Silas/Jackal stood in front of the screen, wearing his disguise which was a dark indigo suit, green contact lenses, a shaved chin, and a brunette hair colour, looking over everyone he had gathered. "Alright, since we're all here, let's go over the plan one last time."

Roxy was rocking her Fox getup grinning, "By all means fearless leader. Go ahead."

"The teams are split into two, Rafters and Floor. The Floor team runs interference, keeping guards, party goers, and other such individuals from digging too far or entering rooms that our infiltration team, the Rafter team, will be running. We can possibly get a arrest for this area for the various Hunters and Pokefutures individuals, as well as any other jackasses bright enough to come here."

Roxy grinned, "We know the kind of people these are, they'd keep logs, records, and such written in physical books for a history for any willing to hire a new... "Acquisitions specialist." In short we're going to be in the shadows sneaking in and out of rooms for that."

Silas nodded, "The Floor Team will have a second objective, if there is anything we know about the mad science types, Pokefutures will inevitably be chatty as all hell due to the mad scientist need to gloat. Get them to talk and find out anything we can about possible future objectives, we're going to be as proactive as possible. Any questions?"

Hacks walked in, drying himself off while dyed to look like a Shiny Lucario, with blue contact lenses, ~Uh yeah brave leader. You sure you ready for this? This is very much not your element... human interaction.~

Silas grumbled, "I'll have you by my side to help me through this and I think if I play off my nature as haughty arrogance nobody will question it."

~You'll just be a asshole.~

"We're entering a den of awful people, me being a jerk won't be much."

~Okay... and letting Roxy take the entire team?~

"I only need you. Any other questions?"

Ersatz Alliance

Caddicarus was wandering around the store, when suddenly...

Caddicarus: What's that smell?

He tracked the smell down to a black coat, like the one he had, with a scented candle labelled "A Thousand Wishes" in it's pocket. He took one sniff of it, and he suddenly felt overly ecstatic. Yet sleepy at the same time.

Oblivion Wing, Lounge

-Anyone who knows Alice O'Sullivan wouldn't associate her with the woman stood in front of the screen. Her freckles are gone, and her usually bushy hair is now straight and blonde, tied back into a neat ponytail. Gleaming blue eyes and prominent dimples give her a look of coquettish innocence, which contrasts sharply with her deep red lipstick and plunging golden ballgown. A pair of elbow-length opera gloves complete her ensemble, and her heels add a good couple of inches to her height. When she speaks, her voice is a high, giggly lilt.-

"Ciela": Are there any details we still need to establish about our cover stories or identities?

-A figure in the shadows suddenly becomes visible.-

Rogue: You know, you did a really nice job with that active cloaking tech. I gotta thank you for that.

-They casually lean against the wall, crossing one leg over the other.-

-They certainly notice "Ciela", and recognize her by Aura, but make an active effort to not pay her any mind.-

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Mar 1st 2019 at 4:08:00 AM

To Rogue, Silas had a smug smirk, "I figured it was time we got you a proper upgrade. Keep in mind it won't stop a nose or thermal imagine, but the guards they'll have on hand will be standard security company deals."

To Alice "Excellent question. We are a party of sorts, we all work for a company out in Kanto called "Victisoft Tech", we're looking to acquire some old paintings and anything potentially interesting for the CEO. My name is Jack Gideon, I'm a systems analyst and not a people person. The basics are what's important, we'll improvise where we can."

Oblivion Wing, Lounge

-Ciela smiles at Silas.-

Ciela : Very well then. Meet Ciela Messano, dilettante, debutante and company heiress.

-She seems to be returning Rogue's efforts.-

"Pleasure to meet you Ms. Messano, Mr. Messano would be pleased to see the Company heiress taking a active interest in his fascination with art and how that inspires his great advancements," Jack responded.

Bishop popped out of a terminal, "Good news as well, I've got a fake site set up with a history and such for Victisoft, it'll get scrubbed in a few days when others realize that it's not real. But it'll serve our purpose for now. Actually I get that you and Hacks are inseparable, but what is his job?"

~I'm his emotional support lucario.~
"He's my emotional support lucario."
The two said in unison.

Bishop glared with narrowed eyes, "huh... Okay then. If you insist."

"Roxy and Rogue will be leading the Rafters team."

Roxy grinned at Rogue, "How's the power suit working out for ya?"

Rogue: I love it. Now when the fans want me to sweep them off their feet, I can do that without any trouble. All I need are volunteers.

-The expressive mask image projected on their helmet winks.-

Oblivion Wing, Lounge

-Ciela smirks at Jack.-

Ciela: Oh, I prefer Miss Messano. After all, sometimes the guests at these affairs can be just as pleasing to the eye as the art.

-Her facade slips briefly as she shoots a brief glare back at Rogue before she's all smiles again.-

Ciela: Anyway. Do we have a plan B in case things go south?

Edited by Herbert40k on Mar 2nd 2019 at 11:49:35 AM

"We do. It's not a very good one but our options are limited as this is a undercover op primarily. Everyone keep a mask and filter on you, even if you're undercover. Should we get discovered I'll have the wing launch sleep powder canisters into the building. The tech I provide comes with respirators, in case of such a emergency, after that we have 15 minutes to grab what we can and run. So keep your cool and keep under cover," Jack responded.

Hacks, or rather Harper at this point, sighed, ~Really? Gas attack?~

"That's one of the reasons why we're here. Can't carry weapons and pokeballs are likely to be confiscated in a worst case scenario, so we're here to work out backups so we don't have to rely on mine."

Oblivion Wing

-Shaun pivots on his cane, tailcoat swishing behind him. He's dressed in a nice suit and has some green contacts in.-

Shaun Artyom: "Da. We understand."

Midna: <I'm just tagging along in case.>

-She offers Silas a mock salute before disappearing into Artyom's chest. He coughs.-

Artyom: "This disguise worked at J-Con, no? I see no reason why it won't today."

-Rogue raises an Expressive Mask Eyebrow Equivalent™ at Ciela's glare.-

Rogue: Oh, relax, it's all part of the bravado.

-They stand upright again-

Rogue: So, what's Team Rafters' plan?

Oblivion Wing

Despite her mask's inability to express, Ammy was almost noticeably staring at Rogue in curiosity. "What do you mean by, running?" She asked, her voice having adopted a musical intonation.

Quickly, she pressed a button repeatedly on the back of her helmet and her mask swiftly dimmed.

Oblivion Wing, Lounge

-Ciela cocks an eyebrow at Rogue in return, but doesn't say anything and turns back to Jack.-

Ciela: Understood. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Oblivion Wing

-A rather delicate-looking woman in a clean white dress and a red half-mask sits there. Also she's got a belladonna flower in her raven-black hair-

Maria Rakdos: I am not part of the Victisoft party, I am a violinist attending with my patron. Please let me know if and when we need to go loud with the floor team.

We Interrupt This Subplot for Another Subplot!

Edited by Pentigan on Mar 1st 2019 at 9:30:35 PM

Halsei has somehow moved a fair distance during their sleep, and their dream has started to make them move around, resulting in them kicking Lucius's face, lightly at first but intensifying as time goes on.

This spagpost brought to you by Pentigan, Keys, Dune and Bitter and to a smaller degree basically everyone involved in the arc. Let's do this!
!! A Fortress, The Future

-Old, flashing neon lights spit and hiss along the walls. Numbers adorn every door, padlocks and chains holding them all shut save a few, whose locks had rusted. Graffiti adorns the walls, floor, and ceiling. "DEATH TO RAIN". "DAMNED BE THE CHILDREN". "THESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUN". The smell of acrid paint permeates the building, as never-drying murals of rust red suns adorn any nook big enough. Masked figures adorned in torn velvet and askew bellboy caps walk the halls with the confidence of predators.-

-Well, except for today.-

-A man in a black fringed coat, a segmented reinforced vest, and red gloves dashes through the halls before using the interior decorations as set of raised platforms to reach the floor above. As soon as the man's pointed boots touch down on the floor, the distinct sound of rushing footsteps can be heard along with indistinct shouts. From behind the white and black mask the man's eyes focus on the approaching masked figures as he grips the armored suitcase he's carrying in his arms.-

Director: Director here. I've got hostiles in front of me. Mona, Pink, Seer, Rakash; any of you got an alternate route?

Seer: Nu-uh...I can't see a thing!

Pink: <Can't find any other way Director.>

Mona: Sorry Director, but that is the only path! You're going to have to force your way through.

Director: -sighs- Of course I am... -inhales- Right then. Rakash, I'm going to need the basic enemy intel.

-Director slides the suitcase behind a stack of crates before striding forward to meet the masked guards. The one in the front lunges forward.-

Director: Oh please. You guys need to learn to improvise more... Like this.

-Director’s right glove glows with a bright red light as a jet of obscuric energy launches Director into the air, leaving a streaks of black and red behind him. With well practised poise, Director lands on the bellhop's shoulders. With his left gloved hand gripping the flailing guard's shoulder as the right glove glows brighter as Director grips the mask's edge under the bellhop’s chin.-

Director: Now... Who is the shape in the shadow?
Whose is the face in the mask?

-With a twist, Director grabs the mask and uses his weight turn the bellhop guard back towards the other approaching guard. With a kick, Director pushes off of the guard into a backflip, pulling off the mask and forcing the guard to almost collide with his allies as Director lands gently on his feet smirking at the group of guards in from of him.-

-The first guard turns towards Director. From within a black hole where the face should be, two red points of light focus their ire on Director. With a roar, the guards explode into showers of crimson and black liquid, which swirls and reforms into the shape of a being with an Steelix's tail attached to the upper body of a Kommo-o with a Sawk's upper body attached where the Kommo-o's head should with the head of a Tauros.-

Director: What do you have for me Rakash?

Rakash: Illapine, Sight. Alright, looks like you're facing down the Sacrificial Pyrekeeper, Moloch.

Director: Any weaknesses?

Rakash: Big fire affinity here so douse it out with ice. Careful using your mains though because that brass bull hide is rated for flames and curseproof.

Director: Right.

-Director braces himself and raises his left hand to his face.-

Director: Come forth… Arsene!

-The mask on Director face burst in blue flames as a masked demon figure with pitch-black wings in a red suit and blades on the heels of his boots appears before Director, laughing sinisterly. The fiery eyes behind the reflective mask takes in the enemy before him.-

Arsene: -his voice echoing- I see the hour of Fate has arrived. In accordance with our contract, shall I aid you in clearing a path forward?

Director: Indeed. Start this off on the right note.

Arsene: Very well. Let us begin!

-With a flap of his wings, Arsene rushes forward as greenish light swarms and crawls over the blades on his boots. Then, with a backflip, Arsene slashes upwards and kicks off from Moloch's chest. As Arsene flies backwards, his body burst apart like a dispersing cloud of Combee, revealing the stately and vulpine features of the Kalosian Trickster, Reynaert.-

Reynaert: Time for the main attraction!

-Moloch bellows, and from is maw fires a massive blast of flames that connects with Reynaerts retreating form.-

-Both Director and Reynaert grunt as they both feel the brief and unpleasant sensation of the flames licking at their legs. But the sensation ends quickly.-

Director: Well... If the worst flames of the Distortion World's deepest pits will not suffice...

Reynaert: Then let us use the light of the Lifegiver.

-The jewel in Reynaerts cane shines a brilliant pink before releasing a glimmering stream of pink and white energy.-

-Moloch roars in pain as the demon is slammed into the wall behind it. Heavily damaged, Moloch is slow to regain its senses.-

Director: And I believe that is as good a cue as any…

~Clap. Clap. Clap~

-Director turns to see a figure he didn't expect holding something he didn't need to lose.-

Rakash: Looks like that was null sheen, chummer.

Director: What is this, Rakash? You're supposed to be evacuating with the others!

-The words echo as the team comms lag behind a half-second. From the edge of the balcony a man in a brown suit and a cracked ceramic mask with a rabbit's visage leans against the railing, a black blindfold in one hand and the armored suitcase in the other. A strange Lopunny crouches on the hanging platform right behind him-

Rakash: Sorry about this, I guess I'm breaking that adage about honor among thieves.

-The team comms burst with activity-

Scarecrow: Cyka blyat!

Ariadne: <What!>

Rage and Love: “Shit shit shit!”

Kingfish: We need to get out of here, now!

Skeith: This isn’t part of the plan, dammit!

The Face: Dude, seriously?

Runaway: Shit, we've gotta do something!

Daze: "What the fuck?"

Fantome: “...”

-During this tense moment, Moloch has taken the chance to regain its battle stance and roars at the distracted Reynaert and Director before firing a Dark Pulse at Reynaert’s unguarded back. Both Director and his Persona scream as pain rakes across their backs.-

Director: Ugh… Forget the bullsnake. The treasure is what's important here.

-Director turns to face the man with the long-eared mask, but this idea is cut off as Moloch quickly slithers between Director and Rakash, pure bloodlust in its eyes.-

Rakash: And you're in no state to run this Treasure out. Besides, you don't need the payday mister corporate head. I'll take your burden instead.

-The man in the rabbit mask gives a wink and a smirk behind the mask before leaping the railing and joining his summon on the platforms that Director had barely a minute ago been running on-

Rakash: Here's a lie by omission: There is another way out, but Mona didn't notice that glass is glass ya get?

-All Director can do is to glare savagely at Rakash. And so, as Reyneart struggles to try to finish off the wounded demon, Director is forced to watch the other masked man flee.-

Director: Karma's a bitch, Rakash! And I'm not to only one who'll be mad!

Rakash: Yeah, karma's a bitch and you need all the good karma you can get!

-The man in the rabbit mask laughs out loud as he shoulder charges into the window at the end of the hanging platforms-

~Crash~

-The window breaks and with it's shards the rabbit-masked man falls out of the fortress and onto the street below. He stands and looks over the case in his hands, a smile crossing his face before he's lit up by the flashlights and headlamps of as many cops and their cars the Orre region could muster. When he's lit up he sighs, drops the case on the ground and smirks-

Rakash: Alright, ya got me…

-The first strike is a Tackle from an Arcanine in a flak vest, the second from a human with a baton. It doesn't take much dogpiling for the masked man to be subdued and handcuffed on the cold Phenac pavement. A man lacking most of the riot gear of his associates approaches, the local police commissioner.-

Commissioner Jackdaw: Heh, guess the tip-off was right. Makes our job easier knowing that mole inside the Phantom Thieves is the real deal.

Phenac Pre-Gym, Just A Few Hours Further In The Future

-The man called Pentigan was not having a good night. He was fatigued, his mind was a strange combination of buzzing and slothful, he was a bit beat up and he was also handcuffed to a chair which was non-ideal-

-Commissioner Roger Jackdaw, a tall, imposing Orran native, was having the time of his life in the meantime.-

Commissioner Jackdaw: Not so confident without your mask, are you?

-Pent tried to manage a weak smirk-

Pentigan: No, still confident.

-The hit sent him tumbling to the floor. This felt familiar in a way Pent couldn't quite place but with the toxins running through his veins he was in no state to explore those jagged pieces of memory knocked loose by the roughhousing. They hauled him back into the chair, uncuffed him and forced a pen and clipboard into his hands-

Commissioner Jackdaw: There, a full confession. All we need is your signature.

Pentigan: Aren't these invalid when signed under dureegh!

-Sharp pain, someone driving their heel into his leg-

Commissioner Jackdaw: Just sign the damn thing and we can end this. Things can get worse if you don't cooperate. I assure you, all we need to do is whisper the words "snag" or "Cypher" and any judge will curl around my finger.

Pre-Gym, Later

-The door opens. In walks a far more reassuring, and more importantly, familiar face, framed by long lilac locks tied behind her head. She takes a seat across from Pent at the interrogation table.-

Chief Anabel: ...All right. I know who you are, of course, but for the sake of formality, please state your name.

Pentigan: I am… Nagito-... Wrong, wrong. Sorry my thoughts are mixed up… I am Pentigan, hello.

Anabel: Unfortunately, we're somewhat pressed for time, so I urge you to try and compose your thoughts as well as possible. This is not my usual jurisdiction, after all, and I was only permitted to speak to you with help from Detective Looker.

-She sighs, looking at Pent's wounds.-

Anabel: ...Interpol still hasn't gotten much better than it used to be, it seems...

Pentigan: So, the beginning then? For the sake of my life we start at the beginning..?

Anabel: Yes. And as honestly as possible, please. I'm still somewhat stunned that you, and Ms. Jaide, are involved in this case, so I'd like to know everything you can tell me, in order.

-Pentigan took a moment of silence to listen to those words. Jaide..? But there was only… Something had gone terribly wrong-

Pentigan: Then I'm sorry for the details I may mess up, but please trust me… It's important…

Anabel: I'm listening. Anyway... The reports mention using a "world" to carry out the crimes you committed. I'm no stranger to the multiverse, nowadays it's common knowledge that other universes and timelines exist, but... To "use" one? And to "steal hearts"? I can't fathom the methods.

-The room grows dim. Through the haze of the drugs, Pent will see a tiny silver Vivillon flutter over his head as a small, feminine voice faintly reaches his ears.-

???: Such an unfair game... The odds have truly been stacked against you... But if you can hear my voice... There is still a slim chance for you to seize victory... Trust in your friends... Hold fast to your beliefs... And let your memories return to you... Only then will the way forward open...

-And then the room brightens, Anabel seems to have noticed nothing.-

Pentigan: It will become clear if you trust and stay with me. I might not survive if we can't reach the now…

-Something twitched painfully inside Pent's head, shards of fact and fiction trying to fit back into place. What was real among them?-

Pentigan: It began with a train, my parents sent me to Tokyo to live… No. It began in a fortress, a disguised man running… Sorry, that's a loop. It began when a boat washed ashore in Slateport, a child half-dead inside… The moon was so bright, I'd forgotten that… ... Alright, sorry, I've sorted it out. It all began, raise curtain, the Velvet Room.

Pokesona 2: Phantom Thieves of Hearts

The Velvet Room, the night after the art auction.

-You awaken from your nightly slumber. The collective you. Those chosen. You awaken to the drip of water and the soft clink of chains. Some of you have been here before, but not like this, not with the Velvet Room in this state-

-Gone are the comforts of a velvet lounge, instead the blue quilt walls form cells, a circular two-storey prison. Cold iron bars and chains lock each cell and those selfsame chains in a much less restrictive way bind the prisoners… They bind you…-

-It was easy to wake up in that blue place. I sat, stared at the wall and I knew… I've forgotten what I knew. I woke up in the black and white stripes of a prisoner, a weight chained to one ankle. Whatever I knew back then it scared me to no end, even as others gained conscious in that Velvet Jail…-

Edited by Pentigan on Mar 7th 2021 at 3:05:20 AM

Oblivion Wing

Priscilla is somehow still accessorizing in the Oblivion Wing. The end result seems to resemble a passable if over-the-top version of Lumiose City Fashion Week's winter collection.

Priscilla: What's our protocol for when we find someone there that recognizes us? And, more importantly, what's the floor team's protocol when evacuating civilians, such as staff, nosy undercover journalists, plainclothes cops, and whoever happens to be on mop duty that day?

Murphy: Girl, that one is totally your color. Don't change a thing.

Priscilla: I happened to found one very troubling entry in their guest lists.

Velvet Room

Oscar: Huh? Where am I?

Aria: WHA!? Chains?!

Ren: This is a bit different...

Oblivion Wing, Lounge

-Ciela turns to Priscilla, taking a moment to admire her outfit before raising an eyebrow.-

Ciela: Hopefully our disguises will keep us from being recognised. On the slim chance that we encounter a familiar face, I would advise steering clear and getting the rest of the team to employ blocking tactics. What has you concerned, however?

Pewter Pokemon Center

-Halsei's first couple of kicks only elicit an irritated mumble from Lucius, but on the third one, he starts awake, clutching his nose.-

Lucius: OOF! What the hell?

Velvet Room

Elizabeth: "This isn't my bed..."

"Wait a minute."

Oberon: <Reveal thyselves, o captors! I balk at thoust cowardice!>

Christina: <Well this isn't good.>

Velvet Room

A cowboy wakes up.

"It's funny, despite by previous career choices this is my first time in a cell."

Velvet Room

Doc: <Is this... the Velvet Room?>

Crochet: <Yeah but, chains?>

This is different...

I'm not sure how I feel about it...

Halsei ends up falling out of the bed, waking up shortly after and looking at Lucius.

Halsei: <...Uh, sorry. Again. Weird dream. Erm... How was yours?>

It's clear none of that was intentional.

Ersatz Alliance

Caddicarus: Mmm! This smells SO good! Hey, Mil! Come get a whiff of this!

Milagros looked at the girl behind the counter.

Milagros: Hold on a sec...

He walked over to Caddy and smelled the candle.

Milagros: That does smell good! But I feel so... [yawn] tired..,

Milagros suddenly flopped over and fell asleep.

Velvet Room

Milagros woke up and looked around his cell.

Milagros: Hey, this ain’t Ersatz! Where am I? Why am I chained up? God, and I thought turning into an Anorith was pretty insane...

Edited by Routeferret on Mar 1st 2019 at 11:03:40 AM