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Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2020 7:03:29 GMT
"No, no, it's a figure of speech," Ellis says, chuckling. "Not literally strutting around like a bird. Though, you could probably pull it off."As she speaks, her Machoke does its best to withstand the concerted attack of the two bugs, but isn't able to pull it off. It falls to the floor, and the woman gently recalls it. "Ah, well, shame that it's all over now. But, good show, good show. You pulled off things quite adeptly, and I'm sure that the audience quite loved you." She gestures around, to the audience that's begin clapping and cheering. There doesn't seem to be much concern from the Leader that she's lost at all. "And there you have it, folks," the announcer says, "Our challenger is victorious. Please, give a warm thanks to both Beatrice LaBrasta and Ellis Dee for their spectacular performances today. Come back another time to the Mauville Gym, where every battle is a one-of-a-kind spectacle.""Excellent show there, Miss LaBrasta," Ellis says, as people begin to filter out. "Now, as is customary, winning Trainers get to keep their outfit, so remember to keep that with you when you go back to change your Pokémon out of the props. You also get the Technicolour Badge - a reminder that anyone can take center stage."You gain a Milestone! And 700 EXP. And the Technicolour Badge, which grants Decoy. And $1000. And an outfit that will probably never be worn again. "So, what are your plans now? Taking the world by storm?" she asks. "You have potential, you just need to be more assertive. Learn to spread your wings, strut out, all of that."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jan 20, 2020 11:58:48 GMT
Now that it was over and the crowd was dispersing, her embarrassment began to fade with it. She could think, and breathe again. Bylii settled happily on her shoulder with Tempu landing at her feet to watch Ellis through his sunglasses.
"When I started, it was all just about getting as far as I needed to so I could be a Professor or an Assistant. It was a hurdle, a means to an end. I'm trying new things as I go, so far nothing stands out more then it did. I want to make a difference.". At that her expression fell a little as she surveyed the emptying stands.
"Even if nobody notices."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2020 17:34:46 GMT
"If you make a difference," Ellis says, walking with her towards the dressing room, "it will be noticed by someone. Even if they can't know it was you, it'll still matter. But... people notice more than you think." She gives a small smile. "And I'm sure people'll notice you if you set your mind to it. You took center stage easily enough here."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jan 20, 2020 18:38:06 GMT
"It's a big if, but thanks Ellis." Beatrice rolled the fabric of her skirt gently between a thumb and forefinger. "Never thought I'd wear something like this... it doesn't feel bad... just... not me. How do you... transition so easily from one 'style' to another? Is it... like another self? Or..."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 20, 2020 19:29:56 GMT
"It's just playing a role," Ellis giggles. "Gives me a chance to stretch out, try something new within the expectations of people. I can be the shy, cutesy one, or the trash talking, sporty one, or the imperious, commanding one... it's all great fun to try out, and having it be under the cloak of fashion, it means nobody really thinks twice about it."
She leans closer. "And, do you know the secret that makes it easier? It turns out that people don't really look too deeply into things. It doesn't matter if you feel like you're doing something well, if you have genuine feeling, that's what they'll look at. I just act out how I feel the part goes. When I end up enjoying it, that's when others do, too. Even if I don't think I'm doing it 'authentically'." She winks. "Just find a way for you to have fun with it, and you can do anything. Can't make everyone happy, but if you're happy, so will most people."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2020 3:22:19 GMT
"Playing a role." Bee repeats thoughtfully, though her ears pick up some color at the mention of 'shy cutesy' personas. That must have been how she came off out there in front of everyone. She admired the Gym leader quietly as they reached the dressing room doors. "That's the saying 'fake it until you make it'? Carrying yourself with confidence and enthusiasm... however presented... people will just take that at face value?" She seemed awestruck with the prospect, but her experiments with the self over the previous few days had certainly yielded interesting results when it came to competitiveness and spirit.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2020 3:58:27 GMT
"Well, not everyone," Ellis warns, "but if you act like you know what you're doing... often people'll just go with it. People are often doing the exact same things in day to day life. I just happen to be open about it." She winks. "And, hey, in the same vein as the saying, the more you do something, the better you are at it. Just try it some time, eh? Be the person you're scared to try and be, and see how it actually goes. What do you say?"
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Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2020 11:22:13 GMT
"The person I am scared to be..." A sheepish smile crept across her lips, as Beatrice took the edges of her skirt, cheeks rosy and flush, and offered Ellis an unpolished but genuine curtsey and a half bow. There wasn't anything else to say about it. She escaped into the dressing room to change her Pokemon out of their props, but there was a long hesitance when it came time to go back to her usual utilitarian, plain coat.
Discomfort was part of growth, both of character and physically. Puberty by and far were the most awkward moments in most lives. She couldn't help but wonder if Evolution was like that for Pokemon, or if it was just the same. Maybe it varied by individual, that sounded the most correct. When she did finally leave the changing rooms, she had kept her antennae on, the pink, glittery, wobbly accessory standing out against her blue hair.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 21, 2020 17:22:21 GMT
When Bea goes to leave the changing room, she notes a little paper leaning on the ledge across from her. "I believe in you, Beatrice" it reads, in looping cursive, signed "Ellis" with a glittering pink lipstick kiss next to it.
When she exits into the lobby area, Rainbow's waiting nervously fidgeting. "Oh, good," she says with some relief, "I was getting a little worried. This whole place in general is a lot more... involved than any other place we've been to. But, you did a good job. I knew you'd win. And you looked nice, too. Though, I think you forgot something." The girl playfully gives a tap to the antenna boppers.
There're a couple people who seem to have hovered around for the chance to take a picture of Bea up close, judging by their phones being held up, before the thin crowd begins to disperse. It very much does seem that it's just as much about the people here as the event itself.
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Post by Robot on Jan 21, 2020 19:01:25 GMT
"I figured we could match." Beatrice replied playfully, the note now neatly folded and tucked away in her journal for the day. "You really liked that outfit? I felt so silly and out of my element." She waves politely to the few snapping photographs. "I learned something really insightful from Ellis today though, it couldn't have been a better experience for that. About trying to be the me, that I'm afraid to be." A slow, deep breath. "Growth, understanding, and intuition developed through discomfort and experience."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 22, 2020 0:01:19 GMT
"Through discomfort?" Rainbow asks. "I... I don't know about that," she says, shifting around a little uneasily, "but, if it helps you, then it's probably a good thing."
"But, yeah, I liked your outfit. It was cute, and bright, and I like those kinds of things," she says. "And, really, Bee? I don't think it's possible for you to be out of your element when you're battling. Not from what I've seen." She smiles.
"So, uh, what're you wanting to go do now? I assume the Center, but... then what?"
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Post by Robot on Jan 22, 2020 0:32:27 GMT
"Maybe I'll have to wear it more often... it does... get kind of boring wearing the same outfit day to day. Bylii was really, really excited, seeing me in something that wasn't... drab and practical. That's kind of what I mean though... it was a different me, a different presentation, and it brought about... new responses from other people. Not necessarily the most comfortable thing, but nice in its own way?"
Thinking on Rainbow's question, she did indeed start towards the Pokemon center. "Maybe look into finding work for a day. Take a break from traveling and battling to attempt something new. The gym funds replenished most of my curatives from the island, but I'm still fairly low on Pokeballs, and I imagine investing in Technical Machines, Mentor Services, held items, snacks, and perhaps even some form of protection for myself might be a good idea. Even being self sufficient won't cover all of it."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 22, 2020 1:06:17 GMT
"Well, see, can't go wrong when you have a companion really excited for something," Rainbow giggles. "Though... if it's not comfortable for you, you don't need to wear it. Or we could try and find someone who can tailor it to fit better."
"What are 'Technical Machines', exactly?" she asks, curiously. "I've heard the term before, but never really been able to figure things out. What makes a machine technical?"
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Post by Robot on Jan 22, 2020 1:13:38 GMT
"A technical machine is a training regimen on a disk, to teach a Pokemon a new move through repetition, and a supplement to the energy that makes up their body. I've read theories that all Pokemon attacks originate in some way from their respective 'auras', an energy that makes up all living things."
Tucking the dealy-boppers away, Bee keeps her eyes open for some form of community board, or other job opportunities as they make their way from the gym to the center.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 22, 2020 4:18:57 GMT
"Oh, I see..." Rainbow says, nodding. "We don't really have anything like that back home. We don't have Pokémon, anyways, so... wouldn't really help even if they were around. They would just make life harder for us."
In the center, there's a board that has a few temporary job offers posted up amongst the clutter. A good bit of them have just been left up and are way past when they would be wanted for. There are a few wanting people to take surveys for cheap, one mentioning some secretarial work of organizing files, and then one regarding some brief modelling work.
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Post by Robot on Jan 22, 2020 8:30:52 GMT
"I can't imagine I will be very good at it, but I'll give it a try anyway." Commented as she took down the information on the modeling job. Bee left her four injured Pokemon at the center, Limul and Tempu accompanying her off on their next adventure.
"If you wanted to try on some outfits and show off a little too Rainbow, maybe they have more than one position, or need for a Hybrid model?"
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 22, 2020 17:23:37 GMT
"What?" Rainbow seems taken aback. "No no nonononono…" she says, nervously. "Iiiiiii… am not thinking that that would be a good idea. Both in that I feel like showing off is not a good thing, and neither is more evidence of me here and now. But especially not showing off," she mutters, "That's not something that I can do."
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Post by Robot on Jan 22, 2020 17:28:16 GMT
"Suit yourself, the only reason I ask is you are perpetually concerned that you aren't contributing enough. I want to give this a try for posterity's sake. You can relax at the center if you want. Not sure if they will let you follow me around..."
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 22, 2020 17:32:33 GMT
"Oh... do you think doing this would help?" she asks. "I just... I don't know. I don't really like it. But... if you think it could help." She seems rather torn between wanting to help Bea, and just... not doing this.
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Post by Robot on Jan 23, 2020 2:41:05 GMT
"You don't have to take up the modeling job with me, you could try one of the others, but if you want to help out, having your own funds and supplies would definitely go a long way. I don't want you to stress about contributions either way Rainbow. I just figured if you found some means to help you would worry less."
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