Xander's paws were clammy against Constella's stone brick path. He felt a little silly with the small red bow pinned just beside his left ear, but the Litten smiled as he nudged it with his paw. Gloria insisted he borrow it for his "little meet-up," and deep down Xander thought it made him look cute.

The sun wasn't quite setting yet, but the last thing Xander wanted was to be late and make Dimitri think he was blowing him off. Worst case scenario would be him waiting around the tea stand for a few extra minutes, which was no big deal.

The little Fire Type glanced around at the Pokémon passing by as he got closer to where his new friend worked. No one was paying much mind to him, even that lousy TM merchant had better things to do than give Xander dirty looks, yet still– it felt like someone was staring. No amount of crowd searching gave the Litten ease of mind.

Upon entering the large central square, Xander began feeling a lot better. The nerves were still tugging at his fur, but even yards away– the sight of lime fur adjusting bags of coffee beans made Xander purr. The Litten subconsciously picked up his pace, waving at Dimitri as the Sprigatito worked.

"Hey– Sorry that I'm early. I just, you know, didn't want to be late."

Dimitri's ears perked up at the sound of Xander's voice. He lifted his head up and spotted his friend waving a paw and smiling at him, which got Dimitri to smile back. "No worries, my shift is almost over anyways– just hang tight for a minute." The Grass Type glanced over at his boss, still hard at work haggling with a customer, and shrugged his shoulders. "Actually, I probably shouldn't interrupt him. I'll just start getting ready."

The Sprigatito slid his apron off over his head and folded it neatly into a little cubby, trading it for a cherry red bowtie. He purred just loud enough for Xander to hear as he dressed himself up. "I don't have any time to groom, so hopefully I don't stink." Dimitri teased as he slipped out of his boss's sight.

"Honestly, you just smell like alfalfa and coffee." Xander chuckled quietly. "I've certainly smelled worse."

While on the subject, Dimitri's nose twitched a little as he caught Xander's scent. A smirk traced his muzzle. "Is that… old people cologne?" The Sprigatito held back a laugh with a paw against his mouth. Xander blushed hard.

"Uh… Well, when I told my employers that I was going to hang out with you today– they went a little…" Xander exhaled as he gestured to all of him with one sweeping paw motion. "...Overboard."

Dimiri's humored snickering shifted to a kind sigh. "Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. That's really sweet of them. You clean up really nice, too. Love the lil' bow." A blush peppered Dimitri's cheeks as his tail swished happily from side to side.

Xander eased up again, face bright from his own blush. "Yeah. Heh… A-anyways. You wanted to take us to a café?"

Dimitri nodded his head, "follow me! It's a little tricky to get there, but we have plenty of time. I wanted to get there around closing."

Xander waited for Dimitri to take the lead, admiring how skilled the Sprigatito was at maneuvering around other citizens strolling the square. Keeping close, Xander followed Dimitri down a path that appeared seldom traveled. Moss clung to the path, trash littered the ground, and the sun's rays no longer broke through to light their way.

"Welcome to Obsidian Alley," Dimitri said with a cheery tone.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think that you were going to mug me." Xander said while padding up closer to Dimitri.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that part of the plan." Dimitri gave Xander a side glance, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Up ahead is where I bring cute, innocent Pokémon and rob 'em for everything they've got. Hopefully you don't mind."

Xander felt his face get hotter, though lack of verbal response seemed to make Dimitri nervous. "Sorry, that wasn't very funny."

"No– no, no it was. I just… you…" Xander let out a nervous laugh. "Cute Pokémon?"

Dimitri stopped walking for a second, blinking a few times before his own blush became more obvious. "Huh, yeah, I guess I did say that–" The Sprigatito rubbed the back of his head with a paw. "Sorry, I don't do subtlety well. I've been making my thoughts about you kind of obvious. Is it making you uncomfortable? I can try to cut it out."

There was no denying it for Xander any longer– this was a date.

Yet somehow, it didn't freak the Litten out. In fact, having the air cleared like that relaxed him. "I don't mind, really. It just might take me a second to get used to it."

"Whew, that's a relief. 'Cause, I seriously have no idea if it has an off button. My ex sort of trained me in the art of constant flirtation– never quite shook the habit away."

"Aren't you supposed to avoid bringing up past relationships on dates?" Xander smirked. "You're blowing it, champ."

Dimitri playfully swiped at Xander's ears, crouching down in a pouncing stance as his tail twitched happily. Xander instinctively mirrored the pose, and now both cat Pokémon looked ready to wrestle. Suddenly, Dimitri booked it down the path– and Xander didn't hesitate to chase him.

"You're going to make me sweat off this cologne!"

"Good! You smell like a musty couch!"

The two of them laughed as they ran down the street, hardly another Pokémon in the way of their game. Xander's heart pounded in his chest as his legs carried him as fast as they could after Dimitri. Running on fours like this used to take so much thought, but it was becoming so natural to him. Still, running started to suck after a little while.

Dimitri hopped atop a pile of rugged potato sacks, pointing a condescending claw down at Xander. "You're slower than a Muk after a meal!"

Xander caught up to Dimitri, heaving slightly. "I didn't want… my bow… to fall out." The Litten had to sit, letting himself pant even if it felt unflattering.

"Woah, you look tuckered out. Must not be big into cardio." Dimitri hopped back down. "That's okay. Luckily for you, this little shop here is our destination."

Xander turned his head up towards the building next to him: The Autumn Leaf. The sign for the café had a Trevanent logo, and the curtains were down– hiding the room inside. As he looked at it, Xander started getting a weird feeling about this place.

Dimitri pushed open the door and poked his head in. "Chamomile?"

Xander could hear a feminine, yet stern voice call to him. "Dimitri? What the hell– it's been forever since I've seen your mug around here! You know it's closing, right?"

"I was betting on it! Listen, I uh… I brought a friend. Think we could hang out? I'll tip you extra." Dimitri said with a wink.

"A friend, huh? Is he cool?"

"Yeah, he's cool."

"You've met my incredibly high standards, then. Come on in."

Dimitri looked back at Xander and motioned for the Litten to follow him inside. The both of them entered the shop, and now Xander could place a face to the voice calling to them. Chamomile was a tired looking Audino who was wiping down cups behind a counter. She gave Dimitri a warm smile, but her gaze grew a little colder when her eyes set on Xander. Xander stiffened slightly.

"Sorry, I know you're probably exhausted, but how could I resist coming to my favorite café in town?"

Chamomile softened again and rolled her eyes. "Showering me in compliments isn't going to make your drinks free. Sit down anywhere you like. I already wiped down all the tables, so no matter where you make a mess I'll have to clean it again."

Dimitri trotted over to the booth closest to the window, motioning with a tail flick for Xander to follow. The Fire Type hesitated before taking a seat across from his Sprigatito companion.

"Chamomile is a bit of a sass machine, but she's really sweet once you get to know her."

After a moment or two, the busy-body Audino strolled over to the table and set a bowl of water down in front of Dimitri, along with a small cup with an aroma that made Xander's nose sting a little. Dimitri laughed, "what if I didn't want a ginger shot this time?"

"Don't fuck with me, Dimi. The world would sooner end than for you to not ask me for a ginger shot." Her tail wiggled. "What else can I get for you and your friend here?"

"Ya like cheesecake?" Dimitri glanced back at Xander. The Litten wasn't sure, but it wasn't like he actually knew what he wanted. He simply nodded his head. "Then we'll get two slices of whatever you have left after today."

Chamomile made eye-contact with Xander. "Something to drink, hun?"

Xander fidgeted slightly, not having a single clue what he would like to drink. He could just ask for water, but… Dimitri brought him to a cafe. "What uhm… kinds of tea do you have?"

"Pretty much any berry you can think of, I have." Chamomile responded plainly. This didn't help Xander much, considering he didn't exactly have a favorite berry.

So, he just picked one he knew. "I'll have Oran Berry tea, then…"

"Oran? Pshh." Dimitri waved a hand teasingly. "Want a vanilla wafer or plain biscuit with that?"

"Iced or hot?" Chamomile asked, not skipping a beat.

"Hot, please." Xander smiled sheepishly up at the barista, who nodded her head before walking away. Xander felt a weight lift off of him once Chamomile's gaze was no longer on him.

Apparently, though, he was still looking pretty anxious– because DImitri frowned hard at him. "Sorry, did I hurt your feelings? I was just playing around…"

"No, it's okay, I probably sound like a pretty boring Pokémon ordering something like that when you've got…?"

"Never had a ginger shot before? It's ginger, Tamato Berry flakes, and Nemol Berry juice. Kinda spicy, but it makes me feel a lot better after I drink it. Not really for everyone, though." Dimitri lapped up everything in the little cup quickly before chasing it with the cold water. His fur seemed to stand on end for a second or too before settling. "Whew! Love it."

Xander giggled quietly into his paw.

"Alright, here you both are." Chamomile set two little plates of cheese cake down, and a hot cup with blue liquid inside in front of Xander. "Don't burn your tongue, 'k young man?" The Audino's expression was much softer as she spoke to Xander this time, but he still felt some sort of lingering scrutiny.

"You're the best, Cam." Dimitri bowed his head, opening up a small satchel by nuzzling it with his snout. "Might as well pay you now. How much?"

"Please, don't worry about it. I was kidding around earlier. Honestly, I'm just happy to see you." Chamomile sighed tiredly. "It's been tense around here. Boss wants to… get a lot done tonight."

Dimitri's face shifted. If Sprigatito could go pale, he would be whiter than a ghost.

"I'm just waiting to see them off." Chamomile gave a side-eye to Xander before shrugging her shoulders.

Xander watched as Dimitri squirmed in his seat and unease started setting in again. Xander liked to think he wasn't stupid; something clearly wasn't right here, but he didn't want to pry much either. The Litten simply looked up at the Audino beside him and tilted his head. "Everything alright? This sounds serious."

"Aww, don't worry your cute little head about it. It wouldn't be right of me to ruin your fun with all my adult stuff. I'll let you both get some time alone. Shout if you need anything."

Chamomile wandered back to the kitchen without saying another word, leaving the two cat Pokémon to their date. Dimitri still looked uncomfortable, and Xander wasn't sure how to brighten the mood back up– especially since he didn't understand what was wrong. The Litten turned to his hot beverage and gave it a blow before licking the top. The tea was… delicious! It was just sweet enough and refreshed Xander the moment he tasted it and-

"Wow, this is really good!" Xander smiled up at his date. "Is all Oran Berry tea this nice?"

Dimitri's ears perked back up, and he gave Xander a smile in return. "Probably not. Chamomile is an excellent barista. I'd bet money on her tea being the best in Constella. Heck, maybe even all of Adstrum." The Grass Type giggled before taking a small bite of his cheesecake. Xander did the same, his purr loud enough to wake the neighbors.

"Did she make this cheesecake too?"

Dimitri nodded his head. "Every last bite and sip in this place is Chamomile certified!"

Both Pokémon purred and trilled with delight as they continued enjoying their café meal. Dimitri gulped down some water before speaking again. "So, tell me a bit more about Xander. Like, where are you from?"

Unsure on how to answer that question, Xander's mouth fell slightly agape as he considered his words. But he didn't even need to come up with something, his thoughts were interrupted by the bookshelf against the wall pushing outwards like a door. Dimitri turned his gaze to the sound, and Xander's eyes followed.

Slipping out from behind the secret passage was a shiny Nickit wearing a navy blue hood. Xander's whole world froze for a moment–

He was snapped right out of it by the joyful tone in Dimitri's voice. "Lune! Hey!"

Lune shut the passageway behind him and looked up at the two Pokémon sitting alone in the Autumn Leaf. "Oh, Dimitri. What the hell are you doing–"

Then, Xander's eyes met with his. Silence.

The flame inside Xander burned brightly, compelling the Litten to stand suddenly. "You." He spat, claws unsheathing as he hopped from his seat.

"Hi." Lune said with a smile. "It's been a little while, hasn't it. How have you been?" The Nickit tilted his head, a smug smile stretched across his muzzle.

Xander yowled with fury, arching his back and hissing.

"H-hold on–" Dimitri also hopped out of his seat. "Lune, you know Xander?"

"He robbed me!" Xander growled.

"You got that money back." Lune said with a shrug. "Don't know why you're still so mad at me."

"Oh, jeez, uh…" Dimitri scrambled in front of Xander. "Please don't fight– I'm sure this is all, like, a huge misunderstanding or something–"

"I could not possibly misunderstand being– wait– you know him?" Xander was now glaring at Dimitri.

"Y-yeah, uh, he's my uh…" Dimitri rubbed at his neck with a paw. "Yeah, I know Lunar…"

"Lune, love." The Nickit chuckled softly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just looking for Chamomile." His eyes gleamed with mischief as he looked back at Xander. "Funny seeing you here tonight of all nights, though."

Xander refused to look back at Lune. His gaze was fixated on Dimitri now. "Why do you know an outlaw? Why do you know this outlaw?!"

"C-calm down." Dimitri's tail tucked closer to his hind quarters.

"Litten, relax." Lune's tail twitched, but the mischief didn't leave his gaze. "Dimitri is my good pal. We go wayyy back." The Nickit's smirk widened as he slipped over to the Sprigatito and nuzzled under his chin. Xander had enough. Lifting a paw and swiping it as hard as he could at Lune's face, Xander trembled with anger. The emotionally fueled blow only grazed Lune's fur as he quickly stepped back.

"You want to fight, fireball? Even when you don't have your little prince to protect you?"

"I bested you just fine on my own, given the state I left your ear in! You're the one who ran away with his tail tucked between his legs!"

Lune just laughed. "And you couldn't climb after me. Who's ever heard of a Litten who can't climb?"

"Shut the HELL UP!" Xander lunged at Lune, but ended up colliding face first with the table he and Dimitri were sat at.

"What the fuck is going on in there?!" Chamomile turned the corner and quickly processed the scene, grumbling to herself before rushing over to tidy up Xander's clamor. "How many fights are you going to start on my café floor this week, Lune?"

Fur bristling, Xander scurried away from the Audino and backed himself up against a different wall. Dimitri hobbled over to him, but his fear scent was starting to piss Xander off even more.

"I just… happen to know him. We were really close but– but I'm not a–"

"WHY would you bring me to an OUTLAW DEN?!" Xander's tail lashed.

"I d-didn't know you of all people had an Outlier run-in! Th-they're really chill when they aren't–"

"You did NOT just tell me wanted criminals were 'really chill,' Dimitri."

Dimitri's ears fell flat against his head. "But– but they are! Chamomile and Lunar especially! I'm sure you just… got off on the wrong paw with him."

"This boss guy– this plan stuff!" Xander glared up at the Audino frowning at him. "I've caught wind of all this. Lune even asked me to work with you and plant some sort of orb under the Prince's pillow! That all has something to do with this, doesn't it!" Xander's furious glare returned to Dimitri. "I bet you're trying to get me wrapped up in all this! I can't believe I trusted a random Pokémon just because he was nice to me! I'm so stupid–"

"I hate to put this lover's quarrel to a short end." A new voice joined the room. Xander turned his head up and saw a Lucario grinning down at him.

Lune, Chamomile, and Dimitri all went quiet as they turned to face the new Team Outlier member in the room. The Lucario approached Xander, cracking his own neck as he drew near. "You're the little failed vigilante Spike and Jessie were bitching about, aren'tcha?" The Lucario flashed his sharp teeth. "Why don't you come downstairs and stay awhile. The night's still young after all." A deep chuckle escaped his muzzle as he leaned closer. "We wouldn't want to ruin your little date after all, now would we?"

Even though Xander's legs were shaking, he growled up at his new foe. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Oh? Kitty-cat, there wasn't a choice in the matter."

Before Xander could come up with another cool way to say no, another Pokémon dropped from the ceiling above him and snatched his small Litten body up into their arms. Xander could struggle for only a moment before a Water Shuriken was held up to his throat.

"H-hey! Leave him alone!" Dimitri hissed.

"Aww, don't worry Dimi. We'll play nice with your little friend." The Lucario gave Dimitri a condescending pat on the head before walking back over to the secret passage. "Chamomile, Lune, come with us." His ear flicked as he slipped behind the shelf. "Boss wants to see everyone."