Makoto, initially, wasn't entirely sure of what to expect from going to the diner with Howard. The food certainly seemed good - having taken to idly munching on some fries, with their love of crunchy and fried food... Although, the last thing that they expected, was for Howard to ask them for help with... A stalker? Some authority?

For how unseeming and ordinary Howard was outwardly, aside from maybe the whole eye situation, they were surprised that he had drawn that sort of attention at all.

Makoto blinks a bit at the thump of Howard's forehead dropping to the table - caught off guard by the dramatics put forth as Howard made his request. Certainly, if he needed to hide or lose someone, they were the person - but... "I need more information." They spoke simply. "It's a whole different approach if you've somehow got a stalker, versus, uhm... Having attracted attention from... Y'know." From the cops.

That being said though, this was... At the very least, a far more approachable job than the one that Amor Rose had set them up to. "I... don't really need payment, though. Don't know what I'd ask for." They shrug a little with this. While part of this answer was simply them being humble to a fault, they were otherwise genuine about not knowing what they'd want anyhow.

Home, food, safety... Those sorts of things were pretty handled, as far as they felt.

The subject of killing put a slightly discomforted expression on Makoto's face. Killing was indeed a messy affair - although while they felt as though Amor mainly steered away from it for the messiness, they mainly steered away from it on a moral level. One of the few lines they didn't want to cross, if they could at all help it.

Which had made Amor's use of Beheeyem something they found far more comfortable. Something more palatable; because at least a wiped memory meant that there was no longer a reason for someone to die. Retribution was made utterly pointless, and the person wouldn't leak any sensitive information. They've even had their two psychic types - Onji and Himitsu - work with Amor's Beeheeyem so that they could perhaps learn from it...

... Though, they've considered getting one of their own, as well.

The talk of Taika, however, and the mission at large... Makoto frowned a little more at the idea of having to take missions that required someone being 'dealt with'. There was the comfort in the fact that it wasn't as though they had to actually kill anyone - just convince the other person that they did...

... But at the same time, they felt as though that'd open a can of worms. That because they'd supposedly offed a few people, that others would simply look to them for further such missions...

The serious gaze that they were affixed under, however, made it hard to truly say no. So did the fact that Amor had come to them, specifically, for such an important-seeming task.

So after a moment's thought, they'd simply ask "... Why me? I mean--... Why did you choose me, over any of the others - like Temp - sir..?" Tempest was no stranger to killing, after all.

With Temp's confirmation, Makoto would sit down across from him - willing to simply provide some peaceful comfort. Partly because they weren't immediately sure about how to broach the topic of whatever had made him so upset - and partly because they themself felt like it'd be something they'd want from a friend, when they were upset.

But as he finally spoke, Makoto gently shook their head. "It's okay," they responded after a moment to register. "It's, uhm... It's not like we're sunshine and rainbows 24-7." Noone was. Even if they felt awkward as far as how to comfort Temp went, they didn't fault him for it.

As the food arrived, Makoto took the time to have a bite of their own. Though, with the two of them now speaking... They'd soon swallow it down, to broach the topic and ask "Did something happen?" It must have been big, to have the normally oh-so-sunny Tempest upset like this.

Score! Tsukiko's tails would practically vibrate with excitement as she saw the food nudged aside for her - and she made no attempt to be sneaky, as she snatched up her treat. Yumyumyum!

Makoto couldn't help a faint smile at this - and they'd lightly poke Tsukiko on the nose. "You're gonna get fat, if you keep eating human food." They spoke with lighthearted humor. They honestly didn't mind Tsukiko having little snacks like this as long as she didn't make herself sick... But at the same time, all things in moderation.

Tsukiko, in response, would blow a raspberry at Makoto - playful yet cheeky as always.

Makoto simply sighed with that same smile, before glancing back to Amor and nodding. "If it's of any interest to you, my runs through the simulation were with another scientist, ameena abadi. Maybe the two of you would get along?" If anything, perhaps she'd be able to handle his eccentricities better than they can.

But, then came a change in subject - that of a mission of upmost secrecy. Makoto blinks a bit - somewhat caught off guard with how casually he spoke of what otherwise sounded pretty damn serious, if even the Underbosses weren't meant to hear of it. Was Amor really allowed to hide things from the Underbosses like that? It seemed like it'd get him in trouble - as well as them, if they ended up questioned about it.

However, as Amor asks about a particular grunt... "... No, he doesn't ring a bell to me, sir." They responded; they tended to keep to themself in the organization for the most part (less out of any actual aversions, and more out of just general shyness.) It was just by a stroke of fate that they ended up able to bond with sorts like Amor, Tempest Quinn, or howard slayte (and they were honestly happy to have such bonds.)

As always, the praise made their heart flutter and warm in a way that had their cheeks flushing as well. Makoto, however, did their best to keep a straight face at it all - even if they felt bashful deep down. "I don't know if food delivery is that amazing," They murmured - half to themself.

They were a bit more used to Amor being shirtless and the presence of his scars by now, given their prior visits the past few days... But all the same, it didn't do much to help that aforementioned bashfulness - Amor was attractive, undeniably so. And all the same, it did not necessarily deter the vague inklings of curiosity that would arise as they glanced to a few of the more distinctive scars.

It was no secret to them by now that Amor was a bit of a maniac in the face of danger; but they couldn't help but wonder where some of those scars came from.

As Amor spoke though, Makoto nodded along. "It's fine, sir; I haven't run into any trouble." They responded simply; which was true. Getting around quickly wasn't too hard with Kuro's Phantom Force - a trick that they endeavored to teach him thanks to Cillian Quinn 's Dhelmise - and they had a feeling their status as a part of Team Nebula gave them some freedom to focus more on Nebula-related tasks, rather than their usual thievery and smuggling.

Which, helping care for one of the two Head Scientists that were part of the team was probably a notable enough task, they figured.

The question of anything interesting happening, though, would have them hum. "Since I'm here on the submarine more often... I've tried out the RKS Simulation a couple of times with another Rocket member. It's been... Interesting, for certain." They spoke, thinking back to the chaos that they had faced with ameena abadi . "I... Actually think one of the scenarios it shows would be of interest to you; I saw a pokemon of the same species as Erebus."

They weren't sure if the Deoxys was Erebus, or if there were multiple of its kind out there - but there was no doubt that they were of kindred species either way.

Cheap, filling, and tasty; was it any surprise that Makoto, being one to religiously save their money, was a regular? The place even let them sometimes bring a few of their pokemon in to have a meal as well, which made it a great way to treat, say, Kama.

But as they came in this night, it became clear that something was amiss. They were used to the diner bustling at this time, but... It was eerily quiet, eerily empty. And the reason for this became quickly apparent, as they spotted Tempest in the corner.

Makoto glances back to the couple, and would try to offer them a reassuring glance of their own. "I'll - I'll handle this. The usual Crunchfest, please?" They'd speak - before moving for the corner booth. Though they knew Tempest could be dangerous, they at least believed that he wouldn't hurt them...

(... Or at least, they hoped as much.)

As they got closer, it became more apparent that he wasn't in his usual positive mood - spying the tear stains - and they'd go to one of the seats at the opposite side of the table. But rather than sit down immediately, they'd glance to him, asking "Would you... Like some company?"

The days after the incident up on Mt Pyre had been... Interesting. Certainly, nothing in these past days could top 'your boss had managed to temporarily summon the draconic jaws of a deific pokemon and nearly got bitten in half in the process'... But there was still the question of actually making sure that said boss was healing, and not getting any crazy ideas that'd possibly lead to him reopening the stitches and like.

Which was part of the reason for these visits. Around noon each day, Makoto would arrive with some lunch for the both of them and check in on him. To make sure the meds were doing their job, to make sure nothing was infected (though they had to wonder whether a tera-manifested set of bony jaws would really have the germs and bacteria of an actual mouth,) and so on.

(In truth, they didn't really like going to the submarine - everything felt so much more restrictive and closed-in, here. Perhaps due to the Pressure of Lugia's occasional presence in the waters outside? But, they still would visit as always.)

Today was no different from the prior. A short while past twelve, there would be a knock at the office door - polite and professional as always. And as always, once invited in, Makoto would have a couple bags with takeout for the both of them.

Makoto was a little surprised to see Amor going through some files on the grunts in the syndicate - most of the surprise being just that they were used to him focusing on other paperwork. Such as the reports for the whole Regidrago situation, for instance. This was different, though...

... But all the same - even if their gaze briefly drifted to see if they recognized any of the people the files were on - Amor himself was the focus today. "Good afternoon; how are you feeling, sir?" They'd ask, just as routine as everything else about their visits. "I got us our usual." They'd set the bag down on one of the empty spots on the table, working to unpack the two's food.

At their side, Tsukiko followed - her tails swishing eagerly. She would already be readying a Wish for Amor - to try and help him feel better - her illumina markings taking on that characteristic shimmer. (And perhaps, if she was really cute about it, the two of them would give her a bite of their lunches!)

Sending a gacha Smoliv to Elise Calcifet in return for a Herdier for Ettie

Even for all of Amor's manic excitement over this 'success', if one could call it that, Makoto was more than a little concerned for the Head Scientist. As he speaks, they are working to pull back the torn clothing so that they can bandage up the wounds below and stop the bleeding. One's dignity was nowhere near as important as actually staying alive - though they did their best to not pull away any more than they had to, to bandage him. "Tsukiko, Wish."

At Makoto's direction, Tsukiko would make a wish for Amor's health - her Illumina markings briefly glowing as she did. Though it'd take time, it'd at least prevent him from bleeding out.

Makoto jumped a bit at Howard's touch - glancing to watch as he moved for the machine - before responding with a soft "Yeah..."

As Amor commented on the pain though, Makoto couldn't help a sigh. "Of course you do - you nearly got bit in half..." They murmured - only loud enough for him to hear. They were too tired to really think about being their usual overly polite self - the words coming out before they could think much of it. "At this rate, you're going to get yourself killed by the gods you're pursuing..."

What would Amor do, if they weren't there to help the next time he got caught up in some crazy stunt like this?

Amor Rose Tempest Quinn howard slayte

Redeeming:

- Premium Gacha - Steel Type (PP2)
- x2 Standard Gacha (PP2)
- - Gacha Thread Here

- Philter of Illuminescence (Bewitching)
- - Himitsu the Unown becomes Illumina; ability changes to Illuminate and learns Spotlight

- Future Sight (FW2)
- - Himitsu the Unown learns Future Sight

- Elixir of Ghlochidia (Bewitching)
- - Himitsu the Unown learns Spiky Shield

- Draught of Purification (PP2)
- - Himitsu the Unown learns Purify

- Type 1 Evo (Midsummer)
- - Espian the A. Meowth evolves into A. Persian

- x4 Ability Capsule (NbC, VCT, PP2)
- - Espian the A. Persian changes to Fur Coat
- - Gacha Nickit changes to Stakeout
- - Gacha Weavile changes to Pickpocket
- - Gacha Mawile changes to Sheer Force

- Kasib Berry (Tales)
- - Kuro the H. Zorua gains a moveslot

- Valid Fire Move (BBS)
- - Kuro the H. Zorua learns Burning Jealousy

- Valid Dark Move (BBS)
- - Espian the A. Persian learns Throat Chop, forgets Night Slash

- Valid Dragon Move (2023 Advent)
- - Safari Deino learns Outrage

- x4 TM/TR (VCT, PP2)
- - Espian the A. Persian learns Body Slam, Shadow Claw, Curse, forgets Pay Day, Fury Swipes, Nasty Plot
- - Shiitake the Brute Bonnet learns Pollen Puff, forgets Synthesis

Sending a gacha Wooloo to absalom steel in return for a Dachsbun for Ettie !