[attr="class","witness"]although he would like to use his lovely daisy to track something, the desert is no place for that. therefor, he has instead, that dumbass little bug that seemed to be proving itself more and more useful as the days went by.

it was annoying, tracking something in the desert without a scent, but it was necessary considering he wanted to get the skin off of the prize.

that pipe dream was rudely interrupted by a familiar voice. asher's frown is even charming, which he gives to lance as he approaches.

"ooooof course it's you."

there was something in his tone that said, 'fuck me,' but then again, that's typically in every tone asher manages to have, since he likes to fuck.

"yes, it's progressing south. i've a feeling we might run into a big of an issue if we pursue it too quickly. it would likely be best to take our time in our approach. though, it's only a suggestion."

for as much as asher doesn't like this individual, who is regal and beautiful and good enough for Alethea Ivanova unlike himself, asher also dislikes conflict just as much. so he will likely allow lance the lead... how annoying.

LANCE VOLLANS

[attr="class","witness"]for poke.

that was the quickest answer. money, money, money.

however, asher doesn't want to come out of the closet about that side of his life to lance. for all lance knew, he was an investor and teacher for the pokemon academy in rustboro city.

"why wouldn't i? while in town, it was mentioned this fiend was causing some trouble. i decided to take it upon myself to help. prove to the rangers that the money i'm putting in i'm willing to back up with my actions."

or something.

could this mission be over yet? asher was getting bored talking to lance...

LANCE VOLLANS

[attr="class","witness"]asher's entirety deadpans at lance. at that moment he realizes it's time to be professional and not take the bait.

even if he does want to punch lance and bury him in the dessert, it would be better to finish this job and make his way back.

"well, well. seems your people skills aren't as barbaric as i'd thought. you're quite perceptive."

it might have been sarcastic.

"a gift for a friend, that's exactly it. well done. you've seen through my elaborate scheme."

LANCE VOLLANS

[attr="class","witness"]Asher immediately dislikes that he took that in jest, as it was meant. Why? Because he's not supposed to like Lance and for whatever reason, they mutually accepted that the tease was funny.

Gross.

"Oh?"

Asher's interest peaks and suddenly he's back to disliking Lance because Lance seems to keep getting in his way and creating problems in his life.

"And why is that? Is it dead?"

Asher didn't mind personal space invasion, even with people he didn't like, which lead to him using Lance's shoulders to steady himself as he looked ahead to see if whatever they were following was dead or not.

LANCE VOLLANS

[attr="class","witness"]Asher's face deadpans for the second time since venturing out with Lance. It's become a near default expression that Asher shares when Lance is around. He backs away, mildly impressed that Lance doesn't just smell like sweat and brooding testosterone. He can't quite place the scent, but it doesn't suck.

How annoying.

"It's very heroic... you know, in most true fairy tale stories, the heroes die by the end of the story."

LANCE VOLLANS

[attr="class","witness"]"If it's up to me, Volley," a nickname after Lance's surname. "You'll have quite the party for a funeral."

Not a threat, but a tease, which was partnered with a grin of sorts. Though the tease was short lived, considering the hand on his shoulder. He gives Lance a look as if Lance suggested he had gotten plastic surgery. Naturally this beautiful, ta.

"Excuse you?" Asher nearly whispers before snorting. "That's why we have pokemon."

With a swift movement of Asher's wrist, out comes a vibrava, the very same that helped in the tower and proved not to suck. At least, not as much as his incredibly pointless golbat, batty.

"See that down there, Berke? Take care of it, will you?"

The vibrava's eyes twist and finally focus with a few buzzes. A dragon breath and out the sandaconda came, hissing and trying to snap at the vibrava. Luckily, the sandaconda's attempt at dig doesn't work on the vibrava, who simply buzzes about in mild panic while probably cursing Asher in vibrava.

LANCE VOLLANS

[attr="class","witness"]"Why Volley, I'm offended. Of course we won't kill it."

Unfortunately. They won't even be catching it! And the disappointment is clear on Asher's features, even if he's pretending not to be offended.

His vibrava and Lance's shedninja are able to make a very decent mess of the thing, weakening it enough to where it's not much of a threat. Asher recalled his vibrava, who had been mid-victory dance when he did so. He then waved toward Lance to approach the beast.

"Go on then, poke-whisperer. Tell me, what caused it to attack the people?"

LANCE VOLLANS