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[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ sigh ] "You've reached Valmont. Leave a message."

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Tea Time! - November 21st

[majorcrotchgrab]

[With all the hustle and bustle taking place in the city thanks to the shopping season, (which confused Raikov as it was far too early for New Years) Raikov decided to do a bit of shopping himself and his Pokemon: Snacks, winter clothes, and supplies just in case he felt like continuing his exploration of Johto. One item on particular was a quaint little tea set. It had been forever since he last had a good cup of tea and now was the perfect time for one with the weather, now back to normal, and quickly getting colder.

He returned to his recently purchased apartment, which he shared with a certain Englishman, put the rest of the stuff away, then set up the kitchen table with a plate of crackers, an assortment of different flavored tea bags, and two tea cups. (Just in case his roommate wished to join him.

After filling the tea kettle, Raikov set it on the stove then went to sit at the table and read the newspaper while he waited for the water to boil. Katya, who was currently showing off the adorable scarf she'd gotten, scuttled across the table and helped herself to a cracker.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ At first, Valmont thinks he's probably dreaming. It can't have been the whistle of a teakettle that he just heard. They don't even own a teakettle. But there one is, happily boiling away on the stove. He hasn't had a decent cup of tea in months. The sight is absolutely beautiful. He stops, transfixed, in the doorway to the kitchen, barely even making to shoo away his Stunky as she scurries over to wind around his leg. ]

You made tea?

[majorcrotchgrab]

[He figured the whistling would bring Valmont to the yard, so he folds the newspaper and motions at the other cup.

Katya chirps at the other man, which ends up getting more crumbs everywhere... Such a messy eater.]

I did. Care to join me?

[He gets up and goes to retrieve the kettle. Then he transfers the water to the tea pot (complete with a cosy), sets the kettle aside, grabs a few other things like sugar and milk, and sits back down.]

They were having a sale in the department store and I found this.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Without a word, Valmont crosses the room to where Raikov is sitting, grabs him by the shoulders and kisses him hard. He then straightens his tie and calmly sits down across from Raikov as though nothing had happened.

He inspects the tea bags, at length selecting one. Oh god, it's all proper black tea, too. He could cry. ]

Mm. Acceptable.

[ His Stunky, who's followed him over to the table, chitters at Katya. Throw her down a cracker, friend? ]

[majorcrotchgrab]

[O-oh. He hadn't been expecting that kind of a response. He licks his lips afterwards and smirks.]

Just "acceptable," huh?

[Ask and ye shall receive. Katya tosses down a couple crackers for the Stunky.]

... Don't eat all of them, Katya.

[Oh. Sorry. As penance, the Joltik carries one over to Raikov, which earns her a head scratch.]

Thank you, dear.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

Acceptable.

[ He merely repeats the word, but the look on his face says it's a little bit more than that. Slowly, he places the tea bag in his teacup and pours the water over it, getting it to just the right level. His first cup of tea in months, and by god, he's going to savor it.

He doesn't notice the crumbs that his Stunky is getting all over the floor as she happily chews away, but he does register that Katya is skittering all over the table. It strikes him as somewhat improper. ]

Er. Should she really be on the table? I mean... [ She's a bloody great bug, is what he means, but doesn't say. He knows better than that. ] Isn't that a bit unsanitary?

[majorcrotchgrab]

[The duo look at each other in unison, then to Valmont with an unimpressed expression.]

Are you saying my Pokemon are dirty?

[Because he certainly doesn't think so, and he proves this point by eating the cracker she just carried over to him in her mouth.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

I - no! Of course not! [ He backtracks hastily, repressing a shudder at the idea of sharing food with an animal. Mental note: wait for Raikov to brush his teeth before kissing him again. ] I was merely asking!

[ He becomes very interested in watching his tea steep. ]

[majorcrotchgrab]

[Oh please, Valmont. It's not like she has diseases.]

You generally don't "just ask." There's always a reason with you.

[He prepares a cup for himself and says something to the Joltik in Russian. She chirps in approval and skitters on to Raikov's shoulder. You're now getting the stink eye from a tiny yellow fuzzball, V.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Well, how is he supposed to know what diseases she doesn't have? You've got to assume the worst with these things. ]

I just thought - well, animals on the table, it doesn't seem proper, you know? [ He gestures vaguely towards his Stunky, who has finished her cracker and is once again making sweet love to his leg, but who at least has remained on the floor. ] But I certainly didn't mean to imply that she or you were particularly unsanitary - could you tell her not to look at me like that? [ Please don't electrocute him, Katya. He hasn't even drunk his tea yet. ]

[majorcrotchgrab]

[Raikov joins in on the stink eye at that statement.]

My dear Niles... You really should learn to watch what you say.

[Katya makes a sound that can easily be identified as "yeah, ya jerk!"]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Using his first name. That's cheating. Reluctantly, he opens his mouth. ]

I...

[ You can do it, Valmont. That thing. The one you've been practicing when no one was listening. You got this. ]

I... apologize. [ His mouth twists as the words come out, but at least they're clear, and apparently sincerely meant. Now, was that so hard? (Yes. It was.) ]

[majorcrotchgrab]

[About damn time he apologized for something. Raikov's expression softens and he nonchalantly goes to pour some milk into his tea. Katya remains crabby though.]

You're forgiven. I assume you won't be eating any biscuits?

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[grapeeater]

Are you in Goldenrod City today?

text

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Oh. It sure is the boy. It sure is the boy texting him for... some reason. He's still a little wary, but he supposes after the tea and the whole spa conversation he can at least trust him to carry out a few texts without trying to kill him again.

Also, of course he's in Goldenrod. He's never not in Goldenrod. ]

I am indeed. Did you need to see me for something?

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[grapeeater]

I owe you an explanation that I couldn't give to you earlier. You can pick when and where we meet, if you're worried about me attacking you.

[It's a reasonable concern, and he'd want the same if he were in Valmont's shoes, after all.]

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[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ He is a little worried about that, as it happens. Especially since without the talismans, he can't exactly defend himself - but then, the boy doesn't have whatever powers he had that day, either. If it comes down to it, it'll be Pokémon on Pokémon, and he's sure his are quite good enough to take the boy's on. Maybe.

He names a cafe near his apartment as their appointed rendezvous location, and an hour or so from now as the meeting time. ]

And do bring some money of your own, won't you, Mr. Kureshima? I certainly don't plan on treating you.

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[grapeeater]

I understand.

[He arrives at the cafe precisely five minutes before the appointed time. He scans the area, looking for potential trouble spots, but doesn't see any - aside from all of the trainers around, of course. But he has a feeling that they're not allies of Valmont, and so he relaxes just a hair. He doesn't have any of his Pokemon out - not that it would take him long to summon them, but half a second is more than enough time to decide a battle. He looks around for Valmont, hands at his sides and out of his pockets.]

action

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Yeah, that would require the guy to have any allies.

Valmont happens to be armed to the teeth when he arrives, figuratively speaking. That is, all three of his Pokémon are accompanying him: his Servine in the lead, flanked by his Stunky and a newly evolved Gothorita.

The Stunky looks up and yips happily once she realizes exactly whom they're meeting. Can Micchy's Vulpix come out and play? The Servine glares; the Gothorita does too, a bit less intensely. ]

Ah, Mr. Kureshima. I trust you're well?

[grapeeater]

[He nods, and looks to his array of Pokemon. He's not too worried about any of them, but he does frown slightly at the Stunky. He's not very eager to pull out any Pokemon that might be considered a threat right now. He waits for Valmont to sit down before he does, as well.]

I've been doing all right. Busy with... projects.

[Projects that shouldn't be spoken of when there's non-Team Rocket people around.]

And yourself?

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ No Vulpix? Stunky's tail droops, but Valmont gives her a stern look and she doesn't press the matter. ]

Oh, much the same. I've been busy with work. [ Grunt work, of course. He still has to figure out how to rise through the ranks of this bloody organization. ] And training this thing. [ He gestures at his Gothorita, who looks a bit put out at that description of himself. ] I didn't know it would turn out quite so... feminine, did you?

[grapeeater]

I've never seen that one before, but from what I understand there are a lot of Pokemon that look... one way and are another. Or don't look like any sort of recognizable gender. But they're not human, so I suppose that makes sense.

[He has no idea what Absols are supposed to be an equivalent to.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

Well, it's unnatural.

[ The Gothorita huffs. He's perfectly natural! You're unnatural! ]

Now, what was it you were planning to tell me? Or would you prefer to wait until after we've ordered?

[grapeeater]

[Of course you are, Gothorita. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.]

[Micchy looks down before looking back up at Valmont.]

... How much do you know about mythology? Or, at the very least, are you familiar with the idea of the "forbidden fruit"?

[whitehairedprettyboy]

That would depend entirely on which mythology you are asking about. [ He's gotten up far too close and personal with Chinese mythology for his liking, after all. ] But I assume from your second question that we are discussing Judeo-Christian mythology, in which case: yes, I'm quite familiar. You're a religious man, then, Mr. Kureshima?