[20-- Voice]

[bakaitoukid]

I didn't think Johto could any weirder than it was already. Between... y'know, radioactive monsters and old, out-of-date, 8-bit music that won't turn off no matter what you do, I figured we had reached the maximum capacity for weird.

I think this place just proved me wrong.

[Kaito's message is short this time around, and somewhat cryptic, if only

Comments

[action]

[fortunatewings]

[So Naoto has been searching for Kaito. She had an interesting encounter and a "wild" theory she'd like to talk out with someone but first she'll attempt small-talk.]

Kaito-san. What weird thing have you encountered?

And as to the music... I can't say I have a favorite, but I had grown quite tired of the Cherrygrove music by the time I left.

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

[he'd be more than happy to discuss theories with her!]

Just something really, really weird.

Like I said, I'm tired of Violet City. And Sprout Tower.

[action]

[fortunatewings]

I shall leave it at that then, if you don't wish to share.

I fear I will grow tired of Violet in time, though I have not visited Sprout Tower yet.

[And then she hesitates, but the best way is the blunt way.]

I am certain there is a Rocket in town, and reasonably certain he is far more a threat than most members of that organization.

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

[anything else he might have said is is drowned out by that last statement]

... he might be the one who kidnapped Kay. She said he was here. She saw him fighting Falkner at the gym.

[action]

[fortunatewings]

[Naoto just... blinks a couple times, too surprised to respond. But it had just been a wild theory based entirely on circumstantial evidence with nothing concrete to back it up and--!]

So my suspicions were correct?

[That came out as more of a question than she would have liked.]

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

[he blinks a bit too]

You sound surprised! Aren't you a detective?

[action]

[fortunatewings]

It was purely based circumstantial evidence and suspicion. I did not think it would prove conclusive so quickly.

[She sighs]

We must proceed with caution. He is intelligent, exceedingly arrogant, and a very clever deceiver. I suspect, had I not encountered him again I would have overlooked the clues about his true nature.

[Which bothers her.]

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

[his grin fades]

Yeah. I know how guys like him operate. [he's met far too many back home]

Re: [action]

[fortunatewings]

[She is beating herself up over this]

As do I. I should have noticed the signs sooner.

[One conversation, just audio at that ...oh silly Naoto]

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

It's like you said. He's a pretty slippery guy. Don't go blaming yourself.

[action]

[fortunatewings]

That is true.

[She'll just have to work harder not to be caught unawares by the next one.]

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

-- did you get a name from that guy?

Re: [action]

[fortunatewings]

I did not, unfortunately. During the first conversation, while he seemed helpful, I did not feel like introducing myself and he did not either.

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

... he probably would have given you a fake one, anyway. He's the secretive type.

[action]

[fortunatewings]

That is likely.

[She shakes her head] I must not dwell on what I cannot change. We must focus on finding him. I am certain he has never set foot in New Bark from the questions he asked; I believe we can assume that that fact is true of most Rockets, and that their base is where he will flee to.

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

Well said, Shirogane-san.

And you're right, I think the people who land here as a part of Team Rocket end up somewhere other than New Bark town. I know I've spoken to a few people who woke up some place different and never dealt with the weird lady who calls herself our mom.