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Post by DataNinja on Feb 15, 2020 19:38:51 GMT
The night passes quickly, and all too soon is having to get up. Crassi's all healed up, but there's a warning that it'll probably be another day before she can actually benefit from much more healing without suffering energy overload.
"Feeling better this morning?" Rainbow asks Bea, for once up at a decent hour without prompting. Yellow's just lounging around, eating from a bowl of berries.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 28, 2024 21:17:21 GMT
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Post by Robot on Feb 15, 2020 19:53:16 GMT
"Yeah, I've cooled off a bit. I've still never seen anything quite as powerful as that Camerupt's attack, but it puts things into perspective. That, with what you said about complacency rang really true last night, and I was up fairly late thinking on it. I'm going to say what I need to say to them all this morning, and see how things pan out from there. It's not a straight shot to where we're headed, Mossdeep is quite a ways away yet, but... Learning, growing, and adapting is who I want to be. It's who they are too in some form or another."
In her lab coat once more, she felt more comfortable. Grounded in a way, with its weight around her. The 'Fairy Girl' outfit would need to be washed before she wore it again, with all the soot it had gotten on it the day before. "Hope you enjoyed your day yesterday Yellow." Bee suggested politely as she tugged her pack on and started for the door. "I'm going to follow my heart today, you're both welcome to join or not as you see fit, but after training I'd like an early start on the road."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 15, 2020 21:11:23 GMT
"Yeah, like I'd let you leave without me," Rainbow says in a huff. "Following your heart doesn't mean we don't have any!"
"Yeah," Yellow says shrugging, "We're still here. Like it or not." She flashes a small grin. "My day was fine, anyways. Slow. Relaxing. Was nice."
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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 Feb 15, 2020 22:27:40 GMT
"I could have phrased that better, I meant if you wanted to be around for my heart to heart with the team." Bee laughed awkwardly. "Anyway, not sure how it'll be received, but I'll be about a half hour longer then usual I think." With a little wave, she headed out to address her team.
With the Pokemon assembled, spread out and comfortable in the spot she'd chosen, Beatrice sat cross-legged in the grass, the ball in her lap. She turned the ball over in her hands for a moment after greeting each of them in turn, leading with Crassi. "I've always pushed you all to improve, and you have never once disappointed me. We won yesterday because of sheer tenacity, and because you've all worked really, really hard." As much as she tried not to draw attention to Crassi, her eyes kept wandering to the residual scorch marks along the Skorupi's chitin.
"These aren't battles for survival though, not in the moment. It's fights for the sake of fighting, for the sake of proving something. We don't have anything to prove though, not here... So-" At that Crassi began to hiss and gesture aggressively with her claws. Limul, and Solenoid both fix Crassi with intense attentions. The remainder seem taken with her expression. The Anorith, Magneton, and Skorupi surge with light, growing into larger and more robust forms alongside each other. Bee looks between their determined expressions, struck speechless and feeling small, sitting as she is.
Getting to her feet, she puts her arms around the Drapion, leaning in. "I know Crassi, I know. You don't want my charity, you don't want my sympathy, and you don't need anyone. I care though. I care a lot, please, let me just... have this worry for a moment. Let me pamper you just a little, I promise you won't get soft for it. I'm proud of you, I'm proud of everyone and I just..."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 15, 2020 22:51:17 GMT
The Drapion seems to roll her eyes a little, before acquiescing to the pampering. The fact that she's no longer so tiny compare to Bea probably has something to help with that - it's not so embarrassing as being picked up and snuggled.
"Sometimes it's not just your own heart you have to listen to, eh?" Yellow asks, having suddenly spoken up from behind Bea. She and Rainbow had left the Trainer to her own devices with the conversation and Training, but the Jirachi's here now, giving a slight smile.
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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 Feb 15, 2020 23:18:51 GMT
"Yeah." Bee scrubbed her eyes and smiled. "It was so easy to be aloof and objective before I started really exploring the world with the tools you've given me Yellow. There are a lot of kinds of growth, some are easier to understand then others. Today we're doing this as a free for all, so form a circle. This time instead of the longest holder of the ball, it will be the final holder at the end of the time limit, with honorable mention to the one that holds it the longest, a prize to each."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 15, 2020 23:37:35 GMT
"Well, enjoy." The girl walks off with a wave, leaving Bea with her Pokémon.
Of all the Pokémon in the circle, it's actually Bylli and Tempu who end up being the winners... mostly because the others aren't yet used to their new bodies. So there's a lot of tripping, and stumbling up against where bodies normally wouldn't have been before. By the end, they seem to have worked things out more... but it's too little, too late.
Tempu has it this time, actually seeming to eventually work up the mentality to get it away from Bylli, who'd been holding it for the longest time, teasing the other bug as she swooped around the more awkward newly-evolveds. She does a little mock-pout, but it doesn't seem like she's that put out about it.
Crassi mostly seems ashamed at her poor showing, while Limul is busy testing out the whole 'standing on two legs and having real arms' thing. Solenoid just watches with interest at what everyone else does.
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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 Feb 16, 2020 0:00:37 GMT
"We'll do another round tonight, just you and me." She nudged the Drapion gently. "You don't have to pout about it, you're still injured after all. You were playing with a handicap." Bee excused the loss firmly, making the rounds between the players. Limul had gotten so big! She adopted the slightly bent posture he carried himself, and took a few steps in tandem. "That's right, just like that! You're walking like me now."
From there, she ventured over to her winners. "Tempu, as promised I'll give you and Bylii some time to relax and play together once we've settled, Bylii... the dress you really like got covered in ash. I'll have to take it to a dry cleaners when we get to a town that has one, we'll have to figure something else out. Sorry about that."
To Baied; "It's okay to not grow up, and to like food. If you like what you are, and what you are capable of, then by all means keep doing it. I love you either way." She rubbed him side to side, setting the larvae to wriggling ticklishly and discharging little bolts of static.
When things were at last wrapped up, and all the rest of her Pokemon were away and it was quiet again, she looked up into Solenoid's eye. "I'm not sure where we deviated. I'm not usually taken to whimsy, fantasy, or inefficiency. I've found a lot of my creative processes, my understanding, it's grown exponentially from interacting. Observation only allows the retention of so much. In some ways, I miss what you have, that objective surveillance. I still feel like we're kindred spirits."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2020 0:22:36 GMT
The Drapion 'hmph's, but seems at least slightly mollified. Even if she doesn't admit it. Bylli's face falls a little at the news about the dress, but gives Bea a little pat on the shoulder, and she gets the feeling that it's okay.
Solenoid looks back, gaze mostly unreadable. But there's a sense of understanding there, of the underlying curiosity, and the feeling of closeness. Even if it's not entirely in that of actions anymore.
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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 Feb 16, 2020 0:29:04 GMT
Recalling the last of her Pokemon, Bee heads back to the center to catch up with her friends. She'd felt bad about Bylii's sadness, but it brought a smile to her face. They were heading back through Mauville, she could clean that outfit and find something else she thought the fairy might like. A surprise like that might make up for the difference. "Ready to go girls? The road awaits!"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2020 0:44:45 GMT
"I mean, the only time that I'm not really ready to go," Rainbow says, laughing, "is when I'm sleeping. Or in the shower, I guess. I'd prefer not to be interrupted there."
The trip back to Mauville is quicker and easier than coming up, since it's all downhill. Even with a mostly light gradient, it makes a difference. A quick picnic by the river, and the trio is back in Mauville early afternoon. Bea's able to easily find a place to get her clothes cleaned - in fact, the cleaner recognizes her from the Gym broadcast the other day, and gives her a discount. So, while she's held captive in the city as her clothes are getting cleaned, she has the opportunity to chill and relax. Or go out and do something. Her choice, really.
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Post by Robot on Feb 16, 2020 1:09:14 GMT
Letting Bylii out of her ball, Beatrice goes perusing outfitters, tailors, and other clothing retailers with her little bug. "The dress is getting cleaned, but I figured you could help me pick another one to wear on other days." It wasn't added, but Beatrice certainly followed the statement with the afterthought 'that is less pink'. "We can go to as many places as you'd like looking for things, but I'll only get one, so choose wisely." She gave the Ribombee a gentle pat.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2020 1:15:50 GMT
Bylli seems very excited, but gives Bea a sidelong look at the pink comment, before giggling. The bug seems to enjoy going through all the clothes, with Rainbow just grinning and shaking her head at watching the bug comparing outfits and fabrics. Eventually, the Pokémon seems to settle on a short sky-blue-dress, that has silver filigree flowers on it. There's a happy cry at that.
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Post by Robot on Feb 16, 2020 1:43:15 GMT
"It's beautiful Bylii, a very good choice." Bee comments, giving a gentle twirl in it for good measure. "The fabric feels pleasant too." Stepping out of the changing room, it is pretty clear her mind is made up about this outfit in particular. "I couldn't leave you feeling like you tried so hard for nothing, what do you think? Blue is a good color?"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2020 1:46:01 GMT
"Looks good on you," Rainbow says, as Bylli nods in agreement. "Blue goes well with your hair. A little bit more of a natural touch than your usual sterile aesthetic, though," she teases. "Flowers are a good look."
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Post by Robot on Feb 16, 2020 1:51:49 GMT
"Wh-what's wrong with how I normally dress?" Bee replies embarrassed, color flooding her cheeks. "Being clean and sterile is a very professional look, and the extra pockets are extremely useful! This doesn't even have pockets!" After her little defensive tangent, she heads to the counter to pay for her new outfit with a huff and slightly heavier steps.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2020 1:55:48 GMT
"There's nothing wrong with it," Rainbow says, "I'm just saying that I like the flowers better. Being around nature always feels better than being in the city. It doesn't actually make a difference, though, just teasing you." She winks. "Wear what you want."
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Post by Robot on Feb 16, 2020 2:06:12 GMT
"I... I want to wear this." The trainer admits quietly. "Seeing the way Bylii's eyes light up, or being seen as... w-well... desirable? It's nice. I never figured I could be that kind of person before. Apparently it's mostly in the mindset." She breathed a little easier, running her thumb across the filigree flowers. "This feels more like me, a cooler color that doesn't agitate or excite."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 16, 2020 2:09:15 GMT
"Are we gonna have to worry about people who want to take you away from us now?" Rainbow asks, still teasing, before becoming a little more serious. "I'm glad it makes you happy, though. I... worry about it, sometimes, that I'm forcing you to be someone who you don't want to be..."
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Post by Robot on Feb 16, 2020 2:33:52 GMT
"It didn't work out for anyone before, it certainly won't after." Ears burning she swatted at Rainbow playfully. "I never feel any peer pressure from you, it's the big thing you and Yellow have in common I think. You're both content to see what unfolds, him with curiosity and detachment, and you with trepidation." She teased back just a little. "My shell was ready to let me out, but I was stuck in there for so long Rainbow, I forgot how to really just let myself see the world through fresh eyes."
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