[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190924/544c85ab5c75bc61a4bb5ce40dc0caa6.png[/img]
[color=salmon]Word Count: 1122 (+2 exp)[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]9[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 163/90
[b]Location:[/b] Edinburgh MagicaPolis[/color][/center]
Lucia found an attentive audience as she described the agents to keep an eye out for. It was implied that things would more than likely come to blows whenever they came knocking, as Band has put it, so the former police woman's briefing on them was invaluable. The Cadet would have to keep her descriptions in mind, as well as the advice Sakura had given him earlier about close quarters fighting. A pair of crazy cops and a robot tag team, huh? 

The Cadet echoed Band's gratitude for the information. After that, of course, was the group's plans for their next move. It was looking likely that they'd stay in the city for now, much to the Cadet's chagrin. It was fine, he could deal with it. Though the reason Band gave made the hunter give the metallic musician a sideways glance, half concerned and half amused.

[color=salmon]"The what situation now?"[/color] he asked, prompting Band for the information the detective had learned while in the police chief's office, even if it wasn't in much detail. Of course after the explanation, the Ace Cadet pledged himself as back-up. Of course he wouldn't be leaving without the others, especially if there was danger ahead.

And as far as what to do in the mean time, picking up some odd jobs was suggested.

[color=salmon]"Sounds good to me,"[/color] he said, stretching out and leaning back in his chair. If they had to kill some hours until nightfall to investigate this skeleton thing and possibly get some clues to their actual objective, then there was no better use of their downtime then making money with it. Especially while they were cut off from the Alcamoth Mercenaries and the other Seekers. He looked over the list Lucia pulled out.

[color=salmon]"What's the 'Swarm'?"[/color] the hunter asked out of curiousity, noting that it was mentioned a couple of times in the job listings. Something commonplace in the city, then? He couldn't imagine a big bug problem here of all places. He looked toward their local guide, and Lucia scrunched up her face. 

"Vahmin. Like roaches but with heads like leeches. Can't sahvive out in the cold, so they hole up in basements an' crap wheah they can eat rats and make theah nests. Gross as hell, but nothin' people who can fight can't handle." 

[color=salmon]"Noted."[/color] So there [i]was[/i] a bug problem even in an icy place like this. Interesting, but yeah, it did sound gross. 

Assisting with the Spheal show was definitely the odd job out, seeming to be the only pleasant option. The Ace Cadet was not opposed to physical labor, but given the choice of it, dealing with some truly grotesque sounding vermin, dealing with cadavers, or dealing with trained animals? Well, he knew which one he would choose. 

Band was on the same page too. 

[color=salmon]"Agreed,"[/color] the Cadet said. Lucia's enthusiastic response sealed the deal. They'd help out with the show, earn some cash, and see where the night led them. The hunter stood up to accompany the rest of them out of the tavern. [color=salmon]"Looking forward to it!"[/color]
[hr]
"All Round" was right. The animals, about two feet around, were basically big friendly looking globes with feet. 

[color=salmon]"Aw, look at these little guys,"[/color] the Cadet cooed, crouching by the fountain. The Spheal that must have been Glenn did come up to his outstretched hand, enjoying some scritches that the Cadet gave him behind his ears. He pet the Pokémon as Band confirmed what the group was there for, and as Sierra finished introducing each Spheal to them. [color=salmon]"Snow cute."[/color]

Sierra's mention of possible poachers came as a surprise, but honestly with another look at the rotund animals it made sense. The Ace Cadet's face smoothed out into a serious expression, taking her whispered words seriously. It brought up memories of a couple of poor piglets who never ended up back where they belonged, and of course memories of his home world and his responsibilities there. [i]Man, I really can't stand poachers.[/i]

He sighed and stood up, crossing his arms over his chest. 

[color=salmon]"Makes sense if they were after the pelts,"[/color] he said, observing the Pokémon as they played in the fountain. [color=salmon]"Their fur seems waterproof, and it's really thick - I'm sure it could make all kinds of useful stuff."[/color] Warm coats, boots, clothes lining, sturdy pouches... Plus the deep blue color and white spots would make for some nice patterning. If the Spheals were as docile as they appeared now, it would make them even more attractive targets. Of course any potential poachers would have to get around the whole "dead things turn immediately to ash" thing... 

The Cadet only pondered over that for a moment or two before he shook his head slightly and stood up to properly face the two women. 

[color=salmon]"But not to worry, we'll keep everyone safe,"[/color] He promised. He wouldn't complain if some poachers actually did turn up, so they could face justice. [i]Oh, but the whole thing with police department... eh, if we can't deliver them to be locked up then a good scare should set them straight at least.[/i]

[color=salmon]"Anyway, good to be working with you!"[/color] he said to Sierra and Frisk. As he went to properly introduce himself, an expression briefly passed over his face as though he were thinking about something complicated. In the end though he didn't say anything that might hint to the thought process his brain had just been put through. Rather than going through the naming convention thing as he had plenty of times over the last few days, instead he made it simple for everyone involved. [color=salmon]"Call me Ace."[/color]

Worrying about the protection would come a bit later, for now the four of them were being hired to do a job so do it they should. 

[color=salmon]"Okay, just tell me what goes where!"[/color] He said, aiming a smile at Frisk. Between the lot of them, everything would be set up in a jiffy. Now that the Cadet's attention was directed toward Frisk, he he noticed something very peculiar about her. He smile didn't quite slip so much as twitch, and he blinked in surprise.

[color=salmon]"Oh, you're...?"[/color] 

Frisk was not under Galeem's influence. The Cadet glanced at Big Band and Wonder Red. How was it possible that she'd been freed if it was the first time the Seekers had been to this place? On second thought, why wouldn't it be possible? The Cadet's understanding of how the first Seekers got free was hazy, but they weren't the only ones out in the world without the light's brainwashing, right?

[color=salmon]"You don't have the thing going on,"[/color] he told her, helpfully wiggling his fingers beside his own eyes to clarify what he was talking about. 
[right][sub][@Majoras End][/sub][/right]