Homura

Now, him being a shrink to him though… That was definitely something that was rewarded with a chuckle from the younger. If he had a therapist, he would most likely get into their pants first before they even attempted to get into his head and try to figure him out, no doubt. The boy might’ve had quite a lot of ‘problems’, but he was also very skilled at hiding them to where no one was able to notice them at all— as if he never had any to begin with! And to Blair himself, he didn’t think he had any anyway. The things that made him this way were in the past, and as far as he was concerned, the past wasn’t something you needed to care about since dwelling on it made you one pathetic sap of a human being… The coquette wasn’t going to be that anymore, not for a damn second. Why be that and cling to the past twenty four seven when you could do so much more focusing no the present and the people around you that could be much more worth his time than the person he had wasted so much on two years ago that was basically the root cause of such a drastic change in his personality? No one would answer straightforwardly, naturally, so the only answer the boy would give was a casual ‘exactly’ and be on his way as if the conversation hadn’t mattered to him at all.

When the taller stood up and pressed closer to him to where Blair could feel his breath scathing the skin of his face, that cheeky grin could only widen as he was forced to sit down despite the fact he was being insulted. Being accused of having a disease of some sort… Well, nothing he wasn’t used to. Every time he saw that horrible excuse of a guy with that bright red hair, what happened? He got yelled at, insulted, and usually said insults would include something along the lines of him being infested with diseases… All accompanied by a British accent he couldn’t help but find really stupid and easy to make fun of. Ohhh, when was the man going to do something original that the Unova trainer had yet to hear? All this was to him at the moment was simple fun and games he could give clever quips to in a mere instant.

“Course fallin’ in love is terrible isn't it? It makes you vulnerable. It opens your chest and your heart and then without fail somebody comes along  to pry inside you and make a mess of things.” His deep purple eyes seem to never  leave Blair during this little spiel. He speaks  with no prior experience on the matter, only a preexisting disdain for love. It’s easy to imagine him as a sharp tongued lawyer or some seedy businessman down by the docks, yet here he is looking just as ‘normal’ as the other waiters, personality notwithstanding.  “But o’ course you know better.” Sarcasm laces his words almost too naturally as a smile stretches across his face.  “Gotta wonder bout the people you sleep with though.”  He taps his own ear where the flower still rests in Blair’s from his late night tryst.  “I’m sure they ain’t all in the same mindset as you, take your girlfriend for example.  I’m sure she’s expectin’ to wake up in the arms of the late night Romeo who courted her on a whim – But ‘ere you are having a conversation on just how unlikely that would ever be – Because you know better.”

Homura shrugs. “And I can’t help but agree with you – but what I find more interesting? Is that you don’t seem to really care that you might be settin’ poor saps up to turn out just like you have.”  Blair was becoming more and more interesting to the purple haired man by the moment, it was rare that he got to play the role of analyzer rather than to be sidelined as the subject of scrutiny. “Not that I’m in any position to have a conversation ‘bout morality, I’ve done much worse than you ever will.”  Briefly he looks like he regrets divulging that bit of information and he backsteps in his conversation. “You must realize that right? Some of those morons have most certainly taken your lil’ flings for acts of true affection?” It seems the man is ready to launch into a typical berating of the brunette’s character but instead he laughs as if having just heard the punchline to the world’s most drawn out joke.

Following a grunt, he folded his arms over his chest angrily, tapping his foot against the metal grate of the fire escape in irritation. Who does this guy think he is exactly?—What business? Certainly, I have business to know what a strange freak is doing on my own property...Musing in rage for a few moments, he thought over the appropriate words to say. 

“……”

Nothing. His sarcastic  responses were not able to show through in that split second, as if something was stopping him…how strange. Normally it didn’t take much to fire off something in his own defense, especially after being insulted in such a manor. I’m not a kid…I run my own factory for Arceus sake….

Donning a bored expression he watched the Factory head as he fumed silently. Of course this was nothing new to Homura who had quite the record of disturbing anyone and everyone’s  peace.

He raised a brow at the surprisingly controlled comment – somehow he had expected more. “Oh no not the cops!” His eyes widen in mock shock and he leans forward getting a better look off the man. “I ain’t causing any real trouble d’ya think they’ll waste their time on a guy sitting on your roof? Fat chance kid,  they got real scum to deal with.”  He laughs at this- the joke would be lost on everyone but himself and those with a knowledge of criminal syndicates. “Why dontcha just go right on back in from your lil’ window and we’ll all get along just dandy.”

Glancing around sharply, golden eyes narrowed down to slits and peered around the room, there was no one there, it was completely vacant, devoid of an life aside from the woman herself who was currently in front of the computer doing work when her head jerked up to look around the place… she had felt something… a sort of presence lurking about… not inside the building, rather outside of it… to the back of it possibly?  Funny thing was that the girl, she recognized that presence… that sort of energy signature but, it had been so long since she’d seen… hmmm who was it again?  She had met some guy a few years back right?  Some dude from another team… or evil organization or something?  A guy with a status comparable to that of her own within Team Rocket?  Huh but, who was that again… she hadn’t seen him in quite some time, so the name slipped her tongue… lost in her own thoughts, the blonde psychic didn’t even hear the buzzing or anyone else for that matter since most of the staff were on the top floor, having a party of all things.  Dear Arceus, Yellow wouldn’t bring herself to be part of that no matter how much she wanted to.  Why?  Because she couldn’t get drunk off her ass and neglect her duties, she was the one who had to keep everything on schedule and everything in place, she was the right-hand of the boss of Team Rocket for crying out loud, she couldn’t seriously do such stupid things and cause a bigger ruckus then what was already going on, it would set a bad example and lower the work ethic here.  Of course that didn’t mean that the young Team Rocket admin wouldn’t allow some sort of fun every now and then for the grunts whenever they were all done with their share of work in those rare instances… afterall they were all people too and needed to enjoy themselves a little… though to be honest, they should’ve just gone out or something.  Hell if they just wore their normal clothes, no one would even suspect them of being a part of the great organization of Team Rocket… though then again, could Yellow really trust that lot of idiots to go out without revealing their secret by mistake?  Afterall, they weren’t exactly the sharpest tools in the shed.

Glancing over at the clock positioned high and close to the ceiling, just as the buzzing stopped, snapping out of her thoughts, Yellow studied the analog clock, narrowing her eyes a little in order to catch the time… damn the guy who was supposed to deliver their papers and whatnot was late, what the hell was taking him so long?  It was just a bunch of papers and equipment they needed, it wasn’t even that bloody heavy or anything, so what was taking him so long… he should’ve been here HALF AN HOUR AGO.  Did the guy really think that he could keep such a respected business waiting for so lo-  Yellow’s sharp and biting thoughts were cut off, as someone burst through the front door in the lobby, causing some chilly wind to blow through causing some papers to fall off of the counter which Yellow had taken the time to painstakingly put into perfect order and place and now?  Some IDIOT had ruined it… granted judging by how he looked and the way he’d entered, it appeared to be someone with a bunch of boxes—oh it was the delivery boy but, what the HELL was he doing in the lobby of all places??? Did he not get the memo that he was to deliver the stuff to the back of building?  Seriously was it really that hard to simply follow orders like that?  Jeez, if there was anything the blonde girl disliked, it was people who couldn’t follow even the simplest of orders, those kinds of people would be the ones who’d truly bring down and destroy plans and whatnot, it was quite infuriating, however not totally unforgiveable.  Shaking off her initial frustration, the blonde girl fixed her ponytail, tightening it before fixing a cheerful expression on her face and lightly saying;

“Excuse me sir but, I do believe that you were to deliver these at the back of the building, if you had trouble taking simple directions then perhaps you shouldn’t be delivering packages, especially to fine business establishments such as our own whereas time is money and we can’t afford to have any mistakes or time waste-“

The blonde psychic found herself being cut off abruptly and in a rather RUDE manner when the other began ranting off about how the buzzer was broken and how he’d wasted his time, jeez wasted his time?  It was his JOB to do this damn stuff, if he didn’t like it he could always quite,  hell it wouldn’t be any skin off of anyone’s back since they could easily get someone else to replace the guy.  Honestly, who the hell does a job they don’t even li- Wait a second… Yellow leaned over just as the guy began to poke fun at her, the demeanor having completely changed, some sort of weird 180 degree flip in his irritated attitude, to making jokes at the ‘receptionist’.  Ugh… Yellow very well knew who that was and damn was she ever sorry that HE of all people was the one delivering their crap.  Oh why did it have to be him?  Wait, why in Arceus’ name was he doing something a grunt or lower person would do?  He was an admin wasn’t he?  Huh, not a very smart one at that for blabbing out about this being Team Rocket’s HQ… if anyone else were here, their cover would be blown and he would have to be disposed of in order to keep him from telling anyone else as well as the other additional parties involved.  Fixing the other with a bright expression, the cheerful exterior coming through and masking Yellow’s irritation, the girl gave the other a light smack in the shoulder for the joke and lightly said;

He gives an amused laugh at the ‘playful’ smack she gives his shoulder, her agitation was well hidden but he was quick to draw the assumption that she was just putting on a show as usual. Briefly he revels over how such a small girl can produce such a forceful hit. “You been livin’ under a rock Blondie? Magma and Aqua went under ‘bout three years ago.” He keeps his voice curt, he’s gotten to the point where he is able to talk about the organizations downfall without losing his temper but only barely. “Was a buncha kids, just like Rocket. ‘Course Archie ‘n Maxie sort of buggered off as soon as the shit hit the fan, leavin’ me to take the blame for all good all Archie’s schemes.” There’s a dark feeling of sarcasm in his words and if Yellow were to try and read his aura she’d be in for a cluster of intertwined and conflicting emotions, resentment, treachery, compunction – all hidden by a wolfish grin. Homura had always prided himself on being a ‘master’ at hiding his inflecting emotions with body language, though a psychic like Yellow would find his ruse easy to debunk with minimal use of her powers.  “And as for why I ain’t in jail?” He taps his own temple once givig a wink to the blonde. “I got a good lawyer and a pretty solid backstory, the jury ate me up like Pokefood.” He laughs at this, clearly he looked down on the jury despite them being the whole reason he had gotten out nearly scott free. “Dontcha know I’m cracked lil’ miss Psychic?” He tips his head to the side still smirking faintly. He prefers to remain vague on the detail of his supposed mental instability.

“Oh but less about me, let’s talk about the more interesting topic, like what’s goin’ on upstairs.” The rational part of Homura’s brain begs him to leave, knowing just how strong the pull of the criminal underground was, but he keeps it silence byhis urges. “So how do I know this ain’t just some Office building’?” He huffs begging to pace back and forth as usual unable to stay in one place for very long. “Rocket’s got a propensity for shootin’ back up. Ya’ll are like weeds.. or cockroaches, whatever you think suits ya more.” His fingers lace together behind his back as he continues to pace. “You jus’ can’t give up your little disputes over Kanto and Johto, no matter how many times some wee tyke comes ‘ere and makes a mess o’ things. Red, Gold, Crystal, Fire, Leaf, Hell even the most recent would be ah.. what was the names.. Ethan and Lyra? And those two even knew Ol’ Gio’s son! What a riot!” He truly seems to be enjoying himself, even if he’s the only one speaking.  Over the years he kept track of all of the various criminal organizations, perhaps paying more attention to them now that he was being rehabilitated than he ever did when he was still in an association. “And not fer’ nothin’ but Gio’s not the most original fella, bloody sociopath, brilliant as hell.. but hiding his hideout as a business? Helloooo can you say ‘classic?’” He snorts pivoting to face the blonde. –His flair for the dramatic made his words even more infuriating as he deliberately tried to agitate the woman now.

Why was this?—Not even he was sure. Nothing particularly interested him other than research. Everything that was both synthetic or biological fascinated him to no end. Anything that had a hindering answer, or unknown probability was something begging to be analyzed by the eager young man. What others did not understand, Thorton yearned to learn for himself. 

As any typical day, the boy returned from work only to relax himself in a pile of personal studies. As the clock struck on into the evening hours, and the sun was well over the visible spectrum, leaving only a faint line of light over the buildings before him as he peered out his bedroom window. A calming breeze fluttered through the open window, disrupting a bundle of papers strewn across his desk carelessly. Otherwise, silence droned with the humming of his computer, followed by a peaceful sigh. 

Clutching a single Pokeball in his hand, the boy moved closer to the open window to reiterate a nightly ritual. Glancing about the streets below him, he wondered what caused for the quiet night. Where was everyone? Normally, he was surrounded by noise. How strange. He climbed through the open window carefully, landing on the deck of the fire escape below. 

Releasing the Pokeball he held from his hand, a Noctowl emerged swiftly before him, perching on the railing. The bird preened its wings momentarily, before cooing out pleasurably, stretching its wings as it glanced towards its trainer.  Thorton said nothing, only offering the bird a nod, encouraging it to take to the skies. Returning the nod, the Noctowl gracefully lifted off into the sky above, quickly becoming scarce from sight. 

Turning to climb back through the open window, the boy caught a glimpse of someone above. For a moment he thought he eyes were decieving, but as he looked harder he was certain of what he saw. A strange hooded figure sat atop the roof above, only a short distance from where he stood. It was an unusual sight, being that it certainly was not an easy feat making way to the top of the complex.

Narrowing his gaze to the figure suspiciously, Thorton wasn’t quite sure what to make of the situation. What sort of mischief could this individual be up to?—Or were they simply…enjoying the sights.

Well he was sure Homura would be pleased to know he was spot on about such a thing.

“Ooh, aren’t you a sharp one! ♥” Blair chirped finally with a snicker that matched that of a Zorua, particularly one he saw in Lostlorn forest every now and then when it just wanted to mess with him. Perhaps it found him to be a kindred spirit in terms of fooling others and playing around, but such things would drag him away from the current main point of this conversation… Which was to say, the words being spoken to him that no doubt needed to have a rubutall with just as much fire as the older man himself had given. It’d disappoint him, probably, if the younger decided to start this and couldn’t keep up with him in a way that would please him. Or in this case, infuriate him; rile him up; get something even more hilarious out of him. Perhaps Blair was a masochist in a sense for enjoying insults! But maybe that just came along with getting them so often.

Standing up slowly from his seat, Blair put both hands on the table— one of them still drumming playfully— while he leaned in towards Homura a bit, still maintaining eye contact as he did so. His usually shining chocolate brown eyes were lacking in the ‘shining’ factor and looked rather cold and merciless than anything else, though he still managed to keep that innocent persona on him as he let his head tilt to the side playfully. It looked a little odd if he were to do it in front of someone that knew him, to be honest, and they’d probably be worried, but… Thankfully this man was no such thing and rather someone Blair was willing to talk to and have a casual banter with. So far, it was proving to be intriguing.

As Blair stood, leaning over the table Homura narrowed his eyes after being shot a rather peculiar look by the brunette. He knew that look all too well. It was one that could mirror the ice in his own eyes. And yet? Blair kept up with that innocent posture.. how delightful.

A normal person might find this the sort of thing to connect with a person over, Homura saw it only as more of a challenge and as the Unovian complemented him on his correct assumption he kept the usual spark of pleasure masked opting for a bland look to combat the ominous one given by the opposing male.  If it weren’t for the way that his fingers had finally ceased their repeating drumming one might assume that Homura had lost all interest – But perhaps unfortunately for Blair his interest was only beginning to bloom for the other man. “I’ll let it slip that I’m wearin’ a nametag. ‘Names Homura, I’d ask for yours but I don’t plan on becoming your shrink and I feel that’s all I’ll get outta you, so I’d rather not.”

Barking up the wrong tree was the perfect saying to use right now, was it not? Though, in the teenager’s opinion, it’d be more accurate to say he was pissing on said metaphorical tree instead, said ‘piss’ being an on-purpose innocence and ignorance so to mock him. He was cognizant doing so might antagonize this ‘waiter’ of sorts and perhaps rile him up even more than he probably already was on a daily basis, but hey, he was used to that. Blair found it to be a natural skill in terms of set skills he had, for he even went as far as to irk Austin when he was bored as all hell. Along with that, there was his skill of lying, being deceitful, being a thief, but all of those were all analogous to the user and abuser when it came to such a fleeting emotion such as ‘attachment’ and love. “I don’t know about that, you know~” Blair disagreed in a fluttery tone, resting his chin in his hands as if to mimic the older while his head tilted to the side in mock virtuity. “You might find me to be better company than you’re assuming. Come now, I hope you haven’t lived all this time thinking EVERY person you dare to waste your precious time on alludes to only false altruism on their end.” At that, a gentle smile wormed its way onto the coquette’s lips. “That being said, I assure you that there will at least be one thing in this conversation of ours you’ll find worthwhile.”

He manages to keep his quiet, letting Blair finish without interjecting several times just like he’s dying to do. Deep in his eyes a sort of light of interest glimmers, his lips part and ever so quietly a sound of recognition goes out to Blair’s words. “Oh, you’re one of those.” Closing his eyes he huffs gently gathering his thoughts. “So you’re quick and a smarmy jackass.”  He doesn’t give the other time to dwell on the words opting to continue speaking in a hushed tone almost as if he’s wary of letting others see him being social. “Considerin’ the fact that you think you of all people can interest me makes me assume that you think highly of yourself, ordinarily I’d write you off as simply being a hackneyed impetuous trainer thinkin’ they can take on the world. –But..” His voice trails off and he opens his eyes unenthusiastically. “Then you made that remark about love and while generally that may seem  deep and tellin’ to a random stranger I can’t help but doubt y-o-u.”  His tone seems to lift mocking Blair’s previous words despite it being all too clear that the male is having ‘fun’ with his little analysis. It’s also interesting to notice how his vocabulary expands as he finds interest in the brunette.

Almost immediately the singsong quality drops from Homura’s voice, perhaps for the best as it seemed almost too foreign for the male who appeared so grave. “The fact that you’re smart – and might I say devious – enough to not fall so blindly in love with a woman who, I’m sure will be devastated by her ‘loss’ upon wakin’ up to a cold bed makes you a tad more excitin’ than I had originally bargained for.” It’s evident from how quick he is to talk down about the woman Blair had deceived that he truly does think the general population to be a ‘waste’ of his time. “And while I can’t help but agree with you on not loving a person who doesn’t suit you both intellectually and physically..” The corners of his lips twitch upward moreso; “Part o’ me thinks that you ain’t so adverse to love.” Finally his quick speech ends, giving a moment for the ‘dust’ to settle. “You prolly’ got screwed over big time eh?” There’s an  unsurprising lack of pity in his words. – It’s becoming all too clear just what type of person this man is; with his higher-than-thou attitude and forced assumptions, perhaps this would have been a conversation that Blair would have been better not having. Not only did Homura seem the type to not have friends, he truly seemed to enjoy driving any prospective individuals away.  – You’d need a thick skin and a love of his little games to stick around, and for the most people were sensible enough to stay as far away as possible.  

In fact, Proton might have gone as far as to call it boring.

For Arceus’s sake, it was only dusk and it seemed as if the entire town was asleep.  If this had been Goldenrod there would be plenty of people out and about;  gambling, drinking, doing whatever they pleased.

But it was just so calm here.  And Proton didn’t like it one bit.

He frowned, feeling the warm air rustling his green hair.  He was currently sitting on a bench by the beach, the salty brine of the sea stinging his nostrils.  It was so quiet, so relaxing.  And that was why he had come here in the first place.

Well, it hadn’t been by his own accord, anyway.  The Executives had unanimously decided that it would be good for Proton to go and blow off some steam in Slateport.  He had been extremely stressed as of late; it seemed as though all the important missions he had to undertake came at the same exact time.  And this was relaxing, but….

“Boringggg,” Proton sighed, looking up at the dark sky.  

What was there to do here?  It was all so dull…

His thoughts were interrupted by his stomach suddenly growling loudly.  He frowned again.  Ugh, well maybe there was one thing he could do.

He quickly stood from the bench and made his way to the bustling bazaar which, unlike the rest of Slateport, was actually still bursting with activity.  There, just north of the bazaar, was a little restaurant known as the Nautical  Mile.  It looked like nothing special but, hey, Proton was hungry!  And besides, maybe he would be able to find someone entertaining in there…

He opened the front door, and walked into the restaurant.  It seemed busy; waiters were frantically scurrying about, carrying trays of delicious smelling food.  Only one waiter seemed to not be doing anything, a man with red eyes who seemed extremely bored.  He shot a nasty glance at Proton and growled at him, asking if he wanted anything.

Proton smirked.  Oh, so there was someone entertaining here.

Briefly Homura’s eyes lock with the viridian optics of the older man. There was a certain air to him- almost one that seemed appealing to Homura’s actual attitude. Only slightly the corners of his lips turned up in a half-hearted smirk. “ ‘Sides it’s about a hour wait at this joint, all the saps sittin’ out here are just watin’ for a seat on the inside.” He runs a hand half-hazardly through his oddly colored hair stretching from his chair. With a sigh he closes one eye, watching the Team Rocket Executive with minimal interest. “Though you don’t seem to really care much for a sit down meal.. You’re probably better off snagging somethin’ from the market.” He scans Proton with his one open eye, shrewd as ever. “Or from somebodies plate, I could care less you ain't my problem like I said.”  He seems content to leave the man standing there, evidently he didn’t recognize Proton or perhaps he might have  shown a bit more interest. “I’m bout to leave anyway, my hours are almost up, So sorry to say but I’ll be cuttin’ this charming conversation off.”  He slides back in his chair screeching  against the cobblestone patio. Without another word he brushed past Proton, his patronizing arrogance nearly radiating out of him. Slipping through the crowded patio with ease his slight smirk began to widen.