He takes a bite of the sandwich shrugging at the girl's refusal still more interested in her weight training. Contrary to popular belief (see: his belief) the girl had a decent handle on her physical training. She seemed more like the type to drop bricks in her bag and simply carry them on her back all day, he was pleased to see his worries were for naught. responding with a simple, "I'm impressed." in response to her training methods.

He takes another bite of the half sandwich casually, "What kind of world do we live in where a simple 'please' is considered 'begging' so casually?" he'd banter for the sake of bantering, He knew what he wanted when he'd made the requirement only moments ago, but the white-haired youth would at least feign innocence as if he had some reputation to keep. "But hey, your loss my dear assistant." If only to accent his point the man would take another bite. While Azad was a bit more subdued with his meal, (or at least he was compared to the battle between food and woman that took place beside him) the researcher would make sure his next few bites of the sandwich were particularly intoxicating really showing off the almost glistening meat and greens of the meal. All the while discussing his pokemon's absence.

"Beldum or Aros" He'd make particular emphasis on pronouncing the pokemon's name and nickname lest she butcher it for the umpteenth time. "typically returns within the hour of my requests. It's one of the reasons why I agreed to the breather." he'd explain his reasoning further."It'll give it time to catch up." On the topic of why the small magnet was seen as a more difficult pokemon to raise the man would smile happy to give another short lecture, if she didn't know better at this point it was apparent the man was particular fond of the magnet, perhaps even more than hearing himself speak.

"Well most pokemon upon leveling learn new moves as I'm sure you know. It's a primary method of pokemon growing in terms of strength and becoming more versatile other than its body simply becoming stronger and more attuned to battle after time. Beldum, however, due to its body type and physical properties is unable to learn any moves until it evolves." The topic wasn't a sore one for Azad nor was it for Aros. it was simple fact they'd eventually overcome. A problem that could only be solved with time and effort. "That said, Beldum's final and even it's secondary evolution are known particularly for their strength and versatility." He'd yawn stretching a bit after finishing his explanation. Almost on cue a short robotic cry would draw the man's attention to the sky prompting him once again. "Speak of the devil and he will surely arrive."

The dual steel and psychic pokemon would descend upon the two signaling to its dark-skinned trainer that in its absence the magnet type had found something worth checking out. "As always you've never fail to impress Aros, we'll depart after our new acquaintance finishes." He'd stand patting the larger magnet on its head fondly. Speaking back to the girl "And what of your own team? A rambunctious, bashful girl like yourself must have quite the interesting pokemon."

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: violence is never the answer

Half-lidded eyes would open after a short yawn as his assistant commented on the steel type. "Well isn't that cute, and a little honorable as well. Color me impressed. Typically when I describe Aros' attributes most trainers beg for a battle on the spot thinking it'd be an easy win." How wrong they were. "Let's find those birds first, if we can manage that then I'll promise you a battle. I think that's a more than fair trade off for your work."

With that the man's gaze would move from Beldum to the girl, the steel pokemon may have been adamant but he was't impatient and so he would simply hover in place as it waited for the two trainers to finish up. On the topic of her own team she'd say little causing a mild eyeroll from the trainer. "I don't know if that's the proper mindset for achieving that 'strength' you were talking about. But who's to say I suppose." For a second he'd seem far off as if he were lost in a memory before returning to reality, just in time to catch the woman licking the remanants of food off her fingers before retrieving his sketchpad. He'd wince this time deciding to keep his silence allowing the girl to flip through to his most recent sketch. "Not professionally, but I suppose it's a skill I've acquired if only out of necessity. If you like you can keep that one. I doubt I'll need a pidgey's foot print for much else. I'll even autograph it if you'd like it as a memento." there sarcasm was notable as he spoke wondering if he should have given the woman half of his meal seeing how much she seemed to savor the bits of jerky and trail mix she'd consumed.

"You from Johto, or is this just where you're beginning your journey?" He'd fill the new silence with another question as the girl focused on the drawing, he honestly didn't think it was too special, but there was a certain happiness that someone appreciated it.

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: ayyy hope this works

"Rude and callous perhaps, but a liar? No. that doesn't suit you." The man would stand from the log stretching now, Aros noticing his partner's movements would also begin to point towards the destination more than ready to continue this little journey itself. The day was more than halfway done and the man still had yet to grasp all the research he needed, much less compile it into a full document. Even now the man knew he'd surely be up until the wee hours of the morning finishing his report, but there was no use crying over spilled milk. The faster he obtained the data the faster he could move forward with his life, and so with that in mind he'd begin to follow the magnet pokemon to its latest find.

"Choji..." The professor would rack his brain for information about the town, the name rung a bell but for moments at a time he couldn't remember what it was that the man found so interesting about the location. That is until the surrounding areas came to mind. "Oh, so you must know of the legends surrounding Ilex Forest and the shrine at its center then." Back in Kalos before leaving for Johto the man had spent almost half a month studying the legends and myths of the traditional region, one of which happened to deal with the protector of Ilex Forest, and the shrine that it was said to rest in. While information about the pokemon itself was more than scarce the researcher was still interested in the stories, and planned to do a report about the protector when he was more established in the program.

Before the man could get more in depth about the topic however the beldum would come to a stop a low growl reminding both the man and the new assistant to lower their voices before continuing, a sign that the two were close. In the silence of the forest the researcher could even hear the fledging cries now baby birds. Now it was time to find them, and quietly at that.

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: sorry for the wait!

"I'm not so sure."

A focused gaze fell to the girl as she spoke of her disbelief. "There are far too many stories and tales for truth not to exist. Perhaps they may not be as factual as we'd like, but to take away nothing from these tales and to not question how they started or where they came from, I believe that's foolish." He'd continue to dig through carefully now his attention returning to the task at hand,

"So it's as you said, it's not a question of there being truth, it's of how much is true. And even more what if more to those stories were true than you believed? What if pokemon that powerful actually exist locked away in tombs dormant? What if great power like that woke?"

Johto is a region held together by tradition and beliefs in these pokemon so much so giant towers and shrines and towers have been built to honor them. There's little doubt in my mind that these legends exist in a capacity far larger than you and even I can imagine."

This was why he'd chosen Johto as his region of choice to begin this pokemon program. Before he could delve deeper into his fascination the girl in question would point out a nest filled with no less than four baby pidgey.

"Great eye assistant!" As he moved closer to brunette he'd reach into his bag sliding in a parcel containing the other half of his sandwich into her own bag attempting to tie it while she focused on the various baby bird pokemon.

"You've done an exemplary job Ash, and you'll find a bit of a bonus in your bag."

He'd leave his gear by the brush, grabbing the woman's hand pulling her over as to not scare this second group of birds away while they spoke.

"Next time we meet I'm expecting an answer concerning what strength means to you. Become strong with purpose." He'd think back on his homeland and his family. Becoming strong simply to be strong...It's a path with no end, and one that isolates and destroys. I'd hate to see someone with potential lose themselves on that path." He'd place a hand on the girl's shoulder flashing a final smile listening to any responses she had, before moving back to the nest in question leaving with a wave.

"Be safe Ash and next we meet I suppose I'll owe you a battle."

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: I FORGOT THIS WAS THE THING