[RP] Spiritwater – Tides of Witchcraft

[[Desolate Divine]]

Brianna Levine
Heahea Outskirts
Affected RPers: @Neo Emolga

Brianna had almost reached the witch when she called out, asking her to reveal herself. Brianna smiled, as she stepped out of the shadows of the nearby trees into the dying sunlight, her silver hair now extremely visible.

“Trouble in paradise?” Brianna asked, not waiting for an answer, “I can tell a deserter when I see one…”

“Don’t worry,” Brianna said, “I’m not with Agatha, or the League. That being said, I do think that if someone wants to leave that hovel that she has you all holed up in, they should be able to, and when I saw a ghost following you figured I’d help out. Though you seem to have sorted that out on your own…”

Brianna turned to leave, making her way towards Heahea City, her watch reading 6:30.

“If you want to stand a chance at surviving after leaving, have a chat to Jon Drake with the League. He seems to have a fondness for strays…” Brianna called out, “Otherwise, I hope you like the idea of this place being your grave…”

Brianna left, leaving Willow to wonder what the hell just happened…

Jon Drake, Abbee Strauss, Dylan Squier
Eon Squad HQ
Affected RPers: @Chakramaster, @Neo Emolga, @Shruikan

Dylan watched in shock as Jimmy exploded, unloading all his frustrations on Jon, who watched him, eyebrows raised. When Jimmy finally finished his tirade, Jon spoke calmly, before Jimmy stormed out.

"If that's all you have to say about what has just happened, then it's painfully obvious that you just don't get it..." Jon said calmly, as Jimmy walked out of the room.

Jon watched as another person approached Cassandra, claiming to be a witch affiliated with Luneth. Whilst Jon's concern immediately spiked, hearing Luneth's name helped him put the pieces together. The witch Abbee had mentioned being trusted by Triad. Jon only met her once, back on the S.S. Wishmaker. It had been his job to track her down and get her to agree to secrecy for the sake of the coverup that ended up being destroyed.

Abbee watched in shock at the whole thing, as Victini sagged with disappointment. This was the last thing he wanted to see.

"Maybe the bad blood is for the best." Victini said, trying to be optimistic, "They are just too different to be able to work together and trust one-another..."

"They both yelled as much as each other..." Abbee replied with her thoughts.

"They could not be much more different." Victini explained, "Jimmy is the sort of friend you want to have when everything is great and there is peace. He is optimistic, and sees the best in a situation. He dreams big and thinks about what could go right. Jirachi is even more like that. Unfortunately, he can tend to overlook smaller details, and that's what seems to drive Jon mad. Stuff like waiting until they had already shared classified information to mention Jirachi listening, or the fact that hiding the Emergency Treatment Center makes it inaccessible for the people who actually need it. Stuff that wouldn't be a big deal under normal circumstances."

"And Jon?" Abbee asked. She had known Jon for three years now, and whilst he wasn't afraid of voicing his disapproval, it was usually in a calm manner. But as Victini said, these weren't normal circumstances, and he had more experience with Jon in these sorts of circumstances.

"Jon shoulders a lot of responsibility right now. He has his family back home who need him, you and Dylan here, and then the rest of Eon Squad, and one bad decision could lead to people dying on his conscience, and will say and do what he has to to try and keep the others from being killed. He is the sort of friend you want to have when times are tough, because he will see the potential for things to go south and do whatever he can to minimize that. They are just too different."

"So how is this bad blood good?" Abbee asked.

"Because it means they won't be compromising themselves to work with each other. Their strengths are detrimental to each other. If they aren't working together, Jon won't be shooting down Jimmy's ideas that may just work over the things he may have overlooked, and Jon won't be having to worry about Jimmy overlooking something, and someone he is responsible for getting hurt. Teamwork is great and all, but not all the time. They will be at their best by leaving each other alone and letting them do their own thing…”

As Abbee processed what Victini had said, Cassandra had approached Jon.

“Maybe we should reconsider this arrangement, Jon…” Cassandra told Jon, “Seems like you need your own space and your own team to work out your own plan of action. If what happened four years ago is still a concern about who you trust today, then the three of us should work on a different front.”

Jon sighed to himself, as the trio left. He didn't blame them for being cautious of him not trusting them.

“Do what you think is right.” Jon said, “The three of you would be an asset in Eon Squad, but if you think your skills are better used elsewhere, then I trust your judgement…”

As they left Jon turned to Eon Squad. It was 6:30pm. Jon instructed those who had just joined to gather their belongings and move into the Villa. Dylan and Abbee were assigned to keep investigating Brianna, and Jon assigned four of his squad to look into the Thrifty Megamart.

Steven returned at 7pm, and he and Jon entered a private room to talk about what had just transpired.

“We gotta talk about what happened during that meeting…” Steven said.

“What’s there to talk about?” Jon asked, surprising Steven with how much he meant those words.

“I don’t regret what I did.” Jon explained, “If it had been anywhere else, I definitely would have preferred to have had that conversation in private. But there were other people there, some of which had made it clear they weren’t okay with the level of secrecy we were demanding, even when it comes to other operatives. He could have mentioned Jirachi listening in when I first brought up the confidentiality, I would have forwarded that to you, and you could have okayed it. But instead, intentionally or not, he undermined my authority over my own squad, and yours and Cynthia’s authority. Because of that, I had to make it clear to everyone in the room that we mean business about keeping things secret.”

“I know, I get that. He had my permission to have Jirachi listen in, but only we knew that, and he should have mentioned it earlier when you asked, or waited until after the meeting and told you privately.” Steven replied, exasperated, “But shooting down his proposition about the star pieces and bringing up what Jirachi did four years ago…”

“I didn’t tell him to scrap the idea. I just said it would be foolish for us on the frontline to have it. It has the potential to be great, having some sort of HQ that only we can access, and instant communication. But if Agatha got a hold of the key, it would be a massacre. By all means, have those working behind the scenes run with this plan. And as I said, even if we have access to one of the keys, but didn’t keep it on us, that would be great. But I’m not going to support his idea to the letter, ignoring the oversights like that, to spare his feelings…”

“That still doesn’t justify slandering Jirachi, and him by extension…” Steven replied, “He and Jirachi have been an asset the last four years to the League…”

“So was Lance…” Jon replied, “Every bit of power and authority he had came from the League, and look what happened there…”

“Jimmy isn’t going to become Lance-” Steven contested.

“I am not saying he is Lance 2.0.” Jon explained, “I am saying that usefulness to the League shouldn’t cause you to overlook character flaws. Even with myself. I have proven myself useful to the League, but does that mean you will look past what I have done? Beating Lance and Matt senseless, refusing to fully cooperate with the league? You’d be stupid not to consider that…”

“What are you trying to say?” Steven asked irritably.

“I mentioned what Jirachi did because after four years, the first time I work with Jimmy, in this meeting, he essentially does what he likes, regardless of what is expected of him.” Jon said, “I have been given no reason to think anything has changed. Just his word, which lost a lot of value when he pulled the stunt he did tonight with Jirachi listening in. And now, he is offering for people to use Jirachi’s power to go to some hidden base of operations, and have their thoughts broadcasted to Jirachi. Why do I have any reason to believe that anything has changed, and that this won’t turn into that locked room on the S.S. Wishmaker, when Jirachi all of a sudden wants to play? If Jimmy wants to put people at his and Jirachi’s mercy, regardless of whether it is good or not, they need to know the risk. And if Jimmy wants me to trust him, and Jirachi by extension, he has to prove it. Not with words, but with action. Tonight was a chance for him to do that…”

“Still-”

“What would you have done in my place Steven?” Jon asked.

Steven was silent.

“If I didn’t do what I did, we run the risk of planning an attack, and Agatha knowing, because one of the operatives thought nothing bad will happen if he goes and tells someone else from his squad over a beer tonight. Really, I did you a favour by being the token a**hole, so you and Cynthia didn’t have to be…”

“What about what Jimmy said?” Steven asked, “His rant about you being a bully and a self righteous p***k?”

“Do you agree with him?” Jon asked, “You’ve known me for over ten years, and in all honesty, are my best friend. If anyone knows me well enough, other than Alyssa, to tell me whether or not what he said is true, it’s you. Am I a bully and a self righteous p***k?”

Steven was silent.

“No…” Steven sighed, not liking the situation, “You did what needed to be done when he mentioned Jirachi listening in, in front of everyone. You made the right call about Eon Squad not taking the star pieces, and given your own experience, you did what you thought best with Jirachi’s past. It is just messy…”

“It is messy. But mess we can contain and control is better than mess we can’t.” Jon said, “And to answer your question, about what Jimmy said, I am not too phased. He can’t see what is wrong with the situation, and the easiest alternative when you can’t see that is to blame the person who can.”

“He might say the exact same thing about you…” Steven retorted, half joking, as he stood to leave.

“He could. But actions speak louder than words.” Jon said, “But Steven…”

“Yeah?”

“He and Jirachi do have potential to make or break this operation, hopefully make it.” Jon said, “But that won’t happen if the League is constantly trying to make us work together. He has written me off as a… well, you heard him. If we disagree about something, he will go against me, regardless of who is right and wrong, because in his mind, I am his enemy. Your best bet is to not try and have us work this out while we are dealing with Agatha. There is too much at stake to waste time trying to resolve differences. There is plenty enough to do without us having to cross paths and butt heads.”

“I’ll let you do your thing.” Steven replied, “Let me know what I need to know, and ask when you need help.”

Jon nodded as Steven left.

Latios
Above Eon Squad HQ
Affected RPers: @Charkamaster @Neo Emolga @Shruikan

Latios waited above the building, remaining invisible as was his sentry duty. He hadn’t been in contact with Jon during the meeting, as to follow the rules that Steven and Cynthia had set about keeping information private. His instructions were to only contact if there was a concern, so Latios had been waiting eagerly to tell Jon of his revelation about his past and his sister.

He noticed someone leave the building below, exhibiting rage and nothing but. Latios quietly descended, remaining invisible, unsure if this anger was indicative of a threat, before recognizing the person. Jimmy Kendo. He continued walking, as Cassandra, Violet and Jarena emerged from the building. Latios floated towards them, about to reveal himself, before he heard them speaking.

“I want to talk to Jirachi,” Jarena said. “Jon doesn’t trust him, but I want to give the dude a chance. Because that little dude saved our tails four years ago. I trust him and I think he could really help.”

“We need to make our own call about this,” Violet replied to the pair of them. “Like you said, we’ve heard what Jon has in mind and as we saw, it’s his way or the highway. Let’s talk to Jirachi, find out whose plan sounds like what we want to go with more. But if we go with Jon, don’t be surprised if old sins get brought up again. Cass, I think he trusts you, but I can’t say the same for the two of us.”

“It’s true, Jirachi came through for us, too,” Cassandra said. “We never would have paid off the debt without him and would have been left broke and homeless.”

“And hated,” Jarena replied. “Insane how it took everyone believing we died before they stopped bashing us on social media.”

Latios halted making himself visible.

“Jon, what have you done…”

Latios left quietly, presuming the meeting had ended, though not well by the look of it, entering the building to find Jon.

Abbee Strauss and Dylan Squier
Crown Harbour Hotel
Affected RPers: None

It was 8:30pm when Abbee found herself dressed up and sitting alone at the bar of the fanciest hotel on Akala Island. She had ordered a drink, thankful that Alola had the drinking age of 18, instead of 21 like other regions. That being said, the menu here was expensive, and she hoped that she wouldn’t be here too long. Whilst she had inherited a large amount of wealth from her father’s estate she didn’t want to spend it so flippantly.

Victini stood on a rafter above the room, watching over Abbee, maintaining a telepathic link between her and also Dylan, who waited in the bathroom next to the lobby. The plan was simple actually.

Victini had used his uncanny ability to wander around unnoticed and spent some time watching the service desk in the kitchen, where room service orders came in and were processed. Taking note of the uniforms that were worn by the staff who worked in the hotel, he located a storage room full of them, stealing one that would fit Dylan. Dylan took it, before hiding in the bathroom, whilst Abbee waited in the bar, hoping to attract the attention of someone that wasn’t a man too old to be hitting on her. She wasn’t lying when she told them she was waiting for someone. That person was Brianna Levine.

She was staying in the hotel under an alias, and if they found out what that was they might be able to learn more about her. The only lead they had was an affinity for a certain wine the hotel stocked. Peter, Eon Squads computer genius, had given Dylan a discreet flash drive that when plugged into a PC, would transmit the screen to Eon Squad HQ. However Brianna knew Dylan, and the operation would be out the window if she knew he was here.

But, she had mentioned knowing of Abbee to Dylan when they spoke. The plan was for Abbee to be waiting in the bar, waiting for someone, for Brianna. When Brianna eventually shows up, as she seems to love being smug about how much she knows and how little she is going to tell you, Abbee would keep her occupied whilst Dylan, disguised as a hotel worker, would plant the flash drive.

However it had been forty minutes, and so far nothing.

“Come on Brianna…” Abbee thought to herself, as she twirled the straw around her drink…

Jon Drake
Eon Squad HQ
Affected RPers: @Neo Emolga

The clock read 9pm, when Jon finally decided to send Cassandra a message. He had held off, knowing that emotions were high after the meeting, and they were with Jimmy after they left. Latios had overheard their conversation, about whether or not Jon thought the same about them and their mistakes as he did about Jirachi and told Jon. Granted what Cassandra had said as she left implied that pretty heavily.

’Hey, it’s Jon.

I didn’t get a chance to clear things up, and just wanted to apologize about before. Latios overheard you guys talking on your way to see Jimmy, and made sure I knew about it, if you know what I mean. He takes after me…

Don’t think for a second I don’t trust the three of you, because I don’t trust Jirachi after what happened back then. The difference between what you three did four years ago, and what Jirachi did, is that the three of you have given me more than enough reason to trust you. You followed your end of the deal to the letter when I offered to vouch for you to the League, and I know the reason you never took Alyssa and I up on our offer to help after Wishmaker was so we wouldn’t get caught up as collateral. Cass came to my aid at a moment's notice, with not much intel to go on, and the three of you kept a secret that could have ruined my life had it come to light. Your actions were proof enough that you weren’t the same people you were before Wishmaker.

I haven’t seen Jirachi or Jimmy for four years, and had no reason to think anything was different but Jimmy’s word, and honestly I wanted to believe that things had changed and I could trust them now. But what happened tonight, the fact he didn’t mention Jirachi when I brought up the confidentiality until after we had both shared sensitive information, well, I realized I couldn’t take Jimmy just at his word. I brought up what happened four years ago, because based on what had just happened, I thought relying on Jirachi came with the same risks that it did back on Wishmaker, and believed that people deserved to know that before making that decision. I couldn’t have it on my conscience if I said nothing, and something happened because of it. Really, I want to be able to trust Jimmy and Jirachi, but their actions need to speak that.

This isn’t some long winded way of trying to get you guys to join Eon Squad. The three of you would be a major help, but I know that you three have earned my trust, and understand your talents and where you best fit into this whole mess we have found ourselves in better than I ever could. If working with Jimmy and Jirachi is how you think you can make the biggest difference, or something else entirely, I completely understand and would rather you do that. If there is anything you reasonably need from myself or Eon Squad, say the word, and we will be in touch as well, to get those protection charms sorted before we give Agatha hell.

Watch yourselves out there.
Jon.’

He pressed send, before finding himself back at work, looking over the landscape surrounding the megamart...