Testrun meme (January & February)

[bravenewmods]

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!

Comments

[actsmagnificent]

[ 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.

[lunchleader]

[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.]

[actsmagnificent]

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.

[lunchleader]

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?

[actsmagnificent]

[ ...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. ]

[lunchleader]

[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.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ 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. ]

[lunchleader]

[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.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ 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. ]

[lunchleader]

[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.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ 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. ]

[lunchleader]

Right! I'll remember that!

[actsmagnificent]

Good luck. [ Let's breeze on out of here, Passion. The Vulpix swirls her tails as she turns to go, shooting the other Pokémon a look over her shoulder. Don't forget, all right? You owe this chance to a certain someone. ] Vul.