since this is their first official date, young niko chooses to dress a bit nicer than he normally does. from a simple t-shirt to a simple sweater that wraps around his frame nicely.[break][break]

and like a gentleman, he shows up on time ready to pick her up. he even makes the effort to park in the driveway before walking up to the door to knock.[break][break]

"oh, shit."[break][break]

noticing the bell a little too late, he shrugs, deciding to press it anyway.[break][break]

DING DONG!

[attr="class","ooc"]CALLISTA MOON[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"not all of 'em. just the ones i don't know."[break][break]

he mirrors her and sips from his drink.[break][break]

"verdanturf isn't a very large place, ari. i like to think i know most of 'em here. like, look, over there—"[break][break]

he swivels, pointing right at a man over in the corner booth all by himself.[break][break]

"—his name's lucas. really good runner. he used to be quite involved in a sinnoh gang before moving here to do the same shit now for me."[break][break]

his hand lowers back down to the bar.[break][break]

"but that's beside the point. the point is whatever your reason is for being here, i don't care, but if you got skills that could help us out, then fuck yeah i'll try to recruit you."

[attr="class","ooc"]@ari[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mightyena"]

his name is fitting, all things considered. it's funny how things work out in the end.[break][break]

the people being the gang in this case. he'll make sure they win even if it kills him.[break][break]

"kai..."[break][break]

kai.[break][break]

"shit. i love it. from baby niko to baby kai!"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

niko's best fighter is himself, thank you. he shakes his head.[break][break]

"nah. this is just what being the boss lets me do."[break][break]

either way, niko would've been more than glad to go first. it's just that he has way more to lose now should something happen to him, and that scares him.[break][break]

up ahead, two rival primeape gangs stand opposite each other, locked in a tense staredown.[break][break]

"you take the left i'll take the right?"

[attr="class","ooc"]caspian evergreen[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-corviknight"]

"my name?"[break][break]

though he sounds surprised, he actually knows the meaning of his name because someone had told him once upon a time. a girl he'd been seeing, most likely.[break][break]

he grins, almost proud as he explains.[break][break]

"victory of the people."

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

"CLOSE YOUR EYES!"[break][break]

though dirt bag easily contends against the CONFUSE RAY, it isn't able to avoid the WATER PULSE as a result because it can't see it coming.[break][break]

GLURGUGLUGLUGULGGUG![break][break]

"SWALLOW AND SPIT!"[break][break]

dirt bag's already swallowed a gallon by the sounds of it. it turns to face the mudkip before throwing up a yellow and purple SLUDGE BOMB.[break][break]

this might be its last round.

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

the moment cas' hands drop, niko reaches over to slap the back of his head. gently. kinda.[break][break]

"no idea..."[break][break]

it certainly sounds like them.[break][break]

niko fishes out a pokeball and calls out his corviknight. though it takes to the skies, niko nudges cas on his shoulder before gesturing.

"go on, then..."

[attr="class","ooc"]caspian evergreen[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-corviknight"]

"you sure? because bobby sounds pretty cute."[break][break]

he snaps his fingers after realizing a great name.[break][break]

"or bob, short for bobert."[break][break]

or uri, after her dead brother. wait...[break][break]

he sighs, leaning in to kiss her.[break][break]

"i'll keep thinking. but let me know if you come up with something, okay?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

"how'd you do that? it's like fuckin' magic."[break][break]

he chuckles in disbelief, nodding as he looks back at his phone.[break][break]

"i love it."[break][break]

niko has spent too long thinking about what to name their son that he could only shrug at her question.[break][break]

"i dunno. bob, maybe. he's pretty cool."

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

niko raises a hand to point at a particular finger, grinning.[break][break]

"all that's missing is the ring."[break][break]

peering off to the left, he notices a bit of commotion happening behind the shrubbery. he stops for a moment to answer cas' question.[break][break]

"you sure you wanna know, bro?"

[attr="class","ooc"]caspian evergreen[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

"well i'm excited. it's been a while since i've been to a concert."[break][break]

actually, when was the last time he'd been? he can't even remember. maybe when he was still with CALLISTA MOON?[break][break]

their taxi soon arrives and niko is the first to push out. he stumbles into lilycove and is quick to look around before pulling out his phone to text nina larson:[break][break]

WHERE YOU AT

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner nina larson[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

"oh shit. you can do that?"[break][break]

nodding, he hands her his phone before leaning back. he plants both his hands on the ground to support him.[break][break]

"i still don't know what to name him."

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]

niko barks out a laugh.[break][break]

"you can call her jessie. you know that, right?"[break][break]

but it's endearing to hear.[break][break]

"they're both good. baby niko's a bitch sometimes. think he gets that from me."[break][break]

he definitely does.[break][break]

"we're gonna need you to babysit on friday. you cool with that?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-trubbish"]