There are often days better left forgotten. Days that ravaged Jasper's insides and outs, bringing them one step further into the comforting embrace of letting go. Of giving up-- surrendering the small spark of hope in their stomach. Hope in the idea that in the grand scheme of this wide-spanning multiverse, change is possible. That this current reality isn't eternal, but rather, one awfully long chapter just ready to finish.

Unfortunately, there was no escaping today's ordeal. "Fuckin hell..." Jasper muttered under their breath. Hunched behind a sprawling pile of shrubbery, the hired saboteur peeked through the plush branches, their bright cat-like eyes set on the photographer. The job was simple: break the camera. Bonus points if the photographer is hurt in the process. "Who fuckin' hires someone for this shit...?"

But a job was a job.

Ravioli, who was hidden to their far left, was set to fire an arrow straight through the camera in 5 minutes. The photographer's current position was too vulnerable for mistakes-- it was better to wait than explain an unplanned murder. All Jasper had to do was act as backup.

That is...until a small twig snapped beneath their foot.

Silent curses filled the trainer's mind as their golden eyes intently stared back at the Photographer's general area. Did he hear, they wondered, their eyebrows arched. The tamed waves of inching curiosity licked at their stomach as the woman, who had been standing next to the target, moved towards their position, a purposeful expression stretched across her features.

Without leaving another second to waste, Jasper spun around and obscured the red flash of their Emolga's Pokeball. "Tell Ravioli I've be noticed." They whispered, a tint of urgency clear in their voice. "I'll be fine, so make sure he gets the job done." The small pokemon nodded at their trainer's words and went on their way to relay the information.

With that, ease returned to their shoulders, as the approaching steps of the woman lost it's thunder. Still, they needed a quick excuse to buy some time without alerting anyone or any pokemon that could create further hindrances to the plan.  Jasper knew just the thing. 

"Argh!" The sharp pain of their hidden dagger sliced at their leg. Without much time to hide, the easiest option was to fake some innocence through an injury and pained expressions. "Is someone there...?" Their voice wavered, "I need help..."

It was a good thing he'd been quick on his feet-- miss pumpkin spice and everything nice had reached him far faster than he'd originally anticipated. Hiding would've been much messier, he thought, leading to a higher chance of a battle breaking out. Grunting, Jasper directed the woman to his injury without a hint of a complaint. He'd made sure to keep the wound far from anything serious. Superficial enough to keep it from threatening his life, but long enough to stir up some concern.

"Thank you..." His voice came out as another grunt, "You could say I ran into some unfriendly Pokemon haha..." As she further examined the wound, Jasper would take the opportunity to assess the woman more thoroughly, his eyes weary of any silvery glints of a weapon. As he did, a pit of guilt carved it's way into his stomach. It prayed this kindness was a facade of sorts-- maybe then his interference might be deserved.