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cuttleskulls
Dog going missing wasn't exactly out of the norm; he'd wander off somewhere for hours, avoiding work, avoiding training, ~exploring~. Amir scolded the young houndour time and again, arms crossed and waiting in the door jam as the pokemon returned home after dark, far after work was over. The officer told the defiant little thing the doors lock at 10pm, if he's not back in time he'd have to find his own dinner AND sleep outside. The dinner, usually, was enough motivation, and Dog returned from his weekly prison break covered in mud, but well before sunset. So when sunset came and went, and Amir's young ward didn't show up bounding up the front porch and barking at the door, he figured maybe he finally found a better dinner.
When 10pm came and went...he grew a little more concerned. Dog was just a pup but he had a good head on his shoulders, he wouldn't get himself in too much trouble right?
Amir fussed like a parent, trying to remind himself his rules did say he could sleep outside. Maybe he'll lock the door at 11.
By 10:30 he's asleep on the couch, waiting for his pup to come home. The door doesn't wind up locked all night.(edited)
Knock out, six am, you say it's work time? Where did Dog go?
The precinct sergeant also finds it odd that their youngest recruit didn't show up with his trainer, and allows Amir an extra hour for lunch to search and rescue. Or at least search. Hopefully no rescuing would be involved.
Helpful town NPCS citizens provide some leads, pointing him in at least a narrower direction than before.
........He also cheats, clicking the dispenser of the pokeblock treat case, he always came running, sometimes sliding, when he heard that thing.

Cloneclone
The young pup didn't come home at all that night.

Tyrin found Dog roaming around, and between being a houndour and wearing a police vest... the rogue's interest was caught. Catching Dog was easy enough, weirdly easy as Dog nearly bowled Tyrin over for a few scraps. He wasn't sure what to do with such a rowdy pup but... he was important. And Tyrin was taking him. Mine now.

Dog stayed with Tyrin and his brother that night as they tried to figure out what was best and in the end, Tyrin was off to talk ransom with the owner.

I have your pup. Give me money for the pup. Except... Tyrin wasn't sure where to go to ransom this pup- not until the houndour perked and started to thrash as if trying to get somewhere. Tyrin tightened his hold on the pokemon, grunting with the frantic squirming before following the direction in which the dog was interested up until he was before Amir, and the clicking dispenser. Oh hi.

cuttleskulls
Eeeyup there he is. Amir hears the scrambling from the alley, and ducks his head into the warehouse to spot the pup, now whimpering as he's held back by some....punk kid. He approaches slowly, not wanting to spook the boy currently holding the houndour. "Alright kid. Time to give back the pup. Sorry he's already got an owner."

Cloneclone
"He's yours?" Tyrin asked as if he didn't just get the answer. Tyrin just wanted to make sure. Dog continued to wiggle, clearly wanting the treats, but Tyrin's arm hooked firmly around the pup's chest while the other curled around Dog's back legs. Stop. Struggling!

cuttleskulls
Amir squints, realizing this kid is holding the pokemon hostage, rather than being friendly. "Yes. Officer Rashid. Pleasure. He's actually training under me. Foster until he makes the force." Or until I adopt him. Don't lie to yourself Amir.

Cloneclone
"Cop." Also very much clear, and yet still parroted.

"Okay, you can have him back." The catch hung heavy in his voice before he even spoke it, "For a hundred dollars." Some punk kid? Holding a dog ransom from an officer of the law? More likely than you think.

cuttleskulls
He's dumbstruck a moment, surprised that this kid even has the cajones to talk back to a cop, let alone hold one for ransom. "Excuse me?"

Cloneclone
This was a dog, sir, not a cop. Chill.

"A hundred dollars." Tyrin repeated patiently, as if truly believing Amir didn't hear him.

cuttleskulls
"You've..." gotta be kidding me. "No?"
"This is illegal" Somehow, probably. "or at least just stupid. Come on give me the dog back."

Cloneclone
Tyrin squeezed the dog tighter, stepping away as he hefted the pokemon higher. A lone zubat popped its head free of Tyrin's collar, ears twitching one way and another before focusing those satellites on Amir.

"A hundred dollars." Said the broken record.

cuttleskulls
Amir sighs, long and deep, running a tired hand down his face. He's not gonna get anywhere with this riff raff. The kid looks a mess, he wouldn't be surprised if this was his nest, and Amir was currently able to see everything this kid owns. It sparks a small twinge of empathy, but more or less he just remains exasperated. "....look kid. I'll give you 20 dollars and let you off with a warning if you hand him over and clear outta here alright? I want you to go home without causing any more trouble."

Cloneclone
Tyrin pursed his lips. What? 20 was a shitty haggle over 100. His eyes lidded, looking none too pleased with the offer.

"75." Tyrin returned with his counter offer, taking another step back. He turned Dog so that he could hold the pooch like a baby, one arm hooked under his flank, while the other scratched Dog's back to keep him distracted. Pay no mind to the treats.

cuttleskulls
"I'm not haggling with you. I can call Dog back to his pokeball at any time. I'm telling you to go home and stop causing trouble. Stealing pokemon isn't going to land you anywhere good." He's concerned for the urchin's future. Dog is concerned with more scritches.

Cloneclone
"You can't call him back if I run." Tyrin threatened. The second Amir's hand drifted towards pokeball retrieving territory, Tyrin would spinning about and fleeing. Till then, there he stood, waiting for his demands to be met, all the while giving Dog those scritches.

"75."

cuttleskulls
And reach for that pokeball he does, slowly, testing to see where this kid is at. When he tenses the officer slows his hand, "Come on kid I really don't want to arrest you."

Cloneclone
"You would have to catch me for an arrest." Tyrin's brows furrowed, going rigid as the hand reached for the pokeball. He took another step, itching to book it. When the hand came back up, Tyrin tried to switch things up.

Breathing in sharply, Tyrin hugged Dog close, hiding his face some into the pooch as he became wilted.

"Please?"

cuttleskulls
Ah fuck.
Tyrin played empathy.
It's super effective.

Cloneclone
B)

cuttleskulls
Amir's shoulders crumple, even as Dog whimpers and wiggles in this child's grasp. And that’s what he is in this moment, a child. He may play the part of a roughed up street thug but this kid couldn’t be much older than than 15.
He breathes deep, sighing again with a soft groan. He takes a few moments, silently, deciding what to do. "What's your name kid."

Cloneclone
Haha, sucker.

Tyrin kept his wilted disposition, playing the pathetic route to get what he wanted. ...Except now he just gets badgered with questions. Fuck these questions, he just wanted the 75 bucks.

"....Tyrin. Can I have the money now? Your dog is heavy."

cuttleskulls
"Look, Tyrin, I'll tell you what. I can buy you lunch. Does that work?"

Cloneclone
Tyrin lit right up, losing that act to stand straight in attention.

"...Lunch and a twenty?"

cuttleskulls
Amir squints, still suspicious of the boy. "Lunch. With me. Where I can make sure you're not getting high on my bill alright? Then we'll see if you- ugh." He rubs the bridge of his nose between two fingers. He just wanted to be back in the office with his houndour and not somehow haggling with some urchin. "We'll see if I can trust you with a twenty. Deal?"

Cloneclone
"I could buy grass clippings with that much." Tyrin frowned, lopsided as he favored one side. But... alright, free food. He wasn't about to knock that, but he sure as hell was going to take a bite out of Amir's paycheck with his meal.

"...I drop the dog once we order. Deal?" Even if his arms ached, this dog would be attached to him like a tumor.

cuttleskulls
"Not helping your case kid." He kind of regrets this, being strong armed into a hostage situation instead of just chasing the kid down but...ugh. His bleeding heart really annoys him sometimes.
"So you're gonna carry him all the way back into town." He pauses a moment before he can't help but snrk at the thought. Dog is just delighted.

Cloneclone
"Yes." Tyrin snapped, hefting Dog up some as the heavy pooch started to slide. Honestly the houndour wasn't that bad, but when you've been holding a wiggling pup for so long.... the weight started to seem a bit much.

"He's my dog now until the trade is completed."
cuttleskulls
"Oh my god."Amir fully dragged his hand down his face, this is not how he wanted his afternoon to go. "Alright fine, I'm walking. Come on."
Cloneclone
Tyrin nodded and followed after, shifting occasionally to try and heft the pup up.

His zubat peered at Dog, squeaking once before jerking back as suddenly a nose was directly in its face. Spooked out of its hiding place, Tyrin's zubat fluttered out of the collar to settle on Tyrin's head instead. Another squeak.

cuttleskulls
The squeak earns a look back in his direction, seeing that the boy and his posse were following. "So what's your story kid. Why you nickin pokemon."

Cloneclone
"Because I can. Because I want to. Because dad never hugged me enough. Because I can convince good cops to get me money so I can keep doing bad stuff. I don't know, you make up whatever story you want. It doesn't matter." Tyrin fixed Amir with a wary stare, not about to spill his sob story before he was even fed.

That shit was second date material anyway.
cuttleskulls
"Mm. Going with the edgy teen schtick right out the gate huh." Amir falls back a bit, walking in line with Tyrin to hold more of a conversation than a marching order. "You've got to be what, fifteen? Sixteen?"

Cloneclone
"Uh, no. I just don't know you enough to bleed out on you or anything. What's your story? Tell me every detailed part of your life. Please, I'm really interested." Tyrin countered, looking up at Amir with a squint as if that proved his point.

"Eighteen."
cuttleskulls
Mmmhm. Fifteen it is. He gives him a 'yeah, okay' look, but doesn't push him further on the issue. He was trying to get the kid to open up, gain some trust. "Well if you are that interested," he lets the slightest smirk betray a deadpan, looking forward and answering Tyrin's question in mock sincerity. I know exactly the sassy shit you're trying to pull kid, so I'm just going to counter with unbearably dense adult reverse sarcasm. "I grew up in Hoenn. Joined police academy around your age, started working out here around ten years ago....hell has it really been- eleven years ago. Haven't done a whole lot else, if I'm being honest. I like my job. Started training," he gestures at the houndour, now nuzzled happily into Tyrin's neck, enjoying the ride and the attention, sticking a tongue out in hopes of catching the little zubat for new friend kisses, "that one a handful of months ago. You wouldn't believe the hell he's been giving the force."
Stop prying means exactly the opposite. "So what about you kid, you working? School? Being a trainer?"
Cloneclone
Oh. He actually did ramble on about his life, okay, well. ...Amir still wasn't going to get his life story.

Zubat made a startled noise as he was licked, shoving himself back and away from Dog and nearly finding himself falling right off of Tyrin. The teen had to pause in his trek, leaning back some and propping Dog's hind on a raised thigh as he grabbed for his zubat to tuck the poor thing into his collar. Done with that, he quickened his pace to catch up with Amir, starting to huff and puff some.

"Why do you keep him is if isn't going to be a good dog?" Tyrin answered Amir's questions with another question.
cuttleskulls
"Hm. I don't know. Why do I?" He smirks, giving the houndour in question a playfully accusatory look. He makes a awooo?
Cloneclone
"...This is not an answer. He is not a good houndour, and you still keep him. He should be in a pound." A little harsh, but life was harsh.

That being said, he'd probably steal Dog from the pound and keep him himself, but still! Who would make something like this doofus a... dog officer? police officer? Dogs get police offer titles? Weird.
cuttleskulls
"Hey there kid, you don't seem to be too well behaved yourself, you want to be thrown in a pound? He's young, he's good at heart."
"Even the worst cases just need attention. And proper outlets for energy. Which don't include running away once a week. I'm sure no treats for a week would work." A more pained awOOOO. Should be nice in the kid's ear.
Cloneclone-
"Uh-huh. So... you take in strays oft- HNK--" Tyrin winced with the noisy howl in his ear. However that wasn't the main problem as Chickpea's ears shot upright and a distressed sound was given.

Peering back out of the collar, the zubat gave a sharp bite to Dog's nose in retaliation for the ringing Dog left in his ears.
cuttleskulls
AwoOOOOOWOOOOOOOOO.
Amir feels a certain sense of schadenfreude watching the boy and the pokemon struggle, like this was some sort of hard earned lesson for stealing Dog in the first place. Even if it was more likely that Dog found them and decided to make friends. The squeaking and howling and struggling is just, too good. He smirks as he reaches for the door of a diner, pulling it open and offering it to the walking circus act. "Take in strays off the street, yes."
Cloneclone
Tyrin teetered, struggling to keep the Dog up. He tightened his grip, worried he'd drop the damn thing.

"Ch-chickpea, Chick-- enough, stop that!" Chickpea fluttered away from Dog, chittering away in what Tyrin had to assume was a slew of curses in Zubatanese. Chickpea zipped back to Tyrin, perching on the boy's head where it continued to squeak.

"Hey, hey, you calm down too." Tyrin gave the injured pup a squeeze, hushing and stroking Dog's back, trying to find a good scratching spot to calm the bewildered pup down. He nuzzled against Dog's collar, arms shaking at this point to keep Dog up. Almost there. Almost there. Just a little bit longer.

Tyrin staggered into the diner, still trying to calm Dog.

cuttleskulls
"You can put him down now, you realize." Amir waves to the waitress who gives him his usual 'seat yourself' gesture. Thinking a moment, he decides to forgo the usual barstool for a booth. He wanted to look this kid in the eye while he grilled him. He settles in, needing coffee. "You didn't answer any of my questions."
Cloneclone
Tyrin refused still to put Dog down. NOT TILL THEY WERE SITTING... which was... oh... so.... close... to happening. When they finally, bless! FINALLY ot to the booth, Tyrin promptly dumped Dog's ass into the booth and sat roughly, draping out over the table as if he was dying. Which honestly, Tyrin felt like he was.

"Yeah I know. I was there, remember?"

cuttleskulls
Dog hops on the table, finally free, Amir whistles curtly, and drags the houndour to the floor. "Tell me is it exhausting to be an impossible pain in the ass all the time."
Cloneclone
"Your mutt doesn't seem so, so guess it isn't all that bad. You tell me." Tyrin returned oh so casually. If Amir squinted, he might just see the barest hints of a smirk tug at the corner of his lips.

Listen. Just cause he was getting a free meal off the guy doesn't mean he had to act like peaches and cream, alright?
cuttleskulls
"Mhmm." He wasn't amused. The waitress better come around with coffee fast, for this kids sake; his patience dwindling. "From the sound of it dog gave you plenty of trouble. If you hate him so much why'd you take him in the first place? Unless you knew someplace to get rid of Pokémon you can pick up off the street?" Is the kid dumb enough to mention illegally selling stolen pokemon? Or mention a buyer chain? Probably not but a moment of hesitation is all he'd need to call this kid suspect.
Cloneclone
Tyrin furrowed his brows. "When did I say I hated him? Something can be annoying without you hating it. ...And did you assume I kill pokemon or am I understanding wrong? This is a change, do you hate me now?"
cuttleskulls
"I didn't say kill, I said get rid of. But I don't know, you've just been talking how annoying he is and how he should be in the pound. You're being annoying. If I think you're annoying does that automatically mean I hate you then?" He checkmates the kid before handing for him a menu.
"Your budget is fifteen dollars. Stay under fifteen and behave and I'll walk you out of here with a twenty dollar bill as well. How's that sound."
Cloneclone
Tyrin opened his mouth... then shut it, thoroughly check mated.

"I wouldn't kill a pokemon, even if they're annoying. I'm no crazy person, alright? I said it to get to you is all..." He looked down at the menu with a frown, flipping it open to look it over. He didn't mind the restrictions, and it was a little diner, so it wasn't like every item on the menu was reaching fifty bucks. Tyrin mulled over various items, trying to gauge how big each meal was- only to get distracted by the drink menu.

"...Can I get a shake?"
cuttleskulls
He's pleased with that. The kid even finally seems to be cracking. Amir takes a deep breath, relaxing finally when the kids smart enough to insist he isn't s psychopath instead of going on antagonizing a cop. This is what he's after. Taking in strays off the street? Sure he's got a habit, but not without a purpose. He was trying to connect with this kid and not even for any reason past instilling guilt in him. Guilt IF and when he thinks about tagging up the side of the grocery store or lifting candy from the check out counter. This is one of those, what are they called, 'at risk' youths. The more he can stray the younger generation away from the wrong paths by giving them just a little extra attention and a heaping serving of moral parental guilt, the more crime he can prevent and the better off everyone is, especially the these kids.

....ah hell. May his empathy be the death of him. May his bleeding heart curse his final moments. The annoyed hard ass rolls his eyes, "Fine but I'm gonna judge you on the flavor choice. So choose wisely."

Cloneclone
There was a smile with that. It was mostly hidden by his collar, but the lift to his eyes and brows was hard to miss. He hadn't had a shake in ages. Note to self, steal this guy's dog often. Like, daily.

"Nothing fancy, just chocolate." Tyrin lifted the menu closer to his face to look it over, "For the fries anyway." He went silent then, mouthing a few things to himself and counting on his fingers... before pointing out what he wanted. A bacon burger and with the shake, didn't go over his budget. Tyrin made sure.
cuttleskulls
"The correct choice on all counts. Maybe you're not so bad after all." He even carefully did his math. Cheeky, but smart. Might even make a good businessperson with the haggling and the confidence.
cuttleskulls
He smirks, holding the menus up for the passing waitress. She grabs them in good humor, and turns to listen to the officer's guest's order, and confirming if Rashid wanted the usual. He makes a sheepish but exasperated gesture, yeah...
Cloneclone
Tyrin was a little slow to the punch there. He didn't realize he was expected to talk until the silence inched on. OH. Uh. Shit.

He glanced back to the menu, squinting at it... before tapping out what he wanted before forefitting his menu to the waitress gods. Tyrin didn't speak till she was gone.

"...Do you come here a lot?"
cuttleskulls
"It's easy. Close to the precinct. I don't ah...have too much time to make food for lunch. But Joyce, the cook, she takes care of us."
Cloneclone
"Oh..." Tyrin looked down, peering at the doofy face of Dog who grinned up at him. Patting his lap, he allowed the pooch to jump up onto him, much to Chickpea's dismay.

The zubat peered out of his hiding spot and screeched at Dog, crawling out to chitter angrily. Tyrin shushed Chickpea and pushed him back into his collar with a demanding finger.

"He's ten times bigger than you."
cuttleskulls
"You know you're not supposed to make friends with your kidnappers....do you have many pokemon? If you won't tell me where you found my houndour how about where did you find your zubat?"

Cloneclone
"They follow you easier if you make friends with them. Makes it easier." Tyrin tossed out casually, gripping Dog's muzzle and shaking his head from side to side to rough house. Chickpea remained alert the entire time, ears high and twitching on occasion.

"He was hurt when I was exploring. He's pretty small, another zubat probably kicked him out of his roost or something. He acts like his size doesn't matter though, I like it." He pushed Dog away for a moment so that the wrestling hand could cup Chickpea and pull the zubat against his cheek to nuzzle. I love you, yes I do.

cuttleskulls
Dog gives a playful growl from his closed muzzle, being wiggled back and forth. He looks up with puppy dog eyes, more pleased than pleading, and wiggles a stubby tail back and forth, content to keep his head in Tyrin's lap, even if the small, screechy friend won't come out and play with him. It will take time but he will be friends god damn it.
"Exploring?" Amir asks as Dog, now lacking the hand keeping him held down, sits up to begin his onslaught of loving licks. Amir gives a curt whistle, hey, stop that, and the houndour whimpers laying back down. "Where do you explore? I'm assuming the caves?"
Cloneclone
Chickpea made another high pitched noise of distress as Dog launched himself up, gaining a wince from Tyrin as his ear was left ringing, and he found a tongue in his face. Oh god, why??

Tyrin shoved his collar over the zubat in some poor attempt at punishment, cleaning his face and rubbing his ear, "Yeah... You find interesting stuff. Quartz, shells, pokemon... I don't take the pokemon though, not really interested. Sometimes there's stuff that people drop when they're exploring." And sometimes it's stuff people drop when they're scared out of the cave. Not that Tyrin would do something like that ever. He's a good boy, Bront.
cuttleskulls
Amir begins to visibly relax the more information he gets out of Tyrin. He seems like a punk hooligan but, he's young, and probably isn't that bad based on the information he has thus far. "What do you do with the quartz? Any of those... weird crystals? We keep getting reports. Not my case though, so I don't know much."
Cloneclone
"Sell them. They don't sell well, but..." He shrugged. "Same with the crystals. Don't know what they are, don't really care though."

...
...
...

"If they kill people, I didn't know that." Tyrin squinted warily.
cuttleskulls
Amir hangs his head, shaking it slightly in amusement. "No, they aren't killing people. You're safe in court kid. Though if they do start killing people, maybe best to stop selling them to people yeah?" He clears the table a little, moving the silverware away. It's like a sixth sense, as the waitress comes around in that moment with chokelety milkshake.
"You just sell 'em on the street? I'll make sure to get on you for a permit." He glares in mock threat, raising tired eyebrows in a 'better watch it' expression.
Cloneclone
Oh, okay good. Great that other people don't die, but Tyrin was mostly trying to figure out if he was risking his health here. Ignorance would hold in court otherwise... right?

The care over health was wiped immediately, eyes lighting up when the milkshake was placed down. Practically drooling on the spot, Tyrin stabbed it with a straw and didn't bother paying Amir mind as he practically drank it down in one go. Oh bless, if god exists, he's a milkshake.

Chickpea peered out curiously, squeaking softly a few times as he followed the length of Tyrin's arm to the glass. A lick was given before he decided he didn't like that which was not fruit, and returned back to the warmth of Tyrin's collar.

"...Wait." The delightful joy escaped Tyrin's expression, and back was the judgemental frown. "You need a permit to sell rocks?"
cuttleskulls
"You need a permit to sell anything kid. Though if you're under 18 you can get away with a 'lemonade stand' type pardon."
Cloneclone
"...I sell lemonade crystals then." Huffing, Tyrin sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.
cuttleskulls
"Hm." He smirks, "Can't imagine it's much to live off of."
Cloneclone
"I'm not dead, so I make do." Tyrin pulled his straw free from the shake, sucking up the icecream that clung to it before swirling the straw around in what was left once more.

"And when that doesn't work, I make do with other means." His hand nearly reached down to pet Dog for emphasis, but he was distracted as the waitress came in with their orders and Tyrin found himself distracted with this glorious meal that was set before him. Wide eyes practically sparkled. Eeeeeeeeiii.
cuttleskulls
The police officer keeps a flat eye contact with Tyrin the entire time, even as the teen looks away and is distracted by his not even remotely deserved lunch. Uh huh. 'Other means'. Amir scowls, especially when the pat causes Dog to perk again, wiggling in his seat and panting tongue out in a pleased smile. No don't get excited about getting kidnapped you ding dong. "Make a habit of holding ransoms then?"
He sighs, leaning back in the diner booth. If he ordered a milkshake as well, which I can't remember if he did because this RP has been going on for ages, he makes a point to stick a hot french fry in it, because he saved it, because he's not a fool like Tyrin, and if you don't like fries in milkshakes you're a lifeless person who has never felt joy.
"Look kid. I know you probably saw this coming, but this is the part where I tell you that you can't do that. You can get in serious trouble. I don't want you to get in serious trouble. I don't want to see you at the precinct in cuffs for petty theft or kidnapping. You're too young. It's all it takes to smear your record for a life time. "
"It sets you down the wrong path." He adds, chomping a fry. He knows this kid will probably shrivel at the dad talk but it's standard operating procedure. And he's paying to give this dad talk. You're captive in a prison of tacky jukebox diner decor and eight thousand calorie meals.
Cloneclone
Way to ruin the food boner. Tyrin shoves a frenchy frie in his face to calm his demanding stomach before he worked on splitting the fries into two equal piles while daddy police officer schooled him on what was right and what was wrong. Preschool shit. Tyrin was well aware of what was right and wrong, lord did he look like he was three? He knew he was fucking up. Tyrin made sure to keep a tight lid, not about to spill his sob story on Amir, even if he was getting a meal out of this.

"Uh-huh. Okay. I'll never, ever do it ever again. Pinky promise."
cuttleskulls
Amir continues observing Tyrin through the reprimanding, through the awkward fidget, through the lackluster sarcasm of an answer. He was, and always will be, a detective; he's here to pick up on the sincerity of his answer, to look for that unspoken sob story. But he also knows you can't beat a horse and expect any progress, so he lets his gentle lesson be enough for now.
"If you're telling the truth, I'll get you pie." I mean, it was enough but, sucrose bribery isn't the WORST parental nail in the coffin, is it?
Cloneclone
Fuck. Shit. Damnit. Tyrin's attention went back up to Amir with that. Clearly that offer was enough to actually get Tyrin to consider it. Get food now and say he'll never do it again... or continue doing it and ransom for money in the future. Of course, he could lie... but he felt like he could continue swindling the cop of his wallet if he told the truth. ...Plus getting involved with a cop... well, he was still under age. Being placed in foster care, even if only for a couple of years, was still a nagging fear of his.

"...I won't mess with anyone else's pokemon. Promise."

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

cuttleskulls
Dog going missing wasn't exactly out of the norm; he'd wander off somewhere for hours, avoiding work, avoiding training, ~exploring~. Amir scolded the young houndour time and again, arms crossed and waiting in the door jam as the pokemon returned home after dark, far after work was over. The officer told the defiant little thing the doors lock at 10pm, if he's not back in time he'd have to find his own dinner AND sleep outside. The dinner, usually, was enough motivation, and Dog returned from his weekly prison break covered in mud, but well before sunset. So when sunset came and went, and Amir's young ward didn't show up bounding up the front porch and barking at the door, he figured maybe he finally found a better dinner.
When 10pm came and went...he grew a little more concerned. Dog was just a pup but he had a good head on his shoulders, he wouldn't get himself in too much trouble right?
Amir fussed like a parent, trying to remind himself his rules did say he could sleep outside. Maybe he'll lock the door at 11.
By 10:30 he's asleep on the couch, waiting for his pup to come home. The door doesn't wind up locked all night.(edited)
Knock out, six am, you say it's work time? Where did Dog go?
The precinct sergeant also finds it odd that their youngest recruit didn't show up with his trainer, and allows Amir an extra hour for lunch to search and rescue. Or at least search. Hopefully no rescuing would be involved.
Helpful town NPCS citizens provide some leads, pointing him in at least a narrower direction than before.
........He also cheats, clicking the dispenser of the pokeblock treat case, he always came running, sometimes sliding, when he heard that thing.

Cloneclone
The young pup didn't come home at all that night.

Tyrin found Dog roaming around, and between being a houndour and wearing a police vest... the rogue's interest was caught. Catching Dog was easy enough, weirdly easy as Dog nearly bowled Tyrin over for a few scraps. He wasn't sure what to do with such a rowdy pup but... he was important. And Tyrin was taking him. Mine now.

Dog stayed with Tyrin and his brother that night as they tried to figure out what was best and in the end, Tyrin was off to talk ransom with the owner.

I have your pup. Give me money for the pup. Except... Tyrin wasn't sure where to go to ransom this pup- not until the houndour perked and started to thrash as if trying to get somewhere. Tyrin tightened his hold on the pokemon, grunting with the frantic squirming before following the direction in which the dog was interested up until he was before Amir, and the clicking dispenser. Oh hi.

cuttleskulls
Eeeyup there he is. Amir hears the scrambling from the alley, and ducks his head into the warehouse to spot the pup, now whimpering as he's held back by some....punk kid. He approaches slowly, not wanting to spook the boy currently holding the houndour. "Alright kid. Time to give back the pup. Sorry he's already got an owner."

Cloneclone
"He's yours?" Tyrin asked as if he didn't just get the answer. Tyrin just wanted to make sure. Dog continued to wiggle, clearly wanting the treats, but Tyrin's arm hooked firmly around the pup's chest while the other curled around Dog's back legs. Stop. Struggling!

cuttleskulls
Amir squints, realizing this kid is holding the pokemon hostage, rather than being friendly. "Yes. Officer Rashid. Pleasure. He's actually training under me. Foster until he makes the force." Or until I adopt him. Don't lie to yourself Amir.

Cloneclone
"Cop." Also very much clear, and yet still parroted.

"Okay, you can have him back." The catch hung heavy in his voice before he even spoke it, "For a hundred dollars." Some punk kid? Holding a dog ransom from an officer of the law? More likely than you think.

cuttleskulls
He's dumbstruck a moment, surprised that this kid even has the cajones to talk back to a cop, let alone hold one for ransom. "Excuse me?"

Cloneclone
This was a dog, sir, not a cop. Chill.

"A hundred dollars." Tyrin repeated patiently, as if truly believing Amir didn't hear him.

cuttleskulls
"You've..." gotta be kidding me. "No?"
"This is illegal" Somehow, probably. "or at least just stupid. Come on give me the dog back."

Cloneclone
Tyrin squeezed the dog tighter, stepping away as he hefted the pokemon higher. A lone zubat popped its head free of Tyrin's collar, ears twitching one way and another before focusing those satellites on Amir.

"A hundred dollars." Said the broken record.

cuttleskulls
Amir sighs, long and deep, running a tired hand down his face. He's not gonna get anywhere with this riff raff. The kid looks a mess, he wouldn't be surprised if this was his nest, and Amir was currently able to see everything this kid owns. It sparks a small twinge of empathy, but more or less he just remains exasperated. "....look kid. I'll give you 20 dollars and let you off with a warning if you hand him over and clear outta here alright? I want you to go home without causing any more trouble."

Cloneclone
Tyrin pursed his lips. What? 20 was a shitty haggle over 100. His eyes lidded, looking none too pleased with the offer.

"75." Tyrin returned with his counter offer, taking another step back. He turned Dog so that he could hold the pooch like a baby, one arm hooked under his flank, while the other scratched Dog's back to keep him distracted. Pay no mind to the treats.

cuttleskulls
"I'm not haggling with you. I can call Dog back to his pokeball at any time. I'm telling you to go home and stop causing trouble. Stealing pokemon isn't going to land you anywhere good." He's concerned for the urchin's future. Dog is concerned with more scritches.

Cloneclone
"You can't call him back if I run." Tyrin threatened. The second Amir's hand drifted towards pokeball retrieving territory, Tyrin would spinning about and fleeing. Till then, there he stood, waiting for his demands to be met, all the while giving Dog those scritches.

"75."

cuttleskulls
And reach for that pokeball he does, slowly, testing to see where this kid is at. When he tenses the officer slows his hand, "Come on kid I really don't want to arrest you."

Cloneclone
"You would have to catch me for an arrest." Tyrin's brows furrowed, going rigid as the hand reached for the pokeball. He took another step, itching to book it. When the hand came back up, Tyrin tried to switch things up.

Breathing in sharply, Tyrin hugged Dog close, hiding his face some into the pooch as he became wilted.

"Please?"

cuttleskulls
Ah fuck.
Tyrin played empathy.
It's super effective.

Cloneclone
B)

cuttleskulls
Amir's shoulders crumple, even as Dog whimpers and wiggles in this child's grasp. And that’s what he is in this moment, a child. He may play the part of a roughed up street thug but this kid couldn’t be much older than than 15.
He breathes deep, sighing again with a soft groan. He takes a few moments, silently, deciding what to do. "What's your name kid."

Cloneclone
Haha, sucker.

Tyrin kept his wilted disposition, playing the pathetic route to get what he wanted. ...Except now he just gets badgered with questions. Fuck these questions, he just wanted the 75 bucks.

"....Tyrin. Can I have the money now? Your dog is heavy."

cuttleskulls
"Look, Tyrin, I'll tell you what. I can buy you lunch. Does that work?"

Cloneclone
Tyrin lit right up, losing that act to stand straight in attention.

"...Lunch and a twenty?"

cuttleskulls
Amir squints, still suspicious of the boy. "Lunch. With me. Where I can make sure you're not getting high on my bill alright? Then we'll see if you- ugh." He rubs the bridge of his nose between two fingers. He just wanted to be back in the office with his houndour and not somehow haggling with some urchin. "We'll see if I can trust you with a twenty. Deal?"

Cloneclone
"I could buy grass clippings with that much." Tyrin frowned, lopsided as he favored one side. But... alright, free food. He wasn't about to knock that, but he sure as hell was going to take a bite out of Amir's paycheck with his meal.

"...I drop the dog once we order. Deal?" Even if his arms ached, this dog would be attached to him like a tumor.

cuttleskulls
"Not helping your case kid." He kind of regrets this, being strong armed into a hostage situation instead of just chasing the kid down but...ugh. His bleeding heart really annoys him sometimes.
"So you're gonna carry him all the way back into town." He pauses a moment before he can't help but snrk at the thought. Dog is just delighted.

Cloneclone
"Yes." Tyrin snapped, hefting Dog up some as the heavy pooch started to slide. Honestly the houndour wasn't that bad, but when you've been holding a wiggling pup for so long.... the weight started to seem a bit much.

"He's my dog now until the trade is completed."
cuttleskulls
"Oh my god."Amir fully dragged his hand down his face, this is not how he wanted his afternoon to go. "Alright fine, I'm walking. Come on."
Cloneclone
Tyrin nodded and followed after, shifting occasionally to try and heft the pup up.

His zubat peered at Dog, squeaking once before jerking back as suddenly a nose was directly in its face. Spooked out of its hiding place, Tyrin's zubat fluttered out of the collar to settle on Tyrin's head instead. Another squeak.

cuttleskulls
The squeak earns a look back in his direction, seeing that the boy and his posse were following. "So what's your story kid. Why you nickin pokemon."

Cloneclone
"Because I can. Because I want to. Because dad never hugged me enough. Because I can convince good cops to get me money so I can keep doing bad stuff. I don't know, you make up whatever story you want. It doesn't matter." Tyrin fixed Amir with a wary stare, not about to spill his sob story before he was even fed.

That shit was second date material anyway.
cuttleskulls
"Mm. Going with the edgy teen schtick right out the gate huh." Amir falls back a bit, walking in line with Tyrin to hold more of a conversation than a marching order. "You've got to be what, fifteen? Sixteen?"

Cloneclone
"Uh, no. I just don't know you enough to bleed out on you or anything. What's your story? Tell me every detailed part of your life. Please, I'm really interested." Tyrin countered, looking up at Amir with a squint as if that proved his point.

"Eighteen."
cuttleskulls
Mmmhm. Fifteen it is. He gives him a 'yeah, okay' look, but doesn't push him further on the issue. He was trying to get the kid to open up, gain some trust. "Well if you are that interested," he lets the slightest smirk betray a deadpan, looking forward and answering Tyrin's question in mock sincerity. I know exactly the sassy shit you're trying to pull kid, so I'm just going to counter with unbearably dense adult reverse sarcasm. "I grew up in Hoenn. Joined police academy around your age, started working out here around ten years ago....hell has it really been- eleven years ago. Haven't done a whole lot else, if I'm being honest. I like my job. Started training," he gestures at the houndour, now nuzzled happily into Tyrin's neck, enjoying the ride and the attention, sticking a tongue out in hopes of catching the little zubat for new friend kisses, "that one a handful of months ago. You wouldn't believe the hell he's been giving the force."
Stop prying means exactly the opposite. "So what about you kid, you working? School? Being a trainer?"
Cloneclone
Oh. He actually did ramble on about his life, okay, well. ...Amir still wasn't going to get his life story.

Zubat made a startled noise as he was licked, shoving himself back and away from Dog and nearly finding himself falling right off of Tyrin. The teen had to pause in his trek, leaning back some and propping Dog's hind on a raised thigh as he grabbed for his zubat to tuck the poor thing into his collar. Done with that, he quickened his pace to catch up with Amir, starting to huff and puff some.

"Why do you keep him is if isn't going to be a good dog?" Tyrin answered Amir's questions with another question.
cuttleskulls
"Hm. I don't know. Why do I?" He smirks, giving the houndour in question a playfully accusatory look. He makes a awooo?
Cloneclone
"...This is not an answer. He is not a good houndour, and you still keep him. He should be in a pound." A little harsh, but life was harsh.

That being said, he'd probably steal Dog from the pound and keep him himself, but still! Who would make something like this doofus a... dog officer? police officer? Dogs get police offer titles? Weird.
cuttleskulls
"Hey there kid, you don't seem to be too well behaved yourself, you want to be thrown in a pound? He's young, he's good at heart."
"Even the worst cases just need attention. And proper outlets for energy. Which don't include running away once a week. I'm sure no treats for a week would work." A more pained awOOOO. Should be nice in the kid's ear.
Cloneclone-
"Uh-huh. So... you take in strays oft- HNK--" Tyrin winced with the noisy howl in his ear. However that wasn't the main problem as Chickpea's ears shot upright and a distressed sound was given.

Peering back out of the collar, the zubat gave a sharp bite to Dog's nose in retaliation for the ringing Dog left in his ears.
cuttleskulls
AwoOOOOOWOOOOOOOOO.
Amir feels a certain sense of schadenfreude watching the boy and the pokemon struggle, like this was some sort of hard earned lesson for stealing Dog in the first place. Even if it was more likely that Dog found them and decided to make friends. The squeaking and howling and struggling is just, too good. He smirks as he reaches for the door of a diner, pulling it open and offering it to the walking circus act. "Take in strays off the street, yes."
Cloneclone
Tyrin teetered, struggling to keep the Dog up. He tightened his grip, worried he'd drop the damn thing.

"Ch-chickpea, Chick-- enough, stop that!" Chickpea fluttered away from Dog, chittering away in what Tyrin had to assume was a slew of curses in Zubatanese. Chickpea zipped back to Tyrin, perching on the boy's head where it continued to squeak.

"Hey, hey, you calm down too." Tyrin gave the injured pup a squeeze, hushing and stroking Dog's back, trying to find a good scratching spot to calm the bewildered pup down. He nuzzled against Dog's collar, arms shaking at this point to keep Dog up. Almost there. Almost there. Just a little bit longer.

Tyrin staggered into the diner, still trying to calm Dog.

cuttleskulls
"You can put him down now, you realize." Amir waves to the waitress who gives him his usual 'seat yourself' gesture. Thinking a moment, he decides to forgo the usual barstool for a booth. He wanted to look this kid in the eye while he grilled him. He settles in, needing coffee. "You didn't answer any of my questions."
Cloneclone
Tyrin refused still to put Dog down. NOT TILL THEY WERE SITTING... which was... oh... so.... close... to happening. When they finally, bless! FINALLY ot to the booth, Tyrin promptly dumped Dog's ass into the booth and sat roughly, draping out over the table as if he was dying. Which honestly, Tyrin felt like he was.

"Yeah I know. I was there, remember?"

cuttleskulls
Dog hops on the table, finally free, Amir whistles curtly, and drags the houndour to the floor. "Tell me is it exhausting to be an impossible pain in the ass all the time."
Cloneclone
"Your mutt doesn't seem so, so guess it isn't all that bad. You tell me." Tyrin returned oh so casually. If Amir squinted, he might just see the barest hints of a smirk tug at the corner of his lips.

Listen. Just cause he was getting a free meal off the guy doesn't mean he had to act like peaches and cream, alright?
cuttleskulls
"Mhmm." He wasn't amused. The waitress better come around with coffee fast, for this kids sake; his patience dwindling. "From the sound of it dog gave you plenty of trouble. If you hate him so much why'd you take him in the first place? Unless you knew someplace to get rid of Pokémon you can pick up off the street?" Is the kid dumb enough to mention illegally selling stolen pokemon? Or mention a buyer chain? Probably not but a moment of hesitation is all he'd need to call this kid suspect.
Cloneclone
Tyrin furrowed his brows. "When did I say I hated him? Something can be annoying without you hating it. ...And did you assume I kill pokemon or am I understanding wrong? This is a change, do you hate me now?"
cuttleskulls
"I didn't say kill, I said get rid of. But I don't know, you've just been talking how annoying he is and how he should be in the pound. You're being annoying. If I think you're annoying does that automatically mean I hate you then?" He checkmates the kid before handing for him a menu.
"Your budget is fifteen dollars. Stay under fifteen and behave and I'll walk you out of here with a twenty dollar bill as well. How's that sound."
Cloneclone
Tyrin opened his mouth... then shut it, thoroughly check mated.

"I wouldn't kill a pokemon, even if they're annoying. I'm no crazy person, alright? I said it to get to you is all..." He looked down at the menu with a frown, flipping it open to look it over. He didn't mind the restrictions, and it was a little diner, so it wasn't like every item on the menu was reaching fifty bucks. Tyrin mulled over various items, trying to gauge how big each meal was- only to get distracted by the drink menu.

"...Can I get a shake?"
cuttleskulls
He's pleased with that. The kid even finally seems to be cracking. Amir takes a deep breath, relaxing finally when the kids smart enough to insist he isn't s psychopath instead of going on antagonizing a cop. This is what he's after. Taking in strays off the street? Sure he's got a habit, but not without a purpose. He was trying to connect with this kid and not even for any reason past instilling guilt in him. Guilt IF and when he thinks about tagging up the side of the grocery store or lifting candy from the check out counter. This is one of those, what are they called, 'at risk' youths. The more he can stray the younger generation away from the wrong paths by giving them just a little extra attention and a heaping serving of moral parental guilt, the more crime he can prevent and the better off everyone is, especially the these kids.

....ah hell. May his empathy be the death of him. May his bleeding heart curse his final moments. The annoyed hard ass rolls his eyes, "Fine but I'm gonna judge you on the flavor choice. So choose wisely."

Cloneclone
There was a smile with that. It was mostly hidden by his collar, but the lift to his eyes and brows was hard to miss. He hadn't had a shake in ages. Note to self, steal this guy's dog often. Like, daily.

"Nothing fancy, just chocolate." Tyrin lifted the menu closer to his face to look it over, "For the fries anyway." He went silent then, mouthing a few things to himself and counting on his fingers... before pointing out what he wanted. A bacon burger and with the shake, didn't go over his budget. Tyrin made sure.
cuttleskulls
"The correct choice on all counts. Maybe you're not so bad after all." He even carefully did his math. Cheeky, but smart. Might even make a good businessperson with the haggling and the confidence.
cuttleskulls
He smirks, holding the menus up for the passing waitress. She grabs them in good humor, and turns to listen to the officer's guest's order, and confirming if Rashid wanted the usual. He makes a sheepish but exasperated gesture, yeah...
Cloneclone
Tyrin was a little slow to the punch there. He didn't realize he was expected to talk until the silence inched on. OH. Uh. Shit.

He glanced back to the menu, squinting at it... before tapping out what he wanted before forefitting his menu to the waitress gods. Tyrin didn't speak till she was gone.

"...Do you come here a lot?"
cuttleskulls
"It's easy. Close to the precinct. I don't ah...have too much time to make food for lunch. But Joyce, the cook, she takes care of us."
Cloneclone
"Oh..." Tyrin looked down, peering at the doofy face of Dog who grinned up at him. Patting his lap, he allowed the pooch to jump up onto him, much to Chickpea's dismay.

The zubat peered out of his hiding spot and screeched at Dog, crawling out to chitter angrily. Tyrin shushed Chickpea and pushed him back into his collar with a demanding finger.

"He's ten times bigger than you."
cuttleskulls
"You know you're not supposed to make friends with your kidnappers....do you have many pokemon? If you won't tell me where you found my houndour how about where did you find your zubat?"

Cloneclone
"They follow you easier if you make friends with them. Makes it easier." Tyrin tossed out casually, gripping Dog's muzzle and shaking his head from side to side to rough house. Chickpea remained alert the entire time, ears high and twitching on occasion.

"He was hurt when I was exploring. He's pretty small, another zubat probably kicked him out of his roost or something. He acts like his size doesn't matter though, I like it." He pushed Dog away for a moment so that the wrestling hand could cup Chickpea and pull the zubat against his cheek to nuzzle. I love you, yes I do.

cuttleskulls
Dog gives a playful growl from his closed muzzle, being wiggled back and forth. He looks up with puppy dog eyes, more pleased than pleading, and wiggles a stubby tail back and forth, content to keep his head in Tyrin's lap, even if the small, screechy friend won't come out and play with him. It will take time but he will be friends god damn it.
"Exploring?" Amir asks as Dog, now lacking the hand keeping him held down, sits up to begin his onslaught of loving licks. Amir gives a curt whistle, hey, stop that, and the houndour whimpers laying back down. "Where do you explore? I'm assuming the caves?"
Cloneclone
Chickpea made another high pitched noise of distress as Dog launched himself up, gaining a wince from Tyrin as his ear was left ringing, and he found a tongue in his face. Oh god, why??

Tyrin shoved his collar over the zubat in some poor attempt at punishment, cleaning his face and rubbing his ear, "Yeah... You find interesting stuff. Quartz, shells, pokemon... I don't take the pokemon though, not really interested. Sometimes there's stuff that people drop when they're exploring." And sometimes it's stuff people drop when they're scared out of the cave. Not that Tyrin would do something like that ever. He's a good boy, Bront.
cuttleskulls
Amir begins to visibly relax the more information he gets out of Tyrin. He seems like a punk hooligan but, he's young, and probably isn't that bad based on the information he has thus far. "What do you do with the quartz? Any of those... weird crystals? We keep getting reports. Not my case though, so I don't know much."
Cloneclone
"Sell them. They don't sell well, but..." He shrugged. "Same with the crystals. Don't know what they are, don't really care though."

...
...
...

"If they kill people, I didn't know that." Tyrin squinted warily.
cuttleskulls
Amir hangs his head, shaking it slightly in amusement. "No, they aren't killing people. You're safe in court kid. Though if they do start killing people, maybe best to stop selling them to people yeah?" He clears the table a little, moving the silverware away. It's like a sixth sense, as the waitress comes around in that moment with chokelety milkshake.
"You just sell 'em on the street? I'll make sure to get on you for a permit." He glares in mock threat, raising tired eyebrows in a 'better watch it' expression.
Cloneclone
Oh, okay good. Great that other people don't die, but Tyrin was mostly trying to figure out if he was risking his health here. Ignorance would hold in court otherwise... right?

The care over health was wiped immediately, eyes lighting up when the milkshake was placed down. Practically drooling on the spot, Tyrin stabbed it with a straw and didn't bother paying Amir mind as he practically drank it down in one go. Oh bless, if god exists, he's a milkshake.

Chickpea peered out curiously, squeaking softly a few times as he followed the length of Tyrin's arm to the glass. A lick was given before he decided he didn't like that which was not fruit, and returned back to the warmth of Tyrin's collar.

"...Wait." The delightful joy escaped Tyrin's expression, and back was the judgemental frown. "You need a permit to sell rocks?"
cuttleskulls
"You need a permit to sell anything kid. Though if you're under 18 you can get away with a 'lemonade stand' type pardon."
Cloneclone
"...I sell lemonade crystals then." Huffing, Tyrin sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.
cuttleskulls
"Hm." He smirks, "Can't imagine it's much to live off of."
Cloneclone
"I'm not dead, so I make do." Tyrin pulled his straw free from the shake, sucking up the icecream that clung to it before swirling the straw around in what was left once more.

"And when that doesn't work, I make do with other means." His hand nearly reached down to pet Dog for emphasis, but he was distracted as the waitress came in with their orders and Tyrin found himself distracted with this glorious meal that was set before him. Wide eyes practically sparkled. Eeeeeeeeiii.
cuttleskulls
The police officer keeps a flat eye contact with Tyrin the entire time, even as the teen looks away and is distracted by his not even remotely deserved lunch. Uh huh. 'Other means'. Amir scowls, especially when the pat causes Dog to perk again, wiggling in his seat and panting tongue out in a pleased smile. No don't get excited about getting kidnapped you ding dong. "Make a habit of holding ransoms then?"
He sighs, leaning back in the diner booth. If he ordered a milkshake as well, which I can't remember if he did because this RP has been going on for ages, he makes a point to stick a hot french fry in it, because he saved it, because he's not a fool like Tyrin, and if you don't like fries in milkshakes you're a lifeless person who has never felt joy.
"Look kid. I know you probably saw this coming, but this is the part where I tell you that you can't do that. You can get in serious trouble. I don't want you to get in serious trouble. I don't want to see you at the precinct in cuffs for petty theft or kidnapping. You're too young. It's all it takes to smear your record for a life time. "
"It sets you down the wrong path." He adds, chomping a fry. He knows this kid will probably shrivel at the dad talk but it's standard operating procedure. And he's paying to give this dad talk. You're captive in a prison of tacky jukebox diner decor and eight thousand calorie meals.
Cloneclone
Way to ruin the food boner. Tyrin shoves a frenchy frie in his face to calm his demanding stomach before he worked on splitting the fries into two equal piles while daddy police officer schooled him on what was right and what was wrong. Preschool shit. Tyrin was well aware of what was right and wrong, lord did he look like he was three? He knew he was fucking up. Tyrin made sure to keep a tight lid, not about to spill his sob story on Amir, even if he was getting a meal out of this.

"Uh-huh. Okay. I'll never, ever do it ever again. Pinky promise."
cuttleskulls
Amir continues observing Tyrin through the reprimanding, through the awkward fidget, through the lackluster sarcasm of an answer. He was, and always will be, a detective; he's here to pick up on the sincerity of his answer, to look for that unspoken sob story. But he also knows you can't beat a horse and expect any progress, so he lets his gentle lesson be enough for now.
"If you're telling the truth, I'll get you pie." I mean, it was enough but, sucrose bribery isn't the WORST parental nail in the coffin, is it?
Cloneclone
Fuck. Shit. Damnit. Tyrin's attention went back up to Amir with that. Clearly that offer was enough to actually get Tyrin to consider it. Get food now and say he'll never do it again... or continue doing it and ransom for money in the future. Of course, he could lie... but he felt like he could continue swindling the cop of his wallet if he told the truth. ...Plus getting involved with a cop... well, he was still under age. Being placed in foster care, even if only for a couple of years, was still a nagging fear of his.

"...I won't mess with anyone else's pokemon. Promise."