This isn’t like him. He doesn’t try this. He scrounged, he starved. He would dig through the trash than try this. But sometimes, a person got a little fed up with being hungry and relying on the kindness of others. He had money! Just…not enough. All he needed was a dollar and some change. No one would miss that right. Just a bill…ANY BILL! With those explicit instructions he’s sat by a dumpster and waited for his companions to come back with their prices. He figured if anyone could swipe cash from a purse or register, ghost pokemon would be the most adept at it. Garbage Baby kept him company, laying on his lap and nuzzling into his growling stomach. The Linoone had already gorged himself on food form the dumpster, and he was a little rank. Lana didn’t care though impatient at the thought of walking into a fast-food join and getting something that was actual warm and relatively clean. [break][break]

Tat’s not what greets him. As he heard the noises of a struggle, Lana’s face seemed to get paler and paler. “No…They….t-they didn’t….” he murmured as he gently pushed off Garbage Baby and stood up to greet his ghosts. As if on cue, the mysterious forces that had been pulling at Elliott appeared. A Drifloon had wrapped her arms around one of Elliott’s arms, while his Dusknoir grabbed the other. A cheerful Mismagius led the crew to their trainer, revealing the blonde proudly. “Guys! I just need the money!” he hissed trying to keep his voice down. He didn’t want to yell at the well meaning pokemon. [break][break]

The trio looked at each other for a moment, confused before Mike the Drifloon lowers her tin limbs down to Elliott’s waist and patted him down. In moments, she’s found the wallet and chucked it at Lana, who fumbled with it confused, and horrified. He’s about to tell them to let him go and apologize when a deep growl rang out in the alleyway. This one with a cramp in his stomach that made him grimace. His Linoone is up and leaning on his left leg, keeping watch to make sure Lana didn’t get vertigo and fall. The group of ghosts complain as they saw their owner struggle with his morality, encouraging him to do the thing that would better his survival not soothe his guilty conscience. [break][break]

“A-At least let him go!” he argued, though the pokemon didn’t budge. He gave the blonde an embarrassed look before averting his eyes. “S-..Sorry guy, I-” He didn’t have a good excuse. Lana ripped open the wallet quickly, thumbing through to find the cash and ripped out a few bills. “Ok, that’s more than e-enough for d-diner guys.” He said, though he sounded firmer than before. He moved towards the guy trying really hard to shove the wallet back into his pants, but after a bit of awkwardly fumbling, was content with just sliding it into the boy’s shirt. “N-No hard feelings r-right?” It doesn’t occur to him he’s put himself entirely too close to Elliott.


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+ @elliott [break][break]

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Their victim was clearly riled up, but then again anyone would be in this situation. That's why he’d hoped they’d steal from a department store or a bank. Something that didn’t have a face he could care about. “Um...uh- well- I um…” Lana could barely hold it together during a normal conversation. A conversation where someone was screaming at him??? And he was definitely in the wrong??? His brain couldn’t put together the words fast enough. He had no practice with this kind of thing. He just wanted to run but even that he couldn’t do well. [break][break]

He stepped back, hoping Elliott would catch himself. He didn’t. The boy began making his way around the rocket, gesturing at his ghosts to make a break for it, but the blonde bounced back quickly. Lana only had the time to take a few steps forward, naively turning back before his shirt was caught and he felt himself at the mercy of the pickpocket. He did the only thing he could do. Apologize. “S-S-Sorry! I- I didn’t mean it-” he began, wheezing as the panic really set in. [break][break]

The triad of ghosts behind him buzzed around angrily , quickly circling the pair as if they were about to put bets on which twink would beat the other. Odds were 8 to 1 in Elliott;s favor. “I-I-I-I- j-just-!” Lana’s eyes begin to glaze over with tears and he’s clearly doing his best to hold them back. Still, as he tried to pull himself away and stay upright, something in his knees sort of buckled and his vision swam. [break][break]

In an instant Elliott’s grip is the only thing really holding him upright as Lana sees black for a moment, before he feels his Dusclops yank him upwards by the back of his shirt. His footsteps are unsteady, but he managed to stand up on his own, though his Pokemon doesn’t let go. He doesn’t even realize what’s happened, simply that he felt weaker and quickly goes back to his last memory. “It wasn’t l-l-like I meant it to b-be you!”


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+ @elliott [break][break]

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“I-..N-Not you specifically!” Lana countered desperately, his feet feeling numb as Mike the Dusclops kept him upright. He squeezed his eyes shut as Elliot moved in closer and saw the fist raising. He didn’t remember the last time he’d been punched in the face, but it had been a mugging too. Except, Lana had been victim instead. The tightness of his eyelids was enough to squeeze out a few stray tears and it seemed like the ghosts beside him grew more agitated. But when no punch came, and no pain shot out of his face he carefully opened his eyes again. Mikey had let go of him, though remained ready to help pick him up once more. [break][break]

He hadn’t gotten hit, and he almost wanted to know why. But he preferred to avoid the pain if he cold. Elliott had changed his mind, what a gift. Mercy. While the squad seemed to back off, they’re still alert and watching as Lana’s pushed into the dirty brick wall behind him. He let out a small yelp as he smacked against it, trembling at the absence of immediate pain. That didn’t sound any better. And with Elliot cornering him like this, it kinda felt imminent. [break][break]

Lana sniffled, confused as the blonde instead of striking him, just insulted him. He looked at the ground and the ghosts seemed to deflate a little bit. Most had just followed Lana long enough for him to consider capturing them. Oh yeah, they weren’t well trained, but he wasn’t a professional thief either. He was supposed to be a coordinator after all. Lana awkwardly grabbed the hem of his raggedy shirt, gripping it for a distraction. “I-I…I o-only had…69 cents….and its not enough to get my dollar chicken nuggies…” This statement was immediately punctuated buy a long, loud churning growl form his stomach and Lana immediately flinched glancing at Elliott in shame before looking away.


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+ @elliott [break][break]

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Lana braced himself for pain, which unfortunately he was a little used to but never happy to go through. But it doesn’t come. Lana doesn’t start breathing until Elliot stepped away form him and began walking off. “Guys…he’s ok.” Lana said as he watched his ghosts hovering and staring at Elliot with wide eyes. On their trainer’s call however, they moved back and melded into the shadows. Lana wasn’t sure how genuine Elliot was being, but he figured he could trust it. Free food and all. [break][break]

Besides, he didn’t have a better option right now. He readjusted his backpack strap and jogged over to Elliot. Despite the insult, the ghost specialist perked up. “W-what is worth s-stealing then?” he asked pointedly, despite his stutter. “Sometimes…you g-get tired of dumpster diving.” He added with a shrug, looking down at his beat-up sneakers. Garbage Baby, the fat bastard, settled himself beside Lana, looking up at Elliot with shining eyes. He was friendly, despite the previous threats to his trainer. No doubt he say the blonde as another conduit of pets and attention. “S..sorry…” he added once more.


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+ @elliott [break][break]

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Lana made a face at the blonde when he said weapons. why would he need that? That wouldn’t feed him. He didn’t think he would even know how to wield a weapon. Knife, or gun. Again, he looked down at the pavement as he followed Elliott. “I-I was going to…later tonight. But I’m h-hungry now, y-you know?” There’s a rather big fountain a few blocks away that he managed to pull quarters out of for bus fare and vending machines. Garbage Baby is excited, panting loudly and stepping from side to side as the model got down to his level. He doesn’t stay still, chasing Elliot’s hand to lick it after a couple of scritches before attempting to rush forward only to bark gently when he was scooped up. There's no resistance however, and the Linoone is easily cradled. But it also meant he would lick up Elliot's face just as much. [break][break]

“I-Instead of stupid…y-you can c-call m-me Lana.” He said as he looked from his Linoone back to the blond that was buying him his next meal. Thank the Gods honestly. The growling n his stomach was starting to switch into painful cramping. He attempted to inject a little bit of humor though, maybe it would get Elliott to stop scowling at him. “I-I’m not s-s-starving. I’m a-actively w-withering away.” He said. The attempt is there, but his words lack confidence and volume, and he’s not sure if the blonde could hear him over the rush of cars on the street. But, he’d made the attempt, and considering how rarely he got to talk to people, he was happy with the result. At least he’d spoken up about something, right?


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+ @elliott [break][break]

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Garbage Baby delighted in being spoiled, and he was happy Elliot held him at all. Most people avoided him for the coat of slick wetness he constantly carried from being covered in dumpster juice. Or how thick with grease and dirt his pelt was. Lana often wrinkled his nose but politely said nothing, merely attempted to wash him in water fountains at night. But he suspected it made the smell worse. Still, he is generous with his love and his fat tail wagged happily at the attention that came from someone other than his trainer. “I-…I guess….I’d just…f-feel bad if I took a-all their cash…” He didn’t think of it in terms of profit. Just as a way to buy himself more time, more leeway form those around him. [break][break]

While Elliott had been angry before, and was still quite rough around the edges, at least he was nice to Garbage Baby. Lana could take most of the weird eye contact and judging whispers. But Garbage Baby? The Linoone could be sensitive when he wasn’t dense. He picked up on things just like any other kid. It’s a nice change of pace, and he’s sure Garbage Baby is over the moon. Red eyes move up to the blonde’s face as he memorized a name easily. He dind’t many friends, much less know many people. It’s easy to remember. He’s nicer than anticipated. Something in him, though, is waiting for the other shoe to drop. “Elliott.” He echoed without trouble for once. [break][break]

Lana tried to hide how excited he was, but he’d always been a bit of an open book. Garbage Baby isn’t excited to get set down, but he’s happy nonetheless, and remained by Elliott’s feet leaning on him and panting happily. Lana stood a bit back, eyes wide and glittering practically as he waited for his order. “Y-You’re not h-hungry?” he asked, pawing at his backpack straps and averting his eyes from the blonde. He tried very obviously to hide behind the greasy mop of hair that was clearly an overgrown home haircut. The edges while long where jagged and cut at different angles. There’s a tense silence before he spoke up once more, ears flushing a little as he asked. “A-Are you s-s-sitting with m-me?”


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+ @elliott [break][break]

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Lana isn’t quite sure how to respond. He simply gave the blonde a once over, judging him for his words but keeping his thoughts quiet. Elliott looked pretty young after all, what figure was he watching? Was he a gym rat? Maybe. He didn’t know for sure, but he wanted to say he saw some type of definition in his arms. “A-Are you allergic?” he asked, deciding this was probably the more plausible answer. And then, the cashier said his name- his full name. It made him double take, eyes bouncing form the cashier to Elliott and back. [break][break]

They’re suddenly squealing, shrieking and Lana is begrudgingly roped into taking a photo of the two before they get their order ticket. Bizarre. He plopped down awkwardly, Garbage Baby resting on his lap. Paws on the table as the pair stared at their companion. One, confused, the other excited by the attention and energy around him. “S-So that-…w-what was th-” before Lana can even finish his question, the doors burst open and small crowd rushed in. Lana can see it from his seat, heads swiveling wildly before locking onto their target. Not him. [break][break]

“E-Elli-” he began as Garbage Baby began barking happily as the group moved. It wasn’t overpowering. Lana counter maybe 12…maybe 15 people. But that was a enough to set him off edge. The hair on his neck raised, and he felt a cold sweat move down his spine. The last time he’d been around this many people around his age was school, and that hadn’t been the most positive of experiences. Red eyes wide, he’s already looking for a way to remove himself from the situation. Garbage Baby scrambled onto the table, still barking an panting, fat tail wagging wildly as people move in squealing, crying, and talking to the blonde. Lana reached over to pull the receipt from Elliott, his bag already on his shoulder ready to don it once more. [break][break]

“I’m so glad we made it!” [break]
“We took off when we saw the tweet!” [break]
“I CAN’T BELIEVE ITS THIS MCDONALDS!” [break]
“IS this a charity thing?” [break][break]

The voices all going on at once spilled with praise and desire and admiration. All positive, all loving. They block him off from leaving, leaving over him to get to his companion and he just tried to make himself smaller. To shrink away and go unnoticed. This was his punishment for stealing. It always happened to him. He dropped his food, he got yelled at for loitering, he got scammed. Every time he stole there had to be some comeuppance. He’d thought Elliott almost beating him was it. He’d been so, so wrong. [break][break]

“Are you shooting nearby?” [break]
“Can I get your autograph?” [break]
“Elli can we get pics please!” [break]



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+ @elliott be nice to garbage baby because im about to not : ) [break][break]

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