Aster swallows thickly at the man's response, his ear tingling where his breath had brushed it. He nodded obediently and understood that in that moment, he was determined to do whatever it took to learn his name. "I'll earn it good and proper then," he replied hoarsely.

The minute they reach the clinic, Aster can't help but to be awed with the shift in the doctor. His professionalism only made him hotter. He hated to part but he was feeling exhausted now and allowed himself to be pushed along, managing a small wave towards the man who had saved him.

Aster whistles lowly, hands on his hips. "What a beaut he is. Thanks for your kind offer but, I travel only one way." He puts his fingers to his mouth and whistles again, this time loud and sharp. His Gogoat immediately abandons his task and trots over. "Ya see, Basil is the jealous type when it comes to transportation." The Gogoat huffs and Aster hops on his back. "We're working on that, ain't we, ya lil rascal?" He ruffled the pokemon's scruff with good natured force. "In any case, no time to spare. Race ya to the river?"

They reach the waterside in no time and Aster heads straight for the water, trying to gloss over their loss to save Basil's fragile pride. He's in the middle of talking rather loudly about how cool the river feels, come on, Basil, have a taste, when suddenly- he spots a shadow swimming at the base. An idea hits him like a sucker punch. The answer to all their problems lies before them. The excitement is a bit too much and all Aster can seem to do is point and stutter.

Comms were down? Bubble officially burst. How was he so out of touch today; did he have a strong reaction to a moldavite crystal today? In any case, all he could do now was hope for the best. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure the captain won't leave us hanging."

He was impressed with how quickly the other ranger got into gear and sent out his pokemon to assist. "Basil, my Gogoat, can use bulldoze along the guidelines to strengthen the trench and Portobello-" his Breloom immediately began hopping up and down and smacking down embers alongside Aipom, "Well... he can do that. We could head to the river, but all I have to carry water is a tarp in my pack."

Aster facepalmed at the metronome suggestion. A smile shakily rose to his face as he tried to suppress laughter. Between gasps he managed to get out, "Sorry, sorry. Not a laughing matter but I never imagined I'd be in a situation like this. We're supposed to be the professionals here." He shook a few moments longer and then steadied himself. "Metronome should probably be our last resort, since it could also make things worse. For now, I'll have my Bellossom use sweet scent to draw wild pokemon away from any areas at immediate risk."

A shiver ran down Aster's spine as Dr. Maher pressed on his lip. He was simultaneously grateful that the stretcher had at last arrived and disgruntled that the intimate moment had been interrupted. Unconsciously, his tongue flicked across his lower lip, stilling buzzing with desire. He always got a bit shy once his flirtations were reciprocated, but damn, he was not about to chicken out now.

Once situated on the stretcher, Aster stuck a hand out to tug at his savior's shirt. "Hey doc, tell me your first name. I really wanna know." He looked at the man with his best puppy dog eyes, but he wasn't able to squash down the tiny smirk that made it's way to his face. "Tell me. I'll find a way to thank you properly."

"Well how 'bout that?" Aster's toothy grin spreads to match the good-natured mood. "If you and your boy know any good spots worth hiking to, I'd love to hear it."

"A gym leader! Man, you shoulda told me I was talking to a celebrity. Maybe one day I'll hafta challenge you, if I ever get good at battling that is. But hey, thanks for the offer! It's good to meet ya, Mr. gym leader, I hope we can get on well in the future too." Aster rummaged around his pocket, all his collected rocks clicking musically, until he pulled out a small blue crystal. "Here, take this. Amazonite, a happiness crystal. I like to impart my friendly meetings with a gift of well wishes."

Aster cringed slightly the fellow ranger's outburst, more out of embarrassment than anything else. Of course, it's only natural that it would be a shock that a ranger wasn't equipped with a water-type, it was common sense, wasn't it? Wait... Had he heard him right? Zero water-types between the two of them? Apparently they were both a bit lacking in the rationality department. He couldn't help but chuckle nervously at their predicament. "Shit."

Aster firmly crossed his arms and paced back and forth. "Ok, ok, this is no time to panic, uh, let me think," he murmurred. He swiveled around to face the other ranger. "We definitely need to radio for more backup, but in the meantime," he drummed his fingers thoughtfully on his arm, "Well, my Gogoat can use earthquake, it could help to slow the spread but there'll be damage to the surrounding area. I'd hate to ruin perfectly good habitat though... Any ideas on your end?" The flickering orange in the corner of his eye sent Aster's heart racing, and, not for the first time, he was wondering if he was really qualified for this job. Still, if there was one thing he was proud of, it was his ability to stay calm under pressure.

Aster hummed low, and thoughtfully, as if he had to think on it, and kept his eyes shut even as the gentle touch turned his brain to fuzz (or was that the head injury?). All he knew was that he wished his arm wasn't out of commission at the moment solely because he really, really, wanted to return the gesture. "I'd say you're rather successful. There's a good amount of butterfrees flitting around in there." He opened one eye to look meet his gaze. "Take responsibility, won't you? Or, perhaps you'd like some butterfrees of your own."

Though their position is awkward, Aster finds the strength to clumsily lift his uninjured arm. He runs his knuckles along the doctor's jawline and then tugs at a lock of hair just behind his ear. "How's that?" he whispers, both eyes searching his face, "Two can play at this game, and I'm a pretty sore loser." Just as he says that, his arm drops from the strain in effort. Aster chuckles dryly. "Too bad, I guess that'll have to wait."

Aster's mind was blank when he first saw the fire spreading from a distance, a moment of silence for his incompetence if you will. He was used to answering radio calls for assistance without much thought, but this was the first time his impulsivity would bite him in the ass. He approached the lone ranger already standing at the scene and couldn't help but flush at the question directed his way.

"Howdy," he started and cleared his throat, "I hate to say it- Arceus this is embarrassing, but- I may have jumped the gun in coming here. No water-types in my collection, probably a mistake as a ranger. I'm sorry." He meant it. He knew he would need one eventually, but all his time ended up being spent on his beloved grass-types. Aster took in the scene once more, orange consuming green, brush lit up in an instance. The flush quickly drained from his face. "Looks like a lot of damage could be done before another ranger gets here, may as well get started even if there's only one water-type to get working with."

Aster listened to the man's low voice as he checked him over. It grounded him enough to take his focus from his nausea. "Thank ya, kindly," he said softly, goosebumps still raised where his fingers had run along Aster's arm.

He leaned into the hand propping his head and shifted his weight to better face the doctor. He was the pretty sort, the kind of pretty that reminded him of rapids in the dark. A smirk spread across his pallid face as Dr. Maher's tacked on "boyfriend" to his emergency contact question. Curse his Libra instinct for flirtation. "Very sly, doc, you trying to give me butterflies or what?" Aster basked in the tease for a moment and then his eyes fluttered closed, his smirk shifted into a tight smile, "But no, there's no one to call."

Chuchi's headbutt filled Aster with the kind of glee that makes you want to squeeze the lights out of something for being just so gosh-darn cute. It was nice to see his company enjoying their drinks. Aster listened attentively as Andres talked about his work, with his head on both of his hands and leaning forward slightly. Though he wouldn't deny that his concentration slightly faltered when Andres licked the whipped cream from his hand. His gaze locked on the motion and he hadn't realized he'd stayed staring at his lips until the man had stopped speaking and it was his turn to respond. Aster flushed and stammered out words, "Er-I... I mean... That's... really cool! Imparting the youth with knowledge and all that, very respectable. And I bet you're a great personal trainer too, of course, since you're very fit-" Aster interrupted himself by laughing loudly, "O-oh hey! I'm a Libra too. My moon is Taurus, and Libra is my rising too." He swallowed and hoped the blush had left his face. He was supposed to be a good flirt, damn it, he shouldn't get derailed so easily.

"You're probably the first person I've asked that's known about the big three. Aren't you something?"

Dedicated. The prideful part of him preened at the word. "Overtime? I wish... Nah, I just love helping out. Though it does sometimes get me in trouble with my boss." He chuckled dryly.

Aster nodded attentively as Greyson explained the hive situation. To his left his Gogoat sneezed, blowing back the Comfey a bit. He hummed thoughtfully at the question the trainer directed his way. "I am pretty new as an official ranger, but I've been roaming these here woods since I was young on account of me growing up in Petalburg and havin' parents that didn't really care to know where I was at all times." For a moment, his look grew distant. Remembering those lonely days of bringing home sticks and stray bug pokemon in hopes of getting his parents' attention sat heavy on his chest. Aster recalled his company and silent shook himself back into the present. With a soft smile he addressed Greyson. "I reckon we've run into each other before and just don't realize it. It's a small world after all."

• player/ooc name: popcorn
• character tags: aster rousseau maeve
• dropped characters' tags (if applicable): August Gallagher
• ic posts for characters: Maeve Aster
• are characters in directories?: Y
• any notes/comments: Bye bye August

"Aye aye captain, I'll try to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed." He made a lazy mock salute towards his helper. "Name's Aster Rousseau, ranger extraordinaire. I was hiking on Route 121 when I saw a li'l poochyena being chased off a cliff by some bully wingulls. He started to fall and I went after 'im to cushion the fall, but... well I'm sure it was a long way down. Pretty stupid, right?" Aster started to chuckle but abruptly cut off with a wince. "My head is pounding, and I must've broke my arm."

Now more sure that he was not on death's door, Aster was able to shake some grogginess and take in the man before him. "Ah not an angel, a handsome doctor. Talk to me doc, it'll help me stay awake. Probably."