#and do some testing to make sure it doesn't have any unintended consequences

[larkinna]

*taps mic* khm. hello.

may I interest the illario lovers in a (wip) piercings mod for him

UPDATE: now available on nexusmods :)

[slimeywooper]

Labmas AU - Unintended Consequences

Chapter 12 Part 1 - Game

Today will be different. You're going to do everything in your power to make sure of it. Last night you felt helpless, and though you don't know this for a fact, it appeared as if poor Kudari had been crying. You'll have to check to see if he's okay, and find out exactly what happened with Colress. When speaking with Nobori, you were somewhat distant after the events that transpired, so you want to let him know that it wasn't anything he did that made you feel that way. In fact, he cheered you up a little before you went back to your room. After getting dressed, you head downstairs. Stopping by the cafeteria, you grab a sandwich and a can of soda. When you get near the elevator, Colress is ready for you.

Smiling widely, he doesn't waste any time, "Am I happy to see you, (Y/N). I had a brilliant idea yesterday after arriving to my office, and I'm going to need your cooperation to see it through."

He's positively beaming. This can't be a good thing. "Good morning, Colress. I would love to help, but, this isn't some kind of dangerous Pokemon experiment is it?" you ask, feeling insecure by his mirthful exterior.

"No, nothing like that!" He shakes his head before explaining what he wants, "I've brought Noku to the first floor. They're in one of the planning rooms. I want you to talk with Kudari, and learn what he can and can't do. It will be fascinating to see if he tells you the truth, or lies to try and get away with doing things he shouldn't. Consider this a test of his. Nobori will be there as a witness."

"Is… that really necessary? Couldn't you just tell me yourself?" You're hesitant about the purpose of doing this.

He answers quickly, "I think its entirely necessary. And I could tell you, but that wouldn't be as interesting. As I said, it's a test." He seems awfully chipper to be giving this 'test', his smile not faltering, almost appearing smug.

"I'm assuming I don't actually have a choice?" you remark, defeat evident on your face.

Colress concurs, "That's correct. Now, they're already waiting for you. The only thing I've told them is that Kudari needs to speak with you about yesterday. All you have to do is ask Kudari what his limits are."

This is sounding like it's some sick joke being played on Kudari, but it's going to come across as you being the one making the joke. "If I must, but I think this is a little cruel. Kudari already knows he did something wrong. I'm the one who wasn't aware of the specific rules he's supposed to follow."

He scoffs, "Please! Kudari may be unhinged, but he is still intelligent. I hold him to high standards, as should you. When you brought him to the break room, he should have informed you that he could not go in." There's always a reason it's Kudari's fault. If he does something, he's bad, but at the same time, If he doesn't do something, he's also bad. Colress resumes detailing his idea, "When you ask him the question, you might have to word it in a few different ways. He's very fond of dancing around the truth, so you may have to try and slip him up to get it." Not giving you time to comment, he ends his request, "There are a few things I have to do in Plasma headquarters today. Have your little chat, then start to feed the Pokemon until I get back. Simple stuff."

You'll play along and ask Kudari, but you're going to be honest with him from the get-go. There won't be any 'gotcha' moment for Colress to enjoy. As he goes to make his leave, you tell him, "Seventeen."

Stopping midstride, he peers at you from over his shoulder, "Come again?" he inquires.

You explain further, "You asked me to count the Joltik before returning them to their cases yesterday. There were seventeen. Double check the next time you walk by the kennels, if you don't believe me."

It wasn't intended to sound snarky, but the way his smile tightens says he took it that way. He counters, "Good to know you were listening. Don't keep Noku waiting for much longer. There's always more work to be done." Facing forward once more, he adds, "Oh, and don't forget your lab coat today."

You don't bother replying, as he's already walking away from you, deeper into the headquarters. After the elevator arrives, you ride it down. In the reception area, the usual grunt is working at the desk. He's always wearing the same strange chain mail getup the other Plasma grunts wear. There's no hair visible by his face, but he has sharp black eyebrows. Approaching the desk, you try to act casual, "Hey, so, I'm (Y/N). I see you working here most days. What's your name?"

He looks you over, as if attempting to find some hidden motivation. "What's it to you?" His piercing blue eyes narrow when he asks.

Placing the sandwich and soda by him, you try to ease his suspicion. "Just wanted to say thanks for the addition to the desk. I had to sit here and man the door a couple days ago, and it would have been unbearable without your improvement. So this food here is a 'thank you.'"

Grabbing the sandwich and opening the wrapper, he takes a bite. "I don't know what you're talking about. My name's Marcello, though."

He is clearly feigning ignorance, and you don't want him to be in trouble if someone overhears, so you play dumb. "Yeah, sometimes I say things that don't make sense. But, I've delivered my message, so I should be going now." You walk to the door and scan your badge. As you go through, you hear Marcello open the soda can. Though you may not have made a new friend, you did a good deed. Hopefully this positive feeling can get you through what you are about to do. Stopping by the locker room, you grab your lab coat before heading around the corner. There is a brief moment you think about not wearing it, just to piss off Colress. But, knowing him, he would find a way to blame it on Kudari. The three planning rooms are before you, and unsure of which to enter, you pull out your phone. Before you can page Nobori, the middle door opens to reveal his face.

"(Y/N), over here," he calls to you. Today he is wearing his coat, hat, and gloves, but not his make up. Speed walking over to him, he continues, "Please come in. Kudari informed me he could smell you just outside the door." He moves aside and you brush past him, making slight contact. Your face involuntarily turns red.

As soon as the door closes behind you, Kudari immediately starts apologizing, "I'm so sorry! Please don't be mad at me (Y/N)! I didn't mean to trick you into taking me into the break room! It was never my intention to make you look bad!"

Soaking in what he had just said, you express confusion, "Hold on, I'm not mad at you. Where are you getting this from?" You're pretty sure you already know where he got it from, but you ask anyway.

He begins rushing through all the points in quick succession, rocking as he does. "Dr. Colress said it was very terrible of me to trick you, and that you were surely angry with me, and that people are going to think badly of you for being my friend." Finishing his explanation, he takes a step back, anticipating a barrage of insults.

Staring at him in disbelief, you assure him, "I would never be mad at you for something you didn't do! It was my idea to take you there! I didn't know you weren't allowed to go in, it had nothing to do with being 'tricked.'" Now pointing your finger at him, to better emphasize how serious the next statement is, you resume, "But don't ever think I would care what someone else says about us being friends!"

Looking unsure, he stammers, "R-really?"

Your hand falls back down to your side. "Yes, really." You are feeling distraught, adding, "I can't believe Colress would tell you that. Well, I can believe it, but I don't know why he would. It's not true. Just… what exactly happened when I left?"

Kudari looks up, as if retrieving the memory. "Um, he made me clean up the goo that dripped on the floor, pick up the sandwich that blonde kid dropped, and I had to change the trash bag so no one would see the body of the Metapod. That's when he started telling me things…" he looks back to you once again with a guilty expression.

"It's okay, you don't have to tell me any more if you don't want to. I think I get the whole picture." What a stupid asshole Colress is. Why would he lie? There was no rationale behind it. Even if he thought Kudari wasn't being truthful about why he was in the break room, he could have just asked you. "Please don't feel bad anymore. I don't think you did anything wrong."

Nobori decides to join the conversation, looking to the floor, face hidden by his cap. "(Y/N), I know there is a reason we are here, though I'm not aware what it is."

Here it is, the thing Colress is eagerly waiting for you to do. "Right… that. Colress wants Kudari to tell me what he's able to do while he's out of his room. I'm assuming just in general."

Kudari perks up, exclaiming, "I can do anything you need me to! Just ask!" an excited grin forming on his face. "I can even give your phone a little charge if it dies!" Using the thumb and middle finger of his right hand, he snaps them, causing a spark of electricity to erupt.

Of course, how could you forget something so extraordinary? Kudari had mentioned how his collar was strong enough to endure his electrical shocks. Colress had also said Nobori burned Kudari when they were fighting as teenagers. "So… you two can use moves like Pokemon?" you ask.

Bouncing up and down, Kudari affirms your assumption, "Exactly! Galvantula are part Electric type, so I am able to use those moves. And Nobori is able to use Fire type moves!" He points his arms over at Nobori, as if presenting him. "Those aren't the only types we can use, though!"

Thinking of all the awesome things they could do, you have to mentally scold yourself. Now is not the time. "That's really cool! Like having super powers!" Kudari vigorously nods at this. "But, I shouldn't get carried away. About my previous question, I guess I should word it as what you're not allowed to do."

"Well, in that case," Kudari starts listing things, raising a finger for each detail, "I can't eat normal food, go in the break room, destroy anything, hurt anyone, leave the laboratory… I think that's it." His eyes suddenly light up in recognition, "Oh, and I can't release any Joltik." He smiles widely at the mention of his friends. That wasn't anywhere near as long of a list as you dreaded it would be.

Nobori chimes in, "I think I see where this is going. Dr. Colress can be elusive with his intentions at times. I'm sorry you have been roped into this," he attempts to console you. "He does love testing things. And people."

"Tell me about it. I asked him if he could just tell me himself, but he said it wouldn't be 'interesting' that way." Trying to lighten the mood, you mention, "I'm glad you're here. I was kinda depressed last night, worried I had let Kudari down. Sorry if I came across as aloof, it wasn't anything you did. I was just upset with the situation."

"No worries. I was feeling rather low, myself. There are certain things about this place that never change, regardless of how much we may wish it," he says with a melancholy tone.

"Well, I put your info into my phone, so if need be I can page you. I'll try not to bother you." There's a desire to look away, but you hold your gaze, compelled to see his reaction.

A small smile curling on his lips, he speaks softly, "You could never do that." Your heart skips a beat at this.

[slimeywooper]

Labmas AU - Unintended Consequences

Chapter 10 Part 1 - The Kennels

It was a short walk before arriving at the kennels. "So… have you ever cleaned the kennels before? Because I sure haven't!" you announce, thinking of what the first course of action should be. "I remember Colress saying something about keeping some cages empty, solely for the ability to shuffle the Pokemon around, ensuring we can get to every cage. We need to make sure we clean them all. He's likely to come here after we're done and finger test them to guarantee they're spotless."

"Hee hee, that does sound like something Dr. Colress would do." Kudari looks at you, and makes a suggestion, "We should start with the Joltik!"

Unsure of his motives, you ask hesitantly, "Okay, but you are definitely not going to release any of the Joltik, right?" Kudari places his hands in a praying position, before assuring you,

"Of course I am 'definitely not going to release any of the Joltik.' Dr. Colress made it very clear, that if I am bad, you will also be in trouble. So I will most certainly not be bad." He returns his hands to the front of his midriff. You ascertain this to be his normal posture when he's not trying to explain something.

Taking his insistence at face value, you relent, "Well, alright. We'll start with the Joltik. I noticed two separate glass cases the other day. We'll have to grab them from one location, then find the others."

His temper flares, and with an unmistakable irritation, he remarks, "Yes, some people are very stupid! They separate the Joltik! But they are all friends! The Joltik must be together, or at the very least, in cases that are next to each other. That way they can talk, and know the others in their cluster are safe."

Attempting to prevent him from getting angry, you change the subject, "See, I knew you were brilliant! That's what I told Colress." Kudari turns red and wiggles in place. "Look… I'm glad I was able to convince Colress to give you some freedom. But I'm worried he is going to expect increasingly difficult things from the both of us, just to throw us off. I'm not trying to imply he wants us to fail, but he doesn't come across as the type that likes to be wrong, so I think we should be vigilant."

"Most certainly! Dr. Colress is a sore loser. He does not like when he is proven incorrect." Lowering his voice, Kudari puts his face close to yours. "You should also know, that even though most people here only put up with Dr. Colress because they have to, some of them are not above squealing to him if they over hear other's conversations."

"Oh… I get what you're saying. We should get to work now." Speaking in a whisper, you further acknowledge what he has just told you, "We'll continue this discussion when we can be sure we're alone."

"I would love nothing more!" Kudari stands up straight again. Quickly scanning the closest kennel, he spots some Joltik. "My friends, my friends!" he exclaims, opening the case and reaching inside to scoop them into his hands. Strange clicking noises are coming from his mouth before he begins to speak again, "These are my good friends. Here, hold one of them. They are nice, I promise. I have told them you are also their friend now."

You get to see up close just how long and sharp his fingers are as he presents the small Pokemon to you. It doesn't look like there is any way around it, you're going to hold it whether you want to or not. Outstretching your hand, he plops it down. Initially worried you were going to be shocked, you're pleasantly surprised by the softness. "They're so light and fluffy," you comment, lifting it closer to get a better look.

"They are the most cute Pokemon!" Kudari informs you. He looks to the Joltik and clicks at it. "Place it on your shoulder. I have instructed it to remain there. You can move when you need to. Obviously you shouldn't flail around or you might alarm it, but other than that, it should stay put."

"Neat! I didn't know the noises you were making were a language." You lay it on your shoulder, then thinking of the task you have been assigned, realize you don't have anything that can be used to clean with. "Here, let me run into the wash room so I can grab some supplies. I'll be right back," you notify him.

"Yes! I will retrieve the other Joltik and collect them on my back." He turns from you and heads to one of the other kennels, clicking as he goes.

You walk to the wash room with the Joltik sitting on your shoulder. Just as Kudari had said, it sat comfortably, observing what you were doing, but not making much of any movements. After entering and taking a quick look around the room, you open the cabinet, thankfully finding some cleaning spray next to the detergent, preventing you from having to head upstairs to the supply room. As much as you want to completely trust Kudari, you also want to avoid any surprises that may arise from leaving him to his own devices for too long. Peeking behind the wall partition, you see the small area designed for bathing Pokemon. The floor is tiled with a drain in the center, and a retractable shower head hanging above it. Stored in the corner, you spot a small cart with wheels on it. This will be perfect for holding the cleaning spray and towels. You grab the supplies and head back out, pushing the cart in front of you.

Approaching where Kudari is currently standing by the kennels, you hear him happily speaking to himself in his language. Or it appears that way, as you don't immediately notice any Joltik on his back. Lowering your eyes, and taking a closer look, you then see all the Joltik nestled on him. They had initially blended in with the yellow of his lower half. When Kudari had said 'collect them on my back,' you hadn't realized he was speaking about the back of his Galvantula abdomen. It is still hard to look at, but you figure what makes spiders so scary isn't just their looks, but the inability to know what they are going to do, or where they are going to run to. Kudari has the unsettling look, but you can communicate with him.

As if in response to your thoughts, he looks over to you and smiles. "There are seventeen Joltik. I won't take it personally if you double check," he says playfully.

Returning his smile, you assert, "No, I believe you." Taking a glance at the kennel, you note, "There aren't two unoccupied glass cases next to each other at the moment. There's a Purrloin in this case. I'll transfer it into a different cage so we can put the Joltik together." Kudari nods along to your plan. Opening the case, you let the Purrloin smell your hand. It swiftly jumps in your arms. "Okay! Hold on!" Its reaction prompts you to ask, "How long has it been since anyone spent any time with these Pokemon?"

"Hmmm…" Kudari ponders this, resting his elbow in his right hand while using the fingers on his left to tap his head in concentration. "Perhaps… almost two weeks?" He moves his arms back towards his abdomen and clicks to the Joltik. They begin to crawl up him, resting along his arms and on his shoulders. "Most of the researchers and assistants don't spend time with the Pokemon, they just feed them, do the bare minimum to maintain cleanliness and move on. The only person that would really interact with them as more than mere specimens was Colress' old assistant. But do not get the wrong idea. He was the worst person in here. I don't want to talk about him, it will only upset me."