maskormenace | [Video]

Entry tags:

[Video]

[ The feed starts and Archer is sitting in front of the camera in a serviceable chair. He appears to be in an office, though one that was likely only recently moved into. Along the bottom of the screen a nice enough desk could be seen. Light filtered in from some unseen window to the side. It was quite good framing, all things considered.

Archer allowed a second for viewers to take in the scene (and perhaps this was a holdover from his world and the less technologically advanced ways of it) before nodding in greeting and beginning to speak. ]

Hello. I am Apollo Akagawa and I am here to offer my services. While many citizens are no doubt grateful for the hand imPorts played in the salvation of the world, there are others who might make legal claims in an attempt to wring every cent from those who saved them. Perhaps there are some who will find themselves on the other side of charges for simply refusing to swear allegiance before daring to preserve life. At any rate, there are those who will take advantage of us should we not be prepared.

I have recently acquired a license to practice law in this world, a skill that I had in the world I am from that served my clients and myself quite well. It is this skill that I would like to offer to aid the imPort community. The price of my work will be less, if not outright waived, for events such as these where those who put their lives on the line are unjustly impacted by civil or criminal suits.

Naturally, I welcome all questions you might have.

[ He gives a polite nod. ]

I thank you for your time.

[ The feed cuts out.

He places the device camera-down on the desk and smiles to himself. It will be interesting to see where this goes, and how successful or not this attempt to build good will within the community will be. While he is putting himself at a monetary disadvantage for the time being he has hopes that it will be worth it in his pursuit of his long-term goals.

For now though, he stands and gets back to the process of unpacking in his new apartment. Hopefully this one won't come to the same damages as the last. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Workin' Pro Bono? Heh... The apocalypse musta done one helluva number on you for you to turn all generous-like, huh?

[He says unironically having gone and helped save the world himself. Look, it's different.]

Not that I buy it. I know your type, you ain't nothin' but a Sneasel tryin' to Wurmple your way into people's good graces so you can stab 'em in the back first chance you get.

[He couldn't outright place it before, but now he knows what it is that drives him nuts about this guy. He reminds him of Faba, that greasy little scab of a man. Too bad he hasn't had the chance to pound his face in like he did Archer...]

To think it could happen to us both, hm?

[ He's going to call him out on that. Yep. ]

But no. My motivations stem from somewhere else. My generosity is admittedly self-serving in some regards. I have an interest in making sure that laws regarding imPorts do not become more draconian than they are now. No doubt many who were unregistered found their status shift to 'vigilante' in the events of the last months, unjustly so. This is the sort of scenario where legal precedent is established, and I refuse to sit by and allow myself and those in a similar lot to myself be swept out to see.

It is unfortunate if you cannot see the benefit of a community in such circumstances. As I am likely to be here for the foreseeable future [ Thanks for not voting for Atropos, assholes. ] continuing to act as though I am separate in all ways serves no one.

Tch, don't know what you're talkin' about.

[Guzma says with clear attitude, not liking that call out one bit!]

God damn, I always hate your type. Y'all sure talk a lot and say a whole lota nothin' at the same time. It's almost impressive. But don't go playin' like there's any part of ya that gives a single shit 'bout the rest of us.

"Self-serving in some regards" pfft, gimme a break, dude. Just own it: you're a nasty fuck who only cares for yourself. I ain't criticizin' that, but frontin' otherwise? Weak.

I apologise. I can use smaller words if you need me to. [ He was, of course, not sorry. ] I do not care about individuals who I have not formed relationships with, that is true. It is true of most people whether they care to admit it or not. I do, however, care about how the laws affect us all. At no point have I claimed this offer was from the goodness of my heart, and in fact clarified the purpose.

Your choice to read it as some attempt to be seen as a particularly virtuous individual is just that, your choice.

Tch, gonna apologize and then condescend to me? Look dude, I understand bigger words just fine, but apparently you don't get what I'm sayin'. Your long-winded ramblin' s'got no substance--it's all Bulushit, yo.

[God, this guy reminds him of Faba--not quite equivalent, but the sliminess of him is of the same brand.]

You know damn well this is more a benefit to you than the community you're hopin' to Sneasel your way into. That's what I'm gettin' at, man.

Edited 2019-11-27 18:53 (UTC)

The apology was not genuine. I had assumed you would understand that. My words do, in fact, have substance. I am attempting to make you understand my motives.

I should not be surprised that one so insistent on flaunting his ability to break the law in the most juvenile ways imaginable fails to understand the importance of the law. Though I would have expected a gang leader to perhaps understand the concept of a strong community. I do benefit, yes. I do not however benefit as much as the community as a whole would from avoiding draconian laws being put into place. There will always be members of the community, powerful members, who would put law above sense and reason. I aim to avoid such a situation altogether by making sure that legal precedent never allows such laws to even be considered.

LMFAO DID YOU GET KICKED OUT is it because of the BIG MURDER we did in your apartment that i helped cover up

[ Archer looked at his phone, saw the notification, and made a mental note to apply a special ringtone to Archie's posts so that he could be aware of just what level of stupidity he was heading into beforehand. ]

I moved of my own accord. The landlord and I had a disagreement that was in fact related to that incident.

Though, I was certainly not aware that you considered the extermination of a universal anomaly that tried to kill us a murder. To think you hold such guilt over self defense. How awful.

[ He was going to be a sarcastic petty bitch right back, thanks. ]

dont try and be cute it's like watching team rocket try to be a successful team instead of a group of idiots jerking off

I assure you that I am not attempting to be cute. I am merely trying to show you how ridiculous it is to liken the extermination of a dangerous creature to the act of taking a sapient life. Even if you are only doing so in order to cause others concern.

honesty is the best policy, is it not?

[one day archie will shut up and stop saying garbage words. today is not that day.]

Perhaps you have a twisted view of honesty, then, if that is what you think occurred.

[ Pot. Kettle. Black. Archer has no room to speak at all. ]

I do have the whole event on camera, in case you were wondering. If you wish we can ask the police whether or not it counts as murder. I do believe that they will be a bit stumped as to why we are wasting their time when they see that the body disappeared in essentially a puff of smoke before us.

[ After what was essentially beating the everloving shit out of it with multiple pokemon, that is. ]

surprised you had the place hooked up. bit weird.

It seemed quite relevant after our first meeting. It turned out to be quite useful after a pair of your friends came to avenge you for my self-defense when you attacked me unprovoked.

yeah i didn't even know about that until after the fact tragic

I really do question the company you keep sometimes.

didn't know you cared so much

I care about Nikolai. I certainly hope that the company you keep does not do him harm.

they'd never do any such thing, not unlike the ones you associate with back home best if niko never sees those ones again

Good. Because I will do everything in my power to protect Nikolai from those who would do him harm.

you're going to need to change real fast before you end up needing to turn that gun of yours on yourself, archer you're the only person here that falls under that purview

I am not harming him, Archie. I have even refrained from pressing for our agreed upon number of meetings due to the state of the world until recently, because I understand that he is quite overwhelmed with emotions in my presence and it would do him harm to have to manage those in the face of what was to come.

renounce rocket and giovanni and mean it then maybe he won't be so overwhelmed by your presence

I will not renounce Giovanni. Though you might have noticed that in this world there is no Rocket. There is also no need for Rocket. [ For now. ] Perhaps you missed it, but I have taken to my life as a lawyer once more.

Even if my fellows were to be taken to this world as well that would not mean that Rocket exists here.

if it doesn't matter then it wouldn't be a problem to truly cut your ties to it

I have no idea what you just said.

[ She only vaguely knows about lawyers. Grew up in a military dictatorship etc etc ]

What parts are you finding unfamiliar? Perhaps I can aid your understanding if we start there.

What's a "legal claim"?

[ Oh gods. It's fine. He'll just continue to sound happy to be able to explain things. ]

In this country there is a legal system. That system includes the laws that people are expected to follow on a daily basis, such as 'do not commit assault' and 'do not steal', as well as laws that hold up order among those who see to it that law is kept. The legal system is one where claims can be made against an individual or entity that they feel has broken the law.

An example would be suing a home invader for damages done, meaning that should the claimant win the case the home invader would have to pay for the damages done during this invasion.

Claims can also be made against the government should it be felt they are acting outside of the law or are acting unethically. If an individual's status changed from 'unsettled' to 'vigilante' during the course of saving the world from the apocalypse I feel they have a good chance to petition the government to change this. The near apocalypse was a disaster, and citizens and non-citizens alike who are not imPorts do not see punishment for giving aid unless their 'aid' was in fact harmful. ImPorts should not be punished with such a status if a visitor to the country would not also be marked as a vigilante for attempting to give aid in a disaster.

Interesting. Thank you for the explanation.

[ She's sure she can work with this at some point. ]

You're welcome. Do you have anymore questions?

[ He remembers that voice well enough to be curious about the 'thank you'. That rude child from the library hardly seemed the sort. Of course, he doesn't betray this curiosity in his voice. ]

Hmph.

What, did they just look at your import status or something? Awww, whatever.

How do we know you wouldn't screw us over or something?

[ Unlike the other replies so far, Archer chooses this one to change to Video. ]

Hardly. I am still listed as 'Unsettled' [ And to show this he holds the correct wrist up and pulls down his sleeve to show it is as he says. ] This is no doubt because I am aware of laws which allow any and all individuals regardless of citizenship to act in their own defense and the defense of others under times of great danger, and I know the legal grey areas. When one is fighting robotic creatures rather than living humans the law does not consider you a vigilante in such extreme circumstances. [ Or at least he knew how to bend the law to his will enough to make that essentially true. ]

That said, the tattoos seem to rely on some level on the owner's understanding of the situation. With so few knowing about those grey areas and exceptions they are likely to have their status changed unjustly.

As for how you know I wouldn't 'screw you over' as you say? It does not benefit me in any way. Nevermind the damage it would do to my reputation as a lawyer, I would be undermining myself.. In situations such as these we would be setting legal precedence, something that will be looked upon when making laws for imPorts. Failure to do my utmost to see to it that the results are favourable to the imPort community would damage all of our futures in this world, including my own.

Awww boohoo. So you know a little more about how to play the system. But like that, you don't get the benefits like free healthcare us Registered do, or the monthly money they give.

[That said, he does file the info away; actually digging out a notebook between responses. This is useful information and Nikolai's not letting it go to waste.]

So, in other words, you're still looking out for you after everything. At least I have the gall to admit it instead of using fancy words.

My loyalty is not for sale. The US government has shown me no reason why I should trust it. Benefits? I am not some callow youth unused to the manipulations and propaganda of the government. I am perfectly capable of paying for my needs and will not be fooled into signing a contract selling my soul.

I am not seeking benefits. I seek dignity.

[ And while he may not admit it openly, he scorns those who do seek benefits. ]

Have I said that I am not looking out for myself? No. In other conversations here I have been transparent in how this would benefit me, and in how it would benefit the imPort community. You would do well to understand that looking out for yourself is sometimes done through looking out for others in your position as well.

[Well excuse him for being a kid who saw what benefited him personally right a way in the new world.]

What are you saying? that those who signed up sold their soul? No way! In all the time here I've been here, they haven't made us do anything! Anyway, I wouldn't let myself be used as a weapon and the same goes for my pokemon. They're my trusted tools, not some hire-me-out weapons.

[Look, not!dad! He's... kinda maybe not really at all grown up. GDI Nikolai.

The point, he gets. But this is a teenager with a grudge who's also pretty damn sure he's right.]

Hmph. As transparent as a Rocket like you can be, and so what? You're still a Rocket and they're all selfish cowards. Different world, sure, but you can't change your spots that easy.

They have not made you do anything yet. They can change their mind at any point in time, and even if they do not I will not be a part of their propaganda machine. I cannot speak for any but myself concerning what signing allegiance to the US Government means on a personal level. I, however, take such things very, very seriously when I am involved.

[ It's alright. Given time Archer will prove him wrong. ]

You seem to be under an incorrect impression, Nikolai. I am not acting for Rocket. I am acting as an individual. Rocket exists to combat some very specific problems with our world, problems which either do not exist here or take on forms that are not relevant. I have made no claim of changing my spots. I am merely adapting to a world that has difficulties my own does not, and am looking to limit the damage to myself and those I would see safe.

Edited 2019-11-29 02:57 (UTC)

[There's a nasty glare at the 'yet'.

He props his head on a hand with a yawn, choosing not to touch the Rocket issue for the time being.]

Aww, whatever. Go cry more because you don't get free money.

Hmph. You claim to be helping us, and I guess you would be with this, and that's good because I know you'll play within the law to get the best outcome for the client. Not that I'll ever need to use a lawyer.

I also know it's really only you covering your arse because you want to look good or engender yourself to the goodie two shoes. You're just wrapping it up in a pretty shiny feel-good packaging.

[and it'll likely work and he hates it so much. Stupid world not being their own.]

I am well and capable of taking care of myself, Nikolai. I have no need nor want for the benefits. I am not the least bit heartbroken that I am not getting a pittance a month for selling my loyalty to a government that had part in my abduction. [ He says this slowly, as if he is speaking to a much, much smaller child than Nikolai is. ]

I have at no point attempted to make this 'feel-good'. You mistake an offering of services for some proclamation of purity. I am a lawyer, Nikolai. I am not likely to be mistaken for a humanitarian any time in the near future. I have been forthcoming with everything. Have I at any point claimed that this is from the goodness of my heart? No. I wish to strengthen a group which I happen to be a part of.

[He's so, so, so tempted to send an ASCII picture to Archer for the tone. So, so tempted. To the point he actually readys it... then decides not to send it. Purely because that would prove the man right, and Nikolai is trying to be better.

So, he settles against rising to the bait (and reigning in whatever retorts spring to mind, which is a lot)as best he can. But it's likely clear he wants to.]

Awww, whatever. I never said you were pure, just trying to appeal to the do-gooders, but if you ever did start to do humanitarian stuff, there's something wrong with you. That or you got replaced. Though, I do wonder if that'd be funny or plain sad. Probably both.

[Ok, so that is a shit-eating grin at the end.]

[ Archer is unimpressed, and that much is clear from his expression. ]

I am attempting to appeal to all imPorts, Nikolai. It is simply a fact that those who take to the field will be affected before those of us who are of more use in other ways.

[Go cry him a river.]

Well, duh. We're the ones who respond first. So I guess you have some good points, but I personally won't use you as a lawyer.

[For reasons that should go unsaid.]

Aww, whatever. All this talk of help is boring. Did you even go into the sandstorm?

That is fine. I would hardly force someone to use me as their legal counsel.

[ Nikolai's loss. ]

I did not. I did however see to a raid on an OTO base. Time was of the essence and far too many people had ran into the storm.

[ In short? He didn't trust anyone else to take care of the situation when his life was on the line. ]

[Nope, his gain! ~~Absolutely his loss.~~]

At least you got to do something! Hmph! I would've gone into the storm if it weren't for my stupid pokemon. Fat lot of good they do if they don't obey or stay in their pokeballs like proper pokemon!

As their trainer it is your job to enforce order. If they are impeding you then something is terribly, terribly awry and must be fixed. Pokemon who disobey orders do not respect their trainers.

[ Oh no you just gave him bait, kiddo. ]

[There's a dark, cold look for a second before Nikolai shrugs it off. Archer can bait him all he wants, but the redhead refuses to bite. Much.]

Hmph! Aww, so what if there is? It's not like they do this all the time, so its probably because of what happened with that stupid Mouther and they got scared when they saw me trying to run into a sandstorm.

Aww, whatever. I guess I should be grateful if my pokemon want to be protective when it looked like everyone who came out had a rough time.

You should be grateful that they have not yet noticed your lack of order. They will not listen to you for much longer if you do not do your job as a trainer. Pokemon of their strength who do not obey orders are dangerous to everyone around them.

While I am grateful they kept you safe, I am concerned for what lies ahead in your future.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video]

video;

Audio

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

text - archer only gets the most supportive pokemons

He deserves nothing less than three migraines a day from dealing with canon mates.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video;

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Voice

Video

Video

Re: Video

Re: Video

Re: Video

Video

Re: Video

Re: Video

Re: Video

Video

Re: Video

Re: Video

Re: Video

Video

Re: Video