Makoto, initially, wasn't entirely sure of what to expect from going to the diner with Howard. The food certainly seemed good - having taken to idly munching on some fries, with their love of crunchy and fried food... Although, the last thing that they expected, was for Howard to ask them for help with... A stalker? Some authority?

For how unseeming and ordinary Howard was outwardly, aside from maybe the whole eye situation, they were surprised that he had drawn that sort of attention at all.

Makoto blinks a bit at the thump of Howard's forehead dropping to the table - caught off guard by the dramatics put forth as Howard made his request. Certainly, if he needed to hide or lose someone, they were the person - but... "I need more information." They spoke simply. "It's a whole different approach if you've somehow got a stalker, versus, uhm... Having attracted attention from... Y'know." From the cops.

That being said though, this was... At the very least, a far more approachable job than the one that Amor Rose had set them up to. "I... don't really need payment, though. Don't know what I'd ask for." They shrug a little with this. While part of this answer was simply them being humble to a fault, they were otherwise genuine about not knowing what they'd want anyhow.

Home, food, safety... Those sorts of things were pretty handled, as far as they felt.

He gave them a flat stare.

"I run the biggest smuggling network in the region. I rake in just as much money every day as Amor Rose does, and I wasn't blessed with the fortune of starting out with a Fortune 500 company. I transport, buy, and sell more illegal substances than anyone else in the region. I also paid for that sandwich Tempest Quinn was eating three weeks ago."

The expensive one from the Paldean sandwich shop in Slateport that cost an arm and a leg. When buying and selling artifacts on the black market had stopped being enough to finance many of Rocket's operations, the admin had spread out and outsourced his network. Wishing Stars, Dynite Ore, and other expensive goods flowed into Sootopolis now.

With Nautica leaving the region and Kyogre's Avatar vanishing, there were few that could actually bring down Rocket's smuggling ships. Cargo flowed freely, barring Mossdeep thanks to its new Gym Leader.

"So why don't I start by paying for those fries?" He smiled nervously. "It's nice to pay for people's stuff."

Especially since he wasn't spending an arm and a leg on rent anymore. Dewford's sheriff was footing that bill, as far as Howard was concerned.

"Rocket is following me. I can take a guess who sent people after me, but they don't like that I'm here in Dewford." Howard rubbed his temples. "They think I'm committing..."

He lowered his voice as he gave Makoto a nervous glance.

"...treason."

---

Makoto Kurumi

To know how much money Howard could make was not much help in Makoto's indecision. In fact, in a way, inherently having more options made it harder! They had spent so long having such simple creature needs, and it was hard to really decide on things beyond that.

But that all being said, as Howard insisted upon at least paying for Makoto's food, they paused... Before nodding. "Alright... Thank you," They responded. Though they would otherwise want to pay for their own food, to avoid burdening others... Perhaps letting Howard have this much would satisfy him, even if only for now..?

Besides, they imagined that helping protect him would more than repay the favor in that...

Though, then came the question of who Howard was fearing. Rocket - the very same Rocket that Makoto was a part of - was suspecting him of treason, due to his activities in Dewford. They couldn't help but feel that very same nervousness that Howard showed on his face; this was a serious matter. Treason could very well mean death, they'd learned a long time ago.

And if whatever Howard was doing ended up truly implicating him in something... Arceus, Makoto couldn't even begin to imagine the possible fallout from that. They could see why Howard wanted their help so badly.

But at the same time, there was the question of... If Makoto accepted, and this all went pear-shaped, what would happen? Would they end up implicated, too..? To endanger what they had now - the stable home and money they had as a result of Rocket, and even their own life...

... Makoto's breath shuddered. "That's... Really serious." They murmured, their uncertainty plain on their face. "Are you actually...?" Actually committing some form of treason? Betraying Rocket in some way...?

If Makoto thought he was, then the admin was well and truly fucked, and he needed their help more than ever.

"No! No! It's not like that, I swear!" His voice was a furious hush as he looked from side to side, as if expecting Rocket spies around every corner. Howard's eye flicked over to Makoto, their eye boring into them. He held up a finger. "Shush. Keep it quiet. I'll explain."

As if Makoto's murmurings could somehow get quieter.

"Makoto, Arceus... no. I'm not betraying Rocket. Never." He'd lied as easily as he breathed. If Howard defected from Rocket, the admin would've been killed before he took one step out of Sootopolis. He was a a cog in the machine, and gears could not act against the whims of the mechanism that held them. "I'm trying to save the region."

He was working with Navy, one of Rocket's biggest enemies, to study Eternatus, to make sure it remained silent and dormant. Yet Rocket likely would not care. His loyalty was shaky, and him moving to Dewford had not assuaged the various admins, beasts, and underbosses that he worked alongside.

But still, Eternatus had to be watched and studied.

For the good of mankind. Eternatus could not move an inch.

"I need unfettered access to the Ultra Deep Sea, which means that Dewford needs to be breached. That way, I can prove my loyalty. Makoto..." He looked at them with a pleading expression. "Do you trust me?"

Loyalty. Friendship. Nebula.

---

Makoto Kurumi