As Cap meandered through the halls—some looking, in a labyrinthian fashion, curiously the same as the last—he had to admire just how much stuff it took to fill a house of this size. How many of the beds in this estate had never been (and would never be) slept in? How many tables had never been eaten at? Surely the homeowner wouldn't miss a trinket here or there. But, as he passed a massive central fireplace, Cap caught sight of a massive oil painting surely depicting the lord of the manner.[break][break]

One he recognized immediately.[break][break]

Cap frowned, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Remiel Calcifet might not have remembered him from their chance encounter, but that was a face Caprice had been sure to commit to memory. This was not a joint he wanted to case. Fine.[break][break]

The sound of singing in a nearby room caught his attention and he began to walk that way, now taking big drinks of his wine. He had to make sure he was going to get his money's worth from this party, after all. He rounded the corner to find the main body of the party, howling delightedly by a piano. Cap grinned and leaned against the doorway, content for now to be a sideline observer. He was just in time, though, to see several people begin to hand out gifts.[break][break]

Shit. They were supposed to bring gifts?! Wasn't there a Delibird somewhere who was supposed to take care of that? He began to pat his pockets, despite the ever-present knowledge that they were empty. Eventually, he produced a single Pokeball and a string. Eh, good enough. He tied the string around the Pokeball with a festive bow on top. Beautiful. His attention turned to the room and he cast around for the nearest person. FERNANDO SILPH caught his eye and, without hesitation, Cap stepped up to the elegantly dressed man.[break][break]

"Merr Crimmus," he said, extending his hand with the string-adorned Pokeball. "It's special—" a lie and a wink "—but you won't know how 'till you use it."[break][break]

The irony of the gift and recipient was, indeed, completely lost on Cap.

[break][break]

+ prompt: give a gift

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

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

It had been several months since he'd been in Hoenn last. He honestly hadn't expected his old boss at the bar to even recognize him, much less be quite so upset that Cap had no-call no-showed. That manager had been hard to work with anyway—draw on some eyebrows, you Giovanni-lookin' ass. Luckily for Caprice, there were plenty of bars in the Slateport area, and he only had to walk a block or two down the street to find a very fine establishment that was happy to hire him. As he settled into his first shift at the new job, he felt the familiar feeling settle in. He was in his element. Conversation swirled around him, lighting up his senses here or there with tasty tidbits of information. He wiped down the counter a little closer to this talk before it bored him and he shifted away to pour a drink closer to that chat over there.

[break][break]

+ @ open!

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

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

He wasn't two steps into the cave before a sudden weight plopped down on his shoulders. Cap froze, at once disgusted and terrified. Ra, feeling him tense, poked his little nose out of the front of Cap's jacket, surveyed the scene, and retreated once again into the warmth. Tsk. Big help he was. Slowly, Cap relaxed his shoulders as he felt tiny suckered feet anchor themselves to his coat. He turned his head and was greeted by a mass of icy spikes as the Snom slowly made its way down his arm. Well, it hadn't been exactly what he was looking for, but he was confident he could talk himself out of any promises to smugglers. With his free hand, he reached into his hip bag and produced a Pokeball. Bopping the Snom gently, he called over his shoulder to the ferryman, "Best not leave yet, I think I'm done here!"

[break][break]

+ capture attempt.

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

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

Though he hadn't spent considerable time in Hoenn previously, Cap had to admit he was glad to be back. He had been hoping, though, that it would be warmer than Sinnoh this time of year. Much to his surprise, much of the region seemed to be experiencing a cold snap. Just his luck. Even more his luck were the calls for more Ice types among the smugglers and black market traders. He sighed as he pulled his coat tighter around his shoulders. At least the ferry service to the Shoal Cave was running despite the uncomfortable weather. Cap waved a thank you to the ferryman as he stepped out of the boat and into the cave proper. Ra peeked his head from within the confines of Cap's coat, squinted into the chill air, and promptly retreated back into the warmth.

[break][break]

+ ooc notes

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

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

Cap wandered Remiel Calcifet 's estate, Ra sitting happily on his shoulder. He wasn't one to turn down an invitation to a fancy party, especially one that would give him a chance to case a home that was no doubt well furnished. And if he happened to wander out with a few more baubles in his pocket than when he entered? Well then, happy holidays to him. He swirled a glass of too-full mulled wine (he'd insisted the butler pour him a double, much to the individual's dismay), meandering from room to room. He admired the dazzlingly opulent decoration. It really was impressive. He wondered what it was like to have money like this; all the things he could buy, the power that went along with sheer wealth. He sighed wistfully and took a drink of the wine, smacking his lips. Not bad.

[break][break]

+ imbibe in a festive drink

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

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