One of Cap's favorite things about the bar was the noise. As he passed out drinks, he caught snippets of conversation here, pieces of gossip there. In the back corner, a quiet, hasty breakup; near the bar, the local Casanova was wooing the latest object of his affection. The protection from the racket outside leaves just enough quiet for Cap to eavesdrop on every table he passes. Bars were microcosms, just little pieces of the greater circle of life. He gave Rangi a little pat on the head as the Pikachu delivered a small stack of empty shot glasses before bounding off across the tables again.

A pale woman slid up to the bar with a nod, and a twinge of familiarity hit Cap instantly. He brushed it off with a "Comin' right up." He'd met a lot of people in his travels, and from time to time a face stuck out in the crowd that he was sure he knew. More often than not, it was just one of those faces. But as he poured the bourbon, he couldn't get the itch out of the back of his mind. Trying not to draw too much attention, he snuck another look. A grin touched the corners of his lips. As he moved to set the glass down, he hesitated, a move clearly meant to draw her attention. The glass⁠—he'd poured it on the heavier side—hit the countertop with a soft thunk.

"Do I know you?" Cap didn't try to hide the shit-eating grin.

"Ah, must be my mistake," he said with a shrug, seemingly satisfied with the answer. You still want to keep me waiting? "Wouldn't dream of it." He released the glass and took a half-step back to let her enjoy her drink. As he grabbed another patron's dirty pint glass from the counter and put it under the bar, he couldn't shake the feeling that he knew her. He met scores of people, of course, that was his job; but it meant he was usually good with faces, if not as much with names.

Cap made his way down the bar, refreshing drinks and picking up glasses as he went. He didn't think he met her in Johto, though he'd spent most of his time there. He certainly hadn't encountered her in Hoenn yet, that he would have remembered. Kanto, though... He grinned to himself, making his way casually back to where Emma was sitting.

"Well, stranger," he said pointedly."What brings you into the Murkrow Bar? I'm Caprice Isaac, by the way. Everyone calls me Cap." He produced another glass from beneath the bar and set it on the counter top, caddy-corner to Emma's. He poured a couple of fingers of bourbon for himself, taking a quick sip before settling his forearms on the bar.

"Hit up strangers?" he repeated, tilting his head slightly. "I talk to just about everyone. That's half my job, you know. The slinging drinks, that's the easy part." He took a sip from his glass, running his finger along the rim. The heat of the drink slid down his throat, spreading across his chest in a comfortable embrace.

Wordlessly, he took her glass from the counter top and placed it in the bin under the bar. He grabbed a fresh glass and poured her another drink, sliding it back towards her. There was no attempt this time to hold her drink hostage. He returned to his spot on the bar, leaning over his drink.

"I don't know if you've been there before, but there's a place about two blocks down, in a side alley. It's called Anchor Management. There's a Dhelmise on the sign, it's pretty great." Cap took another sip and chuckled to himself. "It's a dive for sure; small and dark and not very well-kept as far as appearances go. But it's quiet. There's a lot of... well your type in there. They don't let me pick up shifts there anymore." He winked and shot Emma a finger-gun.

"Your work in the public sector then? Most folks come to bars for the company." The only people he'd met who went out for personal space were the ones who were inundated with people on the daily. Or the occasional hermit.

Cap let his eyes roam out over the crowd at the bar. They had mostly all settled into their respective areas—between the still-deserted karaoke stage and the scattered groups of people. Rangi finally skipped his way across the tabletops back to the bar. He'd been far too preoccupied getting scratches from someone at the far end of the bar to notice that Cap was talking to someone. The Pikachu deposited an empty cup on the bar before planting himself in front of Emma and tilting his head.

"Your type?" He paused for a moment, drumming his fingers on his chin. "You know, people of few words, introverts, the observant. The sort of folks that go anywhere for a quiet drink." Cap patted Rangi's head idly before putting the delivered cup with his own behind the bar. He didn't refill his glass—at least not yet.

"I've been doing this a while. The only people who don't want to chat when they come into a bar are the ones who have to work with people all damn day. Not surprising really," he mused before taking another drink. "What do you do for work, anyhow?" He gestured to Emma's glass, eyebrows raised as if to say ready for a refill?

Rangi paused and tilted his head, pinning Emma with a look. Clearly, he wasn't used to people who didn't want to pay attention to him. After sitting there for a moment, he was sure that she had no intention of giving him the affection he clearly deserved (she reached around him!). He gave a little grumble, then scampered away to find someone who would properly coo over him. The way it was meant to be.

Cap chuckled to himself at the implication of silent coworkers, but didn't press the issue further. He'd been around the block enough to know that tone. "I've got my share of dirt under my nails," he said. Then, with a wink and a broad grin, he said "Gardening is dirty work, after all!" He picked up Emma's empty glass, but hesitates as he sets the clean glass down on the bar. Holding up a finger, he rummaged around behind the counter for a pen and paper. He scribbled down his name and number, then filled the fresh glass with another couple of fingers of bourbon. He slid both back across the counter to Emma with a smile.

"If you're ever in need of a coworker who's a little less silent, give me a call." A customer down the bar caught his eye and he nodded a greeting to them. "Those drinks are on the house," he said, rapping his knuckles on the counter in front of Emma before making his way down the bar to help the other customer.