#【 AND I SUNNED IT WITH MY SMILES AND WITH SOFT DECEITFUL WILES ➞ in char. 】

[imperiarre]

He’s closed his eyes. He refuses to see the current talk and isn’t going to get involved  ❤️✨✨

[feastofcadavers]

A bolt of electricity was heard sparking through the air, charring the dead leaves next to Aloe as they turned to see who they had encountered. Past the quiet sound of crinkling leaves, an incredibly irritated electrically yellow-haired fellow. If Mint were here- he'd recognize such a face, and yet, it's only Aloe.

"Why are there so many of you, yet none of you listen to me?! Take me to Caramel, fucker!"

The researcher simply blinked, wings spreading behind them. Neither seemed to be giving way to any fear despite the obvious dangers they posed to each other. "What, to pompous to talk back? I bet all you can do is buzz, you filthy insect!" Oh, that brought an eerie grin to Aloe's face. Seeing the other's rage causing sparks around them was exactly what they needed. Sharpened teeth, including fangs sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, shown through the autumn fog.

"I was angry with my foe," Aloe recited, their legs broadening out into that six-legged stance they held when they were to lose themself. And yet, they were perfectly 'them'. "I told it not, my wrath did grow." More recital work, that of which the other cookie did not appreciate. Another bolt of lightning, missing it's mark only barely by Aloe swiftly picking themself up into the air with the flutter of their wings. They flew about, running circles around the grounded figure.

Bolt after bolt was fired, and yet none hit. The scientist was too swift for someone even as quick as lightning. The angered figure was discharging without even realizing how much energy he was wasting.

"And I watered it in fears, night & morning with my tears..." The voice of Aloe's was far calmer in comparison, like a soothing ocean to a rabid, raging volcano. "And I sunned it with smiles, and with soft deceitful wiles. And i-" A strike finally hit them- their wings- causing them to fall to the ground. Without hesitation, the cookie took his chance and pinned the bug. It was awkward with the gross growth on Aloe's back- "You weird, disgusting thing! Stop speaking in riddles!" -though that didn't stop the irate assailant.

Hissing, Aloe's wings fluttered desperately (as painful as it was with one shocked to a crisp), and their legs scuttled with no success of finding a way up. Their hands were held to the soil, dirtying their petticoat and whatall they wore.

"Shut the fuck up and take me to my friend!"

"...fine."

The assailant seemed to be caught in surprise by the agreement, enough that it was perfect for Aloe to turn themself over and turn the tables. A discharge was launched through the vera's system, but it didn't stop them from being the one to pin the other to the ground. "Just kidding." They chirped, laughing as their fangs were bared. The static-producing cookie struggled, yet he couldn't get out from under the other. What sort of supernatural strength was this?! "Don't- don't you dare fucking touch me!"

"...And it grew both day and night." Oh great, Aloe was continuing their poem. They drew closer by the word, seeming to soak in Lemon's now growing fear. "Till it bore an apple bright. And my foe beheld it shine," There was a sickening laugh from Aloe, their fangs drawing so close to the other's skin that their breath could be felt. As cold as the atmosphere was, that warm breath brought more shaking from fear rather than temperature. "Don't- don't y-you dare you dirty ass bu-"

"And he knew that it was mine."

And their fangs sunk in, and sapped away at the strength of such an angered-turned-fearful individual. It tasted tart, like lemons, but taste didn't matter to them. They drank away, holding the lemony-tasting cookie down despite the shocks that dimmed down the more they took in. Typically, Aloe hated to take in such vile fluid, but this was different.

This was for Co.

As the lemony cookie fell from struggling, to submissive, to unconscious, Aloe finally released. Yup, this cookie was certainly out cold. With a grin, they picked up the cookie and slung him over their shoulder. "Lemon," That must have been the name. "What a bother, but a useful one."

With a smile, they began to wander off, finishing what they had started. "And into my garden stole, when the night had veiled the pole; In the morning glad I see; My foe outstretched beneath the tree."

"..."

"...Ah, I think I forgot a line. Oh well, my point had gotten across."

[imperiarre]

@darkestaken​ asked: "sakaki, you're going to be a grandfather!"

The news made him choke, his body twisting so he could stare at Akela with wide, very shocked eyes. She wasn’t the type to use an announcement like this as a practical joke, especially not against him of all people, so that meant...

Well, at least it wasn’t Silver. As much as Giovanni loved his son, that sour expression he always seemed to carry on his face would be more than enough to deter any romantic interests. Besides, he’s not sure he could trust that boy to keep himself in acceptable condition, much less a newborn infant. But, even with that possibility firmly out of the way, the alternative wasn’t a much better solution.

                     ❝  She’s a little young, don’t you think? Wait, never mind that- Who’s the father?!  ❞

[imperiarre]

                     ❝  I must say, as both a Gym Leader and an avid follower of the Galarian battle scene, I’ve always thought Melony was simply amazing woman. Ice is not an easy type to train, especially given how, ah, standoffish most specialists tend to become.  ❞

                     ❝  She, however, radiates a passion and warmth that even the hottest fire type fails to compare to. It would be an honour to meet her one day.  ❞

[imperiarre]

                     ❝  It’s beyond contemptable, says the one prepared to wipe out the lives of billions.

                     Experimentation is necessary should we wish to understand pokemon further. It’s the reason why each region has a dedicated scientific sector - any intellectual should know that passive observation only gets you so far. Rocket methods are perhaps a little more intensive, but to compare it to years of torture shows how little you really know.  ❞

                     ❝  Contrary to what you might believe, I don’t take pleasure from the suffering of innocents. It’s why I have actually taken over control of some of our more... Unfortunate pokemon guests. Our techniques are as efficient and painless as possible, as are our occasional necessary executions. I trust my employees to adhere to my code of ethics, and anyone caught going against it will face consequences.  ❞

[imperiarre]

Did he fill his base with useful Rocket employees, or an untamed horde of talking Mr. Mimes?

Days like these really make him feel like it’s the latter.

[imperiarre]

                     ❝  I would like to remind those of you that are perhaps a little more... down on your luck, that Rocket offers free accomodation for all members, and pays exceptionally well compared to most other Kanto employers.  ❞

                     ❝  Our doors are always open for new recruits, and we demand nothing more than your cooperation.  ❞

[imperiarre]

@darkestaken​ asked: how about a little cactus plant from akela :D

The plant is held by its pot, the back of Giovanni's fingers ghosting carefully over the plant's spikes. He's never been the type for greenery, especially not when he has a cat that insists on jumping onto every vaguely flat surface and batting things off, but this seems... special, somehow. 

Having seemingly made his decision, Giovanni tightens his grip on the cactus and holds it as close as he can without pricking himself.

"Thank you, Akela. I'll be sure to take excellent care of it."

[imperiarre]

@pathtothemissing​ replied: maddie unaware: -offers flower??-

His eyes flicked down to the flower, then back up to the person holding it. As usual, his face betrayed none of the feelings bubbling underneath it, though it wouldn’t take much to see that he was... unimpressed.

                     ❝  This is what you wanted to waste my time with?  ❞

The flower is taken and toyed with, before being dropped unceremoniously down onto the surface of his desk. Maddie may be a child, but that doesn’t mean Giovanni has the time or energy to waste entertaining stupid games or feel-better techniques. It comes across at patronising, more than anything else.

She’s dismissed with a wave of his hand.

                     ❝  You can leave now. Someone will escort you back down.  ❞

[imperiarre]

( @darkestaken​ )

what was that ?

                     ❝  Hm?  ❞

He turns around with a pleasant smile, praying to any god that hadn’t yet abandoned him that this conversation wasn’t going to be about what he thought it was. Or, at the very least, that she hadn’t caught onto what he was so blatantly trying to do.

Giovanni’s hands reach out for hers, staying alert just in case she plans to strike like a Pyroar that’s just had its tail stepped on.

                     ❝  What was what, sweetness? I wasn’t paying attention.  ❞

(Please let the petname work.)

[imperiarre]

                     ❝  Condemn Rocket all you like, but there will always be people willing to join our cause. No region is ever completely free of turncoats.  ❞

[imperiarre]

                     ❝  In case anyone was still in doubt: I’m a cheater.  ❞

[imperiarre]

                     ❝  You should know better than to try and communicate with someone of such low calibre. Use a word longer than three letters, and you’ve confused the poor boy already.  ❞

[imperiarre]

(   @darkestaken​   )

Feelings were not an easy thing for Giovanni to process. Kalliope was the person he cared most about, and even then he knew neither of them would ever really love in the way they were expected to, and yet he hadn’t completely abandoned his past partner.

Akela had been incompatible. Her soft heart and tender optimism would have had her crushed beneath the weight of Rocket before she’d even managed a week, and even when they’d been ‘together’ he’d already had certain other partners on his radar. He’d left behind his daughter, changed his son’s name and attempted to strip away whatever goodness Zamia Silver might have inherited from his mother, and he’d done his damnedest to infect the world with the venom. He’d been free to pursue the path he’d always intended to, and yet he still couldn’t forget about her.

And so, when their paths cross, he can’t resist starting a conversation. Even though he knows it will ultimately lead nowhere, he can’t just ignore her.

                     ❝  It’s been a while, Akela.  ❞

[imperiarre]

She is watching everything.

[imperiarre]

                     ❝  Listen up, fives, and our one self-proclaimed ten, a fifteen is speaking.  ❞