Caught just as he was opening the laboratory door, Barnaby's torso hadn't even made it into the room before Ceri's bright and bubbly greeting reached his ears. That characteristic Galarian lilt goaded a welcoming smile to his lips.

"It's me!" He shot back, his voice equally as warm as the young researcher's, and continued past the threshold and into the lab proper. All the necessary tools for collection had already been laid out on the counter he approached, some which he recognized from his previous trip and some he did not.

"Nothing quite as headstrong as the Eevee from last time, but it is another Hatchery Pokémon."

Just then, as if he knew they were talking about him, an oddly-colored MEOWTH peeked out from behind Barnaby's leg. The feline was distinctly different from others of his species, with a glistening coat composed of an iridescent pearl body and light teal points.

Ceri Glynn
M.A.G.M.A Research 🝪 Tier #1

☉

"About the same age as the Eevee, yes. Older by only a few weeks." Barnaby responded, looking down at the kitten at his feet. The poor thing was clutching at his pantleg, obviously anxious about the unfamiliar surroundings and unusual smells.

"Sorry, he's a little shy." Which seemed funny to Barnaby, given how much the MEOWTH stood out from the crowd. Literally. The thing had the ability to freaking glow.

As he spoke, a hand was lowered to scoop the cat from the floor... which was then immediately dodged, the MEOWTH having skirted around to Barnaby's other leg. He frowned, shifted his feet, and tried again with both hands this time.

Bad idea. This prompted the feline to bolt under the lab table in front of them, it's hackles raised along it's back like a PINCURCHIN.

Ceri Glynn
M.A.G.M.A Research 🝪 Tier #1

☉

This was why he preferred canines.

They were generally easier to train, less skittish. Although his beloved NINETALES were aloof, they at least complied when he needed them to do something. This MEOWTH on the other hand... well, it was friendly enough, but perhaps Barnaby had set it up for failure by expecting it to act appropriately in an unknown place.

He wouldn't admit that, though. Instead, Barnaby withdrew a few treats from his pocket and offered them to the kitten with an open palm. The thing wasn't aggressive, just frightened, and with the help of AROMATHERAPY was well on it's way to calming down. After a few moments it hesitantly edged forward to take one of the treats.

"That's it," Barnaby encouraged in a soothing voice. "Come now, we still need to show Miss Ceri how special you are."

It seemed the combination of his coaxing and SPRITZEE's calming gas did the trick. After another minute or so Barnaby was able to pluck the MEOWTH from under the table, with it's only protest being a quiet, defeated mewl.

"There we are, little one." The cat was placed on the counter, although Barnaby's hands remained firmly around it's body.

"Sorry, I believe you were asking about what makes him unusual?" A momentary pause to think, but several things quickly came to mind. "Odd moves that I don't think Meowth normally learn. Heal Bell and Frenzy Plant. Obviously his Illumina characteristics... he tends to glow when he's happy."

Ceri Glynn
M.A.G.M.A Research 🝪 Tier #1

☉

"I like to think he would be." Barnaby agreed with a light laugh, only half-teasing. "He taught me a few tricks, after all." Like the value of positive reinforcement.

Speaking of, the treats had not ceased even after the MEOWTH's capture. Barnaby had been steadily feeding the kitten as Ceri collected her samples, rewarding it's good behavior. Pets were included in this as well, of course.

"...It’s an offspring of one of the pokémon that came from the Tree of Life? Interesting.”

He is? Barnaby almost blurted out. But he played it cool, acted unsurprised. Still, he didn't recall Martín del Mar mentioning that the PERSIAN he used for this breeding had such an unusual move, apparently influenced by the Tree of Life in some way.

Thinking about the Tree now brought back memories he'd rather not recall, so Barnaby quickly deflected to another subject.

"Was there anything else you needed, Ceri?"

Ceri Glynn
M.A.G.M.A Research 🝪 Tier #1

☉

He didn't mind the teasing, considering it was one of his favorite pastimes as well. However, Barnaby decided to not verbally acknowledge her probing question, instead simply smiling and shaking his head. Although they didn't exactly go out of their way to keep their intimate relationship a secret, Martín del Mar did have his boundaries when it came to their ROCKET dynamic.

So, best not to mention anything more.

"I'll be sure to do that. Thank you, Ceri." He spoke through a pleasant smile, his MEOWTH now removed from the counter and held in his arms. The feline was now visibly relaxed, his tense muscles and frightened expression having loosened once he realized they were done. Barnaby gave the kitten a soothing pat as he started toward the door, pausing only to say his farewell.

Ceri's playful attitude, rather than being insubordinate as some in the organization may have taken it, was actually refreshing. She got her work done, but had fun doing it. That was rare these days.

"Till next time, then."

Ceri Glynn
M.A.G.M.A Research 🝪 Tier #1

☉