baker.[break][break]

"uh, that's my papa."[break][break]

but he watches anyways only to burst out laughing moments later. he stumbles over to lean against the solid mountain of green slumbering flesh. even in his drunken state, he knows what they're up against.[break][break]

"it's...a...snorlax..."[break][break]

to prove his point, he kicks it. it still sleeps.[break][break]

"very hard creatures to wake up. but if we YELL, MAYBE IT'LL HELP?"

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

it's hard to argue against her point because she's right. his time could be better spent elsewhere learning or practicing instead of cleaning and organizing. but if not him, then who would help her?[break][break]

he could not leave her there to rot away under her own pile of work and clutter. that would be cruel.[break][break]

"well, true, but someone's gonna teach you."[break][break]

and then it's on to compliments. he's good at giving them, bad at receiving them. he flushes as a result, dipping his head away.[break][break]

"i'm just thankful to be here."[break][break]

but he's soon perking up again at the mention of work and her research.[break][break]

"yeah! i'd love that."

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

"you think so?"[break][break]

gods, james isn't cheap nor is he broke, but getting a free meal tonight would really help him out.[break][break]

his face lights up with a grin as he looks back over at her, clearly amused by the sneasel's interruption.[break][break]

"do you drink, abigial? i never asked."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

this is what james signed up for: to be able to work with the brilliant minds of Eva Morales and illeana reyes so he can learn straight from them.[break][break]

that, and also because he wants to contribute to the advancement of science in any way he can.[break][break]

eager and ready, he reaches for a pair of tweezers and easily plucks off a few hair samples before safely depositing them.[break][break]

"thanks again for giving me the chance to work here, doc."[break][break]

with hair samples done, he reaches for the needle and syringe, preparing to take blood samples.[break][break]

"is this what you've always wanted to do?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Eva Morales[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

"yeah! i do."[break][break]

not really. james is relatively indifferent to cake but it's a tradition to have it on one's birthday. and judging by her reaction, he can tell she really wants cake.[break][break]

once again, their date is momentarily interrupted by the appearance of an odd-looking sneasel. james' attention immediately shifts (sorry, abigail), and he's pulling out his phone to hastily record a video.[break][break]

"wow! that's a sneasel! it looks like one of the ones we're currently studying."[break][break]

he'll have to send this recording to Eva Morales later.

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

there are probably a few things james could help out with in terms of research — regional variants, shiny genes, mega evolution, the list goes on — but he doesn't quite mind helping out with cleaning or organizing. it makes him feel helpful, like they actually appreciate having him here.[break][break]

it's quite silly, really, for a man of his smarts to feel self-conscious. but who could blame him? he's surrounded by hoenn's brightest.[break][break]

at the mention of sticky notes, james conveniently pulls a stack out of a drawer he's organizing along with a pen.[break][break]

"already on it."[break][break]

so he starts scribbling down instructions, placing each sticky note in the appropriate place for her to look over later.[break][break]

"i don't mind this, you know."[break][break]

he smiles, looking over his shoulder.[break][break]

"i like helping you and dr. morales out."

[attr="class","ooc"]illeana reyes[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

james pauses, lowering a spoonful of soup back down.[break][break]

"it's your birthday?"[break][break]

she's spending her birthday with him? on a date? surely not.[break][break]

thankfully, before his brain fizzles out even further, the waiter saves him by bringing them their main dishes.[break][break]

the brief moment allows him to gather himself.[break][break]

"well, looks like we'll have to cake after this."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

with a sigh, james lowers the bag of food, carrying it with one hand while he scrutinizes the person he once called friend.[break][break]

"i ought to punch you."[break][break]

but after a tense moment, he steps forward to throw one arm around jayden, pulling him into a hug.[break][break]

"i'm still mad."

[attr="class","ooc"]jayden cross[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

"true, true."[break][break]

he nods sophisticatedly (or tries to). he definitely looks the part of a professional nerd. maybe the only thing missing is a pair of glasses.[break][break]

shame he has twenty-twenty vision.[break][break]

"i suppose i just have to cherish fun times even more. like this one, for example."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

finally, her cheeks flush a shade lighter than his. so this is what it must feel like to not be on the receiving end of it.[break][break]

he sticks out his tongue in return as well, mirroring her.[break][break]

"oh! uh, just because i'd be even busier than i am now, i suppose."[break][break]

not minding how she pries, he decides to share more.[break][break]

"between school, the lab, and running food around, i don't have time for much else."[break][break]

he shrugs.[break][break]

"i also think i'd have gotten bored eventually, y'know? like, i like cooking, but i think i'd hate it as a profession."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

the only reason james has a sense of taste when it comes to food is because of his parents. had it not been for them and their restaurant, he likely would be feasting on instant noodles like a typical college student.[break][break]

a typical broke student, rather.[break][break]

delighted at their similar tastes, he smiles, practically beaming.[break][break]

"you're cute."[break][break]

and at her offer, he leans forward and takes from her spoon.[break][break]

"mmm! so good!"[break][break]

but is it as good as his cooking? he wonders.[break][break]

"i think i'm starting to get a better sense of what you like now. i'll cook for you sometime."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

"oh! uh—"[break][break]

he quickly pats along the pockets of his jacket before pulling out a few cards. he extends one over to her, smiling.[break][break]

"they're still making my business card so i only have this one for now, but i'm the new lab tech here."[break][break]

the business card he offered is of his position as food delivery boy under grubbinhub, colored just as lively as the pokemon.[break][break]

"i'm their assistant, basically."

[attr="class","ooc"]Melody Miro[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]

james doesn't drink often — or ever, really — so on the rare occasion that he does, of course he'd choose to let loose and go all in. dive off the deep end into a state of mind that helps him relax and have fun.[break][break]

so by the time they leave the bar, james is drunk.[break][break]

"you...you mean like pokemon? i think mine would be INTIMIDATE because i am pretty scary."[break][break]

his face scrunches, feigning some sort of intimidating look only for it to come out more cute than anything.[break][break]

"you toooootally could."[break][break]

he nods, agreeing, and says nothing as he watches her run towards the street lamp. in his defense, he didn't think she'd actually punch it, but even then, he laughs.[break][break]

"huh. maybe your ability is less physical."[break][break]

humming in thought, his eyes go wide as he leans in close to whisper:[break][break]

"can you...LEVITATE?"

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-manectric"]