An Unexpected Escort Mission [Look at Me]

[Pixel]

Adrian entered the Goldenrod Gym with the intention of challenging Whitney to a battle. It was overdue for him to gain his third badge and Freya had blown past him a while ago, having charged out of the forest and right through the sliding glass doors without hesitation. He had been more cautious and inclined to train, preparing and cultivating a proper team.

With him he brought Guardian, his trusted Gallade, who would surely take on any normal types with ease. And for the fairies that were also sported at this gym? He brought Ace, who had originally considered for sweeping the whole place. Lastly was Marci, who was simply a good back up, with an impressive defense and an immunity to any games of attraction Whitney might try to pull on a male pokemon.

However, there was a saying about the best laid plans.

Upon reaching the front desk, the young woman rushed around to him, gabbing his arm like he was expected. Adrian was baffled by what was going on...at least...up until the front desk lady started to babble on about why she thought he was here.

Apparently Whitney's assistant had contacted the police about an issue with a stalker and how she needed help. She felt so unsafe and didn't know what to do! The front desk lady saw his badge and didn't even ask if he was the escort Carrie begged for, instead she dragged him to Carrie and continued to explain the plan that was apparently laid in place. 

Adrian needed to follow Carrie on her average day and figure out who was following her. They even had a perfect cover for whoever they sent! 

"You...want me to pose as a relative from out of town...go to Miss Carrie's home...and escort her through her day from home, to work and then back again?" Adrian echoed. It was getting late, and he wanted to challenge the gym, but...the poor assistant. He could do the challenge later. "Of course, Miss. I will help."

Thus he was up bright and early the next day, bundled up in the crisp winter air, discreetly disguises as the ladies desired so he could better pass as Carrie's relative. When she exited her home, he would offer her a handshake.

"Go on your day as usual. I will keep an eye out for anyone suspicious."

—

Word Count: 000 | OOC:

I am bringing into this mission: Gallade (muscle feather), Mudsdale (Expert Belt), Scizor (Amulet Coin)

[Vaygen]

Carrie was nervous about leaving her house, but she had many things to do and could not be locked up. Thankfully the IPF officer was helping her. With a deep breath she stepped out of her home, just at the entrance stood the gentleman who would hopefully protect her and find out just who was her wayward stalker. O! Her escort was quite dashing, Carrie blushed as the gentleman offered her a handshake. Instead of shaking hands Carrie chose to go in for a hug instead. He was much taller than her, but she still managed to whisper in his ear. "Thank you for doing this! I have not been able to sleep well. What should I call you?" Carrie was not sure just how deep undercover they were going to go. But she worried that her stalker would not be found if they saw him as an officer. "Are you going to lurk in the shadows or walk next to me as if we were together?" She would not mind the later. But then Carrie shook herself, she could not be crushing on her bodyguard! Her life could very well be in danger! "Nevermind, just please watch my back. First Donuts!" Carrie could not suffer through early mornings without her daily coffee and sweet.

Carrie walked to the breakfast shop, hoping that the pastries were fresh. At the counter she found that the donuts were indeed mouthwatering to look at. "May I get one dozen?" She asked the cashier, knowing that she would take the bulk of them back to her gym to share with everyone. As the Cashier gathered Carries pastries together and bagged them someone bumped into her. "O excuse me!" Carrie had not been the one to walk into the other person, but she was far too polite. As she turned to see if the other person was alright, she did not see anyone that looked frazzled. There were a few people in the store, some sat at tables while others were looking at the glass display case. What Carrie thought was off putting though was the strong scent of flowers. Where before the store had smelt sweet and savory now all she could smell was floral. "Huh, no matter." She shrugged her shoulders, grabbed her donuts and winked at the IPF officer. She was done here but there was one more place she had to go before she was at the gym.

Carrie knew exactly what would make her feel better. She loved shopping for new clothes and her favorite boutique was just down the ways from the breakfast joint. She had not been able to window shop in a while and she was feeling braver with the officer following her. The clothes store had quite a few outfits on display just behind a glass window. "O how cute!" She gushed, the little powder blue skirt with the frills would look lovely on her! And that white blouse would accentuate her curves! Something glinted just behind one of the manikins making Carrie squint. Carrie knew that the store sometimes sold high fashion sunglasses but she didn't think they carried bifoculs that were made for almost blind people. Was there someone looking back at her? When Carrie tried to get closer for a better look she ended up bumping her nose against the glass. "OW." She wasn't really hurt, just embarrased at squishing her face against the window. Whatever had been glinting in the sun was gone now though. She could no longer see anything but clothes in the window. She was too unsettled to go into the store so she decided to go to the Gym early. Carrie could not look at the IPF officer following her as she did because she didn't want to see his reaction to her hurting herself.

O man... Carrie thought as she walked out the gym for lunch. Her day has been so busy and she needed to treat herself. She had had donuts for breakfast, and admittedly she had eaten four all by herself but she was still wanting more sweetness. Her dashing protector still followed her relentlessly as she walked to the local mart for some grub. She passed by half a dozen stores before she saw one that advertised pastries. O yes this was the place! Carrie hurried inside, thankful for the warmth. It was getting terribly cold outside due to winter. Inside, the store was very busy. Carrie stopped at the end of the line, looking up at the chalkboard with all the offered food options. As she contemplated what she wanted the most she felt hot breath on the back of her neck. Carrie jumped a little and turned, there was an old lady weirdly close to her. The lady blinked milky eyes at her, as if they could not quite believe what they were seeing. Carrie gave the lady an awkward smile and turned back around, hoping that would be the end of being breathed on. Thankfully, the line quickly moved along and Carrie had her lunch. She munched on her pastry as she walked back to the gym.

As Carrie wrapped up for the day, she decided that she wanted to stretch her legs more. Though she did walk everywhere, she wanted to breath the fresh winter air. Bundled up in a warm jacket she headed towards the towns park. There was a little skip in her step as the sun started to set. Yes this was exactly what she needed. A slow stroll through the trees. Her IPF body guard still followed at a respectable distance so as night fell, she still felt safe. Carrie suddenly stopped, she halted her steps as the bushed to her right shook. "Hello?" She called out, but no one replied. Too scared to confront the bush and not wanting to inconvenience the officer Carrie quickly moved on. If the office took the time to inspect the area around the bush they would find a small note book and warn pencil. There was nothing written in the notebook, it looked brand new.

Back at her home Carrie smiled at the IPF officer. "Thank you, I felt much more comfortable!" Would it be bad to hug him again? But no she would not. "I hope you have an idea as to who is following me, well besides you." She joked. "But I would still like for you to help me again tomorrow if you would."

[Pixel]

Carrie went right for a hug.

"Oh, right, I am posing as a relative from out of town," he mumbled, a little flustered by the attention. She was too young for him and likely just relieved that SOMEONE was taking her issue seriously. And fortunately for her—and perhaps even Adrian—he wasn't the kindest looking gentleman on the force. He had that hawkish, broody visage of someone who spent their teenage years hiding behind hair that was a bit too long and whose clothes were always one of five shades of black. 

He was a little moved by her trust. People usually didn't latch onto him so quick. It was one of the reasons why he didn't mind missions that involved helping children—they often weren't afraid of him, a little more trusting of their instincts over their eyes, Not that Adrian blamed folks who side-stepped him. He was still working on the whole being friendly and smiling thing. Progress was slow.

"I'm Officer Harrt, but you can call me Adrian," he told Carrie. "If anyone asks, I'm your cousin from out of town and you're showing me around Goldenrod since I've never been here before." It gave them an excuse to be together that wouldn't potentially spook the stalker. If he acted like a looming bodyguard, they might not behave naturally. "Now, continue your day as normal." 

He would walk beside or slightly behind her. The day was crisp and cold, which meant scarves and masks and hats and all sorts of bundling attire. Adrian could hide his face, but so could the stalker. Grey eyes were alert.

First was the donut shop. 

It had the bustling regulars and nobody looked out of place yet... After Carrie ordered her treats to take back to the Gym, a woman bumped into her and left behind the strong scent of floral perfume as she moved past. Or was it something else? Had he smelled that scent in a battle before? It contrasted oddly with the smell of the bakery.

As they left the shop, he did comment softly about how some people certainly wear too much perfume in public. It was like they had stepped into a flower shop for a moment!

They would pause their trek to the Gym so she could window shop. She cooed over a dress and nearly smacked her face into the glass. Carrie then tensed and skittered away, as if sensing something was off. Adrian tried to see what she saw, but all he saw was the glint of glass catching the light. Was one of their displays reflecting the early morning sun in a bad way? Did someone's watch or glasses reflect the light? 

"Did you see someone?" he asked softly under his breath. 

He would make sure she got back to the Gym safely, staying close, sensing the shift in her mood. They potentially crossed paths with her stalker...but who were they and what did they want?

Then he followed her around the Gym as she attended her duties. By some strange twist of fate, they never crossed paths with Whitney, who was busy with battles as her assistant did assistant things in the background. Sometimes she would have Adrian stay in the lobby as she herself faced challengers. It was all pretty routine, but the sugar fiend decided she wanted a pastry for lunch and dragged him out to the market to find something to snack on.

They pushed through crowds until she found what she wanted. Adrian felt a little claustrophobic and startled when an old lady got right up in their business to stare at Carrie. She smiled sweetly and the way she was squinting made him wonder if she was losing her vision and didn't realize she was uncomfortably close. He wasn't about to push an old woman, so he smiled politely as Carrie got her snack to go.

Nothing else of interest happened until that evening as he walked her home. She skipped ahead gleefully, as if relieved to have a day free of worrying about being attacked. Adrian trailed behind to let her enjoy herself. But suddenly, she froze, looking around, once more tensing like she sensed a stranger's unfriendly gaze. She called out to no reply.

Adrian was on high alert and started to look through the bushes, but all they found was a worn down pencil and a brand new notebook. He picked them up. Was it possible the stalker dropped this? Whoever was following her wasn't approaching or getting close. They seemed to prefer hiding and taking notes. 

He helped her home.

She turned to him and asked him to escort her the next day.

"I will be here at the same time. I have an idea..." A profile but little else. He needed to see a face. "It seemed as if you were most uncomfortable today at the clothing shop and on your walk home. Neither place had a lot of people around us... Do you normally go into the clothes shop? If so, tomorrow, I want you to go inside and browse. I'll make sure nothing bad happens." He had a hunch, but he didn't want to go around accusing random strangers.

Then he would make sure she was safe inside her home before heading out. As promised, he would be back the next day.

—

Word Count: 000 | OOC:

I am bringing into this mission: Gallade (muscle feather), Mudsdale (Expert Belt), Scizor (Amulet Coin)