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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 5, 2011 7:35:23 GMT -5
Celadon belonged to Team Rocket; it was a well known fact. The Police had yet to permanently break the corrupt organization's hold on the city, something that pained him on a personal level. Yet this wasn't due to lack of effort on their part; what they lacked was proof. They needed solid evidence to take down more than the occasional grunt that had become lazy. And this building, this Game Corner and all that it represented to Celadon, would be able to give them that proof. ...One day, at least. Lecce wasn't qualified to make judgments of such magnitude ( yet, he added to himself) nor was spying part of his reason for entering the city today. It was simply time for the yearly inspection of all shops that handled Pokemon. And whether he liked it or not, this was his assignment for the week. With a bit of a resigned sigh, Lecce turned away from the main building, instead walking towards its sister office, the Prize Corner. Under his arm was a sealed manila folder, filled with paperwork that would need to be filed by the end of the day. He held it pressed close to his chest as he pushed the doors open. Well... If I can at least ensure the safety of these Pokemon, he thought, it's a start. His police uniform drew the gaze of a few gamblers as he entered, some giving him a wide birth, most not, as they passed him, disappearing through the glass doors. Ignoring them, he strode to one of the service windows. "Excuse me," he said to the person behind the counter, voice clear and tone neutral. "I need to speak with someone about your inspection."
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 16, 2011 0:08:02 GMT -5
(I've been itching to post here, as it gives the vague feeling of...*gasp*..a plot. But I'm unsure whether you're wanting there to be a disguised Rocket Member behind the counter, or just need someone to be "Guy Behind Counter No.1". I'm willing to do either to get this thread off the ground)
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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 16, 2011 12:08:49 GMT -5
(eee yay someone was interested~ \o/ lol I assumed it would be a Rocket, or at least a Rocket character would confront him in the middle of it; he IS in their territory, so to speak. Whether they were plainclothed or even in their uniform, Lecce wouldn't be able to jump them anyway--there /are/ cosplayers in Pokemon after all. Unless he caught them in a derp moment of "HEY ROCKET BOSS LOOK WHAT I JUST STOLE!" xD)
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 16, 2011 14:14:42 GMT -5
"Just a moment sir." The woman at the counter tilted her head in a short bow and turned, disappearing through a door behind her counter. She found Moria, who, due to her recent promotion, was finding out that paperwork was worse than guard duty. She was grinning though, nothing could ruin her day.
She had handed over those twin gastlys she had captured, both of which glowed with a strange blue aura. The officer had congradulated her on her work, then spied another of her aquisitions. It was a Nidoran with strange markings. Moria had plaanned to keep it for herself, but the officer had assured her that she would want to give this one to the Boss.
She had approached the Boss in her own office, led in by an orderly. The Boss had said nothing when she handed over the Nidoran, and her face had remained impassive, but Moria was sure she had seen a strange glint in her eye. The next day the Orderly had informed her of her promotion.
Now she stood, dressed in regular clothes, her uniform concealed. She fingered the six Pokeballs on her side, heading out the door, Nidoran perched on her dark cap. She exited behind the counter, shaking her peach hair from her one eye, looking over the officer, a false smile on her face "Hello officer. I hear you're here to discuss our facility's inspection?"
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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 16, 2011 16:40:55 GMT -5
Lecce had to blink a moment at the young woman that was brought to speak with him. The confidence she exuded with each movement was surprising. It seemed to lack the boastful air he'd found many times so far on this round of inspections through the larger cities, as if this protocol and his presence meant nothing at all to them; it said to him that this one could take care of herself quite well.
Then, his eyes caught the Nidoran on her head. Admittedly, the species held a special place for him, and to see one nested so comfortably atop its trainer's head--that in itself a rare exemption from the norm--healthy and well-cared for, was enough that he had to force down the smile that wished to appear. It was time for business, not flattery on grooming skills. He began to open the seal on the folder.
"Yes, Ma'am. I realize it may interfere with your business hours, but everything must be completed in one business day. Your cooperation is appreciated."
He paused a moment, eyes going to the folder as he pulled free the first few papers. He felt no need to ask if she worked there; she had entered from the employee door, and they obviously wouldn't send him someone unable to meet his requirements. Potentially illicit or not, it was still part of a respectable corporation.
"May I have your name and position, please, for the record?"
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 16, 2011 19:22:06 GMT -5
Moria looked the tall officer over, glancing at the folder and papers he produced from it, watching as he found the form he was looking for, hearing the question and responding "My name is Moria..er" she hesitated "..I'm afraid my parents never told me my last name before they passed, so that will have to do for your report sir." She continued, skipping over the difficult part and continuing. She found it easier to get past that question by saying her parents had died while she was at an early age, for she had no wish to reveal her full name to others.
She continued "I'm one of the assistant operators of the Game Corner prize shop."
(sorry for short post, had to run to dinner)
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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 16, 2011 21:55:18 GMT -5
Lecce couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the answer he received, even as the response of, "Sorry for your loss," slipped out automatically. He wrote the first name and position, mentally deciding that on the off chance that she was telling the truth, he wouldn't press it for now. Police presence was already unwelcome for most of this city as it was, without seeming cold-hearted to the residents. He did, however, subtly make a note on her appearance, in case there was no 'Moria' working here after all. He looked back to her once more.
"You'll be required to sign this before I leave, to be sure you know." He intoned, You won't get out of it, especially without your last name listed. "If you're unwilling to do that, then I'll require someone else to lead me around. ...But if it isn't any problem, then please..." Another pause, as he flipped to another page, one containing a long row of check boxes and what each entailed, along with room for detailed notes. "Take me to the Pokemon storage area, first."
(lol no problem, doesn't matter length as long as it's got enough to continue on, imo~ And just let me know if I get.. overly detailed. I seem to do that a lot. ._.)
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 16, 2011 22:45:03 GMT -5
(background edit? o-O)
Moria raised an eyebrow back "Of course I'm willing to sign. Would my home address and a phone number contact for me make up for my lack of a last name?" She grinned inwardly, but kept her face neutral "And if you're worried about our staff, I assure you that each and every one is given a background check for criminal background before they're hired." She didn't add that the ones with said backgrounds were the ones who got employed most of the time.
She giggled, as if to a joke "Afterall, we can't let criminals around the prizes for our customers~!" She turned and strode off suddenly, exiting the counter through the front, speaking over her shoulder as she headed for another door "..and speaking of prizes, the storage area is this way sir."
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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 17, 2011 14:55:20 GMT -5
(Eh? o.o If you mean the forums, I know Tara and Genepe were tweaking the coding a little bit... I'm not sure what all they changed but it doesn't hurt my eyes now ) Lecce nodded after a moment. He supposed a number and address, even if they turned out to be false--you never could tell, and he had already had problem with this once already--would help support that he wasn't just messing around at the Game Corner. He kept a strait face at the comment, responding simply, "...Good to know you take basic precautions." A bit surprised at the face-turn, he had to take a few quick, long steps to catch up to Moria, then eased to match her stride. As they walked, he made notes here and there, with the occasional tick placed on the paper. The room he was brought to was tidy and clean, a bit to his surprise. Well lit shelves of Pokeballs lined two walls, labeled by species and what appeared to be a basic bar code system. On the opposite wall, many uncommon items were lined in rows. Technical disks, realistic dolls, and imported furniture from one of the outlying regions were just a few of the goods he recognized. With a grateful nod to his escort, he began his work, making a steady pace around the room, marking off notes now and then. When he came to the first row of Pokeballs, he carefully picked on up, turning it in his hand, looking for marks or dents, anything that could potentially endanger the creature it housed. Glancing at the species label a moment, a Dratini, he looks to Moria, holding the Pokeball and chest height. "May I?"
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 17, 2011 18:14:34 GMT -5
(sorry about that. I was just too lazy to give my character a lastname)
She motioned with a hand, making a go ahead signal "Please, take a close look if you'd like." The Nidoran perched atop her hat watched with wide curious eyes.
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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 17, 2011 20:59:58 GMT -5
(..lol. I see xD That's cool, he was just asking in the sense that he doesn't want to get blamed for not getting all the info. He's like, PROOF. I NEED PROOF I WAS HERE. D: /fired does not want)
Lecce pressed the release button on the Pokeball, eyes trained on the red spirit light that shot forth, taking on its natural form. He let a small smile slip at the loud, healthy cry the Dratini gave. Definitely a point in favor of the Prize Corner. He knelt on one knee, giving it a good rub down while he inspected its condition as it peered around the room. Not afraid or aggressive; nice, natural condition. All signs pointed to human breeding with intention of sale. While he couldn't check every Pokemon in the room, this was a good sign.
Returning the Dratini to its ball and shelf, he stood once more. He was quiet long moment, standing there by the shelf and writing down the assessment. "...Is there anywhere else that Pokemon are stored in the building? Or where they're handled?"
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 18, 2011 0:41:36 GMT -5
She shook her head "All prizes are stored in this room, and taken directly to the service counter upon request and coin exchange. Larger items, such as furniture, are taken out the large back entrance." She nodded towards a bigger door at the back, which was firmly closed and bolted from the inside.
All of what she was telling him was true. The Prize Corner and Game Corner franchise was a perfectly legitamate buisness organization run by an enterprising group from Saffron city, who had no real affiliation with Team Rocket. The Celadon city branch had merely been assimilated for some of Team Rocket's purposes. It wasn't unusual for a few of the prize pokemon to go missing from time to time, although records never showed this of course.
Moria wasn't worried about her presense here. The same Rocket member who had been established as the record keeper for deleting pokemon thefts from knowledge, could also easily provide 'proof' of her employment here, temporary as it actually was. Her new rank had allowed her the trust required to be stationed in the Prize Corner awaiting the officer for inspection day, with the expectation of causing him little or no suspicion.
She stood patiently waiting for the cop's next request, brimming with excitement, making it difficult not to grin. She knew that he would find no trace of the criminal organization anywhere in Celadon, no matter how sharp his notes were.
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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 18, 2011 14:11:29 GMT -5
Lecce thought over the young woman's words for a moment, taking note of the description, and considered his next move. Everything so far seemed to be in order, and so he had no acceptable reason to demand more private information, such as sales records and bookkeeping; that part had all been handled at the end of the previous year, and looked complete and well-ordered. Though, it was true and fully possible that this one room had been spot-cleaned in preparation for him.
He looked back up from the remaining paperwork. "Would you please give me a basic tour of the building? I want to be sure I'm not missing anything."
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 19, 2011 0:36:04 GMT -5
She nodded, almost shaking the Nidoran loose. It leapt to the ground nimbly with a reproachful look back at her. Sparing it a quick apologetic glance, she returned her attention to the officer. "I'm afraid that, as this is quite a small structure, the only other rooms within are the office, where most of the paperwork is done by staff, and the fileroom, where the files and salesrecords are kept."
She paused, chuckling "That is of course, unless you would like to inspect the bathroom facilities as well?" She threw him a slight, mirthful smile. Humor was always good to keep someone unbalanced, and was a perfectly ordinary thing for well-natured employee to throw out, even to an officer. This one was sharp, she'd prefer to keep him on his toes, lest he turn out to be clever enough to have a trace of suspicion.
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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 19, 2011 18:24:36 GMT -5
Lecce pursed his lips a bit at the suggestion. He knew it was meant to be a joke, but he couldn't help the niggling suspicion in the back of him mind, telling him that if there was any obscure place that people would tend to ignore, it would be those facilities.
...Besides that, in truth this was his first year being given this assignment. He knew it was a silly thing to request, but he didn't want to make any mistakes. Feeling the subtle embarrassment sliding into his belly (He could hear the teasing comments already, his ears heating at the thought) he gave a curt nod. "...If that is the only other area." He cleared his throat a bit, feeling her eyes on him. "Lead the way."
(...this greatly amused me, just... the mental image. Thank you for that. xD)
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 19, 2011 22:17:11 GMT -5
She gave him a surprised look, losing her composure briefly "Y-you, you'd like to see them as well...?" She stammered. There was no reason not to show him them to him, the building had no secret chambers, it didn't need any. The current administration had discovered that the easiest way to avoid suspicion was to use the front door, and, and this was important, do not build a secret tunnel leading to your underground headquarters in every facility you operated in.
But it was still an unusual request. She brushed a strand of loose hair back. Next time she'd forgo the jokes. She motioned to him, slowly recovering from her surprise "V-very well..right this way sir. I'll show you the filerooms and office first."
She led the way back out the door. Nidoran followed after, pausing and looking over it's back at Lecce and sniffing, then slipping through the door after her.
(xD What bit?)
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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 21, 2011 18:59:16 GMT -5
Lecce sighed as he started out of the room, feeling foolish. Maybe he was just too nervous. "...That won't be necessary," he added before she got too far from the storage room. "I've seen everything I need to, already."
He tried to ignore the embarrassment he felt at taking back his request--Way to look professional, he thought--and signed off another page before holding the file out to her. It needed her signature before he could continue.
(fft. The mental images of my super srs-faced cop crawling around inspecting bathrooms with the Rocket shaking its head and staring. XD ...I like to torture my characters in humiliating ways, so this is shhdaskhfjksga fun <3)
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 21, 2011 19:06:11 GMT -5
Moria looked at the file, taking it and looking at it briefly, finding the signature line and swiftly striking down her name in sharp cursive. Underneath the line she included a home address and number.
Both were real, and both owned by her, though she hadn't stayed in the house for months, she made sure to go by every few weeks to keep it tidy in case of an inspection. She'd bought it after ending up in Saffron city at the age of 17, before she'd become a member of Team Rocket, and found it useful to have a bit of a cover story, so she used a small part of her salary every month to pay the morgage on the small building.
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Post by wardnpendragn on Feb 21, 2011 19:57:38 GMT -5
Lecce accepted the papers once more, comparing the address to any that he recognized. At least the running around for this assignment was giving him a better mental map of the cities. Satisfied, he nodded and separated the copies into matching sets, putting both into separate envelopes and finally handing her one of the sets.
"Thank you for your time. It seemed pretty busy for you today."
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Post by hurricanescrambles on Feb 21, 2011 20:20:56 GMT -5
"Ah yes" she confirmed "I believe the Game Corner is holding some kind of anniversary event, so we've had a lot of players the past few days."
She tucked the papers under her arm, not noticing Nidoran at first, who had wandered over to the officer's foot, and was sniffing around it. It made a contented noise and nuzzled up against his leg gently. Moria looked surprised. Nidoran never showed much affection for anyone other than herself, and she stated as much to the officer.
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