She let Absinthe stew for the time being. Her silence was a good sign that she was going through the motions of questioning herself up to this point. Himiko remained in place in the event that the other woman had been mulling things around in her head. After a minute of introspection, Absinthe fetched a pair of glasses and some drink in a tall glass. But what could be inside? Only one way to find out.

"It would be my upmost pleasure." Himiko's lips formed into a mischievous smile as she accepted the glass from Absinthe. The expensive tastes of the upper echelon had been something that the younger woman had always been eager to partake in the finer spirits in the world. But for something like this, Himiko shifted her weight onto her right foot. "Hm, I've never had something like this before." She accepted the glass and raised it to Absinthe. "To brighter futures and lovely company~" Auburn liquid disappeared down her throat as the nepotism child consumed the contents.

A sweet, succulent taste lingered in her mouth, but the warmth of the drink spreading down her throat was so foreign in nature. Himiko let a wet cough escape her lips and cleared her throat. "My apologies, I wasn't expecting it to be that way. I can see how my Father grew fond of such a thing." It brought Himiko back to stepping into her father's office in Kanto and being greeted by the scent. The man showed his love to his drinks just as much to his family. Save for her, of course.

Her tongue tapped against the surface of her lips to savor whatever flavor was left after the shot.

"I enjoy our time together, Absinthe, as always. Don't live just for me, but the opportunity to live for yourself. For anybody who you would care for. The world would grow darker in your absence. Certainly mine would."

Absinthe Blackwood

☉

Spending a day dealing with a large group of Pikachu wasn't exactly what Himiko had expected to spend an afternoon, but who was she to really rain on somebody else's parade? She watched as her partner in crime, a lovely woman with the name of Evelyn, would house an animosity for the yellow mice that would have made her fellow Kanto natives red with fury. Everybody loved Pikachu back home. Even insisting that you weren't fond of them was enough to get you ran out of most towns.

This, however, would have pushed even the most worn Pikachu lovers to their breaking point. An infestation of any Pokemon was always a bad thing. An infestation of electric-type rats who would sap electricity from anything or even overcharge anything plugged in was a recipe for disaster. "Either they've found an open electric cable or there's a five star hotel in that little hole." She parted through the wave of yellow alongside the other woman. An ELECTRO BALL sailed by her head, sailing off into the distance and exploding elsewhere. A curtain of black hair spun around just in time to catch a glimpse of one of the rats evolving before Evelyn.

One of the Pikachu tugged on Himiko's arm as she passed by, taking the opportunity to climb on top of her shoulder unannounced and rub against her head. the static electricity had caused her hair to began to frizz up. A fate that the naturally vain Rocket that she would not have. "Get off!" she hissed, trying to pluck the Pikachu from her. Its paws kneaded into her clothes, hooking in as it refused to leave her body. "You little yellow demon! This is an original!"

Evelyn Vespera

☉

For as solitary creatures as humans could be, even the most hardy of lone wolves desired somebody to speak with at a base level. It was something every living being had in their DNA from the moment their neurons fired off in their heads. The cool, stagnant air inside of the lab felt somewhat warmer while Absinthe stood in place. The liquid filled beakers had always made poor conversation partners and it was her belief that perhaps maybe she could help this struggling woman in some way.

Absinthe said what Himiko and a lot of Rocket likely had wanted all along: a chance to do things over again. It was only natural for their ilk to look back at their past and be blinded by the rose tinted goggles. The desire to do things another way. To remake a decision in the hops that it could change the present for the better. Until humans could harness the power of a certain legendary themselves, it was what kept their choices in life all the more permanent. Absinthe, however, had good reasons for desiring such things.

"It won't be easy, and it never is for anybody. But I think we both knew that. The fact that you'll try is proof enough that there's some part of you that wants to see what comes next. It may seem like you're preparing to scale Mt. Pyre on your hands and knees, but I promise that if you just keep moving, the days will get easy. We'll get there together, one day at a time."

Himiko offered some sympathy for the other bright mind across from her. Even thought their hands were apart, she did find herself wondering if Absinthe had found the intimate gesture at least somewhat helpful. Those hands of hers were damaged and had seen their fair share of abuse, but all that mattered as that they worked, despite the struggles they had been through. The small silence between them was notable, though Himiko didn't mind it at all. Seeing Absinthe's lips curl into the beginnings of a genuine smile was reward enough.

"Hold onto that feeling, Absinthe. It's what will make even the most impossible challenges worthwhile. Things will get better, but only if you keep moving forward."

Absinthe Blackwood

☉

"There's so much pain inside of you, things I can't even begin to understand. But at the very least, I can try and take some of it away." Her words had touched Absinthe in a way that she likely hadn't been expecting. It surprised even Himiko that she could belt out something that quick and have any sort of impact on somebody. That little bit of a pained expression on her superior's face somehow made spitting things off the top of her hand worth it. "If there's one thing I learned from my grandmother who taught me my craft, it's that the world is a cold and lonely place. If solitude is truly what you seek, you'll start to forget all the things that make life worth the struggle."

Himiko's thumb reached to gently trace around Absinthe's in a circle as she gave a sincere smirk, then down to the mask that hung off of the woman's face. the facade that allowed her to hide her garish marks from the world. As technologically savvy and rather unique as it was, she much more preferred this current look. "I won't ask you to take off your mask to the world. That's not my decision to make, nor would I demand it of you after what you've been through. But I'm sure there are people like me who care less about them, and more about you. And if anyone says otherwise, they may "accidentally" end up as a test subject for some very almost lethal neurotoxins."

It was easy advice, considering where Himiko was in all this. Had the tables been turned, would Absinthe be showing her the same amount of generosity she showed her now? Would this conversation even take place? She leaned on the counter top next to them, eyes drawn towards the deceased Ratatta, the milestone of Absinthe's life's work. The finished version may have looked far more dangerous to be exposed to, though Himiko found herself concerned. The last thing she wanted to see in the lab was a well written letter and a body entombed in a glass chamber. Though why even bother with all this woman her? She was still puzzled by the reason, though flipped her hair out of habit as she continued to watch her tutor in toxicology.

"I can live with that. SHould you ever need to talk to somebody about work or other matters, I would be happy to oblige you. Bright minds such as ours often subject us to all sorts of nasty things when left isolated for so long. If you need anything, let me know and I will get it for you. I may ask for a genuine smile as payment."

Absinthe Blackwood

☉

"Slayte, what the hell is this?" Himiko turned to the Rocket Admin as the both of them sat in the back of a surprisingly spacious trailer being driven by some random asshole who had been adamant about finding ghosts or something. "I thought you said this was something important." How exactly she ended up being dragged along was a mysterious in itself. Slayte had pulled her aside for help with some "very serious" business. Not one to turn away a chance to brown nose, Himiko jumped at the opportunity to score some brownie points with some higher rank people. That left her currently sitting in some metal shed on wheels, surrounding by a bunch of random junk on the walls.

The truck came to a stop a short distance away from an abandoned looking village that was just a short drive away from Verdanturf Town. Outside of the window lay a derelict town, cloaked in darkness as the annuls of time marched forward on. From atop the cracked roof tiles was the reclamation of nature. A curtain of vines and moss had spread over the town while the door lowered itself for the two in the back to see their task at hand. "Looks like we're here." Himiko said, walking to stand before the grand wall of useless shit. A radio on the table crackled with electricity as a mysterious voice spoke to the both of them.

"Welcome to Foothill, got a job for you two! Check the board when you're read-"

"There's no back here, just give it to us, stop wasting our time!"

"A tragedy befell this town long ago. Everyone mysteriously disappeared, and the ghosts that stuck around here are violent."

"God ahead, spill it already."

"Everyone left is either an apparition or a ghoul! It's your job to figure out what those ghosts are and report back! Oh, and maybe figure out what happened. That last part doesn't matter all that much."

Himiko groaned, turning her attention to the walls filled with items and reached for a flashlight alongside a camera and a stand. "Well, guess we've got nothing else better to do."

[ Mission: HGT - Ghost Story A ]

howard slayte

☉

Admittedly, Himiko had fully expecting something dark when asking the other woman about her trauma, but to come right out of the get with the loss of a spouse? That was a travesty and a half. But every syllable was full of intent, a certain melancholy that couldn't be replicated without direct experience. Her hands gave a Absinthe's offered digital a gentle squeeze to reaffirm that she was sticking around for the long haul. She continued to remain silent and allow the other woman to explain everything.

But it wasn't until she unhook her mask up that Himiko reacted. Her brows came together at a harsher angle, as she welcomed Absinthe's back as her additions to the story had fully engrossed the Kanton. "You poor thing." Himiko spoke after a few seconds, her thumbs resting on top of worried, trembling hands. Her tone lacked the edge and bluntness as what she once possessed. If Absinthe allowed it, one of Himiko's hands reached up to cradle the chin again, careful not to touch the horrific scarring across her face. "I wasn't aware that all of this happened to you." The woman's lips curled into a soft frown. "I can't apologize for what's happened, but to trust me enough to make yourself so vulnerable..."

Inside of her mind, though, the questions were gnawing at the back of her head. Why be so nice? Why put forth the effort to appear so sympathetic towards a stranger's most vulnerable moments, especially one which had a higher chance to become a roadblock towards her success? She was supposed to be cutthroat, somebody who took advantage of weaknesses like this!

So why show mercy now?!

Himiko shrugged the thoughts off for the time being, then smiled at her again with a renewed sense of purpose. "I won't betray this trust you've shown me."

Her eyes traversed across the lab at the many vials and such, where Absinthe's lifelong work had remained still. The woman was adamant about her fate after its completion. Something about the finality in her decision, the way she had decided the way her story had wanted to end. It didn't sit well with her, though Himiko wouldn't rob the woman of her decision if she so chose.

"You know, I look at those scars of yours and see a woman of action. Plenty of people would have given up and wallowed in their hopelessness. Yet you persevered against everything and pushed on for a creation you believed in. You may not think it, but I find it the most beautiful thing about you, scars and all."

Himiko recalled her hand after a while, then took a moment to consider her words. There wasn't a whole lot that really stood out that she could say right now. Just seeing this side of the woman and her desire to finish what she started, even with the gruesome scars of the past had caused a tension to rise in her chest. Was it disgust? She wasn't aware of what this really could be, but did her best to move on. "It's your decision, but I would be remiss if I didn't ask you to give me a chance to try and change your mind."

Absinthe Blackwood

☉

"You sell your talents short. This isn't a business anybody is willing to do. The same can be said about any science. We'll all be overshadowed by our creations at one point or another. But your outlook worries me."

Stubborn to a fault, as expected. Himiko bit back whatever barbed insults that had appeared on her tongue at the refusal to see things her way. It was that little hint of nepotism that lingered on long after being exiled from her home. Even Absinthe's forlorn eyes opened that she could see the pain inside of them fully. Ones that weighed heavy on the soul. She frowned and let go of the other woman's cheek, blaming herself for causing the woman to wince that way. For a moment, she's silent, plotting, thinking...

"You've heard me ramble on about my history, but what happened to you?" she asked, her hand falling back down to her side. "If you're comfortable with sharing, that is. I have no room to judge, being somebody cast to the dredges of Rocket from heaven on high. I shan't tell a soul, and that's on the word not of an info broker, but a friend."

Himiko held out her hand forward, in case Absinthe might have needed a comfort. The previous act may have been overstepping boundaries, but she wanted to show that her invitation was open, should the other woman accept it. Her mind spun with idle thoughts, wondering how the poisoner in front of her came to be. Absinthe's own eyes showed another level of deep sorrow that Himiko's had lacked, a wound that couldn't heal, drawn straight from the soul. To see another woman's level of suffering was nothing short of torture.

Absinthe Blackwood

☉

Himiko couldn't have blamed Absinthe for any of what she was going through. That kind of self-destructive behavior didn't lend itself to long term planning. The woman's expression didn't change, always that introspective glance as she absorbed the words from Absinthe quietly. Himiko didn't interrupt or interject, allowing her some room to expel all that negativity going on inside of her. It wasn't something that she could allow to simmer further. Once she was done, the Kanton spoke.

"Understandable, but I respectfully disagree." Himiko said pointedly. "I think Hoenn has everything to gain from your genius. Your life's work is understandably macabre, but I find it a beautiful creation from a distinguished mind. Tell me, why do you think you don't have a place here?" She asked curiously, her lips forming into a frown of now mild annoyance rather than minor. Perhaps it was that little bit of humanity in her that didn't immediately toss this woman out into the trash after Lulu Flint's recommendation. Or the fact another kindred spirit who worked with such poisonous materials would have been lovely to have back home. Something in her refused to allow this train of thought.

A hand dipped to gently raise Absinthe's chin up from the floor, careful not to touch any area that could suggest she wanted to undo the mask she wore. "If you don't know what awaits you after it finishes, then I'll help you however I can. Maybe I'll find some new strain of venom extracted, or some other bubbling brew. Life is such a precious thing to throw away so willingly, and I believe you should at least think things over."

Absinthe Blackwood

☉

That was the question of her life. Would she ever get back to Kanto in one piece? Or would she be forever stuck resting on the shores of this pitiful little region? A lost Ducklett away from the rest of their flock. The woman moved some hair back into its place that had fallen out of it. Black nails merging into the river of onyx hair. Her eyes followed the vial inside Absinthe's hand.

"Hell if I know. It feels like the only way I'll come home is inside a body bag on certain days. Even that would be a miracle, all things considered." she said, casting her eyes back up to the other woman. "But I've learned some dreams are just what they are: fantasies. I'll die here, either by somebody else's hand, my own, or by nature. The only thing I can do is to continue onward. Hence why your project intrigues me. I'd much rather have a purpose aiding somebody else with something I treasure than to wander aimlessly about. I should be thanking you, in some capacity."

Himiko's eyes glimmered with interest, the woman gliding across the table to come to stop a short distance across from the other woman. "But tell me, what happens after you finish your masterpiece? It's quite the conundrum. What happens after the artist has finished their chef-d'œuvre? Some move onto the next thing in life, maybe onto their next piece, but you worry me. From somebody who may share that same gnawing pain." The Kanton continued to explain, while continuing to walk closer. "I've seen that look in your eyes the day we met. A hardened workaholic with everything to prove. But I've also seen that same melancholy I see in the mirror every morning."

Absinthe Blackwood

☉

"You could call it that." Ah, the sight of a person with all the world to burn and building up the kindling to do so. There was nothing else that made for such a wonderful story than a lead up like this. Although she couldn't possibly know much about her reasons why, Himiko did feel a strange sort of empathy for Absinthe out of the same reason why. When she asked about her own ambitions, Himiko was quick to explain exactly why.

"I was originally a Kanto Rocket, once a pretty high ranking member too. My family's served them for generations now. We dealt with black market dealings, and I was tasked with capturing a particular Druddigon for a client that promised things he would have spent years working for. An alpha, somehow surviving out in the wilderness. It was as tall as the skyscraper in Unova, large enough to dwarf even the tallest Pokemon. Naturally, I procured everything we needed. Fighting was out of the question, so I decided to opt to sedate it instead. I would have used a normal sample, but for dragons especially, due to their genetics, resist poison far more easily. And it just so happened in my haste to sedate it while we had it in place, I hadn't noticed that my supply boxes were switched out. I shot the dragon with what I thought was a sedative, when in reality, it was a stimulant."

She remained quiet for a moment, recalling the fear in her eyes as the fully raging Druddigon turning everything in the area into a mass of broken building, technology, and a lot of explaining to the higher ups about what went wrong. The normally stoic woman showed some emotion, her lips forming into a dejected pout as she leaned on the table.

"We lost everything. The Druddigon, Rocket servants, our research station was flattened. I was sentenced for immediate execution, but my father petitioned to be sent here. To the festering hellhole known as HOENN. Ever since I got here, I've wanted to prove myself and go home. But no matter how I bow to or brown nose, it's never enough. All I get are empty promises and the sneaking suspicion I'll never see home again. All because of me..."

[ BINGO: HOENN ]

Absinthe Blackwood

☉

One little door breaking segment later, Himiko and Onna stood before the disheveled barn opening showcased exactly what she had been searching for: One Pokemon and one...teenager? It was pretty fucked up of the League to be conscripting people like him in times of war and conflict, although Himiko wasn't one to be making judgement calls. The Incineroar had eaten the brunt of the damage here, while the woman smirked. "Sorry to barge in, but I think I'll be taking you in now. Come quietly or else I'll-"

Her eyes locked onto the Incineroar as she would rise from the wreckage, looking mighty peeved at what had just happened to her and her trainer. The Hisuan Zoroark didn't seem to be intimidated in the slightest. Onna's RUBY tipped mane continues to blow in the wind as her right paw came forward, taunting the fire-type to bring its best at it. The result was a debilitating Blast Burn aimed at the pair, which Himiko shielded herself from the sheer force of the heat by raising her arm above her face.

The scampering form of the teen running off could be seen, as Himiko reached for a second Pokeball and threw out a Salandit. the dark-type let out a pleased hiss as Himiko pointed off behind the Incineroar. "There's a boy out there. Track him down and find him. If it comes down to it, poison him." The smaller reptile ran off behind Biscotti with Himiko following. Before the Incineroar could protest, the scorched Zoroark would dive into the shadows around them with SHADOW SNEAK, then reappear behind her with a slashed against at her backside.

[ BINGO: RUBY ]

Biscotti Kingsley

☉

Ooooh, how secretive~ Himiko walked into the private room inside of the laboratory alongside Absinthe. Normally this would be where all the good chemicals and products were, so why would this be any different? She found herself amused at the many warning labels and rat tape wrapped carefully around vials and beakers present inside of here. The inner chemist in her felt right at home in such a place like this.

They came to a stop before one vial in specific, alongside a lone Rattata. It didn't take a doctorate's to figure out where this was going, and Himiko had tested her brews plenty of times before on the local wildlife. At best, it was a reminder of simpler times in a much better part of the world. Absinthe's work was something else, a gaseous toxin that made short work of the rat's life, even as a size of several droplets dropped onto the rat's body. Such an agonizing death, stuck in a tight SPACE where it was been trapped at for who knows how long, possibly all of its life. Himiko watched with a rather entertained expression, forming into a malicious grin.

"My, you've got a little grudge from that venom in your tone." she mused, letting out a soft chuckle. "Your life's work is astounding. I've never seen something like it before, then again, most of my poisons are more old fashioned. I can't say I'm surprised though. A beautiful poison by a beautiful woman~"

[ BINGO: SPACE ]

Absinthe Blackwood

☉

Ugh, how long has this stupid little patrol been going on now? Himiko had lost count after SIX hours or so. Time just seemed to splurge together into one big, unassuming mass at this point. She was about ready to just start dying of boredom to her superior over the radio when a report of somebody passing by her had been called in. Her eyes lit up with interest! Finally, something to do.

She walked all over the little farmstead area, her Hisuan Zoroark following a short ways around her. Both began to investigate area around the farm while Himiko would pause right before the ruins. "C'mon out, kid. Life's going to get hard if you don't play along. You're lucky I'm not somebody who's going to start burning everything to draw you out, but I will warning you I'm ready to start poisoning everything."

The Zoroark sniffed the air in some attempt to find Biscotti's trail but it hadn't sensed itself or the Incineroar just yet. The two huffed in unison and then faced the half broken building in front of them in disgust. "Let's see if you're in here." Onna brought both hands tigether, calling out a large sphere of darkness and then firing it at the door of the pink door.

[ BINGO: SIX ]

Thomas Benoit

☉