[attr="class","beck"]lives changed for better or worse; theo could not take credit for them all. all he can do is shove them along a path and hope they adapt in time to survive.

how will young ashley fare?

the subtle wisp of smoke that drifts into the scene announces his arrival. theo steps into the clearing with a cigarette pinched between his lips.

"why do you want in?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Ashley Shepard

[attr="class","beck"]is this confidence or arrogance? they'll find out soon enough.

appreciating the way ashley gets straight to the point, theo nods his head in approval, then continues with another point.

"what skills do you have? can you fight?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Ashley Shepard

[attr="class","beck"]the shudder is seen and understood. he'd seen similar far too many times from recruits similar to ashley — the cocky, boastful ones who often failed when the time came.

"i assume you haven't, then."

as for his fighting skills?

with his gaze elsewhere, theo swiftly brings his hand across ashley's face for a slap.

[attr="class","noodles"]Ashley Shepard

[attr="class","beck"]while someone else may have drawn satisfaction from slapping a punk of a kid, theo finds none as he sees it as a necessity to suss out just how well the kid can fight.

the size difference isn't the only factor that works against ashley. theo's relatively lanky build and young age allows him to swoop to the side, avoiding being tackled only to bring a hand out to shove ashley to the ground.

"do better."

[attr="class","noodles"]Ashley Shepard

[attr="class","beck"]if there's anyone who knows how to fight dirty, it's the rocket admin who's spent years doing the organization's dirty deeds. so unfortunately for ashley, theo does see it coming.

his head ducks to the side to avoid the dirt and he simply steps away to avoid being smashed by ashley's hands.

a step back creates space between them.

"don't you have any pokemon?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Ashley Shepard

[attr="class","beck"]"they don't have pokemon in foster care?"

there's nothing malicious behind his question. he's genuinely curious because his knowledge of foster care is limited at best. for all the bad that's happened to him, he's been lucky enough not to have grown up in the system.

theo doesn't fall for the taunt. he does, however, simply step forward to backhand ashley.

[attr="class","noodles"]Ashley Shepard

[attr="class","beck"]this time, theo doesn't bother avoiding the punch. it squares him in his gut hard enough to knock the wind out of him. he coughs, taking a quick gasp for air before recovering.

he's been hit much harder and in far worse places.

as ashley stands his ground, theo can do no more than look at him.

"you understand what's required of you, correct?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Ashley Shepard