even if he doesn't look the part, uri is perceptive! as a detective should be. he notices things and one of those things is how the blood suddenly stops trickling down the side of the man's face.

"wait—"

but there's nothing to be done. the containers fall into the water, and uri's mission has failed.

his dusknoir circles back over towards him, standing guard.

"why don't you give me your name before you leave, hotshot?"

bryan delarosa
mission!

☉

the mention of GABRIEL BLACK catches him a little off guard. still, he's able to keep his composure, nodding in response.

"sure! i'll ask him if he's free."

but they both already know the answer to that.

the wooper that appears is cute so uri decides to capture it. like his sister, he chooses the friendly approach and offers it a berry. it hops on over, ready to gobble it up.

"when was the last time you saw him, by the way?"

gabrielle black
catching wooper!

☉

"don't!"

but the delibird decides to take things into its own feathery hands. this, of course, starts the vicious attack.

"CHAD!"

uri takes a step forward, making sure to position himself between the pack and his sister. he has to keep her safe — that's his number one priority.

his machamp leaps ahead to KNOCK OFF some of the lycanroc.

gabrielle black
mission!

☉

the explanation settles slowly, seeping through with each passing second. it'll take a while but he'll eventually understand.

until then, the interrogation continues.

kyle asks the right questions, the questions that are meant to be asked. uriah, on the other hand? tin foil hat-wearing-uriah?

"what do you mean all eyes? what or who else is watching us?"

kyle lopez

☉

fuck.

conflicted, uri eventually decides to run back to Finley Black. nothing beats his protectiveness over his siblings, not even the chance of catching whoever caused this fire.

it's too bad that he realizes that a little too late.

"finn?!"

because his brother's gone.

"FINN!"

bryan delarosa
++ going back to find Finley Black LOL
++ AQUA RING to keep them safe from the flames

☉

just like old times.

it's proving to be a nice little escape from his daily life that's recently become quite...boring. is boring the right word? it feels repetitive and tiring even if he knows he's doing good for slateport.

he does his best not to think about work right now.

"exactly like when we were little. except now i know these cute sounds are just them trying to do the nasty."

@jessica

☉

the punch connects, causing his cheek to cut open a little. as blood begins to leak from the wound, he reaches a hand up to wipe it, smearing it in the process.

"fuck you!"

sloppily, he throws a punch in return.

"get off my boat!"

bryan delarosa
mission!

☉

mister three shots DEEP.

it's four now.

and it'll only keep going.

he downs it after the toast.

"i'll see you again, i'm sure."

Stormy Silph

☉

"they've been good! but i find that the shots help people loosen up a bit."

they've certainly helped him. from a stammering mess on the first date to a relatively fluent idiot.

speaking of shots...he finds two more and places one in front of stormy.

"this one's going good so far, right?"

Stormy Silph

☉

"being a hermit sounds kinda nice..."

not like he could ever do it. he's too ingrained in the luxuries that come with being the heir of the esteemed black family.

"mostly pleasure and a night out. maybe we could meet up after this because i'm already like three shots in."

Stormy Silph

☉

imagine going on a date with a celebrity, speed date or otherwise. he blinks, taking a moment to register his date before finally taking her hand in his.

"i'm uri! please, sit."

he sits as well.

"i gotta say i wasn't expecting to run into an elite four! what brings you here, stormy?"

Stormy Silph

☉

smoke around them is buffeted away by milotic's constant AQUA RINGS. it gives them enough space for finn to attempt to regain his bearings, to calm his panic.

"what? shut up! you aren't a bother — don't be dumb, bro."

he pats finn's shoulder, attempting to snap him out of it.

"i have to help a friend. can you move?"

bryan delarosa
++ trying to go after kyle lopez
++ AQUA RING to keep them safe from the flames

☉