"The kids get a slap on the wrist, as do first time offenders. If they're repeat offenders, maybe get to go to juvie to try to straighten them out. So don't feel too bad for them. They're not ruining their lives yet." He could see the wheels turning at that comment. Kids are protected to an extent. Depending on the kid, Niky would be open to having them work at his shop. They got to learn that actions have consequences. And the sooner they learn that, the better off in life they might be.

From the sounds of it, Jade's extended family was as toxic as his dad. Or maybe his dad got toxic because of them. Whatever the case, Jade had left that life, and was on his way on making it.

Jade then mentioned about wishing he had a sibling of his own. "It's not all good news. Like I said, she was a bit much recently. And is part of why I was out here. She wants to go back to being a full time artist with her. Like, I can do small sprints on performances, but the schedule wouldn't allow me to recover after each one. She doesn't understand just how badly my injury got me. Even after the surgeries. I know she cares, but I'm doing quite fine the way things are at the moment. I don't need her harrassment and BS..." He loved his sister, he really did, but sometimes it was like talking to some Karens.


jade rivers

Niky gave the man a mischievious grin. "Oh, I have. I should show you some of my do not serve list faces. There's a good amount of them that are hilarious." And it either kills the so called conversation or cause them to go absolutely berserk. It's great. Until they bring up him being a cripple. Then he gets pissed. But Jade didn't need to know that. "No. Stealing is stealing. I'd think differently if they were stealing food, but a record or CD? Or trying to con and pirate a digital download? Any more, music is relatively cheap to buy. And people aren't willing to pay all that much for it. Especially when digital downloads allows you to choose which songs from an album to pay for. If you're that desperate, you can earn that paycheck legitimately by stocking my shelves, cleaning, or any other task that needs doing. I've yet to have one that's legitimately stealing records to resell and earn money due to hard times." Why take such a risk? You're no good to anyone behind bars. It was a little bit of a tangent.

"Sounds like they don't care. You're a part of their family, surely they can include you in. Your father notwithstanding." The blonde had heard enough of that boomer. Guy's not going to have anyone to look after him when he's old. Jade, on the other hand, needed someone. Niky couldn't help but chuckle a little at the comment about Nebula. The man didn't mind. And once he was done, Jade was again enamored. "It was more often when we were younger. That one was more recent. Most of our collabs are instrumentals. There was an event where we did something like that. Did covers of popular songs utilizing orchestra instruments. That was a blast." He had great fun with it. Shame he couldn't grab a high end date out of that event...



jade rivers

Niky laughed a little. "Sometimes it isn't. But sometimes it is a little fun. Especially when they start calling for the manager and I get to tell them that I am the manager...and the owner. I can have a little bit of fun with some of them. Others...not so much. But that's also why I have Sol here. Besides as a shoplifter deterrant." It can be great. Thankfully, he didn't have to use force himself, but he had had to call the cops a time or two. Or had the cops called on him, only for the tables to turn. But the holidays with no family or friends? "That sounds lonely...don't you have any friends that would be glad to have you over?" Perhaps it was him prying a bit. But if Jade wanted to tell him, he'd do so. Otherwise the man can avoid it or be blunt about preferring to be alone during this time of year.

The look the Absol gave him made Niky raise an eyebrow. "Well, that look from Nebula says something a little different. Well, not that it's any of my business. How about another song? This one was a duet between my sis and I, but could be done with just a single person." It was a more upbeat song, and typically done with a piano instead of a guitar. But could be a good pivot to a different conversation.

Other Song (Maps cover)


jade rivers

Niky was startled at the sudden speech. But soon relaxed when he saw who it was. Sol bristled and glared at the intruders, ready to unleash an Ember. Until Niky scritched her in the back of her head. Jade seemed annoyed at his own Absol, since it ran off. Probably attracted to his singing. The Absol was unfazed, even by Sol's intimidating glare. "Yeah, I needed to get out. The holidays had been...stressful. Karens, Karens everywhere. And my sister. Just really needed to get out. Just didn't think this weather would be part of it..." The umbrella wasn't made for rain, it was more meant to keep the sun away from him. But it still did the job. The blonde had hoped for a sunnier day.

"What brings you out here? Kind of a crappy day for a walk...or is that the fault of the Absol there?" Niky had his own crew that liked to go on their walks. Sol wasn't one of them, but she was also extremely protective. And had more than one occasion showed a shoplifter why they shouldn't try their shit at his store.


jade rivers

Niky needed a break. The holidays had been stressful to say the least. Between the multitude of karens and his sister giving him hell...he was ready to just get out and relax a bit. At least his parents scolded his sis for her attitude. The blonde stepped out of Rustboro to the north to take advantage of the cliffs and the small beach. With him was his guitar and his over protective Larvesta, Sol. He set up a beach umbrella on a cliff overlooking the small beach, and took out a collapsable chair to sit down on. Taking out his guitar, he started strumming the instrument. It was starting to rain too. Good thing he had a hoodie on, and had Sol there to keep him warm.

The former idol soon started to bust out a song. One of his singles that he personally liked. Even when it was during a troublesome time of his life, it was something more people need to hear. Young men particularly. His sales and digital downloads on the song made Niky think other people wanted to know or hear it too. It got pretty popular at the time. But it was also something he liked to sing when he was feeling down. Perhaps to keep him from thinking that he shouldn't. Unbeknownst to him, the former idol had an audience beyond just Sol.

Spoiler has the song that he's singing.

Emerson has piped up before him, blurting out the source of the inspiration. Yep, that checks out. Then the lights were out and back on again. Niky shook his head at the guy. "Not always. Encouraging stragglers to skedaddle with the lights going off. Some people are that oblivious and will still stick around. Workers also get anxious when it gets this late, so while I don't approve turning them off partially, I do understand why." He also responded to Yuina while he was at it. Thankfully he hadn't had someone try to stay late on his dime. Sol made sure of that. But he had heard stories of other retailers having to deal with that. Emerson did help out with the whole lighting situation. This was when things really got scary. Spike's growling had not been in vain. That "cutout" gotten closer and lunged at Kazimir. The big man was able to hold it off...for now. And three others showed up. All the characters from the movie they just watched.

The blonde had to jump away a little...it was more of a stumble back. Yuina, even in her confusion, jumped into action against Kazimir's opponent. But the other three was not stopping. "Spike, get in there and use Discharge!" The barking Jolteon lunged to meet the three and zapped all three of them. And the lights above them, blowing out that section. It seemed to have stopped them, for now. The Jolteon then used Swift, blasting the joints of Teddy with stars, making them bend and hopefully giving Yuina and Kazimir the leverage to push the robot back and over. That was all the opportunity that they needed. "Run!" He may have a bum knee, but he could book it when needed. Cane in hand, he followed whoever led, or if it was him, he just ran, not even paying attention as to where they were going really.


emerson whitlock Yuina Higashi Kazimir Wynter

He wasn't the only one that was unerved by the movie. The long haired red head was as well. Only the large man that came with the lady seemed like he enjoyed it. He even said he wanted to see it again. Crazy fool. It was an interesting movie though. The lady enquired how someone could come up with stuff like that. As an artist, even a musical one, Niky had an answer. "Artists of all kinds find inspiration in all kinds of things. From other movies, to manga, to simply seeing an interaction between a couple of Pokemon, to a nature scene. Filmakers and screen writers are artists much like painters, photographers, and musicians." The only difference being the medium that they worked with.

Seemed he wasn't the only one that found it odd that there wasn't a clean up crew right away. The blonde would have thought the closing crew would want to get out of there as soon as possible. Lights flickered as the big man tried to say something about his missing Ninetales. Niky scowled at the lady though. "You've never worked retail, have you? After a long day, who would? Anyways, anyone else want to join me in finding an employee? I'm sure they'll help us find the missing Pokemon." Niky walked towards the Usaring shaped shadow, where the exit into the lobby was close to. Spike, his Jolteon suddenly darted in front of him and started to growl at the shadow, ears peeled back and fur all spiked up and sparking with electricity. Niky stopped as well. "That's just a cardboard cutout, calme down, Spike." That didn't seem to help. The Jolteon yipped at it, still very much in combat mode.

Yuina Higashi Kazimir Wynter emerson whitlock

Niky walked out of the theater with wobbly legs. Normally, he wasn't much of a horror movie fan, but this was an interesting premise. Spike, his Jolteon, had slept through most of it, though. Armed with his cane, he unsteadily stood up. His nerves was rattled from the movie, and its many jump scares. And the very unnerving animatronics. They were so terrifying...they really didn't need the jump scares at all. The lady in front of him asked the rest of them what they all thought of it. "Terrifying. And unnerving. Definitely a horror movie." He walked with everyone left. Which wasn't very many of them.

In fact, they were the only ones there. Surely the closing workers were around too...right? Spike sniffed the air and scrunched its face. Something was off. But he didn't know how off. It was almost midnight, and things seemed creepy already, even with all the lights still on. Or he was just imagining things.


Yuina Higashi Kazimir Wynter emerson whitlock

With Niky being carried by Lee, Ozzy was able to focus on covering the retreat with Icee. The sheer pain of the vision had actually knocked out the blonde. They were able to escape without much more incidents, with Moody using Rock Slide a few more times just to make sure whatever decided to follow would have to waste time tunneling to catch up. They never did. Reaching daylight, Niky's three Pokemon panted. Oddly, the singer had managed to kept hold of his cane, not that it mattered much since he kept several. Despite the two having antagonized each other, Niky's three were still appreciative of the cover, all of them nodding at Ozzy. Niky didn't wake up though...but he was also safe...for now.

total rks: 250

Ozni Adebayo

Workaholic. Being productive was good, but...not at the expense of family. Jade really did get the short end of the stick. Although...sounded like he had the right idea. "He's not wrong. Sounds like he took it too far though. He's not completely right either. I'd say the rich and super rich tend to get pretty far without doing a whole lot." Riding on the coattails of earlier generations of success. Once in a while, the heir might be just as good or better than the previous one, but not usually.

Things weren't all bad. Jade rewarded Niky with a small smile, and stated that he had made friends everywhere he's been. "That's great! Well, my knee is feeling better, so I'm ready to get up and get going. Shall we?" Handing the ice pack to an assistant, he stood up and started to walk towards the exit. He was ready to just walk and stretch. Hopefully with some company beyond his own Pokemon.


jade rivers

Niky had to raise an eyebrow at that. Poor guy...he would have to agree about the kids of a parents' business partners shouldn't count. "I agree. Often times, parents just hope their kids get along with their business partners just so they can continue running the business. Instead of, you know, letting the kids be kids and go after their own hopes and dreams." Niky seemed to have had all the luck in the world. Particularly maybe to Jade. He had supportive parents, a good manager at the time, and jerk-off that stopped his career short was even tossed into jail. Support, and more. Jade...seemed to have nothing. Just literally worked his way up.

"That said, it sounded like you literally had nothing good out of your childhood, let alone any kind of support to help you get here. And now look at you, closer to your dream than ever before. Kind of makes me wonder if anyone will appreciate how much you've worked to get here..." Beyond just him and maybe a few others. Perhaps just his drive would be the one to carry the lad up all the way. But it would be disappointing to not have anyone to brag about it to or celebrate the accomplishments with, too. Despite being a mostly individual artist, he often celebrated and collabbed and stuff with his family. It always felt good to celebrate with others. Alone time was great and all...but there was only so much one could take.


jade rivers

There was almost a deafening amount of understanding. Ozzy seemed to be apologetic, not knowing that it was that bad. Almost. Then came the next bit. "If it could be fixed, it would have long ago. It's as fixed as it's going to get, and prosthetics are not an option. I'll manage...somehow..." He growled out. He figured Ozzy would be dense, but good grief! Prosthetics?! "Oh my Arceus, I'm not chopping off a leg just because it causes issues from time to time. Drop it, it is what it is." He was getting real close to smacking a bitch. He did snort at the drive drunk part. Ozzy better not.

"No kidding. Poor baby." Niky sort of mocked the poor fusion. Icee added on to the creature's misery. Well, all of them. But more kept coming. It was now or never! "Well, time to wrap up your mining and take what you can. Moody, use Rock Slide, Snoot, Leaf Storm!" With a barrage of rocks and leaves, Niky turned and started to run towards what looked like the exit. He didn't lean on the cane, he just ran with it in his hand, surprisingly just being a few steps behind Ozzy. But something nagged at him. His vision blurred purple, a new land, planet, flashed in his mind. As he started to to wobble and go down, he reached for the Tera Shards to lessen Ozzy's load. "Just keep going!" Long as there wasn't any split paths, he should be able to find his way out. His two Pokemon were too small to pick him up, so they just tried to barricade the tunnel. Then Lee the Lucario came out, quickly assessed the situation, then picked up the downed blonde and tried to follow the other man. Due to the size difference, there'd be no way to safely use Extreme Speed with his owner in tow.

~

Lessens the load to escape?

RKS: 250

Ozni Adebayo

The Arctizolt seemed disappointed, and sneezed at him. Whatever, this wasn't the time for playing. With punctuating clunks and clings, Ozzy reiterated that he could carry them by himself, he just needed someone to mine them. Even with the defense in full force, and the much appreciated warning from Ozzy being just in time for Snoot to wiggle around the splash, Niky glowered at the man. With ice and rocks pummeling the mutated and fuzed Pokemon, Niky made things very clear. "What part of I can't did you not understand? I stress my knee, it hurts. Walking for too long, it hurts. You get it? No, I suppose you won't. Instead you'd be the same drunken scum that'll T-bone another vehicle and cause permanent injury or worse. The way that I'm useful in this situation is via battling. Get over it." The blonde snapped at the guy with the hope that maybe that'll get through his thick skull. If not...well, the cane was used for more than just to help him walk.

"Snoot, get back here and use Growth! Moody, Hydro Pump that Onix and Yamask thing!" The Snivy darted around the chaos to get back to the firing line, glowing green as she increased her attack and special attack. Just as the fusion Pokemon reared up to strike at the grass type, Moody fired a torrent of water that blasted the creature clear to the other side of the room. Snoot then used Slam just to knock the Lopunny thing off balance for Ozzy to take advantage of. Niky could only hope that whatever Ozzy was doing here, he'd make it quick so they can get the heck out.

~

Battle a Fusion Pokemon

RKS: 150

Ozni Adebayo