Oh, he likes to playfight. It's supposed to develop hunting instincts in small animals - makes sense Pokemon would do something similar.

Even if he is a large ham about it.

[ armin probably recognizes the next pokemon to come out, if he has ever met laika before. she shares marcel's markings, at least. she puts her paws up on the desk to sniff at the pokeball holding gizmo. ]

Laika, down.

[ aaaand she's ignoring him. ]