After a few battles, Jayden is feeling a bit more accustomed. Not accustomed to battling - no - that was something that was a given narrative to him, especially since he was a part of Rocket. No, he was becoming more accustomed to the feeling of sand between his toes, the touch of salty air blowing in the breeze.

[break][break] That is to say, he feels that way until someone walks behind him and touches his shoulder. He spins. Eyes widening. it's Raphael Pryde , someone he thought he would never see again.

[break][break] There is something like liquid nitrogen that runs through him at the sight — looking at the Senior Pryde was nearly like looking at Father — in the flesh.

[break][break] His face WHITENED.

[break][break] Luckily for him, there was at least someone that was happy to see the senior Pryde. Veles snaked out from behind him, seemingly materializing from nothing and greeted the other man with a gleeful cackle. Unlike others, this was not a cackle borne from mockery or sadistic pleasure — it was genuine. Veles had been a part of Jayden's team from the very beginning, and thus, he was more than delighted to see one of the senior member of rockets, here in Hoenn. He zipped around the older man in a friendly manner, smiling bright.

[break][break] The gesture was enough to break Jayden out of his trance. His expression flickered back into nonchalance, his body language folding to that of the older man. Submissive. Even though, likely by this point, Jayden may have outranked him.

[break][break] "... Dr. Pryde," he greeted, his voice soft, a dip of his head. "Of course."

+ tagged for Raphael Pryde [break]
+ . [break][break]

There is a small chuckle, ”Whats with that look, almost seems like you’ve seen a ghost?” he jest, though considering the boy’s dabbling in ghost pokemon it wasn’t too much of a surprised, just like the Shuppet that circled them. Pryde nodding to it in some greeting, he’ll never really understand ghost Pokémon’s fascination with him. While the other agrees Pryde heads toward one of the unused battle grounds that the Event had provided. [break][break]

”I’ve heard news about your father,” he comments, curious seeing how the young man has lost his parents and brother while he himself lost a son. Maybe he’s a tad interested in the perspective change before he calls out one of his own pokemon.



[break][break]

+ jayden cross // H✩T
[break]+

A ghost?

[break][break] Ironic, given Jayden's choice in pokemon, but it wasn't as if Dr. Pryde would've known that — or maybe he would've? Jayden had not reported under him, not officially, but his father had been close with the man.

[break][break] Jayden watched as Veles whizzed out from behind him to greet the fellow Rocket, and understanding dawned on the black-haired boy's face. Ah. "Yes," Jayden affirmed. "A ghost."

[break][break] It didn't occur to him that perhaps Dr. Pryde was talking about something else.

[break][break] It would've been a lie to suggest that Jayden wasn't put on edge by the presence of the older man. In all fairness, though, who wouldn't be? Much like many other of the Kanto transplants, Raphael Pryde 's reputation preceded him.

[break][break] For Jayden, most especially. He remembered many evenings spent with the Pryde family, either on work or personal matters. His father —

[break][break] 'I've heard news about your father.'

[break][break] Speak of the devil.

[break][break] As if he hadn't just dropped a bomb into air, Dr. Pryde seemed nonchalant as he released his own pokemon. Jayden - for his part - was as white as a sheet. "My.. father?" he choked out. "You've seen him?"

[break][break] Something quiet and sinister crawled it's way through the back of Jayden's mind. A reminder.

[break][break] Silly boy, it said. You thought Dmitri would die?

[break][break] From where Veles floated near Raphael Pryde , Jayden could almost see the reflection of a malevolent grin.

+ tagged for Raphael Pryde [break]
+ . [break][break]

"I've been jailed up until several months ago," he simply reminds the other, making sure he was quiet for any praying ears. Though they were still close as they haven't gone to an arena just yet. "So I've only heard of his fate," he tilts his head at the younger man curious, "Do you think otherwise?" [break][break]

As they arrive an official battle spot he does give the other a look, "It's Lloyd Kvar by the way," because he know his old name is out in the open so that couldn't be put to risk. At the very least he knew the boy well enough that he wouldn't need to repeat or warn the other about using the old name. For now he brings out a recent Runerigus he caught. Leave it to Pryde to another ghost to gravitate toward him so soon while most his others were back. [break][break]

"Ready?" [break][break]

sQOpLoff

[break][break]

+ jayden cross // H✩T
[break]+

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The older man's words do not have the desired effect on Jayden. Instead of being comforted by the reminder of his imprisonment, Jayden is instead bewildered. He tries to think about the aftermath of the war, the one that had resulted in their former leader's death — was it possible that Dmitri had been caught by the opposition? What about his mother? His brother? Did they —

[break][break] His fate.

[break][break] The words ground him, and Jayden remembers. His father is dead.

[break][break] Or he's supposed to be.

[break][break] Swallowing, the boy answers, mouth only a bit dry, "I.. only know as much as you, sir."

[break][break] Eventually, they arrive to the official battle spot. It is almost surreal the way Jayden finds himself facing off against a man that had been his superior for years. He only blinks as the other introduces himself - introduces himself as his alias - and Jayden finds himself doing just the same. "Mischa Volkov," he informs the other.

[break][break] In moments, the battle begins.

[break][break] Veles returns to his side in a zip of light, skirt flaring behind him as he stares down at his opponent. The Shuppet's mouth cracks into a sinister smile as bundles of flames gather around it and it directs a WILL-O-WISP attack to start the battle off. Soundlessly, needlessly.

[break][break] Dr. Pryde would know — much like the son that he had lost, Jayden was not much of a talker.

+ tagged for Raphael Pryde [break]
+ shuppet uses will o wisp!
[break][break]

KK6J4AqG

[break][break]

"So you say," while comforting the other was never his goal. He was a young man now, not a child. Yet he prefers control, so as usual he'll play nice as he smiles at the younger man. "But remember you're always free to share your thoughts with me." [break][break]

With that he'll focus a bit more on the battle, not reacting much as the Grundge pokemon suffered a burn. Though it didn't seem to react much. Maybe it's stone was as rusty as Pryde himself was with battles. The rubble spins a bit as Pryde snaps his fingers to go in for the attack. Energy collecting in their hands before sending off a SHADOW BALL to send off at the smaller ghost pokemon.



[break][break]

+ jayden cross // H✩T
[break]+ Runerigus is burned by Will o Wisp
[break]+ Runerigus uses SHADOW BALL

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The other's words were not a comfort, nor were they meant to be. In all the years that he had known him, Jayden had never considered the scientist to be the comforting type — not now, and certainly not as a child.

[break][break] He thinks of the way Dr. Pryde had instructed his sons back then, tone clipped, words absolute. It was not unlike Jayden's own father.

[break][break] "Of course sir," he says, despite this. Obedient, always obedient. Would Jayden ever feel comfortable sharing his worries with anyone? Perhaps, but not Dr. Pryde anytime soon.

[break][break] The opponent's Shadow Ball comes racing for him, a concentrated ball of energy that splits through the cool, summer breeze. Velas could have easily avoided it but instead, he decides to entertain him. He's in quite the playful mood.

[break][break] His own SHADOW BALL manifests in the air in front of him before it's sent out spinning and crashes into the opponent's. The small burst of energy that results causes wind to ripple past, the fabric of Jayden's swim trunks rippling in the breeze.

+ tagged for Raphael Pryde [break]
+ shuppet uses will o wisp! [break]
+ inflict/sustain a burn! endeavor completed
[break][break]

Qz1EwNgl

[break][break]

It was a pity the other didn't see him as someone to confide into like Raziel once did. While he often pushed there was a reason his son always came back to him before his inevitable break that lead him to leave. Another time then, for now there was a battle to focus on. [break][break]

As if it wants to prove something the Runerigus decides to tank the shadow ball as well. How idiotic but they're rusty so its fine for now. He'll make sure to ensure it doesn't repeat that mistake for the future. For now he whistles and the grudge pokemon's eyes glowed in order to use DISABLE and prevent the other from using the ghost move again. Before it takes a bit of burn damage.




[break][break]

+ jayden cross // H✩T
[break]+ Rynerigus uses Disable

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

It was possible that — as similar as father, and Dr. Pryde could be at times — they had very opposite methods when it came to raising their sons. Or perhaps it was just Jayden, himself, who had never quite been able to grow comfortable under his father's thumb.

[break][break] No matter how much Dmitri had loved him. His version of love had always been different —

[break][break] And so, Jayden's own, had become skewed as a result.

[break][break] The disable is effective, both in reducing the Shuppet's moveset, and in irritating the ghost-type further. The pokemon's eyes narrow, before he floats up, the skirt of his costume fluttering behind them. His body glows with bright red despair, the power of CURSE enabling him as a semi-transparent needle strikes into the backside of both pokemon.

[break][break] If this is the way Runerigus wants to play, so be it.

+ tagged for Raphael Pryde [break]
+ shuppet uses curse! [break]
+ shadow ball is disabled (1/4) [break][break]

— inflict/sustain a burn! endeavor completed

[break][break]

The Runerigus groans in pain as a curse is place on it. The needle stabbing in as it already takes some of it's health. Though it wasn't going to go down without a fight. Raphael gives another whistle and the grudge pokemon tries to put their bigger body to good use. Trying for a BRUSTAL SWING to try and take out the smaller ghost pokemon.




[break][break]

+ jayden cross // H✩T
[break]+ Runerigus uses BRUSTAL SWING

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Something dark and malicious manifests around the Shuppet as the spine is stabbed into his back and through his cloak. Shadows leak from underneath him, a mixture of pain and pleasure, as he gleams at his opponent from the other side of the field, relishing in the torture that he causes the other. There is nothing more that Veles delights in than the pain of others, even if it is pain at his own expense.

[break][break] That being said, it seems that the Runerigus' loyalty to his trainer rings more true than the pain he's received. He groans like the hull of a ship, but Jayden watches as the pokemon gathers his energy even still to throw himself forward.

[break][break] "Veles, go!" The Team Rocket agent calls out, his voice sharp beneath the silence of the wind. In a blip of light, the Shuppet disappears with PHANTOM FORCE vanishing into thin air, the only evidence of his disappearance the thin tendrils of light that he leaves in his wake. He appears moments later behind the fellow ghost-type, attempting to strike him fierce.

+ tagged for Raphael Pryde [break]
+ shuppet dodges with phantom force, also attempting a hit [break]
+ shadow ball is disabled (2/4) [break][break]

— inflict/sustain a burn! endeavor completed

[break][break]

Pryde watches as the small ghost disappears, and already knows this fight is done. The Shuppet comes up behind his pokemon and strikes, taking a super effective hit. While it’s strong enough to survive and seems to want to attack again, but then the curse happens. Once more it takes its energy and health. The Runerigus groans in pain as it’s body shakes before collapsing on the ground. [break][break]

Pryde returns the ghost as he knows he has lost before giving the young man a small clap, ”Good work,” he praises, a rarity from him if the other remembers. Though he had his reasons for it.



[break][break]

+ jayden cross // H✩T
[break]+ Runerigus has fainted
[break]+ Jayden wins the battle

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

It happens quickly. Faster than anticipated.

[break][break] Veles materializes behind his opponent, shadowy form and all, and encases the other pokemon in a shadowy mist as PHANTOM FORCE hits. The attack is super-effective. The other pokemon groans with defeat, and moments later, is returned to his pokeball.

[break][break] Perhaps he would have been strong enough ton continue the battle, but Pryde recalls him. Why?

[break][break] Jayden stares after the space where Runigergus was, stunned, until he feels a clap on his back. That too, stuns him.

[break][break] Good work.

[break][break] Is that something father would have said?

[break][break] Veles, drunk on power, cackles with vibrant energy. His eyes are vicious and bright — Jayden quickly reaches into his ball to return him. Who knows what he could be capable of next?

[break][break] Jayden, swallowing, turns to Dr. Pryde. "Thank you, sir." It feels uncomfortable — but less so than before. Maybe the aftermath of the battle has changed things. What ... else had changed since Dr. Pryde's arrival to Hoenn?

[break][break] "... sir, do you think...." He isn't sure what compels him to ask. "What do you think about father?"

[break][break]

+ tagged for Raphael Pryde [break]
+ shuppet wins the battle! jayden returns him before he can do anymore damage. [break][break]

— inflict/sustain a burn! endeavor completed

[break][break]