[he gets up and turns around while he speaks, then recognises steven immediately. he returns sharpedo to its ball (the treat he'd just tossed in for it floating ungrabbed in the water... rip) and takes off his glasses, scowling.]
[ he keeps his composure strong and collected, meeting archie's scowl with a sharp gaze. he refuses to let himself be intimidated by a gangster, and it's not as if he has anything to lose at this point. ]
You've been speaking with May since the crisis; is that right?
[ he knows it is, but he wants to see if archie denies it. ]
I-- [crisis, that sounds so clinical and... public relations-y. archie is sure he could find a bunch of interviews of steven talking about it like he did anything other than stand around outside the cave of origin and scratch his ass. maybe his anger with the former champion is misplaced, seeing as he was the one that caused the crisis, but Archie is still angry that he didn't go in to help may stop kyogre. part of it is directed at himself but... steven's the CHAMPION. or was. asshole.] Yeah, what of it? She came to me first. I ain't gonna try and convince her to release Kyogre again, if that's what you're worried about.
[ as someone who's frequently in the public eye, it's no wonder that steven's words are carefully chosen and mindful of PR. but he actually hasn't given many interviews about the crisis, and the ones that he has aren't at all self-praising. he has is own immense guilt about what happened - he's just better at keeping it hidden. ]
That's not what I'm concerned about... even if I don't exactly agree with it, either.
[ he's obviously incredibly impressed that she was able to tame kyogre, but keeping a behemoth god of the seas in her possession seems to be toying with nature somewhat... but that's besides the point. ]
I will be blunt. I don't think you should be speaking with her at all.
[ he almost flinches, because he knows that that "champion" quip was meant to demean him. but he doesn't let it deter his focus - he can't let his ego get in the way. ]
She's a child. Incredibly strong and talented as she may be, there is plenty she has yet to learn about the world around her.
[ his tone has taken something far more accusatory, though the direct words haven't been said yet. ]
Naïveté is a deplorable thing to take advantage of. Wouldn't you agree?
[archie's expression cycles through several emotions in one go. he can't tell if steven is trying to needle him based on the aqua grunts that had helped archie achieve his goal of unleashing a god - many of them had left after the whole thing. archie had let them.
he buries it all and smiles sweetly. dangerously.]
For sure it is. S'why that ain't happenin'. What, you spoke to her and realised she ain't buyin' your shit so you come to me instead?
[ he's needling him based on the fact that he can't blindly accept that archie has changed, just like that. in his experience, it takes much longer than the time that has already passed.
he'll face that dangerous smile head-on. ]
I only want her to succeed. I came to you because I think you're impeding the progress of that success.
[ he doesn't want her getting mixed up with the wrong crowd, and what crowd could be worse than a former gang leader that almost brought about an apocalypse?
to him, archie is a loose canon. he can't trust someone like that naturally. ]
You have yet to give me a reason why I shouldn't be concerned.
[ now that makes him snap. an accusation like that puts him visibly on the defense, because he knows that he failed her. he could have done better, and didn't.
he steps closer. ]
Do you think that I enjoyed sending her to the Cave of Origin on her own? I had no choice!
[ now that archie has brought it up, the tone of the conversation has changed. clearly he's touched a nerve. ]
The very idea of you trying to take moral high ground when you nearly killed us all disgusts me. I never saw you trying to take responsibility for your actions. [ his voice seethes now, with both anger and guilt. ] I supported her throughout her journey; you antagonized her.
[ he knows his argument is weak, but it's all he has. ]
I quit what I was doin' on the spot! You just went back to your league, job done, cameras smiled at!
[with almost anyone else, archie wouldn't dare try to take the moral high ground, but he has a special hate-on for steven. archie doesn't even move when steven gets closer, instead just staring him down.]
I'm tryin' to change everything about what I've done. [his neutral expression slowly sinks into a hostile scowl.] I told her I was wrong, that how I had treated her wasn't right. You know what's funny? You said you supported her, but every time I saw her she was alone.
I have a duty to head the League. Abandoning that would be irresponsible and thoughtless.
[ had a duty, but he's too fussed to correct himself. there might also be something hypocritical in stepping down and handing the title to wallace, but that isn't public knowledge yet. ]
If you were listening, I supported her - I didn't hold her hand through her travels. A Trainer's journey is for growth and learning independence, not for reliance.
[ he's noticed by now that his voice was raised, so he brings it down to its smoother, regulated tone. still, the furrow in his brow says that he isn't done. so he claims that he's changing, is he? ]
Prove that to me and I'll have no quarrel with you. It's that simple.
Yeah, I guess someone's gotta keep that seat warm until May came and kicked you offa it.
[over the course of his... villain-ness, archie came to see the league officials as a bunch of hot air... blowers. they all spoke big but didn't really do anything. same for gym leaders.]
[ he pulls out his phone from the inner pocket of his suit jacket. ]
I'm not sure if you're aware, but the regional police has been looking for you. May and I have been the authorities keeping them at bay, but my word trumps hers. You've proven to me today that you can't be trusted.
They know that I act with Hoenn's best interests in mind. A Champion doesn't just take on challengers - it's our duty to protect our region and its inhabitants.
[ it might be something that he failed at as a whole, but he now has the ability to do something that very well could ensure the safety of Hoenn's people. ]
I'm not asking you to yield. I'm asking for you to give me reason to believe that you won't put people in danger again, besides blind faith and the trust of a twelve year-old. I can't accept that.
[god damn it sounds stupid when he says it like that. archie has some more choice criticisms for steven regarding the protection, but decides it's not a good idea when he's got his phone out.]
I don't even know what the hell I could do in the next hour or so. Cross my heart?
Well, sorry to disappoint but I haven't exactly figured out what I want to do now the one thing I thought I was doin' right in my life turned out to be another big fuckin' mistake.
[there's that salt again.]
The only other thing I've been doin' is helpin' the grunts that either want to stay or leave.
What of your Admins? I know that one of them used to work for Devon.
[ he had heard whispers at the company headquarters from people that knew shelly. he doubts that they'd have her back easily after being associated with team aqua, but he's curious. ]
She's stayin' with me. Didn't get her phD to babysit my dumb ass but I guess that's what she wants to do. Make no mistake, mate, she ain't stupid. She made it very clear she ain't happy with what went down and will kick my ass if I ever do anything like it again. She ain't even forgiven me! Shelly's a good soul as any, though, and she's stickin' around. Same with Matt. I'm lucky ta have 'em.
[ he breathes out a chuckle, but it isn't to mock the other man. it's just surprising to see that even in a criminal organization, legitimate bonds can form. he can tell from the look in his eyes that archie isn't lying. ]
You have loyal friends.
[ he begins to wonder if he's overreacted somewhat. there's no mistake in that archie was still potentially dangerous, but the matter doesn't seem to be pressing. he'll have to have a long talk about this with may... ]
I suppose I can't stop you from any of that. Just know that the League has its eyes on you.
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[he gets up and turns around while he speaks, then recognises steven immediately. he returns sharpedo to its ball (the treat he'd just tossed in for it floating ungrabbed in the water... rip) and takes off his glasses, scowling.]
You! What the hell do you want?!
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[ he keeps his composure strong and collected, meeting archie's scowl with a sharp gaze. he refuses to let himself be intimidated by a gangster, and it's not as if he has anything to lose at this point. ]
You've been speaking with May since the crisis; is that right?
[ he knows it is, but he wants to see if archie denies it. ]
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That's not what I'm concerned about... even if I don't exactly agree with it, either.
[ he's obviously incredibly impressed that she was able to tame kyogre, but keeping a behemoth god of the seas in her possession seems to be toying with nature somewhat... but that's besides the point. ]
I will be blunt. I don't think you should be speaking with her at all.
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[it's a miracle he doesn't just deck steven right there.]
I think the champion of Hoenn can decide things for herself.
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She's a child. Incredibly strong and talented as she may be, there is plenty she has yet to learn about the world around her.
[ his tone has taken something far more accusatory, though the direct words haven't been said yet. ]
Naïveté is a deplorable thing to take advantage of. Wouldn't you agree?
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he buries it all and smiles sweetly. dangerously.]
For sure it is. S'why that ain't happenin'. What, you spoke to her and realised she ain't buyin' your shit so you come to me instead?
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he'll face that dangerous smile head-on. ]
I only want her to succeed. I came to you because I think you're impeding the progress of that success.
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[stopping her doing something he disapproves of? please, steven.]
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[ he doesn't want her getting mixed up with the wrong crowd, and what crowd could be worse than a former gang leader that almost brought about an apocalypse?
to him, archie is a loose canon. he can't trust someone like that naturally. ]
You have yet to give me a reason why I shouldn't be concerned.
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[don't even START on him, steven. archie crosses his arms, expression still dissonant from the situation.]
I told ya, she came to me. All she wanted me t'do was battle with her here.
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he steps closer. ]
Do you think that I enjoyed sending her to the Cave of Origin on her own? I had no choice!
[ now that archie has brought it up, the tone of the conversation has changed. clearly he's touched a nerve. ]
The very idea of you trying to take moral high ground when you nearly killed us all disgusts me. I never saw you trying to take responsibility for your actions. [ his voice seethes now, with both anger and guilt. ] I supported her throughout her journey; you antagonized her.
[ he knows his argument is weak, but it's all he has. ]
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[with almost anyone else, archie wouldn't dare try to take the moral high ground, but he has a special hate-on for steven. archie doesn't even move when steven gets closer, instead just staring him down.]
I'm tryin' to change everything about what I've done. [his neutral expression slowly sinks into a hostile scowl.] I told her I was wrong, that how I had treated her wasn't right. You know what's funny? You said you supported her, but every time I saw her she was alone.
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[ had a duty, but he's too fussed to correct himself. there might also be something hypocritical in stepping down and handing the title to wallace, but that isn't public knowledge yet. ]
If you were listening, I supported her - I didn't hold her hand through her travels. A Trainer's journey is for growth and learning independence, not for reliance.
[ he's noticed by now that his voice was raised, so he brings it down to its smoother, regulated tone. still, the furrow in his brow says that he isn't done. so he claims that he's changing, is he? ]
Prove that to me and I'll have no quarrel with you. It's that simple.
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[over the course of his... villain-ness, archie came to see the league officials as a bunch of hot air... blowers. they all spoke big but didn't really do anything. same for gym leaders.]
I ain't provin' shit to you.
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[ he pulls out his phone from the inner pocket of his suit jacket. ]
I'm not sure if you're aware, but the regional police has been looking for you. May and I have been the authorities keeping them at bay, but my word trumps hers. You've proven to me today that you can't be trusted.
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[and yet for some reason, he hadn't expected steven to out him.]
What, because I don't want to bend over for you? Why the hell have you been an authority stopping them?
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[ it might be something that he failed at as a whole, but he now has the ability to do something that very well could ensure the safety of Hoenn's people. ]
I'm not asking you to yield. I'm asking for you to give me reason to believe that you won't put people in danger again, besides blind faith and the trust of a twelve year-old. I can't accept that.
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[god damn it sounds stupid when he says it like that. archie has some more choice criticisms for steven regarding the protection, but decides it's not a good idea when he's got his phone out.]
I don't even know what the hell I could do in the next hour or so. Cross my heart?
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[ though he doesn't put away his phone, he does lower his arm. ]
But lingering around the Battle Resort without cause or purpose isn't helping your case.
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[there's that salt again.]
The only other thing I've been doin' is helpin' the grunts that either want to stay or leave.
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[ he had heard whispers at the company headquarters from people that knew shelly. he doubts that they'd have her back easily after being associated with team aqua, but he's curious. ]
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[archie looks away from steven, out to sea.]
She's stayin' with me. Didn't get her phD to babysit my dumb ass but I guess that's what she wants to do. Make no mistake, mate, she ain't stupid. She made it very clear she ain't happy with what went down and will kick my ass if I ever do anything like it again. She ain't even forgiven me! Shelly's a good soul as any, though, and she's stickin' around. Same with Matt. I'm lucky ta have 'em.
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You have loyal friends.
[ he begins to wonder if he's overreacted somewhat. there's no mistake in that archie was still potentially dangerous, but the matter doesn't seem to be pressing. he'll have to have a long talk about this with may... ]
I suppose I can't stop you from any of that. Just know that the League has its eyes on you.