Brushing his hair out of his face the steely-eyed research assistant was unhappily doing some basic studies on the nesting habits of Pidgey a pokemon that the young assistant didn't care for in the slightest. He'd joined this program not to get out of being a pokemon trainer, but to look at the whole journey from a more scholarly perspective, and while this was 'scholarly' it wasn't what he had in mind. still research was research and he had to have a report written by tomorrow evening sent to Professor Elm if he wanted to stay in the program.

Azad being the middle child, and least accomplished of his three siblings had started his pokemon journey last choosing to spend time studying as opposed to journeying. In the time Azad spent studying his two brothers were off battling or participating in contests and as of last year had reached the grand festival and the pokemon league respectively. If only not to be overshadowed by his two brothers Azad had chosen the path of the researcher and while he did plan to battle and perhaps challenge gyms as he explored it was by no means his main focus. No, pokemon interested him outside of their battle prowess and he hoped that one day he'd be an esteemed researcher with focus on Pokemon Mythology and Legend, it wasn't a common dream but one scoffed at by most of the scholastic community as Legendary pokemon were just that, 'legendary' and the idea of seeing even one over the course of a life was highly unlikely and thus difficult to study. Still the white haired boy was passionate. And in order to even be taken seriously he'd have to go through the process of becoming a researcher first which of course meant,

studying these damn birds.

And so the man remained crouched in a bush twigs and branches uncomfortably rubbing up against his clothes as he jotted down notes concerning the nest of bird pokemon hurriedly and grumpily, before he could get anything substantial however the footsteps of mumbling of what he figured was a nearby trainer almost immediately cause the small flock to fly high abandoning the nest for now at least leaving only an irritated Azad in their wake.

He'd rise from his hiding spot in the bushes green eyes focused on the newcomer, a girl not much younger than he his eyes sharp as he spoke up, "Well there goes two hours of my day." In all truth this wasn't her fault in the slightest and his frustrations were placed entirely on the wrong source, but Azad wasn't really trying to have that realization yet.

"What's your deal kid? You a new trainer or something?" The attitude in his tone was almost palpable.

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: smhh

People sometimes said, "Ignorance is bliss".

This wasn't one of those times.

"It's not any of my business." He'd keep his voice low not appreciating her tone anymore than she appreciated his, "but you know what is my business? The flock of pidgey you just scared away with your lumbering. he'd gesture to the now empty nest beyond the bush his volume increasing ever so slightly on every other word.

It's only when he glances back at the girl that he realizes how strained she is, it was warm today, yes, but what he saw was relatively unnatural. If he wasn't so annoyed perhaps he would have asked if the girl was okay, but as far as the researcher-in-training was concerned the girl's glands were none of his damn business. Regardless of how cute she may or may not have been. If only to calm himself down the silver haired teenager would pinch the bridge of his nose attempting to work out a solution before he failed his assignment. There was still a good part of the day left, he had enough time to find another nest of pokemon, but with an extra set of eyes it'd be much quicker.

"Alright, since you ruined my assignment I'd say it's also up to you to help me save it. Route 29 is home to a number of pokemon obviously. You're going to help me find a nest of any bird pokemon in the area after all it's only fair and with someones help hopefully it wont take too long." Was it selfish and domineering? Entirely, but Azad was angry and desperate and so while looking back he may feel a tinge of regret, currently he was more than pleased with decision. With that solution in mind the man's features would ease up if only slightly. Crossing his arms he'd speak up a final time, "I trust this works for you?" It was a bit incredulous, but the grumpy dark-skinned boy didn't really care to find any other solutions.

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: smhh

When she snarls he doesn't back down, in fact he does the opposite only moving closing the gap between them to show this small sweaty girl he wasn't afraid of anything she could throw. Those piercing green eyes focus even harder on those brown ones as he stands tall arms crossed.

"On the contrary, you wont waste your time looking for shitty birds." his look of neutrality would fade a sardonic grin quickly replacing it, "No, We will spend our time looking for shitty birds that no one gives a shit about. Exciting? I know." The sarcasm would grow as they continued arguing upon her mention of him being a student Azad would roll his eyes.

Close but no cigar, I'm part of the professor program." realizing that didn't really say too much he'd explain further. "Essentially I go on a pokemon journey, but my focus is research. Every week I'm assigned some pokemon, or topic to study depending on where I am I do some research and send my results back to the professor I'm assigned to. At the end of my journey if I did decently well a professor takes me on as a permanent assistant until I become one myself." Talking about the program would further ebb his anger, "And while I recognize pidgey isn't the most interesting topic it's the one I have and I wont let some rookie trainer fuck this up for me. Now we're losing daylight so let's get this over with sweaty girl. And with that he'd begin carefully shuffling through the wilderness waiting for the girl to follow as if they'd both agreed to the unfair terms of... whatever this was.

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: smh

He's already begun sifting through bushes and peering into trees when she gives her full response. While annoyed he'd waste no more time fighting with the girl. No, now was the time for work, why? so he could receive more work, better work that was worth his time. And to that end when she finally said she'd at least 'consider' his demands for something so small, it finally felt like he was getting somewhere. She acted as if a 'please' would somehow damage his pride. He was always a scientist first and foremost if he was willing to sit in a goddamn bush with branches and twigs poking him for hours on end he could definitely manage a 'please'. But if he was going to do it, of course it had to have some kind of edge, after all Azad couldn't just be an adult about this.

With a sigh he'd turn on his heel quickly walking up to the girl now taking a single knee in front of her. He'd then reach for her hand with his own brushing a few strands of his own hair out of his eyes before speaking, making sure green irises met brown for the umpteenth time. "Ash, will you please" particular emphasis on the please. "Help me find a nest of these stupid shitty birds so we can both move on with our stupid shitty lives." He'd keep the act together even adding a certain cadence to his voice if only to contrast the vulgarity of his words. "Pretty please even, with a cherry on top." He'd add only now breaking the gag with an eye roll before pushing himself up off the ground.

With that done the man would reach in his back pocket pulling a pair of reading glasses to help with his project. "Will that suffice Ash or do you have the audacity to ask for more?" He'd turned his back to the girl continuing his search through the brush, but she could definitely imagine the smirk he had one his face now. Hoping to have turned the tides ever so slightly in his favor once again. So what if he was slightly embarrassed by the act he was winning again, and more importantly if the girl didn't back out on her end of the bargain he'd finally gained this temporary research assistant.

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: smhh

With the matter settled (finally) Azad would begin to search in earnest his new assistant now sidled next to him while he continued to peruse through he wilderness searching for any traces of a nest. When she first asks he remains silent far too focused on his own search, it's only when she repeats the question do those familiar green eyes fall to the rookie trainer. "Pidgey's typically build their nest in high bushes or low trees. Since they're not too big and many of the babies born can't fly immediately they try to build them relatively lower to the ground protecting their babies from death in case they fall out."

He'd slide a small pad from his pocket flipping to a page where he'd managed to sketch the footprints of the bird pokemon before handing the pad to the girl, still sifting through another bush all the while "If you happen to see any tracks that look like this then let me know it may mean we're close to a nest. Ekans also tend to frequent this area so if you see any snake skin, be careful." Having finished moving through one bush he'd dust himself off and stretch deciding it was time to call out his secret weapon. Reaching for the pokeball on his belt the young researcher would call forth his only pokemon.

The blue magnet appeared in a flash of light casually floating its one red eye focused on the unfamiliar face, before turning to its trainer. "Aros take to the sky and see if you can find any bird nests overhead." The pokemon would blink twice before rising higher into the sky leaving the two trainers alone once again. While Aros flew overhead Azad would begin to make small talk. "So what is your deal Rookie? You trying to be the next 'pokemon master' kiddo?" He was sure to keep his voice low as he walked deeper into the route refusing to give up his own search for the research specimen.

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: is it real

He can't help but push her buttons at this point, but upon her insistence he'd cool it for now lest he risk losing his second assistant who was already on the fence, and rightfully so. And so when she corrects him venom in her voice he respects her agency waits for the girl to delve deeper into the topic at hand.

So apparently 'Ash' wasn't in it for the fame or the glory, she was in it for self improvement or so she said. Honestly he could relate or at least understand in some sense. A want to be 'better' existed in the white-haired boy as well. Self-improvement was something he sought for validation. In order to break out and prove himself he had to become better, and while his reasons weren't exactly noble, they didn't have to be. Truth be told, he was slightly envious of the girl who had clarity in her path, or at least more clarity than he had.

Still the answer was broad and if only for that he'd push the conversation further forward eyes still peering to different trees occasionally catching a shadow or two in the surrounding brush. Before he could speak up, however, the topic changed to Aros who had yet to return from his scouting trip.

She stumbles on the name ending with something unrecognizable resulting in a quiet chuckle from the future researcher. The corners of his lips would twinge upward as he spoke up.

"Beldum, or Aros is a steel and psychic type magnet pokemon. They're difficult to raise because....well for a number of reasons, but it's my number 1 lab assistant and I wouldn't have it any other way." He'd stop at a tree in particular glancing up its branches for a moment attempting to see through the foliage.

"Don't be too jealous though." those eyes would float to the girl the smirk on his face a little more earnest than any he'd shown prior. "You're my second Ash." With his inspection of the tree complete he'd continue to move forward resuming the previous conversation.

"You said you wanted to 'become strong'. What does that mean?" He'd pause waiting for her response before quickly realizing he may not have been clear in his question.

" Strong could mean a good battler, physically stronger, mentally stronger." He wouldn't turn to the girl but he'd gesture nonetheless. "What exactly is strength?"

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: is it real

It was definitely an edgier answer than he was expecting or at least initially, but edgy wasn't always wrong. In a way and for more than a few strength most certainly meant survival. However, having that answer come from a girl who he assumed was even younger than himself, and one who'd just started her journey made him hard pressed to take it seriously. Before he could comment in a way sarcastic or otherwise she would amend her answer earning her A contemplative sigh from the dark-skinned boy as she affirmed it.

"That sounds like something an aspiring pokemon master would say." He'd halfway turn to her a single piercing green eye would focus on her personage lingering there almost challenging her. "Being recognized for your prowess, standing at the top of the food chain. I'd say that's what it means to be the 'Champ', no?"

Before they continued though the girl needed a break something he could definitely acquiesce to. It was well past noon and due to his assignment the man hadn't stopped to rest or eat.Thus, he'd stop only to hear a large thump as the girl's pack hit the ground. While it was loud thumps like the pack hitting the ground that lead to the situation they were in Azad was more curious as to what exactly she had in that bag that was so damn heavy.

First and foremost he'd take a knee reaching into his bag pulling out a water bottle. "I pray you're not so stubborn that you wont accept this. I can't have my newest assistant dying on me." While he didn't exactly have a spare the girl needed it far more than he did and so instead of lingering on the drink he'd pull out half a sandwich that he made earlier all the while a seat on a fallen log gesturing to the girl to sit if she cared to.

"Think you have enough gear?" A short laugh followed, "Thought the whole 'pokemon journey' idea was you only take the bare minimum with you?"

ASHLEY LEE // Notes: is it real