XI. [Video + Action for Goldenrod City.]

[shakespearealien]

[All that Gorthan's feed shows today is this.



Fizzling blue noise and the Rotom that was formerly GLaDOS'. The voice coming from the Gear, however, is unmistakably Gorthan's. Dark, deep, pensive... and with the slightest hint of irritation.]

The songbird has flown back into her cage. A completely foreseeable outcome.

I understand that you miss her, and trust me, I feel the same way. I also understand that getting you to like me as much as you liked her will be no easy feat. But how are we supposed to get to know each other if you won't get out of there?

[The Rotom doesn't seem to be paying any attention whatsoever. It's just floating around the screen, smiling mischievously and making the blue noise fizzle some more.]

... You are broadcasting this, aren't you.

[Rotom's mischievous grin remains unchanged as it nods.

Guess whose PokéGear just got possessed by an electric ghost.

As for Gorthan himself, he's in his room at the Rocket HQ in Goldenrod, staring at the Pokémon currently in his device and wondering if the best way to successfully get it to come out is to just ignore it for a while.]

Comments

[private audio]

[scientificflair]

[...Descole recognizes that Rotom, actually, if for no better reason than it was the one that most frequently accompanied the other half of the Aperture AI screamfests across the lab.

It takes him a while before the feed comes on; it's audio-only, and Descole doesn't speak right away, but before long there's a soft melody being played through the 'Gear - it's a little different than the version GLaDOS had been singing that one time in the lab, but it's unmistakably part of Cara Mia Addio, played on what sounds like a violin.

He doesn't play too long before he lowers the instrument, however, though he's still playing a few idle notes on it as he speaks.]

Missing Caroline a bit, are you?

[private audio]

[shakespearealien]

[... Descole, do you mean to pull at Gorthan's heartstrings-

... Right, he'd rather people think he has no such thing as a heart. Even so, Gorthan's voice, when he speaks, is quiet, distant.]

... That is a good rendering of it. Thank you, Descole. And yes, I do miss her. She... left a void that will not be easily filled. I should work on becoming better acquainted with the new arrivals - perhaps that would help compensate.

[Also, the fact that Gorthan chooses Audio in turn ensures that there is no pesky Rotom showing up on the screen. Though Gorthan realizes that it probably won't be long until it figures out how to interfere with the Audio channel as well.]

[private audio]

[scientificflair]

[Descole continues to draw the bow across the strings lightly, the gesture more to give his hands something to do than anything else.]

I hear it often; apparently Wheatley taught his bat that much of it. He's no longer present, either.

[A pause; his hands don't falter against the strings.]

Where are you now?

[private audio]

[shakespearealien]

[Before he replies, there's a small pause in which Gorthan is taken in by the music. It's just one of many things that earthlings do, and that invariably fascinate him every time... and that will never truly be his.]

Headquarters, my room. Yourself?

[private audio]

[scientificflair]

Likewise.

[Another pause; a few more notes against those strings.]

It's been some time since we've spoken in person. Care to join me?

Video

[her_mouse_jesty]

Oh, what a cute Pokemon!

[Video.]

[shakespearealien]

[Once again, nothing but the Rotom and the blue noise are shown on the screen, while the voice is Gorthan's, who sighs patiently.]

I honestly wish I could say the same. It was entrusted to me by someone who left, but it does not seem to like me.

[Video.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

Well now, we can't have that. I'm sure it'll grow to like you like the other Pokemon have.

[Video.]

[shakespearealien]

[Apparently, Rotom can see Minnie, even if it's inside the PokéGear. In response to Minnie's comment, it sways briskly from side to side in a resolute "no".]

Eventually, I suppose that will be the case. For the moment, it seems extraordinarily stubborn.

[video]

[usedsuperpower]

Oooh, what is that?

[video]

[shakespearealien]

[While the screen still shows nothing but Rotom and blue noise, Gorthan's voice explains calmly.]

It's a Rotom. A Pokémon known to possess electrical and electronic appliances and devices. At the moment, it's possessing my PokéGear, as I trust you can see.

[video]

[usedsuperpower]

Ooooh! Bootifa! Were you get it?

[video]

[shakespearealien]

[A wistful sigh.]

My... student returned to her home world and... I trust you know how it is.

Speaking of which. Who are you?

[Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

What is that thing? And what is it doing to the screen?

[Video]

[shakespearealien]

[... Oh! Oh! From inside Gorthan's PokéGear, Rotom can see the masked man. It inches closer to the screen, its usual mischievous smile momentarily replaced by curiosity. Why don't you have a face, sir?

Meanwhile, Gorthan's voice explains, after a frustrated sigh.]

It's a Rotom, and it's possessing my PokéGear.

Re: [Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

It's possessing your...like a ghost?

[Cobra Commander flinched away from his own screen. That thing can't jump from Gorthan's Gear to his, right?]

Where did it come from?

[Video]

[shakespearealien]

[Now closer to the screen than ever, the Rotom smiles mischievously. It can't transfer to Cobra's Gear, but if it can bluff and spook him into believing that it can, it will.]

Like a ghost, indeed. Which is exactly what it is.

As for where it comes from, I am sure you remember Caroline. A woman of character, willing to go great lengths for the sake of science. She has returned home.

[video/private]

[ortion]

[A Pokemon that can possess electronics...interesting. Dist wouldn't mind having something like that one day.

--Oh, Dist recognizes that name coming from the post's signal. He decides to reach out, despite the context of the actual post.]

Forgive me that this is a tad off-topic, but you wouldn't happen to be Gorthan, would you? [Just making sure first.]

[Audio/Private]

[shakespearealien]

[... We've determined that Gorthan's Video feed is a little embarrassing right now. So something official such as this is better kept to Audio.

It's also best not to know that Gorthan spends a long time staring at this new contact - earthlings can get so creative with their personal appearance, and that never ceases to amaze him.]

I am him, indeed. And you are...?

[Video/Private]

[ortion]

[Dist decides to keep his feed on video in the event that Gorthan can actually see him. And really, not much harm done either way.]

I am Dist the Rose. I am a new arrival to the science department.

[He shifts in his chair, propping his head up with his free hand that isn't holding the 'Gear.]

I heard that you are the head of this department, so I wanted to establish contact as soon as possible. It is always nice to meet one's superior, after all.

[Private audio.]

[shakespearealien]

Dist... the Rose? What a peculiar name, for one in our profession. It is a pleasure to meet you. What is your specialty, fellow man of science?

The head of the department? I believe you are mistaken. Although I recognize that I have some authority here, not to mention a fair amount of seniority, I would never claim such a thing. The head of the department is the much esteemed Executive Proton, a man whose expertise lies in coordinating handling of test subjects. As for myself, I am merely the head of the Biotics Division.

[audio]

[tickleironysjudgment]

Songbird, my friend?

[A pause]

...Who has your gear right now?

[audio]

[shakespearealien]

Yes, Agnus, I... [A sigh.] I suppose I had a crush on her.

Her Rotom does.

[audio]

[tickleironysjudgment]

Ah...'Parting is such sweet sorrow,' then. I see.

...Rotom?

[He checks the pokedex...aaaand.]

...Oh. Well, this one just sounds all sorts of p-pleasant.

[Can you taste the sarcasm, Gorthan? It's so thick as to be palpable.]

[audio]

[shakespearealien]

It's less sweet when it's permanent, Agnus.

[He sounds very serious and even slightly offended.]

It can hear you. Don't rile it up, or it may get ideas.