Cap had been in enough tough spots in his life that his shame was well and thoroughly depleted. When push came to shove and the grumble in his belly overshadowed the moths in his wallet, he didn't shirk from foraging a little. A stark lack of stealth went right along with this confidence, and that meant he wasn't being nearly as quiet as he probably should have been while poking through berry bushes in a more-or-less public park. He saw the Kirlia a solid half-second before a hand reached out and curled fingers into the collar of his jacket, jerking him around.

"Man, you gotta be quicker if you want to get the drop on Kirlia," Cap said, an almost apologetic tone tinting his words. He could see the Pokemon disappear into the brush from the corner of his eye. As he turned his attention to his newfound captor, a grin spread across his face, recognition lighting his gaze. "Holy hell, is that Elijah? It's been a Growlithe's age!" He paused and counted on his fingers for a moment, puzzled. "Or maybe longer... How long is that, anyway. Ah, it doesn't matter." He started to open his arms as if to hug Elijah, grinning stupidly, but then thought better of it. "How's Hoenn treating you, old friend? Also mind... letting go of my jacket. It's dry clean only."

Cap smiled and winked. "You know me, I know things." He wasn't about to tell Elijah that they'd met by pure chance. He had a reputation to uphold, after all. If he was going to rebuild his information network in Hoenn, he couldn't have people thinking that things happened to him because of serendipity.

"Look," he said, laughing apologetically. "How about this: I'll lend you my expert services in tracking down that Kirlia again." Cap didn't wait for an answer before digging around in his pocket. A harsh white light flashed for a moment before fading to reveal a Nidorina scowling next to him. Cap gestured, offering to let Elijah lead them further down the way the Kirlia had escaped. "Johto was... getting a little hot. I'm sure you heard about it." He bit the inside of his cheek for a moment. "What are you doing for work here? Other than traipsing through the wilds after fairies, of course."

elijah gardner

"Aw," he said, fluttering his eyelashes at Elijah. "You think you bully me? Cute. Nah, I'm planning on being here long-term. At least as long as I can. I'm getting tired of moving around all the time. Too old for this shit." If Cap had to be honest, he didn't think he'd run into anyone here that he recognized. Hoenn as a region was already big enough on its own, and all his contacts were in Kanto and Johto. At least as far as he knew. After everything that happened in Johto he burned connections with essentially every associate he had, whether they were Team Rocket, League, or somewhere in between.

"I've been picking up some shifts at the bars in Slateport. Trying to connect with new people. Speaking of other things, I need a contact. Things are quieter than they used to be. I can make it worth your while." He grinned and jerked at thumb at Nemesis, who was tramping grumpily behind them, ears swiveling to take in any potential sound around them. She croaked at him, but didn't seem to disagree otherwise. Her toxins, he knew, could be useful in whatever weird concoctions Elijah needed to cook up at the time. And if he needed to sweeten the pot, he had Narcissus to offer as another source of venom.

elijah gardner

He chuckled at Elijah, but didn't fall for the bait. Not this time, at least. Instead, he tossed his companion an all-too-withering glare as he passed by the held branch, one that was so melodramatic he didn't worry Elijah might take it the wrong way.

His typically cheery demeanor darkened. He half-glanced over his shoulder. "Batshit insane?" They hadn't been terribly close, but they'd been in it together, at least. What could be so bad here that Elijah was warning him off it now? Regardless, he continued down the crowded path, angled slightly so the creeping branches wouldn't catch his clothes. "I like new people," he said. "What tires me out is recreating an entire whisper network from fucking scratch. I don't even know most of the Rockets here."

Nemesis grumbled and snuffled at the ground, trying to find the scent of the Kirlia. Her lip curled as she looked up to meet the Dhelmise's eyes.

elijah gardner

Of course Cap was completely ignorant of the deeper goings on of Team Rocket. Whether that would have changed his mind was up for debate, but he was nothing if not stubborn. When Elijah relented, Cap whispered a yes and almost clapped before he remembered they were on the hunt and thought better of it. The hand on his shoulder, however, was and instantly-sobering touch. He held Elijah's gaze for a moment, letting the full weight of the statement sink in. Then, he moved to cup Elijah's face in his hands, smiling sweetly.

"When have I ever embarrassed you?" A hesitation. "Don't answer that. It's gonna be fine, I've been doing this a long time. Have a little faith." And just like that, as if on cue, the bushes parted and the Kirlia appeared, practically highlighted by a beam of perfect sunlight. Cap glanced over his shoulder at Elijah and gestured as if to say See? I told you. Nemesis squared up on the Kirlia and Cap sent her into battle with a celebratory fist bump. With Dhelmise to tag-team, Nemesis' Poison Fang would make quick work of the other Pokemon, and they would be heading back to proper civilization with a valuable Pokemon⁠—and, for Cap, even more valuable connections—in tow.

elijah gardner