(Untitled)

[eflamberge]

[It's probably happened to all of you. You're so focused on what you're doing, that you completely forget about the rest of the world around you.

What usually does not happen is that said world fades out and is replaced by a completely different one. And so, as the blue-haired Count pensively polishes his precious Magma Emblem using a small towel

Comments

THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER OMG YOU'RE HERE - I mean, uh, hi

[forgedinmagma]

[At the sight of the Team Magma enbelm, Troy reaches for his Poke Balls. Out comes Skarmory, and although he doesn't have it attack, it's a near thing. The look on his face should tell Edmond exactly how fond of Team Magma Troy is as he approachs.]

We don't need any more criminals on this island.

[Troy's voice is clearly struggling to maintain a neutral tone, but there's a strong undercurrent of hate to his voice.]

[eflamberge]

[Blink. Blink.

Slowly, Edmond raises his eyes from the Magma Emblem and does a brief double-take as he looks around himself, recognizing the place, then at his Zangoose. So this is what Fang was trying to tell him... Edmond is back on the island! His first thought is, are the Maxies anywhere nearby?

... But there's no time to think about that now. Who is it that just spoke?

Unfortunately, sir, you look a lot like a person that Edmond isn't terribly fond of. Because, clearly, there can only be one person in Hoenn who rules at hoarding shiny rocks. Edmond quickly hides the Emblem in his pocket and frowns, blue eyebrows knitting together.]

The young Mr. Stone...? How very like you to act so rashly and rudely. Wherefore would you attack us?

[forgedinmagma]

My name isn't Mr. Stone. That's another version of me, one who's a lot more lenient on criminal activity. And you'll note I haven't actually attacked you. This is just a precaution in case you decide to engage in any of the delightful crimes your group is so fond of committing when people's backs are turned.

[He makes a hand gesture to his Skarmory, and it comes up beside him. It's wings aren't spread, but it's legs are braced and it's ready to move if it has to. Troy's face remains unreadable.]

[eflamberge]

[... Oh, right, the whole alternate universes and doubles thing. The thing that makes it possible for a Maxie to be murderous and insane. And yet, still so inexplicably attractive... focus, Edmond!

Ah, so he saw the Emblem. Very well - Edmond has an entire protocol prepared for cases like this. His posture relaxes and he tilts his head to the side.]

"My group"? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, Mr. ... ah, what is your name, then?

[forgedinmagma]

My name Troy Rochard. By your group, I am referring to Team Magma, the cult of personality centered around Maxie. The people who have more or less destroyed my world. Although you may not be from there, you're part of them, which means you cannot be trusted.

[eflamberge]

[Edmond shakes his head with a polite smile.]

Oh, you are very mistaken, Mr. Rochard. Me, a member of Team Magma? Wherefore would you conceive such a thing?

[And it's almost true - technically, he's not a member of Team Magma.]

Allow me to introduce myself - my full name is Count Edmond Valerius Flamberge. In my home of Lavaridge Town, I am but a simple collector, living a mostly secluded life. I seldom venture outside my mansion, and I wouldn't dream of doing so with the intention of wreaking havoc over my beloved homeland.

[forgedinmagma]

Don't take me for a fool, Count Flameberge. You have an Embelm and you're dressed in red. You're isolated and therefore easy to manipulate. With every word you speak you make yourself look more and more like someone they'd love to recruit. I'm not so easily lied to.

[eflamberge]

[Shaking his head, Edmond heaves a deep, frustrated sigh.]

This is simply unbelievable! One of your standing and condition, picking a fight with me because I'm dressed in red?

And that medallion is simply something I found while on a trek and decided to keep. What, do you believe, makes it so important?

[forgedinmagma]

Police on three seperate continents engage in something called 'clothing profiling'. I suggest you read up on it at some point in time. And I know better than to believe a Team Magma member would ever just drop their embelm somewhere and forget about it. Nor would you be polishing it and caring for it if it were some unimportant trinket.

Drop the act, Count. You aren't fooling anyone.

[eflamberge]

[He laughs an airy, ladylike laugh.]

Please, young man, behave yourself. Why, if your fame did not precede you, I would think you were a madman, seeing things, believing the wildest figments of his imagination to be real.

I beg you heed your common sense - it is quite normal for a collector like myself to take proper care of even the least important of his items - as is the case here. And, can't I simply like red...? Why, you're wearing a red scarf yourself. Am I entitled to draw the same conclusion you did?

Come now - I know just the way to ease your troubled mind. Allow me to treat you to a drink of your choosing.

[The idea of hanging out with a Steven double is simply ghastly to Edmond, but in this case, it's probably worth it.]

[forgedinmagma]

Anyone who wants to go get me drunk is someone I should avoid regardless of their alliance. And you may be able to smart talk your way around other people, but you're still under my suspicion. I'll be watching you. I've seen criminals like you before. Your act will break eventually.

[eflamberge]

[Edmond shakes his head with a smile.]

It's not my intention to get you in a state of stupor. I merely said "a drink" - you can just order tea, if that is what you feel like having. All I want is for you to relax and stop being so unreasonable.

[He reaches a hand out in Troy's direction.]

I have nothing to hide, Troy - you can watch me all you want.

Sorry for late tagging; I was sick.

[forgedinmagma]

I'm not being unreasonable. I'm being properly paranoid. There's a difference.

[And he's refusing that hand, eyeing Edmond icily.] One wrong move and I will be on you like a Beedrill on honey.

It's okay, I know! <3 I hope you're feeling better.

[eflamberge]

"You will be..."?!

[Suddenly, Edmond breaks into a genuine, hearty laugh. What a splendid metaphor for... something else that is in no way what you meant to say!]

Oh, my! That just now was exquisitely equivocal, my friend! What can I say? I'd love to see you try. But as I said - I have nothing to hide.

So, shall we go?