He smiled.

"I had forgotten you were coming, as a matter of fact." He said dryly as he took the seat across from her on the booth.

His hands came together atop the table as he leaned his chin on them, the man's smile growing as the waitress delivered a cup of coffee to the redhead.

"You are welcome." He said, "And no. It's just right, I would say."

He looked around the empty place, and then winked at the woman.

"We wouldn't want anyone to third wheel this little gathering of ours now, would we?" He said with a chuckle as he leaned back against his seat, glancing at the old man and the waitress before nodding.

The old man nodded back, and the waitress moved towards the doors, flipping the plastic letter hanging from it to 'closed' before they both retired to the kitchen.

Just them, now. After a moment, the man's smile weakened considerably his shoulders sagging.

"... I hope you've had more luck than I." He said with a pathetic chuckle, shaking his head. "How have you been, Agent Nevada?"

---

TAG: AUTUMN ANDERSON

The blonde man leaned forward, chin atop the back of his palm, feigning interest.

He wasn't terribly invested in the insider info being given to him, but for anyone looking in from the other side of the window, he was a man thoroughly enthralled in what his date had to say.

Also one with terrible sense for date locations.

"Got christmas on your mind, huh?" He said as she finished speaking, immediately going for the slip up instead of the actual important information. "Actually ran on of those little birds while on talking up a pretty girl the other day. Pokedex doesn't lie- Delibird's really do carry gifts around."

He chuckled, before shaking his head. Alright, for the serious bit. He cupped his chin with one hand, rubbing at his jawline in thought as he considered what she had said.

"Delivering a particularly powerful pokemon?" He said, considering the possibilities. Politicians weren't often known for being capable trainers or battlers, but they could and often did certainly buy powerful, well-trained pokemon for protection. "Or a rare one?"

Of course, they could also just spend inordinate amounts of cash acquiring exotic species to flaunt in their next gathering. It really mattered little.

"Release it without their notice, perhaps?" He said, grinning. "Let it rampage around for a bit, then capture it."

Autumn was heads and tails above 'her crew', and most if not all people part of that organization. Simply demonstrating her prowess, and her coworkers incompetence, in handling the pokemon would do wonders in strengthening her chances when the selection for the delivery crew is being made.

"As for me... Not much to report." He said; he had already suggested as much earlier. "Most trails dry out cold before leading anywhere. Got a few leads I'm still chasing... but I think they'll end up the same."

He sighed.

"They are either really careful... or truly gone."

Which of course meant they were extremely careful. He would never believe in any other possibility.

---

TAG: AUTUMN ANDERSON

"I've never particularly cared for the festivities myself, be they Christmas or Hanukkah-" He said as he looked out the window to the passing crowd. "But we can always do a little get together if you are nostalgic for them. We can even go looking for one of those wandering Delibirds. Make it the complete, authentic experience."

He had already met one, and it had immediately used its 'Present' move on him, making for a convenient first meeting.

Their little get together wouldn't be anywhere near as grand as a full family gathering, but they sad, old, washed out adults could find ways to have a fun Christmas.

Wait, what had he called them again?

"... Never mind that, we can make plans later." He said, rubbing his temples. "At least they are not a clever bunch. If you need any help pulling off, feel free to contact me. I could always... temporarily take the pokemon off your hands."

Lead the gang on a little wild goose chase, then have her 'get back' the pokemon. He would need to pick a mask and an outfit, maybe an accent too...

He chuckled to himself, already mentally practicing his finely trained Kalosian accent.

His line of thought was interrupted as Autumn suddenly looked underneath the table, prompting him to do the same.

"Ah, buddy! It's good to see you again." He said as he reached down and pet the little guy, fingers twitching against his cold, icy scales.

Oh, he would be feeling the price of his friendliness for a good while. Still, he grasped a napkin and produced a pen from under his jacket, writing an order upon it before laying it atop the now empty platter and putting it back upon the Snom.

"Fancy sharing a sandwich?" He said to Autumn as the little snom began marching back to the kitchen, staring at her pancakes with blatant desire.

A sandwich for a pancake. Equivalent exchange.

---

TAG: AUTUMN ANDERSON