Plastering a too-wide smile on his lips, Klaus lifts a hand to helplessly wave at the group surrounding him. One look around the room, however, brings his attention to Yoshiro fully, his brow minutely furrowed as he pieces together several choice words spoken by Yamanaka Renzo.
[break][break]
Dirty cop, then?
[break][break]
Junto? Well, he could be a Junto if the need arose. "Got bored," Klaus quips brightly in response to Yoshiro, his shoulders shrugging for good measure. "Missed your beautiful face, sis." He was definitely pushing it.
[break][break]
Despite the obvious danger of the situation he has found himself in, his arm still held steadfastly by Botan, an incredulous giggle bubbles up from Klaus's chest as Toxic plays over Yoshiro's phone. Wasn't this going swimmingly[i/]. A very gentle shake from Botan silences him, though the grin now plastered across his face is anything but subtle. His expression swiftly falls, however, at the pokemon now released from their captivity - two Drowzee and a Hypno.
[break][break]
"Ah, hell," Klaus grouses, his gaze casting over his shoulder at the sound of footsteps. This was going nowhere good, fast, it seemed. Shrugging his arm out of Botan's grasp, Klaus reaches into his pocket and pulls out two pokeballs, revealing a Dhelmise and Skrelp.
[break][break]
"Smokescreen and Rapid Spin," Klaus bellows; the room quickly fills with an obscuring smoke followed by the clipped, shrill scream of a man taking the full weight of Dhelmise's four hundred and fifty some-odd pounds of ghostly iron. Whoever that was is either concussed with broken bones or dead, without a doubt. Grabbing Botan to drag the man down to a safer level as he directs dispassionately, "Heavy slam!" Wood explodes into the air as the Dhelmise ricochets from one end of the room to the other, the men on the other side finding themselves in the grips of a murderous Dhelmise partially hidden by the billowing smoke.
[break][break]
With a wry grin at Botan's surprised expression, Klaus suggests, "Terrible first date, huh?" followed by a callous, "Hey you still alive?" directed at Yoshiro.

[break][break]

+ yoshiro shioda

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Little brah," Klaus repeats under his breath, his expression a touch incredulous as he tries not to laugh; he stills in shock when the door beside Beau suddenly bursts open, magenta-pink eyes impossibly wide at the resulting scuffle. "Um," he starts, one hand unwrapping from around his Litwick to point at the door, beyong which flailing tentacles; his attention is briefly drawn at the appearance of a Misdreavus, the Litwick in his hands flaring threateningly at the ghost. With a swift Curse that dazes the Misdreavus, Klaus tosses another pokeball.
[break][break]
Klaus is summarily silenced when Beau asserts he will help, his brow furrowing noticably as he tries to think his way out of this mess. Expression falling somewhat as he takes a good look at Beau, a subtle shake of his head follows as Klaus replies, "I - uh. It's really alright, I'm just...." He trails off again when Torben finally gets the nearby door slammed shut, the wiggling tentacles flailing about on the floor. "Uh... I'm," he pauses, coughing softly, his freed hand lifting to scratch at the back of his neck, "Right."
[break][break]
Shaking his head, Klaus coughs awkardly before he easily lies, "I was checking on the bouys and shit outside to make sure they were setup still so ships don't wander too close to the ruins. Came inside once I was done to do a little ghost hunting." He then motions to the Litwick by way of explanation as to his presence.
[break][break]
"What're you doing here?"


[break][break]

+ Beau Fontaine

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Klaus ducks his head at Talia's praise, a blush suffusing over his cheeks as he laughs awkwardly, his voice barely audible as he mumbles, "It's nothing much, really." He quickly gives a little nod as to his major, a shrug soon following. "Nah, not really," he admits as to how difficult it is to find employment. "I'm - don't worry about it," he settles for, a strained smile flashed to his companion.
[break][break]
Clearing his throat, Klaus flicks his tablet's screen back to life and hands over the pen for Talia to write with, a smarmy little "Ta-da" spilling from his lips.
[break][break]
Once her email address has been recorded, he then tucks away his electronics and extends his hand, a somewhat awkward, if sincere, goodbye of, "It was nice to meet you, Talia. Maybe we can meet up again sometime. I can show you around Lilycove, or whatever."
[break][break]
With that offered, he then tucks his hands into his pockets and pulls up his hood over his head, a half-smile offered to the woman before he sees himself out of the aquarium. It wasn't too bad of day, after all.

[break][break]

+ Talia Celes

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Other than 'Not Rocket', Klaus had paid little attention to his briefing on where he was stealing from. This wasn't his normal sort of smuggling job by any means, but the promised pay and frankly embarrassing security system of the place meant this should have been a quick in-and-out operation. Bolt cutter the back doors locked with chains, find the smuggled Galarian Slowbro in the back room past some overly-ornate doors, leave the way he came in.
[break][break]
Easy, right?
[break][break]
So far the operation was going off without a hitch - even the weather was cooperating, the light pitter-patter of rain heralding a coming storm that would do wonders for covering his tracks, both literally and metaphorically. Watching the security amble about with hardly any prescience of Klaus's presence, he slips from darkened hallway to shadowed corner. What idiot had designed this place, really? It's a matter of moments before he's in what is easily confirmed to be the right room where myriad Galarian Slowbro amble about.
[break][break]
Flashing a winning smile, Klaus greets them with a low, "Alright kids. Quick and easy," his hand slipping into his pack to produce a handful of pokeballs. Keeping an ear out for any wandering gang members, the Slowbro are collected one after the other until naught remain to roam the floor, and then stuffed dutifully back into his pack.
[break][break]
Klaus pauses at the doorway to listen, ensuring the hallway beyond is silent before he slips out. Just a couple hundred metres between him and walking out scott-free with the Yamanaka none the wiser to his presence. So really, it's rather fitting that when he slows due to the sound of voices, that his phone blips loudly during a tense lull in the conversation. Fucking Gurdrr? Really? Hadn't he silenced his phone before coming in?
[break][break]
Apparently not.
[break][break]
He freezes automatically, brow furrowed and face immediately pale. Fumbling for his phone from his back pocket, the sound of the nearby door Klaus stands besides slowly creaks opened, revealing an equally confused Botan on the other side. Horrified to say the least, a strained, "Hey baby?" spills from Klaus's lips before his brain catches up to him - his gaze slips past Botan to settle on the back of Yoshiro's head and a mess out trouble standing before the woman.
[break][break]
What in the hell was that cop from his speed date doing here too?
[break][break]
Fuck.
[break][break]
Klaus shifts to bolt down the hallway, only to be stopped by Botan's hand grabbing his arm firmly to drag him unwillingly into the room, the door slamming with finality behind him. "I thought this was the bathroom," he tries helplessly, a snort of amusement from some nearby thug silencing the young man immediately.



[break][break]

+ yoshiro shioda

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Klaus gives a little nod in reply, some of the tension visibly bleeding from his frame as Talia confirms she is not offended. He quirks half a smile at the Cleffa, a little "Hmm?" sounding from him before the questions catch up to his brain.
[break][break]
"It's nice enough. I've been here pretty much my whole life. Family's here and all that." He pauses a bare moment before continuing, a sharp laugh barking from his throat at the suggestion he studied art. "Hell, no. I majored in electrical and mechanical engineering. They had a guest professor that semester teaching Mechatronics that's pretty well known. Looked good on my resume." He snorts, tacking on under his breath, "For all that was worth."
[break][break]
Giving the tablet pen in his hand a little shake he asserts instead, "This is just.. something to pass the time with." With a thoughtful look, he asks hesitantly, "Do you have like, an email address or something? I could mail you a copy of your Cleffa if you want?"

[break][break]

+ Talia Celes

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Shit fuck," Klaus swears violently in shock to Beau's scream, the man jumping back and clutching his Litwick tightly to his chest. Eyes wide and heart now racing, he exhales an audible sigh when Beau speaks again, his cheeks puffing out with the action.
[break][break]
"Sure not," he manages cautiously, as if Beau were made of glass which could explode at any moment. "I'm Klaus." Tipping his head back towards the hallway behind him, Klaus muses aloud, "Don't usually run into anyone down here." His brow momentarily furrows as shuffling sounds behind himself, and Klaus turns to see a Poliwhirl scuttling about just on the edge of the darkness.
[break][break]
"Would you mind," he asks his Litwick quietly, his chin jutting in the direction of the Poliwhirl. With a soft coo in reply, Lustig's flame burns brighter, and Will-'o-Wisps begin to hang in the air, the ember-like flames settling onto the pokemon in the distance. "Night Shade," he directs softly, the attack briefly blotting out the Poliwhirl from view.
[break][break]
A pokeball follows as the sound of the Poliwhirl staggering into the wall is heard, and Klaus looks once more over the wall of muscle standing opposite him. "You lost," he hazards with a little furrow of his brow. Maybe he could get back to his work sooner than he hoped if so.

[break][break]

+ Beau Fontaine

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Klaus jumps back as as the Luxray snarls at him, his eyes a touch wide in surprise and hands lifting to display his palms. "Yeah he's mine," the man calls in distraction to Mint, his gaze never leaving the bristling Luxray.
[break][break]
Inching back and to the side down the dune, keeping his distance from Cacio, Klaus cautiously makes his way towards his pokemon. "How ya doing, buddy," he calls absently to the Lapras, a sharp whistle sounding from the pokemon in question which betrays his annoyance. "Yeah me too."
[break][break]
He flashes Mint a brilliant smile, one too wide to be genuine and explains, "Look. I just needed a tree - I hate going in my wetsuit. I'm Klaus. The lighthouse keeper." He jabs his thumb towards the silhouette in the distance for emphasis. "Just checking the shoreline, you know?"
[break][break]
"Can you," he continues, his index finger pointing to the Luxray, "call that off?"



[break][break]

+ mint frost

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Shit," Klaus hisses through clenched teeth, the banging and shuffling from outside the room he works in growing louder and louder. Someone was here, doing Arceus knows what, while he was trying to get this damn signal to work. Damn degraded power relays.
[break][break]
It wasn't his day, apparently, as his Dhelmise appeared next to his hip, a soft wail of pain sounding from the pokemon. Looking over sharply, a torrent of low swearing spills from Klaus's lips and he recalls the ghost. He wasn't getting rid of the intruder this way, it seemed. Instead, he releases his Litwick and hastily grabs a nearby rag to scrub his hands clean before picking up the little living candle.
[break][break]
Clearing his throat, he calls out a warbling, "Is someone there?" as he backtracks through one of the doors and steps into the main hallway.

[break][break]

+ Beau Fontaine

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"Ah-ha," Klaus chokes out nervously as Talia's clothes are explained. He'd certainly stepped in it with this one. Flushing with embarrassment, his brows knit together when instead the woman stands and does a little spin; magenta-pink eyes casting this way and that, he gives a quick nod as she asserts she did not have many other clothes.
[break][break]
His brow furrows deeper as she continues to speak, mouth opening to reply though the words catch in his throat. Grunting instead, his hand lifting to rub at the back of his burning neck, Klaus manages to finally settle his gaze upon Talia. "I'm - I'm so sorry," he chokes out. "I didn't. I wasn't trying to make you feel bad. You. You look fine, really. I'm sorry."
[break][break]
Stiffening when Talia plops down onto the bench beside him, and indeed moving closer to him, Klaus stares in confusion at the woman. Perhaps she wasn't as insulted as he had assumed? He hoped so, at least. Clearly he was too careless with his words - something he would need to correct.
[break][break]
Appearing uncertain as to whether he should attempt further conversation, Klaus eventually gives a little nod, his voice constricted when he speaks again. "Yeah. I - I grew up in Lilycove, and went to college there. Except for a semester in Kalos." He flashes a watery, tentative smile before looking back down to the tablet in his hands.

[break][break]

+ Talia Celes

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Silently grateful at not being teased for the names of his pokemon, Klaus watches with a vague half-smile as Bee's pokemon become acquainted with his own - he only hoped the others held more mild personalities than his Skrelp, who tended towards a vindictive malice when challenged.
[break][break]
Klaus gives a little nod at the news of a breeder instead of a wild-harvested Starmie, approval touching his expression. Better to breed for odd colours than collapse the wild mutations by his own estimation. Brow furrowing minutely all of a sudden, he directs his Skrelp with an assertive, "Do not," when the little sea dragon draws a deep breath that seems it may be aimed towards the Starmie. Deflating instantly, a nasty look of her own is spared for her trainer before Gretel dives below the water to sulk.
[break][break]
He gives a nod at the all-clear, though pauses when Bee speaks again. Flushing with momentary embarrassment, he reaches out to grab several of the bags which are then knotted to his belt for ease of carrying. "Alright," he mumbles to himself, his goggles pulled down and respirator popped into his mouth.
[break][break]
With another nod spared to Bee, Klaus tips backwards into the sea, his vision whiting out from the churn of bubbles whirling around him. Weightless, wrapped up in the still chilled ocean, he floats limply as he orients himself, warm sunlight snaking between darker slivers of water. Slow, purposeful movement draws his attention as his Dhelmise drifts over, ghostly kelp momentarily wrapping around Klaus's waist and neck - a touch of reassurance? Lightly tapping the tendrils, Hansel's grip tugs Klaus downwards. A get to work then, touch.
[break][break]
Klaus would laugh if he could.
[break][break]
<< Go, I am coming >> signs Klaus fluidly, his Skrelp skirting past him to dart away with Dhelmise in tow.
[break][break]
Spinning briefly to locate Bee in the water, he points to sea cave and then descends to the entrance. Holding there, Klaus peers into opening cavern, his hand moving to flick on a flash light while waiting for his partner.



[break][break]

+ BARNABY FINCH

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Truth be told Klaus was well and truly exhausted.
[break][break]
Spending the day with his father was always welcomed, though Klaus could have easily done without the crowds swarming around them. Rides were ridden, a horrific amount of food consumed, and non-stop chatter between the two left a dull but comfortable ache in Klaus's shoulders.
[break][break]
Promises made to keep better in touch, Klaus soon found himself alone at the fairgrounds, his eyes darting around the area as he mused with himself whether to take one final ride on something before heading back to the lighthouse. His attention catches on the Ferris Wheel, and after a brief waffling, he moves to stand in the line - getting off his feet for a while while also spying the lighthouse in the distance would be a good enough ending to his day.
[break][break]
Idly scrolling through his phone as he waits, when he finally enters the carriage his attention shifts to the world around him. Brow furrowed, as he spies another in the enclosed space with him, Klaus begins to protest to the attendant that he'd paid for a single-only cart but the door is slammed shut and the jerky motion of the ride sends him bumping against one wall. Swallowing hard, his voice rough from disuse for the day, an uncertain, "Hey," squeaks from Klaus's throat as he takes stock of the flamboyant person across from him.

[break][break]

+ Mission: Rondez-view Circulation [break]
+ Sasha Huang

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Smiling faintly as he looks up from Amaris, Klaus watches Talia move with admiration - a grace he could never hope to achieve. "Thanks," he mumbles softly. "It's pretty good, yeah." He then blushes along with the Cleffa as his drawing is admired, the man's magenta-pink gaze flitting everywhere besides Talia and Amaris. "It's nothing," he mumbles out in embarrassment, his hand lifting to rub at the back of his neck.
[break][break]
"Talia," Klaus repeats, his attention finally settling on the woman in question. "I - it's nice to meet you. I'm Klaus. Anchoret. Klaus Anchoret." His words halting and bashful, he flashes Talia a quick smile.
[break][break]
Making an absent little motion over towards Talia, he manages to squeak out, "Are you new to Hoenn?" Realising that may be offensive as to how he's worded it, Klaus stumbles over his own words to blurt out, "Cause. Cause what you said. 'Three Legendary wings'. I've - I've never heard that hear before. Not because of how you're dressed. Your robes are gorgeous."
[break][break]
He abruptly silences as his blush deep ends, a little groan sounding from Klaus as he shrinks back within himself. He should have kept his mouth shut.


[break][break]

+ Talia Celes

[attr="class","pokeclass"]