All things considered, he thought things were going rather well. Not really a matter of optimism, he simply was confident in his ability to weasel out of bad situations. Whether or not that included his circumstantial partner in crime, well... he was only responsible for one person in this predicament. It was nice to do things with a partner for once, after all, when things got dicey, he just had to be the one that got away.[break][break]
"Now, who said anything about unguarded?" Rook was, first and foremost, an actor. With a stage-presence befitting someone far more qualified than him. It wasn't his fault if they fell for the con. However, in this case, he was rather disappointed that idle chit-chat turned out to not be credible information for a heist. "I know though, it's so strange. Why would they lie to me?" He was such a trust worthy guy.[break][break]
"Keep 'em busy will you?" He asked to the Haunter that was trailing behind them. There was nothing the Oogie enjoyed quite as much as being a terror, so at least he could count on that slowing them down. Rook relied heavily upon an ill-conceived and ungodly level of luck, which had often seemed to follow him as misguidedly as his own pokemon did.
[break][break]Apparently, however, having a partner did not inherent the same level of lucky breakthroughs. "Rides?" He looked down at the sole remaining pokemon companion he'd thought to bring along with him, a Nickit. Not exactly big enough to ride. "Ethically, no."


[break][break]

+ Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Somethings, things happened for a reason. Maybe, just maybe he was to blame for how this was going down. It was definitely doubtful, but the thought was still worthy of entertaining. Considering this was far from the first time he'd been caught, well maybe it was about time to consider the logistics of his plans. They didn't really work out, it wasn't fair. He tried his hardest and people continued to suspect and retaliate against him. What unfair and biased prejudice.
[break][break]
I smell a rat. Well that was rude, he took showers after dives in dumpsters, no need to call names. In his head, he had his own plan cooking. Yet the blonde didn't seem to care to ask him what he was planning to do before spawning a giant bat to carry him to freedom. Maybe he wasn't rude after all. It was very considerate of him to assist Rook's getaway without worrying about his own. Rook could happily say his plan had not factored the other's safety in so... maybe he was the bad person?
[break][break]
"Oh, no worries. I just know you'll figure it out." Maybe he was the bad person, because it really didn't concern him otherwise. True, it was nice to have a partner for these heists but they were always so messy. It was easier with his pokemon, tailored to make the job easier by pure ghostly charm.
[break][break]
Before he could add anything else, he was being lifted up into the air. He had never flown before so it was intriguing. Now that he was thinking about it... his Haunter probably could have done something like this. Oh well. "Just put me down riiiiight about there. Yeah, thank you." He wondered if his companion was fairing as well.

[break][break]

+ Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

It was true, it turned out he preferred his feet on the ground. Where was his sense of adventure? On the ground, where it belonged. Despite that and the situation that had led them there, this was one of the easier missions he'd ever assigned himself. Maybe that was the ease that came with having a partner for once. Looking down at the other grappling not far below, that looked like a lot more work so he was content with the easier job of simply hanging in there.
[break][break]
"I do love razzle dazzle." He admitted as if it went without saying. He did not look or seem the type without flair and he prided himself on his own dramatics. In all seriousness, which he could in fact manage from time to time, he observed the space behind them. The attention amassed closest to the gallery. One of the art pieces Rook had nabbed was still comfortable rolled on the tube at his back. Lam wouldn't appreciate him stealing someone else's hard work, but he didn't need to know that. It helped that he was over the initial discomfort of literally flying with his feet dangling in the air.
[break][break]
"Detour might be useful, not initially but they're trained to set up a boundary crime scene. Too straight forward and we lead them right to us with the right pokemon." Still, he looked up at the bat, hoping that it was going to peeter out on him anytime soon.

[break][break]

+ Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Rook watched in passive surprise at the little magic trick as one by one the flashlights were swapped and broken. As a man easily captivated by magic tricks, he had to admit he admired Isaac’s pizazz. It was nearly as gaudy as his own, and that was thought with a venerational air, of course. He clapped a little, like the easily entertained audience that he was. “Good show, standing… flying ovation.” He corrected himself, which reminded him he was still dangling at a leg-breaking, body-shattering distance.
[break][break]
As the Crobat veered to a standstill, moving back towards his owner, Rook began scouting for his usual spots. Finally he pointed to the door at the back of an alley leading into the local bar. “A lot of this part is renovated from old Slateport, that door leads to a maintenance route that should take us outside of the police boundary. It’s not common knowledge, so it shouldn’t be taken into account during their search. What do you think?” It was a bit of a gamble, after all it could also easily scream “use me, criminals” and lead the police right to them.
[break][break]
That was always a gamble. “Ooor, we can hunker down in the bar until the heat is off, I know the owner.” Said owner also only begrudgingly allowed him entry because he knew that it was an illegal front, but that didn’t really matter, did it?


[break][break]

+ Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","pokeclass"]