This part of Slateport wasn't the safest to be around - the most dangerous, actually - but it was one Hideo knew decently well. Well enough to know where to find Pokemon supplies for cheaper than most other places. Such frugal shopping served him well when he was on a tighter (inconsistent) budget. And after a rash of poison-type-pokemon on his walk routes, he needed to restock on antidotes.

Obviously, there were certain precautions to take: be careful of people on the street hawking stuff to you, watch out for any wild Pokemon running about, treat anyone asking for help with skepticism - even if that last part did make him a bit uncomfortable. An Orbeetle floated around him, both guiding him along through Telepathy and serving as protection.

He was alerted to the girl rushing towards him pretty quickly - as well to the Pokemon she carried on her back. It didn't seem in the best condition.

Before he could ask what happened, he felt her grab his shoulders. His Orbeetle was already floating closer, ready to shove her off if Hideo asked for it.

Hideo hesitated for a moment, noticing the wad of paper shoved onto his chest. He caught it with one hand, feeling that it was indeed money - way more than it cost for an antidote.

Though the situation did appear to be right, Hideo was still a bit uneasy. But who was he to refuse to help someone? Not like he was lacking on antidotes right now. He knew better than to just swing his bag in front of him - didn't want to risk it getting taken.

"Oh, uh…ok. I just got a bunch. My Orbeetle can grab one."

The Orbeetle was clearly not pleased with that order, its face scrunched in displeasure, but it did as was asked, lowering down to Hideo's level and rummaging through his bag until it found one - still keeping an eye on the girl as it did so. It floated it over to the girl.

"So, uh, what happened?"

Harper Mann

Squinting eyes stared into the girl's, even as the Orbeetle carried the antidote over. Her urges didn't make him float any faster, and he was not pleased with how rudely she took the antidote. There was no middle finger for a two-digit appendage, so a single raised finger would have to do.

Hideo could hear her take the bottle, feeling her tight grip leave his shoulder. He pocketed the cash wad she'd given him, kneeling down as she laid her Pokemon down.

"By 'bullies', are you talking Pokemon, or a bunch of people?" Both were common in these parts if you weren't careful, but the latter could be more of a problem soon. "Maybe not best to stick around here if they're still looking for you."

He could only hope this shopping run didn't turn into a large-scale battle.

Be could feel his Orbeetle close his bag for him - the Pokemon still watching the girl. "Antidotes usually work pretty quickly…but uh, they just stop the poison from doing more damage if it's just run-of-the-mill Pokemon poison. You need other stuff like potions if you wanna get'em back in shape." Something he didn't have on hand.

"Pretty sure there's a Pokemon Center close by you could go to to get that healing done. If you think whatever attacked you is still looking for you, I could escort you there."

His Orbeetle glanced over at him, a small exhale escaping its mouth. Not what it would've wanted to do, but if that's what Hideo wanted…

Harper Mann

Both. A bunch of thugs, no doubt. There was no shortage of them in this part of Slateport, and Hideo knew where to go to avoid them - or how to dissuade them from choosing him as a mark. "Probably better not to stick around the same spot then," Hideo noted aloud. "Always the chance they are looking for you. If they aren't we'd just gotta be careful about going where you met them."

A Pokemon Center was the perfect place to go to for safety. And healing after evading the danger.

Hideo couldn't resist smiling at the girl's overconfidence. He didn't need to be paid for helping, but he wasn't going to refuse if she outright offered it. "Well, if you're gonna pay me for protection, I guess I can be a mercenary for a bit~. 'Specially if you only really need me to watch your back on the way there, if you already know the way there."

Sounded like an easy-enough job to do. He'd probably make back what he'd spent on the antidotes too.

"Doubt they'd play fair if they're ambushing people in the streets like that. I'm ready to help escort ya when you're ready to go."

His Orbeetle was non-too-thrilled by his trainer's antics, rolling his eyes - but he'd follow along, staying close to Hideo as it kept a lookout for any threats.

Harper Mann

For a moment, Hideo paused. He knew a decent amount of terminology in Slateport, but "bolt hole" was a new one to him. It did give him the hint that she was a lot more familiar with this area than she was letting on. Not that that told him much; he knew the area decently enough to know where to get good discounts on stuff.

"Nah, I get it; gotta keep your Pokemon safe. Can't fight every battle." Not while carrying around a weakened Pokemon that needed medical attention. "We got more important stuff to do than battle some thugs anyways."

With her confirmation, she was off - leaving Hideo in her dust, so to say. "H-hey, wait!" Hideo protested, rushing ahead. "You already know where to go?!" He tried to chase after her, nearly rushing right into a dumpster before his Orbeetle warned him, the boy making a sharp turn to get around.

"And I can't escort you if you're running all the way ahead!" He was supposed to be beside her at the very least, in case any thugs showed up!

Not to mention at this pace, she'd get to the Center before he did - making him the rotten Exeggcute.

Harper Mann

It took some effort, but Hideo was able to catch up to his charge with the aid of his Orbeetle. She moved through the place pretty quickly; either she was super-dextrous, or she really did know a lot more than she was letting on.

It made his job easier, at least; didn't have to worry about his charge getting lost.

"Dunno what I'd do without my Pokemon either." As much as he knew about the backstreets here, he did not want to walk them without a Pokemon out all the time - most often one that could also guide him around.

The mention of those assholes possibly being nearby caught his attention, stopping the boy. "Was this where you got in a fight with them before?" he asked. "If there's no way around here…I got an idea."

He turned to his Orbeetle. "Orby, go up and get a view of the area. Let us know if there's any suspicious people around."

The Orbeetle glanced at the girl first - the first suspicious person it could think of. It then floated up in the area, getting an Orbeetle's-eye-view of the area - and using its Telepathy, it'd warn the kids of any suspicious individuals that may be waiting about.

Harper Mann