This summer would not let up. Oscar thought Lavaridge had scorching temperatures, little did he know Petalburg was apparantly the sun's vacation home. Geez you could cook an egg on the sidewalk today.

It was so hot, that shelters and parks across the city were offering cooling services for people and pokemon. Once again, Oscar saw an opportunity for profit. Last time he tried this he wasn't given the chance to snatch anything, but this time he was determined to not leave empty handed. 

Oscar arrived at the nearest shelter to him, his dewpider Clovis resting on his shoulder. Signing up to volunteer with his league alias, Samuel Osmin, Oscar was assigned to a cooling station in a park across the street from the shelter. There Oscar stood, watching impatiently as Clovis Soaked overheated pokemon one by one. He was waiting for the best moment to strike, it was only a matter of time before a trainer gets careless and leaves their belongings unattended. 

Or you know, he'll do jack shit like last time.

@adrian

As Oscar watched Clovis mindlessly Soak pokemon, he couldn't help but feel extremely uncomfortable. Where was this feeling coming from? He slowly looked behind his shoulder. Another volunteer was staring at him, very intensely. Oscar squinted as he just as slowly turned back to Clovis, resolving to ignore the bizarre man. 

Except he couldn't, fucker's eyes were searing into his skull. What was his problem? Oscar turned his whole body, quicker this time. "Hey hi, McStares-alot what's up?" Oscar winced and chastised himself in his head; no need to be rude now, maybe this guy was just curious. There was no way of knowing his intentions unless he asked nicely. 

Oscar took a deep breath to push down his social anxiety, "Sorry, I'm just on edge twenty-four-seven. Your staring caught me off guard." Oscar chuckled but decided to hold off on providing a name. He had to make sure this guy was worth the trouble, the less people who actually made a connection of Samuel Osmin the better. Living two lives was a pain.

He wouldn't dismiss the guy though, maybe he'd be a surprising new asset. Ya never know these days.

Adrian Malcolm
Sorry I'm a goof ;-;

Oscar gave Adrian an inquisitive stare, should he trust him with a name? It would be rude not to, and Oscar couldn't stand to return to old habits. Plus the guy had compelling eyes, how could he say no to those saucers? 

"M'Oscar, nice to meet you."

Oscar didn't show it but he immediately realized what he had just done. He used his real name instead of his alias, fuuuuuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. Maybe the guy didn't see the sign up sheet? Shit Oscar think fast THINK FAST!

"Gotta be honest I was just around and they set this up. Felt like a good way to burn a few hours. I'm not a ranger or anything."

Pew, landed that like a majestic fucking wingull. Or at least Oscar thought he did, he guessed he would know if he ended today being chased out of town. As Clovis soaked a rather eager Eevee, Oscar looked around and added, "Some other guy signed up but he fucked off somewhere. Just you and I against an army of overheated pokemon." 

As Oscar said that, the Eevee shook its body to dry its fur. Oscar yelped as water sprayed onto him, a rather karmic gesture considering his original intentions. He eyed the Eevee as it happily trotted off, "Could have waited you little--ugh."

Clovis let out a gurgling sound that could have been laughter, Oscar just sighed as he shook off stray droplets. He should have dressed lighter.

Adrian Malcolm

Oscar sighed as he tried to work through the cold that now clung to him. The hot summer air luckily mitigated the physical discomfort, leaving him with only the emotional discomfort of his humiliation. Even the fucking Vanilluxe that came by harboring popsicles laughed at him, and it was a fucking ice cream cone! 

Oscar noticed Adrian was able to swipe a popsicle, and got the idea to do so himself far too slowly. He turned to reach, only to grab air. The Vanilluxe had already moved on. Talk about adding insult to injury, first it stops to laugh then it just fucks off. Typical. Oscar groaned as he pulled out a cigarette case, opening it to reveal an array of lollipops. He chose a blue one and put the case back in his pocket, popping it in his mouth as soon as he could.

He looked to Adrian as he finished speaking, and while he tried to keep a placid expression he couldn't help but smile. The man really tore apart that popsicle, made Oscar wish he was fast enough to grab one. Oscar thought quickly for a response to Adrian's statement, "It can be boring indoors. There's always something happening out in the world, so I try to stay active and just do what feels right." 

Of course what 'felt right' to Oscar was stealing pokemon, but the charming mannerisms of this stranger had distracted him from his goals. Just like last time. Oscar shrugged after a moment, "Besides, doing stuff like this lets me practice socializing. I've met all kinds of interesting sorts while volunteering. You can never make too many connections." 

Clovis continued to Soak pokemon, wondering when his master was going to give him the command to capture one. That was what they were there for, right?

Adrian Malcolm

Those last fifteen minutes were torture. Oscar constantly felt the urge to talk to Adrian, though whether it was to kill the silence or get to know this intriguing stranger was unknown. Yet he couldn't bring himself to do it, he just felt so awkward. This man made him nervous, and he couldn't place why. He wasn't threatening, in fact he was inviting. Perhaps even a tad alluring. 

Oscar turned beet red, did he have a crush? No sir, nuh uh that wasn't possible. Oscar wasn't capable of such frivolous emotions, he had buried those base fancies a long time ago. They distracted from his ambitions. This rang true, because Oscar had yet to even attempt to steal a pokemon. He was too distracted by Adrian. 

Now Oscar stayed silent out of embarrassment and shame. To engage this man was to humor feelings that should be controlled and ignored. Soon their time was up, and Adrian began to say his good byes. As he began to leave, Oscar clenched his fists. He wanted to say something, against every instinct he had he felt the need to speak out. Perhaps he'd be free for dinner, yes he should ask. He should say anything.

"See ya around, stay safe out there." 

As Oscar turned away he felt a weight off his shoulders. He made his choice. His heartbeat slowed and all was normal again. Only a twinge of melancholy remained after a moment of weakness. He gave Clovis a few pats on his bubble dome, "I'm sick of this place let's go." Clovis made a clicking sound, "Alright, but don't tell the others." Clovis let out a cheer, and the two went off to find some ice cream.

@adrian