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makoto's hesitation is a little cute, and honestly not all that dissimilar from how nikola might react if suddenly asked to dance by a stranger. well, they'd probably be more biting about it, but internally they'd be embarrassed. different coping mechanisms, they suppose.[break][break]

"not to worry," they say, feigning confidence. "i've only done this once or twice before. i took a history of dance class in university-- not that that really matters now." it had been one of those electives they'd taken because they thought it would be simple and easy. they hadn't expected to be asked to dance for real, and thus had been caught completely off guard when part of their participation grade was from attempting to perform some of the simpler dances.[break][break]

they take makoto to the dance floor, mind racing as they try to remember exactly what to do. first they take them by the hand, then a hand on their waist... and then they lead the other in a slow but steady waltz, nothing too extravagant, thankful they chose not to wear heels on this day.[break][break]

after a bit they break for the refreshments table again, intent on that free food. after piling their plate up they turn back to makoto. they pull their mask up just enough to uncover their mouth. "the aguav cakes are really good. i might have to see about stealing the recipe..."

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it's a pain in the ass to have to make frequent trips like this. if nikola had a choice, they'd spend almost every hour of every day in the submarine, working on their various projects. but they'd also rather not pass out down there because they're not keeping on top of the myriad of health problems they developed thanks to professor thorne's experimentations, so...[break][break]

they're in the waiting room of the clinic with a mask covering the lower half of their face. at the very least they were able to choose a clinic with behind-the-scenes rocket ties so their identity likely won't be leaked. they're reading the news on their phone when they feel something slither over their leg, and react accordingly by flinching and standing up abruptly. is that a... weedle? they wonder, watching the small bug type drop to the ground.[break][break]

then they hear a shriek, and glance up to see the front desk is being positively overrun with weedle. the receptionist is standing with her back to the wall frightened. nikola sighs. "i can never have just a normal day, can i...?" is it worth it, helping out here? they probably won't make their appointment now either way...

[attr="class","bottom"]the ghost that i am behaves like a human.[break]
minjun hak [break]
[ outfit ref ][break]

[attr="class","credit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cloud-moon"]

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as much as nikola loves eavesdropping, there's a time and a place for it. so they just wave howard slayte off, calling after him, "put in a good word for me, why don't you?" in a cheeky tone. doesn't hurt to try, right? if they can get a raise they can pay off some of these medical bills they've been accruing. hopefully.[break][break]

the plague doctor turns to Makoto Kurumi, giving them a dramatic bow. "you heard the bossman," they say, extending a hand. it's easier to be this bold when their identity is relatively unknown, they think. that, and they've already had a glass or two of wine and an assortment of cheeses to go with, so they're feeling a bit friskier than usual. just so long as you don't start behaving like catellus, they chide themself silently. "shall we dance... was it makoto, slayte called you? if it weren't a masquerade, i'd give you my full name... but as i'd like my own identity to remain on the down-low... you may simply call me samsa, for now." proper introductions can be done when they're not in a room full of league goons who might catch a snippet or two of conversation.

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they've checked the geological profile for this area of hoenn. of course they have; they may not be some sort of archaeological maniac with a penchant for absurdity, but they still have an interest in the historical foundation of the region. as far as they can tell, there's nothing to be found here; no fossils, no valuable gemstones or artifacts, just... dirt. so what the hell is this guy digging for here?[break][break]

nikola sighs and shakes their head. "no can do." they look at luna, their umbreon. "detect."[break][break]

luna turns her sharp eyes to isaac's dusknoir, who's preparing its confuse ray. whether it launches that specific attack or not at that moment, its next attack will be detected by luna, her instincts kicking in and allowing her to move out of the way. nikola is far too cautious, too untrusting to not be watching their back at all times. the fact that this mystery man has a pokemon out and is trying to weasel his way out of a confrontation... no sir, they will not let this pass.

[attr="class","bottom"]the ghost that i am behaves like a human.[break]
Isaac Ward [break]
[break]50mp mention other character (sort of)
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[attr="class","credit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cloud-moon"]

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hell, nikola isn't so sure they want to fight either! they regard him shrewdly, trying to decide if this is a ploy to get them to turn their back. as far as they can tell, their would-be opponent means it, which makes this a bit harder. it's not like their loyalty is to team rocket per say, but rather what team rocket has to offer them. there's too much work to be done for them to cop out now, and in order to achieve their goals, they need to demonstrate their usefulness. the ends may not justify the means, but i'll sure as hell get this done faster with rocket than with the league. they're running out of time, after all.[break][break]

"...i abhor unnecessary violence and bloodshed," they state, pushing up their glasses. "there's no need for this to get... messy. this can be an ordinary battle. we'll simply make a bet: i win, you leave. i lose, and i'll leave you to do whatever it is you're doing here." they nod to geminae, whose stance changes, the giraffe pokemon squaring itself off and sticking its neck out. "let's get to it, then. geminae: agility!"[break][break]

there's a stampede of hooves, and then the firagarif is circling nicholas's braviary, its speed increasing sharply. it's fast enough that it's hard to see exactly where it is. it's time to see how their training with Josh Devlin squares up in a real fight.

[attr="class","bottom"]the ghost that i am behaves like a human.[break]
nicholas steele [break]
[break]50mp, reflect on loyalties, 50mp mention other character
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they look between howard slayte and Chu-e Choi. "....right." the dryness of their response suggests this is information they had little desire to learn. Makoto Kurumi's whisper, however, does provoke a little 'snirk' from behind their mask, a noise that suggests they're doing their best to hold back laughter.[break][break]

they turn to their fellow androgyne. "right! the happy couple! just have a look at that!" they gesture widely, hoping to emphasize the sarcasm in their voice. "and you didn't even get them a gift? how rude." they lean in, just a bit, not realizing the beak of their mask is just barely brushing makoto's shoulder. "...wink." what? it's not like they can tell if they actually do wink, so they have to say it out loud.

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what. the. hell.[break][break]

their umbreon's ears had picked up on a noise in the distance. following it to its source, they'd realized it was humanoid in form. not just humanoid, but as they got closer, they could confirm it was indeed a human, a trainer who doesn't belong in the area, and therefore someone they'll be required to dispatch. that's all well and good, but they've been blindsided by the strangeness of the other's actions. they can't help but stare, dumbfounded, at the hole he's digging.[break][break]

"what are you doing?" they ask, incredulous. then they shake their head. "...nevermind. i don't want to know." the answer can't possibly be a good one. "you're trespassing, so i'm going to have to chase you off now. so please stop digging and either face me, or leave." their umbreon stands at their side, peering curiously at the man giggling to himself as he digs.

[attr="class","bottom"]the ghost that i am behaves like a human.[break]
Isaac Ward [break]
[break][ outfit ref ][break]
[break]

[attr="class","credit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cloud-moon"]

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nikola is not having such a tranquil time. instead they're cursing quietly to themself as they carefully step over ground that was recently upturned, the result of a previous battle in the area. there's a stain that looks suspiciously like blood if they squint, so they're making sure not to squint. the reason they're not usually a field agent is because they're too hard at work holed up in their lab. they tell themself it's not due to a lack of skill, but the moment they actually find themself in a situation like this... well, it's hard to say they don't have their doubts.[break][break]

they look up and notice something wheeling overhead. just as soon as they notice it, though, it's letting out a sharp cry. their heart sinks into their stomach. i guess i'm really doing this, then. they follow the braviary's line of sight, step through a thicket, and then...[break][break]

there's their opponent. nikola sighs under their mask, which fogs up their glasses. "our eyes have met! we must do battle!" they quote, thrusting a hand that's white-knuckling a pokeball out into the open. "...or something like that, anyway." much less dramatically, they click the button on the ball, and out pops their firagiraf. "look, let's just get this over with. i've got work to do."

[attr="class","bottom"]the ghost that i am behaves like a human.[break]
nicholas steele [break]
[break]50mp, self doubt
[break][ outfit ref ]
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[attr="class","credit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cloud-moon"]

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nikola calls pluma back into its ball as well, seeing no reason to keep the fairy type out. canem should be enough to get them back to the top before anyone decides to look into the... well, the damage done to the chasm just now. if anyone asks, nikola and howard were never here at this time. that suspiciously regirock-shaped hole in the cliff face? don't even worry about it.[break][break]

"...right." the answer comes in the affirmative, though they can't deny they're uneasy. "i'm just going to assume you have some sort of plan for... preventing something like this from happening again." the tone in their voice suggests doubt, but for their own peace of mind they're going to leave that responsibility to howard. even he wouldn't be so foolish as to try and command a legendary of such strength without some sort of method in mind, right? despite appearances, they think there must be something more to him than the man who almost lost his lunch on their arcanine earlier.[break][break]

is that, perhaps, uncharacteristically optimistic? perhaps there's something of catellus left in them after all.

[attr="class","bottom"]the ghost that i am behaves like a human.[break]
howard slayte [break]
[break]

[attr="class","credit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cloud-moon"]

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if this wasn't a masked affair, nikola would not be here. they have absolutely no desire to be caught with their proverbial pants down by someone who knew them as catellus. their hair is dyed, and they're quite skilled at manipulating their own voice, but there's not much they can do about the rest of their face or body.[break][break]

and that is how nikola came to be here today, sporting a plague doctor mask and loading up their plate with food. they're quite content to enjoy the evening by themself, but then they hear a familiar name from a bit further down the table. common sense dictates they ignore it, but they wouldn't be much of a researcher if their curiosity didn't get the better of them sometime... so, against their better judgment, they follow the voice until they come upon makoto standing by their lonesome.[break][break]

that's when they crouch down. all howard will see a pair of long legs give way for that plague doctor mask, peering at him from behind its imposing beak. then, though muffled, a familiar, sardonic voice that says: "isn't it obvious? he must have seen a ghost," they tease.