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"People do not die here. It is the only reason Henry hasn't killed me." Waler leaned back with a sigh. It was a good point and he had already let Robbie punch him. But Vanitas'...unconcerned, manic response meant that it wouldn't be as easy as swiping him away, as his Pokemon had done to Felix.

"I do not think he will stop, even after I have attacked him."

"Mm, I know that. But that just means there's even less reason to hold back, doesn't it? After all, you're only acting in self-defense, and if there's no lasting damage, no one can condemn you for an overreaction."

...Well, they could, but as far as Manaka was concerned, that would be silly of them. At his other concern, she shrugged a shoulder.

"But if you don't think violence would stop him... Have you tried to report him to the admins? I doubt they'd be very pleased, hearing that one of their grunts is attacking their own men!"

Granted, their other punishments didn't seem very effective, but for someone who was so unafraid of violence... Something menial and humiliating could have more effect than a person might expect it to.

Walter reflected on Manaka's words, stroking Claudia. Bea waved her floppy costume head about in an encouraging sound. Yes, let them tear the boy apart a few times! It'll be spooky fun! Unaware of her eagerness, Walter pet her head anyway.

"Their punishments are ineffective. And I do doubt they would care much." The thing about being raised in the Order; they practiced what they preached. And they preached very heavily that people were unkind, cruel and uncaring. So when an orphan had ever told the priests about what the guards did to them, they were ignored. And from what he was aware,t he outside world at large had known about the Wish House and nothing had happened. Nobody cared unless it was personal and even then, it wasn't a guarantee.

"...I don't really like many people in Team Rocket." He voiced the thought out loud. On reflection, he just didn't trust many of his fellow Rockets. He trusted Manaka and he trusted Wrath. That was it.

"Eh, you think so? But Team Rocket is a business. They'll act to protect their business interests. Even just one loose cannon could jeopardize their operations, you know." She certainly had no illusions that the admins cared about any of them as an individual. She knew well about people's self-interest, though, and how to use that to achieve a desired result. "You might be surprised at the result, if you try it!"

She wouldn't push him any more than that, though. She didn't find the issue especially concerning herself, so she would let Walter handle it as she pleased. At his next words, she tilted her head, her smile remaining in place even as her eyebrows arched. "Hm, do you need to?"

Walter considered it deeply. She was right about Team Rocket being a business...and he could mention it to Wrath. Wrath was his superior now and he didn't want him to be in danger of losing a Pokemon either. He knew Wrath deeply cared about his Pokemon. Claudia gave Manaka a lofty look, making a point of settling in Walter's lap just so.

"I have spent my life with unpleasant people. I spent my death surrounded by their ghosts, albeit chained to my will. I was tired of the people in Team Rocket long before I met them. Their business goals...are not of any interest to me." He murmured it very quietly. He knew he was saying something very dangerous. If Manaka decided to pass this onto their superiors...but he flicked his eyes up to hers, still thoughtful. His heart was beating so firmly but...he had a feeling.

"And they are not to you, either."

"Of course not. I don't think anyone here cares about them much, except as a matter of survival and opportunity." Even Jack, the most invest person she knew of, only cared about the team as a means to gain status and power for himself. He'd spoken often about how little he cared for Team Rocket's goals as they stood now. Walter's sentiments were hardly a shock, with that being the case. "I don't see any harm in playing along myself, but all of this is just a fleeting game for me."

Ah, but Walter knew one loyal Rocket. The only other Rocket who currently means something to him.

"A fleeting game. Convenience, until it ceases to be." He reflected. The many gears were turning and spirals were sloping downward in his mind. A fleeting game. In his lap Claudia turned to look up at him, before turning her eyes on Manaka again unblinkingly.

"So none of this matters." He spoke carefully.

"Mm-hm, of course. It gives me something to do, and I don't hate it, but that's all." It seemed simple enough to her—but clearly, there was something more on Walter's mind. She tilted her head, looking him up and down once, before she settled her eyes on his face again.

"But there's something else you're trying to ask, isn't there?"

"...No." But Bob and Bea, sensing his energy, giggled mischievously to themselves. Bea in particular waggled her 'head' at Manaka.

Walter took in account how he had seen Manaka treat her Pokemon. Not poorly but without...discipline. Only concerned with their cuteness. It made sense if she felt this was fleeting and was only interested in burning time. And it meant she wouldn't care about the labs.

It explained their relationship in a way. They had their similarities. But it was convenient. It was a passing game. When he was no longer useful or amusing or whatever it was Manaka found in him that made him convenient, it would be over.

"No?" She tilted her head to the other side, staying quiet for the space of a breath. When she spoke again, her declaration was flat in its certainty. "I don't believe you." For one thing, it had been a long time since he'd responded to her with something that felt so clipped. "Don't misunderstand. I'm only speaking of my responsibilities to Team Rocket. Ah, it's true that I never intended to stay here forever, but... Hey, you didn't get the wrong idea, did you?"

At that question, a new expression flickered across her face, eyebrows drawing together over her pouting mouth. If he really thought she meant what she thought he did...

Edited 2017-06-15 00:58 (UTC)

At her disbelief, he just met her eyes with a carefully blank look. At the question of the wrong idea, his expression didn't shift. "What is the wrong idea?"

In his lap, Claudia fanned her tails from right to left. Bea gave a haunting squeak, still clearly enjoying this little moment. What's wrong, other Trainer?

"I just said! I'm only talking about Team Rocket. None of that has anything to do with you." She met his blank look with puffed cheeks, the expression indignant and genuine in its childishness. "You're special to me. Don't you know that?"

"...I'm not sure." He lowered his eyes., the blank expression giving way to sad thoughtfulness.

"If this is just...to burn time, then why should anything matter? We have some similarities but that's all they are. There are others you have similarities with. Who offer more than I do." He lets Manaka stay and they spend time in each other's company. But he doesn't give the way others do. He doesn't laugh and talk and play the way he knows others do. He doesn't give her money or gifts or trips to places. And if this was a matter of convenience...well, he wasn't giving much that could be found elsewhere. Once there was someone else who could relate to her as he had, and give her more...then it would be done.

"Mm, maybe that's true. That doesn't change the fact that I like you, though." Still, somehow, that answer felt inadequate. She didn't love him, like she did Saber, but...

"...Um, sorry. I'm still clumsy when it comes to expressing my feelings. I didn't feel anything, for a very long time. But then there was a person, and when I met him..."

As she spoke, her own gaze drifted downward, a girlish blush rising to her cheeks. But— This was about Walter, not Saber. "W, well, the way I feel about him and the way I feel about you are completely different. But, the time you told me that someone tried to hurt you, I got upset, and when you trusted me enough to tell me about the Order, I felt happy. I think that I'd call you my first true friend."

Walter ducked his head, hiding behind his hair.

"...I haven't had a friend in a long time. I still don't know how to be a friend. With you, and certain others... I want to be. It's easier with Pokemon." Humans are untrustworthy and dangerous and he just didn't understand them very well. He'd never had the chance to build a relationship like this, not since his youth. And with Pokemon, it was easier. They weren't complicated like people. And the Pokemon he had were genuine with him. It easier to understand their wants and needs and to meet them, and receive their affection in return.

The proof was around him. Claudia gave a soft trill, pressing her cheek to his hand.

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