Erius

|| acc by @pyr0-ph0b1a , tw for unreality ||

[transcendentalredcore]

My name is Erius Rotarn. I was born in Opelucid City in Unova.

I believe Pokémon should live alongside humans the same as humans live among eachother. I work alone. It is not illegal. In most cases. I am not explaining why. I handle issues in every region and not just Unova. Updates about any remnants of Team Plasma are appreciated.

I am mute and I have my Starmie speak for me on most occasions.

|| looking for what mail is activated in asks? go to @rainbowsworkinmysteriousways 's pinned post! ||

[transcendentalredcore]

[Jackson approaches you, he looks like he’s been crying.]

…It’s my fault.

I should have tried harder to stop him.

I should have stayed with him.

I shouldn’t have left when he was so set on leaving.

I’m sorry.

I’m so sorry.

@bearingasanguinemantle obtc)

<He looks uncharacteristically disheveled. His scarf is tugged all out of place.>

Actually, I was coming to say the same thing. <His voice, albeit deep, is small and raspy from both disuse and their predicament. He looks down, noticing Jackson was practically covered in his own blood.> It's not your fault. I knew he'd escape. I would have been better fit to hold him back. I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have missed that.

<He shakes his head, covering half of his face with his scarf.>

Ugh. Knowing them, they'll terastallize him. We can't stand here and ignore that. I won't let them advance with Theodore on "their side," <he coughs. He's not used to hearing himself speak. It's weird.

[bearingasanguinemantle]

[Jackson’s expression hardens.]

You’re right. We need to find them, do you know any way we can track them down?

[He doesn’t seem phased by being covered in his own blood, maybe that’s what Brillar did to him. Something to do with blood.]

I won’t let them ruin a boy’s life because they’ve gone off the rails. Perhaps the hostage he took might know something?

[transcendentalredcore]

As I've- <he turns away, coughing into his shoulder> -I've said, that red one seems to know something. I'll have to go back down there, anyway - I left Starmie and my phone...

<He tries to stiffen up his body into its usual position, but he just can't. He's been tracking Lumen for days, stayed up the entire time, but each time he narrows down a point, they're gone. As if they know. He's exhausted.>

I can track them myself. My mind is just... elsewhere.

<His hand runs through his hair. It must be soothing to him since he does it so much.>

[transcendentalredcore]

[Jackson approaches you, he looks like he’s been crying.]

…It’s my fault.

I should have tried harder to stop him.

I should have stayed with him.

I shouldn’t have left when he was so set on leaving.

I’m sorry.

I’m so sorry.

@bearingasanguinemantle obtc)

<He looks uncharacteristically disheveled. His scarf is tugged all out of place.>

Actually, I was coming to say the same thing. <His voice, albeit deep, is small and raspy from both disuse and their predicament. He looks down, noticing Jackson was practically covered in his own blood.> It's not your fault. I knew he'd escape. I would have been better fit to hold him back. I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have missed that.

<He shakes his head, covering half of his face with his scarf.>

Ugh. Knowing them, they'll terastallize him. We can't stand here and ignore that. I won't let them advance with Theodore on "their side," <he coughs. He's not used to hearing himself speak. It's weird.

[transcendentalredcore]

[For whatever reason, Erius found himself with the hostage that Theodore took from the Unova base. What was their name again? It doesn't matter, the fella doesn't speak anyways. They just need to be kept alive for whatever reason.

However, they spoke for the first time in the past few days:]

"You need to track Lumen, right?"

[Lumen has the last captive. The other was with Opaq, who is supposedly in the hospital recovering now.

So yeah, they do need to track down Lumen.]

<He crosses his arms over his chest. How can he trust this guy? As far as he's concerned, this could fully be for their personal benefit.>

"(WHAT I NEED TO DO IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS,)" <Starmie conveyed rather bluntly for him.> "(FOR ALL I KNOW, YOU'RE NO BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE YOU WORKED FOR.)"

<Admittedly, he'd been on edge recently. Days were blending together. Everything was a threat to him at this point. He was tired, but he's been through worse. As long as that kid is safe.

He shakes his head firmly.> "(GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON AS TO WHY I SHOULD TRUST YOU WHEN I AM FULLY CAPABLE OF LOCATING REID MYSELF.)" <Behind him, his Starmie seemed to be surveying Infra closely, gauging their intention.>

[teambrillar]

[Chase lowers their head briefly when Starmie speaks for Erius; It is definitely a mental toll on them. Then again, being a captive is just a mental toll overall. You lose hope eventually.

Alas, after a moment, they gather their words.]

"Honestly, you make good points. You, that other guy, and the kid have no reason to trust me. Just hear me out, at least."

[They've had a lot in their head for their past few days of captivity. They're sick of being useless.]

"Lumen is my superior. Didn't care for me when I reported I was going to die. Terastalis is the boss and even he didn't bother to come and help me. I overall have no reason to go back. They clearly didn't care for me."

[It's hard to admit that. Terastalis was like a dad to them. Put them under their roof, paid for their education, let them work, let them live their life. Lumen was kind of just, there, but they're grouped into this now.]

"I can help. Given that, if, the communicator you confiscated from me is still here and working, I can reverse a signal or find some properties that track down where Lumen is. Or whoever else."

[They shake their bangs out of their face.]

"Now if it's broken, it'll take longer, but I could figure something else entirely. Even make malware if you– if we– if necessary."

[...did the kid kidnap the tech guy of the team?]

"Take it as a proposal of sorts. For my life. I know nothing about what Lumen and Opaq did to ruin the kid's life– and perhaps more lives– but considering how much the team cared for me, I'd rather be of some use for justice than be a reminder of a dead body."

[That and it's revenge for Chase. They want nothing more than to see at least one of the two people who left them to die suffer.]

[transcendentalredcore]

<His expression morphs into more confusion than anything as Chase speaks. He glances at Starmie, who tilts its body back at him.

Honestly, this sounded just about like any other sob story he'd heard from captives like these. Except, this time, the person seemed hardened. No crocodile tears. Little voice cracks. It's a voice of genuine betrayal and a hope to get back at who wronged them. Part of him would respect that... if not for the fact this person hasn't done anything to redeem themselves yet.

He starts to move forward, but his phone buzzes. He sighs, checking it impatiently.

His phone falls to the ground with a clatter. His eyes are wide. He glances between Chase and the floor.> What...?

<He runs a hand through his hair, then his other. He inhales sharply and, promptly, strides off in some direction without Starmie translating anything else. Even the Starmie takes a bit to process what in distortion just happened. It turns to stare (probably?) at Chase.>

"(DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT JUST HAPPENED?)"

[transcendentalredcore]

[Message from: unknown]

[It’s a picture.]

[Of Theodore.

Dead.

With opaq smiling and doing a peace sign.

There’s a message attached.]

This your second in command? Lol

<Although it's read, there's no response.>

[transcendentalredcore]

[For whatever reason, Erius found himself with the hostage that Theodore took from the Unova base. What was their name again? It doesn't matter, the fella doesn't speak anyways. They just need to be kept alive for whatever reason.

However, they spoke for the first time in the past few days:]

"You need to track Lumen, right?"

[Lumen has the last captive. The other was with Opaq, who is supposedly in the hospital recovering now.

So yeah, they do need to track down Lumen.]

<He crosses his arms over his chest. How can he trust this guy? As far as he's concerned, this could fully be for their personal benefit.>

"(WHAT I NEED TO DO IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS,)" <Starmie conveyed rather bluntly for him.> "(FOR ALL I KNOW, YOU'RE NO BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE YOU WORKED FOR.)"

<Admittedly, he'd been on edge recently. Days were blending together. Everything was a threat to him at this point. He was tired, but he's been through worse. As long as that kid is safe.

He shakes his head firmly.> "(GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON AS TO WHY I SHOULD TRUST YOU WHEN I AM FULLY CAPABLE OF LOCATING REID MYSELF.)" <Behind him, his Starmie seemed to be surveying Infra closely, gauging their intention.>

[transcendentalredcore]

I hope that child is okay.

[asktheodore]

Temporary leave?

TEMPORARY LEAVE!?

I don’t need a temporary leave! I am perfectly fine!

[transcendentalredcore]

No, you are not. Regardless of if you try to or not, you WILL kill yourself in the state that you're in. No good member of a team would rush out without any regard for their own health unless it was absolutely necessary. It is not.

[asktheodore]

When it’s someone I care about..

It’s more than necessary.

I’m sorry, but it’s too late to change my mind.

[transcendentalredcore]

No. It isn't.

I'll track Lumen down myself. And tell Jackson to hold you back.

This may be a suicide mission either way. I'd rather die than you.

[asktheodore]

Temporary leave?

TEMPORARY LEAVE!?

I don’t need a temporary leave! I am perfectly fine!

[transcendentalredcore]

No, you are not. Regardless of if you try to or not, you WILL kill yourself in the state that you're in. No good member of a team would rush out without any regard for their own health unless it was absolutely necessary. It is not.

[asktheodore]

I don’t need some hospital bullshit.

I need to save him.

I’m not staying here for multiple weeks.

[transcendentalredcore]

Yes, you are. There are over 850 people to help you save one person. They have the ability to focus on their mission. You don't.

[asktheodore]

I'm alive.

Unfortunately.

[transcendentalredcore]

Please never do that again. Talk to somebody. Jackson would be willing to help. I would, but I don't expect you to trust me as much as you would Jackson. I'm worried about you regardless. Drink a lot of water tonight, even if they did pump your stomach.

[asktheodore]

<Somebody knocks. After about 6 seconds, they knock again. 6 seconds more and they open the door without asking. It's Erius.

His breath hitches. Audibly. He rushes to your side, pressing a little button on his belt (likely to call for help).>

Why would you...?

<He grabs your head gently and tilts it back, trying to gauge if you can breathe. His other hand checks your pulse repeatedly. At least you're alive. But he's still holding his breath, looking around for what you could have possibly tried to go out with.>

|| @code-lock-errin obtc ||

[You notice a spilled bottle of painkillers next to the boy.

Well. That makes sense.]

[He can still breathe, but he needs to be gotten to medical care FAST.

Or else he won’t be breathing for much longer.]

[transcendentalredcore]

<He huffs in exasperation.> I... you'll be alright, <he tries to reassure Theodore, regardless of his actual consciousness.

His hand reaches for that button again, spamming it as quickly as possible.> Come on... Jackson...

<There's not much he can do. He scoots Theodore up to the wall and positions him so he can breathe without Erius holding him.> You've got to have a bottle of water around here... somewhere...

[transcendentalredcore]

(Obtc)

You should check on the second in command

...what is with you anonymous people sounding so eerie?

[asktheodore]

…

Add that to my list of scars.

[transcendentalredcore]

Please take care of yourself. Just because you think you're losing hope doesn't mean you need to give up. If nothing else, people are relying on you and Jackson to make things right.

[bearingasanguinemantle]

[Texts from an Unknown number that's apparently from Unova.]

"Is this Jackson?

My name is Erius.

I was notified of your cause by somebody named Theodore.

I'd like to know more about your operation."

|| obtc @code-lock-errin ||

So that’s who Theodore was talking about.

Well, this is an operation I made to finally dismantle Team Brillar.

They have wronged me and countless others, and I wanted to bring them all their justice.

I assume Brillar has wronged you in some way?

[transcendentalredcore]

"Not exactly."

<Really, he wouldn't have even heard about Team Brillar if not for the multiple reports in different regions.>

"I've had my experience with teams like these.

I'd rather prevent them entirely than wait until they get worse.

That being said, I believe there are missing person reports that align with Brillar already.

Regardless of their involvement (which I believe is true), what they're doing is still highly illegal.

Being involved with the Looker Bureau doesn't give me the exact help I need for specifics.

I figured that your operation would be worth picking up in place of that for the time being."

[transcendentalredcore]

[Message From: Unknown]

Hello

Are you Erius Rotarn?

@asktheodore obtc)

"Who is this?

Why would you ask somebody that without clarifying who you are first?"

[asktheodore]

Ah, sorry.

I am Theodore Jackson. I am Second in Command of Operation Break The Crystals, a group that wants to dismantle the disgusting cult known as Team Brillar.

I was told you would be a good addition, would you like to join our cause?

[transcendentalredcore]

"Team Brillar?"

<How long has it been since he's heard anything about them? Who could have possibly told this person about him, no less? Was he being compromised?>

"I don't understand.

Who notified you?

How do I know I can trust you?"

[asktheodore]

Ask a man named Jackson, he is the leader and can tell you more.

But if you need a reason to trust me..

I can promise you I want nothing more than to tear that team to shreds.

They ruined my life, took everyone I care about, kidnapped them all. Took my arm.

I.. you don’t understand how much I want every last member of that team dead.

[transcendentalredcore]

<...this person definitely seemed misguided, but honest enough.>

"Alright.

I'll talk to him.

This doesn't determine anything, but I will look into it."

[transcendentalredcore]

[Message From: Unknown]

Hello

Are you Erius Rotarn?

@asktheodore obtc)

"Who is this?

Why would you ask somebody that without clarifying who you are first?"

[asktheodore]

Ah, sorry.

I am Theodore Jackson. I am Second in Command of Operation Break The Crystals, a group that wants to dismantle the disgusting cult known as Team Brillar.

I was told you would be a good addition, would you like to join our cause?

[transcendentalredcore]

"Team Brillar?"

<How long has it been since he's heard anything about them? Who could have possibly told this person about him, no less? Was he being compromised?>

"I don't understand.

Who notified you?

How do I know I can trust you?"