@megaanchor asked: ❝ yer a lot... taller than i thought you'd be. ❞ he grumbles, standing just two inches shorter than lupin.

There's many ways to approach a first meeting. Lupin could have introduced himself properly, now that he actually has some clothes on and wasn't lounging naked on his inspector's bed. He could've tried to strike up conversation about Aqua, bemoaning how he never got the chance to swipe anything from them before the team switched track and disappeared from his radar.

He's chosen to do neither of those.

Instead, the weight of his arm snakes around Archie's shoulders as he leans in, the exaggerated downward angle forcing them eye-to-eye. It's a condescending gesture, and deliberately so.

❝ just have sharp teeth. ❞

" I was told that somebody here might need a hand or two in the off-chance he'd get framed for something wild. "

more of a caught wind rather than flat out told, phoenix appears out of the docks mundane shadows. a lot less of an entrance as he previously would've given but one which still matched his outlandish yet care-free personality he wears in place as his badge of honour.

he's flown out especially for this. risked being spotted by previous friends or foes for this. he can't help on the side of the law anymore but that didn't mean all his contacts had disappeared along with the man he used to be - some of them were kept. some more... distasteful contacts. yet ones who would be helpful nonetheless.

" that's right, we never had the chance to formally introduce ourselves to each other; my name is Lance. I'm a representative of the Indigo League in the Kanto and Johto regions. "

as far as formal introductions went there's a calmness to his tone and voice, any hostility given as a member of the gmen as he once did upon arresting Maxie not at all apparent through this conversation. the undercover missions in magma and aqua were a good few years ago now, and from what intel Lance has searched through, he no longer views either group as threats per se.

that could always change - it was up to them to keep an eye out after all.

@megaanchor asked: ❝ you can pet 'im, ❞ archie affirms, gesturing to the off-leash mightyena at his side. the bite pokémon, though INTIMIDATING in appearance, wagged its tail when acknowledged by its trainer, taking a seat on the ground with a soft, non-threatening growl.

Now given permission, Leon wastes no time in kneeling down to the Mightyena's level and burying his hands in the black fur across its back. It was surprisingly soft. Something about the way it spiked and jutted out had given him the impression that it'd feel rough to the touch, similar to the fur on his father's Manectric, but this is a pleasant surprise!

He ruffles the grey fur on top of its head next, keeping one eye on that tail and what makes it wag.

♢      —        send  [ THEY’RE A 10 BUT … ]  and finish it in my muse’s inbox.

@megaanchor asked: ❝ you look cute when yer upset. ❞

The Lupin pout is nothing new. Those close to him have seen it more times than they probably care to remember, each one following one small, inconsequential slight or another. It's his way of attention-seeking, of farming pity for every bruise on his ego.

This time, however, he's left to lick his superficial wounds alone. There's no Fujiko to try and coax cuddles out of, nestling against her side until she relents and lets him close (and takes his wallet when he's not paying attention). There's no Jigen to whine to, splaying himself out across the couch like a maiden with the vapors, drowning his sorrows in expensive whiskeys and shared cigarettes. There's no Goemon to chat away to, knowing full well that his complaints aren't even making a dent in his samurai's iron focus. He doubts they're even being heard, most of the time.

There's not even any Zenigata. All five of them are spread out across the globe, chasing their own jobs while Lupin works to plan their next big heist.

And so, here he is. Left to sit cross-legged on the nearest beach, some exclusive stretch of sand that doesn't get many visitors this late in the year. It's a beautiful sight, and perhaps Lupin would be more inclined to appreciate it if he wasn't busy scowling and skipping stones across the ocean with more far force than necessary.