002. Audio/Action for Goldenrod City

[neurotoxined]

[AUDIO]

[Well, Johto, today you are getting the most terse question in the history of terse questions; no elaborations, no explanations, just incredibly to-the-point. There isn't any sort of noise in the background to indicate where the speaker is, specifically, either, though the general white-noise sounds indicate somewhere outdoors.]

So what sort of buildings are we allowed to rent out here, anyway?

[ACTION]

[Surprisingly, GLaDOS is actually outside today, sitting on a bench in one of the small, open squares in Goldenrod City. She has two of her Pokémon out - the Deerling and the Porygon-Z - but she doesn't seem to be paying them much mind, though she does glance up once in a while as though to ensure they haven't run off; rather, most of her attention seems given to a legal pad sitting in her lap - not full of research notes, but rather drawings, the lines sketchy and angular, outlining what appear to be floor plans. The rooms have a somewhat creepy lack of perspective going on, what with all of the walls visible like the room is some sort of cardboard box collapsed outwards, and parts of the floors and walls are covered with Xs and bullseye targets.

She has several pages turned back on that legal pad before the one she's currently sketching on; she could probably wallpaper herself a nice room full of crazy if she felt inclined to display it anywhere, but for now she's content to draw and let her Pokémon play with each other.]

Comments

[Voice]

[yesadministrator]

You aren't travelling? [It would be likely for some people to settle down, she supposes.] Most seem to be taking the gym challenge.

[Stating the obvious really is a good way to start conversation. The 'gear says this is the same person as before; the one with the mechanical noises. Pauling's still on that gun-quest, so she'll happily follow whatever lead she can get to possible technology.]

[Voice]

[neurotoxined]

Not right now. Or ever, depending on how things go.

I guess you could say that the badges don't...interest me very much. Not when there's enough to do here.

[Voice]

[yesadministrator]

Oh? I haven't found much else to do here.

There's not much of anything from back home; it all seems pretty low-tech.

[Voice]

[neurotoxined]

Tell me about it.

[She sounds genuinely amused at that, even if that amusement is running a bit dark.]

There are bound to be ways around it. Somehow. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was the gatling gun.

[Voice]

[yesadministrator]

I think the lack of revolvers worries me more; a Gatling gun would be nice though. It's a little outdated, but I'm sure if someone could modify it, it would be more than efficient for whatever needs-

[She stops suddenly, realizing she's talking too much.]

Whoops. I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

I'm not even sure what use a gun could have here, what with Pokémon to protect us. Still, it would be nice...

[Video] i /think/ it's five rooms. :I

[pianokeys]

A~nywhere up to five rooms. Not sure how the houses are tending since the floods, 'though. [His is still pretty... broken, to say the least. He knows Ise's was ruined, so he expects a lot of others have too.]

[Audio]

[neurotoxined]

[She'll just be leaving the audio on, if you don't mind, though she isn't bothered by the video; she takes note of the guy as someone she isn't familiar with before moving on with life.]

Only five? Maybe that can work...

[She pauses for a moment before continuing.]

Was yours caught up in it?

[Audio]

[pianokeys]

[He doesn't mind. He doesn't like talking to people without the video on though; it seems a bit... rude? Speaking face-to-face is always nicer anyway.]

Thinkin' of startin' a family? [He says this, because only five? What else would you need so many rooms for? One track mind.]

[He nods]

Massive damage.

[Audio]

[neurotoxined]

Hey, hey, what - no, I...!

[...ajsdhksygfjsefgh oh holy mother of wharrgarbl

OKAY, LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN]

Not at all. You could say that children aren't my thing.

[On the plus side, children are malleable. They bounce.

On the negative, they are far too easily crushed when things bounce onto them. And they cry a lot besides.]

And where are you located, that took such massive damage?

[Video forever] Bugger the previous was video too.

[pianokeys]

[He chuckles. Just don't tell him about those other thoughts... He wouldn't know how to take them.]

Outskirts of Goldenrod. Looks like flooding doesn't like dancin' with houses.

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

[Gorthan was also out today, doing some shopping and generally pretending to be a normal person who totally doesn't have the worldwide champion of Pokémon cruelty as his boss.

As difficult as it is not to notice GLaDOS, that's what almost happens to him until he sees her out of the corner of his eye. He almost can't believe his eyes at first; but that soon passes, and his expression softens into an unusually warm smile. He is sure that, slowly but surely, she is discovering the joys that only her new state can bring her...

Instead of approaching her, for the moment it looks like Gorthan would much rather stand a few feet away and watch fondly. At his side, his Gallade volunteers to carry the shopping bags Gorthan is holding. The scientist refuses.]

[neurotoxined]

[Whether she is or not is a bit difficult to tell; for the time being she's content to just focus on her...legal pad full of crazy, there. However, just because she hasn't noticed doesn't mean that her Pokémon have not; it isn't long before Porygon-Z is making a regular nuisance of itself by hovering a bit too close for her liking, making soft beeping sounds to get her attention.]

What is the -

[She looks up as she begins speaking, her gaze falling on Gorthan a short distance away; she promptly flips those several pages back down to the start, setting the thing facedown on the bench as she stands up, trying to pretend that she most certainly is not wasting time out here.

Right. Yes. Well.]

...Gorthan.

[....... orz]

[shakespearealien]

[Now Gallade can have the shopping bags, which are entrusted to him in a bit of a hurry. Gorthan approaches GLaDOS with slow, measured steps, ready to stop and remain at a distance if he senses any discomfort from her.]

Do not be afraid. I will not rebuke you for neglecting your duties, Caroline. In fact, provided that that is what you are doing, I must say I am glad.

[... Also he'd totally like to know what you were drawing just now.]

[neurotoxined]

[She folds her arms a bit at that, tipping her head up a little; she is not neglecting her - ...wait wait what]

What do you mean, you're glad?

[This is weird and suspicious or...something, wtf.]

[shakespearealien]

[His smile is slightly teasing then.]

Why, would you rather be reprimanded for seeking a moment of bliss?

There was a time in my life when I would not hesitate to punish
dawdling or inefficiency. But then I felt that punishment on my own skin.

[Provided Caroline allows him, he will try to join her on that bench. And if she doesn't allow it, he won't be bothered by it.]

[brilliantideas]

Oh come on! Get back here this instant, Eta or I'll--!

[And here comes Wheatley to ruin your day, GLaDOS! He's chasing a little Lucario, who seems quite content to outrun his trainer. He has a berry, and judging from the crying Cleffa in Wheatley's arms, it was probably meant for her. As usual, Companion Bat is flying after Wheatley, upset that her perch has moved.]

--Ah.

[Wheatley comes to a halt when he sees GLaDOS. He shifts awkwardly from one foot to the other and glances away immediately.]

What are you doing outside anyway? You never come out here alone.

[Not that he's aware of, at least. Eta finally returns, sensing that the game is over and hands the berry over. Wheatley sets the Cleffa, Epsilon, down and hands her the berry. Companion Bat lands on his head and Wheatley sighs. The things he does for them...]

You're drawing? Never tried it myself; I figured it would be too difficult. What are you drawing?

[neurotoxined]

[She actually sets the drawings aside once it becomes obvious that Wheatley isn't just going to say his piece and leave her alone, flipping the...multiple pages of that Legal Pad Full Of Crazy forward before dropping the whole shebang down on the bench facedown, slamming her hand down hard on top of it as though...forcefully discouraging him to try to see what she's been working on for himself.]

I'm perfectly capable of going outside on my own, you know. It's not something I do whenever you feel like it.

[See, she even has civilian clothes on! That white dress/black...whatnot beneath it again, the colors of her previous cores sparkling out from that brooch over her collarbone.

...okay, they're horribly weird civilian clothes, but at least she's putting forth the effort.]

Where have you been, anyway?

[She's totally not ignoring the question regarding the drawings. Look, Wheatley a question. Follow the shiny thing?]

[brilliantideas]

Yes, yes, it's good to hear that you're capable, but I wasn't questioning that.

[He waves that away with a flip of his hand.]

It's strange to see you outside at all. Without my assistance, of course. So? Why are you out here?

[The question distracts him from that line of thought, at least. Look, a shiny thing!!]

Oh, I've been in Kanto with Descole! Lovely place, that. I'll actually be heading back there soon; I've been meaning to tell you that, actually. We won't have to attempt to put up with one another in the labs anymore! There's a branch in... Celadon, I believe? Yes, right. I'll be there instead!

[Do you see how chipper he is? This totally isn't forced or anything! He's genuinely pleased to get away from you! Really!!]

[neurotoxined]

That's none of your -

[Her expression flickers sharply at that last batch of information, however; it's quite suddenly less of the generally unsettling smiling that she tends to adopt around people - the sort that implies somebody's going to get a sharp object to the face or lungs full of neurotoxin in about point-three seconds - and much closer to simply baring teeth, a sort of darkness in her eyes.]

Descole? Should I be looking out for invitations to the wedding? Maybe I can help you pick out a dress.

[She settles back then against that bench, that unsettling smile back across her features; she crosses her legs idly at the knee, though her hand is still very firmly on that notepad.]

We have work to do here. You're not going anywhere.

[brilliantideas]

[One of Wheatley's eyebrows nearly ascends into his hairline - what on earth has gotten into her?]

Of all the insults you could have come up with? "Why don't you marry him," really? That's... well. I'm not really quite sure how to respond to that. Other than no thanks, I'm really not interested.

[...herp.]

No, that's alright, I've already put in my notification for transfer. It's been cleared and everything. You all have some new recruits for the labs here, right? There shouldn't be any issue. Celadon needs more people there; I'm perfectly fine with going. Besides, I thought you'd be glad to be rid of me. Not that I care what you think, because I really don't. Couldn't care less and all that.

voice

[conduit]

You're allowed to rent out a variety of apartments, homes, and maybe an actual store, but I haven't heard anything that confirms the latter. I do know you can rent both apartments and homes though! I came into ownership of an apartment because everyone else that was living in it left and I've been looking at homes to rent recently! [ HERE'S A VERY CHIPPER RANGIKU ALWAYS HAPPY TO HELP...

sobs this is going to make hideous, gorgeous CR. ]

voice

[neurotoxined]

[GOODNESS LAWD THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY END BADLY

...and my god you are a chatty thing. What does she do with this chatty thing...]

And what do you plan on using this home for?

[let's

let's start with that]

Re: voice

[conduit]

[ EVERYTHING WITH GLaDOS ENDS WITH A FAIKED EVACUATION.

AND DYING. LOTS OF DYING.

She continues talking to it, like Shrek. ]

I'm going to buy a wide ope ranch where I can study some Pokemon and so they can break as much as they want without inflicting penalties from property damage.

[ she is a simple girl with simple dreams okay?? ]

voice

[neurotoxined]

[...oh lord

you study things and this results in a lot of property damage

marry. her.]

...now that actually sounds like a plan.

voice

[conduit]

[ THEY'RE NOW PRONOUNCED DANGEROUS KILLING MACHINE AND WIFE. ]

It does! I actually got it because I've been here for so long, I want to contribute to the study of pokémon while I'm here and help out a lot of new trainers. That, and, there are much better things my money can be going towards than replacing a streetlamp for the fifth time in four weeks! [ HORRAY FOR MASS FININGS... ]