"Okay Neb, are we gonna sit here and twist digital thumbs or go outside and practice a few moves?"
Nebular flickered green, her tone sharp but amused as she eyed Nox. "Practice moves? Nox, you make it sound like this is a heist training montage. But fine, I'll play along. Let's see what you've got."
Nox adjusted his scarf, sliding the air pod case In his pocket "You're right, Neb. I am making it sound cool—because it is. Now, let's head out, ill leave the mask here, just uhh... u don't know... come along with my phone?"
He grabbed his coat from the chair, flipping it over his shoulders with dramatic flair. "Time to see what kind of tricks you can really do."
Nox stepped outside as Nebular talked trough his air pods.
"Nox, want me to navigate you somewhere?"
"Oh, Neb, I probably know more shortcuts around here than your simple map layout can even comprehend."
"And yet, you're still late 78.5% of the time."
Nox smirked, stepping out onto the dimly lit street. "Touché, Neb. But being fashionably late is part of the charm, don't you think?"
Nebular's tone dry. "If by charm, you mean infuriating unpredictability, then sure, let's call it that."
Nox chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets as he stepped outside and in to the streets of Coreline. "Relax, Neb. You're in the hands of a professional. Stick with me, and you'll see why being late is sometimes the smartest move in the game."
"Where are we heading, Nox? It seems like you are walking right toward the city center of your district."
Nox glanced up ahead, his smirk widening. "What can I say, Neb? Sometimes the center of chaos is the best place to learn a few tricks."
Nebular flickered blue. "Approximately two minutes from here there is a coffee shop, if that's what you're looking for ."
Nox chuckled, adjusting his scarf as his tail flicked behind him. "Well not quite Neb, however I will probably come back to that later."
Nox turned a corner as he spotted a familiar face standing behind a counter in a busy shop.
A sign half broken barley readable said 'Chucks Crib' Nox stepped inside "Heyyy, Chuck! How's it going? Is my favorite food store open today?"
A large pig towered in front of Nox, twice his height. Chuck looked down at him, his thick arms crossed over his grease stained white apron. As a deep voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"Nox, you smooth-talker. My stand's always open for my best customer. What's it gonna be this time? Dumplings? Or are you gonna feed of my generosity again to let you not pay upfront, because if I remember right, last time you just ran off without paying!"
Nox grinned, tipping his hat playfully. "Oh I must have forgotten to pay, come on, Chuck, don't sell me short. Today I'm here to support your thriving business. Besides," he added, leaning casually against the stand, "you know I can't resist those dumplings. Got any deals for your favorite fox?"
Chuck tapped his chin. "Then how about you pay your bills first before I serve you again? Or would you rather take a job today? The choice is yours, just know your free trials are over."
With that chuck slams the butcherer knife he held in to the cutting board in front of him.
Nox feigned an exaggerated gasp, placing a paw over his heart. "Chuck, you wound me! After all the charm and repeat business I've brought you?"
Chuck raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Charm doesn't pay for dumplings, Nox. You want your usual? Either fork over the creds or help me out. The job's gonna be a joke for you this time, it's this damn health inspector."
Nox sighed, adjusting his hat. "Alright, alright. Guess I'll lend a paw. Can't have my favorite dumpling stand going out of business, can I?"
He rolled up his sleeves. "So, what's the issue with this health inspector? Want me to get rid of him for you, hah?"
Chuck let out a deep, gravelly chuckle, shaking his head. "Nah, nothing that dramatic. He came last week, and what can I say? He kinda caught me off guard."
Nox smirked, his tail flicking behind him. "Ah, so you need me to convince that guy to leave you at peace, right?"
Chuck crossed his arms, towering over Nox. "Not quite. You see, he's a real dick. He doesn't care about me or this store. I'm just, I dunno, number 871 on his list."
The place was packed with all sorts of people enjoying a cheap and unhealthy meal. It looked rundown, cracks in the walls the windows were dirty. Spoons and other kitchen tools were hanging from the ceiling in the kitchen area although they look dirtier than the floor. The stove was covered in a glowing weird looking substance.
Nebular whispers toward Nox mid conversation. "Intriguing interior design i must say..."
Chuck continue after a long exhale.
"This guy probably doesn't even remember my name. He used a clipboard to cross certain health violations, needles to say I wasn't quite prepared... maybe you could sneak up, grab that list, and tilt it a little, nudge it toward the right way."
Nox gave a mock salute. "No scenes, got it. Just a harmless chat with Mr. Clipboards Clipboard. Leave it to me, Chuck. Your dumpling empire is safe in my paws. So, where do I find this guy?"
Chuck looked to the left and right over his shoulder. "Actually, I've got his address right here, on this recipe from the day that guy came. You can just go get the clipboard yourself and change it a little—quick and easy. Mr. Clipboard won't even know."
Nox raised an eyebrow, twirling the slip of paper Chuck handed him between his fingers. "You just happen to have his address? Chuck, you've been busy. Gotta say, I'm impressed."
Chuck shrugged, his massive shoulders rising and falling like boulders. "What can I say? You don't survive in this business without doing your homework. Just... make it flawless and fast, alright? No one needs to know you were there."
Nox tucked the paper into his coat pocket with a sly grin. "Quick and clean are my specialties, Chuck. By the time he realizes anything's missing, I'll be long gone, and you'll be back to slinging dumplings worry-free."
Chuck gave a small grunt of approval, leaning back against his stall. "Good. And Nox? Don't mess this up. I've got a lot riding on this."
Nox tipped his hat, his smirk widening. "Relax, Chuck. You're talking to a professional."
With that, he turned on his heel, his steps light as he disappeared into the crowd.
Nebular sounded amused. "So you're a small-time criminal in your free time, Nox? I am not surprised at all."
Nox smirked as he weaved through the crowded streets, slipping past a group of workers on their lunch break. "Oh, come on, I'm helping out a friend in need for a small loan. One paw helps the other here, you know. It's not like I'm doing something bad—I just nudge things in the right direction."
"Ah, yes. Because breaking and entering sounds much more respectable when you put it that way," Nebular deadpanned.
Nox sat down on a bench, his hands digging inside his pockets, searching for the sheet he received. "Look, Chuck's dumpling stand is an institution, alright? If I have to slightly adjust some bureaucratic nonsense to keep it running, I'm basically doing a public service. And his dumplings are just sooo tasty, it would be a shame to lose this piece of culture."
Nebular vibrated in his pocket. "Okay, you convinced me. Let's break a few laws. This might be a bit of fun, actually."
"Exactly." Nox pulled out the sheet. "There we go. Here Neb, lead me to the address."