it wasn’t often that he got out to the main beach until recently. most of his time, as far as others knew, was spent indoors, making his perpetual sunburn a bit of a mystery. most people didn’t know about the secret traders cove.

he walked down the sidewalk, gaze cast at the various architecture curving around the coastline. it was a dream location for the kind of business venture he was embarking on. the luxurious modernity that club apogee would embody was a very different from the classic, relaxed sophistication of ritual in lower slateport.

he walked in. his smile at the host was bright in contrast to the shadow over his gaze beneath his hat. when he approached the table, he held out a hand to give a firm shake.

”yes ma’am. good to meetcha, miss garnet. you can call me roach.”

her enthusiasm was matched with a grin, dimpled on one side between his slightly overgrown scruff.

”glad yer lookin’ forward to it. yer portfolio’s impressive as hell—’n great choice for lunch. haven’t had krabby legs in a while.”

Rita Garnet

☉

roach took a seat, ordered a whiskey, settled in. he chuckled again at her enthusiasm. ”happy t’ hear it.” his accent? ”yes ma'am, nimbasa-born.”

garlic knots arrived in front of them, perfectly aromatic against the other smells of the restaurant and the sea breeze. he reached in and grabbed one, taking a bite and humming approval, ”mm.”

his attention was still on her as he chewed, not yet falling to the menu. of course, he’d done his research. who wouldn’t have? this was no small project, no small wad of cash. his teeth flashed again, but he didn’t interrupt. she had the energy of someone who surely did well in a business like this. lively, personable, commanding her space. all he had to do was sit back, eat, and let her go. he was already sold on her company. if she made it through the lunch without somehow talking him in the other direction, she was golden.

what were his goals?

he picked up a napkin, dabbed his mouth before placing it back in his lap and clearing his throat lightly.

”different.” he paused for emphasis, shifting straighter in his chair again. ”i want to draw a new crowd. ritual’s got it’s charm, but it ain’t very lively. i want energy. sex appeal.”

he looked over, down the coastline, towards the space reserved for his new dream. ”you ever seen a picture of a nebula b’fore? that’s what i want it to look like when ye walk in the door. lights hangin’ down real low maybe, some kinda... visual eff-ex...” his hand came down through the air as if it might help his explanation. suddenly figuring he was starting out a bit abstract, he reigned it in and turned towards her again.

”three levels. bar, dancefloor, lounge. vip rooms. balconies. the works–'n i want one of them infinity pools on the rooftop.”

he looked up and thanked a server for his drink, taking a sip as he looked back to rita.

”ud'r'nat, you tell me what i want.”

Rita Garnet

☉

“well good, thank ya. you just tell me if i ever sound crazy; ‘ll save me some money ‘n heartache.”

as she reached for the folder, he reached for another garlic knot, pealing it in half and feeding himself a bite. styles were soon splayed before his plate, and he was focused, intrigued, leaning closer over them to inspect.

he nodded, ”yeah, these are nice.”

but her suggestion? below ground-level, like ritual? he figured it'd only make it more tempting to link the businesses. he could already hear rocket's encouragement over his shoulder. it was the last thing he wanted to happen.

”let’s go with the skyscraper style.”

Rita Garnet

☉

as she sipped her margarita, he sipped his whiskey, eyes moving towards their approaching server. setting it back down, he looked back towards rita, smiling at her offer. it was a business gesture, so he wouldn’t refuse.

”ain’t that nice. i’ve never been one to turn down a free meal. much appreciated, miss garnet.” he looked up at the server, flashing a grin similar to rita’s. ”i’ll take the krabby legs, please n’ thank ya.”

as the server left, he leaned back as well, hand resting on his glass.

there would surely be deaths. keeping people from diving into the infinity pool would not prevent the chaos that would ensue given the business’s investors, and the crowd that would inevitably slither in to take over. he already saw it coming.

but it was still exciting. for now, he felt some semblance of control. his vision was coming to fruition.

”well…” he considered, ”it’ll be mine, y’know? ritual’s great ‘n all, but it was never my dream er nothin’. same ole bar, same ole name, sittin’ on that dang ole potholed street they don’t care to fix.”

his eyes drifted out to the ocean. soon enough, he’d be seeing a lot more of it. it was appealing.

”i have ideas, y’know? a vision. i just wanna see it happen.”

he turned back again, tipping up his glass in her direction appreciatively.

”with your help, i’m sure i will.”

Rita Garnet

☉

of course, she would say this, but he smiled back at her support anyways. ”well, thank ya, rita, i appreciate that.”

just as soon as she was digging in, he was cracking krabby legs, and dipping meat in butter. this was his shit. it was easy enough to get them anywhere in slateport, but there was nothing quite like having them right there on the beach. he could practically see one staring at him from a sand dune.

he wiped his mouth with the napkin in his lap.

”always one fer good company.” with a toothy smile, he raised his drink to his lips again.

Rita Garnet

☉