"Curiosity, I suppose." Barnaby mused, sounding not at all invested in the teenager's backstory. Perhaps because it sounded very much like his own. He'd done just as Ash had - run away from a family that treated love like a currency to be earned through met expectations.

Barnaby had been an adult by then, though. And it was his opinion that if ROCKET continued to take children into their organization those children needed to be provided an education, among other necessities like shelter and food. How else would they develop the critical thinking skills and world knowledge needed to be a successful agent to their cause?

Asher Baran, though, seemed to only be focused on his day-to-day survival. It was a pitiable sight.

Still, Barnaby didn't probe further. Instead, he went to gather the Poké Ball that had just been used to capture the KOMMO-O. As he did so, a foreboding clicking sound echoed out from some nearby bushes. It didn't take long for the source of the noise to reveal itself; standing completely upright at a height of about six feet, an agitated CENTISKORCH rose from the undergrowth.

"Shit—" Barnaby backed away immediately, putting as much distance between him and the huge fiery insect. The CENTISKORCH LUNGED after him, nearly grabbing him by the leg. Mercifully, Colombe swooped in at the last second with an AERIAL ACE, slashing at the centipede's head.

catching CENTISKORCH
Asher Baran
[fire/fighting]

☉