Envious One

[The feed opens on a small rainstorm. But strangely, the 'Gear looks like it's actually a few feet outside where the rain is falling. Looks like somone is making use of Rain Dance, and viewers will soon be able to make out that said someone is Envy. And it's easy to see from here that he's got bright blue splotches down his arms, and a large, more diamond-shaped splotch on his forehead. He's just outside of Saffron on Route 7, and is clearly making use of his new powers.]

[Because hey, even if they aren't his own, why not use them? A few seconds after the feed comes on, he aims a Water Gun at an attacking Rattatta, knocking it out. At his feet are a few more KO'd Pokemon, as well as his own Vaporeon, who looks to be making sure none of the wild Pokemon's attacks actually hit Envy. Because for all he's having fun with his powers, he sure doesn't want to get a Bite to the face or something, and what is fighting fair? This fighting goes on for a few minutes more before the Rain Dance runs out, fortunately around the same time the wild Pokemon do. Envy turns to whichever of his Pokemon is holding the camera, and grins before walking over (he doesn't, however, take the 'Gear. He's learned the hard way already that getting it wet ends badly). Now that he's closer, you can see that his eyes have changed color to bright blue, and have slitted cat's pupils. He also looks very pleased with himself.]

As much of a pain as it was getting these powers, I can't say they don't come in handy. It's about time we got some kind of reward when something insane happens.

[[ooc: Action can happen either out on the route or in Saffron once he's decided to go back!]]

[Video]

[Hey, Envy's actually turning on the video feed on purpose today! He's been pretty scarce since Nanao disappeared, but these last few days of the singing Pokemon appear to have caught up with him anyway. He's grinning from ear to ear, no trace of a smirk for once, and actually looks genuinely happy, something the grand majority of Johto has probably never seen out of him. TODAY IS A WONDERFUL DAY, GUYS.]

You know, I think I like Valentine's Day.

[He laughs.] It's finally warm out, and I even got an egg this morning. Anyone know what might hatch out of one that's red and black?

[…well at least he'll be happy about having to take care of another egg for one day. And he sounds particularly pleased about the colors. He leans a little closer to the camera.]

And I've got a date tonight. [He's so happy over this. It looks so weird on him. But he's clearly very, very proud of this fact and he wants to share it with all of you because you're all his friends right? Friendship is the best!]

I think I get why this holiday's so popular now.

[That seems to be all for now, and with one last grin, Envy shuts off the feed. thank goodness]

[Action]

[Envy's taking advantage of the nice weather to wander the streets of Goldenrod! He's got a smile on his face and is full of nice, friendly feelings from the Pokemon singing. This may be your only chance to encounter him being this pleasant, take it while you still can!]

[The 'Gear feed comes on to show a Poke-center bed. A bed with what appears to be just a large pile of blankets in the middle, along with the odd edge of pillow…and a foot. And some long strands of green hair poking out the other end of the pile.]

Ursa!

[The 'Gear bounces up onto the bed, clearly being held by a Pokemon that was sitting on the nightstand, and moves around to where that hair is. Oh look, a face to go with it! Well, a face that's pressed into the blankets still, but it clearly belongs to Envy.]

Little Bear, if you have the 'Gear I'll turn you into a damn hat.

[This threat is lost on Little Bear. Envy lifts his head up to look at the screen, eyes narrowing blearily. His face is flushed and utterly miserable, and he's very clearly sick. This is actually Day Two of 'Envy has the flu for the first time in his life'. One arm shoots out of the blanket nest in an attempt to snatch the 'Gear back, but Little Bear is having none of that and flees back to the nightstand, laughing and turning the camera back on his trainer once he's out of reaching distance. And Envy is just too weak and sluggish to do much else about it. With a heavy, frustrated sigh, Envy rolls over to glare at the ceiling instead, still partially curled up and wrapped in blanket. And for a long moment, it seems like nothing else is going to happen, what with him refusing to play any more chase…at least, until his eyes go wide, staring up at something that isn't there.]

Teddi?

[There's no response, no indication that Envy even heard his Pokemon. And then, abruptly, he comes back to himself, scowling as he jerks up into a half sitting position and puts a hand up to grip the side of his head. What comes next is a very under-his-breath mutter.]

--out of my head!

[…yeah, he may have just forgotten that he's being filmed. He shoves the rest of the blankets off and stumbles out of bed and out of the room as quickly as he can manage to. He's wearing shorts and a loose shirt, but observant people might catch sight of part of the red ouroboros mark on his leg as he's leaving. Little Bear, now more confused and concerned than anything, turns off the feed to go follow.]

[Action for Pokemon Center]

[Envy doesn't get too far once he's left the room, and has sunk down to the floor, with his back against the wall and his knees up. He's looking both even more ill-tempered than he has been for the past couple days, and also disturbed by something. Either way, he should really not be out of bed in the hall and is probably in the way.]


[ooc: Video responses will come after he's been dragged/convinced back into the bed!]

[This 'Gear feet is a video, but it's so dark you wouldn't be able to tell. It's clearly an accident, so maybe it's just that the device is in Envy's coat pocket. Or it could just be that dark where he is. Either way, viewers will be able to hear the sounds of scuffling and Envy exclaiming quietly.]

--quit stepping on my feet!

Oh, that was you. Sorry, I thought it was some rope! [This voice is low and seems genuinely apologetic, and some might recognize it as belonging to Miguel.]

[Someone else speaks up now, voice hissing. This one is easily recognizable as Tulio.] Be quiet!

What're you so worried about, nobody's going to hear us.

Well they will if you keep up with all that-- that cacaphony.

Sshh sshh sshh! I hear something!

[All three of them go quiet now, so anyone listening to this feed will now be able to hear the sound of…waves? It sounds like these three are on a boat. There's also the sound of creaking footsteps walking by wherever they are, and it's not until a minute or two after the footsteps passed by that they finally exhale.]

I hate boats.

[There's a few moment's pause.]

…how long will this trip be?

…a few days, I think.

Oh, great.

We have to hide in here for days?

At least it's not a month…

[There's some more sounds of shifting before the 'Gear feed gets knocked off again.]

[ooc: Green for Envy, red for Miguel, and blue for Tulio! As this is a joint post, all three of them will be replying to tags.]

[When the video feed first comes on, the only thing visible is the face of a Lucario and the ceiling fan right behind her head. Not for long, though, as the Pokemon makes a satisfied sound at having gotten the Gear on and turns it around towards the window. Envy's sitting in a chair next to it--a loose definition of 'sitting', with one knee up and the other leg loosely crossed behind it-- and leaning his elbow on the sill. One cheek is resting against his fist, giving viewers a good view of the other side of his face, which is sporting a fair sized bruise. There are other bruises visible on his arms, souveniers from the fighting tournament. It looks like he's dragged a blanket off of one of the room's beds and draped it over his back and hanging off one shoulder. Outside is nothing but gray drizzle and buildings, but anyone familiar with Olivine might notice that he's back there and no longer in Goldenrod. Envy doesn't seem to notice he's being filmed, because his focus is shifting between the tower of coins he's building on the sill and the nasty weather outside. He's looking bored and restless as hell, wearing a petulant frown more suited to a little kid than a centuries old homunculus.]

[He places the last available coin on top of the wobbly tower, looks it over for a few moments, and then flicks it over, the coins rolling and bouncing onto the floor with a clatter. He looks mildly pleased at the small act of destruction, continuing to knock over what remains of the base until there aren't two coins left on top of each other. But it's a short lived distraction, and then he's left with frowning out the window with the universal expression of 'screw this weather' on his face. But there's something a little thoughtful about it, too.]

A year isn't that long, not even one in this place. It's not that big a surprise. Keep me here ten, Johto, then maybe I'll be impressed.

Heh. [He rubs his temples, looking some combination of frustrated and amused.] Long enough to make everything really damn complicated, though.

[What he says next is mumbled, quietly enough that it would be difficult to catch all of what he's saying.] I really hate being human.

[His restlessness finally getting the better of him (he can only look out a window for so long before he completely loses interest), he gets to his feet and starts to turn, and that's when the Lucario decides that maybe she ought to turn it off before she gets caught messing around with the 'Gear again, and the feed ends.]

[TEXT locked to Lust, Tulio, France, and Miguel, sent a few minutes later]

Hey, where are you?

[Today, the video feed is wobbling along close to the ground, clearly being carried by some Pokemon or other. And judging by the shelves and boxes of merchandise, it looks like the filmer is wandering around the back room of a Pokemart.]

I don't know, are you sure you should have taken it? What if he gets angry? [A nervous-looking Dratini comes into view on the side of the video, moving along next to whoever is holding the camera. Which, as the camera tilts down to show little brown bear feet, turns out to be Envy's Teddiursa.]

He won't get mad! You worry too much, Aqua.

But I don't think he liked my trainer, and he was mad when he found me…

[Little Bear sounds totally confident.] He's just funny about things like that, I'm sure he likes you! You get to come out and have adventures with the rest of us, right? If he didn't like you, I bet he'd leave you in the hotel room and you'd be stuck being bored all day. Come on, let's go visit him right now, then we can go see if we can get more treats from that girl stocking the shelves!

But--

[Little Bear leaves no room for argument, already dashing towards the cracked-open door to the front of the shop. He's so small that he doesn't have to open the door much further to get through, and comes out right behind the counter. And there, with an incredibly strained 'friendly' grin on his face that kind of looks more like he's baring his teeth, stands Envy the Pokemart Cashier. Yeah, after Miguel and Tulio went on ahead while Envy waited around in Ecruteak for Lust, he realized that he needed some sort of income in the meantime if he wanted to sleep inside and afford food.]

[The person on the other side of the counter that he's "grinning" at is a little old lady who is counting out coins for her purchase entirely in the smallest denomination there is. There's already a pile of coins on the counter, so it looks like she's been here for a while.]

Two hundred and thirty two, two hundred and thirty three, two hundred…wait, it was thirty seven last, wasn't it?

It was thirty three. You need to give me five more. [To Envy's credit, he manages to not sound entirely like he wants to stab someone. All those years of acting have paid off!]

Oh, of course, how forgetful of me! [Those last five coins come out of her purse with some reluctance, but after that she's finally heading out the door. And the second her back is turned, all pretense of friendliness on Envy's part vanishes in favor of venomously glaring at her back. Sharp eared listeners might hear him mutter something about 'make it look like an accident'. It's only after she's left the shop that he finally notices the two Pokemon at his feet. Filming him.]

Wha--hey! Where'd you get that?! Give it-- [He grabs for the 'Gear, snatching it from the laughing Teddiursa, and switches off the feed.]


((ooc: Anyone in Ecruteak who wants to come to the Mart and bother him/buy from the Angriest Cashier is welcome! Pokemon responses are also welcome, since Little Bear will probably take the 'Gear again at some point.))

[Envy switches the video on to show himself sitting in what look like some of the higher branches of a tree, although not so high that he's in danger of his perch breaking. Someone is obviously enjoying the sun and warm weather Johto is having right now.]

[But while he looks to be in a good mood, there's also something he's been thinking about. Namely that he was informed of some events from his future by one Roy Mustang. Events that aren't going to end well for him. And while he'd prefer to think that Roy is just lying about it, it's still not something he'd like to chance. So, Johto, Envy has a question for you.]

Hey, for anyone that sees this. Say you found out about something from your future while you were here. Do you think it's possible to change it?

[The video comes on to show the inside of the Goldenrod city gym. Whoever or whatever is holding the 'Gear is on the sidelines, and low to the ground (so likely his Eevee again), but the arena is still clearly visible. Envy is standing on one end with a cocky smirk on his face; looks like somebody's finally gotten around to trying for his first badge.]

I hope you're ready! I'm not going to lose to anyone with such a ridiculous hairstyle!

[Aaand that smirk turns to an annoyed glare in an instant.] Like you can talk! Yours is pink!

[Whitney just giggles.] It's cute and fashionable! Yours is just silly.

[Envy's face looks like he's plotting five kinds of terrible vengeance, but he pulls a Pokeball off his belt, tossing it in his hand.] So how about we just get started, and we'll see who's actually stronger?

( Cut for battling! )

Heh, looks like you lost to someone like me after all.

Y-you…you're so mean! [CUE WATERWORKS.]

Yeah, I am. So quit crying and give me the badge already. [Very low tolerance for this carrying on here.]

Why should I, you're a jerk!

What does that have to do with anything, I still won. [He's still glaring, but he manages to at least make his tone and expression a little softer, more convincing. Through somewhat gritted teeth.] So just give me what I came for and I'll be out of your hair for good, how's that sound for a deal?

[S-SNIFFLE] Fine...but you'd better keep your promise!

Sure I will. And the sooner you give it to me, the sooner I'll leave you alone. [Like he'd want to come back here again. But Whitney hands over the badge, and shortly after that the feed comes to an end.]

((ooc: Badge is mod-approved! And anybody in Goldenrod who knows him is free to assume that they were invited to watch.))

[It's nighttime in Goldenrod when the camera turns on, and the person holding the camera seems to be…on top of a roof? That's weird, what would someone be doing up there in the middle of the night? Only some kind of crazy--]

[Oh look, it's Envy.]

[He doesn't seem to be particularly interested in talking to the camera right now, although he is grinning widely and may or may not have had at least a couple drinks that night. Spoiler: he has.]

Ready whenever you are!

[At the voice, the camera swings to show that, on the roof of the next building over, there is someone else standing there waving. France, to be exact.]

Yeah, I'm coming! [Envy calls back, then turns the camera again to show Chimera the Pupitar beside him. With what appear to be some sort of hastily tied rope grips around several of his horns.] Look, I finally figured out what this evolution is good for! [He sounds so proud of himself.]

[See, this is the sort of thing that happens when you take a homunculus that misses his powers and give him the equivalent of a four foot tall bottle rocket, and enough to drink that he loses all worry for safety. Of course he can still regenerate, what are you talking about! Envy clips the gear to his coat with only a little fumbling before winding his hands into the makeshift grips.]

Okay, Chimera. Go!

[There's not much of a noise when they take off, but from the speed at which the camera is approaching the roof, it's clear that Envy's weight has barely slowed the Pupitar down. All anyone would really be able to hear is rushing wind, and maybe at the beginning a snatch of a madly triumphant shout.]

[The two successfully land on the next rooftop with a loud THUNK, so everything's great, right? Maybe not, since Chimera overcompensated how much force he put into the launch and is now continuing to skid across the roof. Right through several makeshift clotheslines and a flock of roosting wild Pidgey. Through all this cacophany of noise and feathers and a shirt or several, you might be able to make out Envy cursing and shouting for Chimera to slow down. Too bad for him there is no way for Chimera to do so because he doesn't have limbs. When the two of them finally slow to a halt, they are only a few feet from the edge of the roof. Way to avoid an impromptu trip to the Pokemon Center, Envy.]

[Envy falls back from the Pupitar and just…lays there, the Gear pointing up at the sky. After a moment, laughter starts to bubble up, and he punches his fist in the air for a moment before letting it fall back.]

Ha, I told you it would work!

Envy, that was awesome, are you alright? [France comes into view, laughing almost too hard to speak and holding a hand out for Envy to pull himself up with.]

Of course I'm alright! Hey, hey, you should try next.

…I was a flying ace. How could an ace of the Great War turn down an offer like that?

[If anybody cares to stop France, encourage them, or ask what in the hell they are doing, now might be the time.]

((ooc: Lines in orange are spoken by France, with permission. France will also be responding to comments in addition to Envy. Also, warning, both of them are kind of drunk.))