[attr="class","header"]let the glimmer hide the dull

[attr="class","setting"]

He's just about to finish drawing on the wing when the door to his office bursts open, startling him and the houndour resting near his feet. The sudden disturbance messes the tip of the wing and Aris now sports a black, vertical line halfway down his cheek.[break][break]

"Excuse me, sir, you're not supposed to-" He interrupts himself when the stranger's disguise drops and reveals the familiar face of the underboss twisted in disdain. Great.[break][break]

Even before Cillian slaps the newspaper down on the desk and startles his houndour a second time, Aris could guess what this was about. He sighs and drops the eyeliner on top of the newspaper. "Cato's mess. Nothing to worry about, I've dealt with it," he reassures the man with a nonchalant wave before reaching out to grab a cotton pad sitting nearby and returning his attention to the mirror to clean his mistake.[break][break]

"You've travelled so far for something so trivial. Please, stay and have a drink." Considerate words for the sake of kindness. Aris has no particular respect for the man standing before him but he still recognises the authority that he must begrudgingly tolerate.[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Cillian Quinn [break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]let the glimmer hide the dull

[attr="class","setting"]

How long is he going to stay stuck here?[break][break]

Aris starts to think of possible escape plans or pushback. He glances at the shopping bag in his hand. None of the food items in there are something the pidoves would be interested in, and he doubts he can use some paper towels to shoo them away. He considers using Cato's precious paints as a distraction before a bright blue flash grabs his attention.[break][break]

The rapidash is easy to recognise, and the person sitting on top, albeit awkwardly, is even more so. A look of relief crosses Aris' face and he raises his free hand to wave the gym leader down.[break][break]

"Hey, over here!"[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Josh Devlin [break]

[attr="class","header"]let the glimmer hide the dull

[attr="class","setting"]

"...I think they should have a parade that leads up to the event," Aris suggests as he reclines on the towel spread over the sand, his hands crossed below his head for support. "Giving a glimpse of the contestants will hype everyone up, you know?"[break][break]

His pokemon have been set free while they're at the beach. The houndour, eevee and dachsbun are frolicking around and playing with each other, though the dachsbun doesn't seem to be too fond of the water. His nickit lays curled up on his stomach, snoring peacefully.[break][break]

Aris had suggested meeting at the beach. It's a bright, sunny day that is sure to inspire some ideas for this opportunity that they've stumbled across. Though he's more interested in actually participating in them, getting involved with the workings of these Pokemon Contests will surely do more good than harm.[break][break]

"What do you think? You got any ideas?" he asks Mint, turquoise eyes peeking over his sunglasses to regard the person.[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + mint frost [break]

+ Mission Link

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]let the glimmer hide the dull

[attr="class","setting"]

He should have known better than to step outside without company.[break][break]

Aris has no particular likes or dislikes towards Pokemon. The ones he keeps for himself are, of course, at the top of his list, but those not belonging to him are as good as non-existent.[break][break]

However, he does have one Pokemon at the very bottom of his list, and that's a pidove.[break][break]

They're treacherous creatures, worse than rats, roaming the sky and existing solely to torture the man whenever he steps foot outside of a building. For whatever unfathomable reason, Aris seems to be a natural target for these birds.[break][break]

Today, he had left the club for a short trip to the supermarket, and as soon as he had finished his transaction and exited the establishment, a swarm of pidoves had taken it upon themselves to attack him. He deeply regrets not bringing any of his pokeballs along.[break][break]

Aris is currently taking shelter under the awning of a storefront. Every attempt at stepping out into the light is parried with a dive from one of the pidoves. He's effectively stuck.[break][break]

"Fucking pests," he snarls up at them, using an arm to cover his face and swipe at any that come nearby. They dare not damage his face. That's his moneymaker, for gods' sake.[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Josh Devlin [break]

+ Mission Link

[attr="class","header"]let the glimmer hide the dull

[attr="class","setting"]

His rapidash is being particularly difficult today.[break][break]

Aris had ridden her over to Slateport City to do some shopping for himself, thanks to Cato stealing his clothes and ruining them with his messy painting methods. How many times has he told him to wear an apron at the very least?[break][break]

The Pokemon refuses to get into the ball, and Aris is left with no choice but to take her to the park and tire herself out until she willingly goes back in. He had considered dropping her off at a daycare, but those places have been getting ridiculously expensive.[break][break]

So, here he is, sitting on a bench and browsing his phone while the fiery Pokemon runs around the open field and grazes the grass.[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + jade rivers [break]

+ Mission Link

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]let the glimmer hide the dull

[attr="class","setting"]

It's time for another round around the club. Aris has made it a rule for himself to show his face and interact with the patrons to maintain a friendly demeanour for the public, just to avoid any rumours of the club's owner being too suspicious or mysterious.[break][break]

He exits the office and makes his way downstairs, past the kitchen and out of the STAFF ONLY area. He surveys the establishment; it's busy enough to call it a successful night, but not enough to call it crowded. With a charming smile adorning his lips and his eevee perched happily on his shoulder, Aris walks over to the nearest end of the bar and approaches the woman sitting there.[break][break]

"Welcome to Icarus, ma'am. I hope you're having a good time so far," he greets with a clear, ringing voice, leaning against the counter with his elbows and resting his cheek on his hand. The eevee chirps at the sudden change in balance and hops down onto the bar's surface.[break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Yuina Higashi [break]

+ Mission Link

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]let the glimmer hide the dull

[attr="class","setting"]

Oh, Aris had the room ready ages ago. He had just been taking advantage of the fact that Cato wouldn't touch a chore with a ten-foot pole, allowing him to remain alone and in peace for a while, or at least until the newcomer arrived.[break][break]

Which, it seems, she has.[break][break]

Aris lets out a light groan of annoyance at the shouting before he rises from his recline on the bed and pockets his phone. He pats the bed down to remove any sign of his rest and quickly runs a hand through his hair to make himself presentable. With his eevee on his heels, Aris exits the room and makes his way downstairs.[break][break]

He's met with the familiar figure of his best friend offering a very awkward handshake to the unfamiliar figure of the woman he had been told to expect, and he feels almost sorry for the first impression she must be receiving at this moment.[break][break]

With a welcoming yet playful smile now adorning his face, Aris walks to stand beside Cato and offers her his own hand.[break][break]

"You must be Cassidy. I'm Aris, but you probably know that already." He tilts his head in a friendly manner. "Now, I might be responsible for sheltering you, but you are, by no means, a guest. I expect you to help me around the bar and contribute to the chores as well."[break][break]

His eyes take in the form in front of him.[break][break]

"I hope you have some skills that we can lean on?"[break][break]

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + cassidy | cato

[attr="class","pokeclass"]