Pokemon Umbral Intermission: The Ensnaring Conspiracies

[Astral Harmony]

Renny & Lola

Lola didn't have anything to say to Renny, so she just let him leave. She was...troubled. She needed someone to talk to, but she knew she couldn't turn to Renny about this.
She found a piece of paper somewhere and scribbled down a note stating she would be with her sister Harliette tonight and left. After picking up a key and staring at it for a brief moment, Lola drove her car over to another apartment building that Harliette shared with her boyfriend Mouse.

It was pretty late by the time Lola and Harliette sat down. It was much like a slumber party of sorts, with Lola in her cute pajamas and Harliette wearing what Lola could only describe as a "denim thong" with a white halter top that at some point may have been a torn up t-shirt. It had holes in it that looked very slutty. So, obviously Harliette's taste.
Harliette listened with irritated disinterest as Lola poured her heart out over what she felt was a huge mistake. "I just...god, I should have told him to get out of Honmyr! It's only going to get worse and worse!"
"You can still go tell him to leave this rock," Harliette said after emptying her seventh can of beer. Unfortunately, the beer wasn't helping, because she still wasn't unconsciousness enough to no longer hear Lola's whining.
"I can't do that! After what I said, what I helped him do?! Gawd, it's such a mess and all because I couldn't stand to let him go! Seriously, Samantha, what am I going to do?!"

That was the last straw.
"I know what you're going to do," Harliette said, then stood up.
Lola sighed in relief that her younger sister had an answer for her, but before she could thank her, Harliette seized Lola by the throat and threw her onto the bed.
"Sister, what the-!" then Lola froze in terror.

Harliette placed her left hand on Lola's throat again, mostly to keep Lola from struggling.

Her right hand clutched one of her guns.

A gun that was pressed against Lola's forehead.

Harliette grinned viciously as she pulled back the hammer with her thumb and caressed the trigger with her fingertip. "You're going to listen to me very closely, Lolianne, and if you don't, I'm going to put another hole in your head so that maybe my voice can reach you a little better."
Lola's jaw quivered and her eyes were aimed at Harliette's face. Harliette assumed that meant that Lola got the message. "Good girl, because I've been meaning to reestablish our little relationship with each other. Get it through your skull, Lola. I hate you, and I sure as hell hate that little twerp Renny, so why the fuck am I listening to you bitch and moan about you and him?"

Lola didn't answer, but her eyes darted for the door when it opened. In stepped Mouse, wearing a kitchen apron and staring at the hot "girl with gun on girl" action.
"Try to interfere and I'm ventilating your dome next," Harliette said without looking at him.
Mouse shrugged. He knew not to push Harliette's buttons when the girl was pissed. "Nah, I'm just up here to tell you that dinner is ready, and it's your favorite: baked potatos with more sour cream and chives than potato."
"I'll be down in five, Mouse," Harliette promised sweetly, then the sisters were alone again.
"Now, where was I? Oh, yes. I find it hard to believe that I'm the younger sister, yet I'm so much more mature. If you think you made the wrong decision by following your heart, then you did, and you need to take some goddamn responsibility for it."
"Re...re...respuh..." Lola stammered. Clearly the good nurse had never had a gun to her face.
Harliette grinned wider to show off her wet teeth, particularly her very pointy incisors. This was even better than sex. "Yes, dear sister of mine. Responsibility. Simply put, you're the one who got Renny into this mess and now you have to see him through it. I'm sure he came to you about it and you foolishly told him to stay with you and PATCA. A shame, really. I would've liked it if I didn't have to see that little fucker anymore. If he comes to regret this decision, then it's your fault. And should he die, his blood is on your hands. So if I was you, and thank Rezonark that I'm not, I would go back to wherever you had him go and protect him. Protect him from the terrible decision that you made."

Lola was too shocked to speak, but Harliette finally released her sister's throat and put her gun away. "I'm going to go eat, and if you're still up here when I get back, I'm going to finish reaching orgasm by taking your pointless life. Now get the fuck gone."
Mouse was salting his potatos when Harliette sat down at the table, a beer in one hand and a satisfied smile plastered on her face. "Did you really shoot your sister?" he asked his girlfriend, then wondered how many people usually started table conversations like that.
"Nah, I let the cow take her udders back to her stupid beloved," Harliette said. "I figured if I killed my sister, I'd get addicted to the climax it'd give me and then I'd have to kill someone I hate for each and every orgasm thereafter."
"You're...not going to hate me, are you?"
"Relax, Mouse. I'm not going to kill the man who cooks my favorites every day and satisfies me every night."

When Lola returned to the hotel, she wore a hard expression. Harliette was absolutely right. "I'm going to make up for my mistakes," Lola said to herself, shaking away her tears and clenching her fists. "I'm not going to let Renny go. I'm going to protect him and get him through this if I have to destroy every enemy who stands in our way."
If this was an anime, it wouldn't be too much to see Lola making her pledge to Renny at the edge of a high cliff with a tidal wave crashing against it.

Maybe...Harliette's advice was a little too effective.

-----
Pierce & Irene

"You look beautiful." He complimented her.
"Thank you. All the slaughtering I've done in my life considered, I came out of it looking pretty good," Irene chuckled, then offered her arm for Pierce and they were on their way.

Being with Pierce had a way of melting away Irene's stress. So did eating.

And drinking.

More drinking.

Holy shit, her liver had to be made of the same material that composed Rayleen's artificial arm. Two bottles of wine down (well, Pierce had tried to stop her) and finally it looked like it was getting to her. All that happened must have gotten to her a lot worse than it at first appeared.

Outside, Irene's more aggressive nature started to surface. "Man, I'm smashed!" she announced with her voice only slightly slurred. "Pierce, take me now or lose me forever!"

Oh god, what the hell was up with this woman?

-----
Pierce & Kimonos

"He's certainly a friendly guy," Tsubasa said as Pierce moved on to handle business with the dojo.
"He seemed really nervous about something," Chizuru observed. "Will he be okay?"
"I'm sure he'll be fine," Kiyomi said. "We Kimonos know what we're doing. Pierce just made a very lucrative investment."
"True, but I kind of wonder why he offered to pay for our residence?" Shizuka wondered aloud. "We certainly have the funds to buy and set up operations just about anywhere."
"Sure, in the Hungry World," Tsubasa countered. "That's a long trek."
"Plus the entrance to the Hungry World is in the Corpsemire," Rio added.
"Plus gold is heavy," Kiyomi observed.
"Plus most of it is still under various curses from the demons we prized it all from," Mika chimed in.
"And god knows what we'll have to put up with trying to transport some of it all the way back here," Kirie sourly pointed out.
"Let's just take Pierce up on his creepily generous offer," Tsubasa summed it up. "It'd certainly be a lot easier for us to earn money through the dojo."

-----
Pierce & Mio

"I don't like anything," Mio said.

Trying to get Mio to converse was more painful than any physical wound.

-----
Charlotte & Phantomere

"Of course, Miss Beaufort," Phantomere said with deepest respect, then vanished from sight as he bowed.

Phantomere had sure changed a lot since he tried to murder every single person in Mystery Manor.

-----
Jeremy and Garus

"Ah, always good to meet a new face, Jeremy. My name is Garus. I'm a Pokemon Trainer reinforcement unit."

Garus' room was pretty much otaku heaven. There were three bookshelves, one filled with DVDs and Blu-ray discs, the other two crammed full of manga. And a good number of it was drawn by Garus himself. Any spare space on the shelving and tables was reserved for anime figurines of curvaceous girls in various states of undress that Garus apparently cleaned every weekend. His walls were decorated with posters and sketches he drew himself of the numerous females to be found in PATCA. Usually in dramatic poses.

Even Charlotte was represented, her coat dramatically blowing in the wind while her hands were posed in the process of loading buckshot into her shotgun, a cigarette hanging from her teeth.
"I don't usually get visitors, for obvious reasons. Not many people even try to relate to artists like me. Have you been shown around the headquarters? It's usually the job of one of the several receptionists we have here."

The drawing that Garus was currently working on showed Charlotte and Shannon embracing while staring longingly into each other's eyes, though the sketch was so rough that it would take a more thorough look to tell that it was them.

[Menarker]

Renny-Pierce
-------------------

"Can I give you some advice? Don't let it destroy your relationship with your parents. And don't be afraid to go back. If you do, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Trust me." He said with something of a sad expression.

Then Pierce gave him a brief pat on the shoulder. "Anyway, I'm sure you'll figure it out."

"Thank you Pierce. Maybe one day soon, when this is all over..."

"Actually, I was wondering if I could buy like four bottles of wine off you? Don't worry, I'm not going to down them all in one go or anything. I just want to get 'em before the price goes up."


Renny held his chest, trying not to double over as his mirthful expression spilled into a grin.

"Oh, ahhehehahaha. Pierce, I haven't put a price on them yet. The ones you tried at my party was my very first batch when I had help and no experience. If anything, I'm still in the experimenting stage. I'd be upset if I sold them and they turn out to be inferior. That said, I don't live near the massive garden anymore, so buying fresh berries will be helpful if I can't find time to pick them. Although, if you find more, I'm sure we can arrange a trade of sort."

Renny then looked toward Pierce appraisingly.

"Out of curiousity, do you have a particular flavor or texture you would prefer? They shouldn't all just be dumped in. Some berries just won't mix well with the others. Different combination sweet, sour, spicy, bitter, and dry flavor berries exist and in varying range of firmness.
But otherwise, I think I just need a bit of time."

-------------
Renny-Liz
-------------
Renny smiled as the lady stated she was ok.

"I'm Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Liz. I've been with PATCA for a month now, I guess we've just missed each other. Which is a shame. You're even more handsome than the stories say."

Renny was struck shy from the flattery, especially from such a pleasant and attractive lady.

"Say... If you want to thank me for helping with Sexy, I've actually been looking for a strong guy like you to help me out with something."

The smaller trainer looked up toward Liz pleasantly keeping eye contact instead of the conveniently placed rack. It wasn't a deliberate attempt to ignore her assets but rather his adherence to manners such as eye contact that just got in the way.

"Ah, what would you like me to help you with?" His expression was warm but curious, although with a strong earnest disposition.

[Dracorion]

Pierce and Irene

Pierce and Irene had a very pleasant dinner. Even though Irene, despite his best efforts, drank a lot, and he wasn't even tipsy. She had the highest alcohol tolerance he'd ever seen, after himself.

Outside, Irene decided to let go entirely. "Man, I'm smashed!" she announced with her voice only slightly slurred. "Pierce, take me now or lose me forever!"

This stopped him in his tracks. Every single gentlemanly bone in his body was telling him not to take advantage of her. Except he'd just learned that he shouldn't treat her like a vulnerable little flower. Also, in spite of her announcement, the fact that she wasn't slurring much might have been indicative that she wasn't quite so plowed.

Fortunately, Pierce knew a foolproof method of determining if someone was too drunk to be responsible for their actions.

He wrapped an arm around Irene's waist, pulling her closer, and he brought his face close to hers. "Sure thing." He said with a playful smile. "I'll take you, if you can tell me what the square root of 25 is."

Yeah, foolproof.

------------------------

Pierce and Mio


"I don't like anything." Mio said.

Jeez, this kid really needed a healthy dose of childhood applied to her. Or maybe a good backhand.

Pierce just smiled. "What, you don't even like ice cream? That's impossible. Everyone likes at least one flavor of ice cream. It's an universal fact."

------------------------

Pierce and Renny

Pierce thought about it for a moment. "Hmm, I don't know. The one you had back at the party was good, though I kind of want to try them all. How about a variety pack?"

"Anyway, I think we can agree on something with the berries."

------------------------

Elizabeth and Renny

Liz's hand started rubbing gently up and down Renny's arm, feeling his muscles. "Well, you see, I lost a ring that's very, very important to me under this big, heavy armoire in my apartment and I can't even lift it." She said worriedly. "Could you please help me? If you did, I'd be really grateful."

------------------------

Riolu makes his move

Catherine Shevetson was happily eating lunch in the PATCA building's mess hall when she suddenly felt something brush against her leg. But when she looked down, there was nothing there. When she turned back to her food, she felt something warm and furry against her thigh and turned to see a Riolu snuggling next to her.

The cute little doggy looked up at her and stood up. "Ri!" He barked, tail wagging happily in a "nice to meet you" kind of way. "Ri Ri!"

[Bard The 5th LW]

Jeremy and Garus

"I don't usually get visitors, for obvious reasons. Not many people even try to relate to artists like me. Have you been shown around the headquarters? It's usually the job of one of the several receptionists we have here."

Jeremy took a few glances around the room at the various drawings and figures around the room. They weren't what Jeremy himself was interested in, but he wasn't much of a guy to judge. He eyed the Charlotte poster briefly, noting the cigarette. He recalled once upon a time that she gave it a try, and she promptly decided that it was 'fucking stupid' to pay money for it.

"I have a friend working here who was willing to show me around," he wasn't going to mention her by name.

Seeing as how he started off on a good foot, Jeremy figured it wouldn't be too intrusive to move his head over and see what the guy was drawing. The sketches on the wall weren't bad. Upon seeing the image of Charlotte and some other women moving into an embrace is face went a bit white. 'He best hope she doesn't see this.'

"Well friend, I'm going to keep that to myself don't worry, but you should really hope she doesn't see that," he said scratching the back of his head as he looked upward and made eye contact. "Seriously, there will be blood. Your survival is up in the air as well. Not good odds if Charlotte catches wind of this."

[Menarker]

Renny-Pierce
---------------------

"Yeah, I'll be willing to make it a variety. Anyhow, I'll let you know when I get something ready."

Renny then changed the topic a bit and his expression was more serious but still amiable.

"So... I took a little time to review some of the information from the events of last month since I was a bit out of the loop. I beg your pardon for asking, but has there been any favorable news regarding your sister? I'm sorry that everything happened as it did."

Renny soon stopped for a moment to ponder something. He then spoke slowly as if re-examining his words at the same time he said them.

"...There is one person I feel we really need to talk to... Aster. As accurate as Aster's precognitive abilities seem to be, I wonder why we haven't relied on him as often as we should. I mean, predicting the uncertain future seems like a difficult task, but seeing the past that has already happened or something that is currently happening seems like something that would be much easier. I don't really know the details. I may be a psychic type, but I don't really understand how his divination works. I'd feel like we should be paying more attention to whether we can use his abilities. If it has a limitation that could be lifted, we should probably work toward that... I mean, finding your sister, finding Black Cradle and Myrie, finding the Ruin Generals, finding the progenitors... A lot of the things we really need to accomplish, I can't help but think he'd be a real asset even if just by looking at the past that already happened. Maybe you should go talk to him about your sister at least?"


-----------------
Renny-Liz
-----------------

Renny nodded. He was only slightly taken back by the extremely forward nature that this young lady, a stranger only a few minutes ago. It sounded like a simple and harmless request.

"That sounds like something I can help you with. Sure, I'll help you retrieve that ring."

[Dracorion]

"So... I took a little time to review some of the information from the events of last month since I was a bit out of the loop. I beg your pardon for asking, but has there been any favorable news regarding your sister? I'm sorry that everything happened as it did."

Pierce's expression turned downcast. "No, there haven't been any news." Which was a nice way of saying 'your sister was probably crushed by falling rocks or exploded by the fucking bomb'.

Renny then proceeded to mention Aster and his psychic abilities. "Maybe you should go talk to him about your sister at least?"

He thought about this. He didn't know if Aster could tell him anything, but the fact was his abilities were indeed quite useful. But... Pierce wasn't sure he wanted to know. Not knowing meant he didn't have to deal, and he could put it off for a little while longer.

He sighed. "Yeah, that's a good idea."

------------------

"Yes! Thank you!" Liz exclaimed happily, running up to Renny and hugging him so that his face was pressed against her cleavage.

She loosened her grip to give him some breathing room. "Are you busy? Do you think we could go now?"

[Menarker]

Renny-Liz
---------------

Renny tried to return the hug warmly even as his face was pressed against her chest again.

"Yeah, we can go. I don't have anything to do here that couldn't wait. How about you? Do you have anything else you need to do or get?"

Renny picked up his basket of berries that he was holding earlier before he bumped into her. "Anyhow, I guess you lead the way."

[Dracorion]

Elizabeth happily led Renny to her car in PATCA's garage, then drove to a large apartment building. She led Renny inside, and took the elevator to the highest floor.

When the elevator doors opened, Renny noticed the world seemed to have exploded in pink.

Elizabeth's apartment was positively huge, and was covered in pink wallpaper, pink couches, pink chairs, pink adornments... Fortunately, it wasn't all pink. The main living area was a couch and a couple of sofa chairs on a crimson carpet around an intricately-detailed round coffee table. On the wall facing the couch hung an expensive-looking plasma TV.

Expensive-looking wooden furniture held decorative plates, plants and assorted trinkents. At the far end of the room, which looked like it was a mile away, was a dining table with four chairs around it, and behind it was a large kitchen.

Four doors led out of the living area, and Liz led Renny toward one of them, feet clicking on well-polished hardwood floorboards. Her bedroom was, unsurprisingly, pink. The floor was even carpeted pink. A large round bed covered in a fine-looking sheet took up a lot of space. Two doors were on the far wall, one of which Renny assumed was the bathroom. The other one was ajar and, though it was dark inside, he could see many clothes lining the wall, so it must be a fitting room.

Against one of the walls in the bedroom there was a large armoire that reached almost to the ceiling. Liz approached it with Renny and then knelt down, peeking through the small gap between it and the floor. Her ass wiggled innocently in front of Renny. "See, there it is. Can you lift this big thing so that I can reach down and grab it?"

She stood up and hugged Renny again. "Thanks so much for your help."

[Menarker]

Renny left his basket of berries inside the car as they pulled up to the large building. Upon reaching the top floor and arriving at Liz's home, he was a little shocked from the unexpected amount of pinkness in the environment.

"It's no problem Liz. Just give me a sec."

Renny pulled out a pokeball and Swampert came out as the ball was held out at arm's length.

"I don't want to risk anything like it breaking apart or falling over on one side, so I'll have him lift it up too on one end for your safety. Swampert, can you kindly lift this big dresser up with me on the other side and hold it?"
"Pert Pert." It nodded and pumped its arm, the showoff.

The two easily lifted the large armoire up the little distance it could be lifted before the ceiling would prevent it from rising any higher.

"Do you see the ring down there Liz?"

[Dracorion]

Elizabeth knelt down again, placing her ass barely covered by her shorts in Renny's line of sight once again, and reached under the armoire.

"Yes!" she cried triumphantly, emerging after a moment with an ornate diamond ring in her hand.

She hugged Renny again and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks so much." She said sweetly. "And thanks to you too." She said kindly to Swampert. She walked over to her bedside table and dropped the ring in a box that was sitting on it. "Would you like some lemonade? I have some in the kitchen. Take a seat on the bed."

She left, leaving Renny alone in the room. As he waited, he noticed that it was a little hot in Liz's apartment.

She returned moments later, carrying two glasses of cold lemonade. "Thanks so much again." She gave him another kiss on the cheek, as she joined him on the bed. "And sorry about the heat. The air conditioner broke." She explained, handing Renny a glass.