Cap leaned his elbows onto the edge of the bar across from her, flashing Remi a toothy grin. "I don't think you have. Which is a shame, really." He clinked his glass against hers and took a slow sip. Damn that was good. "Caprice Isaac," he said, setting the glass back on the bar. "I haven't lived in Hoenn long. Virgil was kind enough to give me a job here." Kind probably wasn't the right word to use there; compelled by Cap's determined charm, perhaps?[break][break]

No, no, that was worse.[break][break]

"What about you? What business is so good that you're ordering this sort of thing?" He tilted the bottle so they could both inspect it. The glass was carved with facets to look like crystal with a sweeping black label. Gold lettering and swirling filigree swept into the decorative name: The Last Drop. Even working in a bar, it was rare Cap got to enjoy that kind of thing.

[break][break]

+ Remi Cassel

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

He watched Virgil take a sip of the beer with no small sense of pride. He'd probably poured thousands of beers in his life, but watching someone enjoy their first sip never really got old. He placed his palms on the edge of the bar, leaning forward as his interviewer scanned his papers.[break][break]

"I can do some of that flippy-bottle shit, too, but that tends to foam up the beer." Half-joke, half-brag. He tilted his head at the next question, leaning back some to busy his hands with straightening the cups and bottles behind the bar. "Well I've been in bars—working or otherwise—the majority of my life. I actually worked at the Murkrow Bar a few blocks down from here. I had to take a few months away for other work purposes." He cleared his throat, using a towel to wipe a smudge from a glass. "They weren't too understanding about that when I got back, so here I am."

[break][break]

+ virgil roach

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

Cap leaned casually against the wall near the refreshments table, swirling his cup of punch. He shrugged at Alexei Ivanov with a half-grin.[break][break]

"Glad to hear spring cleaning worked out for you. I've been alright. I took a bit of a vacation away from Hoenn for a few months." He paused for another sip of punch before angling the cup at Alexei. "Been sipping on mulled wine off and on all day. Thought I'd switch to punch but, uh... Whoever spiked it really knew what they were doing."[break][break]

Just then, a Lopunny approached and offered up a very pink Pokeball. Cap took it with a muttered thank you (it still felt weird thanking the Pokemon) before watching it wander back to its trainer. He lifted his cup towards luka chêne in thanks before turning back to Alexei.[break][break]

"Enjoying the party? You don't seem nearly as plastered as everyone else."

[break][break]

+ ooc notes

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

Was it weird to say you missed the smell of a place? In the months Cap had spent outside of Hoenn, he swore the one thing he missed the most was the smell of Slateport. Which was odd; much of the city didn't smell particularly great. Still, he found a comfort there that he hadn't known since he'd left Johto. Comforting or no, he still needed money. And he needed a place to work that would allow him to talk to people if he was going to bring anything of use to Team Rocket.[break][break]

That was why he was sitting in Ritual, staring through the dim lighting at the bar's owner: Virgil Roach. This particular establishment wouldn't have been his first choice. Cap wanted a place a little more lively, one he could slip into and start wheeling and dealing information right away. But word around the Rocket water cooler was that this place had a more nefarious side. Not having to hide his real job from his boss would only make things easier on Caprice.[break][break]

"Of course," he said, shrugging. He moved behind the bar, looking for all the world as if he belonged there. After all, he'd basically lived behind bars since before he was old enough to actually drink what he served. He took a beat to acquaint himself with the particular setup here before grabbing a pint glass. He angled the glass and opened the tap, letting the beer flow. As it neared full, he straightened the glass up and finished the pour, leaving a nice head on top. Cocking an eyebrow, Cap set the beer down in front of Virgil. "One perfect beer."

[break][break]

+ virgil roach

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky

Cap watched the partygoers get more and more drunk as the night progressed. It was a sight he was used to—frankly, he was just glad not to be the one pouring the drinks this time. Actually, on second thought, he made a mental note to let Remiel know that he was for hire for any future fancy shindigs. Rich assholes tended to tip once they got drunk enough.[break][break]

Swirling his third or fourth cup of mulled wine, Cap noticed a Delibird approaching him dutifully. He glanced around for its owner briefly before realizing it was one of the Pokemon busily handing out gifts on behalf of their people. He knelt down to greet the Pokemon, taking the Pokeball that was offered. Was he supposed to pat it on the head? Tip it? Give it a firm handshake? Before he could decide, it was already waddling away. That answered that.[break][break]

Almost as soon as the first Delibird left, another was tugging on his sleeve. This one even had a festive hat. Cap turned, still crouched at bird-level, and accepted the offered Pokeball with a muttered thank you. It only seemed polite. He watched that Delibird toddle off and eventually find its way back to Alexei Ivanov, a man Cap actually recognized. How had he missed the lone familiar face at this party? He was about to head over to say hi when he was intercepted by Locke Jamison. He accepted the Pokeball and gave the deliverer a warm smile.[break][break]

"Aw, thanks! This is nice."[break][break]

Cap's attention turned back to Alexei and he made his way across the room to the group gathered near the snacks. Ooh, and punch. Pouring himself a cup, he gave Alexei Ivanov a nod in greeting. "Keeping that gym of yours clean?" He wasn't sure if the man even remembered him, honestly. He took a sip of punch and pulled a quizzical face. They did all know this was alcoholic, right?

[break][break]

+ ooc notes

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","credit"]milky