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Did she really even have to ask? "You," he answered lamely, dropping his gaze to the ground at the side. "And," he glanced around to see that no one was around, but still picked the more cautious wording, "the other 'group' that was there. I don't know, it was a stupid mess." He met her eyes again, checking that she had indeed caught the reference to Galactic.

Alba shrugged. "He- I mean, Lucas, left. Demanded Aulus tell him where you were, and left." Then some trainee I've never seen before with the most bizarre hair and eyes came in looking for a light, and his Gengar went for the beer. "That's it."

"Uh, well..." Alba scratched the backside of his neck, mildly surprised to finally be off the hook. "Nothing in particular. I was just going to look around and get some air, maybe lunch or something if I felt up to it." Spook peeked out from her hiding spot behind Alba's head. Food? "No." The Chingling pouted as she disappeared into the Pokeball Alba held up. She knew he wouldn't leave her to go hungry, though, so no longer put up as much of a fuss as she might have in the past. "Any of that sound not painfully boring?"

Alba chuckled awkwardly. "Don't tell him I tattled, and we'll call it a deal." Picking a direction, he pocketed the keys and started to walk. If he guessed right, they were headed for the port and waterfront area, which was bound to have at least a couple cafes or restaurants to choose from. "Any preferences? No food allergies?"

"Alright, then," he nodded, feeling more at ease again. Was it some kind of joke that made Bill and the others always park down this street? Tall buildings lined both sides, casting a shadow over the entire length. There were even a few sets of dumpsters they would have to walk by.

"There should be something along the waterfront up... a... head........." Alba slowed to a stop at the same time that his voice trailed out. A mix of emotions were on his face as he stared straight ahead where their street intersected the next, the dominant expression being something along the lines of stunned confusion. For a few seconds he just stood there, seeming to watch the groups of tourists shuffling by the intersection. The next moment, his eyes were probably the widest they could possibly go. "OH SHI-!!" By the time he might've finished the hushed, strangled expletives, he had already dived to the left and glued himself in a crouch against the wall and side of a dumpster, out of the view of where they had been headed. He looked for all the world as though a hoard of Spiritomb had just charged at him. Or maybe a hoard of Muk. It was hard to tell.

"No! Claire-!" Alba tried to yell in a desperate whisper to stop her from leaving the wonderfully shaded side street with all of its convenient metal bins and Arceus be damned why did they have to be so close to the corner before he noticed the-

"Eeh!" That sound... did not come from Alba. Face paling, he hesitantly looked down already knowing and dreading what he would see. As expected, a crescent of cream colored fur on a mostly pink, small, feline face and body peered around the metallic corner at him.

Alba looked like he wanted to be sick. "Uh, eheh... Heeeey, Mitts." He offered a timid wave and painfully forced smile. Maybe, just maybe, the tiny ball of fur wouldn't hate him so much anymore?

After a frozen moment of locked gazes, the Skitty arched its back, and... hissed.

NOPE! Still hating!!!

Skitty's were supposed to be like adorable little kittens. All pink and round and fluffy and loving. This one, Alba had decided years ago, had to be a freak of nature. It was evil! If the beast could smirk, it was doing just that.

"Now, Mitts," Alba started, trying to raise himself enough from the ground to at least attempt confidence. "You remember those shoes I used to like?" The Skitty frowned and tilted its head. Alba managed a cold glare back, and said flatly, "I could always use a new pair." The Skitty seemed to get the message and angled its body away from him. Oh no. What if that didn't work? Now she was going to run back, and she'd lead S-

A bark caught the attention of cat and man alike. A horrified shriek escaped the furball before she jumped out of the way of the overly happy Growlithe, and tore out of the alley and across the street, fur on end.