Because apparently redheads suit the Numel line

[red_rockette]

[[Having received the order from the Boss to train harder, Ariana has, of course, taken it to heart. She's currently perched comfortably on her Arbok, with her Vileplume leaning against it, snoozing. Both pokemon look significantly stronger than before. Above her, her newly evolved Honchkrow (thanks to a handy pokemon manual she found) is soaring

Comments

[oceansbane]

[...well. That's a rival team's insignia, but she's attractive enough. Judging by her other Pokemon, she's not too familiar with either ground or fire, as training goes. And with that level of inattentiveness, once that Numel actually evolves she seems like the sort to misjudge an Eruption and get half her face burned off.

This? This is a spectacle waiting to happen.]

Mm, I don't know; they're good Pokémon. Strong. Reliable.

With enough patience, of course.

[red_rockette]

[[Ariana will be looking up at the sound of a voice; now what's this? A rival team member?

....finally, something potentially interesting. At least, moreso than her nails. You're being humoured, sir.]]

And what makes you the authority on that, hmmm?

[oceansbane]

Ground and fire are my areas of expertise, for one thing; I have a good amount of experience with that particular species.

For another, I wouldn't say it if I didn't know. But you're going to have to take my word on that, and I won't blame you if you don't.

[red_rockette]

Is that so?

[[....hmmmm. On one hand, rival team member. On the other...well. She wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about this....Nommel thing.]]

You're going to have to prove it.

[oceansbane]

The former, not the latter, I assume. That's fine.

[Now, to be fair, Maxie is the sort of person who will make a dramatic announcement implying some sort of Master Plan only to get distracted by booze and various sparkly things along the way, and then he'll only show up ten chapters later after arbitrarily realizing that hey, he should probably be doing something...but! When it comes to raising his Pokémon, the man genuinely does know what he's doing. Frighteningly well, actually.

You can say hello to his Camerupt, Ariana. The thing maims Walreins. And yes, he pretty much always smirks like that...he knows he's a BAMF, okay, and far be it from Maxie to tell anything he owns to look less smug.]

1/2

[red_rockette]

[[.......well. That is one huge Camerupt.

Don't mind if Ariana stares for a moment, because that thing is big and massive and wow. Numel, on the other hand, will be ever-so-gingerly moving forward because omg it's the same species as her this is so exciting.]]

...that's...

2/2

[red_rockette]

[[....alright, Ariana will stop gaping now. That's just unladylike and she has a feeling it's feeding your ego. Both of you.]]

That's quite impressive. So you're saying that's what she'll evolve into?

[[....hmmmm. Perhaps she won't feed the thing to Proton.]]

[oceansbane]

[And that is probably the most spot-on assessment ever. Of course, you're more than welcome to keep feeding their egos. They don't mind.

...well, Maxie doesn't mind, at least, but that's primarily because Maxie is about the only one paying attention to Ariana at the moment. Camerupt seems pretty content to notice that Maxie isn't riled up or angry at the lady in white, and Archie is nowhere in the immediate vicinity; with a distinct lack of things to thrash, he'll just be examining the newcomer over there. Same species is always cool; he'll just be over there sizing her up. Probably trying to see if there's awesomeness potential there or something. As Camerupts do.]

Pointless to show him to you otherwise, I'd think.

[red_rockette]

Well, I do love a man with an attitude.

[[She'll just be continuing to size up that Camerupt of yours, Maxie; since Numel has wandered over to sniff at his feet, she can clearly see the size difference. Interesting...perhaps Proton will have to go hungry.]]

So do I get a demonstration?

[oceansbane]

That depends. I don't often give information out for free, you know. Not to mention that the best way to demonstrate things like that would be in battle.

[red_rockette]

[[Ariana will just be taking one look at that Camerupt

then one look at her pokemon (particularly her Vileplume, who looks like she's going to have a aneurysm)

and finally back to Maxie.]]

But you've been so helpful so far. Besides, a man like you, with a pokemon like that, fighting little old me?

That doesn't sound very satisfying for you.

[oceansbane]

[Oh, that gets a laugh out of him. Damn near manic. You're hilarious, woman. Really.]

Is that the standard-issue grunt uniform for Team Rocket, then? Because that's the only way I can see that argument working at all.

Or does Giovanni have a different criteria for handing out promotions?

[red_rockette]

[[Oh that's just going to make her smirk, Maxie.]]

You think you're clever, don't you baby? But you're talking to an Executive, and I'm one of the best.

[[Just how she's the best is apparently not going to be elaborated on, but you can use your imagination~]]

Are you trying to imply that you know of my Boss, then?

[oceansbane]

Of course; I like to get to know my rivals. After all, as the leader of Team Magma, it's in my best interests to know who I'm going to be dealing with.

[red_rockette]

[[Now she looks interested.]]

Ah, you're the leader, then. I had a feeling you weren't just any old grunt. How fascinating~

[[She'll just be sliding off Arbok, now; not making any move to approach, just leaning against her and sizing you up, Maxie.]]

I do hope you two boys managed to get along.

[oceansbane]

[...my...god, your manner of speaking is really annoying.]

If he hasn't filled you in, I see no need to brief you myself.

[They did get on well, though, outside of the part where he spoiled your boss' friendship with a hot blonde, in what's best described as not really anything close to an accident. Oops?]