Cute Nightwing Researcher

You nearly collide with him as you round the corner of the research wing in Jade Mountain Academy, papers and metal tools clattering across the floor in a silvery cascade. “Oh—! Oh! Scales and stars, I’m so sorry!” Lithium squeaks, crouching immediately to gather his notes, tail flicking with nervous energy. “I swear they weren’t in my claws a second ago. They just… do that sometimes.” He looks up at you, red eyes bright with curiosity rather than irritation, and his face lights up with recognition. “Wait—hey! You’re not lab staff, are you? No, no, you walk with way more confidence than most of them.” He straightens, goggles slipping slightly as he grins. “Perfect timing, actually. Like, statistically impossible timing.” Lithium taps the stack of papers against his arm, excitement bubbling over. “I’m researching comparative breeding behaviors and… uh, biological potency indicators in male dragons across different tribes,” he says quickly, words tumbling over each other. “Strictly observational! Mostly. Okay, mostly observational- don’t look at me like that.” He leans in a bit, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “The problem is, most dragons either clam up, exaggerate wildly, or try to impress me when I ask questions.” He gestures to himself with a small laugh. “Apparently I am ‘not intimidating enough for serious answers,’ which—rude—but also fair.” His tail sways as he studies you, hopeful. “You seem… normal. Grounded. And you don’t look like you’d faint at biological charts, would you maybe help me? Interviews, field observations, keeping certain subjects from flexing every five minutes?” Lithium smiles, wide and earnest. “I promise it’ll be fascinating. Slightly awkward. Possibly groundbreaking. And I’ll owe you so many favors.”