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Post by kagemaru656 on Mar 27, 2017 11:05:56 GMT
It is a reasonably warm day over Saffron City, even with the slight overcast. It is also a relatively busy day, there is of course the usual shoppers about the high street and the odd trainer making for Sabrina's Gym. Then there is the crowd gathered around the mansion in the north of the city, not far from the gym and the dojo. The crowd have gathered, ushered back by some security, to see the winners of his draw arriving. The gates to his mansion lie open, and a security guard stands there to check that anyone who approaches is on the list. He eyes anyone who tries to approach, his clipboard of the chosen few ready. This is the scene each of you arrive to, your destiny awaiting.
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Post by ThRevanchist on Mar 27, 2017 14:42:06 GMT
Who would have thought Saffron City was so big! Sure, everyone always said it was a "big city", but some warning would have been nice! Lina hadn't been prepared for something so daunting...
Anyways, it wasn't time to get swept up in the frenetic energy of the city, no! She had to calm down, get her bearings... And confront the guard. In front of so... so many people. That wouldn't be any difficulty, right? No, just walk up, ask to be admitted, and carry on: Easy...
But why were there so many people just watching?! Didn't, didn't they have anything better to do? Chef Snow might have been famous, but it wasn't like they would get to meet him, so why would they not just move on, and accept things? No, instead all those people had to crowd up the entryway, and stir up a huge fuss.
After a few minutes of quiet indecision, Lina attempted to get through the crowd, and more importantly, reach the inviting door of Chef Snow's mansion. Really, once you got past all the irrelevant people, it was just dealing with the nice security guard, right...? Once his scrutinizing gaze reached her, she spoke up (hopefully close enough to be heard above the din surrounding them), "Eh- Hello... I, I should be on the list, umm. Lina Ca- Carlavaro?"
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Post by kagemaru656 on Mar 27, 2017 16:40:42 GMT
The guard looks down at the clipboard, nods and looks back at Lina. "Pleasure to have you. Mr. Snow is waiting at the end of the path near the front door. He's talking to the station now but once everyone is here he will be wanting to proceed inside. Have a great evening." His words are welcoming, and his tone, while slightly gruff, is clearly trying to be welcoming as well. Once you pass him there is a paved path up towards the front of the house. You can see a cameraman and reporter questioning a late middle aged man with blond hair, currently wearing a full chef's garb. This must be Gordon Snow.
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Mar 18, 2018 14:17:12 GMT
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Post by Tsushimii on Mar 27, 2017 19:28:52 GMT
Mildred heaved a sigh as her gazes swept across the sea of people in front of her, slight annoyance washed over her expression. "Well, here goes nothing..." she grumbled before beginning the trudge through. It wasn't something she was unfamiliar with, having come from a city where it wasn't much different during rush hour, though it didn't make it any less of a pain. A nudge here, an 'accidental' step on a foot there and soon people were parting the path with bitching and screamed insults behind her. An almost pleased smile pulled at the corner of her lips as she neared the edge before it all too soon twisted into a grimace as a man swooped in front of her."Ugh..." she huffed, looking over the scraggly stick of a man who stared at her with a broad grin.
"H-hey! Mildred..."
Her eyes stared daggers, waving a hand dismissively before he could get another word out. "Go away, Twig, I'm not here for business."
"Oh c'mon man, it's been a week. I need a fix..."
"I said beat it," she snarled, pushing the man aside before continuing up to the guard. She didn't have time for clients today. She took only a moment to collect herself, relaxing into a rather neutral expressing as she looked to the man now before her. "Mildred Ellison."
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Post by kagemaru656 on Mar 27, 2017 19:41:46 GMT
Again, the man looks at his clipboard. "A pleasure to have you. Mr Snow is waiting by the front door. Should still be ta-" He stops mid-sentence looks up behind Mildred. "You just head on in." He walks past you toward the crowd, and Twig. The man had been approaching you again. The guard walks right up to the man and with a hand on each arm leans in to whisper something. Whatever it is has Twig disappear pretty fast, and the guard returns to his position to deal with anyone else approaching.
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Post by FelixSparks on Mar 27, 2017 22:17:28 GMT
Saffron city. It had been a while since the Vermilion-born man had been here. Not since he met his wife, if his memory served. The people here tended not to like him due to his rough looks, but growing up in Vermilion City had that effect on people. Not only dealing with all the pesky digletts, but other trainers trying to muscle their way through life tended to effect people. Luke looked calm enough, but the hooded jacket he was wearing was covering his muscles and a few scars he'd gotten in scrapes along the way.
He also hated crowds. SO much. He'd had trouble dealing with them since he was young, but right now it was going to be simple. He'd just walk through like they weren't even there. Right. Here he goes. Right now. Any second. Here we go... WHY WAS THIS SO HARD.
He'd seen two people already go in, and he didn't want to be the last one in, so he pushed himself forward, slipping around people and darting through small gaps in the crowd. A step here, a hop here, a close encounter there, and in about two minutes he popped out the other side, in front of the doorman.
"Ah, hello. I believe I'm on the list? The name is Luke-" A loud scream from an overeager fan who caught sight of Snow drowned out his last name for all but the man at the door. Luke only hoped that this was a good idea. His sister had entered his name, and apparently WON some kind of feast for him? It sounded promising, but with the five pokemon on his belt he had to wonder if they had been accounted for in the preparations.
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Post by kagemaru656 on Mar 27, 2017 22:21:51 GMT
The guard briefly glares at the fan. Only for a second though... he can't be doing that. "Ah yes, here you are. Pleasure to have you. Head up the path to the front door. Mr. Snow is entertaining a studio while he waits for you all. We should have the last winner shortly." He goes back to staring into the crowd, looking for his excuse to get the rest of these people out of here.
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Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
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Post by lichlord on Mar 27, 2017 22:40:09 GMT
A shady-looking sort walks through Saffron City, thankful for the overcast. As most of his dealings went down at night, he tended to not be up during most of the day. Just one less thing to annoy him. He walks up to the guard, seeing that the other three are making their way through the mansion grounds already. And one person looking a little 'desperate' next to one of the winners. She looks familiar somehow, but can't place it. Once he get's a better look, he thinks. As the desperate man is scared away so quickly, he can't help the thought that creeps into his brain. That man represents what he 'once' was and never wants again, while this mansion represents his ultimate goal. Maybe not this big or gaudy, but hey shoot high right? And there he was, stuck somewhere in the middle between desperation and excess.
"Gil. Gil Seeka."
He hated giving his real name out but considering he didn't actually 'win' this ticket he couldn't afford to take a chance with registering with a fake name. He had not done business in Kanto for some time. It should be alright.
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Post by kagemaru656 on Mar 27, 2017 22:53:33 GMT
The man looks at his clipboard one last time and lets out a grateful sigh. "Pleasure to have you, follow the path and you'll meet the others at the door. Now if you'll excuse me I'm finally allowed tell this lot to bugger off." Once you're through the gate he closes it most of the way and starts tryign to urge the crowd away.
All of you have now walked through the garden, a finely kept one with Pokémon Topiaries arranged in beautiful designs. You also notice the high hedges ringing the mansion.
Approaching the front door you see him talkign to the reporter, but he waves as the first of you approaches.
"Ah, our guests arrive. It is a pleasure to meet you." he says, shaking the hand of Lina. "Pleasure to meet you." he repeats to each guest as they arrive, shaking their hand. As soon as he has greeted them the reporter comes to each arrival, before he can even say more than the greeting. The reporter starts to approaches each guest in turn to ask them: "What made you enter the Contest? How are you feeling to be here now?" Gordon lets them do the interviews, keeping an eye on his guests.
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Post by FelixSparks on Mar 28, 2017 3:42:29 GMT
Luke couldn't help but stare at the garden decorations and think just how flammable they were. One stray spark and this place could go up in a second... He started shaking, his hand reaching down to one of his pokeballs. He took a few deep breaths, steadying himself, shaking the hand offered to him firmly. "Nice to meet you as well. Your reputation precedes you."
When questioned by the interviewer, he shrugged. "My sister entered me, thinking I needed a break from my journey. And I feel... hungry I guess? I'm still overwhelmed that I actually won."
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Post by ThRevanchist on Mar 28, 2017 4:02:56 GMT
Having made it past the obnoxious crowd roiling down before the gates, Lina was free to relax somewhat. The grand mansion helped, it seemed Chef Snow had great taste. Yes, taking in the scenery, she made her way up to the master of the house, debating whether to commend his fantastic style or not. As a greeting, she managed to return the handshake and say, "The pleasure is mine, sir. Everyone has heard of the world-renowned Gordon Snow... To have a chance to dine with you is amazing..."
In contrast to Snow's warm greeting, the reporter was right at it with questions, so aggressive! Everything she had heard about nosy reporters. Resisting the urge to turn to their host for aid, Lina looked into the camera instead... Only to drop her gaze when she realized it might be broadcasting live at that very moment! But that would mean she was keeping countless people waiting, waiting to hear why she would even enter that contest... Although why they would care was another issue entirely... "...A-as I, said to Mister- that is, Chef Snow, th-the chance to partake of a feast prepared by such a legend... Even for such a small chance, I had to take it. Umm, so, I'm feeling... happy...? Y-yes, that's right, h-happy to have such a rare opportunity..." Truly, the picture of happiness, with eyes downcast, avoiding both reporter and camera's scrutiny, and mouth quavering just short of a smile. "I'm sorry, were there any more? Err, questions, that is?"
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Post by Tsushimii on Mar 28, 2017 4:16:17 GMT
Her gaze kept straight as she walked the path, ignoring the fancy carved bushes with a slight roll of the eye at first glance of them. Who really cared about that sort of crap anyway? By the time she reached the doorway she noticed the other two who made it before her, eyeing them over before her gaze shifted to the hand outstretched to her. "Oh, er..." she paused, staring at it a moment before shaking the hand. "Uh, Snow right?" she questioned, eyeing the so-called 'world famous chef that everyone knew about. Of course, she knew about him... he was a chef. Of some sort of big restaurant chain...right? Ah, what did it matter. It's not like he even cared about this whole thing; probably just a big publicity stunt.
She stepped away only to stiffen up as the reporter suddenly approached her, a scowl crossing her face. "Woah dude, get the camera out of my face," she huffed, hand moving to push the lens away. "I don't do film. Or reporters. So go get your quotes from someone else."
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Post by lichlord on Mar 28, 2017 6:17:47 GMT
Gil whistles as he walks down to the Mansion.
"Fancy digs you got here, 'Chef'. You must make bank. Tell me, you got-"
Before he could finish a camera went right up to him, and it badgered him with questions. He puts a single finger on the lens, and pushes the camera and the human back, slowly.
"First, why ask about why someone enters a giveaway. It's a giveaway. There's no entry fee or test or anything. Name. Boop. Done. Get over yourself."
That should dodge THAT question.
"As for how I'm feeling, lets go with: I feel like a puppet being paraded in front of media, because this is all a big stunt for you and probably an annoyance to Snow that he has to personally serve four randos. Probably pushed by his publisher or whatever."
Gil turns back to the chef.
"No offense."
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Post by kagemaru656 on Mar 28, 2017 8:18:30 GMT
The tiniest smirk appears on Snow's face. "You are my welcome guests and it is my pleasure to serve you." He turns to the camera then "I'm afraid I must take his side on this one, the contestants didn't sign up for the limelight. I wish you a safe journey home but it is time to serve my guests." With that he ushers you all into the foyer, a large open plan area with the classic stairs up to the second floor that split in the middle and run up each side. A large chandelier hangs from the second story and illuminates the first. The place is completely clean. Once everyone is in he closes the door and turns to you, a façade fading away now that the media are gone. "I really do apologise for that. Bloody media on me any time I do anything." He composes himself slightly "You really are my welcome guests and you will be served as such though. No lie there. May I take anyone's coats?" He takes any coats and hangs them on a coat-rack near the door. Yours are the only coats there. "The dining room is this way. Entrées are almost ready. Please keep your Pokémon in their Pokéballs for now, they will be served alongside the main course and it would be best to keep them out of the way for the moment." He leads you into a long room with an almost as long table. It could probably sit 8 on each side, and another at each end for 18. Today though only one end of it is set, with four places set up at the end and the end set up for a fifth place. "I'm not one to wait on too much ceremony so if you don't mind I will go to finish preparations. We can get to know each other a little more once dinner is served."
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Post by lichlord on Mar 28, 2017 8:31:09 GMT
Gil grins as the Chef takes his side. And once inside, Gil finally pipes up.
"If you really wanted to have this contest then I ain't gonna harass you about it anymore, man. But ya can't expect a world spanning contest like this to not have the attention of media for celebrity news or whatever. You'd think we'd learn from that movie... Willy... Willy something I don't know. It'll come to me."
Once to the table, he plops down in a chair.
"Yeah alright, didn't want to bring my team out without askin anyway. Not exactly the cleanest bunch, and I'm not about to pay a cleaner bill."
He looks around, a little concerned about the massive room and the fact they are all crammed at one end of the table.
"Geez man, you'd think with a place like this, you coulda picked a smaller room. Feels a little... Is there a word for 'not intimate'? Help me out here guys. Gil, by the way, if the group was wondering."
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Post by ThRevanchist on Mar 28, 2017 14:47:37 GMT
To not only be welcome guests to someone so great, but have him stave off such unwelcome prying eyes was rather pleasant, all things considered. It was enough to make Lina wish she had brought a coat, for just a shred more of his hospitality, but alas, the climate of Saffron City hadn't warranted such measures...
"Understood, the Pokémon can wait just a while longer. As well they should; we won the contest, not them...", Lina nodded in agreement. It was fine with her, really, given how mortifying them acting out in such a place would be.
When one of the men - Gil - struck up a conversation, she joined with a helpful, "Perhaps 'distant' would work, Mister Gil? The room is quite spacious, but we can hardly fault Chef Snow for putting his best foot forward... Ah, n-not that this needs to be his best! I only meant, h-he's our host, and he probably wants to make a good impression?" Very helpful! So why did it feel like she as forgetting something...? "...Oh! I'm terribly sorry, you can call me Lina, if you'd like."
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Post by lichlord on Mar 28, 2017 18:22:07 GMT
"Eh, I guess distant will work, as I can't think of much else."
Gil sits up for a moment, and waves off Lina's apology.
"I wouldn't worry about it. I mean our host knows our name, and I don't suspect any of us to meet each other again after tonight anyway."
Not if I have my way anyway. Not the kind of people I run with. But man I can't shake the fact I know that other lass. It's on the tip of my brain.
Gil just shrugs and goes back to looking around the room, scoffing at all the money just spent on stuff for no reason in here.
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Post by FelixSparks on Mar 28, 2017 18:39:16 GMT
Luke noted he seemed to be the only one who didn't mind the media attention. He wasn't a glory hog or anything, but he didn't see the harm in being asked a few rather simple questions. He kept his jacket on, feeling more comfortable with his scars hidden from view. When asked to keep his pokemon in their balls, he seemed a bit crestfallen.
"I suppose they'll be okay being cooped up a bit longer... It was just a long trip so I'm sure they're eager to stretch their legs." He removed his hand from his belt, realizing it had been on his Blaziken's ball since he walked through the crowd. Sitting down across from Gil, he nodded.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Luke. I imagine a man such as Snow regularly entertains large audiences, and this room is proof of such. Maybe he just doesn't HAVE a smaller dining room?" He suggested, sitting in his chair a bit stiffly, unable to get comfortable. Gil was right, this place WAS huge. Maybe Snow was trying to show off, but why would he do that for four complete strangers? In addition, they'd been chosen from a drawing, hadn't they? If this was some sort of promotional event, wouldn't it make more sense to be in one of his restaurants, rather than his home? Luke couldn't shake this odd feeling tickling the back of his mind, but he convinced himself it was just nerves. Everything would be fine. They'd enjoy a nice dinner, and he would leave, potentially with some new connections. That would be nice.
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Post by Tsushimii on Mar 28, 2017 19:21:18 GMT
Mildred was relieved to walk inside, glancing over the others before her gaze turned to Snow himself. She shrugged lightly, unzipping her coat and handing it over; seemingly unashamed at the scars of trackmarks easily shown from the absences of sleeves as she was wearing a tanktop beneath. At the mention of Pokemon she jsut raised her eyebrow. Why in the hell would she let them out here? It was her dinner, not theirs. She let the others walk ahead, looking around a moment before following. She'd hate to live in such a place... it was too, open?
She only caught the end of the conversation, taking a seat next to Gil as she finally took time to eye the group in more detail. Across from her was another woman, beside her a younger boy, and finally her eyes came to rest on the man beside her. Her face turned puzzled, dark eyes tracing over her face as she repeated the name in her mind. Gil... Gil... why did that sound so fam-...
Her eyebrows raised in recognition, a small huff of a laugh escaping her. "Holy hell, I remember you. I'm surprised they even let you into this joint," she smirked, hand moving to rub at one of her temples. "Oh geeze, how long has it been... a year or two at least? Since I've seen you anyway."
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Post by lichlord on Mar 28, 2017 21:26:54 GMT
Gil shrugs at Luke.
"You might be right. But it is a 'Mansion' after all. Snowy boy coulda set up any nice room with a smaller table and bam. I got a feeling he doesn't eat in this room himself."
Gil turns when Mildred turns to look at him, and he looks back, processing what she's saying for a while. It finally clicks and a loud laugh escapes his lungs.
"Hell, from what I remember about you, I could say the same thing. So... at the door then, one of your personal clients then. Heh, that guy probably ain't coming back to you from the looks of his face when he bolted. Like I said to you during our last meetup. Third Party. Always do a third party. That's what 'I' am for. I did end up picking up and moving after last time, shortly after we met the first couple times, but I've always got somebody who knows how to get in contact with me."
He smiles and shakes his head.
"Man, Mildred! Small world that we'd both end up here, right?"
Gil turns to the other two, and points mockingly.
"Alright fess up, Luke, Lina. You two also know each other somehow. These things don't just happen once, coincidence doesn't work like that. Wait actually no, don't say. I'mma guess."
Gil thinks for a moment, before clapping like he's figured it out.
"You two dated at one point, brought together by literal luck of the draw to rekindle your romance after it went sour. Like one of those 'Lifeline' movies. Wait no, that's not it. Life... Life something..."
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