“Personally, I like it because of that lack of conscience. Both sides are in it for themselves and willing to do whatever it takes to advance themselves, at least the higher you go. But I could never get along with the moral grandstanding of the League. At least Rocket is more honest with, well, itself,” she replied with a light shrug. Vio was probably one of the people most suited for comments like this. She had been brought up, some might say, groomed to become a ranger. And she had never seen anyone on the league side that truly believed their ideals.
[break][break]
Heck, her Elaine was better than most of them, without needing to be a formal member. It was one of the reasons why Vio did not mind doing good with the latter. One of them. Though that last part did see the Rocket close in on the other some more, leaning in. While she did invade her personal space on purpose, Vi did not quite go too far or anything like that. After all, she did not seem angered or agitated, more amused. “It’s the same with treating people and Pokemon like tools. Those in charge of the league are doing the that without reservations. I personally do care for the people close to me and use those who aren’t. It’s what everyone else also does, at least to an extent.”
She disengaged once more from the other, before offering a lackadaisical little shrug. “Besides, it is just healthier to think that way. Seeing you as more than a tool would be pointless if you might not live another day. I prefer to enjoy the life I can live, no matter how you might judge me for it.”
[break][break]

+ Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Ah, yes, Kyurem. I remember that one well enough. Both times,” she replied, implying that she had actually met it twice, even though one had been a simulation. But that was the kind of half-truth one would have to be able to handle when dealing with her. Violet certainly was full of herself in many a regard, and she did wear her survival in such battles like the badge it was. But she also acknowledged that doing it once was an accomplishment.
[break][break]
Honestly, she did not have much to complain about this application on the basis of merit. She only had to sort out motivation here. Which was going decently well. With that said, she finally rose from her seat, picking up one of those donuts in the process. “But if you ask me, being fine without reaching perfection is an important quality. A lot of the academic types are too obsessed with that over finding things that work well enough. Good to know you got enough sense in that regard,” she continued as she half rounded the table.
[break][break]
Though naturally, she did not invade the other’s personal space. Instead, she decided to half lean, half sit on the perpendicular side of the table as she took a bite out of confectionary product. Without any haste, she delicately sampled it, evidently forming an opinion about that, too. “If that had been some cheap knock-off that just looked nicely, I would have failed you after all, you know?” A smirk was evident on her face as she made this joke. “But as is, I am going to advance you. The next phases will test the resolve you showed today, but I will be rooting for you. Having more capable colleagues is something I always appreciate, after all.”
[break][break]

+ Calpurnia Kubrick

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

It was a fairly decent one. At least the parts of it that Vio had access to for the sake of this evaluation. She had been in quite a few of those incidents herself and could attest that they were a good enough measure of prowess. It would be kind of hypocritical to claim otherwise, given that she had been in this exact situation not too long beforehand.
[break][break]
Plus, she had first-hand experience with field testing, which did make her smirk a little. “And believe me, I know that full well about those sorts of tests. I was working in that area before being promoted to this position. Well, at least at some point.” Her responsibilities had shifted over her time in Rocket, after all. Though she still looked back fondly at her time with those in the labs. Which was also why she was giving this one a reasonably hard time, of course. With their paths somewhat similar in certain regards, she wanted to pose the challenge spoken of here. It was as simple as that.
[break][break]
“But since you say that you love challenges and that it is all about leverage, let’s put that to the test,” she started, before leaning back and briefly taking off the watch on her wrist. She put it on the table and pressed a button. “We both know that what I pass on regarding your application will tell whether or not you can proceed to the next step. So, hit me with your best shot, your best argument, taking into account what I disclosed about my views so far. Why should we advance you? After all, sometimes it is not about long studies to come to the perfect answer. Sometimes, you just have to go with the best you got on the spot and hope it is good enough.”
[break][break]

+ Calpurnia Kubrick

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Ah, I think I am fine with things as they are,” she casually replied, though she was inwardly just happy to see compliance like that. It would have been an actual headache in multiple regards if she would have had to engage this one, despite the considerable advantage assembled here. They had the field and numbers advantage, but technically, their opponent could still inflict damage if they tried.
[break][break]
To not make them realize that, and/or make them go for that play was what this was all about. After all, one was always only as caged in as one let herself be. Always leave your opponent a way out, never make them feel completely cornered. It was as simple as that, to her. Better to make some small talk to normalize things again. “An interesting, if inherently contradictory stance. If you were powerless, sure. But the moment you start making a difference and applying yourself, you lose the luxury of pretending you are not really part of things. I personally stayed out of things until I truly became convinced that Rocket is something worth fighting for. Being in a war like this just to support the lesser of two evils is, well…”
[break][break]
She let that hanging for a bit and instead had her people move the Pokemon back to their holding area. It was always best to add little pauses here and there. “..Well, frankly put, it is kind of pathetic. And an insult to anyone you trample over on your way who truly believes in the other side. I get it, you are a thrill-seeker or something. But if you truly believe that the third party should be stopped, devote your time to that and forge your own path instead of half-heartedly following the one that is convenient.”
Shrugging briefly, she tried to not sound too condescending when she followed that up, however. “Though, admittedly, we are making it easy for you by keeping you locked up, one way or another, don’t we?”
[break][break]

+ Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Good. I have seen enough. Take it off and shut it down,” Violet commanded, first and foremost. She could see, all but feel that woman getting worked up there. Clearly, she was enjoying herself, feeling power surging through her. For most people and circumstances, that would probably be a good thing. But this woman was a prisoner. She needed to be reminded of that. Not just for its own sake. Vi could feel the men around her getting more on edge now that more destructive applications were being demonstrated. It was her duty to gain intelligence here without anyone getting killed. A duty she took seriously.
[break][break]
Hence, she wanted to cut right through the other’s momentum like that. If Shalin complied without issue, her Pokemon would soon enough be carted off in another display of the disparity between them. Certainly, the Spectra agent was taking this very, very seriously. Even if she still gave herself rather calm and at least somewhat easy-going. “Either way, these were useful demonstrations,” she would ultimately continue, being careful to never praise that woman directly, but also not to deride her.[break][break] “It probably would not be a good fit for myself, so I will not test it out myself at least.” Vio chuckled, though she was not going to do it anyway. Trying out someone else’s sygna suits - at least without letting someone else try it first – just sounded like a needlessly bad idea. In her opinion, it was probably going to be best to simply see if the materials and energy linked to it could be salvaged and reformed. But that was not something to say to a prisoner. She did not need to know. And she would probably be more compliant if she believed that things would not be fully taken from her. “That being said, I am of the mind for an indulgence. You seem like someone who would be best suited to doing her own thing. How come you are so heavily involved with the League anyway?”
[break][break]

+ Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“I would appreciate it if you did not deny half of my name,” she replied with a little edge. That was the name she had chosen for herself. She was proud of it, especially now that it was associated with someone of import. To have it diminished was at least somewhat annoying. Even though, of course, she knew why. Right now, she was playing a role, after all. But even so, secretary or S.P.E.C.T.R.A., keeping names in line was important.[break][break]

It was all about respect for your fellow humans. “But, naturally, I do not believe that field work is all there is. Yet, that is precisely why I ask this question. The program you are applying for is one where a woman cannot simply stay back in her lab and develop sygna suits.” She would know a thing or two. Her own time with applied sciences had taught her as much. While she had not become a true scientist herself, at least as she remembered, Vio had been contributing a lot field testing those appliances. Which she found a fruitful distribution of labour.[break][break]

“In a way, you will have to work harder to convince those in charge precisely because of your accomplishments. Your typical grunt being uplifted through rigorous training to better serve Rocket is one thing. To expose a brilliant mind to more danger rather than using it more safely is another.” Violet decided to shrug lightly. At the end of the day, she was not going to tell the other off on principle, anyway. “Which does not mean it is impossible, of course. Just be aware of those complication moving forward. Though I am not sure I share your confidence. It is already a mighty step from leeching off of a powerful human to enslaving them. To take one of those we speak of that lightly would seem rather foolish. The will, be it human or Pokemon, is an impressive thing. And breaking it is a monumental task.”
[break][break]

+ Calpurnia Kubrick

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

At least this one was not obsessive. Violet did not show it, but she did observe her fellow Rocket. Ever since joining SPECTRA and taking part in their recruitment and evaluation process she had started to put more attention on those kinds of matters. Well, it had started long before that. But where once she had just rolled her eyes, she was now taking more mental notes.
[break]
Being tested by a torture freak with an absolute hate of leaguers did leave an impression on her, after all. She was not the greatest fan of those that relished too much in their own power and in hurting others. The other did manage to not succumb to that, at least, which was good enough. Violet simply kept up a light smile.
[break]
Then, she turned towards the Unown. They were distracted enough that getting one would probably be easy enough. “Hmm, come to think of it, I never expected to have any choice. This is a much bigger selection than anticipated,” she started, thinking. But she would find herself drawn to a particular letter, if it was around.
And no, not a V. An M of all things. For…reasons.
[break][break]

+ ameena abadi

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

There was a certain tension in the air when the demonstration began. Violet was not just talking loudly and clearly for this woman’s benefit, but also to keep the grunts in the loop, appraised of what they could expect. Evidently, some of them were not quite on board with letting a prisoner play around with their powers, even in a limited fashion like this. Violence was just a mistake or two away. Vi certainly knew that much.
[break][break]
And it would be messy if something happened. That girl’s chances to flee, overall, she considered fairly low. But if she tried, she could still do some damage, even more so while wearing the suit. It was the one thing those Megapolians had not understood about human nature. You keep people docile by leaving them just enough hope. Hope that, if they complied, things would improve, maybe eventually end.
[break][break]
That was what she relied on as she observed the suit’s abilities. “Naturally, type advantage is not everything. But good to know what it can do to mitigate its weaknesses.” Certainly, it would only work against the usual ice kind attacks one could find in a tournament. She had seen and felt Kyurem though, so that was the benchmark she considered whenever it came to ice. “You mean what it can do when it links to the Venosaur, right? Naturally, I want to see a small demonstration of that, too.”
[break][break]

+ Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

It probably was not necessary to make that woman spell it out, but it still was not a bad thing, she reckoned. Violet was a consummate liar. She lied to herself, for a living, and even to the one she loved day in and die out. With that much experience also came a sense for when others were lying to her. It certainly did not seem to be the case in this moment. She got the distinct impression that it was probably not the full truth either.
[break][break]
But that, she could accept. They were still enemies. She was hiding away her identity as well, after all. “Hmm, maybe later, but not now,” she responded, in part simply to deny this woman agency. It was subtle, but it was necessary to remind this one that she was a prisoner who was only just allowed to be near her Pokemon because that was of use to Rocket. That was something important to emphasize as this person was sitting on top of a no doubt powerful Pokemon.
[break][break]
Still though, Violet had watched closely and was still very much observant of proceedings. “I guess in the end that means this tool will need a lot of effort to adapt to. Especially for users without your specific predisposition. Though I reckon that it being vibration-based means that it would be naturally countered by anything prohibiting movement. Not that a Flygon needs another reason to avoid ice types, but being frozen would probably be an issue. Or does it come with countermeasures for that?”
[break][break]

+ Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Poaching, huh? Violet raised a brow at that moniker. Was this truly poaching? It wasn’t like they knew what was going on here anyway, if this kid even had any such intentions. They had come here to catch Unown themselves, after all. It felt kind of weird to act like some kind of league do-gooders and accuse that person of poaching.
[break][break]
Possibly. Vi honestly was not really sure of that. All she could tell was that the other’s Ultra Beast was certainly going to put an end to whatever was going on there. Without even really needing the type advantage.
Hence, she put back her own Pokeball for the time being. It clearly was not necessary. She was doing far better by crossing her arms and deciding to play the leader’s role, as this woman so eagerly gave to her. “Well, naturally, it would be prudent to make this the kind of lesson they can never forget, no matter how hard they try. If we were not where we are right now.”
[break][break]
After all, they were still in the middle of a city. “It’s probably best not to draw too much attention. The last thing we need is more people to find these Unown. Let them scamper off with their tail between their legs.”
[break][break]

+ ameena abadi

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Ah. So that guy was probably the only useful one. So, naturally, he would be stuck. That was kind of how it worked sometimes. She certainly knew a thing or two about at least feeling like she was the only competent person in a given room. Honestly, these guys were sailors. None of them had any Pokemon useful to get away from a storm? Were they all just collecting Crab Pokemon for some kind of on-board fighting ring or so?
[break][break]
Violet grimaced, but decided to drop the issue. Nothing good would come from getting worked up over others not doing their best in a survival situation. At least that was how she saw it. “Well, if you say so! But if Jellicent can’t hold out anymore, you better be ready to leave either way. I make no promises!” She certainly was not going to take anyone onto her Aegislash with her. That was a bad idea in good times already, but in dire ones, taking strange men onto her ride was just out of the question. Gaining some distance to the imperilled boat, Violet made her stance on the matter fairly clear that way. She was willing to help, but she was not going to risk her life for strangers.
[break][break]

+ Thomas Benoit

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Violet found herself a little surprised – at herself. She hadn’t had a lot of chances to truly put her training forth yet, but it was even useful in moments like this. Before, she probably would have struggled with crowds as well, but given that she had been trained in the more covert arts of Rocket, she had gotten a lot better both at deftly moving through crowds like this, as well as to not lose sight of what could be considered a mark. Those sorts of things just came more naturally to her now.
[break][break]
Which was a treat all by itself. “Well, at the very least they will probably be out of the public’s eye. Maybe they found something intriguing in the backstreets. But we should be wary of others that might be after them as well.” That was honestly what she was most wary of there, keeping an eye out for anyone else who might be following their own Unown guide. It was a relatively rare species and this was a larger city. There was bound to be someone noticing.
[break][break]

+ ameena abadi

[attr="class","pokeclass"]