Scene #7804: Runaway Runway

Owner	Pose
Guzma	LUMIOSE CITY, KALOS EVENING The Lumiose New Year Fashion Show by Johto Beautiful, located at an old estate on the river, is the talk of the world right now. Meant to usher in a time of change, VIPs from all over the Pokemon world, as well as the Multiverse beyond, have arrived to take part. Led by head designer Valerie of Laverre City's gym, who recently founded Johto Beautiful and decided to host this year's show, rumors have gone on for years that the true purpose of this show is a 'meeting of the minds', where the rich and powerful exchange some sort of information and perhaps even resources. Your contact, Lillie of Team Skull, who somehow is an extremely savvy teenage girl, has researched with the others to figure out that this event may be the biggest, and most important. If Guzma is going to make any change in the world and become a mover himself, he needs to know what is going on in that hidden meeting. Important ground rules are 'minimal violence and no killing', and 'don't reveal Guzma's plans'. Otherwise, you can enjoy yourselves with food, wine, and mingling. Guzma himself is here. He's dressed up in a suit vest with a skull tie, having purchased the invitations everyone needs through Concord connections. He's Alolan and 'small-time', so people won't have heard he's a crime boss. He's near wherever Cantio sits on the limo ride there, fussing with his tie and irrationally trying to make sure it's 'correct'. "Ugh, why do these have to exist?" The limo driver releases them out front of the big palatial gates, allowing them to access the red carpet and flash their invitations. From here, you may split up. Lillie accesses the maps, providing intel over radio. <"Hello, everyone! Contact me if you need anything. I have no idea where they're hiding this meeting - the estate's three floors and a basement, with the runway on the first floor. Right side of the front courtyard should be VIP parking into the lounge, left side should be standard parking, both should have gardens. They've set up on a lounge at the bar to the right. Helicopter landing at the back on the green. -I hope this is helpful...!">
Guzma	From the front gates, you are immediately confronted with the sight of a massive fountain, which the red carpet wraps around. The fountain is two layers, with beautiful Gardevoir inlays 'holding it up' on the first layer, and several Kirlias holding up the second layer. The estate itself gives off the vibes of an 1800s French estate, polished white and full of aged charm. VIP Parking is to the right. Several cars and limos are parked by the road, leading up to a small cordon with two security guards flanking it, each with a prominent Pokeball on their waist. No access allowed through this way to the actual VIP limousines, though a fence that could be vaulted is unguarded, a garden shed on the other side overlooking the parking. Past this area is a public outdoor lounge, a crowd drinking and relaxing. There is a statue in the garden opposite of a man riding his Rapidash. Next to the blocked off VIP parking is a basement stairwell. Standard Parking is to the left, and is freely accessible as you either walk past a couple of non-threatening guards or cut through gardens. Another 'cordon' is set up, with two guards blocking access and several past it, leading to the setup crsew parking, full of equipment vans and other necessities. There is another fence that can be vaulted on this end, into an unmanned garden next to the equipment parking, and from any point of view over here, you can spot a stairwell leading to the basement, not actively watched by security, but close enough that one would have to sneak or distract to get down there. There is more located past this, but without actually crossing the cordon, it's impossible to tell. The front doors are obviously a viable entrance. A stairwell (cordoned off with rope) leads to the second floor, while a massive crowd stands around, talking and taking pictures. A hallway lies past it, closed doors leading to other parts of the estate, with the runway itself visible directly ahead once you reach the hallway, a crowd surrounding the stage. Several have small Pokemon on their shoulders - no large Pokemon have been allowed inside the venue... Except for those on the runway, with their trainers modelling new clothes. Matching Pokemon and dress, walking back and forth. The clothes are cutting edge. Valerie is set to appear on stage in a while, which may prove a good distraction. The runway has no roof. A massive light fixture hangs above it, and above that is a roofing tarp - this once having been a courtyard. The second floor is visible from down here, railings allowing technicians to look down. The indoor bar and lounge is directly east. Inside the actual estate, security is everywhere. Causing a commotion as a distraction is viable, but the entire crew causing a commotion is likely to be a problem.
Cantio	"I know it's uncomfortable, but it looks nice. A little... Ill-fitting, but it's what people expect at these kinds of things." Cantio explains to Guzma as she helps Guzma with with getting that tie sorted just right, leaning back after a moment to check the angle, then leaning forward again to make yet more minor adjustments. "But look on the bright side. At least it's only for a few hours at most, right?" Cantio, for her part, is dressed in a purple backless dress with an opening down one side that exposes a whole lot of leg, looking surprisingly comfortable in it despite it seeming like something that should be worn by someone taller than she is. She's actually come up with a fairly novel solution of keeping all of the bandages covered without making it look odd, too: Long gloves that cover her arms just above her elbows, sheer-ish stockings to keep her legs covered up and just opaque enough to hide the bandages underneath, and a similar top that does the same for everything else above her elbows and chest. Upon exiting the limo, it's time to see what's what! Sneaking around in her state and in this outfit isn't an option, so Cantio just goes for the FRONT DOORS with her invitation in hand. She's turning her fake confidence up to eleven for this one, although after the sheer emotional investment she's put into things the last couple of weeks? Acting like this is actually kind of relaxing. She mingles, she samples some of the food and wine, and she starts namedropping herself and the Concord to try and make some initial connections with the people hanging around further inside. With any luck, she might actually find someone worth tailing or plying for further leads.
Darren	Few are more informed, when it comes to secret think-tanks of the rich and powerful, than Darren Spears. The rules set forth are hardly of any concern to him--they happen to be rules he keeps himself. He's shown up today in 'camoflage--' a three-piece suit reminiscent of the one he wore to his PFL draft signing, years ago, as well as the gaudy but unmistakable ring of a Master Bowl winner. It's a simple disguise, but effective--that of a former athlete with money to throw around. Relatively few people know that he and his team live alternatively out of an apartment or camper these days, and he hasn't taken the latter to get here, thank goodness. A limo ride is fine. "'Cause powerful fashion cartels got us by the throat, blood," says Darren gravely when Guzma asks why ties must exist. "But check it. I got it on good authority that the meetings happen on the top floor." 'Good authority' here means imageboard trip user DigletMommy55 and a few old-school forums with double-digit membership, but when you know, you know. When the limo stops, he steps out, striding confidently but easily down the red carpet, around the fountain. He's going to enter through the front door. Large Pokemon haven't been allowed inside the venue, but he does have Pokeballs. There's the chance that someone with a security wand might tell what he's got with him (three aren't that big, but three are about as big as you can get--an Abomasnow, a Lapras and a Stonjourner.). He can definitely be the entitled athlete douche if need be, to cause a distraction through obstinate karenism.
Staren	It's a fancy limo ride! Staren can't remember if she's ever been in a limo before. She usually wears a military-style uniform to these things, but... that doesn't seem like the impression they want to send this time! And that's how she's ended up with this: She still has her black-framed nerd girl glasses, but has paired a poofy-shouldered crop jacket of light white cloth with a matching sleeveless below-knee dress that's pleated and slightly flared. Matching white boots have nigh-flat heels so she can actually walk in them. A splash of color is added by a variation of her usual scarf, Concord orange and of lighter material for better billowing as she moves. Staren... feels deeply out of her element. She trails along behind Cantio looking out at the room as if social danger may lurk in every corner. Do they have normal cats here? maybe I should sneak around in another shape... Staren reacts with mixed annoyance and relief when no one knows who she is except 'from the Concord', but this isn't really the place to point out that at LEAST people could remember the immortality and guns. "Ah. Yeah. I'm Staren Wiremu, I, uh, research things and solve problems." She shakes hands and shmoozes and occasionally gets into interesting conversations about how pokemon powers work if anyone offers. She also watches some of the fashion show, making mental notes of what looks good to her. At one point, after Cantio has namedropped herself in a conversation, Staren approaches her. "I just don't feel like I fit in here. You may be a princess, but the rest of us are--" Staren freezes, eyes widening. "...Oh fuck right I've been newly enprincessed. Is that the kind of thing that matters here?" She puts her hands on Cantio's shoulders and shakes her, "I don't know the first thing about being a princess!"
Vantablitz Remnants	"What is it now? Shouldn't you be thrilled about this? It's almost as if it's straight out of the Jacob Bondsman series. You always wanted to go to one of these fancy human galas, right?" "That's . . . Those are movie sets. They're really really pretty . . . They're gorgeous, but they're just based on real life. The real thing is . . ." "What's wrong with it? I can't tell the difference." "Do you see that fountain?" "Duh." "That's more like . . . What my parents talked about. They whouldn't show that in a movie." "???" ". . ." "So can I--" "No eating anyone!!" "That's two in a row, Ahn. Three strikes and I'm going to spend the next one pinching your cheeks the whole time." "I didn't wear you on my face either time!" "You heard me." "!" Lotus has a very easy job today as 'an impressively black party dress', which Ahn called totally lazy but did admit looks kind of cool, though she had to encourage her a few shades north of actual vantablackness and source some jewels. Long gloves hide all but a couple of scars on her arms, and being lazy enough about self-care to have hair that long has now worked in her favour when many dextrous tendrils help her tie it up. When Darren, Ahn's sole connection here, has pokeball issues, Lotus offers to mysteriously keep them on her in a non-suspicious way for once, and then Ahn spends the entire time clinging to him rather than risk wandering out into the open, trying to occupy time with asking him how the fuck pokeballs work. Lotus, who has by now eaten Ahn's original radio, can internally vocode Guzma with: "Explain it to me like I'm not a human --because I'm not~-- what do I have to do here so that we're all done and I can relax? I get that the humans at this party are important --and I like the looks of the collection~-- but why does that matter to you?"
Guzma	"Yeah, I guess." Guzma allows Cantio to adjust his tie, as he looks down as her concealing garments over her bandages. "You gonna be alright for this? If things go loud..." Either way, it's go time. Cantio and Guzma stick together, mingling in the indoor bar and lounge, as Guzma eats way too much sushi. As they're moving around the bar, Cantio will catch Guzma staring at another woman. Except it's not a leering look, but one of fear and surprise. Lusamine, director of the Aether Foundation, Concord 'ally', and Guzma's 'boss' who he decided to ghost her calls, walks up to the bar with a pair of bodyguards. She's dressed in white, her long blonde hair distinctive, as she orders a 'Bare Knuckle Boxer', knocks it back, and smiles with so much training it's hard to tell it's fake. Guzma doesn't say anything over the radio, because he knows Lillie's listening. Instead, he whispers who this is to Cantio and Staren, and then slinks into a crowd right as Lusamine turns her head to survey the crowd, before turning back to her bodyguards. She heads off towards the back of the bar, the employee area leading into the kitchens and then further towards the grand hall with the second floor staircase. A black-suited bodyguard moves to stop her, but she raises her hand, a shiny flash of a hard-to-make out ring, and with an inaudible quick walkie-talkie comm, is permitted to pass. Darren doesn't actually get security-wanded. It seems that Pokemon being stored away is fine, but the problem is actually space-related, not damage-related - if you throw out a Lapras, you're going to damage the show. If you have your Rattata on your shoulder, no one cares. As he passes through, most people ignore him, until he reaches the hallway. A pair of men are talking, one wearing a distinctive ring - rainbow colored, though the inscription is hard to make out at this distance. The one not wearing the ring spots Darren, squints, and then widens his eyes. "Hey, hey! That's Darren Spears! Nimbasa Nitros!" "Eh, I'm a Lattrell Thomas fan." The ringed man replies. "I'm Orre born and raised, you know?" He does spot Ahn, though. "Oh, wow, guess he got a lady friend since he retired." Guzma responds to Lotus after a few moments of confusion and making sure Lusamine is gone. "Well, if Darren's correct, we need to get to the top floor, find this secret meeting, take anything good that isn't a person or monster, hopefully not get caught, and probably eavesdrop a little along the way. Is that non-human enough for you?" "I want to make the world a better, fairer place. And to do that, I need to have as much information as possible so I can take over it and get rid of all the corruption. This meeting has to be real, if it's such a prominent rumor, and if I can use it as leverage, I will." And then, he asides to Cantio and Staren, while radio comming the others. <"Alright, we should probably start moving. Darren thinks it's the top floor - there's likely to be cameras along the way, and if we all can find different ways up, whether it's the direct route or crawling through an airvent or piping or whatever you guys can do, let's do that. Though I'm betting cameras are in the basement, if someone wants to disable those.">
Darren	Darren plays along, slipping an arm around Ahn at the waist and pulling her close. "Yeah," he says, with perfect calm and confidence. "She's been real good to me, you know." Peep that ring, you two. That ain't no PFL ring. "Trell's the best cornerback in the country--always kept me sharp. Dude studies footage like, -religiously.-" He laughs. A lotta times with secret societies there's a salute, a handshake, a gesture. Accessories... that's a little harder to fake. Or it would be, if we didn't have Lotus here. You think you can get us through, fam? As his mind conveys messages to Lotus and Ahn, his mouth keeps running. Small talk about the PFL. About Orre. And then a little testing of the water. "You know, some scientists over in Hoenn engineered a Pokemon for geoengineering. Been thinking maybe we oughta get a hold of one of those, see how it'd react to Dynamax energy. You could do a lot, with a weather-controller all beefed up like that."
Cantio	EARLIER: "I'll be fine. It'll be nice going somewhere without having to worry about getting into a fistfight for once." NOW: Staren's grabbing and shaking has Cantio wincing slightly, partially out of getting startled and partially because she's still pretty busted up. "E-easy, Staren! Ah... Yeah, that's something worth mentioning if anyone asks you what you do outside of just being a Concord member. You don't want to lay it on too thick right away, though." She manages to stage-whisper to her Concord ally, glancing around again just in time to see Guzma staring at someone else. Fortunately, any potential misunderstandings that might have arisen are quickly pushed aside between the expression on Guzma's face and his hasty explanation and retreat. With him slinking away to mitigate the possibility of getting recognized, Cantio loiters just long enough to get a better look at Lusamine and see which way she's headed before rejoining Guzma and plotting her next move. <<"The top floor... Hm. That's going to be a little tricky if the security's this tight over those rings. And if there's cameras around, too...">> Cantio makes vague gestures of tucking her hair behind her ears as she takes another look around before whispering to Guzma. "I'll be back. I need to stop at the restroom for... Reasons." Cantio flubs her delivery a bit, but scurries off nonetheless to do what all girls do in the bathroom: Find the unoccupied stall that looks the least hospitable to human life, then reach deep into the toilet paper dispenser. Inside it is her prize: A little bag containing just over a hand's worth of stolen rings. She slips one on, only then noticing the inscription on it. <<"I've got a few of these rings on me if you can't slip by security. Rainbow colored, with a fancy R on each ring.">> She pauses briefly. <<"... We'll have to steal them from the attendees and bring them back here before we leave, though.">> Once that information is relayed, she returns to Guzma and slides him one of the rings when making it look like she's just taking his hand. "Shall we, dear?" Anyone else that needs one will also get one, although they'll need to contrive some way to get it from her other hand without looking too weird about it.
Vantablitz Remnants	"Who is that lady Darren's friend is staring at?" "Pretty . . ." "Are you really going to keep doing this?" Aside, "Are you joking? Taking things that aren't people or monsters is as human as it gets!" It is unclear through Lotus' rehearsed tonality how many different intents are wrapped up in that single sentence. Ahn squeaks a little bit when Darren pulls around her waist, which is kind of funny seeing as she is mildly but notably taller than him in heels, but her mildly embarrassed blush certainly seems on point. Catching on quickly however, she loops one arm over him in return. "S-should that be a surprise? Just because they don't televise every single little thing; ah, actually I was quite adamant that they not. I don't have quite the appreciation for the public eye he does, I'm afraid~" She's definitely adapting quickly on the fly, too. "Already doing it. You two were getting boring." Lotus' voice pops right into Darren's brain. A rolling teardrop of black goop is slow-marbling its way over the floor, and extending a stalk just high enough into the air to reach a dangling hand, touch the ring, and get a feel for it. Only the motion of Ahn's finger against his back actually shows him where, though; otherwise, it's weirdly transparent. Translucent? Not-very-visible. That appears to be Ahn's doing, judging by where her eyes drift.
Staren	Oh, right. "Sorry..." Staren relaxes her grip on Cantio then watches her go off to TIME LOOP. Cantio comes back with rings. <J-IC-Scene> Staren says, "We'll have to what? ...What happens if we don't?" <J-IC-Scene> Cantio says, "We'll need to get some of those rings before we leave so I can leave them in the restroom." <J-IC-Scene> Cantio pauses, then "I don't know. I don't want to find out." Well, that's OMINOUS. Staren trails after her for a moment, then approaches. "Hey, uh, thanks for earlier. You were a great help." The words aren't referring to anything in particular, but at least to anyone watching them it's reasonable enough for Staren to shake her hand and get a ring. She whispers, "Then we'd better not spend any more time dilly-dallying around here so we have more time to find these rings in the first place..." She does, however, wonder if there is more significance to the rings, so as they walk she focuses her attention on the ring now on her finger and asks it, Why are you the way that you are?
Guzma	Darren and Ahn's distraction is surprisingly perfect. And Darren's talk about weather control has the ringless man laughing nervously (though idol worship helps him shrug it off) and the ringed man to cautiously nod along. He's too busy paying attention to Darren, which shows that he's actually interested, to notice the ring being copied off of him. It's an easy replica. Meanwhile, Cantio disappears to the bathroom and comes back with her own copies. She sneaks one to Guzma, who hesitantly slips it on, though he whispers. "I'm not going to be able to go into that meeting with her here. I'll cover our escape." The rings are the way they are, Staren finds, because Rainbow needed a way to signal their membership. Besides the engravings, the minerals are rare enough that duplication without powers like Lotus's or actual theft make it impossible to replicate. Indeed, they symbolize the elite, the powerful, those who would shape the world for the 'better'. As the group has their rings, they are able to pass security in the grand hall. There is a weapons and equipment check at the stairs, and little caps are placed on any non-Lotus hidden pokeballs, preventing them from being activated. As they pass up, runway visible from the second floor, Valerie walks the runway, thirty-three pounds of dressing like a literal fairy wrapped around her in a stylish display, and begins giving a pretty mundane, if weirdly spoken speech. That's not what you're here for. Second floor security makes sure your weapons check is still valid. Third floor is more interesting. There's a lounge with an upstairs VIP bar, where people with cheaper-looking rings (they have the rainbow, but no R) are sitting around. Probably support, bodyguards, and rich people who think this is just a regular VIP lounge. Luckily, yours all have the R, which are the real deal. Guzma puts his ring hand in his pocket, and sidles over to the bar, ordering a coke. The actual entrance to the meeting seems to be undetectable. It's only the bodyguard next to a closed door, wearing his own ring, that tells you where to go. He asks for a hands check, but no weapons check. Only those wearing a ring are allowed forward, and the door is swiftly shut behind them.
Guzma	The first sign that this isn't a normal meeting, as you cross into the dusty attic, is that security guards flank you on either side. They are carrying suppressed rifles. Imported from off-world, clearly, as such weapons aren't manufactured on this earth. It's a stifling atmosphere. The round room at the far side of the attic carries a round table. There is a single small window shining light, and many chairs - as well as enough open for the party, as well as the man who'll be coming up soon. It seems they're usually several chairs empty. A woman sitting next to Lusamine comments. "Newcomers? What exactly is going on here...?" She does not seem suspicious of you, however. A woman in a white bodyguard suit with a rainbow R lapel stands next to the window. Once everyone has filtered in, she places a projector in the center of the table. It activates, revealing a man in a similar suit, though much more 'executive' functioning, with teal hair. He is holographically projected, and it seems to be more of a video call than a recording. "Ladies, gentlemen. You must be wondering why I have gathered you here, after Mr. Forge's untimely accident. After all, there wasn't supposed to be a meeting between Rainbow this year, and none of you know who I am, yet I reached you through the standard channels, all my documentation in order. Curious, isn't it?" "Get to the point." Lusamine waves a hand. "Of course, madam president. My name is Carl Archer. Don't bother trying to use that against me. You won't find much. I am here to act as the new leader of Rainbow- no, Team Rainbow." The lady sitting next to Lusamine just laughs. "Are you absurd? Why on earth should we listen to you, Archer?" The man who was talking about football scoffs. "Team Rainbow. Are you trying to make us out like those hoodlums across the world?" Archer flickers, still smiling. "Of course not. I am here to offer a change that will bring the world - perhaps even the Multiverse beyond - peace. A new technology. You are all aware of Cipher's Shadow Pokemon in Orre, the Mega Evolution project in Kalos, and the Dynamax phenomenon of Galar. What if I said I had created the perfect fusion, using a foreign technology? Anita, the briefcase." The white-suited bodyguard places a case on the table. Those who can sense magic feel dark power. "But I do not pitch you anything basic. In another world, they have a similar phenomenon to Pokemon evolution. They call it digivolution. It is more similar to Mega Evolution, I'll admit, as they can revert back. Mega Evolution is quite powerful. But not enough. Shadow Pokemon were apex predators, but were uncontrollable. And Dynamax allows the scale of battle to change. But what if you could combine all three? Change your Pokemon's form at will, turn them into the perfect tools of peace enforcement?" The briefcase is opened. A black egg-like relic, with technological enhancements is inside it. "This is one of a few prototypes I have, and I offer it to the scientists here - likely the Aether Foundation - as a gift. Based on the power of the Digimentals from the world in the Cyber Core, I call it the Evolution Core. Simply touch it to a Pokemon, and watch as it fuses with them, allowing you personal control over their power, growth, and emotions. A remote control device is available, should you accept." Everyone's been watching Archer with rapt attention as soon as the Evolution Core was shown, and they're all considering how to accept without playing their hand too fast.
Darren	Boring? Lotus, it's a time and a place for everything, you feel me? There is a not insignificant amount of teasing to his mental presence as those words make themselves known. "Damn," he says aloud, "They poured meinto this suit," he says, reaching around his back to pretend that he's scratching it. As it turns out, there is a use for years of practice running at full sprint, tucking something precious close to you as other sprinters desperately try to snatch it. Multiple uses, in fact. Expert bodily control allows him to slip the Lotus-ring into his pocket, at which point, he 'notices' the ring on the fellow across from him. He fishes the ring out of his pocket, then, slipping it on, and gives a sly little 'almost forgot' smile to the Trell fan. Damn good copy, tho. So check it out--DiglettMommy55, nightbump.info, KnowledgeWeb--they all agree these meetings go down somewhere on the top floor. You ready to ditch these two? Externally, Darren is playing the part of the jock-turned-trophy husband, happy to be led around by Ahn. Being a famous PFL athlete, he'd naturally be expected to have at least one Pokeball on him. Roswell's is given up to be capped--but the other five are with Lotus. A third presence makes itself known in Darren's mind, and so too, Lotus and Ahn's. WACK. Bruh, of course they're gonna peacebind you. Remember how they got Red? Extraplanar entity, hidden in a regular old Pokeball. WHATEVER BRO YOU BETTER GET THAT ISH OFF SOON AS WE OUT Past that, the hands check. They're let in--and though he is outwardly quiet, Darren is mentally filling Ahn and Lotus in on everything Archer mentions--filtered through the lens of a conspiracy theorist. 'Shadow Pokemon' are the forcible injection of shadow beings into living Pokemon by a society of mole people living beneath Orre, Mega Evolution is the interaction of microbes from outer space with earthly minerals to temporarily accelerate a Pokemon's evolution, and Dynamax energy comes from an immensely powerful alien life form buried beneath the earth of the Galar region. The latter two have potentially benign uses--but the first are almost universally aggressive, predatory things with nothing but hostility for other life. "So what's the catch?" He will absolutely play his hand, here. "Dynamax and Mega-Evolution have timers and require immersion in specific types of energy. Shadow Pokemon are hella hard to control, and you're the only expert here on digivolution. Ever heard the saying 'don't drink from a cup that's not your own?' How do we know you're not just using us as guinea pigs--it's our Pokemon on the line if this thing's got side effects."
Guzma	"The catch?" Archer replies, expecting this. "The catch is that you have an official prototype, and many of you are brilliant minds. Besides, I don't expect you to use your personal Pokemon. I'm sure the Aether Foundation has some of those they 'save' to test it on." "And of course, I'm willing to supply my notes, should you all accept. There's still a time limit for now, but it's now much longer. I'm working on securing more Multiversal resources to enhance the process to permanence. For now...consider this a show of my power and experience." Darren, with his SECRET SOCIETY KNOWLEDGE, strangely gets the idea Archer's on the level honesty-wise. He also gets the idea that Archer is probably an evil man.
Staren	Well, Staren can at least whisper to the others about the significance of the rings' materials on their way up. No weapons here! Just a completely normal catgirl! When they're flanked by guards with rifles she begins to feel a little concerned about that. And then... it's revealed that someone else is pulling just what she always wanted to do in the olden days, mashing a bunch of different power sources together to get something that must be SUPER GOOD. Except uh... yeah, there's gotta be a catch, right? For one thing, What happens to the pokemon's mind? Staren gets a sense that asking that might out her as someone who doesn't belong here, though. Oh wait, she can check that; see what these people are thinking and feeling. She tries to focus on the idea, and hold it in her head, that this is NOT so she can dismiss Team Rainbow as evil and attack them later, but so that she can understand what people think this group is about, and maybe... guide them to a better path or something? Look, she's trying, okay?
Cantio	Guzma gets a ring, Staren gets a ring (along with a chuckle of feigned indifference), and Darren and Ahn and Lotus have their own entrances secured. Good! All that's left is actually getting into the meeting in the grand hall and seeing what information can be dug up there. Cantio flashes her ring to any security that tries to stop her, playing up the I'm-totally-here-because-I'm-cool act while practicing her hip-sway and... She's actually pulling it off pretty well. She has to move a bit slower than she'd like because that kind of movement is hell on her still-healing bones, but it gives her time to scope out the grand hall a little more. She pauses only briefly to listen to Valerie, and she puts on the well-practiced smile of looking like she doesn't mind the equipment check even though it's totally annoying and unnecessary for someone with THE RING. It's not as if she has any weapons on her. All she has is a couple of little puzzle cubes in her bag next to her ID and other purse-essentials. They're definitely not her weapons and drones hiding in miniaturized and condensed forms. The fact that there's guards with straight up guns shouldn't be a surprise to Cantio, but considering it's in a world with Pokemon in it? It kind of is. She keeps her expression neutral as the meeting begins, holding back a flinch as someone questions the group's presence. Have they already been found out? If they have, Cantio pretends not to notice. She just takes a seat off to the side, not even giving the woman next to Lusamine a second look in favor of just listening to the big names (especially the leader in the hologram) speak of the leadership shake up. The sniping between him and the others here is disappointing initially, but Cantio perks up slightly as Archer gets to the point and reveals the strange egg. What he says sounds promising, but she hasn't seen anything yet beyond the egg itself. Something in the back of her mind tells her not to pursue this, warning her not to draw attention towards herself, screaming at her not to go down this hole again. She's able to temper her response as she listens to Darren's questions first, stroking her chin lightly as she keeps staring at that egg presented by Archer. "Does it work?" Cantio actually follows her better judgment. Somewhat. "The theory sounds promising, but do you have any proof of it actually working?" She speaks up while drumming her gloved fingers against the table a few times, then rests her hand flat on the table. "The last thing anyone wants is something bigger and stronger than we've ever seen running wild in our own territory. But if it really is as controllable as you're saying..." He mentions Multiversal resources, and Cantio smiles pleasantly. It's well-practiced, to be certain, but it's still a pleasant one rather than a conniving one. "I'm sure we'll be able to work something out. The Concord isn't known for turning away innovators in their field."
Guzma	Staren gets the impression that Rainbow is supposed to be the local version of the Illuminati. Their goal, generally, is to control the world to prevent another war, or mass destruction, or anything of the sort. The word 'Team' is usually appended to terrorists in their mind - only Lusamine (whose brain actually very much hurts to scan) is ambivalent on the concept of using them. Not a one of them actually care about the Pokemon. They care about Pokemon in relation to themselves, but it's more of a 'oh, I love my dog, now I'm going to hunt lions in Africa'. Cantio asks a big question. While Archer begins preparing his demonstration, a projection showing up on the wall, Lusamine's head swivels. "I am the only Concord ally in Rainbow. Who are you?" Everyone but Archer (and Anita, his bodyguard) seems to care about this. They all get twitchy, and the gunmen seem to, as well, but nobody shoots solely because the projector on the wall displays an interesting image. An Evolution Core is placed against a wild, rabid Raichu in a lab environment. It wails briefly in pain, before armor coats its body, black and silver, shadowy aura. Yet, despite this, a display showing its type as Electric doesn't change. The armor is not metal. It is more like ancient 'relic armor', as the Raichu sprouts another tail, grows generally larger, and grows more docile. Within moments, it's following commands. It doesn't look happy - or like it has much control over itself at all. There's flash forwards. Other tests with this same Raichu. Reversion, evolution, slightly different forms. And then comes the combat display. The EC Raichu is put up against several Pokemon. It trounches each of them. This might just be EV training, until... It shocks a Sandslash, knocking it out in one burst. This shouldn't generally be a trivial feat, if at all possible. A loyal tool of peace. Or perhaps war, depending on what one wants from it. More clips. Tail smashing through solid steel. Speed faster than usually recorded for its species. And so on. "Now, I'm sure you're impressed. I'd request, as your new leader, that you don't shoot the intruders. After all...they are a massively Multiversal organization, and we could reap the benefits." "Quid pro quo."
Staren	Staren's tail goes slightly bushy when everyone gets twitchy. She forgets to actually HAVE an explanation ready, she was watching the video! Archer reminding them they're intruders that COULD be shot makes her tail go the rest of the way to all bushy and stand out, like a brush. "Well." She rallies and stands, trying to look composed. "Yes. I'm Staren Wiremu, Gifted of the Concord. I work with R&D... and this shows all sorts of promise, though... while I'm not a pokemon trainer myself, this doesn't seem like something any trainer would use on their pokemon..." She tries to mind-read Archer before remembering he's a projection. Okay, all that stress and dying a couple of times yesterday may be something her mind is still recovering from.
Cantio	Cantio gets the feeling she might have blown her cover a little too soon. Or maybe not, since this might be a good opportunity to get Guzma's host on her good side. Maybe? Possibly. "Oh, sorry about that. Must've forgotten to introduce myself." She speaks slowly and calmly, still keeping that pleasant tone going even as she sizes up who might be ready to shoot her. There's plenty of gunmen, and she's gotten shot before, so they're unlikely to be the biggest threats here. No, the bigger concern is whatever Pokemon the other members might bring to bear, not to mention collateral damage. Luckily, Archer already has a demonstration prepared, and Cantio finds herself watching that instead of bothering to acknowledge the danger surrounding her. It's a concerning demonstration, to be sure, but she watches the whole thing through, and her mind races. She shouldn't get into this. It didn't work out well last time. This time could be different. It's demonstrably working. It'll be the same. It could be used for good purposes for real this time. It could backfire terribly. Again. "... Quid pro quo. I'm glad to hear that you're not the only person that realizes this, Mister Archer." As Cantio's mind continues to go to war with itself, she takes a deep breath to steady herself just long enough to bow lightly at the waist (because her legs hurt too much to curtsey properly). "Cantio, Partner of the Concord, Candidate of Cadenza. It's great to finally meet the faces of Rainbow in person. I've heard of... Some of you." She says, only partially lying while purposely not looking at Lusamine as the only person she's not lying about. "The Concord has plenty of resources at its disposal, and even my nation can contribute to further development of these Evolution Cores if you'd prefer to keep things a little more. In exchange, I'm only asking for..." She pauses for dramatic effect. "Direct input on their development, and first run distribution rights upon completion. We don't want them falling into the wrong hands before we get a chance to use them ourselves, you know?" Noticing Staren's reaction to the guns, meanwhile, Cantio glances over at the guards as a feigned afterthought. "Oh. And you can put those guns down. They wouldn't save you here, anyway."
Vantablitz Remnants	"Weapons? Do those pokemon count as well as pets? I'm confused." "Well it's not like you're carrying any. Your whole body is a weapon." "Ah, right! I didn't spend all those years learning martial arts for nothing." "No no, the other thing~" "I don't think they have an x-ray. Probably." Oddly, it is Lotus who keeps up the mental babble on the side. Ahn is able to clam up for once, albeit mostly in nervousness, while her partner plies the details of weird pokemon evolutions out of Darren with evident, genuine fascination. When she gets the third caller, she says "Try being a dress." sarcastically, followed by the sudden opposite take "It's like a warm, light hug~" Ahn resumes furious out-loud mental chatter during the meeting, but it's at least whispered under her breath at an unintelligible pace. The part where Lusamine is casting suspicion blissfully flies over her head. Suddenly, she comes out with "There's only one prototype here. How do you envision study of it being carried out in a way that is equitable and fair to all scientific interests assembled? Giving it to one member for safekeeping hardly seems reasonable."
Staren	Cantio mentions the guns and Staren looks at the guards again. "Oh right yeah. I'm literally unkillable. I don't know why everyone's been forgetting that lately."
Darren	Darren is entirely unfazed by threats of violence--the exaggerated swagger of a career championship athlete. "Word," he says simply, when Cantio boasts that they'd be of no use. Lusamine gets a friendly wave. "I'mma throw in with Cantio. Darren Spears, two-time Master Bowl winning quarterback, seeker of universal truths, and, yup, Partner of the Concord." Darren grins. "Cave drawings, potsherds, tools in numerous regions with variations on a rainbow motif. Figured there was a connection." he then adds, going so far as to smile. "More fast-acting than decoy brainwave towers, more subtle than chemtrails. So I gotta give you props for that, Archer." "Check it out. I got some 'direct input' for you right now. First, my girl Ahn here's got some mad points about the distribution. Second, it's two things you gotta lose--" He lists with his fingers. "The forced shadow-realm injection, and the mind control. Overriding another living being's will with your own because you can't be bothered to understand it--that's weakness, fam. And if you don't believe that, you have one of these dudes," he says, with a nod towards the nearest armed guard, "...run down and grab any ole Pokemon they want, hook that ish up, and I'll win. Any format you want."
Guzma	Archer steeples his fingers as he gets several questions. He replies to Ahn first. "One of soon to be many. I have my own team making more. Of course, Aether has the labs most suitable to it, as I believe everyone here will agree..." There's a few groans, but none of the other members are denying. Lusamine seems pleased with this, until... "But, if you're all Concord together, then I'm sure your labs could work." Archer laughs at Darren's direct input. "Do you really think you have that much room to bargain? I like her pitch better, but yours - you realize that the way we have it now doesn't work, correct? Did N really ever achieve world peace? The world needs control. The world needs someone on top, giving the orders. Though I wouldn't go as far as saying we should strip humanity of their free will, people need to be kept in line, or they rebel." "Magma and Aqua tried to destroy the world out of their naivety. Galactic did it out of nihilism. Rocket was motivated by pure greed, while Flare...actually, I think Flare was just dumb." A laugh, while Archer leans back - he's obviously sitting. "Go ahead and take the core. Goodwill. A beginning of a partnership. If you can use it to create control and order without domination, be my guest. But if you can't..." "You'll simply be a footnote in my history page." He flickers out, as Anita approaches to take the projection device. Everyone seems uncomfortable with giving the Concord the core, but Anita nods to the armed guards, and escorts them out herself. Lusamine seems very displeased about all of this, but she'll unfortunately live.
Cantio	Who's that Darren is talking to? Cantio doesn't recognize Ahn nor Lotus, but their presence is hard to miss, especially when Ahn brings up the idea of fairness in the development process. Although keeping the whole thing fair never even registered in her mind, she doesn't object as her gaze shifts right back to Archer to see how he handles that. Darren's support, meanwhile, has Cantio puffing up her chest just a bit more. Maybe she's not bungling up the deal after all! He and Staren do go more into trying to nix the mind control aspect of it, but she doesn't object to that either. Considering her own track record with similar endeavors, it's probably for the best. Luckily, it seems Archer is largely accepting of their terms. Or, at the very least, they're getting out of this with the core in the Concord's custody rather than the locals of this world. "I'm glad you're willing to see reason in all this, Mister Archer. We'll be in touch. Have a great rest of your evening, everyone!" With the goodbyes done, Cantio follows Anita out of the meeting room. Before they leave, however, she does ask her quietly for one last thing: "Do you have any extra rings we can switch these out for? I... Um. I don't know what'll happen to this building if we can't get them." That, at least, is completely the truth.
Darren	"Sounds good to me." He steps forwards and takes the Core, tucking the briefcase under his arm as if someone might come up and try to strip it. There's a glance towards Lusamine. "I'm from Unova. So I'mma tell you how it really is, with N. That man had all the control, gave all the orders, until he didn't. You feel me?" "Wipe that look off ya face--because control and domination will never be a substitute for truth, understanding and cooperation. You don't gotta believe me. That's just facts," he says, shifting the core as he makes to leave.