"Hey there!" Barnaby greeted, smiling warmly back at her. "Yeah, I brought Pepin along with me this time."

Seeing an open seat across from Ceri, he'd pull the chair from the desk and take it without much formality. This was, what? Their eighth time collaborating? Barnaby was certainly feeling more relaxed around the young researcher.

Something which Pepin could innately discern. The EEVEE was oddly good at picking up on his moods - even more so now that he could Mega Evolve, it seemed.

With a surprising amount of agility, Pepin nimbly climbed down from his perch on Barnaby's shoulder and jumped up onto the desk. Given his diminutive size, he'd easily weave around any stacks of papers, coffee mugs, or scattered books until he was standing staunchly before Ceri Glynn. Then, of course, came the demanding mewl for pets.

"Alright, let's see..." A pondering finger was brought to his lips as Barnaby considered the EEVEE before him. "We've been together almost a year now. I found him in Shoal Cave last December, around the holidays. I was originally looking for a Glaceon... but as soon as Pepin saw me he bounded over. No survival instincts, this one."

A soft chuckle escaped Barnaby's lips before he continued. "He was endearing enough for me to capture him. His unusual coloring was appealing, too. Since then he's only gotten more friendly. In fact, sometimes I have him out during interviews. His cute face calms the nerves and eases the atmosphere, I suppose."

Another pause to collect his thoughts. "Otherwise, he's out with my Ninetales' and I at home. Pepin enjoys staying by me when he can; he's a big cuddler, too." That much may have been obvious to Ceri, as by this point the little EEVEE was attempting to make his way into her lap.

Ceri Glynn
M.A.G.M.A Research 🝪 Tier #2

☉

A sharp, yet low whistle cut through Pepin's persistence. Although he quite liked the sleeve-covered pats, Barnaby's order to back off was immediately followed. The EEVEE mewled his goodbyes before slipping back to the other side of the desk and into his owner's awaiting lap.

"My apologies. I'll keep him at a distance from now on."

A hand was placed at the crown of Pepin's head, where Barnaby began to idly stroke the fur there.

"The thought of a Mega Stone never really crossed my mind until one was gifted to me." He paused for a moment, smiling at the memory. "It was for another Pokémon, but the transformation was so incredible I wondered if any of my others would be able to do it as well. When I happened upon an Eevite one day it seemed as good a reason as any to buy it and try it out."

A purr-like sound could be heard in the background as Barnaby continued. "He first Mega Evolved about two months ago while we were at home. At the time, we'd been together around seven months."

Ceri Glynn
M.A.G.M.A Research 🝪 Tier #2

☉

Although their tastes in Pokémon differed, there seemed to be at least one thing that Ceri Glynn and BARNABY FINCH had in common: an interest in fashion. Especially when in public as a journalist, Barnaby enjoyed dressing in a stylish way as a means of expressing himself. One of the things he adored most was his jewelry: at any given moment he was wearing one or two sets of earrings, necklaces, several bracelets, and at least three rings or more.

This interest of his perfectly aligned with the use of Mega Stones. His Key Stone had been fashioned into a ring, which Barnaby wore on a regular basis. Pepin himself had been adorned with a gilded collar, although most of the time it was covered by the thick mane around his neck.

"Let's give her a show, Pepin." Barnaby cooed, rising from his seat and stepping away from the desk. The EEVEE immediately hopped down and followed after his owner.

Within moments one of Barnaby's rings and a larger stone around Pepin's throat began to glow simultaneously. With a touch to the ring's surface, a flash of light erupted from it's center, sending waves of energy throughout the laboratory. In response, Pepin's own stone exuded the same energy; it quickly engulfed the small EEVEE, obscuring him from sight.

The transformation was extravagant yet short-lived. The light faded and what emerged was a much larger, much fluffier EEVEE. If one were to compare, Pepin would now take up almost the entire surface of the researcher's desk.

If Ceri disliked fluffy Pokemon, then she would ablosultey hate Pepin now.

Ceri Glynn
M.A.G.M.A Research 🝪 Tier #2

☉

Unfortunately for Ceri Glynn, EEVEE fur did most certainly go flying everywhere upon the Pokémon's Mega Evolution. To make matters worse, his temperament hadn't mellowed out post-transformation - he was still the same jovial guy he was before. Just, much bigger.

Pepin began scampering through the lab, his hulking collar of off-white fur undulating with every stride of his pink toe-beaned feet. Ceri's sneezes persisted, but the EEVEE didn't seem to notice. All Barnaby could do was offer the researcher an apologetic look.

"Nothing that I can think of... as for his first time, it was planned, although we'd been trying for weeks prior to it actually happening. So it wasn't an immediate thing despite having the Eevite for awhile."

Ceri Glynn
M.A.G.M.A Research 🝪 Tier #2

☉