Testrun meme - July

[bravenewmods]

To make up for lack of meme last month we're a bit early this month! This is an open testrun meme. Posts here may be used in lieu of a sample entry for any applications.

1) It's too darn hot! The summer months are upon us, and a freak heatwave has made its way to Union. Do you endure through the heat, or are you going to take matters into your own hands? There is a pool in the water habitat, and there is that nice tropical island...

2) The business district is packed, especially the local Pokémart. Something about a limited edition silk scarf that "quadruples the effectiveness of any moves or your money back*!" (*Results not typical, no refunds if open, used, etc.) It's a madhouse here!

3) July is the month for Pokémon contests! There is a pavilion set up in one of the parks, as well as a stage. Are you watching or performing?

4) In Caldera, while tensions are still high, fun can still be had, particularly with the new ceasefire established with Gigas. In celebration, they hare hosting an exhibition of sorts, which equates to "get in a ring, beat the crap out of the other guy," lather rinse repeat. They're even taking people from the crowd.

5) Wild card! Come up with your own prompt!

Comments

Ami Mizuno || Sailor Moon

[allergictoloveletters]

Option 1:

The heat was particularly unbearable today, Ami was sure that many of her books would get set on fire if she were inclined for such hyperbole. With a realization that she wouldn't get much studying done while she was wiping her brow at every turn of the page, Ami made her way to the pool. She wasted no time in getting into the pool. The water was cool against her skin, removing all stress and worry as she glided through without a thought in the world. The feeling of being at home was welcomed and familiar. She heard the excitable and happy cries of other children and people around her, and she merely smiled, inclined to agree with their jubilance.

Her eyes were closed in bliss, she didn't really notice that she was swimming towards someone, and was about to run into them. She pulled herself up when she heard sudden splashing and realized just how close she was to the person she nearly collided with. She swam back a bit to put some polite distance between them.

"My apologies."


Option 3:

Ami watched the dancing portion of the competition in silence. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she watched and analyzed every single move of the contestants. She saw the missteps, could predict the next possible moves the contestants would take in order to impress the judges, and what made the crowd cheer all the louder.

However, as she watched, her knitted brow would ease and the look of concentration would alter to one of appreciation, of admiration. How brave those contestants were, to willingly put themselves in front of others to be watched, examined, and measured. Ami knew she'd never be able to do such a thing. She watched as one contestant, one in particular who showed the most prowess suddenly stumbled and she uncrossed her arms, her eyes widening.

A sound of concern came from her mouth as she watched to see what would happen next.

1

[incousinswithyou]

Well, at least a head on collision was avoided. She would've never heard the end of that.

Michiru treads water, blinking and clearing her vision. Ah.

"It's alright. I wasn't watching either." For the most part. At least she was watching enough to stop swimming when she saw the commotion up ahead.

She smiles apologetically at the other girl. "I'm not used to seeing the pool this crowded."

[allergictoloveletters]

Ami blushed when she gazed at the older woman. She was beautiful, as if born from the water itself. The way she moved through the water was relaxed and controlled. Even her hair was the same color of the water surrounding them. Ami realized she had been silent for too long, hadn't spoken despite the other woman addressing her. She blushed harder and cleared her throat.

"Oh ah... yes. I'm... I'm quite used to an empty pool as well. Still, the rise in temperature is not too surprising that people would seek reprieve in such a place."

[incousinswithyou]

...Now that's a cute blush. Michiru's smile takes on a decidedly sly slant, even as she eyes Ami a bit more closely.

"Of course. Still, the rising temperature outside can't quite match the one here." Yup, that blush is still cute.

[allergictoloveletters]

Ami's mind quickly went towards several possibilities. The heat that this woman indicated was due to the amount of people in one location, thus the amount of body heat making the temperature warmer in one localized area.

The second option was... well... the second option, the more... awkward option was that Ami's red cheeks were...

Ami could only blush harder, trying very hard not to panic.

"W-W-Well... p-perhaps I should go," she suddenly exclaimed, embarrassed that she was caught quite obviously admiring the older woman.

[incousinswithyou]

Ami, quit it. Michiru is two steps away from adopting you or something.

"Going already?" Michiru's tone sounds sadly contemplative. "Am I that unpleasant to talk to?"

It's not entirely because you seem fun to tease either. There's something else underneath it all. Feels...familiar.

[allergictoloveletters]

The notion that she may have insulted the woman was what made Ami quickly bow her head.

"Oh no, no it isn't that at all. You seem quite lovely, actually just-" Her eyes widened when she realized what she had said. Oh, how was this woman making her so tongue-tied and they had only just met?

She took a deep breath. She had to calm down. Ami cleared her throat again, though the knot that was her nerves was not loosening in the slightest.

"I don't mean to offend, in any way."

[incousinswithyou]

Michiru laughs quietly, taking a couple of strokes forward. "There's nothing to forgive."

Her smile returns, as if it never left her face. "You are rather lovely as well. Cute too, if I may."

And no, she's not going to ignore the first part of what you said.

[allergictoloveletters]

The sudden closing of the distance between them makes Ami naturally swim back a bit, more out of habit than actual fear of the other woman. Though some part of her didn't really want to pull away.

The mention of her earlier statement does not go unnoticed but Ami tried to ignore it. She certainly didn't think of herself as cute or lovely.

"I'm... not sure I agree but thank you, that is kind," if wrong, "of you to say as much."

[incousinswithyou]

Dear gods, Ami. This almost makes her want to take another stroke forward just to see if she can back you all the way to the edge of the pool. (Where would you go after that?)

"I mean every word."

And she might have continued, had there not been a plaintive cry coming from the shallow area with all the children. It looks like the kids have discovered her Milotic and are currently climbing all over her and tugging at her fins. Milotic is steadfastly enduring all the attention, but the look she's giving Michiru is nothing short of a demand.

"...Ah." She gives Ami a glance. "Would you mind helping me out?"

3!

[inthenameofthemoon]

"Contests always have a way of keeping you on your toes, don't they?"

Comes a soft voice from the seat that's right next to Ami's. When the other girl decides to look over, she'll see Usagi sitting there with a bright smile on her face, but most notably, with a Clefairy currently standing on the back of the chair and looking over the bun head's shoulder to watch the show on the stage.

"We had an experience like that before, didn't we Pinky?" The Clefairy half draped on Usagi's shoulder just makes a small noise of happiness before giving her human partner a quick cheek rub, "But, Pinky did her best and everything worked out in the end! So, I'm sure the pokemon on stage will be okay too!"

[allergictoloveletters]

She looked over to the girl beside her, her mouth closing as she tried not to let on what she was feeling at the moment. She looked up at the Clefairy and smiled, already assessing the pokemon, she looked away, after discerning the various strengths and weaknesses of the pokemon to properly look at the blonde.

Ami couldn't help but think her hair was like sunshine, that it was lovely and so long. She'd never seen such long hair before.

At the mention of being on stage, her eyes widened slightly before she gazed back at the stage and then returned it to Usagi.

"Your Pinky seems very capable and sweet, I'm sure she did her best." The cute pokemon had several things in her favor for such a competition. "Oh ah... but you weren't scared?"

[inthenameofthemoon]

The compliment gets Pinky to puff up proudly, along with an affection pat to the head from Usagi. "You bet I was! I'm pretty sure that if I were on my own, Pinky and I would probably have been laughed off stage! I mean, who wants to be embarrassed in front of a lot of people? But, it was because I had friends with me that I wasn't too scared!"

Every so often, Usagi checks up on the performers on the stage, but her attention is now completely on Ami the longer she talks.

"Granted, they're totally better than me at acting and Pinky might have accidentally evolved in front of the whole audience," That might have been a huff coming from Pinky, but otherwise she doesn't do anything but observe the exchange between her human partner and the girl next to her, "But, that's the whole point of doing things with friends! Having fun no matter what."

[allergictoloveletters]

Usagi's smile was easily given, and Ami couldn't help but smile wider as Usagi became more excited and reminisced on her experience. She had an openness about her that Ami hadn't really experienced before. As if she was the warm sun after endless cloudy days, the bright moon in the darkness of the sky. Ami swallowed. It was so strange, to be at ease around someone she had only just met. She could already sense that she was different from others, that her very nature was something that attracted everyone to her, much like the sun was the center and everything else gravitated to its mighty pull.

Ami blushed at her own silly thoughts. As nice as this girl was, she'd probably never see her again after this. The thought sobered her. There was no reason to be so taken in by someone she'd never see again.

The more she spoke, the more Ami was sure she could never bring herself to perform in public. And as she had no friends, there would be no one to support her or cheer her on.

At the mention of the Clefairy evolving during the contest made the sides of her mouth twitch.

"I would think the judges would be all the more impressed you bonded so well with your pokemon that she would want to evolve where everyone could see."

[inthenameofthemoon]

Oh. That was adorable. Usagi's eyes catch the blushing, and she's now really curious about why it's even happening in the first place! For a moment, she contemplates on asking about it, but, at the bit about Pinky evolving for the judges makes Usagi lean back in her seat.

"Well, about that..." She might be side-eying Pinky before reaching up and scratching her cheek sheepishly, "It's not like she wanted to evolve on stage. In fact, Pinky was trying super hard not to evolve at all!"

Well, since it's obvious, at least to the Clefairy, that Usagi would rather continue conversing with her new friend, Pinky decides to just crawl off her perch and bring herself down to sit on Usagi's lap. It's only temporary though. Once the contest was over, she'd move back to her usual spot on the way back home!

"If this one hadn't taken after her trainer and fell head first into our Gyarados friends' head, she might have stayed a Cleffa for a little longer!" It was just a small jab at her own personal faults, but, really, Usagi was just honestly relieved to know what was going on.

For a moment, Usagi just playfully pokes at her pokemon, because who wouldn't after telling such an amusing story? But, it then sinks in that she had just gone on and on about her own pokemon's personal development story without even thinking about whether or not it might sound like she were boasting about the whole thing. Why was she talking about Pinky evolving in front of everyone again?

Oh, right. Was she scared to be on stage. Silly Usagi.

"Well, they were impressed enough to give us first place, at least!" No, Usagi. That really sounds like you're boasting now.

[allergictoloveletters]

"Ah I see, hopefully the Gyarados wasn't too upset with such an adorable little Cleffa running into his head?" Ami understood well enough that Usagi was saying she was clumsy as well, but she couldn't help but reach out and pet the little Cleffairy. She admired the fairy type pokemon, and thought them to be so sweet and as they evolved, absolutely beautiful, but she had never come across one to bond with and form a close relationship.

"Congratulations on such an achievement. By the sounds of it, you and your Clefairy worked very hard to gain it." With a little bit of luck, evolution aside. "Do you think you'll ever compete again?"

Able to compete and first place, Ami was quite impressed as she glanced at the stage, watching the goldeen display her beautiful tail and horn.

3

[actsmagnificent]

"Think she's out?"

The question comes from behind Ami - almost directly behind Ami, in fact, since the speaker's watching the event from over the top of the other girl's head. A Spritzee sitting on the woman's shoulders fluffs her feathers and trills. They should all just believe in themselves! Then there's no problem!

[allergictoloveletters]

Ami jumped as she spun around to look at the woman who was behind her. She was so tall! Ami felt even shorter than usual and blushed a little at how easily taken by surprise she was.

"Oh, well, no, I'm sure she has a chance still," Ami certainly calculated such a percentage and the probability of coming back from such a mistake. "Don't... you think so?"

[actsmagnificent]

Joining the younger girl, Haruka takes in the stage and thinks over the question. "Depends," she muses. "Does she think - Ah. There."

The dancer who'd stumbled has taken center stage; there's a subtle stiffness to her motions that vanishes the longer the routine goes on. Haruka seems to relax in time with the subject of her scrutiny, then inclines her head.

"They won't win," she predicts, looking at the rest of the routine now and sounding completely sure of herself - as well as completely used to talking to strangers like Ami without even looking at them. "But she'll be satisfied."

Haruka seems pretty satisfied, too.

[allergictoloveletters]

"She might still be able to. Her probability for first place, while lower, is not impossible. Though it does require mistakes on the parts of the others and an otherwise flawless performance from her."

She realized that she had been contradictory to a complete stranger and blushed, looking away.

"So long as she is satisfied with herself." Ami would be glad no matter where she placed, if she ever had the nerve to compete in the first place. "Would you ever compete?"

[actsmagnificent]

Assessing all the possible options, huh? Interesting outlook. Haruka takes a closer look at this girl; she hadn't expected to meet a statistician at a Pokémon contest, so that attitude's refreshing.

The girl's question is amusing, too, but not for the reasons others might think. "Would you?" Haruka asks, sounding sincerely interested in Ami's reply. "With that level an outlook, you'd put together a pretty mean routine."

A grin tops off the question. Spunk. Smart but spunk. She likes this girl already.

[allergictoloveletters]

"Oh I... no, I don't think I would." Could, would be the more apt word. Even if she could put together a routine, she'd get so nervous! Just thinking about it was making her blush harder. She'd likely stutter and fumble with anything she might have to say, or not be able to speak at all!

Ami looked over to Haruka.

"I-I'm sure you would do quite well though." It was hard to take her eyes off the other woman.

Ami's ears turned red when she realized what she had just thought. She was just glad she was safe inside her own head.

[actsmagnificent]

Haruka doesn't deflect the compliment so much as just let it slide around her, a small, sure smile gracing her lips. Contests aren't her thing - not this kind of contest, anyway. And she didn't come over here to talk about herself.

"Are you a Trainer?" Haruka asks, checking for a Warp Band. She probably shouldn't have jumped the Bullet Seed by assuming the girl had Pokémon to enter in contests in the first place.

[allergictoloveletters]

Ami's Warp Band was sitting neatly on her wrist. The Shinx who had been sitting quietly next to her feet finally let out a noise to reveal her presence.

"Oh yes, I am. This is Aurora." The Shinx ran up along Ami's leg and Ami smiled as she bent down and picked her up, holding her close. "I noticed your pokemon earlier."

[actsmagnificent]

Ah, there it was. Haruka grins at the Shinx, her Spritzee waving a wing in greeting. Hello! She can't help but notice you now have a perch, as well. Aren't humans accommodating? It's so nice of them.

"What a cutie," observes Haruka, with a glance at the Contest - nah, nothing too exciting happening there right now - before reaching over to gently see if Aurora is interested in getting her head patted or her ears rubbed. "She must take after you."