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It was his fourth expedition of the week. He'd come back with two energy orbs the first night, a star seed on the second and the third had produced zilch. He hadn't wanted to go out for a fourth night that week, but if he didn't meet at least four or five orbs, he knew he was in for a lecture of massive, boring proportions.

Plus it helped to be in the good graces of one's superior, right?

So that's how Epidote found himself, once again alone with a passed out beggar in the depths of a dark alleyway. He tried to pretend that it was like, an assassin mission that required him to be stealthy, but he couldn't resist wrinkling his nose at the foul smell the homeless man was emitting. He stank of BO and booze, a combination that didn't do him any favors.

Sucking in a deep breath, he continued his drainage spree. One orb down, one to go and he'd probably be okay for the rest of the week....

The loud thud of shoes hitting the pavement caught his attention, the blonde teenager turning to stare down the bossy interrupter. His hold on the drunken mess of a man was released, the unconscious hobo sliding down onto the pile of trash bags he'd predetermined for his bed earlier that evening.

Standing upright, he eyed the girl up and down. Like other sailor scouts that he encountered, this chick was no different in the fact her outfit was strange, but instead of a swimsuit-like appearance... well.

She looked like she'd come straight out of some sort of cheap anime.

He snorted, then tossed the energy ball in the air, catching it in the palm of his glove.

"Or what? You gonna make me walk the plank, Captain?"

"What, this?"

The orb glimmered in his hand as he held it up for inspection. It was small - after all, she'd interrupted his draining - but beautiful nonetheless. It seemed like Captain Senshi here was more than willing to fight for it and Epidote grinned as an idea formed in his head.

He wasn't up for fighting a girl (not to mention the embarrassment if he were to actually lose to a chick) but he was up for messing with one.

"Sure, okay." One shoulder shrugged as he pivoted his body in her direction and away from the smelly hobo. "You can have it, if you want."

Without pausing, he then proceeded to throw the half-sized orb directly at the senshi.

There was no time for triumphant laughter, like all the Bad Guys did in all of the generic video games and movies. He'd even posed for effect, hands on his hips and legs spread apart as he readied his head back to guffaw at the girl - until, that is, the girl ran straight into him.

"Hey -- OWWW!"

Flying backwards, he tripped over the legs of Sleeping Smelly Hobo and toppled backwards, Captain Senshi falling on top as he cushioned her fall. His face was red, part thanks to embarrassment and part in thanks to being furious.

Gloves moved to shove her off of him as he struggled to climb back up to his feet, tripping once or twice along the way. Whipping out his remote control from his belt, he directed it towards the young woman as he spat out:

"Don't make me use this on you."

His cheeks darkened as she started to laugh, then dismissively waved him off with her words. Captain Senshi was clearly not taking his threat seriously and it was easy to see the smile trying to break free across her face.

"I don't think you understand what this can do," He stated gravely, waving the remote for emphasis. His brain was doing its best to think quickly under pressure, especially with the taunts she'd tossed in his direction. "With one click, it'll detonate..."

He paused for dramatic effect, his voice lowering. "... the bomb."

"No---wait, what are you doing? That's mine!"

Caught completely off guard by her sudden lurch-and-latch motion, he found himself struggling to keep hold of his otherwise useless remote. Never in his life had Epidote wanted that stupid remote more than he did at that exact moment. Once Captain Senshi obtained it, she'd figure out that there wasn't a bomb at all - then he'd really be embarrassed! "LET GO!"

She wasn't going to let go.

He could feel the plastic device begin to slip through his glove. This wasn't a good sign.

His quick thinking struck again and all of a sudden, he shoved forward, as opposed to pulling back. Releasing the remote, he used both hands to push the senshi forward, shoving his way past her as he finally, finally allowed himself a malicious cackle. It came out as more of a wheeze, what with his sudden burst of running and inhaling - but that didn't matter.

Glancing over his shoulder, one hand reached up and gave the girl a Bye, Felicia wave if he ever knew how to muster one. Calling out behind, he yelled, "You're lucky I didn't bother to put batteries in it!"

With that triumphant retort, he slipped around the corner.

Silently, he prayed it didn't have batteries in it as he'd never bothered to check. Oops.

Captain Senshi was clearly hot on the trail of her prey.... and Alrik Rey was quick to step out of her way as he casually continued to stroll down the sidewalk.

Epidote had wasted no time in transitioning from Lieutenant to civilian, knowing full well that the determined woman would probably try to stop him, regardless of obtaining his remote control or not.

Ducking into the oncoming crowd crossing the street, he innocently whistled like he'd seen in all of the cliche movies, priding himself on his clever getaway.... and trying not to focus on the fact he'd lost out on an energy orb.