This job wasn't unusual for Oscar. As a career criminal, he had escorted his fair share of 'delicate cargo'. In this case it was a pokemon, though rather uniquely it wasn't revealed which pokemon was being smuggled. It was already loaded up, and Oscar's only duty was to transport it. Didn't matter to Oscar either way, a job is a job. Besides, he learned long ago not to question what he was being asked to do by Rocket.

He was given a partner for this mission, and he was a rather fascinating individual. The dude looked like a elf, like straight out of a fantasy novel. So much so that Oscar kinda stared a tad too long, he was just that astounded. He forced his eyes away eventually, embarrassed that he stared for that long. It was that residual embarrassment that kept Oscar from being social during the drive, he didn't want that moment to be acknowledged. In fact the less he had to make himself look like a fool in front of the elf man the better to be honest.

Yet the silence made the drive long. The delicate night atmosphere would have made it a pleasant voyage, but Oscar was too busy focusing on trying not to seem like a creep. He nursed a lollipop between his teeth, slowly drinking the juice it created to keep himself occupied. Inevitably, the elf man broke the silence as they entered a tunnel. 

Oscar winced, trying not to seem to nervous. He had to answer, it was best not to be rude. "Lots of times. Both the driver and the escort. Just another day in the life." Oscar wanted to continue the silence after that, but he doubted the elf man would be satisfied with his lack of social ambition. Reluctantly, Oscar pushed the conversation forward. "Name's Oscar by the way. Haven't seen you around before, you new?" 

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As they left the tunnel behind, Oscar side eyed his passenger. He noted he didn't introduce himself, but decided to put that aside. Can't expect everyone to be as open as he was in this line of work. If Oscar was being honest, he could probably afford to be more selective with who he shared his name with. 

Oscar looked back to the road, rolling his lollipop back and forth against his cheeks. The elf asked another question, and while Oscar was reluctant he decided to continue the humor him. "Yeah been around a while. You'll get easy jobs like this from time to time, but most jobs have a higher risk." 

Oscar adjusted in his seat, his back was starting to ache. It had only been a short while, but with how far they had left to drive Oscar felt like they had already been on the road for ages. He let out a yawn; the darkness mixed with the endless road and no other drives was starting to lure Oscar into a hypnotic state. 

"What brought you to Rocket? I assume it would be for the whole glory and wealth thing higher ranked grunts go on about, but then again everyone has their reasons." He continued the small talk not to get to know the elf, but to keep himself stimulated while he drove. However he could not deny that he was curious. After all, why would someone this radiant want to work with the likes of Team Rocket? 

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Oscar raised an eyebrow at the elf's answer. Family? Yeah sure. Air puffed out of Oscar's nose, you know the same sound you make when you see a funny meme or something. If that was actually his reason, the elf was in for a rude awakening. Rocket always had Oscar's back, but they weren't family. If a grunt was in hot water, most of the other grunts would let them drown. Oscar included, if we're being honest here.

Oscar didn't pry further, regardless of if it was his actual reasoning or not he doubted the elf would provide elaboration. It wasn't much his business anyway. The elf returned the question, and Oscar clenched his teeth. He was tempted to make something up, but then again what did Oscar have to hide? He hadbeen open up until this point, no reason to close up now.

"Like I said, wealth and glory." His eyes seemed glazed as he stared into the road, the dark atmosphere outside turning from nostalgic to foreboding as he reflected on his motivations. "I'm a simple man, I want power and money because I was raised without any. Rocket provides a steady flow of both, even if my thirst outreaches what I get." Oscar's hands tightened on the steering wheel, "That thirst gnaws at me, and I do anything I can to quench it. It's that feeling of temporary satisfaction that makes it worth it. Relief from my ambition." 

Oscar relaxed and sighed deeply, "Takes forever though not gonna lie. Everything has to be earned, and sometimes the effort I make doesn't always get me far. I just keep at it, I mean I got this far haven't I?" Oscar furrowed his brow, it occurred to him that he might be oversharing. It happens, no one really tries to get to know his motivations or any of that shit. He pulled back, his tone becoming more distant as he blushed ever so slightly.

"I won't bore you with any of that nonsense."

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Oscar regarded the question with a chortle. It was harsh, as if he were mocking someone. That was not his intention though, rather he was displaying his feelings about his trajectory within the organization. "Well let's put it this way. Once I was in the passenger seat, now I'm driving the truck. Huge leap clearly." 

Oscar's tone was sarcastic, but he wasn't exactly wrong. Not just any grunt could be trusted to 'drive the truck'. They needed to be trusted to get to the destination and complete the transaction. Newbies tended to think more about themselves than of Rocket's interests. In the past new recruits were known to take the pokemon they were supposed to transport, so higher ranked grunts were now also assigned to make sure the job got done.

Oscar did not see any honor or prestige in this, instead he felt underutilized. He had worked so hard to rise above the rank of grunt, yet here he was driving a truck to deliver some random pokemon. This was why he wanted to become a Beast so badly, so he didn't have to do basic jobs any more. Yet he had to withhold his frustration. After all, he wouldn't want to sour the experience of the new recruit. 

Oscar made a 'tsk' sound with his mouth, "But don't worry, I'm sure you'll rise quickly. You got that vibe, y'know?" Oscar wasn't sure how far the elf would go to be honest, he just didn't want him to feel discouraged. Oscar exited the highway and got onto the frontage road. "We're close, hold on." 

He made a right turn, and the road eventually turned from pavement to dirt. A mile in they would come upon another dingier truck sitting in the middle of the road. Oscar stopped the truck a few feet away, "Wait here. Stay alert just in case." Oscar exited the truck and approached the client, a strange looking old man smoking near the dingier vehicle. The two bantered for a bit, an exchange Oscar partook in just to be polite. He didn't put up with it for long, wanting to get this whole exchange over with. 

The two went to the back of the rocket truck and opened the back, revealing the pokemon Oscar had been transporting. Oscar helped move the cage, bring it in full view of the passenger's seat as he brought it to the man's truck. 

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When the elf boy got out of the car, Oscar's eyes narrowed. His heart momentarily quickened, did the elf notice something he didn't? Oscar spoke his concern out loud, "What's up did you see some-" 

The boy interrupted him, claiming that he wanted to buy the cargo. Oscar's expression grew irritated, that's what he burst out here for? "You've got to be kidding me, there's no way you could-" Interrupted again, a flash of rage appearing over Oscar's face until he registered what elf boy said. Oscar's expression quickly turned perplexed, any offer hm? Very interesting.

The boy seemed fixated on the ninetails, and the ninetails seemed infatuated with him. It did nothing to soften Oscar's heart or anything, but it gave him the impression the boy was serious. Oscar sighed deeply, "Yeah alright, if you can beat this guy's bid it's yours."

Oscar's customer, baffled at the event unfolding before him, babbled incoherently in enraged protest. With mild roughness, Oscar swung his arm around the man's shoulders and pulled him aside. There was a lot of whispering, though it was mostly Oscar just filling the man in on a special shipment coming in the very next week. He'd be able to get the good before anyone else thanks to Oscar's tips.

The man huffed, but he seemed placated. The man got into his truck and drove past the duo without further incident. Oscar looked to the boy, his eyes leering as if deciding something. His choice was made quickly, his expression softening into a smile. "You're lucky I'm the rank I am, you'd probably be fired for pulling something like that by anyone higher." Oscar walked past the boy, "Go ahead and get it into a ball and hop in. I'll drive us back." Oscar opened the drivers side door, stopping before entering the truck.

"After your payment of course." He grinned climbed into his seat. 

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