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Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
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Post by lichlord on May 25, 2018 6:14:34 GMT
"Eh. I keep feeling like that keeps happening to me. I'd say for ANYONE else, maybe try to really prove yourself, but with 'her'?"
Lia leans in to Kaeda's ear.
"Just take the win."
Lia says what Kaeda knows she needs to hear. She herself has had some changing opinions on Nalkeya as of late, but not any Kaeda needs to know about right after dealing with her. She switches to Kaeda's pretty legs now.
"As for me, I don't know. We'll see. I keep trying, but I've been feeling 'stuck' for a while."
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Post by oddeyes on May 25, 2018 6:18:44 GMT
"Yeah I guess so. Also, I'm sure you're able to break out of being stuck much easier than I could." Kaeda lets out a sigh as her body starts feeling much better. "Oh yeah. You mentioned drama earlier. What was that about?"
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Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
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Post by lichlord on May 25, 2018 6:41:02 GMT
"Don't count yourself out, woman. You and I 'both' know what you are capable of with a certain 'fire' inside ya."
Lia continues on, and sighs when the 'drama' is brought up.
"Ok so... I might not have a job in... well less than two weeks. It depends on how things play out."
When Kaeda probably looks back confused, Lia shakes her head.
"I didn't do anything, calm down. So I walked in today, and everyone seemed a little bummed. Turns out, some asshole in the league decided that for whatever reason our gym isn't meeting some quota or whatever and we are under review and they are coming to judge in two weeks from a couple days ago. Don't know for sure what day yet. And I say 'some quota or whatever' because they sent over some legal shit that nobody can make heads or tails of. So everyone's a little bummed. One of the other trainer's younger sister is heading the work to get donations to either hire some legal council to help get through the red tape, or just buy the land and building and turn private. Of course if that happens the badge might not count, or only count for a partial badge so just a warning there. Sorry."
Lia sighs a bit.
"So I donated as much as I could spare, as I've got nothing to buy really now. I mean I upgraded this place already, there's nothing huge to spend immediately on. But if the two weeks come up and we fail the test and have not enough money to go private we'll be done."
Lia gives a pained smile.
"I guess I'll have more free time then?"
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Post by oddeyes on May 25, 2018 6:46:29 GMT
"Oh my gosh....You're serious?" Kaeda is in shock that the Cerulean gym, a pretty long established gym, could be in jeopardy. Kaeda sits up, and rubs her chin. She has an idea... "Either way will require quite a bit of money....I wonder...." She looks to Lia. "I wonder if my parents could help. I haven't needed to rely on them for a while, but for this....Hmmm....Think I should call?"
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Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
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Post by lichlord on May 25, 2018 6:57:04 GMT
"Really serious, unfortunately."
As Kaeda sits up and suggests the course of action, Lia sits back a little hesitantly.
"Pump the brakes for a sec, babe. I know that your relationship with your parents is a little... let's call it tentative... so I don't want to put you in a weird position just for the gym. If you think it'll be ok and you are comfortable with calling, go ahead. If not... we'll figure something out. I'm sure."
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Post by oddeyes on May 25, 2018 7:02:43 GMT
Kaeda "Haa's" and "Hmm's" for a while, and nods. "....I think....I do wanna call them....I hope it'll be fine. I really hope they'll listen, and agree."
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Post by lichlord on May 25, 2018 7:05:23 GMT
Lia holds up her hands.
"Like I said, I ain't forcing ya. You do you, Kaeda."
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Post by oddeyes on May 25, 2018 7:12:30 GMT
Kaeda takes her phone, and heads out to the back of the ranch. She sighs, and starts dialing. It had been a while since her last call. When she first left, she had to check in at every center, but eventually she was let loose more and more. Calling after a bit of time to ask for a lot of money wasn't the best sounding idea, but she really wanted to help Alei, and the gym. When it finally picks up, "Hello?"
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May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
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Post by Raven on May 25, 2018 7:18:36 GMT
One of the household servants answers the phone, as usual when calling the house rather than phoning her parents private lines. "This is the Starwood Residence, to whom am I speaking?"
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Post by oddeyes on May 25, 2018 7:29:24 GMT
"Kaeda. Kaeda Starwood." The Starwoods had lots of servants, and this one's name was slipping from her mind. "I wish to speak to my parents please."
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May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
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Post by Raven on May 25, 2018 8:03:11 GMT
"Oh, Young Miss Starwood. One moment please, I shall see if they are available to take your call." The line goes quiet for a few minutes before the same person picks up again.
"It so happens that your father is away on business at this time. However, your mother will accept your call. I'll patch you through momentarily." There is a faint clicking sound before Kaeda hears the familiar voice of her mother on the other end.
"Kaeda? It's been so long since we've heard from you, dear. How are you?"
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Post by oddeyes on May 25, 2018 8:08:44 GMT
"Hello, Mother!" Geez. Kaeda could feel herself slipping back into her old way of talking. "It has been too long since I've called. I've been doing well. My quest has progressed well. In fact, I even defeated the gym in Celadon. The pokemon are doing fantastic. I own quite the number of them now, and Orpheus even evolved to a Gardevoir! Enough about me. How have you, and father been?"
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May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
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Post by Raven on May 25, 2018 8:49:48 GMT
"Oh, wonderful dear! Planning on making even more of a name for yourself still, I take it? Your father and I have been doing well. It's been quiet around the house without you around. More so than usual, I should say." Kaeda recalls that her mother just loves to chatter on and on, and will continue to do so all day if she's not headed off early. She's already started to get into her social life and what all those other rich socialite friends of hers are doing these days and so on.
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Post by oddeyes on May 25, 2018 8:55:43 GMT
Kaeda half listens/half tunes out as she has been through this many many times. Once she has an opening, she snaps the conversation back in her direction. "Mhm....Oh! Mhm....Yes!....Ah. Oh did I tell you Mother? I actually met someone! We've dated for a few weeks now."
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Post by Raven on May 25, 2018 9:30:04 GMT
That gets her attention. "Oh? Who is the lucky young man that you are so enamored with, dear, and when will your father and I get to meet him?"
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Post by oddeyes on May 25, 2018 9:38:01 GMT
"It's a 'her' actually! Her name is Lia. I'm not sure when we can head up to see you. We are always busy. Gym challenges, traveling, and Lia works at Cerulean gym....Oh right...the gym..." Kaeda activates her trap card! She adds some sadness, and worry to her voice.
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May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
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Post by Raven on May 25, 2018 17:26:09 GMT
There is a pause when Kaeda says that her lover is female, but her mom seems to quickly latch onto the subject change. "What's all this about a Gym now? Did something happen to you?"
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Post by oddeyes on May 25, 2018 19:09:24 GMT
Kaedda almost gulps when there is silence, but she goes on when the gym comes up. "O-Oh. Well, I recently just heard the Cerulean gym is in some sort of legal trouble. Officials are coming down to investigate it, and their is fear all around that it might get shut down. I feel like the league has some sort of agenda, and is trying to force out Ms. Aleisandra, the leader. They're doing one of those fund raising campaigns to hire good legal council, or even purchase the land to go independent. It's quite distressing. A long established gym closing, Lia loosing her job that she's dedicated to, Ms. Aleisandra has been quite instrumental in helping us, and advising us on our journey. I really wish I could help them out......You don't think I could have just enough money to help you think?" Kaeda sighs, and chews on her hair.
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Post by lichlord on May 25, 2018 19:17:55 GMT
After a few minutes and Kaeda not coming back, Lia walks out to go find her. She peeks around a corner to find her still on the phone but looking just a tad worried. She slides up next to Kaeda and puts an arm around her.
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Post by Raven on May 25, 2018 19:56:35 GMT
More silence, aside from some tapping. Likely Mrs. Starwood is looking into this Gym situation to get more info on it. Of course, there is nothing to find, as the entire thing is being kept under wraps. Though there is a fundraising campaign on "PokéFundMe.com" set up by Missy's brother (since she's too young to legally set that up herself) asking for donations to help save Cerulean gym. They are currently at 5.5% of their goal, having raised approximately 30,000 PYen of the estimated 165,000 PYen required to purchase the Gym and its grounds and go independent/hire legal counsel willing to go against the League.
Finally, Mrs. Starwood speaks again. "I don't know dear, this is awfully expensive for a charity project, and surely the League has a good reason for wanting to shut down this Gym. I can understand a desire to want your....good friend... Lia to keep her job, but there are other Gyms she can get a job at if that's what she likes to do. Is it really the end of the world if Cerulean's Gym closes?"
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