ossifragant | 002 Things Aquired

[He's probably right next to him and checking the network on his gear]

It is odd that they'd just announce something like that... which generally means it's a trap.

It goes against everything I know about how terrorism works. You don't announce it beforehand.

You take credit afterward. It's either a trap or the people doing it are very inexperienced.

[Which given that they're in a world where colorful animals, including mammals, hatch out of eggs and then get shoved into magical balls with buttons on them, maybe people really are just that stupid here.]

[Raikov's thoughts exactly.]

If I were them, I'd use it as a ruse and strike somewhere else since everyone will be busy guarding the place they claimed they'll hit up.

[He shakes his head, looking over the EV reports again]

I do wonder if most crime here is always so juvenile.

[If it was, that'd be great. He'd never have to worry about experiencing the level of punishment he had received back in the Soviet Union]

[His head shakes, looking faintly amused.]

Ah, an acquaintance I've made-- someone from my world but not really, it's a bit complicated, said that there was a bomb threat serious enough to shut down an entire city for a day.

There's been other things, too, but it seems like most of the actual threats come from two individuals. And I'm damn sure this stunt isn't either of them because it's pretty damn sloppy.

Color me surprised.

[Raikov leans in curiously]

And who might those two individuals be?

I never got names. Which goes without saying, I guess. Can't be too careful about things like that, so it makes sense that my acquaintance wouldn't have the information to give me if there are actually competent members of the group.

So like I said, this is obviously not their doing.

[Because there is nothing competent about announcing an attack on a train before it's happened.]

Hn. I suppose.

[He puts his gear away for the time being]

Guess I shouldn't worry too much since we won't be in Goldenrod City anytime soon.

No, it'll be another few couple of weeks at the very least.

I'm sure whatever happens will end up on the media again.

[A small shrug. There's not much he can do about it even if he wants to see the chaos first hand.]

I've gotta say, I'm still not used to the whole tranquility of camping in the woods.

At least the news teams seem active. Hopefully they don't censore too much.

[Raikov stretches his arms, then holds them behind his head]

It's nice. I haven't been able to sleep outside this relaxed in years. Although I would much prefer a king sized bed to sprawl out in.

[He smiles.]

I was imprisoned for a very long time before I came here. Spent.... maybe a month free, probably a little less than that before I came here.

Before that it was... well, to be honest, more than one human lifetime without being able to move.

[Seems they were in similar situations. But that wording catches his attention]

One human lifetime... You mean you're... not human?

[He still manages to smile, but it's a little forced now.]

Teeth didn't give it away?

I wasn't sure. I mean, people do strange things to their bodies so for all I know, you could've sharpened them yourself.

... They are very nice, nonetheless.

[A pause.]

So if you aren't human, what are you?

Nah, I can't imagine you get teeth line mine through body modification.

[He shakes his head.]

I'm not. I'm a homunculus. An artificial person.

[One of these days he will regret casually telling this to every person he meets.

Today is not that day.]

[Normally Raikov wouldn't believe it but this place is full of brightly colored animals and things that shouldn't be alive but are apparently creatures as well. And considering people here are from all sorts of different worlds, not being human isn't too much of a surprise.]

You were created through... magic then?

[He shakes his head.]

No, through scientific means. Alchemy is a form of chemistry.

Huh. Alchemy never successfully worked in my world if I remember my history correctly.

[He leans in and smirks, his voice taking on a more husky tone]

But I must say, whoever created you certainly knows how to make a fine specimen of a man.

[...Oh Raikov.

If only he was a crueler person he might say why he looks like what he does.]

to tell you the truth, the person who made me is actually a heartless bitch.

[Said completely deadpan.]

[... Well. That killed the mood. Raikov frowns, pursing his lips]

At least she had good taste?

[Shrug.

If this wasn't such a hot button issue with him, he might have noticed as much. As it is. Welp.]

I guess so.

[Let's not get on the subject of Dante and what he thinks about her. Let's just avoid this entirely. Yes, good.]

Did I ever show you Bido? He's my latest Pokemon I bought a while ago.

I'm trying to flatter you, Greed.

[He lets it slide for now.]

Bido? No, you haven't... What is it?

[Raikov has Caterpie and a Spinarak by now too.]

[That earns a sidelong smirk. At the very least, it seems to have cheered him up a little.

At the question, he reaches into his pack for a pokeball, pressing the button and releasing out of it a Totodile who makes a lot of happy noises when it sees Greed.

He pats it on its head, smiling.]

Named him after a friend back home.

[...a dead friend.]

[Raikov notices the smile. Good. That's what he wanted to see.

Also registerin' dat shit on the pokedex.]

It's cute... for a crocodile. Seems to like you a lot too.

[Of course the shark-toothed man would like the crocodile thing.]

Raised him from an egg. He hasn't seen much battling yet, though.

[This is true.]

How sweet. I have a lower level Caterpie he could go against if you feel like training him a bit.

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