zubatopia | Testrun meme (January & February)

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Testrun meme (January & February)

TESTRUN MEME

1) New Years Celebration! There are fireworks all over the city! And that means your Pokémon are probably hiding under the bed. No matter how big they are. What do?

2) There's been some heavy snowfall and the connecting bridges are overloaded. They're really slick and icy and need to be plowed for safety. You and your Pokémon have been selected for this "honor". Have fun!

3) With the winter coming, the Hot Springs have been overwhelmed by an abundance of monkey Pokémon. They've been attacking citizens who are trying to soak in the pools and it's creating a big problem. Go resolve it!

4) Caldera has been working on a project to restore some of their fortifications, and that means they need strong trainers and Pokémon to help carry and work the stone and metal. Time to help out!

5) The Tropical Island has become something of a destination in the wintertime, and it's getting really crowded. Some Pokémon researchers need to conduct studies on the volcano but the throng of tourists is simply too much. Help clear a path!

6) Wildcard! Make your own prompt!

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[ Haruka isn't that phased by the fact he can understand Pokémon - it's notable, but not comment-worthy. Unlike his reaction to her name. ] ...You've heard of me?

[ The plays must have a farther-reaching audience than she'd thought.

Burning Passion shrugs, rearranges her tails, and adjusts her glance to be more alluring than critical. It's simply easy to tell whose company is most worth cultivating, that's all. ] Pix.

[ Aaaand she grooms her nose. This demure act sets the curls on her head bouncing. ]

It's kinda hard not to! You guys are getting to be well-known by the all the other theater groups - even mine. [Right has a big grin across his face while he speaks - except for the last bit. Upon saying the last two words, his grin faded a little, as if some of his exuberance had gone away.]

Soft Steel did smile a little upon hearing Passion's clarification. ~Well, sounds like you have--~] Rio--

Lilliiii Lillipup! [~Iyaan! You have a sharp eye for who's worth hanging out with! It's only natural, of course, that one seeks out such great potential!~ Wagon happily interjected, prancing over to Soft Steel's side as cutesy as possible in her winter outfit while batting her eyes at Burning Passion. Maybe this is the big break that she and her human need - their one true chance at the big times!]

[ Another actor, huh. With some issues in his troupe. Haruka can't say she's unsympathetic, but chatting without working won't get this bridge - or the next bridge, for that matter - clear. She whips up some more wind, brushing the snow off the road, and gives him a half-smile. ] Bridges for now.

[ Whatever you're going through, this too shall pass.

Passion is a bit surprised that she's allured the wrong Pokémon, but manages to hold her composure. You're - rather forward, aren't you. What do you expect of her? ] ....Vul?

[It's not so much as Wagon being allured as that she loves to show off her own good looks - especially when she thinks that Passions and Haruka may be on a talent hunt. ~Poor Right and I have been stuck with an intensely awful theater group for a year now, and we're trying to find a new group to be with!~] Lilliiii!

[Soft Steel, on the other hand, is glaring in annoyance at his canine companion. ~Wagon, please! We're supposed to be working.~] Rrrrrrr-ri!

[Right, however, appears to be oblivious to the tension between his two Pokemon. He digs his shovel into another mound, and digs it deep.] Okay, on three, we'll shove this over the side! And don't worry - there's no one beneath us right now; I've checked, Softy.

[Both Pokemon scrambles to either side of their human, putting their paws on the blunt edge of the shovel.]

Ready? One...two...three! [And all at once, they start pushing the mound of snow through the shovel. It doesn't appear to be moving at first...but then it budges a little, after a couple of moments. Finally, it starts to shift over the edge of the bridge.]

[ Oh. You want her to put a good word in for you. Vulpix lifts a paw and studies it, apparently considering contemplation of her own fur more interesting than the Lillipup. Well, since your plight is so dour....pull your own weight today and she'll consider it. Perhaps. ] Pix.

[ That should get her out of having to exert herself today. Satisfied, she stands and trots over to join Haruka in chipping and melting any exposed ice. Haruka's keeping an eye on that shifting snow pile, though. There has to be a better way to dispose of this stuff, but she wants to see what the group has in mind. ]

C'mon...just a little more! [Right mutters between his teeth.] I can see it...us pushing this over...together! [A warm light extends out from him to Wagon, giving her a boost in her physical strength.Right uses Helping Hand!]

Lilliiiii... [~That's right...we need to show them the strength of teamwork!~ A similar light extends from Wagon to Soft Steel, boosting his physical strength as well. Wagon uses Helping Hand!]

Rrrrriiiooooo. [~I see it...I think I'm seeing your image, Right.~ Soft Steel glances up at his human, a knowing gleam in his eye. Soft Steel uses Mind Reader!]

Together then...Full Speed Ahead! [Right's personal Work Up kicks in, giving him that final physical boost that he needs. And with all of them giving one final push, that snow pile suddenly and quickly tips up and over the edge of the bridge, falling down and away from them until it faded out of sight. All three of them cheer at their success.]

Edited 2015-03-03 05:57 (UTC)

[ Huh. So he can pull through if given a goal. Haruka's not an Analyst, so she can't follow the details of Right's plan, but she watches this teamwork unfold as Burning Passion Embers more ice into oblivion. The kid just has to watch where he's aiming.

Passion, for her part, is cooking up a scheme (in addition to cooking the snow). Though she hates to degrade herself by speaking up for such simpletons, if she puts in a good word for them and they join the theater, they'll owe their reversal of fortunes to her. And the Riolu at least seems...honorable. He might acknowledge his debt.

She barks at Haruka. That was almost impressive, Trainer! With menial laborers like that at hand, they should finish this quickly! ] Vulpix! Vul vul!

[ Haruka barely spares Passion a glance - what's your game, young lady? - before addressing Right again. ] Have you been together long?

Wagon and I have, yes. [Right kneels down to pet his Pokemon as his way of saying thanks.] I found her shortly after the earthquake last year, and she's been with me ever since. Softy here, I picked up from the Breeding Center a couple of weeks back, since we clicked so well.

Lillip! Lipup! [~Right is intensely friendly and supportive. I couldn't ask for a better partner, on or off the stage!~ Wagon hops up and licks Right's face, tail wagging 100mph as he laughs in response.]

Ri Riolu. [~It helps that Right talks and feels like one of us, even if he's human in most other ways.~ Soft Steel couldn't help but smile with pride. Right's not the brightest human he's seen so far, but he's their human.]

[ Wow guys. Keep up that level of warmth between you and you'll melt the snow from affection alone. Haruka stifles a smile.

....and seems like she's going to leave it at that, so Vulpix trots over to Right and presents herself for pettings, too. She likes these people, Trainer. They would be a useful addition to any cause. Look. She's going to let the human touch her. Human, touch her. Sell this. ] Pix.

[ Haruka begins to suspect something is expected of her. ]

Ahh, so you want some petting, too, huh Passions? Alright! [Right, for once, made a smart move by moving his hand from Soft Steel onto Passions and starts petting the Vulpix. Maybe some scritches behind the ears will help?

The Riolu himself didn't mind his own petting stopped. Unlike a certain other Pokemon, he's not eager for physical affection very often. ~He has a good heart, and he works hard. Just don't burn him if he acts idiotic.~] Olu ri.

Vu- [ An impossibly clever comment revolving around the phrase "if he acts idiotic?" is nipped in the bud by the most delightful sensation behind her ears. Oh, dear. Oh dear he's. He's good at this.

Passion tips her chin up so Right can pet her better. Haruka stops moving snow around with wind to watch. That's sincere, isn't it. He's actually getting her Vulpix to warm up (hah) to him. ] ....you're an interesting guy.

[Right's had a lifetime of practice from petting stray Pokemon. Even so, he grins as he sees Passion happily tilting her head up for more. He obeys the silent request, hand slowly moving from behind the ears to below the chin. Most Pokemon likes getting scritches at that spot, too, right?

He doesn't stop, though, when he looks up at Haruka.] What d'ya man?

Vvvvvvv. [ Foxes don't purr. But Vulpix, finally being properly worshipped, is not about to let a silly thing like that stand in her way.

Haruka soaks up the scene and tosses the context around in her mind a bit before responding. ] ....You said things aren't great at your current theater?

[ Vulpix's tails curl. Hah. Haruka's got what's going on now. ]

[Right winced a little at the reminder.] Yeah, pretty much, I thought it'd be nice to start out with this one group, [insert name of third-rate, minor theater troupe], and they said that they'd let us move from behind the scenes to the stage within a few months.

Well...Wagon and I did get a couple of small roles for a play once, and it was fun! There weren't many people for our shows, but I enjoyed it. So did Wagon; she even did better in her role than I did in mine.

[His pettings faltered, though as he added] But we haven't been allowed back on stage since, though. They keep saying that the one time we did go on stage, we made everyone look terrible, and they didn't want that to happen again. [The look on his face was one mixed with confusion and frustration.] I still don't think Wagon and I were that bad...

[Soft Steel shook his head. ~You're not. They are.~] Lu.

Edited 2015-03-04 21:41 (UTC)

[ Hmm. On the one hand, apparently he can't act. On the other hand, it sounds like most of his frustration might stem from being unable to try again, not from taking others' opinions to heart. Haruka knows what her fuzzy companion expects of her at this juncture, but she's not sure whether to give it just yet. She clears her throat. ] So you still want to act.

[ Vulpix clears her throat, too. Ahem. Human. That thing you were doing. Rhythm is important. ] Pix.

[He's been told he couldn't act as good as the other members of the troupe could... But in truth, he may have outshone them that one time, and they didn't take the idea that he could upstage them very well.]

Of course, I do! My heart's still set on being on the stage. It don't matter what part of part I'd get; long as I get to be out on the stage instead of just stuck behind the scenes. It's just...I wish I knew how.

Liii... [~Oh, Right...don't be intensely upset about it.~ Wagon whined and nudged comfortingly at her human's spare hand.]

Lu lu-ri. [~Besides, it won't do to keep her in suspense.~ Soft Steel nodded towards the Vulpix.]

Wha--Oh! Sorry, Passions. Is this better? [Right quickly resumes the pettings, making sure that he finds a very good spot for his scritches.]

Piiiiiiix. [ All is not quite forgiven; she doesn't do forgiveness. But Vulpix is willing to - mm - overlook Right's foibles for the moment.

She basks in the knowledge that Right's Pokémon are watching him petting her while Haruka thinks things over. ] Isn't that an excuse?

[ She looks up at the sky, trying to tell if it'll start snowing on them while they talk. Looks clear enough, so she'll keep going. ] Stay if you want to prove yourself. Leave if you want a new start. Letting other people decide what you get to do just takes responsibility off your own shoulders.

[ Haruka shrugs. She's not mad; this just seems really simple to her. ] Only you know what you won't regret.

I know that! But where else can I go? I've ask three other places, but either they said no or that they'll get back to me. [And never did, from the frustrated tone in his voice.] I'd ask Kricketune Theaters, but they only let Pokemon go on-stage. Wagon might enjoy that, but I promised that we'd hit the big times together. And I don't like breaking my promises. [That last part was said with a full-on pout.]

[Soft Steel looks between Right and Haruka for a moment...then gives his human a look. ~Right, think about who you're talking to here, and what group they're part of.~] Rio.

[Right looks at his Riolu for a few moments, clearly confused.] Huh?

[That only prompts said Riolu to put his face into his palm again. ~Idiot...who exactly is the human before us?~] Rrrrrr....

Haruka of the Divine Thea...ter... [Now Right's brain starts to put the pieces together. He quickly looked up at Haruka hopefully.] Ummm...you wouldn't have any openings for any acting students, would you?

[ ...And there it was. Forget recruiting for their theater; her Vulpix should be a choreographer or a stage manager or something. Haruka purposely tries to keep her thoughts off her face, but a single snort that might have been a chuckle escapes anyway. This is ridiculous. They've done too good a job at the whole "secret organization" thing....

...but what is the theater for if not to train prospective Divine Defense Force members surreptitiously? She nods to what little snow's left on the bridge, then picks up a nearby shovel and hands it to Right. ] We'll see.

[ How well can you clear this bridge, buddy? Auditions part one. ]

[Right grabs the shovel in mid-air, then looks between said shovel and the remaining piles of snow for a few moments.

Then...then an eager grin pops up on his face.] Alright! C'mon, guys - let's finish clearing this bridge!

[Both Wagon and Soft Steel howl their agreement, and then scurried after him as he hustles over to the nearest remaining snow pile. They waste no time in getting to work on clearing off the remaining snow and ice, with Right especially full of energy and eagerness to prove himself worthy.

...give it another 10 to 20 minutes, and they should have the bridge nice and clear. They'll be tired and panting from their efforts, but at least people could now cross it safely again.]

Edited 2015-03-06 04:22 (UTC)

[ Reclaiming her Vulpix (who does suspiciously little work at a suspiciously slow pace, but at least she guarantees the ice all vanishes, too), Haruka mostly watches Right for the conclusion of their project. She still can't believe she's doing this. She doesn't even know if the kid can fight, or how he'll feel about the idea of preparing to placate (or defeat) angry Gods. But he works well with his Pokémon, and so far he seems to follow orders okay. She can figure out the rest as she goes.

Besides, orienting the new guy should keep Takuto and Sanae out of trouble.

When he's done, she'll lean back against the railing and tip her chin in his general direction. ] Stop by later for the second audition.

Pix! [ And make sure your Trainer passes it! Passion informs Riolu (she's given up on the Lillipup). She doesn't do favors for just anyone. You'd best make this worth her while. ]

[Right's eyes lit up with joyful hope.] Really?! You'll seriously consider us?

[Soft Steel simply nods in agreement. ~We...will...~] R...ri. [Goodness, human, even your actual fighting Pokemon don't have as much energy as you do!]

Liiiii.... [~Iyaaaaan...so intensely tiring...~ Poor Wagon; she's just flopped onto the ground, tongue sticking out as she tries to catch her breath.]

[ Don't get your tongue stuck to anything, now, Wagon. Haruka's already had to handle a Rhyhorn with that problem this winter. She shrugs. ] You work well together. I'm a tough judge, though.

[ This grin dares you to bring any less than your very best to that audition. ] Be ready to train like there's no tomorrow.

[ Hah. It's an apocalypse joke.

...That only she'll get. But that's half the fun. ]

[You think that, with all of the efforts he's put into clearing that snow, he wouldn't be able to move. However, Right just had enough energy to sit up straight and salute all of a sudden.] Yessir! We'll definitely do our best! Just lemme know when it's gonna be, and we'll be there at the earliest!

Riooo... [~At least give us a few days to rest, Right...~ Soft Steel is giving him a "please have mercy" look.]

Edited 2015-03-07 03:10 (UTC)

[ Haruka shrugs. ] I'll be around. Tell the mime at the door that I sent you.

[ The Union Divine Theater is that kind of place, apparently. ]

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lunchleader - 2015-03-07 04:06 (UTC) - Expand

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actsmagnificent - 2015-03-07 14:22 (UTC) - Expand

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