[attr="class","yuki-icon"]

[attr="class","yuki-text"]


Pulling away from Elijah, the red-haired girl took a moment to admire the handiwork her male mission partner had conjured up. She smiled, enjoying how the flower appeared in her crimson locks of hair. It might have been just a little over-the-top, but it would suffice for the people they were attempting to appear as. Decked in pink and purple, this floral uniform was definitely more vibrant than the colors she'd usually wear. [break][break]

"For a tough-looking guy like you, you really do have a gentle touch," Nova stated in a whisper, perhaps taking a bit of a risk in doing so. She was just telling him what was on her mind and didn't mean any harm in doing so. She grinned, "Thanks for the help." [break][break]

Following him, Nova gazed down at the pots of greenery where they'd disguised and his smuggled Pokemon. It would most definitely be uncomfortable for them, she thought. The girl just hoped that whomever their contractor was, they'd treat these monsters with a least a little bit of kindness.[break][break]

Elijah's words pulled Nova back to reality. Up ahead was a group of police patrollers. [break][break]

Nova smirked. Now was her time to perform. "Don't worry, I've got this all down." She reassured. "My name's 'Saffron' and you're 'Aster'. We're gardeners from Little Root who've traveled to Slateport to sell our plant goods." She gave him a side-eye, "Got that, Aster?" [break][break]

As they walked forward, one of the nearby officers stood at attention against a wall. His arms were crossed. Nova could tell he had his eyes on them. She caught the officer's gaze, a conjured up a surprisingly sweet expression, eyes gentle with a soft smile. He turned away. [break][break]

"People always feel uncomfortable if you do that," Nova whispered to Elijah. "We'd ought to keep our eyes open. There might be a checkpoint or two closeby."

[attr="class","yuki-icon"]

[attr="class","yuki-text"]


They continued onward. The further down the Lower District Elijah and Nova traveled, the more the two would notice the different people and Pokemon passing through. Even in these hours nearing to evening, atmosphere was bubbly and thriving. Patrons were walking to and fro, checking out the different stands and bazaars that lay around for their shopping needs. Nova realized that she really hadn't even been to this area of Hoenn before. She smiled slightly. It reminded her of home. [break][break]

"Hmm?" Nova perked up, turning to her partner. "Oh, that? It was nothing. I just like acting," She uttered out with a slight shrug. "I've studied drama and psychology. If I acted like a gentle saleswoman, they'd feel guilty for even having a fleeting feeling of suspicion." Nova giggled. "It just takes a little practice, I guess. I'm just thankful they thought I was good enough to work for Rocket..." [break][break]

They were getting closer to the Battle Hut. She heard one of their plants rattle on the cart. She took a brief look. [break][break]

"I know, I know. We're not supposed to and all," Nova began with a slight groan, concerned expression washing about her face, "But do you think it would hurt to just check up on them? Just for a sec'? It would be awful to be all cramped up in there."

[attr="class","yuki-icon"]

[attr="class","yuki-text"]


Nova approached, kneeling down just a little to get a closer look at the mouse Pokemon that had been caged in its glass box. The poor thing look so upset, she thought with a frown. She couldn't let it out... No, that would compromise their mission. But maybe she could offer it something as condolence for this tough time it'd been going through.[break][break]

"It's gotta be hungry..." [break][break]

Nova reached through her pockets and retrieved a chocolate bar. She was planning on saving it for later and for herself, but she cared more for this little creature at the moment. Slowly, she opened the food's packaging and slightly lifted the insulated lid of the boX Raichu had been kept in to push in a small bit of food into it. "Here, have a bite, buddy," She whispered down at it kindly. [break][break]

The little rodent saw it and approached cautiously. But what it did next was not anticipated. As it got closer to the meal Nova was offering, Raichu actually bit her hand so that she'd drop the whole bar. Nova winced and quickly recoiled, leaving just enough time for Raichu to grab the rest of the bar and squeeze itself out of the opening. With the bar held in its mouth, it started off down an alley on all fours. [break][break]

"Agh! Dammit," Nova cursed, looking at the slight amount of blood the little monster had drawn on her hand. That was obviously the least of her problems at the moment, though. It was escaping. [break][break]

The redhead shook her head. That Raichu must have certainly been agitated from beforehand. She only had herself to blame now. She turned to look at Elijah with an awkward grin, "Ehm, I'll take care of this, don't worry," [break][break]


Oh, they'd kill a newbie like her if she came back with a failed mission... [break][break]

With her non-injured hand, Nova quickly summoned up a Pokeball of her own. Dragonite would be too conspicuous and she was afraid Mimikyu might just scare the Raichu even more. So, Nova brought out Flare, her Growlithe. [break][break]

"After that Raichu!" She ordered at the fire pup who barked happily. Raichu wasn't too far off, and Nova didn't imagine that it would be able to escape with a whole lot of ease, given its likely worn-out condition. Growlithe ran down one of the plaza's darker allies after the electric rat. [break][break]

"Make sure you catch it, Flare!" She muttered. Nova turned to the green-haired man again. "I trust my Flare. We should keep the cart going so that we don't lag behind."

[attr="class","yuki-icon"]

[attr="class","yuki-text"]


"A-Ah... Yeah, 'we'll'," Nova replied with a nervous look in eyes when Elijah corrected her. She was a little taken aback by the grip on her arm. She hoped he wasn't pissed with her; no one liked it when a partner screwed up a plan that affected both of them. At least she acknowledged the brief bit of concern he seemed to have about her wound. Nova nodded. Luckily for her, it was nothing serious. [break][break]

Just as Nova was getting ready to pursue the three Pokemon on feet, she felt a force lift her up. [break][break]

"W-Wah? What are you doing?!" She stammered, now in the wheelbarrow. Before she had an opportunity to protest, Elijah was off, carting her and the other parcels down the alley at top speed. [break][break]

Nova forced herself into not yelping and shrank her body down into the wooden vehicle, heeding the man's words and holding onto its sides. What the hell did she just get herself into? [break][break]

In the meantime, Growlithe continued its pursuit. It was agile too and dodged the trashcans-turned-obstacles. When Raichu attempted to leap up to higher ground, the dog-mon opened its mouth to reveal jaws that were now flaming. It used Fire Fang and attempted to bite onto the mouse's tail, tugging it in a backward direction. It gave Frogadier an opening for an action of its own. Raichu resisted of course; Flare could only hold on for so long.

[attr="class","yuki-icon"]

[attr="class","yuki-text"]


They practically glid across their path with how quickly Elijah wheeled the barrow around after the Pokemon. Some of the petals that had been elegantly weaved into Nova's ruby-red hair fluttered off with the wind. Thankfully she'd been holding on tight so the only casualty was a few overturned and cracked pots. They neared their mouse target and Nova let out a sigh of relief. "There it is." [break][break]


With Frogadier's strong attack, down the Raichu went. Growlithe had its dark eyes on it, jumping up midair to catch it off guard with a Bite attack. The puppy held onto his target with a tight grip, not wanting it to escape. He let go when the water-frog delivered a final blow, pinning down the Raichu for good. [break][break]

"H-Huh?" [break][break]

Nova glanced at Elijah with a bit of a confused expression. Wouldn't catching it be against the point of the mission? She shuffled into the pocket of her disguise, retrieving a free Pokeball. The young lady supposed it would be easier to cover up than the mess this operation was panning out to be. [break][break]

She sighed. [break][break]

"I guess you're right," Nova spoke, defeated. She knew that, deep inside, she really didn't want to give this Raichu up to a complete stranger either. From her cross-legged position in the wooden veichle, Nova threw the Pokeball at Raichu in hopes of a catch.

[attr="class","yuki-icon"]

[attr="class","yuki-text"]


Having gently slipped out of the wooden cart, Nova knelt down to retrieve her capture. Holding it for a moment in her palms, her crimson eyes gazed at the Pokeball intently. Raichu must have been terrified throughout its journey. She wasn't perfect... But she was determined to provide it a safer environment. Flare pressed its nose against the girl's gardener trousers to get her attention. The Growlithe wagged its tail happily. [break][break]

"Yeah, yeah, you did well!" She commended with a smile, patting the fire dog's head lovingly. The young Rocketess stowed Raichu's Pokeball into her pocket and turned to Elijah. [break][break]

She could hear the incoming footsteps too. It was high time for them to book it and escape unseen. "You're right," She said, quickly walking over to the wheelbarrow. Nova grinned at her green-haired partner. "Thanks for all your help, Aster. I could use another ride!" [break][break]

Nova slipped in and so did Flare, finding a comfortable spot in the girl's lap. Before long, the two could feel the barrow begin to move. They were off.