As long as you remain useful, of course.

...wow, I actually feel like I should apologize for this one

[explosivecombat]

Remain valuable to me as a partner and you won't lose me to anyone.

...you're hilarious, okay

[determinator]

You don't need to worry about that, Kimblee.

shut up

[explosivecombat]

I should certainly hope not.

fine, then >:|

[determinator]

Really, Kimblee, you should worry about the opposite; if you don't work on forming a coherent team, I might just have to leave you.

[explosivecombat]

And what have I told you about my preference for working alone, Archer?

[You can't threaten him that way; sorry, bro.]

[determinator]

[Oh you bitch.]

...You won't be rid of me anytime soon, Kimblee.

[explosivecombat]

You almost make that sound like a threat.