Hal is quiet on the drive through the city - which is about the expected reaction to his uncle. It isn't that he dislikes the man, just that he very clearly would prefer they weren't around. Or at least that is what he'd convinced himself off. He lets Noel talk, grunting in confirmation when promoted but otherwise simply watching the world glide by. Bumpy as the ride was he had to admit the car was something quite impressive. "...right. Udon."

"...Udon, huh?"

He turns off the radio.

The bullock carts have stopped blocking the junction, and he pushes the car into gear. The rumble of the engine expands to fill the sudden silence.

"So, uh, must be... a pretty popular place, that udon shop, huh? If you have to... go there so early in the morning... to queue? Are you two just gonna... hang out there, spend some money, or...?"

He trails off, keeping his eyes fixed on the road. You see his shoulders tense, his fingers shift on the wheel. He looks down.

"Just..."

He sighs.

"...I... I know you two aren't kids anymore. I get it. I won't tell you two what to do. But please... just... take care of yourselves, alright?"

Noel was a bit upset. Kei was always full of doom and gloom, he was never entirely sure how to try and cheer him up, despite his efforts. "What are you talking about uncle? Of course we're not only going to eat. There's the academy, Viridian park, the construction sites, the shopping district. There's lots to do and see! I've heard there's a glass blower shop there that makes sculptures of your Pokémon even. Who knows, maybe we'll find you a nice present."

Your uncle chuckles despite himself. He passes a hand over his forehead; when he turns back again, the frown lines are gone, and he's back to his old self. He smiles.

"Of course, of course. Don't spend too much money, y'hear? Hal, I'm counting on you."

You're not sure why, but you're glad you could bring a smile back to his face. Noel got a Star Piece.

---

Higashi-ku is the old quarter of the city. Unlike the center and north, this part of Viridian City is relatively untouched by the devastation of the war. Here the straight roads and boxy industrial housing fall away, replaced by twisty small-town alleys and colorful stalls from the Imperial era. You even see the silhouettes of conifers on distant hills, hot springs that wind across stone thoroughfares. It's a reminder that Viridian City was... well... viridian, not so long ago.

The Jitai-cho 5 intersection looks like it was made for old grannies in rickshaw carriages rather than cars. Uncle Kei pulls over at the stone steps leading up to a little wooden shack, with an impressively carved sign that reads KOIKING UDON-YA. You get your stuff and wave him off -- "Have fun, you two! Don't come back too late!" he calls back, before disappearing around the bend and into the belly of the city.

Eddie, you're here too, having arrived just before Hal and Noel did. Your car is parked in a little side alley, nestled away from prying eyes. You see the kids get off the car just as the udon shop comes into view. And they see you.

What do you do?

Hal gives a slight nod towards Eddie before tapping Noel on the shoulder and making his way towards the udon shop. "No sense standing around. With any luck we might actually have time to eat something before we need to head out." He heads over to the door, waiting for Noel to catch up before entering but ensuring he steps in first. He doubted anything dangerous would happen in this public a place but it never hurt to be careful - especially when his brother might get caught up in the fall out.

Hal, Noel, and Eddie, you file up the steps and through the door of the udon shop, pushing aside the hanging curtain...

The interior of the Koiking Udon-ya is blanketed in the thick smell of cooking broth. Grease seems to stick to everything here - it's on the floor, on the fans, in the wood itself. It pools in the cracks of fading Imperial-era calligraphy and stains the paper banners hanging over the shop counter, turning them the sickly tan of age. Whatever glory this place had, it faded a long time ago.

Nobody is at the doorway to greet you. The place is nearly deserted. A rat-faced cleaning lady glances up from her rags, squints at your group, then goes back to ineffectually wiping down the tables. The imperious old woman at the counter isn't much more welcoming:

"You lost, boys? You won't find any udon here. We don't open until lunch."

"Stuff it, gran," a gruff voice interrupts. "You know who they are. Make yourself scarce."

As the stewardess of the shop disappears into a back room, a man in work clothes stands slowly from his stool at the counter, stretching his formidable muscles. You spy a tiny pin on his jacket - a red R. Is this the contact you were looking for?

The searching look in your eyes must have been obvious, because he's quick to respond.

"Don't look at me," he says. "I'm just a bodyguard. The real one you want to look out for is the fella next to me."

Next... to him?

Rick, what do they see and how do you introduce yourself?

Rick stands up from the table where he sat and adjusts his glasses as he looks at the two new arrivals. His long lab coat hides most of what he is wearing, though it is clear from his loosened tie, wrinkled shirt, and ruffled hair that the man hasn't slept in a few days. While he avoids drawing any attention to the pair of heavy briefcases under the table, they are hard to miss. He stands there with his mouth wide open for a second before speaking. "Uh... This can't be right... There must be some mistake... Surely my escort doesn't consist of a pair of children?"

(Note: my activity level will be minimal over the next 10 days, while I am traveling for the holidays. I will have access and be able to follow along, but won't be able to post more than once every other day, or perhaps even less.)

Hal gives the scientist a long look over, rolling his eyes when he complains about there age. Pointedly ignoring Rick he turns to the bodyguard. "So what is we're here to do? The message was needlessly cryptic as usual. I assume the lab rattata has something to do with it?"

"Sorry kid, I ain't the one in charge."

The bodyguard shrugs and tilts his head at Rick.

Rick starts to sweat. "Look, kid, no offense, but this is very precious cargo I need to protect and we will likely face opposition on our trip. If you're the ones that are going to escort me across town, you'll first have to convince me that you have what it takes to get me to our destination." Rick reaches into his lab coat and pulls out an apricot ball...

It takes Hal a moment to realize exactly what the scientist is suggesting, but once he realizes he can't help but shake his head in bewilderment. What was it with adults and making everything more complex then it needed to be. "...are you serious? You need to get across town and you expect trouble. So you're first thought is 'hey let's tire ourselves out fighting'? I thought scientists were supposed to be smart."

Rick's bodyguard looks equally bewildered.

"I... Uh... Yeah it's them, boss. You know who those two kids are? Word is they're the ones who pulled off the I. L. S. Noah heist. Crazy pups fought Indigo League special forces and won. I wouldn't get on their bad side if I were you."

He glances at the door.

"I mean, you really want to start a battle in here? You're gonna wreck the furniture. Last thing we want is word of us getting out. We oughta move quickly. Just tell them what you gotta tell them and then vamoose."

Rick's eyes widen at the mention of the I. L. S. Noah. He looks at the kids, shocked, then back to his bodyguard, then down to his briefcases, then up to the kids, and finally up to the ticking clock. He sighs, and puts away his apricot ball. Rick lifts the heavy briefcases and slams them onto the desk. "We need to transport these cases across town. Don't worry about what is in them; not your concern. They are locked and only I have the key, but nonetheless they cannot fall into the hands of the Indigo League. I am known and wanted, though I imagine you are as well. Going together might draw too much attention. Perhaps we should split up? What do you think?" He pauses, reflects on all that he said. Finally, adds "My name is Rick. And you are?"

It had taken considerable willpower on Eddie's part not to speak up sooner. Standing up for the kids would have only drawn unnecessary attention to himself, even if it felt like the right thing to do.

Between Rick's lab coat, his reaction to the mention of the airship, and his first name, Eddie had managed to connect a few dots in his head and was able to attribute a last name to the client.

"The name's Eddie. I've heard a lot of good things about your work, Professor Hornsby."

That was a lie. He knew next to nothing about Hornsby's involvement in the previous mission or his work. Eddie was hoping that acting like he knew more than he actually did might make Rick subconsciously be more likely to reveal information by making him think it was already common knowledge.

Eddie takes an apricorn ball from his pocket and tosses it in the air, catching it.

"I've got a Farfetch'd and a car. Transportation shouldn't be an issue unless you think there's some reason we'll be intercepted."

Yeah, no worries, I'm having fun. I really like Noel, and the game.

Dealing with serious grown ups wasn't Noel's strong suit. They were huge and intimidating, and ever since they took away Dible, a bit of his unshakable confidence was torn off. Which isn't to say that he stood shivering in a corner, merely that he made effort to stand out as little as possible. Which was a bit hard, as he tried to swallow his snickering at Hal's pointed comments.

Following Hal's introductions (assuming he does), Noel bows and cites his full name in turn. Scratching his cheek in embarrassment, he blushes slightly from the praise he and his brother is receiving.

Hal half turns and raises an eyebrow at Eddie's interjection. "You know this guy?" He indicates Rick with a thumb before turning back to face him. "Rick it is then. I'm Hal. Short ones Noel. Don't let his looks fool you - he knows his stuff." He pauses for a moment while inspecting the professor. "Okay first things first. Give me your coat."

Rick contemplates for a second more about whether or not to follow Hat's lead, but curiosity gets the better of him. He takes off his coat and hands it to Hal (but not before removing the apricot ball from within). "What do you have in mind?"