[break][break][break][break]

So many different thoughts and plans were rushing Naia's mind. One, she could shoot first, but there was no guarantee of her safety and she knew there was at least one shooter--there can always be more. Then she needs to run and find cover, at least then she could take out her Pokémon, but will they shoot her if she runs? The more she panicked the more it felt like every choice was just going to lead to her death, that was until a newly summoned Pokémon broke her out of her stun lock.

[break][break]It would have been a lie to say that she was relieved when she first saw it, her instant reaction was pure fear that this could have been from the enemy, her hands gripping tightly on her firearm to get ready to attack. But relief soon took over when she heard Ash's voice echo down the alleyway, far louder and angrier than their target.

[break][break]"I'll make sure no one finds the body. Dragon Rush."

[break][break]That's right. This isn't like the blood bath at the docks right now and unlike the unhinged teammate she had before Ashley looked far more reliable and in control. If this wasn't such a life or death situation for her she'd never think that he was cool, but there were far more important matters than being in awe. She needed to do her part.

[break][break]Even with her new found resolve she couldn't help but feel guilty that Ashley had to look after her and even cover for her amidst this chaos. With a sharp inhale, Naia would reach into her pocket and threw her Pokémon out as a desperate hail Mary.

[break][break]"Zwei, Keep them here!"

[break][break]By the time her Pokémon had fully materialized in front of her, her Zweilous would brace themselves digging their claws into the concert below, getting itself ready to use Scary face like it's own commanded. their typical goofy atmosphere would instantly start to twisted and deform with the dark energy emanating from them, their smile growing to be far more malicious and sinister as a dark shadow cast over the alleyway.

[break][break]Within mere moments, their nightmarish visage would lunge out to all those targeted, leaving behind a trail of spine-chilling echoes and visions of their deepest fear. While it wasn't hurting anyone physically Naia would assume that the psychological burden would be enough to overwhelm them and slow down their decision making for the time being.

[break][break]"I can at least provide some back up..!"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Ashley Shepard

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[break][break][break][break]

Fuck.. Was she going to pass out?

[break][break]the lightheadedness was starting to reach down to her fingers, she couldn't tell if she was running out of strength but even with the struggling she couldn't even feel that knife anymore. But even with her blurred vision she could vaguely tell that another person had showed up; she barely even had the energy to be panicked if maybe Dorian got over powered by himself. But just as quickly as despair set in so did hope when her attackers hands were forcefully ripped from her neck.

[break][break]Instantly Naia lurched to the side, her body desperately choking back the air into her lungs. While her body was fighting back functionality, she could feel the man struggling and fighting; to her that meant the fight wasn't over. However as she turned back around Naia bare witness to the sickening twist and crack of his neck, and then momentary silence. It wasn't until then did her puffed up and terrified Zorua inched out from the vehicle to make it over to Naia's side, Colie doing her best to make herself as small as possible while she hid under Naia's arm.

[break][break]Naia flinched at both the sound and sight of their attacker's body falling to the ground, the mere idea that just seconds ago this helpless shell of a person was attacking her. Sudden movement and sounds put Naia on edge, not excluding the stretched out hand for her. Hesitant she'd look from his hand to his chin, almost too scared to see what sort of expression he'd make before taking a hold of it and getting back up onto her feet.

[break][break]Colie terrifyingly whimpering and yipping as it tried to use the space in between Naia's feet as shelter. "Thank..s" She was originally going to say thank you, but the pain caused her to round it off into one word instead. Despite her temporary instability she still carefully reached down to pick up her Colie, her hands and arms instantly greeted with panicked and desperately licks and nuzzles. "There's.. a gun in the car.."

[break][break]Probably everywhere at this point. This.. wasn't what she signed up for, but now she can't back out now that she's here. Looking back at the chaos, Naia couldn't even tell if they were winning or not. "...is the cargo okay?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] dorian westcliff

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[break][break][break][break]

"I know the feeling. They only get longer."

[break][break]How she didn't realize how much longer this night was going to be. The sight of their target heading down an alley, triggered a foreign feeling within Naia. Perhaps it was a sense of foreboding to what they needed to do next, or more scary, the possibility of experience the thrill of the hunt that she had seen in other Rockets. Either way, the naive shy feeling she had been feeling moments ago slowly faded out because of this and was completely gone by the sound of Ashley's voice.

[break][break]"... last chance before we turn the corner. You do it? Or.."

[break][break]His voiced faded out when Naia noticed the glint of a weapon in his hand, it was like for a second time had stopped and suddenly all heavy thoughts in her head disappeared along with it. The last time Naia has seen a gun it was pointed directly at her and that bloody fight for her life was the last thing she wanted to experience. The true and depressing irony was that she was going to be the attacker.

[break][break]It was when she was going to reach for the gun did she realize how hard she was gripping onto his arm, the joints of her fingers had gone white, how fortunate it was that she was holding slowly on the fabric of his sweater than his actual arm.

[break][break]"I'll do it." There was a lump stuck in her throat, making the first word out of her mouth waver, but still she'd let go of his arm and place a hand over his own. The way she'd take the gun out from his hand wasn't using any force, but instead gentle coaxing as if she was handing glass than a gun.

[break][break]It was heavy in every sense of the word.

[break][break]It was much like holding a scalpel, the very real sensation of knowing that someone's life was in your hands. The minor knowledge she had of guns was enough to know if it ready to fire or not, and that she needed the lock to not be on. Once it had her seal of approval, Naia would closed her eyes for a quick second and took a breath in. On exhale she'd look over at Ashley and nod.

[break][break]She was already on high alert the moment that gun was in her hands, her original plan to turn into the alley with Ashley close some distance however a foreboding feeling came over her when she noticed their target wasn't further down the alley than anticipated. It was that same gut feeling she had with the construction crew at the docks-- she needed to shoot. Instead of giving into her fight instinct, she opted to shove Ashley back. There was a strong possibility that they could have been aiming for either person and since they were an Ex-Rocket, they'd most likely recognize Ashley.

[break][break]The zip of a bullet pasting past her face went chills down her spine, from how fast her heart was pounding she barely registered the pain coming from her cheek and ear. If it hadn't been for Ashely's presence she may have had stood still and shot instead--

[break][break]Naia's blood ran cold. She couldn't tell if it was blood running down the nip of her neck or blood from her fresh wound, and if people were speaking she couldn't register it anymore. Perhaps it was because too much information was filling in; one maybe two people and with Pokémon, based on their shapes maybe a Gengar and Breloom.

[break][break]If they planning to counter attack, who knows when a third one could come behind them.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Ashley Shepard

[break][break][break][break]

It was with terrifying precious how Dorian handled that knife, if Naia had any doubt about his alliance with her, she'd almost take this entire process a threat. Once the weapon was in her own hand, she had to try her hand at opening the blade, making sure to keep it a safe distance from herself then click-- the spring lock was far stranger than she expected and as such the resistance was just as strong. How privileged her life must have been for her to never have to handle such a weapon.

[break][break]"Thank you.."

[break][break]With those words she'd stuff the closed knife into her pocket, her eyes drafting off to the sights outside. To her, everything looked normal, but even so something did feel a bit off. Was it because she was being sensitive?

[break][break]"Remain calm."

[break][break]Naia turned to look at him with a raised brow, and then looked back out the window. It was weird that they were all wearing bandanas, and worse when they approached did she see the guns on them. A hand protectively went to scoop her Zorua off from her lap and down at her feet and out of sight, having a Pokémon was no different than brandishing a weapon.

[break][break]"Hand over the cargo, if you want to live!"

[break][break]"Cargo's in the back! Just don't kill us!"

[break][break]Instinctually Naia hovered her hands in the air, this really wasn't the first time she had been robbed and she was always told just to hand things over since they could be bought back but-- Wasn't this different? She didn't want to make any sudden moves, but she would look over at Dorian a bit confused. Why would we just hand everything over? Did he want her to do something while drawing attention to himself?

[break][break]"Smart move! Now don't move!"

[break][break]Maybe if she should somehow signal to Coli--

[break][break]It was the screams at first, the possibility of something far more dangerous than these men instantly set Naia into fright or flight. I the she was about to spin around to see what was happening did Dorian grab the arm of the man beside him and pulled it in. The sound of the shot rang inside the car, and Naia froze. Did she get hit? The blood splatter at her window ran her blood cold, but in a matter of seconds she realized it was on the wrong side.

[break][break]They have guns.

[break][break]Such an obvious fact, she had seen them before, but now it was a real threat. With trembling hands, Naia managed to fumble her seatbelt off, and wing open the door. Of course she wasn't graceful when she exit out of the truck, quite literally tripping over the seat belt and landing near the man bleeding out. Her first and only thought was to get the gun out of his hands which wasn't a hard feat with him being more preoccupied with his wound.

[break][break]He wasn't going to make it. Give it a couple more minutes at most and he'll bleed out, but now that she was outside of the truck the sounds of screams and yelling her blending together to a chaotic cacophony. Amongst the crowd, and far too close for comfort she heard, "--ucking bitch."

[break][break]How did they get there so fast? Maybe they were already here. Before she thought of protecting herself she knew she needed to toss the gun. The only spot she felt save was back into the truck behind her, if anything she knew she wasn't strong enough to keep that gun in her hands if it came to a scramble. How fortunate they went to grab her head first, from how she pushed her hair up into her cap it make it easily slip off from her head.

[break][break]With her precious seconds she just gained, Naia reached into her pocket pulling out her newly acquired knife. All it took was a click and the blade already sunk into his leg with horrifying ease. The agonizing howl of the man gave Naia the green light to escape, however as she spun around to jump into the trunk she failed to understand the power of adrenaline. The grip on her leg, ripped her back out like out of a horror movie.

[break][break]Within seconds she was back on the ground, spinning around to fight them only led to having hands on her neck instead. She had ten seconds before she passed out, and time was ticking. She needed him off, with him being over her, it was hard to contort her body in a way to get her legs up and in-between them, leaving the blade in his leg. Her head was getting fuzzy, the heavy beating sensation of her heart was up in her throat. How many seconds did she have left? And just barely she could touch the hilt of the blade.

[break][break]Just a bit more--

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] dorian westcliff

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[break][break][break][break]

Typically everything she said would turn someone away, but in Ashley's case it seemed to cause the opposite. With a lighthearted yet defeated sigh, her tense shoulders relaxed again.

[break][break]However with just the opening of a door Naia was brought back into reality again, she couldn't help but jolt in place and soon her main propriety would be in making sure she didn't spill her topless coffee. She really only thought it was in video games when the main character's demeanor would suddenly shift to serious and professional, but she was watching it in real time with Ashley. How quickly he assessed the situation and gave such confident commands awed Naia.

[break][break]"A-ah.. uhm!" Clumsily she'd re-lid her drink, and a bit roughly squeezed his arm with her own. She knew that this was the best option, but she never walked like this with someone before, was she supposed to lean into him? Would that just make it harder for him to move? Wait she still had her umbrella from before, wouldn't that look suspicious. It was awkward maneuvering on her part, having to switch which had had her coffee, dragging his arm with her all so that she could do her best to stealthily toss her umbrella away.

[break][break]Ah right. Smile.

[break][break]That's when she'd turn over at him and give him her best smile, it wasn't a toothy grin or anything, but her awkward attempt left it lopsided and strained. She knew she failed it and just dropped it instantly and started walking if he hadn't already at that point. She just needed to figure out how to make this situation more natural, meaning she'd need her imagination.

[break][break]If she was walking like this with someone she trusted... she'd probably be tired. With a mental apology as she'd take in a deep breath and completely allow herself to lean into his shoulder, she'd have to unfortunately push Cocoa onto his shoulder with her head, but if need be Cocoa can just go on Naia's other shoulder. Even with her best attempt to hide her nervousness, she couldn't help but have a slight tremble to her voice and fingertips, "T-today's been a long day."

[break][break]And still is. She'd pull in his arm closer to herself, her ears heating up from how self-conscious she felt. Then again she'd rather this than think about what they'll have to do later.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Ashley Shepard

[break][break][break][break]

Her Zorua eventually lost interest in the man when he seemed to pay it no mind, almost with a fed up with huff he'd up turn its nose and made it's way back to it's owner's side. All the introductions were made so the real matter of things was to see exactly what they were dealing with. Naia had never seen a Naclstack before, and if you told her there were creatures in this shape, she wouldn't have believed you.

[break][break]"Yes, if trouble comes up. But let's hope this job goes smoothly, yeah?"

[break][break]Ah, Naia was hoping to avoid a fight, especially since she never fought with Colie before.. she really didn't want her to get hurt. It was just for a short moment Naia just imagined what it would be like if Colie got hurt, a quick flash of tension in her chest arisen, like mud. This feeling she'd just have to get used too.

[break][break]"Lets."

[break][break]If anything she liked that he was a man of few words, it was much easier to sit in silence than with someone annoying. As such she didn't feel the need to get a verbal command to get in the truck, just seeing him get ready to leave was just enough for her. It was the moment she opened the passenger side door, did Colie jump up onto the seat, her face pressed down into the chair as it was curiously exploring the smells. Naia was used to such behaviors and just pushed her over with her hip just to give herself room enough to sit down.

[break][break]As she was getting situated and buckled in, did she notice a shine from the corner of her eye, the objecting causing her to raise a brow. "Should.. I have brought a weapon..?" There was a chance that this could have not been his, maybe he worked as a plumber or this was a borrowed work truck.

[break][break]"I'm.. not much of a fighter, but I can at least patch you up."

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] dorian westcliff

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[break][break][break][break]

"I guess so." To Naia her father wasn't much of a force in her life, her mother dominated the household and smothered anything that opposed it. She picked the perfect submissive man to her antics, the perfect man who could still contribute to the family funds and one that wouldn't raise a brow at their activities.

[break][break]"Glad you're the recruit I got assigned to. I needed that."

[break][break]Ah. She finally did something right.

[break][break]It felt alien, was she supposed to be happy or just disappointed she couldn't do this every time. She stare wavered again, unconsciously unable to face him and possibly see the same dissatisfied look she used to see on her mother's face. Thankfully she had a distraction, she just needed to pretend to be focused on her drink and offering them to.. Cocoa now it seemed. Though with them standing together at the bus stop, Naia couldn't help but feel maybe this in itself could be suspicious.

[break][break]When was the next stop?
[break]When they leave will there be multiple people too?
[break]Would they have body guards? They were Rocket runaways after all.
[break]Would we need to stalk them to their home?
[break]If so, would they have family there..?

[break][break]"Who knows. Maybe I will have more missions with you after all."

[break][break]It broke Naia's train of thought, she didn't notice she was intently staring at the front of the building, her eyes meeting up with his in an attempt to process what he could mean by that. "If... you want." the shift in her expression went to confusion, it always puzzled her whenever people showed interest in her. As far as Naia was concerned there was nothing special or good about her, subpar by her mother's standards.

[break][break]"I haven't been on much.. So uh.. there is a lot I need to learn." Her voice got quieter as she continued, typical of her anxiety she'd tense up, "I've only.. battled a couple of times too."

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Ashley Shepard

[break][break][break][break]

"Have you done it before?"

[break][break]Seeing how it was only her coffee left, she'd just simply twist her drink from it's clutches and quickly looked around them for a garbage or place to put it down. Finding that the bus stop bench was good enough, she'd just toss it onto it, "Not really." This was probably the most honest answer she could give, she tried to keep some people alive with her father's back alley business for rocket and failed. And then other times she succeeded when she really shouldn't have, for them perhaps death was the best option for them.

[break][break]"Usually, I agree. You would. But let me be clear. I'm used to it... but the guilt? That never leaves."

[break][break]She had to stop herself from speaking up, and instead just let him continue. At this point she was understanding where his pain was coming from, at least this fraction of it. And even when he stopped for a bit, Naia felt he had more to share. At least that's what people normally do, once you open up a little bit, it isn't hard to let go of the rest.

[break][break]"I'll be there to make sure it doesn't haunt you as bad as it does to me. Not seeing the body helps too, so believe it or not, that might be a good idea."

[break][break]That should could agree with, despite the dark conversation it was kind of cute and relieving to see the very normal antics between him and his Pokémon.

[break][break]"Isn't it normal to feel guilt?" She was back to quiet responses, at least for the time being. While she spoke, she carefully popped the lead off from her coffee, and carefully poured some of it into her lid. "It's uh.. overwhelming to think of them having family. Each person has their own dreams.. but so do we."

[break][break]To make it easier for the Zorua to drink from the make shift bowl Naia made, she'd step closer to Ashley, close enough to stand shoulder to-- upper arm in this situation. "My dad told me.. you'll never save people if you get overwhelmed with the guilt of the dead. Your decision making will get clouded, you'll hesitate, and those seconds you lose could be another life on your hands."

[break][break]She'd pause to drink her coffee, the bitterness complimenting this rain, "O-Of course we aren't doctors right now." she tried, at least this helped her feel better.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Ashley Shepard

[break][break][break][break]

Despite the adorable antics just a few minutes ago the atmosphere was far heavier than before, even Naia couldn't just simply overlook it. Naia was forced into medical school by her parents' ambitions and wishes, but despite never putting an once of love into that occupation she fully understood what it took to keep a person alive, and as well how to end it. Like a child who knew they were wrong to stick their hand in the cookie jar, Naia felt that same anxious feeling when it came to going against her vows, but she picked this job so she should also keep the bad parts of it too.

[break][break]She couldn't help but watch Ashley go through what seemed to be an internal struggle, from the moment his smile faded to him for the first time avoiding eye contact with Naia, this sort of thing seemed to bug him. That much she could tell.

[break][break]"In a way. We're actually in front of the building they work at... so we're waiting for them to walk home. Once they do..."

[break][break]She tensed up at his smile, despite him trying his best to look up beat and act like it was nothing; it just felt wrong. This tension and uneasiness Naia felt was foreign to her though not in the sense that she never felt it before just that she didn't know what to call it. And the only way she knew how to release this pent up tension was to let it out in an audible sigh, now her eyes focusing on his nameless companion.

[break][break]"I'll take care of it."

[break][break]She stayed silent for a moment, her brain trying to rack how she was supposed to reply to this as her fingers would carefully brushed and pet the soft little Zorua. Once she came to her own conclusion, she'd pull her hand away and push herself to a stand.

[break][break]"I guess I'll show you Colie later." Once she was fully up, she'd turn back to Ashley throwing her palms up to gesture him to had over the tray. Their coffees at this point is going to get cold after all.

[break][break]"Thanks but no." She was going to keep it at that but.. maybe it would be okay to speak her mind a bit. "Um.. Will you be.. uh.. always following me every mission?"

[break][break]The moment she strayed from just short responses her voice wavered, betraying how uncomfortable she actually was with talking. "E-eventually I'll have to do it.. um.. myself. And this, it's supposed to keep everyone safe.."

[break][break]The tension built up too much again and she was getting overwhelmed. With a short breath in, her shoulders dropped with a heavy sigh. None of this was her style, "I'm more concern with what to do with the body.. Do.. do you think Zweilous can eat people?" She really didn't want this to get back to them after all.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Ashley Shepard

[break][break][break][break]

Naia couldn't help but watch the other man's hand rummage through her pocket and in that moment couldn't be more grateful that her sweater was thick enough to not really feel it.

[break][break]"You can put your umbrella away, we can share mine. It's big."

[break][break]She.. didn't know how to take this. It would be really strange to have two random strangers just meet up and hang out near a bus stop at night, in the rain of all things. But it would all make sense if it was some form of rendezvous, it was always amazing to see how many people from rocket can think ahead like this. As he took the coffees from her Naia, didn't step under his umbrella just yet and would just simply swing down her umbrella, taking her time to pull it up and lock it in place. She didn't want him to get wet, and at this point a little extra rain never killed anymore.

[break][break]"Kayode, right? Name's Sawyer, but you can call me Ash."

[break][break]Ah. Her shoulder would slump slightly at her realizing she didn't introduce herself yet, the obnoxious scolding of her mother ringing in her ears. While he continued his introductions, Naia stepped under his umbrella, focusing her attention on the strange looking Zorua at their feet.

[break][break]"-... no name yet, but just call her Grumpy for now."

[break][break]"Naia is fine.." she faintly said, she didn't like people calling her Kayode, it always made her think they were talking to her mother. Despite how aggressive and angry the little Zorua was, Naia still dropped down to a crouch and offered an open hand towards it. "This must.. be a Hisui Zorua? She looks so different from Colie."

[break][break]"You got a briefing on the mission?"

[break][break]She didn't pull her hand back nor stood back up, instead she'd just look up at Ashley. Naia went to open her mouth to speak but instead pressed her lips in a tight line when she found it hard to say the word kill. She spent so long trying to find another way outside of death but even she couldn't find another way. Turning away from him, she'd continue while watching the fiery Zorua, "We're just here to visit someone, no?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Ashley Shepard

[break][break][break][break]

This was another first for Naia. If anything ever since joining Rocket her monotonous cage has been filled with new things and experiences, she could almost say that it was worth all the extra stress they gave. And stress it was, rarely does Naia never get jitters but on while she was waiting for her coffee order to be finished she found herself tapping her finger against her arm impatiently, constant flutters in her chest to only remind her of her uneasiness. Logically it wasn't impossible that Rocket could have figured out about her blind date with @remiel and now put into question about her and her mother's loyalty to Rocket. It could all just be a coincident or this mission was to show her what happened when you left.

[break][break]In midst of her thoughts Naia, had already taken the coffees, balancing them in a tray while the other hand held onto her umbrella, naïve hope led her to believe that she wouldn't have to be out in the rain for long, but seeing how their meeting was at a bus stop she may just have to get used to the uncomfortable wetness. Noticing a man standing in the distance, Naia made a quick scan of the area to make sure that this was supposed to be the person she was supposed to meet before getting closer.

[break][break]The thing she was mainly fixated on was his attire, it seemed that both of them went for a more casual look but given how Naia's family situation was like nothing she wore was anything less than designer. Perhaps next time she should stop somewhere more common, there was still a lot to learn about espionage that made her head spin. Then when her eyes landed on his shoes she couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly. Was white shoes really a good idea? First there was mud, then you have to worry about the blood.. If Rocket were murderers like dorian westcliff then it surely won't be clean.

[break][break]Worse case she can always buy him new ones.

[break][break]"Here."

[break][break]Mid way through that single word did she peel her eyes from his shoes and looked him in the face for the first time. She was at this point using both hands to hold the tray, attempting to carefully balance her umbrella between her cheek and shoulder though without much success. Not that it really bothered her at this point, it was just an inevitability.

[break][break]"It's black. I have stuff in my pocket." She's swing her hip to expose her hoodie pocket, and thus giving him permission to search it "You know, for milk or sugar."

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Ashley Shepard