Oscar chuckled as he adjusted his helmet, a blank visor masking his face from prying eyes. "I have us covered. Have a little faith in me won't ya?" Oscar felt as though he had a bit to prove after his recent fuck up at the Ultra Plant. Up until then he had been consistent, but the monumental size of his fuck up had him anxious that Howard now saw him as a liability.

He sought to prove otherwise, thus he brought his A-game to today's project. Oscar was letting Howard monitor the drill, meanwhile he was circling around the perimeter in search of possible interlopers. Their drill was not exactly subtle, so Oscar just assumed that it would only be a matter of time before some League 'hero types' would try to step in.

Oscar was not using only his eyes alone. He had Genesect Prime in the sky (Magnet Rise), patrolling in its hover form. It was likely that Prime would probably notice something approaching before Oscar, though at the moment it had spotted nothing beyond wild pokemon. Still it was vigilant, and the cybernetic sentinel would be ready for action at a moment's notice.

As Oscar came back up on Howard, he would make an observation. "I gotta admit I'm a little on edge. It's too still out there, and we're more than a little out in the open." Oscar cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders, "Still, I think we're well set up to defend. Just gotta stay ready for surprises." Oscar scanned around before moving to patrol again. He would not let the League ruin their plans, not today.

Fjq_LhRQ

howard slayte ollie morales Roy Aker

Oscar's eyebrows slowly raised as Temp weaved his tale. "How peculiar." He said at the briefing's end. "I thought we were fuckin' through with hostile Megalopolans. Ungrateful little shits." To think he missed such a wacky misadventure, ugh the tragedy of his sickness grew more and more with every revelation.

Still, he was here now and that was what mattered. Oscar rubbed his chin as he turned his attention back to the crystals. "I wonder why these crystals are so much more durable than normal Tera crystals. Perhaps their interactions with the ship caused them to mutate?"

While the humans talked, the Genesect were having their own exchange nearby. Prime's companion copied its greeting, though Prime could not tell if it was just mimicking it or if it truly understood what the gesture meant. Perhaps a more cybernetic form of communication would be better suited. Prime let out a series of timed beeps that its compatriot would be able to recognize as binary. Using this universal computer language Prime would 'say' the following:

"GREETINGS, WE ARE RELATED. I AM AN ALLY. ARE YOU AN ALLY?"

Tempest Quinn

Oscar nodded. "Good, I would love to partake in the project's development as it continues. The dream world is a valuable resource that Rocket is destined to claim." Oscar stood up straight, chuckling to himself as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What a funny thing, to think that anyone could claim ownership over the dreams of others. At any rate, it shall be the key to exploring beyond the horizon of our universe."

Oscar checked his watch, and upon seeing the time he would let out a whistle. "Shit time flied. I gotta get to bed soon. Maybe I should get some food first..." Oscar turned to leave, stopping just before the threshold of Lulu's workspace.

"Care to join me for a late night bite or do you still have some work to do?"

Lulu Flint

Oscar was fine with Mint coming and going because he trusted him. Zapdos though? Oscar was not certain, Zapdos did not seem to really trust anyone. Even its bond with Oscar seemed tolerated at best, no doubt because Oscar provided it with continual sustenance. It did not outright refuse though, instead looking to the sky and then back down upon the two humans. It tilted its head with a sort of resigned leer, which Oscar would translate.

"Uh, looks like it's cool with it as long as it's in the mood on the days you come. Naturally I'm cool with it too just let me know when you want to." After Oscar spoke Zapdos would nod before hopping into the air. It turned in place, causing a wide wave of sparks to cover the duo as the great bird turned its back on them. It would seem that Zapdos was done conversing for now.

Oscar nodded gratefully, even though Zapdos would be unable to see him. "Thank you Zapdos, rest up. I'll get you some new energy to absorb when I can." Zapdos rolled its shoulders, its final acknowledgement before it would attempt to nap.

mint frost

EXCURSION SIGN-UP

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!

WHICH EXCURSION?: GC EXCURSION B: RESEARCH STATION
PARTICIPATING CHARACTERS: oscar clayton jayden cross

Oscar chuckled at Jayden's statement. It was amusing to think how feverishly they sought the power to protect their world, and Jayden would have it thrust upon him. Perhaps that was the secret all along, the power had to come to you. "You already have it friend. The power to change everything is surrounding you right now."

Oscar raised his hands to gesture toward the cold that oppressed the room. It was uncomfortable at first, but suddenly it did not feel so bad. It almost felt pleasant. "What you call a curse shall change our fortunes for the better. All you must do is embrace it! Anyong that doubts you is a fool!" Oscar leaned in, smiling with a sincere pride. It seemed like yesterday when Jayden was a timid grunt, to seem him evolve so wonderfully was an invaluable privilege. "I'll be with you every step of the way. I promise."

Oscar let that hang in the air, allowing Jayden to absorb the meaning of his words. His loyalty was absolute, even in Jayden's darkest hour he would not lose Oscar's support--for better or worse. Oscar eventually rose to his feet, stretching his back with a small groan. "Well I have to get going, ironically. I have some work to get done before the end of the day."

Oscar turned to leave, stopping at the door before turning back. "I'm just a phone call away. If you need anything just let me know. Maybe we can set up a project to work on soon." Oscar smiled one last time, nodding to acknowledge Chien Pao before exiting Jayden's office.

Once the office door was closed behind him, Oscar began to feel--different. It was like a fog had been lifted from his mind, he felt tired and very cold. He shivered, bunching up the opening of his blazer as he began his journey down the hall. The further he got from Jayden, the warmer he felt.

jayden cross

It would seem that the purging was a success, but Oscar did not consider the possible side effects. Zev had basically metabolized all of his stored 'food' and now seemed absolutely exhausted. He hardly seemed enthusiastic about feeling better, nor did his cells waging war against dynaenergy even phase him. Honestly it made Oscar a little concerned. Zev would have to eat quick or the poor man might keel over.

Then he got an idea. An awful idea. Oscar got a wonderful, awful idea.

The eccentric researcher grinned devilishly, rubbing his hands together with devious delight. "Zev, I think I know a way to help the both of us. If you would kindly follow me to the back of my laboratory, and wait only a minute or two--I think I have a way to feed you."

Oscar chortled lowly, slowly raising his voice into a diabolical cackle. This was his natural response when realized that he was going to break new ground in the understanding of energy. The scientist would abruptly stop, clapping his hands together and moving toward the darkened back of his lab. "Come on now, no time to waste! We don't want you passing out from hunger, hurry!"

Zev Harcourt

EXCURSION SIGN-UP

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!

WHICH EXCURSION?: AZ EXCURSION A: EXPLORE
PARTICIPATING CHARACTERS: oscar clayton Lulu Flint

EXCURSION SIGN-UP

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!

WHICH EXCURSION?: GC EXCURSION A: EXPLORE
PARTICIPATING CHARACTERS: oscar clayton , Aurelie Lefevre

Oscar came before the royal rabbit once again, looking a tad more sheepish than before. When he assumed that his highness was ready, Oscar would speak. "I uh, received some feedback from the higher ups. If I am gonna tell another story it has to be more 'professional' so uh, here ya go." Oscar straightened up, cleared his throat and began his tale.

"So this isn't my story, it's one of them campfire stories that my brother would pull out whenever we went camping. I thought it fit what you're lookin' for so--yeah I'll tell it to ya. Alright so it goes like this: An old man lay dying in a hospital bed. He spent his entire life as a doctor, yet ironically he couldn't do anything when he fell ill. No one could, it was pretty clear that his body was givin' up on him so he was just waitin' to die. One day a nurse comes in sayin' that his son was there to see him. The old man found this to be strange, as he never had a son. He plays along though and tells the nurse to go get him, and she does."

"The guy that walked in looked nothing like the old man. He was tall and thin as a wire hanger, with a big mess of frail blonde hair. He was covered in scars, they could be seen on his hands, arms, face, neck, all over. A fuckin' travesty of a human. When the nurse left them alone, the man would ask: 'Who are you? Why did you tell the nurse that you were my son?'"

"The stranger pulled up a chair next to the old man's bed before answering his question. 'Because I am, from a certain point of view. You delivered me.' He said, his voice as rough as the rest of him. 'You brought me into this world, it is because of you that I am here. You are the most important person in my life.' The old man was confused, unsure how to respond. The stranger continued, 'My parents were monsters you know. Terrible, terrible people. As soon as I was out of her, my mother would not stop drinking. My dad would often join her, and when they weren't laying into each other they would torment me for entertainment. My childhood is marked by cigarette burns and gashes that never healed correctly. Mercifully, the two would die in a car crash when I was five. I was taken into the foster care system, but I would never find a home. I went from place to place, handed off like used clothing. Not every family was bad, but I got a scar from each of them.'"

"The guy pointed to his facial scars. 'I got these when one family's dog attacked me. From then on I was shunned at school. I became a novelty to be mocked and pitied.' He raised his scarred arms. 'I got these while hiking with one family. My foster brother did not like me, so at the peak of the hike he pushed me off a cliff side. I didn't fall too far, but I landed on my arms and snapped them bad. The healing process left them looking like this, and I can't really lift anything or move my hands like a normal man can.' The stranger leaned in, his deformed face looming over the old man like the visage of death itself. 'It went on like that until I aged out of the system at eighteen. I thought once I was on my own I'd be free from whatever curse that had made my life unbearable thus far. Turns out the curse is living. Nothing ever goes right for me, jobs fall through my fingers like grains of sand. Relationships never last, no one can really get past just how miserable I am. I get sick often, I have no talent, I'm a true farce of a human. I hate this life, but I'm afraid to die. I'm stuck with nothing to turn my unending fury toward.'"

"The old man began to shiver. His heart was startin' to race, which could be heard from the monitor on the other side of his bed. He had no idea what this young man wanted, but he was starting to feel scared. The stranger seemed to recognize the old man's fear, and so he would not relent. 'I have been looking for someone to blame for my misery. At first it was myself because I'm responsible for all of my actions. I'm too much of a coward to harm myself though, and berating myself never solved anything. So I blamed my parents for conceiving me, but in the end I realized that they weren't responsible for my life. No, that crime falls upon you. You delivered me safely to this world, and therefore you are responsible for my pain. I tracked you down with the intent to kill you, but you're body's already beat me to it. So instead, I think I'll be satisfied just watching you die.'"

"The old man couldn't process which part of the stranger's monologue did him in, but his frail heart couldn't take it. It pulled the plug on itself, cutting his blood flow and causing him to seize up. The old man flailed softly for a few moments before going limp, the looming face of the stranger being the last thing he saw before everything went dark. The old man had indeed died, and the stranger finally felt satisfaction."

Oscar brushed his hands together before folding his arms. He gave the onlooking monarch a short bow before turning on his heels and walking away.

"Wellp, here we are!"

Oscar gestured toward what had to have been a world first: a moderately healthy farm sitting within the Ultra Desert. Just as Oscar described to Priam earlier, he and howard slayte had worked very hard to start up a base within the sandy dunes of this alien landscape. The fact that they got anything to grow at all was an unparalleled achievement, but their ambitions stretched beyond the short term. They wanted to terraform as much of this wasteland as they could, proving that they could control the uncontrollable.

Of course Howard had been more hands on with the gardening than Oscar, the former beast was in charge of building a suitable shelter. There was a 'shelter adjacent' structure there now made from steel slabs, but that was hardly a permanent solution. This was why Oscar was visiting today, bringing along his dear friend Priam as an additional work force to build what would be a magnificent laboratory.

Oscar sighed deeply as he took in the humble settlement. "It's not much now but when we get into full swing shit is gonna get wild!" Oscar looked around as if trying to locate something specific, "Now where did I leave the building materials? I swear I put everything right up front."

priam conrad

Taking with priam conrad

Oscar had grown fond of contests. When he first tried them he was rather underwhelmed, but over time he has fallen in love. The pageantry, the drama, all of it began to grow on him. So when this Tough Contest came around again, he would not hesitate to throw himself into the competition! After all, he possessed one of the toughest pokemon out there.

When it came time to introduce himself, Oscar prowled onto the stage like a devious ghoul. He wore a black Montsuki Kimono, his pale hands lingering over his face. Pulling his hands away would reveal the white mask covering his face, depicting a smiling creature with great tusks and curved horns. Oscar chuckled lowly as he turned sharply with a flourish, revealing the bizarre pokemon that was hiding behind him.

It was a naganadel, dressed up in red samurai breastplate and with a traditional samurai helmet fashioned onto its head. Its body and face had been painted red, causing it to resemble one of the legendary Oni from Far Eastern folklore. It gnashed its mandibles, which resembled the tusks of the mighty demon ogres of old.

Oscar finally spoke as he stood beside his demon warrior. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I come from the deepest reaches of The Border between worlds to present to you a truly wretched monstrosity. Spoken about only in hushed whispers, this fearsome fiend preys on the careless and haughty. Those who do not respect the spirits will face the full force of this demon's wrath!"

The naganadel whipped around its stinger, wielding it as if it were a katana. Oscar slowly removed his mask, showcasing his equally ghoulish but still more attractive face. "I am Oscar Clayton, and with Robbie the Rotten by my side we shall show you the true meaning of TOUKON!"

The two struck a striking pose, as if they were prepared to personally fight every single member of the audience.

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