Statistically speaking, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Getting a win should’ve improved his mood. But seeing as it was a grown man beating a child there wasn’t as much satisfaction from it. Despite the decent fight they put up. [break][break]

Though that's when he spots someone almost as familiar as his own kids. He wasn’t aware Cross had come to Hoenn. Though it seems like a lot of old rocket were transferring. Maybe they were tired of the old ways, or maybe they were hoping to make a name for themselves somewhere new. [break][break]

Raphael would come up behind the other, placing his left hand on his shoulder, “Cross,” there is a small smile on his face seeing the familiar young man, “Care for a battle?”



[break][break]

+ jayden cross // H✩T
[break]+

Few battles down and he feels like he’s finally getting the swing of things again. It’s a slow process as several of his tools were new. And it's been years since his primary pokemon had seen a real battle. [break][break]

It felt odd just focusing on the battle itself rather than going in for the kill. But if his injuries have proved nothing it's that he was adaptable. Using the H✩T App he goes for a random challenger this time around. [break][break]

=Challenger found![break]
Trainer Hideo Kino is nearby, send challenge?=

[break]

It’s only after he agreed to it where he seems surprised. He was fighting a child?


[break][break]

+ Hideo Kino // H✩T
[break]+

With time still to kill Raphael decides to try for another battle. Once more he’s on the look out for those he knows work in their circle. And while he knows a few names he doesn’t really have faces to go with them. Apparently there was a battle app to go along with the festival and he has his Rotom set to pick up on those with the app with the particular names given to him. [break][break]

=ji-hoon ki detected nearby…[break]
Send a challenge?=

[break]

His Rotom questions from his arm to which he gets a nod, and soon would get a challenge from one ‘Lloyd Kvar,’ the picture would show up on the app with the scared man looking to battle.




[break][break]

+ Chu-e Choi // H✩T
[break]+

After his loss with Cillian Quinn he’s given the name of a few others in their ranks who were also taking their time to participate in this event. It seemed silly, hiding in plain sight having ‘fun’ with citizens and the enemy alike. It all felt wrong. However for now with him still trying to get use to his new arm working in any labs would be problematic for the equipment. [break][break]

So he’ll play the civilian for now, get used to his arm and play in the field. [break][break]

At least until he senses another coming to him, “Rowan Wrynn?” he questions as the other fits the description given to him.



[break][break]

+ Rowan Wrynn // H✩T
[break]+

Pryde is going to just blink at the other as he was registering his name for the H✩T Event. Well his alias of Lloyd Kvar, for the event as he could certainly use the practice after so long. [break][break]

“So you’re really trying to convince me that the power of ‘friendship’ of tools, can be useful,” he is giving the underboss a ‘you’re full of shit’ type of look. No this wasn’t the actual wording from the other, but in his eyes it might as well have been.


[break][break]

+ Cillian Quinn // H✩T
[break]+

The fact the other feels okay with speaking so openly about the way the previous leader speaks volume on how much the other has changed and how different this branch seemed to be. There is a small sneer on his face at the mention of Beckett, but he says nothing about him. He ponders a bit on what he means on being soft but he supposes eventually he'll see it with his own two eyes. [break][break]

"How I used to do things huh? You mean to tell me you've mastered the art of emotional manipulation then?" both tone and body language clearly scream that its a joke as he says this. Even with the way he gives a small chuckle, though he knows its how he personally did things. However he figures Gavin means more the way he supported to make his people loyal and want to thrive. [break][break]

As the other gives names he only recognizes a few, again the sneer is back as he hears Theo is back to being admin. "So you're telling me I've just stolen pokemon from an admin then? Well ain't that a bitch," there is a chuckle there, no he doesn't plan on giving them back, a bet was a bet. He'd explain it more if they other were to ask though. [break][break]

"I'm afraid I only know 3 of the names you've given as for Darkai I do, Walsh gives reports often over to Kanto. About Darkrai, Lugia, Avatars..." he trails off as with the way he's saying them they're clearly just words without any real understanding. Though how do you give understanding to things that were simply creatures of legends until recently. [break][break]

Just like knowing the name wouldn't prepare him from the sudden pressure in the room which causes him to look around. Unsure if something was there or if there was a problem with the ship. "Engineering issues?" he can't help but question?


[break][break]

+ Cillian Quinn
[break]+ Social

With another pokemon in sight Pryde gives a whistle to his Pyroar who gives a roar ready for battle, but it was clear the bug was not as it whimpered out and went back into hiding. [break][break]

Pathetic



[break][break]

+ @safari

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Pryde only offers a shrug about his son, wasn't much that could be done about it now. Only prey for his son that he doesn't show is face again. [break][break]

"No, her uses as an enforcer were still needed back in Kanto," he explains simply chuckling lightly, "seems like catching up isn't as fun as I would've like. But what about here? Humor in Kanto is that things are done a little different here, but no one seems clear as to how"




[break][break]

+ Cillian Quinn
[break]+ Social

The sympathy is ignored. He's had 3 years now to think on it and while still bitter it didn't give him the same rise of anger like before. [break][break]

"He did, it was.... quite the surprise to say the least," if either of his sons was going to do anything to such an extreme he'd expect it from Asriel Pryde. Not the docile child that he raised in the labs with him who was always so desperate to please. "Guess there is no helping teenage rebellion on some"



[break][break]

+ Cillian Quinn
[break]+ Social

He can't help but enjoy the way the other leans in as well. A stark contrast from their first interaction so many years ago, and still different from what he used to be. "I can imagine," he knows the power he felt when he was promoted to Head Scientist, how much liberty he was given then. So could imagine it would be the same if not better for the now Underboss. [break][break]

Though as his injuries were brought up, Raphael looks down at his arm before giving a dark chuckle, "What can I say? I raised a soldier, have you heard of my son?" if not much word has gotten out he's curious on what the other knows.



[break][break]

+ Cillian Quinn
[break]+ Social

Being the man of science where observation was key, and while there is no wince its the words that give it away as he pulls back twisting his hand some, "Apologies, it's still new for me."[break][break]

Pryde takes the offered chair as the underboss sits, only after the other sits of course. "Finally out of recovery after everything, I was told if I wanted my old possition back though I should help here in Hoenn and so," he shrugs, "Here I am, I had heard you had come here as well, but never thought I'd see you in the chair of Underboss"[break][break]

He can't help but learn forward, curious, "How does it feel?"


[break][break]

+ Cillian Quinn
[break]+ Social

After a nice little poker game, and winning nice little prizes from THEO BECKETT and his terrible bets Pryde was riding a high. Even with having to go under water in a sub all to meet the new heads of this branch of Rocket. As usual he would keep himself professional, there was a pecking order to be obeyed. [break][break]

The feeling of the office is very familiar, but no as much as the man in front of him. Red eyes widen in some shock to see one of his previous lab men here. The the office of an underboss no less. "Dr Merlino, this is indeed a surprise," his smile seems genuine as the other offers his hand. He seems hesitant for a moment but in the end does offer his gloved prosthetic to shake. [break][break]

Despite the glove though the metal could still be felt, the other might find the grip harsher than what Pryde had indented. The prosthetic still new.




[break][break]

+ Cillian Quinn
[break]+ Social