Recruitment (Crysel, Kuro, Dex)

Jeremy was sitting at his desk, amber eyes going over the paperwork as a clock ticked in the background. Time would slowly sound away with a steady, mechanical click with only the occasional rough scrabble of pen and ink or shuffling of paperwork to interrupt the harmony of sound. Some would consider the otherwise silent workplace to be quiet, even boring… But not the Grass Snake Pokemon at the desk doing said paperwork.

After all, this was important. Keeping records was a necessity. He needed to ensure that everything was accounted for and that everything was orderly. Being the leader had its responsibilities. Co-leader or not, Kuro wasn't really suited for this sort of thing, and the leader typically had the responsibilities for running whatever they were in charge of. Jeremy really had no problem with this. In his mind, he was the most suited for the task and everything was right with the world.

As he worked though, his mind would occasionally go back to Shadowhue on their second assignment. Everything was slightly smoother this go around, but there still could have been so many things that could have gone wrong. The male snivy frowned at this thought. He valued control and the ability to predict and plan accordingly. He knew that exploring and doing missions had risk associated with them, but Jeremy hoped that he would eventually be able to adapt. He didn't have his connections here, and everything would fall on him personally if something bad happened.

A knock at door snapped him back to reality, and Jeremy frowned slightly. Kuro typically barged in, so it wasn't her. Putting his paperwork to the side, Jeremy called out, "Come in."

It was Crysel who had knocked. DEX IS FOUR INCHES TALL GUYS. BY PROCESS OF ELIMINATION, CRYSEL HAS TO BE THE ONE WHO KNOCKED. LOGIC! She pushed the door open and strode in. Crysel had come at the request of the Snivy himself. For some reason or another, he felt that she might be a good addition to his rescue team. Crysel, not really being against it, consented to a little talk before she did any joining.

He hoped he didn't want to learn too much about her. After all, she did not know much herself. Crysel's memories were still refusing to return for some reason. She stood before the desk and nodded to Jeremy, crossing her arms and waitig for him to start talking.

Jeremy graced himself with a small smirk as a female sneasel walked in… A sneasel that wasn't the bomb of unrestrained energy that was Kuro. No, the male snivy had time to get to know this particular sneasel in more depth, and there was no doubt that this sneasel was VERY different from the other sneasel. Yes, there was a little fluke in first determining who Cryel was, but Jeremy felt it was understandable. Mammals were hard enough to read, and before Kuro, he hadn't even heard of sneasels.

Jeremy cleared his throat, amber eyes containing a pleased glint in their depths. "Ah, Miss Crysel. A pleasure to see you. Please, take a seat." The Grass Snake Pokemon grinned as he gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "Or stand if you prefer. Whichever is comfortable for you." Turning his head towards the open doorway, Jeremy narrowed his reptilian eyes in concentration. All of a sudden, a green vine snaked out of his leafy 'collar' and extended away from the his seated position. The dark green vines wrapped around the door handle before bringing the door close with a soft 'click'.

The male snivy smiled as he withdrew his vine. "For privacy's sake. Might as well try to get every detail we can get covered in quiet." Jeremy glanced at the sneasel, pleasant smile on his face. "I would like to thank you once again for your aid in Shadowhue Forest. I think I can say that both Kuro and I are grateful for your assistance that day. But enough about me, how have you been?"

Crysel looked at the chair and shrugged, sitting down in it. It was more to show she didn't feel threatened by the Snivy. Ever since she had lost her memory, this pokemon was one of the few that actually tried to help her, actually seemed like he cared. When you found yourself a completely alone with no place in the world, that meant something. She lightly scraped her claws against one another, keeping them from getting dull. Sneasels and Weaviles did this constantly to keep their claws so sharp that they could cut through solid stone.

Crysel waved off the thanks. "It was nothing. Anyone with decency would have done the same. I'm sure if I needed help, you'd help me too." At the asking about her she shrugged yet again. "Just... trying to see if something jogs my memory. No luck though. I have an idea about visiting an area that gives me... well an uneasy feeling. There has to be a reason I have that feeling, right? Just... I dunno. Its like I have deep set feelings telling me I should not go there. That nothing good is there. Maybe after I think a bit more on it..."

Jeremy listened intently, hands clasped together and on the desk in front of him. His expression was one of seriousness as he listened intently. This was not for show, for indeed the Grass Snake Pokemon was interested in Crysel's story. Amnesia itself was an unusual thing to have, and Jeremy noted that her memory had yet to return. How curious. It could be said though that Jeremy was an opportunist. Not always a malicious one of course, but an opportunist.

He nodded slowly as her story and concerns were done. "You have my sympathies Miss Crysel. It cannot be easy shouldering that kind of burden. I can only imagine the uncertainty and even questions that are plaguing you." A pause and Jeremy looked away for a moment. "I'm no expert on the field of study Miss Crysel, but I once heard someone say… Or perhaps I read it? Anyway it was said that the mind was a very… Particular thing. It is sensitive, fragile. In order to protect itself it could fragment itself or even…" He glanced at Crysel. "Lock part of itself away. It was a defensive mechanism. Sometimes the mind is exposed to things it cannot handle and rather than risk damage by facing it avoidance is chosen."

There was a small bit of silence, and Jeremy smiled. "But it is fortuitous that you mentioned that I would help you Miss Crysel. I very much WOULD like to help you. That is why you are here right now. I want to help you, and you want to be helped."

Crysel thought a bit. "There... was one pokemon. A Scraggey named Mordred. He seemed to know me, but he was pretty upset to hear I forgotten everything. He seemed... very insistant on not telling me my past. He seemed to believe it was better I did not remember. But he did tell me about a place Icicle Woods. He said that my past was there. But... I feel like there is something bad there. Maybe you are right and my mind is trying to protect me." She sighed and slumped a bit. "Even without my memories, I feel like the real me is supposed to be tough, able to do anything... but this is very difficult. To simply go there is... just difficult to actually do."

Jeremy mulled over this quietly to himself. Icicle Woods? Jeremy had never heard of the place himself, but the name alone was enough to send chills up his spine… Probably literally, never mind metaphorically.

He saw an opening however, and he decided to take it. Assuming a more professional stance, the male snivy cleared his throat as he declared, "It seems to me Miss Crysel that you need friends or comrades at the moment. Tackling this issue alone is more burden than you need. It also seems that you need resources. Goods and the money to buy goods has to be earned. Lastly, having more experience out in the field if we were to travel would also be an important goal to reach."

Jeremy smiled. "An exploration team provides all of this." Jeremy's amber eyes held an intensity to them as he stared at Crysel, sizing her up. "You have proven yourself to be a cunning, strong survivalist Miss Crysel. That is something I can get behind. You have also proven yourself to be the user of many different skills… Skills I would like in Team Magna."

Jeremy leaned forward on the table, looking Crysel right in the eye. "Here is my proposal. You join Team Magna. You work with us completing assignments and earning the resources you need to one day undergo your personal quest. You help bring our team glory and power and follow my orders. Then… When the time is right, the other members of Team Magna will go with you to Icicle Woods and help you with whatever you need help with."

Crysel had expected Jeremy to turn what she said into an offer. He was good with his words that way. His tongue was as dangerous as her claws if used in the right situation. Sympathy, flattery, and an offer of help for fair return. She was smart. Smart enough to recognize a carefully laid out plan when she saw one. Jeremy saw this as a way to gain a resource that would help further his own goals, whatever they may be. All pokemon worked toward what they wanted, even if that meant using someone.

However, she had to admit he was right. She had no idea how long she would need to be in Icicle Woods. She couldn't remember the area or the possible dangers in there. So supplies and a watchful eye at her back would be very helpful. So her answer was obvious, at least for a logical Sneasel like her. "Alright, I will join your team and help you in return for help when I need it. I will hold you to your side of the bargain."

"Excellent!" Jeremy declared. "And of course, a Blackwood always pays off his debts. If you help our team Crysel, I would be perfectly willing to ensure you find out about your past and whatever needs to be done to address it." The snivy grinned. "You will not regret this."

There was a pause as Jeremy relaxed himself at the desk. "Of course, this not official yet. We have to talk to the guild master, but I very much doubt there will be a problem there. Kuro seems to like you too… Though I'm not sure if she has decided you are her clone or someone entirely different."

He gave a polite cough. "Would you mind if I asked a few questions?"

Crysel nodded at the mention of the little details that needed to be addressed before she was an official team member. It was a bit time consuming in her opinion, but it was how society worked apparently. At the mention of a few questions, Crysel nodded. "You can ask whatever you like." Of course, that did not mean Crysel would answer the questions. That was her decision.

The snivy leaned back as he glanced at Crysel, expression thoughtful. The question he posed was a simple one, the start of several. "I understand that your memories may not be up to par as stated. However, what would you say was your strongest quality or strength? Something about yourself that you have relied on to see you through."

Jeremy had a few ideas on what Crysel might claim, but he wanted to hear her words for it.

Crysel was silent, thinking deeply on the question. She was silent for a while before speaking. "My calm demeanor. Anyone an be strong Anyone can be smart. But no matter what, emotions can cloud your judgement and render brains and brawn useless. I always calmly access a situation to the point of being apathetic. Not that I don't feel emotions, I just find it easy to bury them when I need to. Keeping cool and collected is important in surviving."

Jeremy tilted his head, amber eyes shining with interest. What an interesting answer. It wasn't cunning, reflexes, or strength that was listed… No… Her composure was the quality she brought forward as her greatest strength. As the Grass Snake Pokemon reflected on this fact, he nodded slowly. It made perfect sense when he thought about it.

"Indeed. Keeping a cool head is a very powerful gift and one that not everyone has access to. Masks are nice things to have, and masks over masks doubly so."

There was a pause and Jeremy frowned. "And what would you say is your greatest weakness or fault? The thing that you normally have to hide or guard when faced with challenges?"

She rolled her eyes at the Snivy's question. "I would think it would be obvious. Controlling myself. Not going too far." She shook her head. "Jeremy, I have this... instinct in me. It tells me that everything is dangerous. Nothing can be taken at face value. That it would be better to eliminate potential threats than let them leave. At the same time, I want to hold back, not slice a pokemon open with these really sharp claws of mine. I always have to be in control or I could end up injuring someone mortally."

"Hmm… You know, I never did see Kuro react that way. Then again, Kuro is fairly… Exceptional."

Jeremy stared at Crysel seriously. "To be honest Crysel, your composure is admirable. With the support of a team, I have no doubt that instinctual urges to protect yourself will never go too far unless it has to. In hindsight, I'm not really bothered by this and see little reason to be."

The Grass Snake Pokemon smiled. "Last question. What do you think you will bring to Team Magna?"