we forgot we were human

marie's tests

AGAIN, THE MACHINE FIRES. The beam strikes Lulu Flint violently— and it is only seconds until she feels the effects of it. Her whole body goes into panic, and her veins flood with an overflow of INFINITY ENERGY that attempts to both merge with and escape from her.

From her mouth, a pool of SHADOW appears too; however, it is more reminiscent of the nightmarish shadows of Darkrai rather than Cillian Quinn's miasma-esque hue and texture. Briefly, Lulu Flint feels tired. As if she can finally sleep. The pain is both rejuvenating and horrible— but as the pool begins to fade, she feels her body replenish with the insomniatic curse of her patron.

Perhaps, such things can be harvested.

Walsh calls out to the rest as he stands, "your pain is worth every little bit of knowledge we can gleam. what i see is promising. continue your trials. no matter what the cost." With a flourish, he leaves with a couple of attendants.

marie jules Cillian Quinn Lulu Flint

Where Lulu Flint had shouted in outburst, Gavin is silent and unyielding as stone. He watches the laser strike her and he does not flinch, does not react but for a barely perceptible shift of his jaw. In his eyes of Quinn amber, there is pride.

Look at us, Saoirse. For but a moment, he feels untouchable.

It's a fickle thing, the mind. How easily a simple phrase can set back so many years of work to undo the chains that Kanto Rocket had bound him with.

'No matter what the cost.'

He should feel anger, perhaps — betrayal, after giving Rocket so much of himself. Yet there is nothing but calm acceptance as he inclines his head to Declan Walsh. This is a path he has walked before. This is an expectation he understands.

Orders are orders. Even if it kills you.

Rocket's dog has not forgotten his tricks. "Yes, sir."

Shadow Lugia curls its tail possessively around its avatar; red eyes trail the Rocket boss all the way out of the room. It will not kill you. I will not allow it.