[attr="class","beck"]"people are trying to survive."

despite the indifference he airs, he's genuinely trying to understand. his brows furrow, considering.

"you shouldn't dwell on what-ifs."

[attr="class","noodles"]Emma Wolfe

"Are they?"

Because all she has seen so far is people fighting for control, not survival. Mankind putting their faith in the Gods, casting aside their body and mind for the sake of just a taste of their power.

She knows that that isn't the direction she'd been taking in this conversation- but words don't come easily when she's always been a woman with few.

"The people are more concerned with the 'how' than the 'why'. More preoccupied with learning how to control or mimic that power than to protect themselves from it. Harnessing it isn't a solution, it's greed."

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]"the only reason why we're here is because of greed."

we, rocket — blackwell could've gone anywhere else, rocket could've faded away after his death, and yet here they were, doing more than lingering: they're spreading like a plague.

and soon, they'll conquer.

"people are greedy."

[attr="class","noodles"]Emma Wolfe

"That's not why I'm here."

It never had been. Her goals had always run adjacent to Rocket's but had never been the same. She teetered on the edge, walking a fine line of self-control and caution.

The Rocket she had been promised was not being reflected in the actions she had seen so far. It shouldn't be disappointing, given the organizations history of violence and greed - but she had hoped.

"I'm so tired of greed."

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]sadly,

"it's why i'm here."

or at least,

"it's why they brought me over."

[attr="class","noodles"]Emma Wolfe

"What is it that you want?"

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]"nothing."

it's not the first time he's had the realization but it doesn't make it any easier. his expression falters, dropping for the briefest of moments.

"they made sure of that a long time ago."

[attr="class","noodles"]Emma Wolfe

"I never took you for a stupid man, Theo."

She uses his first name as he'd encouraged, despite how weird it feels to let it roll off her tongue. The woman glances up at him, and though she can't see his expression falter, she can hear the change in his breathing, sense the difference in his posture.

"Is it revenge, then? What did they take from you?"

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]theo.

he exhales, shaking his head.

"my will to do anything but serve."

[attr="class","noodles"]Emma Wolfe

"You're a fool."

Her voice is firm and she comes to a halt. The same is still warm despite the sun having begun to sink into the ocean.

"You were the strongest threat I think I have ever faced. And yet, I'm still fighting. You think that your life has no meaning, and you're wrong."

[attr="class","beck"]"i'm trying."

two years hadn't been enough to break free; he's started shedding; not much, but enough in some aspects. the water-types on his shoulders are proof of that.

"believe me, i am."

[attr="class","noodles"]Emma Wolfe

She sighs. There was that word again: try.

"You're stronger than you think you are."

Emma can already see a change in him, a shift in the violent, angry man she had known. She's seen it in the gentleness of his touch, in the hesitation behind it that perhaps he hadn't even noticed. She's seen it in the collection of Pokemon he's collected, all of them akin to innocents, as if he's already attempting to make amends.

"I can see it."

Instinctively, she reaches to give his hand a comforting squeeze. The motion is brief, as she pulls her hand away immediately after. But it's an attempt.

THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","beck"]the attempt is recognized and appreciated; he shows it in a smile, though it's one she likely wouldn't be able to see. so he finds a moment to squeeze her hand in return before she pulls away.

"just give me time."

time they don't have. he's reminded with the crashing of waves; the inevitable future that awaits them.

"but there's nothing i can do about sootopolis."

[attr="class","noodles"]Emma Wolfe